Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

November 3rd, 2008

Kootenay residents overwhelmingly support keeping Jumbo wild

The vast majority of Kootenay residents are in support of keeping the Jumbo Valley near Invermere wild, a new poll indicates.

In a poll conducted in October by McAllister Opinion Research of Vancouver, 66% of Columbia River – Revelstoke residents polled stated that the Jumbo Valley should be kept wild.  Only 18% indicated that the Jumbo Glacier Resort should be allowed to proceed.

“This poll confirms what has been said again and again,” declared Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.  “By every measure possible, the people of the Kootenays overwhelmingly reject Jumbo Glacier Resort. 

“They have expressed their opposition to me as their MLA. They have stated their opposition clearly in the RDEK referendum.  And people said they reject the Jumbo Resort proposal during the environmental assessment process.”

In 2005, Premier Campbell indicated that the final decision on Jumbo would be made by the residents of the Kootenays.

“What the public thinks on this issue is absolutely clear.  The Premier made a promise that he needs to keep.  People in my area have rejected this proposed resort and the government needs to honour that decision.”