Black Press asked what is your position on the development of a national park or national park reserve in the South Okanagan to the Boundary-Similkameen candidates:
Linda Larson - BC Liberal
My priority for the South Okanagan is to ensure we protect the geographic and cultural values, while maintaining ranching and existing grazing tenures and recreational opportunities. This is why I do not support the 2010 Parks Canada proposal for a single national park.
Last August, B.C. released an intentions paper for public feedback announcing our proposal to achieve this balance. After careful consideration of the more than 3,400 submissions, planning is now underway to move forward with this proposal in coordination with the three Okanagan Nation communities most affected by the proposal – the Lower Similkameen, Penticton Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band.
The proposal combines provincial and federal designations to arrive at a solution that may better meet the variety of interests in the region.
We are all blessed to live in a unique area, with extraordinary natural beauty and rich cultural value, which also provides a livelihood for many in our region. We have an obligation to get this proposal right for future generations, and that’s why I support planning for our proposal proceeding in a collaborative manner.
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