Image Credit: CSRD

By Victor Kaisar

CSRD Road Rescue

CSRD launches three alternative approval processes to fund new road rescue initiatives

May 22, 2025 | 10:19 AM

SHUSWAP, B.C. — Three separate alternative approval processes (AAPs) are underway in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), as it looks to fund new road rescue services in Electoral Areas C and G (South Shuswap), the North Shuswap and Falkland.

“Road rescue services provide support to people involved in motor vehicle accidents, where specialized skills and equipment for vehicle extrication and other rescue services are required,” the CSRD said in a statement.

“The AAP is necessary because adding this service will require additional taxation. Costs for the new road rescue service vary by service area, due to population base and property assessment values.”

According to the CSRD, the proposal would see the average North Shuswap property owner pay a maximum tax of approximately $51.41. It also notes the year-one budget anticipates the tax requisition will be $28.27 for the average residential property.

In the Falkland area, the maximum tax rate for the average residential property owner would be $232.79. In year-one, that figure is expected to be around $201.18 for the average residential property.

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Residents in an average property in the South Shuswap would pay a maximum tax of $53.64 towards the service. The CSRD says the year-one budget anticipates the tax requisition for these residents to be $20.45 per average residential property.

“The new road rescue service would be provided by existing CSRD fire departments in those specified areas,” the CSRD said. “Currently, these three areas either have no road rescue service or are underserviced due to the travel distances required by other already established road rescue providers.”

“The affected CSRD fire departments have been consulted and are willing to provide the additional service to their communities and members of the travelling public affected by motor vehicle incidents.”

At least 10 per cent of eligible electors will need to sign and submit response forms stating they’re opposed to the proposed initiative for it to fail. Should that happen, the CSRD board has 80 days to decide if it wants to go to a referendum to seek public approval.

It can also put the matter on hold and consider other alternatives.

The deadline for the three AAPs, which launched Thursday (May 22), is at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30. In the wake of a potential strike at Canada Post, the CSRD is recommending that people either return forms by email or drop it off at the CSRD office in Salmon Arm either in person or in an after-hours dropbox.

You can find more information about the alternative approval processes here.