TNRD to consider O’Reilly’s motion to investigate the district boundaries

KAMLOOPS — Thursday (June 16) during the regular Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) board meeting, Director Mike O’Reilly will seek support for his notice of motion. The Kamloops councillor is looking to create a working group to investigate the current TNRD boundaries.

The TNRD was incorporated back in 1967, and since that date the board has grown to its current contingent of 26 directors — making it the largest regional district outside of Metro Vancouver. It’s also expected that the board will continue to grow over the next five years as population increases.

“There are all of these things coming that are only going to make our board bigger. We need to understand if we are doing the most effective, efficient things now, before we grow our board,” said O’Reilly.

Through conversations O’Reilly has received support for his motion, including from Kamloops mayor and TNRD director Ken Christian.

“Have there been any changes in the 50 years the TNRD has been in existence? I suggest there have been and it’s worthwhile for us to take a look at how the TNRD is made up,” said Christian.

The most recent regional district boundary change came in 2006 on Vancouver Island, when the north of the island was separated into five districts.

“The provincial government has clearly stated that they will review and look at regional district boundaries but it must be initiated by the regional district itself. The province isn’t going to do that,” stated O’Reilly.

TNRD Map (image credit – CFJC Today)

The TNRD encompasses 11 municipalities and 10 electoral areas spread over more than 44,000 square kilometres.

“Can anybody explain to me how those boundaries best serve the residents of the TNRD now?” questioned O’Reilly. “And if so, I would love to hear it. I’m open ears. This is trying to find a way to be the most efficient and effective level of government possible.”

The working group comprised of both area directors and municipal leaders will have one year to complete their work and report back to council. O’Reilly has listed a trio of possible outcomes.

“There are three things on the table. One is to leave the boundaries as is. One is to split up the TNRD into two, three or four districts. Or the third is to peel off some peripheral regions that may align better with other districts,” said O’Reilly.

If O’Rielly’s motion receives approval tomorrow, the investigation would likely primarily affect those in the more rural areas of the district. That’s because if the working group decides the district boundaries need to be altered, the options presented are either to split off areas into existing regional districts like the Cariboo or the creation of brand new districts.

Director Sally Watson represents Area-E, Bonaparte Plateau, which includes Clinton, Chasm and 70-Mile House. Despite being on the out-skirts of the current TNRD and therefore possibly the chopping block, Watson agreed that it’s important to start the process of looking at the boundaries especially with the upcoming elections.

“I think it’s a really important conversation and I think now is the right time to do it. We have many directors on the board saying they are not running again and this would be the TNRD’s opportunity to get those options down before they leave,” said Watson.

If approved the working group would run for one-year, allowing both current and future directors to weigh in.

Watson also serves as the TNRD Director on the Cariboo Regional District which encompasses the land to the west and north of her jurisdiction. The proximity to the Cariboo means a large majority of her constituent’s issues are felt broadly across that regional district, not the TNRD.

“We are in the Cariboo fire centre, the 100-Mile forest district. In 70-mile and area our school taxes go to the Cariboo-Chilcotin school district. Our hospital taxes go to the Cariboo-Chilcotin hospital district. We have been cross boarder shoppers for quite some time,” added Watson.