OKANAGAN — The B.C. government suspended discussions over a proposed national park in the south Okanagan-Similkameen three years ago, but the issue hasn’t been put to rest.
On Earth Day Wednesday, the NDP’S environment critic, Spencer Chandra Herbert, called for wants the province to reopen talks.
“There is tremendous local support for the jobs and opportunities that a national park would bring to the region,” says Chandra Herbert in a news release.
Chandra Herbert says there are more than 60 federally listed endangered species in the south Okanagan and a national park would help protect the animals.
“When you have almost 70 per cent of people in a region saying they want to explore an opportunity to both protect the environment and create jobs in their local communities, Christy Clark needs to stop throwing up barriers and get back to the table to re-start discussions,” he says.
A new survey released this month shows local support for the park is growing.
However, opponents say the creation of a national park would force stakeholders, like ranchers, off the land.
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