Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Shuswap Lake (Photo courtesy of Columbia Shuswap Regional District)
By Pete McIntyre
assent vote

New date set for watershed council referendum

Jan 15, 2024 | 7:30 AM

After wildfires required the postponement of the Shuswap Watershed Council referendum in mid-August, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) has announced plans to hold the vote on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Ballots already cast for the referendum in advance and mail-in voting have been securely retained and those votes will be included in the final ballot count which will take place following the closure of the polls. Voters who already cast ballots by mail or advance polls are not permitted to vote again.

The referendum is being conducted regarding the proposed continuation of funding for the activities of the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) in perpetuity. The SWC is a collaborative, non-regulatory group that focuses on strategic initiatives to protect, maintain and enhance water quality and to promote safe recreation in the Shuswap.

The board has not yet determined if the collection of taxes will be by way of parcel taxes or property value of land and improvements.

  • If a parcel tax bylaw is adopted for the collection of taxes, the amount per property is estimated to be $9.55 per year.
  • If the taxes are collected by property value (ad valorem), the estimated amount per residential property would be $1.76 per $100,000 of assessed value, or approximately $9.74 per average residential property valued at $553,427.
Event Cancelled
Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival cancelled after nearly 30 years
12h ago
Flood Hazards
Requests for proposals open for Water Reclamation bridge project
13h ago
Fire spreads to house
Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire
Apr 02, 2026

Only eligible electors of Electoral Areas C, D, E, F, and G and the District of Sicamous can vote in the referendum because they are the only areas where taxpayers will be contributing to the service.

Voters can cast ballots by mail or between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on general voting day, February 3, 2024. Two pieces of valid identification are required.

Voting locations include:

Electoral Area

General Voting Locations – Saturday, February 3, 2024

Electoral Area C

White Lake Community Hall, 3617 Parri Road, White Lake

Electoral Area D

Falkland Community Hall, 5706 Highway 97, Falkland

Electoral Area E / District of Sicamous

District of Sicamous Council Chambers,
446 Main Street, Sicamous

Electoral Area F

Lakeview Community Centre,
7703 Squilax-Anglemont Road, Anglemont

Electoral Area G

Blind Bay Memorial Hall, 2510 Blind Bay Road, Blind Bay

Eligible voters may cast ballots at any one of the available polling stations.

Mail ballots are available by request through an online form available on the Shuswap Watershed Council Referendum page of the CSRD website. The application deadline for mail ballots is 12 PM, Monday, January 22, 2024.

More information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are also available.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

Infrastructure Repairs
Bids sought for Lower BX Creek culvert repairs
The City of Vernon is looking for a company to take on an infrastructure project.The city said the twin 1850mm culvert for Lower BX Creek near 39th Avenue is failing.The culvert needs a new slipline, and also requires scour protection and restoration at the work site.The city opened applications for companies to submit...
8h ago
Read More
Lodge Renewal Project
Sovereign Lake Lodge renewal to happen in 2027
Construction of the revamped lodge at Sovereign Lake is set to happen in a year.The Sovereign Lake Lodge Legacy Committee said the schematic drawings for the renewed lodge has been prepared, and that they aligned with the needs and priorities of users and staff, while also meeting the B.C. Building Code requirements.Th...
11h ago
Read More
Event Cancelled
Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival cancelled after nearly 30 years
The Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival has been cancelled, bringing an end to one of the South Okanagan's longest-running music events.The board of directors for the Pentastic Jazz Society says it has made the "difficult decision" to call off what would have been the festival's 28th annual edition, citin...
12h ago
Read More
Flood Hazards
Requests for proposals open for Water Reclamation bridge project
The City of Vernon is looking for a contractor to do work as part of the upgrades to the Water Reclamation Plant.The city opened its request for proposals process as it seeks a company that could remove a pedestrian bridge and effluent pipe crossing between 25th Avenue and the facility, and to build a new pedestrian br...
13h ago
Read More
Round Two
Rockets meet top-seeded Silvertips in round two
Sixteen years later, the matchup returns, and so does the opportunity.For the first time since 2010, the Kelowna Rockets and the Everett Silvertips will meet in the WHL playoffs, setting up a second-round series filled with familiarity, history, and momentum on both sides.Round two opens this weekend in Everett, where ...
13h ago
Read More
Ski Hill Celebrations
Seismic Spring Festival goes at SilverStar this weekend
Spring skiing reaches its peak this weekend as the Seismic Spring Festival wraps up at SilverStar Mountain Resort. The festivities ramp up with the Spring Queening terrain park events Friday through Sunday, as well as multiple other events running through the weekend.Saturday, April 4Retro DaySpring QueeningSovereign2S...
Apr 04, 2026
Read More
Calling for provincial help
Regional mayors outline priorities
Regional mayors have highlighted their most pressing concerns and needs from the province.A media release from the Mayors of the Okanagan Thursday, April 2, stated a priority remained public safety, especially increased investment in crown prosecutors in the Interior.One aspect highlights a lack of a voluntary treatmen...
Apr 03, 2026
Read More
volunteers needed
Get involved in Kelowna's City of Gastronomy future
Kelowna's new international designation as a City of Gastronomy through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is moving into its next phase.That will be the formation of a new Advisory Council and upcoming opportunities for community members to get involved.Two public info sessions are planned for April 14 and you can lea...
Apr 03, 2026
Read More
Fire spreads to house
Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire
Smoke billowed over Okanagan Lake after a fire broke out in a gated community Thursday afternoon.Vernon Fire Rescue Services received a report of a grass fire at the Cameron Point community off Delcliffe Road, south of Hurlburt Park, at around 2 p.m. April 2."Upon arrival crews found a fire that had started on the...
Apr 02, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Event Cancelled
Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival cancelled after nearly 30 years
12h ago
Flood Hazards
Requests for proposals open for Water Reclamation bridge project
13h ago
Fire spreads to house
Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire
Apr 02, 2026
Youth Health Services
Youth immunization, sexual health clinic opening in Vernon
Apr 02, 2026
Displaced For A Week
Some residents still displaced from fatal apartment fire
Apr 01, 2026