If you step up…

Over the years, there’s been a lot of discussion about community growth, economic development, and how decisions affecting the North Shuswap get made only by the CSRD. I’ve made some progress trying to change that but…

Here’s the blunt truth: none of this moves forward unless people are willing to participate.

One practical option on the table is the creation of a Local Community Commission (LCC) — a structure that allows residents to help set priorities, guide local spending, and work directly on issues that matter here. It does not create a municipality, it does not commit the community to incorporation, and it does not automatically increase taxes.

What it does require is people.

This Is the Test
An LCC cannot be built by CSRD staff.
It cannot (and will not) be run by the CSRD director.
And it cannot succeed with “silent support.”

If there is real interest in having more local control over things like economic development, community planning, local parks, and infrastructure priorities, that interest needs to show up now — in names, not opinions.

About the Cost — Let’s Be Clear
The most common concern is cost. An LCC should not cost more than what we already pay for the same services today. The difference is not the amount collected, but who decides how it’s used. This is about directing existing resources more intentionally — not adding new ones.

What Stepping Up Actually Means
Stepping up does not mean endless meetings.
It does not mean agreeing with everyone else.

It does not mean: Incorporation. Although this is a step towards that, at some distant point in the future… Maybe… This is not it.

It means being willing to:

• Sit on a commission
• Help set priorities
• Work through real constraints
• Make informed, sometimes difficult choices

In short, it means helping govern.

A Straight Choice
If there is a strong response from the community, this work will move ahead. If there is not, it won’t. That outcome will be respected. But continuing to say “someone should do something” without anyone actually doing it is no longer an option. We need to make a strong case to move this ahead. The CSRD board has to understand that this is the wish of the community and the best way for the North Shuswap to proceed.

If This Matters, Step Up

This will only move forward if people are willing to step up.
If you want more local control over decisions that affect the North Shuswap, say so — and put your name behind it.
If you don’t, that choice will be respected. And silence will be treated as a decision to stay exactly as we are.

If you are prepared to be involved, I need to hear from you.
Visit www.NorthShuswap.info, click Surveys, then LCC Interest, and submit your response.