Clearwater, BC and Wells Gray Park, British Columbia

The Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce  is neutral on the decision to incorporate or not.  We provide this website as a service for the benefit of our members and the community of Clearwater.

April 2007  News Release from Clearwater Incorporation Study Committee

 Vavenby industrial site:

The Committee has considered several factors regarding the inclusion of the industrial site into the boundaries of the incorporation study area.  They include both the concerns and support of Vavenby residents, the support of the Minister of Community Services and the following implications:

1)      There will be no reduction in local services that are currently provided by the TNRD to the community of Vavenby;

2)      The provincial government will continue to maintain roads in Vavenby;

3)      Tax revenues from the industrial area will be retained in the valley, rather than go to the province;

4)      There will be a tax sharing agreement with the community of Vavenby, over and above any provincial and TNRD services.  The rate will be prescribed into the letters patent of an incorporated Clearwater;

5)      There will be no financial impact to Vavenby from local services that are currently being provided by TNRD to the community of Vavenby;

6)      The Clearwater study has shown that there is a significant improvement in the financial position of a potential Clearwater municipality if the Vavenby industrial site is included. For details, see www.ClearwaterStudy.com or www.clients.urban-systems.com/clearwaterincorporation;

7)      An incorporated industrial area does not preclude the community of Vavenby from getting new services from the province or the TNRD;

8)      New services for the industrial area will require consent of a Clearwater municipal council;

9)      Vavenby may incorporate in the future and may be able to include the industrial area subject to approval of a Clearwater municipal council, and possibly voters;

10)  If Vavenby were to incorporate and include the industrial area, Vavenby would be required to share industrial area tax revenues with Clearwater;

11)  Vavenby could become a part of an incorporated Clearwater in the future.

Based on this information the committee has unanimously endorsed the decision to include the Vavenby industrial site within the study.

 A copy of the following items are available in the three ring binders at both the library and the community resource centre:

  - presentation made to the residents of Vavenby by representatives of the Ministry of Community

    Services on March 22^nd;

- Ministry’s restructure  assistance package;

- analysis indicating the impact of removing Vavenby from the study area.  

 Next steps: 

1)      Urban Systems will prepare a final report that reflects the inclusion of the Greer and Vavenby industrial areas as well as the particulars of the offer of assistance letter from the Minister of Community Services.  The Committee is still waiting for an offer of assistance from the Minister of Transportation and Highways.

2)      Follow-up public meetings to present the final report are scheduled for April 10^th.

These meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to understand the changes to the

draft  report and the implications of incorporation.

3)      The Committee will recommend to the Minister of Community Services whether or not to proceed with a referendum vote.  This task will be completed after the final report is presented to the public on April 10^th.

Max Tanner

Clearwater Incorporation Study Committee

Phone # 674-2479

e-mail: mrtanner@telus.net