EXTENSION of public consultation: National Park

[joshbazz]

Hmm, Just got this email from Parks Canada

Looks like maybe they are trying to get more signatures to push the National Park through...perhaps they don't have enough signatures yet... if you haven't filled out the survey, now may be the time...


Hello,

Parks Canada is extending by two weeks the public consultation on the proposed national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.

This will allow stakeholder groups who had their meetings rescheduled to late February an opportunity to submit their views on the proposed boundary and provide their input on key aspects for consideration in the management of the lands. It will also provide you with more time to participate.

We will conclude meetings with stakeholders on February 28, 2019, as originally planned. However, those who have not had an opportunity to attend a presentation by Parks Canada are encouraged to view the Agency’s presentation by visiting: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ekuGzj2Z-_wcAqAUPjVb1adeWNmmOunQ. A French version of the video is available upon request.

Parks Canada invites Canadians to share their views through the consultation website until March 15, 2019, by visiting https://letstalksouthokanagansimilkameen.ca/Okanagan.

Alternatively, hard copies of the consultation survey and information package can be found at local municipalities, regional district offices, and libraries.

We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide their input so far. Consultations with residents of the region are an important part of assessing the establishment of a national park reserve in the South Okanagan–Similkameen.

Thank you for your ongoing engagement.


Protected Areas Establishment Branch
Parks Canada

[604ksmith]

I got the same email.

I agree, if anyone hasn't filled out the survey yet TAKE 15 MINUTES AND FILL OUT THE SURVEY!

[whitlers]

Just did it. Thanks for the reminder

[BTF]

Just spent 30 min filling it out, thanks for the reminder as well. If they want a park they really need to concentrate on lands being developed and destroyed, not land that is already Provincial Parks and Nature reserves.

[osburn]

https://www.castanet.net/edition/new...11-.htm#250115

[northof49]

https://globalnews.ca/news/4998581/o...-park-concept/

“Parks Canada has indicated in the past that a referendum is not on the table. People are encouraged to visit the Parks Canada website and fill out an online survey on the proposal.”

.....What does that tell you.....don’t really care what the majority might want.

[HighCountryBC]

https://www.castanet.net/edition/new...11-.htm#250115

Take 5 seconds to hit the Castanet poll and vote No.

[338win mag]

Done and done.

[joshbazz]

53% yes to 39.99% no out of 2383 votes so far...

[boxhitch]

Parks Canada says it will not be attending a public meeting later this month in Osoyoos on the proposed South Okanagan national park.

The South Okanagan Similkameen Preservation Society — a group opposed to the project — had planned the meeting for April 23 at the Sonora Centre and publicly invited Parks Canada.

The federal agency, however, says it is still working on compiling feedback from its public consultation period into a “What We Heard” report. Parks Canada says it met with 39 groups and stakeholders on the issue.

“The report will include a summary of the results of the consultation, which will 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,” a statement Monday said.


“Parks Canada is committed to openness, transparency and sharing timely, accurate and clear information with the public,” Parks Canada continued. “For this reason, public information sessions to share the results of the “What We Heard” report are being planned for later this spring in Osoyoos, Oliver and Penticton.”

Parks Canada says the dates for those events are still to be determined.

Plans remain in motion to have an agreement on a final boundary for the proposed national park reserve and 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 Parks Canada statement says.