The Yes side in the National Park Debate is not giving up after presenting three meetings this week in the South Okanagan.

Chloe O’Loughlin chloe@cpawsbc.org represents CPAWS – Canadian Parks and Wildernesss Society (seen below and speaking in Oliver).

She spoke to about 50 people Tuesday in Penticton at the Shatford Centre more than 60 people in Osoyoos Wednesday and to a packed house in Oliver Thursday on the benefits of a National Park including more long term jobs, national facilities and financial boosts to a number of industries like tourism. She did say the BC govenment was right in “putting it on hold” as she says there has not been enough positive support of councils, regional districts and business groups. She aims to change that situation.

George Bush, RDOS director from area B told the group the people he talks to in his area are against such a proposal. In Oliver the room seemed split between people supporting the concept and those with a lot of questions about the effects of such a decision.

Three meetings were scheduled in the South Okanagan – 1 more being set up in Keremeos for a  presentation on “Everything you want to know about a national park in the South Okanagan-Similkameen”.

Chloe O’Loughlin from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society talked about the benefits of a national park to business, communities and the region.  O’Loughlin told the gatherings that a National Park will secure the future of the grasslands habitat, bring better forest practices, jobs, tourists and cash to the area.