Photo Gallery
Honourable Ida Chong
Minister of Community Services
and Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues

WESTSIDE'S FIRST COUNCIL SWORN IN

WESTSIDE - Dec. 6, 2007 - Flanked by members of the RCMP in their scarlet tunics, B.C.'s newest municipal council is sworn in during inauguration ceremonies attended by Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe. The council was elected Nov. 17. About 27,000 people live in the community, located near Kelowna. Front row, left to right: MLA Rick Thorpe, Coun. David Knowles, Mayor Rosalind Neis, Coun. Heather Pilling, Coun. Carol Zanon and Minister Ida Chong. Back row, right to left: Coun. Duane Ophus, Coun. Gord Milsom, Coun. Doug Findlater. Like Westside, the communities of Clearwater and Barriere voted to incorporate earlier this year.  They held their first council meetings Dec. 3 and 4 respectively. Incorporation and municipal status open up a wide range of funding programs and new opportunities. There are now 160 municipalities in the province. Clearwater  [Dec. 4 news release]. Barriere  [Dec. 5 news release]. Westside  [Dec. 7 news release]. Visit the Ministry's Local Government Dept. website. Visit the CivicInfo website. Visit the Union of BC Municipalities website.