The Hon. George Anderson

MLA Nanaimo-Lantzville

 

Via email: George.Anderson.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Dear Mr. Anderson:

Re: Bill M216-2025 

We write in reference to your private member’s bill  - the Professional Reliance Act – which threatens to dismantle critical local government safeguards for British Columbia’s watersheds and public drinking water supplies.

We are aware that this Bill narrowly passed its reading yesterday in the legislature and will now go to committee for review.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce wishes to register its alarm at the rapid progress of this bill which seems to be an overreach to try and streamline a process that is vital to municipal governance.   

Okanagan Basin Water Board Chair Blair Ireland says: "This is not just an Okanagan problem. It is critical that the Province consider unintended impacts to watershed security before making any changes to the Professional Reliance model.”

In its current form, the bill would:

  • Eliminate critical safeguards for watersheds;
  • Force local governments to bear the risk;
  • Undermine local democracy.

We are urging our Okanagan MLAs to continue to vote against this bill which has caused Dr. Brian Guy “grave concerns.” Dr. Guy is a Professional Geoscientist and seasoned water resource specialist. "As a licensed professional for 33 years,” says Dr. Guy, “I know that a thorough review process is essential to risk reduction.”

Dr. Guy continues: "Forcing local governments to accept reports without proper scrutiny will increase the likelihood that faulty work will be approved, resulting in heightened risks to public health, public safety, and the environment – the consequences of which will be borne by local communities."

We will be urging the review committee to scrap Bill M216-2025.

We will be recommending that our one thousand Chamber members familiarize themselves with this issue and enter their opinions into the Parliamentary Commentary Portal by the December 2 deadline, as well as commenting in the Legislature-supplied social media platform.

Regards,

Derek Gratz

President,

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce