The proponent of a long-stalled development in Kamloops is taking aim at the provincial government for not allowing the project to move forward.
Ignition Tranquille Developments President Dan Fritz is suggesting the plan to develop Tranquille on the Lake on the grounds of the former Tranquille Sanitorium is being bogged down by ideology among the decision makers with the Agricultural Land Commission.
“We believe the main reason the government has constantly found ways to delay making the decisions has been resistance from First Nations,” argued Fritz. “We need to understand that this is privately-owned, fee-simple in the city limits that has been used for multiple purposes over the last 160 years. It meets every single test to separate it from Aboriginal claim.”
Fritz contends their project, which includes plans to build around 2,000 homes around a working farm and the Tranquille River, should have been given all of its approvals at least 3 years ago.
“Our main request from the ALR was not for a lot more acreage, but only to change the shape of what was being released to better respect the ability to make a good community,” said Fritz.
He suggests the foot dragging is costing Kamloops a chance to nearly cut in half the number of homes the province is now requiring be built in the city in the next 5 years.
“What you have right now is a property which has been abandoned, is rotting away, is not providing agriculture, is not providing homes,” said Fritz.
Fritz does take his complaints beyond the Agricultural Land Commission, which is designed to be independent of the provincial government, though its Commissioners are appointed by the Minister responsible.
“Progress has been systematically stymied by the provincial government approvals, despite the city’s prior approval of the Neighbourhood Plan and the City’s Official Community Plan,” argued Fritz in a release. “At the heart of the province’s delays are their prolonged start and stop processes, and repeatedly moving goal lines, all hindered by unclear procedures and the absence of defined timeframes or a willingness by the NDP government to ignore those timelines that do exist.”
In a new study commissioned by Ignition Tranquille, consulting firm Urbanics estimates Tranquille on the Lake will add $1.1 billion dollars to the provincial GDP by allowing the creation of some 2,000 housing units.
Urbanics also estimates the project will provide 7,254 person years of full-time employment, and generate $200 million dollars in Development Cost Charges for the City of Kamloops.
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship has issued a response to the concerns laid out by proponent, noting that on July 15, 2021, Ignition Tranquille did apply to the Province for a surface water license under the Water Sustainability Act.
“The size and location of the project are significant, adding to the complexity of the technical review process required to come to decision on the application. As part of the decision-making process the Province has a duty to consult with First Nations, which includes Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation (SSN),” said the Ministry. “The SSN recently requested the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy consider and designate the project as reviewable under S.11 of the Environmental Assessment Act. Once that decision is made by the Minister, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will continue with its review of the water license application.”