MLA Says BC Won't Fund Study Without More Support

Written by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 28 January 2014 15:15
It doesn't look like the province will proceed with a study into local governance restructuring, despite a request for that from Vernon council. Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster called Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes this morning to clarify the situation, and says the request needs more than just Vernon's support. "The policy is very simple: We do not fund a study unless all parties are interested, so if the city wishes to do a study, they can do it, but it will not be funded by the province unless other participants are interested in having it done," Foster tells Kiss FM. Foster says he wasn't totally surprised Vernon council passed unanimous motions Monday to request the province to conduct a fact-finding study to determine the most efficient and cost-effective governance model. Council's other motion was to put the issue on the ballot this November for residents to decide if the study should proceed."I don't get surprised much anymore so I wouldn't say that, but I kind of thought they (Vernon council) might just let it go, knowing the other partners weren't interested, but obviously they felt strongly enough to support it," says Foster. Foster says the governance issue may be resurrected in the fall, depending on what happens, and who gets elected in the municipal elections.
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It's like beating a dead dog. That's the reaction from Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick to Vernon council deciding Monday to ask the province to do a local governance study and put it to a public vote this fall. Coldstream and the electoral areas have already nixed the idea. Garlick says Vernon's motion is like Coldstream asking the province to start a study with Lumby and Area D to unilaterally amalgamate them. He says that wouldn't go over too well, and neither does this move by Vernon. Garlick says there is no economic benefit to Coldstream amalgamating with Vernon and his municipality is posting its financial report and Vernon's on its website for comparison purposes for residents.