Letters of Support of a

Scotch Creek Incorporation Study

as of March 11, 2017

The population of the North Shuswap (CSRD Area F) as of the 2106 census is 2454.

The North Shuswap population has increased by 3.4% since 2011, third highest in the CSRD behind Revelstoke and rural Revelstoke.

The population of the various NS communities in the 2016 census are: (2011 in brackets)

Lee Creek Scotch Creek Celista Magna Bay Anglemont St. Ives Seymour

394 (378) 711 (669) 433 (442) 175 (211) 472 (410) 50(?) 102 (87)

Overall statistics

# of letters % of all letters % of NS population

270 100% 11% All letters as of March 11, 17

263 97.4% 10.7% In favour of the study going ahead

7 2.6% 0. 3% Not in favour of the study

Scotch Creek Only

# of letters % of SC letters % of SC population

109 100% 15.3% All SC letters as of March 11, 17

105 96% 14.8% In favour of the study going ahead

4 4% 0.6% Not in favour of the study

Reasons Indicated

Breaking down the letters into reasons why they thought the study should happen is a bit challenging as everyone has their own way of saying what they think. Also, many people signed the letter in favour of the study, but did not write down reasons for their support. We did find some broad categories and here are the results in order:

In support of the Study

Of the 263 in favour, the letters identified these broad reasons for their support

# ltrs % of ltrs

92 35% Local Control and planning - too many bylaws & restrictions

80 30.5% Lack of development, economic opportunities, services

53 20% Our tax dollars should stay in our community

43 16.4% CSRD is out of touch with the local population, decisions are made at a distance, difficult to deal with, dissatisfaction with the way it's currently done

39 15% the need for infrastructure, sewer and water

35 13.3% should do the study to see where we stand, whether we're a viable municipality

Also of note were comments regarding protecting the environment, access to grants would be easier, and other valid and valuable insights.

Not in support of the study

In general the reasons for not supporting the study came down to concern about cost increases (taxes), concern that those people driving the push for a study are just self interested and only in it for their own benefit, and lack of information about incorporation.