[LookOutSugarLake] Dangerous proposal

[handr at telus.net]

Hello all,

problems coming from all sides - I sent this email to the Chair of  
the Board of NORD this morning as well as all First Nations leaders  
and two MLAs I know are opposing the bill - If it passes this could  
render regions unable to oppose developments so I consider it dangerous.

huguette


> From: handr at telus.net
> Date: March 22, 2007 9:35:18 AM PST (CA)
> To: Jerry Oglow <jerry.oglow at nord.ca>
> Cc: Rob Smailes <rob.smailes at nord.ca>, eugene.foisy at nord.ca,  
> rick.fairbairn at nord.ca, Okanagan Council  
> <okibcouncil at okanagan.org>, Osoyos Indian Band <chief at oib.ca>, Tony  
> Yow <tyow at shuswapnation.org>, lookoutsugarlake at sensociety.org,  
> "tribaldirector at shuswapnation.org Council"  
> <tribaldirector at shuswapnation.org>, Senk'lip  
> <senklip at okanagan.org>, norm.macdonald.mla at leg.bc.ca,  
> corky.evans.mla at bc.ca, Okanagan Alliance Fisheries <HWright at Syilx.Org>
> Subject: Oppose Bill 11
>
> Greetings Jerry,
>
> I am writing to you as Chair of the Board of Regional Directors in  
> order to inform you of a proposed amendment to Bill 11 that would  
> strip Regional Governments from their powers if and when an area is  
> declared as a "Resort Region" by the Province.
>
> The bill was put forward by Government Services Minister Ida Chong,  
> and so far has only had its first reading, so could be opposed, and  
> certainly should be opposed as quickly and vehemently as possible  
> by all regional governments.
>
> The NDP warns that this bill contains a hidden clause that robs  
> local governments of the ability to make decisions about land use  
> by resorts and
> instead gives that power to the province. After phoning Minister  
> Chong's office I was told to look for the amendment to Section 15  
> which says:
>
> SECTION 15: [Local Government Act, section 6.8] provides for the  
> designation of an area as a resort region.
> This can be found at the following website:  http://www.leg.bc.ca/ 
> 38th3rd/1st_read/gov11-1.htm
>
> Ida Chong was quoted as saying: "It is not to stop that (community  
> debate) from taking place, but it's also not to stop tourism  
> development and not stop the resort potential that's there." My  
> fear is that this bill could be used to make our area, say from  
> Sugar Lake to Silver Star, a Resort Area that would then remove all  
> local governments' powers to make decisions. As spokesperson for  
> SLAMSS (Sugar Lake And Middle Shuswap Stewards) I wish to have our  
> Regional Governments keep the powers they have as they are the only  
> ones we can directly work with. We have all seen how difficult,  
> almost impossible, to affect provincial or federal lawmakers.
>
> Please be sure to register your opposition with MLA Norman  
> MacDonald at norm.macdonald.mla at leg.bc.ca and with Corky Evans at  
> corky.evans.mla at bc.ca who are both NDP members opposing this bill  
> and please let me know of any action taken by your board on this  
> issue.
>
> Looking forward to knowing how our local governments respond to this,
>
> Huguette
>
>
>
>
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>

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