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For the Record

For the Record

Correcting misinformation is a sensitive issue that can detract from the District’s objectives to provide clear, accurate, relevant and timely information.

The District of Sicamous Communications Policy No. A-33 outlines how misinformation is to be addressed.

Published misinformation, either in the mainstream media or online, is to be brought to the attention of the CAO and corporate officer for further action. Action may include providing clarity on a particular matter through District communication channels.

Understanding Misinformation & Disinformation

Misinformation, disinformation and malinformation can cause confusion and mistrust within our community. At the District of Sicamous, we strive to provide accurate and clear information to residents so that they can make informed decisions regarding our municipality.

Disinformation

Deliberately false information that is disseminated to deceive or cause harm.

Misinformation

False information that is often shared in good faith and not intended to deceive

Malinformation

When factual information is deliberately and maliciously used with the goal of causing harm.

The District of Sicamous does not confuse misinformation with opinions, which are beliefs or attitudes that are subjective and not necessarily based on fact.

Government of Canada

For the Record: Castanet Article (November 8, 2024)

Published on November 8, 2024:

"That's a big question," replied Coun. Siobhan Rich. "We've got to really start to identify, what are we? Are we a resort town, or are we a family town?"

She said for about 40 per cent of property owners in the district, their property in Sicamous is their secondary residence.

“Forty per cent of the people who live in this town don't live here full time,” she said. “It's a huge number.”

Sarah Kyllo, the district's corporate officer, said even though those 40 per cent do not live in Sicamous full time, they provide additional property taxes for the district.

“When we look at the overall amount that this municipality receives, it's largely due to the increased taxes that we receive from seasonal residents as a whole,” Kyllo said.

For Clarity:

The committee discussion was not an accurate reflection of the percentage of residents who consider Sicamous their secondary residence. The following was printed as a correction in the Castanet article.

Editors Note: Since publishing this article Kyllo has reached out to Castanet Salmon Arm to say they were mistaken about the 40% figure.

"We had it backwards!," she said. "Approximately 45% of homeowners in Sicamous consider Sicamous their primary residence."

For the Record: Eagle Valley News Article (April 18, 2024)

Posted on April 18, 2024

On April 13, an article was published on www.eaglevalleynews.com titled "Pride Day nixed in Sicamous until policy amended". The district identified inaccuracies in this article and notified Black Press who updated the online article on April 16.

The newspaper already went to print and changes to the April 18 edition of the Eagle Valley News could not be made. The original article ran today with the headline "Proclamation paused for policy amendment"

For Clarity:

At the April 10 meeting, council considered a request from Fondation Émergence to proclaim May 17, 2024, as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in the District of Sicamous. 

The district has a proclamation policy that requires local sponsorship for proclamation requests to be considered. Fondation Émergence was notified about the district's policy but had not responded by the meeting date. Following discussion, there was consensus from council to follow the proclamation policy and wait until local sponsorship is established before considering the request.

There has been no direction from council to amend the proclamation policy.

Questions about district communications? Please email corporate@sicamous.ca or call 250-836-5263.

For the Record: Rail Trail Flyer Fact Check (April 10, 2024)

Posted on April 10, 2024

A new flyer was distributed today about the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail and the proposed rezoning of the Rail Trail properties within the District of Sicamous from R-1 One and Two Unit Residential (current zone) to P-3 Park – General (proposed zoning).

For clarity, the flyers released today and last week were not created or distributed by the District of Sicamous.

In small font, the flyer indicates *This message is independently brought to you by Concerned Citizens. 

Please note that the flyers being distributed contain incorrect and misleading information. Once again, the district encourages residents to access information from official communication sources. These sources were shared in our April 5 news post For the Record: Rail Trail Flyer.

Flyer Fact Check: 

  • The P-3 Park - General zone proposed in Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1044 supports the Rail Trail as a permitted use. Principal Uses within the zone include:
    • "Nature Park means use of Land, Buildings or Structures primarily for conservation and enjoyment of natural areas. Uses can include Boardwalks, trails, environmentally sensitive areas, minor gathering areas and Nature Sanctuaries."
    •  "Nature Sanctuary means the non-Commercial Use of Land, Buildings or Structures for the preservation of plant and animal life and may also include a Nature Centre."
    •  "Park means Land which is owned by the District or other government which Land is dedicated for public use for recreational and or conservation purposes."
  • The P-3 zone would apply to the upland Rail Trail properties. The foreshore area along the Sicamous Narrows (Channel) is zoned W-1 Marine General which allows private docks.
  • There is no conflict between the foreshore zoning and upland zoning. Docks are permitted within the W-1 zone. 
  • The Official Community Plan identifies the Transportation Corridor along the west side of the Channel as a future non-motorized trail (OCP s. 6.2.5 and 6.3.12) The P-3 zone is the best-suited zone for the intended Rail Trail use. The principal uses of P-3 support trails and public use for recreation and conservation.
  • Changing the zoning of the Rail Trail properties to P-3 does not establish a regional park service or dedicated park. The Rail Trail was created as a regional service, by Bylaw No. 5755, in 2017. It includes a maximum that the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) can requisition for the service.
  • The district is committed to working with the CSRD to regulate the use of the Rail Trail and enforce bylaws within the district boundary. 
  • The P-3 zone does not conflict with Zoning Bylaw 1000, 2022 or the definitions of “Park”, “Semi-Waterfront Parcel” and “Highway”. 

The Public Hearing for Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1044 will be held at the Sicamous & District Seniors Centre on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, starting at 5 p.m.  Learn More!

For the Record: Rail Trail Flyer (April 5, 2024)

Posted on April 5, 2024

Yesterday, a flyer was distributed to Sicamous mailboxes about the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail. This flyer was not created or distributed by the District of Sicamous. 

For those wanting to learn more about the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail, here are some helpful links to official communication channels. 

Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail Website

The website includes the development plan, news, frequently asked questions and donation information. The latest construction update from March 28 can be accessed here.

Meeting Recordings 

Recordings of council and committee meetings are uploaded to the @DOSicamous YouTube channel. The following meetings include presentations and discussions related to the Rail Trail.

District of Sicamous Website