Post-Event Report: 2025 NCLGA/North Central Local Government Association's AGM/Convention (May 12-15, 2025)

As is my standard practice -- following attendance at a Seminar, Conference or Convention... 

Please find my Post-Event report respecting my attendance at the 2025 NCLGA or North Central Local Government Association's AGM/Convention held in the City of Prince Rupert from May 12-15, 2025... at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q1IlnqRYKG20LFvkNKbjjOMV01Eajr85/view

Also -- a friendly reminder that we are in the "Open Range" season between May to October annually where you may encounter calf (or calves) running about our rural roads so please give them a wide berth as you drive our rural roads throughout BC ... Also: rural property owners are required to put up fencing to keep cattle off their property.  Some good tips to accomplish this while being supportive of our wildlife friends can be read at https://www.farmstewards.ca/ranch-fencing

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings - Week of May 20-23, 2025

As a result of the Victoria Day Long Weekend: Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments' or Boards' of Education will have a shortened work week (May 20-23, 2025) as follows:

Wells - Regular Council Meeting on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 from 3:15pm - 4:30pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Avenue) and via Zoom.  When available, the Meeting Agenda can be viewed here

Quesnel -- Meetings as noted below:

1) Financial Sustainability/Audit Committee -- Regular Meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 9am in the Fraser Room, Quesnel City Hall (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* Policies Review -- Neighbourhood Funding Policy – CF 7 and Local Services Policy -- CF 8

* Update to Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Cariboo Regional District (Discussion Item)

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole Session on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 6pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

* Review of Community Grants Program Policy, Fee for Service Policy and Program Review and Permissive Tax Exemptions Program Review -- City Staff are requesting direction from the Committee

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District: (all meetings as noted below)

1) North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus -- Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 at 3:00pm in the CRD Quesnel Office (101-410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda:

* Delegations -- MOTI Cariboo District re: Update on Roads in North Cariboo, Sprout Kitchen Food Hub, Emcon Services re: Update on Roads in North Cariboo sub-region

Editor's Note -- I will be attending the Emcon Services' delegation at this meeting in my capacity as Cariboo RD Area "D" Director as Emcon Services provides road maintenance into half of my Electoral Area from Deep Creek up to the old Marguerite Ferry Landing adjacent to Highway 97 as well as into the communities of Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley, McLeese Lake/Duckworth Lake, Macalister and Marguerite

* Verbal updates on Community Committee Appointments in North Cariboo sub-region 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) North Cariboo Joint Committee -- Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda:

* Presentation to City of Quesnel Sports Hall of Fame recipients 

* North Cariboo Recreation and Parks 2024 Year End Budget Summary

* 2025 North Cariboo Sub Regional Recreation Quarter 1 Operating budget summary 

* Recreational Priorities Survey Results and North Cariboo Recreation & Parks Business Plan

* Priority Criteria for Consideration of New Services Policy for North Cariboo Recreation/Parks Service 

* Discussion Items from Area "A" Director Mary Sjostrom -- Seniors' request for reduced rate at facilities, Complimentary tickets/concerts and NCRP Goal regarding uniform signage at facilities

View the full Meeting Agenda here

3) Policy Committee - Regular Meeting on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 10:00am in the CRD Williams Lake Boardroom.  On the Agenda:

* Meeting Remuneration Rates

* Amendment to Policy D 5.1 – Reports on Conventions or Seminars/Meetings of Outside Organizations by Board Appointees Policy

* Amendment to Election Officials Remuneration Policy

* Rescind Policy 2019-7-27 "Untidy & Unsightly Premises Procedures" and replace with new Policy

* Community Works Fund Prioritization Policy and Matrix

* Discussion Items:  Board Room Videoconferencing - Livestream, retention period, committees, etc. & Board Travel Remuneration

View the full Meeting Agenda here

4) Emergency Preparedness Committee -- Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 at 1:00pm in the CRD Williams Lake Boardroom.  On the Agenda:

* Information Items: Emergency Program Services Updates, February – May 2025, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Reporting, March – May 2025

View the full Meeting Agenda here

5) Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus - Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 at 3:00pm in the CRD Williams Lake Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

* Delegations -- MOTI Cariboo District re: Update on Roads in Central Cariboo-Chilcotin; Cariboo-Chilcotin Elder College

View the full Meeting Agenda here

6) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 5:30pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

* Esler Recreation Advisory Commission May 6, 2025 Meeting Minutes and Recommendations

* Information Item - Scout Island Trails Fee for Service 2024 Annual Report

View the full Meeting Agenda here

7) Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District -- Regular Meeting on Friday, May 23rd at 9:30am in the CRD Williams Lake Boardroom.  On the Agenda:

* Information Item: Interior Health Communities Newsletter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

8) Cariboo Regional District Regular Meeting on Friday, May 23rd at 9:45am or upon adjournment of the CCRHD Board Meeting in the CRD Williams Lake Boardroom.  On the Agenda:

* 11:30am Delegation -- RCMP re: Regional District input into Provincial Policing Priorities 

* Land Use Matters (Area Directors' only)

* 2024 Invasive Plant Management Report

* 2025 Electoral Area Year Round Grant for Assistance applications

* Information Items - no action required

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Role of Improvement District Board of Trustees'

This week (May 11-17, 2025) is Local Government Awareness Week in British Columbia...

Today - we will review Improvement Districts....

Improvement Districts were created before the time of Regional Districts' and as far back as the 1920's, generally in Rural BC for specific services (ie: water/sewer, fire protection) within a defined service area.  According to CivicInfo BC records -- there are 196 Improvement Districts in British Columbia today with none remaining in the Cariboo-Chilcotin (there were 2 at one point -- one at Lexington and one at Hagensborg, both operating a water system but since have dissolved in favour of the nearby Regional Districts' -- Cariboo/Central Coast RD's) 

Sections 673-734 of the Local Government Act apply as the legislation for Improvement Districts' in BC - click here while you can have a comprehensive overview of Improvement Districts', as provided by the Province of BC - click here

Improvement Districts' have a Board of Trustees - exact numbers depend on what is contained in the Improvement District's Letters Patent - and they generally have monthly meetings plus an Annual General Meeting each year.  They are also required to have designated a Corporate Officer & Financial Officer as part of their staffing - click here

Unlike Municipal Councils/Regional District Boards' -- they are not afforded the same opportunity to attend local government training opportunities like Area Associations, LGLA, UBCM or FCM but the Province of BC has created an Improvement District Trustee Handbook - click here

One of the recent challenges to Improvement Districts' is that Districts' who operate water system and consequently are subject to Provincial drinking water rules are finding it difficult to operate their water systems to BC standards WITHOUT provincial or federal government grant support.  That support is not forthcoming as provincial/federal government financial grants for water/sewer systems are only provided to Municipal Councils or Regional District Boards'.  Many Municipal Councils'/Regional District Boards' have brought up this issue at the Resolution Debates at Union of BC Municipalities Conventions and unfortunately have seen their Resolutions defeated.... but I'm sure the conversation will continue onward...

I want to thank everyone who serves in the Improvement District system - whether at the governance table or at a Staff level.  Your contributions are not recognized publicly in a substantive way but should be, given the amount of time you put into the Improvement District governance structure...

Final Day (Day 4) of the 2025 NCLGA Convention

Today is the final day (Day 4) of the 2025 NCLGA Convention in the City of Prince Rupert and co-hosted with the North Coast Regional District and the District of Port Edward

2025 NCLGA Agenda can be viewed here

On the Agenda:

* Update on the NCLGA Strategic Plan

* Plenary Session: Prince Rupert Port Authority Update

* Plenary Session: RoadSafeBC and ICBC: Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) Program

* Adjourn at 12 noon

Role of a Regional District Board

This week is BC Local Government Awareness Week 2025 (May 11-18, 2025) and today, I look at the role of a Regional District Board...

Prior to 1965, local governance matters for those living outside incorporated communities was handled directly by Victoria but the Provincial Government of W.A.C Bennett in 1965 - the then Municipal Act was amended to establish the Regional District governance model for those living in unincorporated communities in order to allow local governing to occur at home, rather than directly from Victoria...

According to the Province of BC - there are 27 Regional Districts' in British Columbia today from Fort Nelson down to Sparwood, over to Vancouver Island and up the Coast of British Columbia.  Primary provincial legislation for Regional Districts' is the Local Government Act however there are aspect of the Community Charter that apply to Regional Districts' as well including the sections covering closed meetings and conflict of interest.  Regional Districts' have what is referred to as corporate powers which means that RD Boards' don't have the ability to regulate as Municipalities do.  If a RD Board wanted to, for example, create a Tree Bylaw in a rural area -- the Regional District Board would have to seek permission of the Provincial Cabinet to have that power conferred onto that Regional District (which rarely occurs).  The full list of the 27 Regional Districts' of BC can be viewed here

The 3 primary roles of Regional Districts' are:

1) Local Government for Unincorporated Communities within Electoral Areas

2) Establish/Maintain sub-Regional Services for Electoral Areas/Municipalities

3) Be a Framework for Regional Discussions or Services benefitting ALL residents', whether they live in the Electoral Areas or Municipalities 

A more lengthy description about Regional Districts' from the Province of BC can be viewed here.  One primary difference between Municipalities and Regional Districts' is that every Regional District (RD) "service" is firewalled meaning funds from that RD Service can NOT be moved into another Service as RD Services are taxed on the basis that money is collected for that specific service or money collected must be returned to those in the service area for that particular RD Service.  RD Services can take the form of (again, not meant to be an exhaustive list):

1) Water/Sewer Services
2) Street-lighting
3) Fire Protection
4) Grants in Aide/Grants for Assistance
5) Recreation
6) Economic Development
7) Administration -- Electoral Area (Rural) or General (Regional) 

Each of the 160 Electoral Areas in BC elect a Director to represent that Electoral Area at the local Regional District Board table every 4 years.  It is sometimes described that Area Director is the "Mayor" for that Area however that is factually incorrect -- he/she is the representative for that Area but the "Mayor" for that Area is the local Regional District Board Chair.  RD's can also be described as a ward form of local government wherein there is a representative for each "ward" or Electoral Area in each of the 27 Regional Districts.  The balance of Electoral Area Directors' to Municipal Directors' in each RD can range from Metro Vancouver RD (1 EA Director to 39 Municipal Directors') to Cariboo RD (12 EA Directors to 4 Municipal Directors).  Only the Central Coast RD has all Electoral Area Directors' and no Municipal Directors'.  EA Directors' are required, by provincial legislation, to have an Alternate Director appointed, in case they are not able to attend meetings which is different from municipal councils' wherein should a Councillor be absent, there are enough of their colleagues to help manage their affairs of that community whereas an Electoral Area needs to have a representative at all times for local government affairs - whether it is the elected Area Director or their appointed Alternate to ensure the business of local government for that Area goes on.  There is debate about the role of the Alternate Director, given technology options of today however many Electoral Area Directors' still value the role and this was last debated in January 2019 with no consensus achieved...

Meanwhile, the Cariboo RD Board adopted a Best Practice for Alternate Directors' which was created in 2019 and you can read here

Unlike Mayors being elected every 4 years -- their Regional District counterparts - the Board Chair and Vice-Chair - are elected annually at the RD Board meeting after November 1st.  Every Director, whether a Municipal/Electoral Area, of a Regional District Board has one vote.  A majority of those votes elects the Regional District Chair.  This also applies for the Regional District Board Vice-Chair (also applies to Regional Hospital Districts' annually).  In most cases -- the Chair, doing his/her job, will be checking in with their colleagues year round to support them.  In turn, Chair elections can a mundane exercise.  However, an upset RD Board or RHD Board can result in the Chair being challenged and lobbying then begins... but this occurs very infrequently in the 27 Regional Districts' of British Columbia.  The RD Chairs' in the Central Interior of BC are:

1) Regional District of Fraser Fort George -- Lara Beckett (RDFFG Area "C" Director).  Been the Chair of the RDFFG Board since November 2022

2) Cariboo Regional District -- Margo Wagner (Cariboo RD Area H Director).  Has been Cariboo RD Board Chair since November 2017.  Only the 3rd women in 57 years to be Chair of the Cariboo Regional District.

3) Thompson Nicola Regional District - Barb Roden (Mayor of Ashcroft).  Only the 2nd women to serve as Chair of the Thompson Nicola Regional District (the 1st was the late Patricia Wallace, a Councillor with the City of Kamloops)

Each Electoral Area Director decides for themselves how they want to engage their electorate in their unincorporated communities and bring those issues to their local RD Board table and beyond to the Provincial/Federal Governments via the local MLA/MP respectively and ultimately - they will answer for all that goes right or wrong in their Electoral Area each election.  However, a cursory look at the 160 Electoral Areas state that local elections do occur every 4 years but it is not uncommon for an Electoral Area Director to be acclaimed for many years.  For example -- former Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area 'A' Director Ted Armstrong served for 40 years consecutively (1978-2018) while having to go through 3 Elections in 40 years and being re-elected in each of those occasions.  For myself -- I attend all local community meetings to keep them up to date on Cariboo Regional District matters plus attend community events.  I also try to drive around my own Electoral Area to keep up to speed on local matters plus engage on local social media groups to respond to inquiries plus answering phone calls/emails plus monthly reporting out.  Many of my constituents know how to get a hold of me very quickly - whether by phone, email or social media and my general commitment is returning of inquiries within the same day.  In Cariboo RD's Electoral Area D -- I have 10 "distinct" unincorporated communities from Commodore Heights in the south abutting the City of Williams Lake to the old Marguerite Ferry Landing in the North, Jackson's Hole in the East and Rudy Johnson Bridge to the West.

As one misunderstood item -- I often receive inquiries about why those living mere minutes outside of Williams Lake are not able to vote for Mayor/Council and I gently explain that they are not within the boundaries of the City of Williams Lake so they aren't able to vote accordingly but could if their property was included in the City's boundaries.  The last such attempt to include a portion of Cariboo RD Area D (Commodore Heights to Wildwood) was in 1996 and eventually was voted down as well as an effort in the early 2000's to merge Pine Valley into the City of Williams Lake boundaries and that too failed... 

Another sometimes misunderstood things about RD's is the complex voting rules at a Regional District table.  The voting rules are broken down primarily into two groups:

1) Corporate - Unweighted/Weighted
2) Stakeholder - Unweighted/Weighted

Corporate-Unweighted Voting is reserved for receipt of items or election of the Board Chair whereas Corporate-Weighted Voting is reserved for contract issues, acquisition of property, adoption of a financial plan and weighted votes are based on a formula that revolves around population size and the voting quotient for that RD which gets you a number of votes for that Director.  More Population = More Votes.  A Director can not have more than 5 Weighted Votes.  Anything over that allows, typically, an Municipality would then have more representatives at the RD Board table 

Stakeholder-Unweighted is reserved voting for those participants in a RD Service like Land Use Planning.

Stakeholder-Weighted is again reserved voting for those participants in a RD Service like Land Use Planning or Recreation in relation to "Administration/Operation" of a RD Service.  Voting is a combined votes of participants and a majority is them is required to pass a Resolution.  One example -- Central Cariboo Recreation at the Cariboo RD Board Table has a combined vote structure of 12 (Area D - 2; Area E - 2; Area F - 3; City of WL - 5).  A majority of 7 is required to pass a resolution in relation to "Administration/Operation" of the Central Cariboo Recreation Service

In terms of issues that RD Boards' are working on (but not an exhaustive list) may include:

1) Climate Change/Emergency Events -- Floods/Fires
2) Sustainable Communities and Infrastructure to support those Communities
3) Sustainable Funding for Electoral Area Services
4) Relationships with First Nations'
5) Relationships with Provincial/Federal Governments'
6) Provincial Land Use Decisions

Unlike Municipalities -- Each Electoral Area Director also maintains a contact list for MLA's/MP's or their staff and Provincial/Federal Ministry Staff in order to address issues that come up as RD Boards' usually meet once a month and issues can be solved more quickly through the establishment of these relationships which does take time to forge.

As mentioned yesterday in describing the role of a Municipal Council -- EA Directors' also partake in annual professional development opportunities like local Area Associations', UBCM, FCM and LGLA to stay up to date on Regional District matters as do their Regional District Staff to stay up to date on best practices, etc on their area of expertise (land use, finance, communications, Regional District administration, etc).  Also - RD Directors' (with the exception of one following an election year) get together each January in 3 of the 4 years in a term, typically in Richmond to discuss Electoral Area issues.  Example of Agenda -- click here

Finally - Regional Districts' also serve as Regional Hospital Districts (RHD's) as a separate entity, as per the Hospital District Act - click here.  In the 1990's - the Greater Vancouver Regional Hospital District was dissolved, in favour of creating "tax room" for TransLink (Metro Vancouver Transit Authority).  In the Cariboo-Chilcotin -- we have the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) which comprises all 16 Directors of the Cariboo RD plus Thompson Nicola RD Area E Director Jim Smith as the CCRHD partially falls into his Electoral Area.  RHD's provide for 40% capital for local hospital facilities, typically at the request of the local Health Authority (ie: Northern/Interior Health)

As an Electoral Area Director - as much as it sometimes can be frustrating some days, I do appreciate the support of my fellow Mayors/Councillors' in local government as their support is crucial for getting Electoral Area matters resolved.  Support comes from people like Kamloops Councillor Mike O'Reilly (he currently serves on the TNRD Board as well as Chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District) and many, many other Mayors/Councillors & Electoral Area Directors' elsewhere in BC...

Other sources of information include:

1) UBCM Fact Sheets for Regional Districts -- click here
2) Local Government in BC - click here

Tomorrow, I will review the role of an Improvement District Board of Trustees

SF

Day 3 of 2025 NCLGA Convention

Today is Day 3 of the 2025 NCLGA Convention in the City of Prince Rupert and co-hosted with the North Coast Regional District and the District of Port Edward

2025 NCLGA Agenda can be viewed here

On the Agenda today: 

* Plenary Session: Building Bridges: Climate Adaptation, Housing, and Reconciliation in Partnership with

Indigenous Communities 

* Plenary Session: Tale of a Tax Sale (Watson Island) 

* Plenary Session: Updates from Municipal Insurance Agency of BC (MIABC), Northern Development Initiatives Trust (NDIT) and Northern Medical Programs Trust (NMPT) 

* Plenary Session: Regional Districts - Legislative Reform

* Part 2 of the 2025 NCLGA Resolutions Session

* Plenary Session: CN Moving the Economy Safely

* Plenary Session: Gitxaala Enterprises Corporation: Investing in Prince Rupert’s Future

* Annual NCLGA Convention including Keynote Speaker: Former BC Lt-Gov Janet Austin

Role of a BC Municipal Council

All this week during "Local Government Awareness Week 2025" - I will reviewing the 3 primary types of local government in BC (Municipal Council, Regional District Board of Directors' & Improvement District Board of Trustees) during 2025 Local Government Awareness Week.... starting with Municipal Councils' today...

Municipal Councils' are the governing body of an incorporated community.  This can range in population from 217 (District of Wells) up to 675,218 (City of Vancouver).  Incorporated communities can take various forms from small Villages, Districts', mid sized Towns/Cities right up to big Cities like Vancouver/Surrey.  According to CivicInfo BC -- there are 162 municipalities in British Columbia today.  It should be noted that a local government is not a true "order of government" as recognized in the Canadian Constitution but the "child of the Province or Territory" and thus a Municipal Council's powers are ones delegated by the Province or Territory to a municipality

Primary provincial legislation for Municipal Councils' is the Community Charter.  Legislation for the Charter was passed in the BC Legislature back in 2004.  Before then, Regional Districts/Municipal Councils' shared both the former Municipal Act and current Local Government Act before the Charter was passed in 2004. However, there are certain aspect of the Local Government Act that apply to both a Municipal Council and Regional District Board, depending on the topic.  Aspects of Land Use Decision Making and Local Elections/By-Elections and Referenda -- apply to both a Municipal Council/RD Board via the Local Government Act.  Municipal Councils', through the Charter, have what is called "natural person powers" which allows them to respond much more quickly to the general needs of an incorporated community

The primary role of a Municipal Council is outlined here but generally speaking - a Municipal Council looks out for the needs of its' community and advocates for the same to the provincial/federal governments & others or provides for local services desirable for that incorporated community

Distinct roles on a Municipal Council:

a) Mayor -- CEO/Head of Municipality. Role defined at Section 116 of the Charter.  View here

b) Councillor -- Member of a Municipal Council.  Number of Councillors can range from 4 to as many as 10, depending on size of a Municipal Council.  Role definition can be viewed here

c) Chief Administrative Officer (also known sometimes as City Manager or Administrator) -- Always granted, through an Officer's Bylaw, the primary responsibility to administer the operations of a Municipality, based on passed Council policies or Resolutions of a Council and serves as its' Chief Policy Advisor..  In the typical Council-CAO system of local government, Local Government Staff work for the CAO directly and the CAO works for Council as a whole as its' "sole employee"

Also, a Municipality is required by the Charter to have a Corporate Administrator and Financial Administrator (typically known as the Corporate Officer and Chief Financial Officer).  These statutory positions also apply to Regional Districts'.  More on this here

Some of the common challenges facing a Municipal Council in BC include:

a) Sustainable Infrastructure (sidewalks, water/sewer, etc)
b) Sustainable Staffing
c) Sustainable Finances
d) Healthy Local Economy/Jobs

e) Housing

Many BC Municipal Councils' lobby for the above noted items via their local Area Association (NCLGA, SILGA, AKBLG, LMLGA or AVICC); UBCM/Union of BC Municipalities and FCM/Federation of Canadian Municipalities.  Almost every local municipal council in BC is a member of an Area Association, UBCM or FCM...

In addition to that - Municipal Councils, via the Mayor, maintain healthy/productive relationships with their local MLA or Member of Legislative Assembly & MP or Member of Parliament to lobby for issues that are either provincial or federal in nature...

Also - Members of a Municipal Council (Mayor/Councillors') participate in annual training sessions at their local Area Associations, UBCM, FCM or LGLA/Local Government Leadership Academy to stay up to date on trends in local governments.  Links to Training Materials:

a) UBCM -- https://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/convention/past-conventions.html
b) FCM -- https://fcm.ca/en/resources
c) LGLA -- https://lgla.ca/resources/

This is not any different from professional development that local government staff undertake on an annual basis to stay current in their profession via courses/seminars offered through the Local Government Management Association or their professional associations' ... 

More on things that face a Municipal Council on a yearly basis can be viewed at:

1) UBCM Fact Sheets - click here (Updated in Fall 2018)
2) Local Government in BC - click here.  Written by Robert Fish & Eric Clemens with the last update in 2008.  Mr. Clemens sadly passed away in 2008

3) Community Charter -- click here

Finally - it is said that local government is the closest to the people and the easiest to access (Mayor/Councillors) as they are members of the general community as well... and while they don't have the easiest job to make decisions that is bound to upset somebody -- it is fair to say that they try their level best, based on the information they have at hand and how they personally feel on an issue and vote accordingly.

And at the end of the day -- Mayors' and Councillors' have to face the electorate every 4 years in a "job performance review", if they seek re-election, to see if they are worthy to continue on... and the electorate is always correct when they vote in general local elections' (even if the elected officials don't agree personally with the decision at election time) and I'm sure people generally thank the 162 Municipal Councils' in BC and the job they do year round, even if people may disagree respectfully with their decisions, from time to time...

Tomorrow: I will review Regional Districts' and the role (sometimes misunderstood) they play in the unincorporated communities they represent, outside of Municipalities and their Municipal Councils'...

Day 2 of 2025 NCLGA Convention

Today is Day 2 of the 2025 NCLGA Convention in the City of Prince Rupert and co-hosted with the North Coast Regional District and the District of Port Edward

2025 NCLGA Agenda can be viewed here

On the Agenda today: 

* Opening Ceremonies

* AGM portion of the 2025 NCLGA Convention 

* Annual Election Process for the 2025-26 NCLGA Board

* Plenary Session: Taking Stock of the Trade War: Local Government Impacts

* First Portion of 2025 NCLGA Resolution Session 

* Plenary Session: Gaayhllxid/Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement 

* Plenary Session: Host Community Updates (City of Prince Rupert, North Coast RD, District of Prince Edward) 

* Concurrent Plenary Sessions: The Volunteer/Paid on Call Firefighting Sector – How to Succeed in a

Changing Environment, NCLGA/Northern Chambers Collaboration on Resolutions, Mental Health and Wellbeing for Local Government Elected Officials, Taking Action to Address BC’s Health-Care Challenges and Harnessing AI for Enhanced Capacity in Local Government: A Case Study

Day 1 of NCLGA Convention 2025

Today is Day 1 of the 2025 NCLGA Convention in the City of Prince Rupert and co-hosted with the North Coast Regional District and the District of Port Edward

2025 NCLGA Agenda can be viewed here

On the Agenda today: 

* Pre-Convention Tours -- Prince Rupert Harbour Tour (I will be personally attending this tour) and Prince Rupert Trolley Tour

* Welcome Reception

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government/Boards' of Education Meetings - Week of May 12-16, 2025

During the week of May 12-16, 2025 -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government/Boards' of Education will be holding meetings, as follows:

Quesnel -- Policy/Bylaw Standing Committee on Thursday, May 15th at 3:15pm in the Fraser Room, Quesnel City Hall (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

Policies Review -- Council Email Internet and Computer Usage, Issuing Proclamations, City of Quesnel Flag Policy, Council Recognition of Long-Service Employees

Discussion Item: Short-Term Rentals

View the full Meeting Agenda here

School District #28 (Quesnel) -- Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday, May 14th at 7:00pm in the SD28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd, Quesnel).  When available, the Meeting Agenda can be viewed here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) -- SD27 Board Committee Meetings on Tuesday, May 13th & Wednesday, May 14th, as follows, at the SD27 Administration Office (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake): 

1) Finance Committee - May 13th at 4:00pm.  On the Agenda:

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) Education Committee - May 14th at 4:00pm.  On the Agenda:

* BC Mental Health in Schools Conference

* OMRIE Student Leadership Conference

* Student Attendance Data and Strategic Plan Discussion

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Finally: Cariboo-Chilcotin Mayors', Councillors' and Electoral Area Directors' are off to Prince Rupert to attend the 2025 NCLGA/North Central Local Government Association's AGM/Convention from May 12-15, 2025.  The 2025 NCLGA AGM/Convention Agenda can be viewed here while 2025 NCLGA Resolutions to be considered by NCLGA Delegates can be viewed here

As is my standard practice, I will have daily posts from the Convention.  So, follow along here and on my social media channels for daily reporting from the 2025 NCLGA Convention.... 

Imperials Metals "Clarification of Public Record" (Xat'sull First Nation/Mt Polley Mine)

Courtesy of Imperial Metals:

Imperial Metals Corporation notes that a number of third parties, including news agencies, have incorrectly reported that an injunction was granted in respect of the construction and operation of the tailings storage facility at Imperial’s Mount Polley mine. Imperial Metals confirms that no such injunction was granted. Normal operations of the mine and construction of a four-metre raise of the

tailings storage facility will continue.

On May 8, 2025, Mr. Justice Weatherill of the Supreme Court of British Columbia heard an application for an interim injunction from Xatśūll First Nation regarding the decision to approve the aforementioned four-metre raise of the tailings storage facility. The Court adjourned the application until June 24, 2025 when both the underlying petition challenging the decision and the injunction will be heard and decided. Mount Polley Mining Corporation, Imperial’s wholly-owned subsidiary, made clear at the hearing that although it continues with previously permitted use of the tailings storage facility, it did not anticipate needing to use the four-metre raise currently under construction until July 1, 2025 at the earliest, and agreed to provide an undertaking to the Court to that effect.

The result of the May 8th, 2025 hearing was that the matter would be heard in June, 2025 and no injunction was issued. 

Quesnel/Nazko FN receives $$$ to prepare for climate emergencies

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note: 

"Both of City of Quesnel and Nazko First Nation will be receiving funding to deal with the increasing threat of natural and climate-related emergencies.

Quesnel: $100,000 for Hazard risk vulnerability and resilience assessment

Nazko First Nation: $1,102,560 for a urban forest to offer relief during extreme heat and provide flood mitigation through increased soil stability" 

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To better protect people and communities throughout B.C. from the increasing threat of natural and climate-related emergencies, the Province is providing more than $40 million for 61 projects.

The Province is supporting First Nations and local governments with projects that address natural and climate-driven hazards, such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides. Approximately $21 million is being provided from the new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program in addition to almost $20 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).

“The frequency of climate-caused events is increasing, and managing and reducing these risks is essential,” said the Hon. Kelly Greene, BC's Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “By supporting communities on these projects, we are helping to better protect these communities and the people who call them home. Our new DRIF program provides reliable, long-term funding so communities can better plan for and address their most pressing disaster-mitigation needs.”

Other key projects include:

A remediation project for the Bouffioux Coulee in Fort St. John will improve the coulee’s berm to protect homes, the sewer outfall pipeline and the River Drive embankment along the Peace River.

Seismic planning for the City of Burnaby will improve infrastructure to limit potential damage during earthquakes.

Creating an urban forest for the Nazko First Nation will provide relief during extreme-heat events. The project will also improve flood resilience by increasing soil stability as the trees’ roots mature.

“Nazko First Nation is extremely pleased to have the opportunity to establish an urban forest,” said Nazko First Nation Chief Leah Stump. “This project will not only mitigate the impacts of climate change and extreme heat, but will also provide additional benefits such as biodiversity, flood mitigation, soil conservation and beautification.”

Since 2017, government funding programs have provided more than $540 million for approximately 2,660 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects.

Learn More:

For more information about the DRIF program and how to apply, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content? id=76C1AA90A3844FDE9740B2E8B9355842

For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf

For information about disaster and climate-risk reduction and available supports, visit: https://www.ClimateReadyBC.ca

TNG signs historic Coordination Agreement with Canada and BC towards First Nations-led child and family services

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation has always asserted its inherent right to self-government, including jurisdiction, over its children and families – a right affirmed with the signing of a historic Coordination Agreement between the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Canada and the Province of British Columbia using the framework provided by An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.

Together, the Nitsilʔin-Qi (Council of Chiefs) for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and the Honourable Jodie Wickens, B.C. Minister of Children and Family Development signed a Coordination Agreement; a key milestone on the path of transforming the lives of the Tŝilhqot’in people and the relationship with the Crown.

The agreement establishes responsibilities and processes for providing the coordination services to Tŝilhqot’in children and young adults. It outlines a way forward that honours past, present, and future generations of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation for whom raising healthy and thriving children is a fundamental right and core to their identity, responsibilities, and law as Tŝilhqot’in people.

This year, Canada will provide $35.2 million toward, amongst other things, the delivery of prevention, governance, dispute resolution, community navigator and post majority support services in the initial phase of Tŝilhqot’in jurisdiction. The Province of British Columbia will provide $766,222 to support Tŝilhqot’in jurisdiction.

Through this transition there will be strong collaboration with Denisiqi Services Society, and the province, to continue to deliver protection services under provincial law to all Tŝilhqot’in on and off reserve as the Tŝilhqot’in Nation builds capacity to exercise full jurisdiction under the Tŝilhqot’in law.

On April 1, 2025, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation enacted their children and families law – Tŝilhqot’in ʔEsqax Sutsel Jeniyax (Tŝilhqot’in children growing up in a good way) as the foundation for exercising its inherent jurisdiction and to establish a new model of care for Tŝilhqot’in children, youth and families grounded in Tŝilhqot’in teachings and values.

For the Tŝilhqot’in People, the Coordination Agreement is formal recognition of their right to protect and care for their children based on traditional teachings and values.

“We are making progress, as a Nation of six distinct communities working together in unity, to reclaim jurisdiction for our children and families. Organizational and legislative change doesn’t happen overnight – but change must happen.

Tŝilhqot’in problems require Tŝilhqot’in solutions and with intensive input from, and collaboration with our people, we have stood up our own Tŝilhqot’in law that puts our way of life, our values, and our children first. We are hopeful that the next chapter in the lives of the Tŝilhqot’in people is one of safety, health and happiness with deep connections to our culture and teachings.”

– Nits’ilʔin Otis Guichon

Tribal Chief, Tŝilhqot’in National Government

Xat'sull FN receives BC Supreme Court approval -- temporary halt to additional tailings in raised TSF pending Judicial Review

Courtesy of Xat'sull First Nation:

Quesnel Council Highlights - May 6th, 2025 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

2024 Audit - KPMG Enterprise KPMG Enterprise Partner, Corey Naphtali advised Council that the City received a clean audit report in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and Council approved the 2024 Financial Statements, including the addition of a note regarding the subsequent event of the fire at 101 Marsh Drive.

President Julia Dillabough and Vice President Mickaela Ezowski updated Council on their activities and progress in 2024 and plans for 2025. The Society is currently working on streamlining their membership process, monthly Rainbow Nights, which offer a safe space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to come together, and expanding their subsidized counselling program for 2SLGBTQIA+ and questioning individuals. 2024 Recap: Pride Day saw a record number of participants join the parade and park events, and the youth and adult events were well attended. 2025 Plans: This is the Society's 10th Anniversary.  Their new theme is ANEW You. Mark you calendar and show your support: June 13/25:  Youth dance June 14/25:  Pride parade starts at City Hall at noon and flows through downtown, ending at LeBourdais Park with the flag raising, events and KidsZone activities which will run until 3:00 p.m. June 14/25: Evening adult party For more information, follow the Quesnel Pride Society Facebook page.

E-vote ratification for the Prospectors Car Club Council ratified a time sensitive electronic vote that was taken April 28 and 29, 2025, to provide the Prospectors Car Club with a resolution of support for their BC Gaming grant application, for their annual August Gold Pan Steak Out events.

A visit to our sister-city, Shiraoi, Hokkaido, Japan Council approved up to $500 from the Council Initiatives budget for Mayor Paull to purchase a gift for our sister city, Shiraoi, Hokkaido. Mayor Paull and Councillors Runge and Vik are travelling to Japan this summer for a cultural learning tour.  All three are funding their own trip.

Official Community Plan update The province mandated review and update of the Official Community Plan be completed by the end of 2025. Quesnel has developed a process schedule to complete the OCP, Zoning Bylaw and Development Application Procedures bylaw revisions by December 2025 and the development process documents by February.  There will be multiple opportunities for public engagement, both in person and online. For more details, visit the Quesnel Development Bylaw Updates page on Let's Connect Quesnel.

Bylaws Bylaw 1971 - City of Quesnel Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1971, 2025 - Final Adoption Bylaw 1972 - City of Quesnel 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1972, 2025 - Final Adoption

Announcements June 1, 2025:  Roads, Lines and Trails Car Rally Scavenger Hunt - Hosted by the Friends of Bouchie - Milburn Society, this car rally scavenger hunt will take participants on a tour of the historic Bouchie Lake District, as well as a stop at the Quesnel & District Museum.

Williams Lake Council Highlights - May 6th, 2025 mtg

Present in WL Council Chambers: 

Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Lyons, Moses and Nelson

Present via Zoom: 

Councillors A. Delainey and J. Flaspohler

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm

Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw

Meeting Agenda approved  - click here

Meeting Video - click here 

Minutes of previous Regular/Special City Council meetings (April 15,22,29) were adopted 

Delegation:

1) Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area appeared before Council to provide updates on Progress/Impact of Thrive Strategy, Revive Thrive, and Communities Ending Poverty Leadership Table

Presentation here

Following their presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor thanked the delegation for their time/information

Response to Delegation:

Council received for information the presentation of Bree Odd, Social Planning Council Executive Director/Coordinator regarding updates on the progress and impacts of their Thrive Strategy, Revive Thrive, and Communities Ending Poverty Leadership Table and attendance of Communities Ending Poverty Leadership Table be included as part of the "Community Committee" list, Council be encouraged to attend the "Pop-Up" event conducted by the Social Planning Council of Williams Lake/Area and their AGM and finally that financial consideration be given to the Communities Ending Poverty program during 2026 budget deliberations

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT/Electronic Fund Transfer listings dated April 16, 24 and May 1, 2025

2) Council proclaimed and/or authorized the following: 

* week of May 11 to 17, 2025 as "Local Government Awareness Week" and May 14, 2025 as “Asset Management Awareness Day” in the City of Williams Lake

* week of May 18 to 24, 2025 as "National Public Works Week" in the City of Williams Lake

* week of May 25 to 31, 2025 as "National AccessAbility Week" in the City of Williams Lake 

* week of May 18 to 24, 2025 be proclaimed as "Royal Purple Week" in the City of Williams Lake

* lights of City Hall be changed to blue for a week or more in June 2025 for "DeafBlind Awareness Month".

3) Following a public input opportunity -- Council approved Development Variance Permit No. 01-2025 for property at 509 Ninth Avenue North

4) Council gave first three readings to "City of Williams Lake Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2426, 2025" (Emergency Funding for $100,000 for additional RCMP Patrols) 

5) Council ratified an email poll authorizing approval of Council compensation and other associated expenses for Mayor Rathor to attend the BC Modular Housing Summit in Penticton, BC from May 4 to 6, 2025

6) Council approved the 2025/2026 Annual Operating Agreement with BC Transit

7) Council approved entering into a temporary lease agreement with Ledcor for outdoor space rental at 351 Hodgson Road for a period of six months (May to October 2025) for a monthly rent of $1,500

8) Council endorsed recommendations from a previous Committee of the Whole meeting, as follows:

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #12-2025 and the report of the Manager of Administrative Services dated April 14, 2025 outlining a summary of the first quarter 2025 estimated costs downloaded by senior levels of government and staff be directed to invoice the appropriate government departments for the services provided by the City; and further, that this information be shared with the local Member of Parliament, Member of the Legislative Assembly, the North Central Local Government Association, the Union of BC Municipalities, and Mayors across BC.

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #13-2025 and the report of the Senior Bylaw Officer dated April 24, 2025, Council endorse 351 Hodgson Road and the RC Cotton site (Bagshaw Road) as the two alternating locations for temporary overnight shelters, while considering the eight additional locations for information and discussion; and further, that Council approve the proposed Temporary Overnight Shelter Policy to guide associated clean-up, maintenance and enforcement of Temporary Overnight Shelters, and the policy and locations be reviewed by Council within nine months’ time.

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillor S. Nelson

Resolved: That Staff provide Council with a quarterly report on the temporary overnight shelter locations as well as the status of community emergency shelters 

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #14-2025 and the report of the Procurement & Asset Management Coordinator dated April 22, 2025 regarding an update on further consultations and efforts to respond to U.S. tariffs, Council remove purchasing restrictions and return to procuring under the existing Purchasing Policy, while staff be directed to continue to purchase Canadian goods and services at the operational level wherever possible under the Purchasing Policy.

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillors S. Boehm, S. Nelson

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #15-2025, the report of the Director of Municipal Services dated March 20, 2025 be received and Council defer action on the Lake Harvester until further clarity is provided on how the City can move forward with weed harvesting and advocacy to the Provincial Government

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillors A. Delainey, J. Flaspohler and M. Moses

9) Council dealt with Correspondence, as follows:

a) BC Transit re Contracting Strategy Update - Central North - received for information only

b) Joint Letter from MLA's for Cariboo-Chilcotin, Kamloops-Centre, Kamloops-North Thompson, Fraser-Nicola and Prince George-Valemount re: Support in Redesigning the Kamloops BC Cancer Care Centre - Approved letter of support, as requested

c) Quesnel-Hixon Road Petition to re-open the rural road -- Approved letter of support, as requested

d) Support for Williams Lake Curling Club Green Municipal Fund Application -- Council agreed to provide a letter in support of their application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) 'Green Municipal Fund' program for funding toward the Club's GHG Reductions Feasibility Study.

e) Victim Impact Statements and Bail Reform (Response of BC Prosecution Service) -- received for information only

10) Council received the Council Information Package as of May 6th, 2025

The Chief Administrative Officer provided an verbal update to Council and responded to questions from Council 

Mayor Rathor reported on a community initiative to formally recognize the efforts of Wilbur Saunders to clean up Williams Lake and Staff were directed to install a suitable recognition at Scout Island

Motion to Close the Meeting:

That Council proceed into a Closed Meeting, following adjournment of the Open Council Meeting, according to Section 92 of the Community Charter for discussion of items identified under Section 90 (1) or (2) of the Community Charter as follows:  

(1c - labour relations or other employee relations)

And then Council adjourned at 8:10pm