Kerry Cook on New Prosperity

In today's Vancouver Sun - Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook writes and explains why the City of Williams Lake and that of the Central Cariboo region needs to have 'New Prosperity' approved

Read the op-ed by Mayor Cook here

The one comment I disagree with:

"We continue to build and enhance working relationships with First Nations, recognizing that respectful and enduring relationships with aboriginal communities provide a foundation for constructive dialogue"

Contrast that with a comment Mayor Cook said to the Williams Lake Tribune last week:

“I respect their position and I just hope they respect the city’s position as well.”

I would respectfully suggest that Mayor Cook did not, at the time, appreciate how badly that comment will have been taken by our First Nation communities

Regardless if 'New Prosperity' is approved or not -- I can easily see how First Nations will be upset for months or years by a push by their non-aboriginals neighbours for a project local First Nations can't support for various reasons including cultural and water ones...

Local governments would have been better served by sitting on the sidelines...

-- SBF