The national park debate continues in the South Okanagan. (File photo)

Osoyoos Times Staff

A representative from Parks Canada will not be present at an open-mic information session hosted by local stakeholders and conservationists.

The South Okanagan Similkameen Preservation Society (SOSPS) invited Parks Canada to attend a public meeting in Osoyoos on April 23 to discuss the proposed national park reserve, however Parks Canada, who responded this week, said the organization has already concluded its public consultation — even extended it.

“Parks Canada undertook broad and extensive consultations with residents of the region, stakeholders and all Canadians to obtain their views on the proposed boundary and key aspects for consideration in the management of the lands. Their input will inform the assessment of the establishment of a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. In total, Parks Canada’s Project Manager met with 39 groups. In addition, senior officials from Parks Canada responsible for park establishment met in-person with several key stakeholders,” reads the statement from Parks Canada.

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Parks Canada is working with a third-party consultant to review the feedback collected through the public consultations and is preparing a “what we heard” report. The report will include a summary of the results of the consultation, intended to inform future discussions regarding the proposed national park reserve.

“Parks Canada is currently focused on the preparation of the “what we heard” report and, therefore, will not be participating in South Okanagan Similkameen Preservation Society’s public meeting,” the statement said.

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There are public information sessions planned, Parks Canada said, to share the results of the report. Those are set to take place later in the spring in Osoyoos, Oliver and Penticton. Details on these public information sessions will be provided in the near future, Parks Canada said.

“Parks Canada’s goal is to have an agreement on a final boundary for the proposed national park reserve and an approach to the management of the lands in place by summer 2019. Steps would then be undertaken towards the formal establishment of a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen,” the statement said.