Kootenay Rockies MLA Pete Davis is calling for a referendum to decide whether the East Kootenay should adopt a proposed time change, as residents remain divided on the issue.
Davis said his office has received a surge of calls, emails and in-person visits from constituents on both sides of the debate.
“Our phones are lighting up, our emails are lighting up, people are coming in. But the problem is it’s split. Some people want it, some people don’t. So It’s tough because people want to meet with me, and they want to know what I want to do, what I’m going to do about it, if I’m going to take it back to the government.” said Davis.
He said a referendum would allow residents to make the final decision.
“It’s tough because you’re split down the middle, right? I mean, even the RDEK, their vote was 8 to 7. That’s close, right? So my idea is, I think we should have a referendum. I think that the people of Kooteney Rockies, the people of regional East Kooteney, should get a chance to voice their opinion. So instead of us making the decision, let’s let the people make the decision.” said Davis
Davis explains his idea on how to get the referendum done.
“My idea was that there’s a municipal election in October, so it’d be a great time to just add a question to the ballot. It’s not going to cost us more money, because we’re already doing it. The only thing that we will have to do is make sure that the people of RDEK have a chance to vote as well because some of those people are outside of the municipality. I mean, it kind of makes sense because at least we have that election, it’s going to be all the way across the RDEK, and people can voice their opinion and say what they want.” Said Davis.
He said residents should have the final say, rather than leaving the decision solely to local officials.
“But, hey, I think that people’s voices should be heard, and I don’t think 15 people should actually choose what happens here in the RDEK. I think that the people of the RDEK should.” said Davis.
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