Sometimes a meeting is valuable even if there is no appreciable movement on an issue, says Mayor Ron McRae. Such was the case when McRae along with Wayne Stetski of Cranbrook, Gerry Taft of Invermere and Garry Litke of Penticton, along with other municipal officials met with Premier Christy Clark on the issue of urban deer.
It is important to keep the issue top of mind with the provincial government, McRae says and to keep reminding the government that municipalities cannot bear all the costs of dealing with deer on their own.
“I thought the Premier was receptive to the conversation,” McRae said. “She asked good questions.
“Minister Steve Thomson was also there and he has more of a history with the issue. He suggested we take a look at striking a task force and look at a management plan in cooperation with the province.”
McRae said that Kimberley and Cranbrook are well ahead of other communities in dealing with deer, with Invermere not far behind and could bring a lot of resources to a task force.