Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

March 4, 2008

Macdonald questions whether or not government intends to approve ski tenure in Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park

In Question Period yesterday, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald reminded the Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts that he promised to answer whether or not the government is negotiating an exchange of tenure for a heli-skiing operator that would make way for the development of the Jumbo Glacier Resort.

From Hansard, Monday, March 3rd, 2008, afternoon:

N. Macdonald: I asked the Minister of Tourism five days ago whether a ski operation was moving into the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park.  The reason this would be moved is to move ahead with the Jumbo project.

Does this minister intend to ignore the wishes of the people of the area who voted 79% against this project?  Does the government intend to contravene the master plan for a Kootenay treasure, the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park?

The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy was established in 1974 and the Master Plan was completed with extensive public input and has been in place since 1990. 

The Master Plan indicates:

‘All forms of commercial activity as well as the use of combustion engines for recreational purposes shall be prohibited.’ (page 8)

‘The Conservancy will remain closed to recreational air access as prescribed by the establishing Order-in-Council.’ (page 24)

“As I said in the House yesterday, if the government thinks that they can make any changes to the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park, then they will have a fight on their hands,” declared Macdonald.