Regional Governance Undecided for now
Regional Governance has been put on the backburner.
Community Services Minister Ida Chong tells us she's decided not to do any restructuring for the next six months, especially with upcoming civic elections.
She says instead, her Ministry will continue to review the report.
"They will conduct a somewhat detailed analysis on a number of areas such as the costs, benefits, representation, and decision-making authority. And with that, we will then be able to take a look at the regional governance options for the area."
Nevertheless, Chong says she's pleased to see a Memorandum Of Understanding developing within Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and the District of Westside.
"The fact that they signed an M.O.U. indicates to me that they are looking at a valley-wide governance, or valley-wide opportunities in providing services. That I'm very encouraged about."
Chong tells us regional governance is still a topic of debate.
She says, "The report has given an indication that there is an interest in this. But to be fair, there isn't an absolute 100 percent agreement on how that is to be achieved."
Chong says this means there's no change for now, and that's largely because they do not want to interfere with upcoming civic elections.
Meantime Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd says she expected a delay in Minister Chong's decision.
"I'm not surprised by her conclusion. I knew if she decided to make some real drastic changes it would have a real impact eithor on the rural areas or the urban areas and it was kind of a no win, I think, for her."
Shepherd says she agrees with waiting until after civic elections because, depending on the governance structure that may have resulted, it could have effected the way the elections were carried out.
Shepherd adds the relationship the four largest municipalities are forming in the meantime may address some of the issues that keep coming up across the valley.
Denise Wong - Astral Media Radio News (Kelowna)
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It's anyone's guess how much time, money, carbon emission, hot air, etc. was wasted on the Okanagan Valley wide governance study. The result: nada, nothing but a few more icebergs melted from the excess heat. I guess senior governments have just as much talent in wasting our money as the locals do except they have it on a more grandiose scale.
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