SMWS: Provincial response remains firm; public funding will not flow to privately owned utilities.
- Riley Gettens
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 27
The sentiment that ratepayers did not create the SMWS problem and should not bear the cost is understandable, and it is the position the RDOS Board has advocated for repeatedly at the provincial level. Our MLA, Amelia Boultbee, continues to advocate for this position.
Still, the province’s response remains firm: public funding will not flow to a privately owned water utility.
This provincial stance has been confirmed on the record in the Legislature (question period), in writing (scroll down), and in every meeting between the RDOS and any provincial Minister or ministry staff. This means that:
A ‘no’ vote preserves the private ownership and management of the system by the province, making it ineligible for public funding and long-term borrowing through the MFA.
A ‘yes’ vote transfers ownership to the RDOS (public ownership), and removes the province’s long-standing justification for inaction.
The letters show the province’s commitment to not funding private utilities and confirm its inability to access public funding. If the system remains privately owned (no vote), current SMWS ratepayers will be the only revenue source.
If you have any questions, please get in touch. I welcome the opportunity to talk with you. 250-488-0246 or rgettens@rdos.bc.ca
Thank you,
Riley
Scroll down to see the letters below from:
Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship (the WLRS) office,
Minister of State for Local Government and Rural Communities
Office of the Comptroller of Water Rights; and,
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
2026 February 25 Letter from Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, Water Management Branch:
2025 December 02 Letter from Minister Randene Neill, Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship (WLRS):
Cc'd:
Minister of State for Local Government and Rural Communities,
James Mack, Assistant Deputy Minister, WLRS.
2025 August 13 Customer Notice from the Office of the Comptroller of Water Rights
2025 August 11 letter from Lori Halls, Deputy Minister, WLRS
Cc'd:
Bryan Robinson, Director Dam Safety and Water Utility Regulation
Connie Chapman, Executive Director Water Management Branch
2025 July 11 Letter from Teri Collins Deputy Minister, Housing and Municipal Affairs
Cc'd:
Minister Randene Neil, WLRS
Lori Halls, Deputy Minister, WLRS,
MLA Boultbee,
CAO RDOS
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