e-1390 (Protection of the environment)

Petition to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

• We thank the governments for the tri-lateral announcement on October 27, 2017, that South Okanagan Similkameen park reserve will be established;
• South Okanagan-Similkameen NPR will benefit local citizens, preserve endangered species and maintain ecosystems in perpetuity;
• Park consultation with affected communities and economic sectors has been an ongoing process since 2002;
• Our region is without a national park identified in Parks Canada's planning policy;
• This region will benefit economically, in the form of direct National Park jobs and capital expenditures, infrastructure and jobs that will achieve their mandate;
• An independent, professional opinion poll verified 70% local park support (McAllister Opinion Research, 2015);
• The Park Reserve recognizes Indigenous rights, language and cultural practices;
• Private land will never be expropriated for the Park, and any real estate transactions will be on a willing seller-willing buyer basis;
• Parks Canada field staffing levels are 4-10 times higher than Provincial field staffing;
• Visitors to our region will increase, as a valuable economic spin-off of the Park;
• Parks Canada's wildfire suppression and prescribed burning expertise will help stop catastrophic wildfires and enhance wildlife habitat;
• Parks Canada will improve the management of many outdoor recreation opportunities and monitor inappropriate uses; and
• The Okanagan-Similkameen is a national "hot-spot" for critically endangered wildlife and need greater protection.