Government documents suggest Victoria is downplaying public support for a national park in the South Okanagan, according to an environmental group.

The Wilderness Committee says documents obtained in a Freedom of Information request contradict the province's consultation summary report, which minimized interest in the controversial proposal.

Information in the 5,000-page FOI request reveals 92 per cent of private submissions and 80 per cent of business and local government submissions were supportive of the park.

Most submissions also recommended the Mount Kobau area be included in the reserve.

“Why the BC government has chosen to suppress information that shows that the public overwhelmingly supports all areas ... be in the national park reserve is a mystery to us,” the committee's Joe Foy said in a press release issued Friday.

The committee says the park could provide 772 new jobs and $57 million in annual visitor spending in the region.

“Victoria and local MLA Linda Larson need to pay more attention to feedback that came right from their own public consultation process,” said Foy.

Jim Wyse, owner of Burrowing Owl Winery, said: “The establishment of a national park reserve is immensely important to wineries, business, and communities in this region."

He said it's critical the Town of Oliver also benefits from the park. "Lack of action by the province is no longer tolerable.”

Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff said a national park will bring tourists and in-migration that will strengthen the community while protecting unique species and habitat.

"We encourage Minister Mary Polak to start negotiations now with Parks Canada for a national park reserve here.”

The province withdrew from park discussions in 2011, stating that although a national park reserve is feasible, it needed more evidence of local support.

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