Excerpts from the Junger Report (2001):
Mr. Robin Junger LLB, with a Masters in Law from Harvard who specializes in public policy issues was appointed by the Minister Responsible for the CBT to investigate the historical relationship between the Columbia Basin Trust and the Boundary Communities. His four findings and two recommendations speak for themselves.
Finding#1 Throughout the discussions leading to the development of the Trust, there was a lack of clarity regarding the scope and limit of the area that would benefit, and it is not unreasonable for Boundary representatives to have assumed that the Trust would benefit the entire Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.
Finding #2 The possibility of differing assumptions or positions regarding the geographic scope of the Trust was not adequately addressed at the time the Act was drafted, as the definition of “region”was determined in a manner that lacked the transparency and inclusiveness which characterized other aspects of discussions.
Finding #3 The substantive question of whether the Boundary Region should be included in the Trust “region” at this time is difficult to answer, as there are reasonable arguments made by each of the parties… (there is) an the absence of a single set of clear and comprehensive criteria accepted by all participants.
Finding #4 The concern of the Boundary residents regarding their lack of inclusion in the Trust “region” is being exacerbated by Trust policies that are seen to have a negative impact on regional initiatives involving (or potentially involving) non-Trust areas,
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