Working Hard for the Okanagan

February 04, 2010

As Mark Twain said, “Whisky is for drinking; water is for fighting over.”  I’d like to change that to water is for fighting for. 

In the Okanagan Valley we are one of the highest drought risk areas in Canada, with some of the fastest population growth and an economy that is heavily dependent on water especially, our agriculture and tourism industries.

That’s why I was pleased to join Minister Day this week to announce funding of $6.9M to complete the Okanagan Valley’s Water Supply and Demand Study.  Natural Resources Canada is providing $3.3 million of the $6.9 million, which includes contributions from 18 partners in provincial ministries, local governments, First Nations and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and academia.

From that study will come important information on climate change and its impact on our water supply, how we can best adapt and what our priorities should be as we go forward. 

This funding represents a true collaborative effort, with a wide range of users involved in working together to ensure the reliability of water supply in the Okanagan.  Anyone wishing more information can contact the Okanagan Basin Water Board at www.obwb.ca .
I was also happy to participate in a funding announcement which will help build affordable seniors’ housing and support a local industry.  The governments of Canada and British Columbia announced $15.5 million for the construction of 322 modular housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities.  Chaparral Industries here in Kelowna will be one of the manufacturers. Not only will we create more affordable housing, this funding will support an innovative local industry and creates jobs. 

This week also brought Western Economic Diversification Minister Lynne Yelich and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to town.  Minister Yelich met with various community groups including the Women’s Resource Centre and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce while Minister Ritz came to attend the BC Fruit Growers’ Association Annual Convention.  Local participants are getting an opportunity to speak directly with these Ministers so that they fully understand our local needs and concerns.

I have to take this opportunity to acknowledge a few events that have taken place in the community and the volunteer effort that goes into making these events such a success.  Time and time again, you, the citizens of this great community, come out and give of your free time to make our community the supportive and caring place it is. 

I want to acknowledge the Friends of Library in Rutland and all the volunteers who helped to make the beautiful, newly expanded facility a reality.
I also want to acknowledge all the volunteers who helped make this week’s Wendy’s DreamLift campaign such a big success.  The 16th Annual Wendy’s DreamLift Day raised $99,742.58 which will help send children with life threatening illnesses or severe disabilities to DisneyLand in California. Over 100 volunteers help out by taking the day off work, without pay, to make this event happen.

Finally, I want to congratulate everyone, organizers, volunteers and participants alike who worked very hard for many months to make the arrival of the Olympic Torch to Kelowna and Lake Country such a huge success.  What an incredible outpouring of community spirit and Canadian pride and unity. 

And speaking of international games, I met with the President of the International Children’s Winter Games which will be held in Kelowna next January, the first Canadian city to host the games.  These games will be a great success and another great collaborative effort on behalf of citizens, volunteers and elected representatives.

On a final note, I was in Ottawa January 22 with my caucus colleagues meeting with Prime Minster Harper and our Cabinet to discuss the economy and prepare for Budget 2010.

The good news is that twelve months after we launched the Economic Action Plan to stimulate job creation across the country, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed that stimulus efforts are “driving the global rebound” and “fiscal stimulus planned for 2010 should be fully implemented.”

As we enter Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action plan, our priority is to continue to build a strong foundation for job creation and economic growth.  I cannot express strongly enough how important it is for you to get involved and to let me know what you feel our course of action should be and what should be included in the next budget. 

Many of you have already weighed in.  I hope many more of you will get involved as well.  If you have suggestions for Budget 2010 drop me a line at ron@cannan.ca and I will pass them along to Finance Minister Flaherty.

Ron Cannan is the MP for Kelowna-Lake Country.  Ron can be contacted by email at  ron@cannan.ca or phone at 250-470-5075.