Spent Friday working on a project with a gentleman friend. We talked briefly about the National Park issue and he stated “based on the coverage on ODN – it seems you support the NO side”.

I stated that that perception was wrong. I support the middle ground which is hard to defend with arrows coming both ways.

This is a very divisive issue that has friends pitted against each other even family members.

I like the win-win scenario – or the lose/lose ending where no one is happy. Sometimes the best end to any fight.

Here’s the game and you might NOT like what I am saying. Both sides think they are right. Both would put up bigger highway signs if you could. Both sides are bullies.

Recently Minister of Environment Mary Polak brought both sides into the same room in Oliver but not at the same time. I was lucky to be there for the whole day. The two sides were pretty close in what issues were important.

1. protecting endangered species

2. protecting the right to use the land in traditional ways

3. enhancing tourism – jobs and money

4. consolidating management of the grassland  and protected areas

What they disagreed on was the BEST method of doing that.

One said let Ottawa do it – as if the Federal Government uses someone else’s money. That group did a polling survey and state the results are definitive. Polls are polls.

The other side is represented by duly elected provincial politicians – a jurisdiction that is the Crown and has the constitutional power to control and regulate land matters in BC. That side has been doing a fair job of talking to stakeholders and handing out limited power and authority – mainly with Okanagan Native Nations and engaging with a number of environmental agencies.

Who is right? – depends on who you talk to. Will there ever be an end to it?

Not in this decade.

Until then let’s ask our government to consolidate land to protect endangered species. Manage the grasslands better. Do more to make the South Okanagan a tourist draw in the off season.

And more importantly to me – find a forum to discuss the future of our children’s land in an adult manner.