Committee supports referendum on Sorrento-Blind Bay incorporation

Mar 4, 2022 | 1:00 PM

Two Shuswap communities could be a step closer to incorporation.

Members of an incorporation study advisory committee have recommend a referendum be conducted on the topic of incorporation of the Blind Bay-Sorrento area, which is currently part of Electoral Area C of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD).

At a meeting this week, the committee voted 7-1 in favour of recommending a referendum to the CSRD board. The committee’s purpose was to ensure that there is enough information available for voters to make an informed decision on the proposed incorporation.

The committee’s recommendation will be considered by the CSRD board at its March 17 regular meeting.

“Incorporation would mean that the areas of Sorrento and Blind Bay become their own municipality with its own local government separate from the CSRD, as with the City of Salmon Arm or District of Sicamous. A new municipality would then appoint one representative to sit on the CSRD board,” a news release from the CSRD stated.

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Should the CSRD board vote in favour of the recommendation, the regional district will work with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to finalize a date for the assent voting, tentatively planned for this spring.

All eligible voters living inside in the proposed new municipal boundaries will be able to vote to determine whether the area should incorporate or not.

If the vote supports incorporation, the new municipality would be formed and a vote on a new municipal council would likely take place as part of the municipal elections scheduled for October 15, 2022.

If the voters decide against incorporation, Electoral Area C will be divided into two smaller areas, each with their own elected director on the CSRD board.

“This is because the population of the area has grown significantly. Adding an additional director will create a more equal distribution of elected representation across the region,” the CSRD stated.

All information on the proposed incorporation is available on the Sorrento-Blind Bay incorporation study page of the CSRD website.

by Pete McIntyre

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