Castanet May 30, 2008 / 3:00 pm
On May 29, 2008 The Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services advised the Regional Governance Committee that, at this time she has decided it would not be possible to effectively make any changes to the current governance structure. She has advised that follow-up work is required by the Ministry and she is still interested in a governance model that works for the Okanagan and Similkameen areas as a whole. The Minister stated that once input was received on rural values, and following the outcomes of the Memorandum of Understanding between the valleys’ four largest municipalities, the Greater Vernon service reviews as well as the November local government elections, she will consult with the new municipal and regional district elected officials. Minister Chong has identified First Nation and public consultation as important elements for any new governance structure.
“The Minister is giving us an opportunity to show we can work collectively on issues that will benefit both the citizens of municipalities and rural areas and through further collaboration with the First Nations we can make the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys the 'best' in Canada," says RDOS Chair, Dan Ashton. The three Regional Districts (Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen, Regional District of Central Okanagan and Regional District of North Okanagan) appointed four representatives to a working committee that looked at growth management and governance options for the Okanagan Valley. The 12-member body was tasked with looking at common services and functions that could perhaps be provided by an amalgamated, single local governance model. The committee presented a final report to the Minister of Community Services on March 28, 2008.
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