By Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Chronicle

Although the government didn’t write a cheque, a recent meeting in Ottawa for canal repair funding produced a couple of bites.

On Tuesday, outgoing mayor Ron Hovanes reported on his meeting with a couple of key ministers. He used all of his persuasive power to get a commitment from the federal government to help fund the $10 million canal repair project, which consists of

rerouting the siphon at Gallagher Lake along Highway 97 south.

The provincial government has already committed $5 million towards the project.

Hovanes flew to Ottawa the day after the municipal election to meet with the ministers, accompanied by Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie (via conference call).

He noted the agriculture minister offered “tons of support” and understood the urgency, but could only wish Oliver well in finding the money.

• Read more: Town needs to get tough over siphon repair bill: councillor

Hovanes also met with the infrastructure minister.

“I really stressed the urgency,” the mayor said, explaining the fact that Oliver lost one-third of its water supply during the canal’s temporary repair.

Hovanes touched on the impact the canal has on employment and tourism, noting how critical the water supply is to farming and First Nations operations.

The minister acknowledged the struggle to find a mechanism for funding, pointing out that under their climate change model, this project could somehow fit into this (relating to hotter summers and the demand for water).

Hovanes said they were told that siphon repair would fall under the government’s disaster relief program, but grant funding under this model is for projects that are $20 million and higher.

Hovanes said they were asked to look at increasing the scope of the project (another $10 million) as well as the public interest.

“They were sort of suggesting that the canal is really a private interest because it provides farmers with water . . . they make a living from it.”

The mayor stressed to the minister that the canal has both rural and domestic interests, and everyone pays for it.

“I walked way thinking that there is probably a very real possibility that we should be getting some support.”