The B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commission has been told to back off changes in Greater Vernon.
Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, told the commission Wednesday that he doesn’t support a plan to remove the Swan Lake area and a portion of the BX from Vernon-Monashee and put it in the Shuswap constituency.
“People in the BX-Swan Lake corridor are part of the Greater Vernon area and they have no connection to Salmon Arm,” said Foster.
Foster says he’s concerned Swan Lake/BX residents will have a difficult time receiving assistance if their MLA is based in a Salmon Arm office. The proposed electoral area district boundary would follow the Vernon municipal boundary around Swan Lake and Silver Star Foothills to the Spallumcheen boundary.
Foster has discussed the boundary issue with Greg Kyllo, current MLA for Shuswap.
“He already has a huge riding and to add more on to his geographical plate would be difficult,” said Foster.
The commission is reviewing input from the public and MLAs on its proposals and a final report will be presented to the Legislature Sept. 25.