Province shouldn’t download services

DEAR EDITOR:

It is not often that I will vocalize an unsolicited opinion.

However, the recent consultant’s report with respect to the city’s social services responsibilities brings an extremely concerning fact to light.

During my term in office, councils of the day were firm in their resolve to ensure that both the provincial and federal governments did not download their areas of responsibility to municipalities.

Of late, the provincial government is doing just that and I don’t see strong opposition coming from our municipality. A case in point is the exchange between council and David Eby, Attorney General at the time, relating to the homeless shelter in the Victory Church.

Minister Eby chose to exert a strong arm in breaking the lease with the City. He was arrogant and unwilling to accept the terms of a legal lease. The homeless people in Penticton are not necessarily local but come from all parts of the province and country. Why should this problem not be the responsibility of the provincial and federal governments?

Now, as premier, he is suggesting the provincial government should dictate to municipalities what their inventory of social housing will be. If this were to happen, this provincial government would have a stronger presence than ever in making decisions for municipalities.

Council, I issue a word of caution. If this municipality does not take an aggressive approach immediately to prevent interference in our decision making, we are not far off from losing control to this provincial government.

Why are they doing this?

In my opinion, so they can further their own agenda with the money they save from downloading to us.

Beth Campbell Penticton

Beth Campbell is a former mayor of Penticton.

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