A rural Lumby politician is demanding that any plans for a prison be permanently shelved.
Rick Fairbairn, director for Area D of the Regional District of the North Okanagan, wants the province to halt a review of correctional facility sites.
“I implore the province to consider the wishes of the entire community by recognizing the no position,” he wrote in a letter to Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond.
Lumby council is pursuing a prison after a majority of village residents supported the concept during a referendum. But a majority of the Area D residents who voted in a separate referendum came out against a jail.
Between the two jurisdictions, there was a 56 per cent no vote, and Fairbairn insists that should be considered.
“Electoral Area D envelops the Village of Lumby with a significant number of residents living within the first few kilometres of the village boundary,” he said.
“Area D is an integral part of Lumby’s social and economic well-being with children attending schools in Lumby and residents supporting local businesses and belonging to Lumby community clubs and churches.”
In his letter, Fairbairn also states that an influx of inmates will place pressure on public services like waste disposal.
“The Shuswap River and the rural beauty of Area D have given rise to numerous tourism businesses which have already been, and will continue to be, severely impacted by the stigma attached to a prison town,” he said.
Kevin Acton, village mayor, isn’t surprised by Fairbairn’s stance.
“He feels he’s representing the majority of his constituents,” said Acton, adding that there was a low voter turnout in Area D and the referendum results may not actually reflect the view of most residents.
“A lot of people who voted no live 25 or 30 minutes away from the village. That would be the same as us saying we don’t want something in Vernon.”
The ministry is currently reviewing potential prison sites in Lumby, Summerland, Penticton and on two South Okanagan Indian reserves.
Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, believes the conflicting positions from Lumby and Area D could make it difficult for the ministry to make a decision.
“It doesn’t make the situation any easier. It certainly will have an impact,” he said.
“But people in his (Fairbairn) area voted no so he has to represent those people.”
