Dear Editor:
This letter is directed at the Honorable Mary Polak, Minister of Environment for the provincial government in British Columbia.
As a follow-up to my letter of Nov. 13, 2013 and as a result of the recently released survey, I would like to once again urge the Province of British Columbia to formally re-engage negotiations with the Government of Canada and First Nations in regard to the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve.
The independent poll in question clearly shows widespread and growing support for the proposed national park.
As we see, support over the past five years has increased from two to one in favour to over three to one.
This is very significant.
As you are aware, the proposed park has the support of regional districts, municipal governments, First Nations, Chambers of Commerce, the tourism sector as well as many environmental groups.
I agree with the Mayor of Osoyoos, Sue McKortoff, when she states that, “only a national park has the money, mandate and expertise to protect and restore our endangered species and help protect our watershed.”
I respectfully request that our province begin discussions with the Government of Canada and First Nations to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement on the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen national park.
I will also be forwarding this letter to Hon. Leona Aglukkaq – Environment Minister
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip – Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Chief Keith Crowe – Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Chief Clarence Louie – Osoyoos Indian Band
Chief Jonathan Kruger – Penticton Indian Band
Linda Larson, MLA
Dan Ashton, MLA
Megan Leslie, MP – NDP Environment critic
Dan Albas, MP
Spencer Chandra Herbert, Provincial NDP Environent critic
Mark Pendergraft, Chair, RDOS
Gail Given, Chair, RDCO
Rick Fairbairn, Chair, RDNO
Sue McKortoff, Mayor – Town of Osoyoos
Ron Hovanes, Mayor – Town of Oliver
Manfred Bauer, Mayor – Village of Keremeos
Andrew Jakubeit, Mayor – City of Penticton
Brian Highley, President – South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce
Destination Osoyoos
Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO – Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Doreen Olson – South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Network
Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior
