Not a day goes by when western Canadians realize, again, they are getting the shaft from the eastern establishment. B.C.’s constituent boundaries must run parallel or follow the line of least resistance of the natural obstacles — go around or over the summits of mountains that lie in their path. And support the towns, cities and municipalities that have been built over the past 100 years. It is too late to change or turn back the clock. The one major change required is putting Osoyoos and Oliver back into the Penticton riding. Removing Summerland would be a major disaster.
Our river valleys and mountain ranges determine how, why and where we must build our roads, highways and railways. Since the early days of transportation and movement, before the arrival of the railways, the stern wheelers — ships like the SS Sicamous and Moyie — plied our rivers.
The Ottawa gang, it seems, could care less about where our boundaries must be. During the previous constituency changes, three ‘faceless Liberal bureaucrats’ from Ottawa played a significant role in removing Osoyoos and Oliver from the riding, then known as Okanagan Similkameen Merritt. Historically, Osoyoos and Oliver had been as “conservative” as apple pie since B.C.’s boundary lines were first drawn.
B.C. residents should prepare themselves for a major boundary change: Should the NDP win the next election, there is a very good chance the “conservative” Peace River District will change to Alberta territory. For far too many years the Peace folks have been dissatisfied with the way things are done in Victoria. It is fair to say the Peace country is just as disappointed with Victoria as they are with Ottawa.
Soon after becoming premier, W.A.C. Bennett realized the possibility of the Peace someday leaving B.C. W.A.C. and son Bill were the only premiers that understood the needs and requirements of the interior. That was the principal reason why he expanded the Pacific Great Eastern Railway to extend its rails all the way into the Peace district. Today, the Peace folks are more than disappointed over another dam being built in their back yard to satisfy the needs of BC Hydro customers on the coast. Peace farmers need the Peace River water as much as the coast and Lower Mainland folks require more electrical power. B.C. wastes more hydro electric power potential than power it generates. How about ‘better’ management of our resource?
On a per capita basis, the Peace folks pay far more in taxes and royalties than any other region to fund the free loaders in Victoria and the Lower Mainland. The next major initiative for the coast and Island is a new ferry fleet. Most of the money to fund such a project will come from Peace taxpayers, yet very few of those folks will ever ride on a B.C. ferry.
Now that the South Okanagan may be losing MP Dan Albas, I hope he has the time to read this letter and report the seriousness of the situation to the Ottawa establishment.
Ernie Slump
Penticton