Candidates in the Penticton-Summerland riding spoke out about the approval of a Summerland gravel pit during a recent candidate forum.
The forum, held on Oct. 7, was organized by the Summerland Society for Civic Engagement, in advance of the Oct. 19 provincial election.
“After 10 years, we still don’t have a health centre, but we’re getting a gravel pit in Garnet Valley,” said Tracy St. Claire, an unaffiliated candidate.
She added that if elected, she would table a private member’s bill within her first 90 days, to put a stop to the gravel pit.
New Democratic Party candidate Tina Lee said the decision to approve the gravel pit was not made at the political level, but rather by government staff.
“A minister or an MLA did not make this decision,” she said.
Amelia Boultbee, the Conservative Party candidate, has spoken out against the gravel pit. During the forum, she included the approval of this application as an example of how the present government has failed the people of the province.
Independent candidate Roger Harrington also spoke out in opposition to the gravel pit.
“For the record, I opposed the gravel pit and I think there are some strategies that can shut that down so that pristine valley is protected,” he said.
While the Green Party candidate did not directly address the gravel pit, he said if elected, he would work to represent the needs and interests of the riding.
Independent candidate Anna Paddon also said if elected, she would work to be the voice of the riding at the legislature.
The gravel pit, in the Garnet Valley area, was approved earlier this year. Since that time, the municipality of Summerland, the Penticton Indian Band, chambers of commerce and residents and businesses in the area have spoken out in opposition to this decision.
The provincial election will be held on Oct. 19. Voters must be Canadian citizens, 18 or older on election day and a resident of British Columbia since April 18, 2024.
