The first joint council meeting held between the regional district and three regional Indian bands took place on January 31.
Concerns about Fortis electrical power rates and Fortis’ proposal to build a dam on the Similkameen River west of Princeton resulted in the joint council agreeeing to send a letter to the premier.
The letter also expressed joint council’s concerns about the British Columbia Utilities Commission’s reaction to a report on Fortis’ two tiered rate system, and the lack of response from Fortis for consultation and referral.
joint council also expresses that “heat and electricity have become a luxury in British Columbia.”
Joint council was initiated last year after the regional district and three Indian Bands - the Lower Similkameen, Osoyoos and Penticton Indian Band - signed the Protocol Agreement in an effort to share information, increase communication, education and cooperation among the agreement’s members.