On November 19, we will decide whether or not we want to continue exploring the idea of a National Park on Bowen. As your mayor I want to share my thoughts on this important decision.
Let’s first look back. From the beginning this Council has supported the National Park process. We unanimously invited Parks Canada to conduct a feasibility study of a National Park on Bowen Island. Council agreed to the community engagement, the membership of committees, the community concerns that we communicated to Parks Canada, and all other issues right up to the wording of the Community Opinion Vote. That said, this process has taken up only a small part of the Council agenda over the past two years, and has had only a minor impact on municipal staff time. The necessary work was contracted out, and costs recovered from Parks Canada. A Council Committee consulted with Parks Canada, the BC Government and the community, and brought the information gained back to Council for decisions.
So where do things stand today? The basic concept of the proposed National Park Reserve is clear. The current plan includes Provincial Crown Lands and the regional district’s Crippen Park. The National Park would be designed primarily for the pedestrian walker and hiker, with most visitor traffic to the island flowing counter to our own commuter traffic. Parks Canada would spend significantly more than the current landowners (Province, Metro Vancouver) on these lands and their operations to better protect ecosystems, upgrade and expand the trails, restore heritage cottages, and educate visitors on our natural and cultural heritage. On other issues we need clearer answers, and a better understanding of the future impacts of a National Park on our community. There are outstanding questions that can only be resolved through further discussions and negotiations. And here is the key point. What we, Bowen Islanders, are being asked to decide on November 19 is whether we want to move forward and negotiate answers to these questions. The Province has confirmed that a Yes vote means a Yes to moving forward, with Bowen Island still holding the right to say No at future points in the process.
This assurance from the Province is clearly stated in the letter of November 10th from Terry Lake, Minister of the Environment. The letter, posted on the municipal website, states that “I recognize the uniqueness of this initiative in that the proposed national park reserve would be entirely within the municipal boundaries. As such, the Province will only consider a national park reserve if, among other considerations, there is continued support from Bowen Island throughout the process as it develops.” A National Park can only happen on Bowen Island with the agreement of the Province, and the Province will proceed only if we, as a community, agree. Our choice is clear. We need to say Yes on November 19 in order to keep the process moving forward. A No vote on November 19 will end the process. On this, the Minister is also very clear; No means no.
If Bowen Island votes Yes, and the Province thinks that a National Park reserve is a good idea based on comments from First Nations, regional government, and other stakeholders, the Province will begin negotiations with Parks Canada. BIM and the Province will then establish a mechanism that ensures that Bowen’s interests are represented in this negotiation. If a draft park establishment agreement is negotiated, BIM Council will have to decide whether or not to support the agreement. The current Council voted unanimously to recommend to the next council that if November 19 vote is Yes, that they conduct a second Community Opinion Vote to determine community support for an establishment agreement. Eleven of the fourteen candidates currently running for Council have committed to doing this – as the current council did – give the decision to the community through a Community Opinion Vote. So if we collectively vote Yes on November 19, we will have the opportunity to vote again before any park agreement is signed.
Are there compelling reasons to vote Yes and move into a negotiation that would clarify the details of a Park establishment agreement? I believe there are. Parks Canada has been professional, fair, and effective. They have run a transparent process and responded to issues raised by the community. Our working relationship with the Province of BC is strong. A broad array of island individuals and groups – conservation and heritage and recreation groups, educators, business owners – have expressed support for what they see as the positive impacts of a National Park on Bowen Island: environmental protection, recreational opportunities, educational and heritage partnerships, and support for our local economy – all legacies we create for future generations.
I believe this is our time to step forward with confidence, and embrace the next step. The debate to date has sharpened our focus on what we want, and what we don’t want. Through our Council, and as individuals and groups, we have a strong political voice. We will use it. I am confident that Bowen Island is fully capable of negotiating wisely to protect all that we value in our island community.
Mayor Bob Turner
Bowen Island Municipality
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