Community Survey: Incorporation of Okanagan Falls

Based on the size of the community and consultation with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, the Province is considering a council of five - one mayor and four councillors.

The Letters Patent includes the name of a community. The naming of a municipality is an opportunity to reflect the local history and heritage, community identity, geographical context, and the shared vision for the future.

Okanagan Falls is located within the traditional territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) People – represented in the immediate area by the Osoyoos Indian Band, who have lived in and cared for this area for thousands of years. Dog Lake Indian Reserve No. 2 was established there at the original falls at the south end of Skaha Lake. šxʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ (little falls) were an important gathering place, particularly during annual salmon runs, and played a central role in fishing, trade, and cultural practices.

The European settlement in the area was first known as “Dogtown.” The settlement was later called Okanagan Falls after the waterfalls that used to exist on the Okanagan River.

The Province has heard that the name Okanagan Falls carries a lot of history and meaning for people, and that the Syilx history of the area does as well.

To support these objectives, the Province is considering a dual English and nqilxʷcən/nsyilxcən name for the municipality – one that retains “Okanagan Falls” as part of the name and recognizes the area’s shared history and future.

The provincial webpage on the incorporation contains answers to some questions community members may have about the municipal name, including what a dual name means to residents and businesses. At a practical level, for most daily tasks residents could use either the English or nqilxʷcən/nsyilxcən name, or both. For example, addressing mail with either “Okanagan Falls” or the nqilxʷcən/nsyilxcən name. There would be a small number of situations where the full dual name would be legally required (like legal contracts).

The dual name could also support discussions on broader partnership work to develop Indigenous tourism opportunities in the new municipality to benefit everyone.

Subject to the Letters Patent, there would likely be a transition period of several years over which services (like water, sewer, garbage, etc) would be transferred to the authority of the new municipality. During this time, the new municipal staff will build capacity.

Services such as subdivision approval would transfer from the Province (Ministry of Transportation and Transit) while other services would transfer from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and the Rolling Hills Waterworks District.

Residents and businesses may have interest in the service transfer process that should be considered by the Province and the Interim Corporate Officer leading up to the first general election and incorporation.

Incorporation transfers powers to regulate land use and a municipal boundary needs to be defined. This is part of the Letters Patent process. Discussions about the boundary are informed by:  

• The incorporation study that concluded in November 2024  
• Ongoing engagement with Osoyoos Indian Band and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

The Province is committed to ensuring the needs of all residents regarding transportation, recreation, and economic activity are supported, along with Osoyoos Indian Band’s constitutionally protected rights and title. There will be no impacts to private property through this process. 

The final boundary proposed in the Letters Patent would not exclude any residents who were eligible to vote in the incorporation referendum. 

In the transition period leading up to incorporation and the election of a municipal council, an Interim Corporate Officer (ICO) is appointed by the Province to undertake preparations for the inaugural council meeting and the election of the inaugural council.

The ICO typically manages financial and administrative arrangements, and events and protocols that are observed at or leading up to the inaugural council meeting.  This can include:  

• Choosing the location of the council meeting  
• Ceremonial and protocol considerations  
• Providing an orientation to council procedures  
• Preparation of a procedure bylaw to be adopted and guide the council meetings 

Following the election of the new council, there will be significant work ahead to set the new municipality up for success. The following questions provide an opportunity to share your perspective and priorities with the incoming council to help shape their work. A summary of the responses to these questions will be shared with the new council, after their election.