Madam Speaker, when Highway 97 shuts down because of landslides, wildfires or serious accidents, Okanagan residents, including cancer patients and essential workers, are stranded.
Many are forced onto dangerous, poorly marked forest roads, like FSR 201. The Harper-Campbell governments' successful four-laning between Summerland and Peachland now requires $24 million in stabilization work.
As a funding partner, the federal government has a clear obligation to contribute a share. Will the federal government commit to half the costs, so the province can stabilize the corridor and upgrade FSR 201, giving Okanagan motorists a safe, reliable alternative to Highway 97?