The province’s Forest Minister says issues of public lakes being blocked for private use are important topics in the Nicola Valley and B.C.

Doug Donaldson was asked while speaking in Kamloops, particularly on a court case involving public access to Minnie and Stoney Lakes near Merritt.

He chose not to comment on the case specifically, but says as a rural MLA he values recreational access.

“You know some people in urban areas have their facilities whether they are swimming pools or other recreation facilities,” he says. “Us in rural areas, our backyard is our recreation centre, so I know that those kind of topics are highly valued by people in B.C.”

A Kamloops Supreme Court justice ruled that the Douglas Lake Cattle Company has to stop blocking access to Minnie and Stoney Lakes, but the cattle company has since appealed the decision.

“I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on what that ruling has,” Donaldson says.