By James Peters

Stone, Milobar slam government for LTSA records relocation

Mar 28, 2019 | 11:43 AM

VICTORIA — The two BC Liberal MLAs from Kamloops teamed up to hammer the government on changes at the local Land Title and Survey Authority office during question period Thursday.

Todd Stone and Peter Milobar note LTSA plans to move permanent land title records from Kamloops to Victoria, leaving locals to access digital scans.

Stone and Milobar took aim at Forests, Lands, Natural Resorces and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson, saying the move was made without consulting local First Nations.

“Everyone impacted by this decision has been blindsided — but most notably, First Nations,” said Stone. “Why is the minister allowing these critical, historical records to be moved when there has been no engagement, no consultation and especially none of the above with First Nations?”

“The NDP can laugh it off all they want,” added Milobar. “They are being very dismissive to the chiefs in our area and over a quarter of this province, and that is totally unacceptable.”

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Milobar quoted Whispering Pines-Clinton Indian Band Chief Mike LeBourdais, who wrote to the government, “If copies are adequate, you keep the copies. We will keep the originals.”

Donaldson responded by saying the LTSA operates at arms length from government, an arrangement set up by the previous BC Liberal government.

He also assured Stone and Milobar little would change.

“The LTSA has stated historic searches can still be conducted from Kamloops when the records are relocated to Victoria. The process would be the same as conducting a historic search from Kamloops today for a title in Victoria or New Westminster. Records can be ordered directly through the LTSA or via the Scan on Demand service,” said Donaldson.

The minister also accused Milobar and Stone of spreading misinformation about job losses, quoting the LTSA website which states there will be no downsizing or permanent closure of the Kamloops office.

“The misinformation being spread by the two members of Kamloops is really a disservice to the people of Kamloops,” said Donaldson.

After repeated opposition questioning on the issue of First Nations consultation, Donaldson pledged to “look into it.”

The issue has also reached the level of local government.

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, Kamloops Councillor Mike O’Reilly issued notice of a motion calling on LTSA for a moratorium on moving the records until council can meet with LTSA or Donaldson.

That motion will be debated at council’s April 2 meeting.