Election Related Funding?

BC’s Environment Minister denies funding for Hullcar residents in Spallumcheen, was tied to the upcoming election.

The claim was made by NDP environment critic George Heyman in the BC Legislature.

“After years of raising concerns on this issue, why did it take the upcoming election before Hullcar Valley residents got the first concrete action by this government to provide clean, safe water?” queried Heyman.

Heyman is skeptical of the timing of Friday’s announcement, hours before a community meeting.

Photo: George Heyman, NDP Environment critic

“Just hours before the member for Shuswap was expected to be roasted by residents for the long standing water pollution crisis,” added Heyman.

Minister Mary Polak says government staff have been working on the tainted water issue for more than two years.

“It was upon receipt of the data, the reports, and the information as a result of that multi year work that we have indeed provided funding,” says Polak.

Polak says the $950,000 will look at alternative water sources, and improve the nutrient management practices of local farms.