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By Barb Brouwer Contributor All but one director supported handing off film commission services at the Oct. 17 Columbia Shuswap Regional District board meeting. In her report to the board, the regional district’s corporate services manager, Jennifer Sham, sought support for having the Okanagan Film Commission deliver regional film commission services on behalf of the Columbia Shuswap Film Commission. In a second motion, the board was asked to authorize entering into a contract with the Okanagan Film Commission for a term of three years, beginning Oct. 1, 2025, with annual funding provided by CreativeBC. Directors for Electoral Areas B, C, D, E, F, G, City of Revelstoke and City of Salmon Arm approved of the transfer of services, but Sicamous Mayor Colleen Anderson said she and her council were not interested in participating. Anderson asked if her council had the ability to opt out of the program if they did not wish to participate. “I have spoken to council and we would rather not enter into the contract,” she said. Chief administrative officer John MacLean noted the District of Sicamous would always have its right to request withdrawal from a service. “I do want to note that the current iteration of this contract is only dealing with funds through CreativeBC,” he reminded Anderson. “So there’s no tax dollars, and everyone has been assured CreativeBC is not going to enter into other deals with anybody else, so there’s no requisition requested at this time.” In response to a question about the need to amend the contract by board chair Natalya Melnychuk, MacLean advised the issue is relatively moot until Sicamous makes a formal request and at this stage, there would be no changes in the voting. “If council writes a letter and passes a resolution, we would deal with it at that time,” he said. Anderson’s request for a simple friendly amendment to the contract was denied. Salmon Arm director Tim Lavery fully supported the motion, noting the City of Salmon Arm regards the service as being regional and that taxation is not anticipated. As well, he advised directors that CreativeBC does offer film support preparation for communities involved, with workshops on how to be prepared to have the capacity for potential film opportunities. Also on board was deputy chair Kevin Flynn, who noted the region lacks the expertise that the Okanagan Film Commission provides and very little in the way of film development has taken place in the Columbia Shuswap. “This is one of those things that truly bigger is better,” he said. “It’s not costing taxpayers anything based on reserves that have already been collected, at least for the next two years.” Area C director Marty Gibbons called the transfer a synergy, noting it would provide access to other funds. “It’s creating value with the money we have,” he said, noting that if taxpayer funding is requested down the line, his opinion might change. Rhona Martin, Area E director, also offered her support, particularly as there would be access to experts. She also suggested that filming might provide opportunities for property owners who are unable to use their land as they once did. When the question was called, directors approved the motion, with Anderson opposed. Following the meeting, Anderson said the District of Sicamous had pulled out of Economic Development several years ago and, more recently from Shuswap Tourism, as did Salmon Arm. She pointed out that, in her opinion, the Columbia Shuswap Film Commission accomplished very little in the 11 years she has been on council, and while there may be no costs to taxpayers now, there are bound to be in the future. “We have a great team and we’re fortunate to have an Economic Development/Tourism office here,” she said, pointing out Sicamous is about to open its own state-of-the-art health centre and donated land enabling the Eagle Valley Seniors Society to build 36 senior living apartments, among other things. “We have bigger fish to fry and bigger problems, and we don’t want to participate in something that hasn’t, to date, been successful. So reaching out or paying for another team is not good for our taxpayers.” Read more: CSRD directors press pause on Shuswap Tourism and Film Commission Read more: Columbia-Shuswap directors divided on future of economic development service
