Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band

“The signing of the land lease and utilities contracts with the
government creates a long-term commitment to the project and builds on
our band’s history of success as a major economic driver in our region.
Together, we are leading the way on this innovative partnership, which
is the first of its kind between BC Corrections and a First Nations.”

The Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) reached two major
milestones today with the signing of historic agreements between
government and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and the short-listing of
three proponents that will move to the next stage of the competitive
selection process for this project.

The B.C. government’s historic partnership with the OIB was celebrated
today as Justice Minister and Attorney General Shirley Bond, OIB Chief
Clarence Louie and Minister of Citizens’ Services and Open Government
Ben Stewart signed two crucial contracts at a ceremony at the Nk’Mip
Desert Cultural Centre.

The contracts secure the future of the OCC project by laying out the
details of the land lease and utilities service for a 60-year period,
plus an option for an additional 20. The partnership to build the new
correctional centre on OIB land is the first such partnership between
BC Corrections and a First Nations in British Columbia.

Bond also announced the three teams selected to submit a proposal to
design, build, partially finance and maintain the OCC project. BC
Community Partners, Brookfield-EllisDon-Fengate Justice Partners, and
Plenary Justice were selected through a thorough evaluation of
submissions received through a Request for Qualifications and have now
qualified to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

When completed, the new OCC will more than double corrections capacity
in B.C.’s Interior and will enhance public safety for communities,
correctional staff and inmates throughout the province. The OCC will
also generate significant economic benefits for the region, including
the creation of up to 500 direct and 500 indirect construction jobs, as
well as approximately 240 new, full-time correctional positions when
the centre opens.