2022 Referendum

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October 15, 2022 - The majority of voters also indicated opposition for borrowing up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use.  

October 15, 2022 - The residents of Lake Country had their say in the 2022 General Election and Waterfront Property Referendum. There were a total of 2,020 ballots cast in the community during Advance Voting Days, General Election Day, and ballots received by mail.

The majority of voters also indicated opposition for borrowing up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use. There were 929 in favour and 1,063 opposed when asked on the ballot: “Are you in favour of the District of Lake Country authorizing Loan Authorization (Waterfront Property) Bylaw 1187, 2022 to authorize the borrowing of up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use?”

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, qualified electors within the District of Lake Country will be voting on the following question:

"Are you in favour of the District of Lake Country authorizing Loan Authorization (Waterfront Property) Bylaw 1187, 2022 to authorize the borrowing of up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use?”

At its regular meeting Tuesday July 5th, Council gave three readings to a Loan Authorization Bylaw for Waterfront Property Acquisition. You might be asking – why does the District require financing for waterfront property?

In Lake Country we are surrounded by lakes and the demand for community waterfront property to enjoy recreation, greenspace and water access is continually growing. In 2006 Council adopted a policy to review waterfront properties that come up for sale, to determine if they are a good fit for the District to consider purchasing.

Having adequate financing available for when the right property hits the market is essential in today’s real-estate market. If the right fit comes along, the District must have the ability to acquire adequate financing to make a reasonable offer. Despite having the ability to acquire funds, Council must go through the process of considering a bylaw, getting approval of the electors, and then borrowing at one of the two borrowing opportunities available to municipalities each year, spring or fall. It’s not a quick process. Council wants to be in the position to have the ability to borrow funds for when the right waterfront property comes available.

Council knows there are many other important priorities for the community, including roads, road repairs, water, and sewer amongst others, and the decision to acquire waterfront property does not minimize these impending needs.

Please take the opportunity, before October 15th to ask questions and educate yourself before making your decision on the referendum ballot.

Feel free to reach out to the Mayor, your ward Councillor or anyone on Council for their perspective on the proposed bylaw.


October 15, 2022 - The residents of Lake Country had their say in the 2022 General Election and Waterfront Property Referendum. There were a total of 2,020 ballots cast in the community during Advance Voting Days, General Election Day, and ballots received by mail.

The majority of voters also indicated opposition for borrowing up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use. There were 929 in favour and 1,063 opposed when asked on the ballot: “Are you in favour of the District of Lake Country authorizing Loan Authorization (Waterfront Property) Bylaw 1187, 2022 to authorize the borrowing of up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use?”

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, qualified electors within the District of Lake Country will be voting on the following question:

"Are you in favour of the District of Lake Country authorizing Loan Authorization (Waterfront Property) Bylaw 1187, 2022 to authorize the borrowing of up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use?”

At its regular meeting Tuesday July 5th, Council gave three readings to a Loan Authorization Bylaw for Waterfront Property Acquisition. You might be asking – why does the District require financing for waterfront property?

In Lake Country we are surrounded by lakes and the demand for community waterfront property to enjoy recreation, greenspace and water access is continually growing. In 2006 Council adopted a policy to review waterfront properties that come up for sale, to determine if they are a good fit for the District to consider purchasing.

Having adequate financing available for when the right property hits the market is essential in today’s real-estate market. If the right fit comes along, the District must have the ability to acquire adequate financing to make a reasonable offer. Despite having the ability to acquire funds, Council must go through the process of considering a bylaw, getting approval of the electors, and then borrowing at one of the two borrowing opportunities available to municipalities each year, spring or fall. It’s not a quick process. Council wants to be in the position to have the ability to borrow funds for when the right waterfront property comes available.

Council knows there are many other important priorities for the community, including roads, road repairs, water, and sewer amongst others, and the decision to acquire waterfront property does not minimize these impending needs.

Please take the opportunity, before October 15th to ask questions and educate yourself before making your decision on the referendum ballot.

Feel free to reach out to the Mayor, your ward Councillor or anyone on Council for their perspective on the proposed bylaw.


October 15, 2022 - The majority of voters also indicated opposition for borrowing up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use.  

If you have a question regarding the upcoming referendum please ask here and either staff of Council will reply to you as soon as possible.

  • Share The purchase of the land is only a first step. The annual operating expenses for such acquired land will be passed on to tax payers. Our current waterfront parks have major issues related to bird feces. Homeless occupation of parks is an issue that is growing quickly. The property tax revenue and DCC charges will be lost. How will the district cover the list revenue and operating costs of park lands? on Facebook Share The purchase of the land is only a first step. The annual operating expenses for such acquired land will be passed on to tax payers. Our current waterfront parks have major issues related to bird feces. Homeless occupation of parks is an issue that is growing quickly. The property tax revenue and DCC charges will be lost. How will the district cover the list revenue and operating costs of park lands? on Twitter Share The purchase of the land is only a first step. The annual operating expenses for such acquired land will be passed on to tax payers. Our current waterfront parks have major issues related to bird feces. Homeless occupation of parks is an issue that is growing quickly. The property tax revenue and DCC charges will be lost. How will the district cover the list revenue and operating costs of park lands? on Linkedin Email The purchase of the land is only a first step. The annual operating expenses for such acquired land will be passed on to tax payers. Our current waterfront parks have major issues related to bird feces. Homeless occupation of parks is an issue that is growing quickly. The property tax revenue and DCC charges will be lost. How will the district cover the list revenue and operating costs of park lands? link

    The purchase of the land is only a first step. The annual operating expenses for such acquired land will be passed on to tax payers. Our current waterfront parks have major issues related to bird feces. Homeless occupation of parks is an issue that is growing quickly. The property tax revenue and DCC charges will be lost. How will the district cover the list revenue and operating costs of park lands?

    Crystal W asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. Each year when the annual budget is brought forward to Council, cost to service and maintain all parks and facilities in Lake Country is incorporated into the annual budget.   

  • Share Hi there, Is there already a location that the District has targets for this purchase. Or is this purely hypothetical? If the latter, why is the district targeting this now. If this is affirmed, how will the district communicate terms of the purchase so there is sunshine For the residents on details of the purchase? Thank you! on Facebook Share Hi there, Is there already a location that the District has targets for this purchase. Or is this purely hypothetical? If the latter, why is the district targeting this now. If this is affirmed, how will the district communicate terms of the purchase so there is sunshine For the residents on details of the purchase? Thank you! on Twitter Share Hi there, Is there already a location that the District has targets for this purchase. Or is this purely hypothetical? If the latter, why is the district targeting this now. If this is affirmed, how will the district communicate terms of the purchase so there is sunshine For the residents on details of the purchase? Thank you! on Linkedin Email Hi there, Is there already a location that the District has targets for this purchase. Or is this purely hypothetical? If the latter, why is the district targeting this now. If this is affirmed, how will the district communicate terms of the purchase so there is sunshine For the residents on details of the purchase? Thank you! link

    Hi there, Is there already a location that the District has targets for this purchase. Or is this purely hypothetical? If the latter, why is the district targeting this now. If this is affirmed, how will the district communicate terms of the purchase so there is sunshine For the residents on details of the purchase? Thank you!

    Matt asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. Location for a waterfront purchase has not been identified by Council. If the community votes "yes" to the referendum question and a waterfront property of interest were to become available for purchase, Council would be in a position to submit an offer to purchase the property. If the purchase offer were to be accepted, the borrowing bylaw would require final adoption at a regular Council meeting.    

  • Share What lake are you considering on Facebook Share What lake are you considering on Twitter Share What lake are you considering on Linkedin Email What lake are you considering link

    What lake are you considering

    Urky asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. There isn't a specific property at this time that has been identified to potentially purchase. If the referendum is successful and a waterfront property is identified, the property could be on Okanagan, Wood or Kalamalka lake.

  • Share Has the criteria "suitable for community use" been defined or constrained and, if not, will it be prior to the referendum? on Facebook Share Has the criteria "suitable for community use" been defined or constrained and, if not, will it be prior to the referendum? on Twitter Share Has the criteria "suitable for community use" been defined or constrained and, if not, will it be prior to the referendum? on Linkedin Email Has the criteria "suitable for community use" been defined or constrained and, if not, will it be prior to the referendum? link

    Has the criteria "suitable for community use" been defined or constrained and, if not, will it be prior to the referendum?

    DaveInvan asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. No - the criteria "suitable for community use" has not been defined by way of policy or bylaw. If waterfront property were to come available, staff would report to Council on purchase opportunity using the Waterfront Acquisition Policy No. 06.03.73 - June 6, 2006  as a guideline. The report would include the following information:

    That the report should address the following issues: a) The location and size of the property; b) The estimated cost of the property; c) The relationship of the property to official plans (Official Community Plan, Foreshore Plan, etc.); d) Recommendation on funding; e) The relationship of the property to adjourning park or trail networks; f) The use of surplus land created as a result of the purchase; and, g) Any improvements located on the property.

    The final purchase decision would be made by Council. 

  • Share Will a property selection criteria be established prior to the referendum? on Facebook Share Will a property selection criteria be established prior to the referendum? on Twitter Share Will a property selection criteria be established prior to the referendum? on Linkedin Email Will a property selection criteria be established prior to the referendum? link

    Will a property selection criteria be established prior to the referendum?

    DaveInvan asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. The criteria for purchase is that the property must be waterfront and suitable for community use.

  • Share If you do not purchase property after 5 years ? What happens to the money ? on Facebook Share If you do not purchase property after 5 years ? What happens to the money ? on Twitter Share If you do not purchase property after 5 years ? What happens to the money ? on Linkedin Email If you do not purchase property after 5 years ? What happens to the money ? link

    If you do not purchase property after 5 years ? What happens to the money ?

    Horton asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. Funds would only be borrowed if there is suitable waterfront property that Council agrees to purchase. If the referendum is successful, the bylaw will give Council the ability to go ahead and borrow if and when required. If Council does not find a suitable waterfront property within 5 years of the bylaw coming into effect, the bylaw would be repealed.  

  • Share 1 Would horses have access to this area? 2 Would it be possible to have an emergency area to house local horses/livestock in case of wildfire? on Facebook Share 1 Would horses have access to this area? 2 Would it be possible to have an emergency area to house local horses/livestock in case of wildfire? on Twitter Share 1 Would horses have access to this area? 2 Would it be possible to have an emergency area to house local horses/livestock in case of wildfire? on Linkedin Email 1 Would horses have access to this area? 2 Would it be possible to have an emergency area to house local horses/livestock in case of wildfire? link

    1 Would horses have access to this area? 2 Would it be possible to have an emergency area to house local horses/livestock in case of wildfire?

    oldfriendscanada asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. If the October referendum is successful and waterfront land is eventually purchased - it will be the decision of Council, based on community feedback - what the property should be used for, and if animals such as horses would be permitted are all decisions that would have to be made.