Cariboo RD Area "A" By-Election PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is releasing the preliminary results for the Electoral Area A By-Election held on February 21, 2026.

The preliminary vote count is as follows:

Audet, Nicole – 139 votes (elected)

Helmink, Chris – 30 votes

Total ballots cast: 169

These results are preliminary and remain unofficial until the Chief Election Officer completes the official determination of results in accordance with the Local Government Act.

The CRD thanks all candidates for their participation and extends appreciation to election workers and residents who took part in the voting process.

Updates will be available on cariboord.ca

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments'/Boards of Education Meeting | Week of February 23-27, 2026

During the week of February 23-27, 2026 -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments'/Boards of Education will be holding meetings, as follows: 

Quesnel - Public Safety Committee/Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 10:30am in the Fraser River Meeting Room, Quesnel City Hall (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda: 

* Warming Centre Discussion

* Closed Committee Meeting -- Sections 92 + 90 (1c + j - labour and information prohibited from public disclosure) of the Community Charter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) -- Regular Board of Education Meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6:30pm in the SD27 Boardroom (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda: 

* Report of the Superintendent 

* Amendment to 2025/26 Budget Bylaw -- (3 Readings) 

* Board of Education of School District/SD 27 (Cariboo Chilcotin) approves the 70-Mile School TELUS Statutory Right of Way – Bylaw 2025-1 (for 3 Readings/Adoption) 

At this meeting, as per newly adopted SD27 Procedural Bylaw amendments, questions from the public can now only be submitted in writing by 2pm on Monday, February 23rd, 2026 for items on the Meeting Agenda to be addressed at this SD27 Board of Education meeting which the Board Chair (Angie Delainey) may or may NOT address at the SD27 Board Meeting of February 23, 2026

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Williams Lake - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at 6pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart Street, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda: 

* Delegation: Williams Lake RCMP 

* Land Disposition - 180 Third Avenue North (Williams Lake Library) to Cariboo Regional District

* Authorization for Mayor Rathor to attend COFI (Council of Forest Industry) and LGLA (Local Government Leadership Academy) 2026 Conference 

* Community Grant Application (Late Intake) - Williams Lake Lions Club (Club Day event) 

* Sole-Sourcing 55 Sixth Avenue South Demolition & Site Remediation - Remedial Action Requirement - Public Safety

* Presentation of FortisBC Grant for improvements at Recreation Complex in Williams Lake 

* Kiwanis-Rotary Park Renaming Proposal --> Council Direction sought 

* 3 Recommendations from previous Committee of the Whole for endorsement 

* Report from previous In-Camera Meeting to appoint new member to Accessibility Advisory Committee 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

100 Mile House -- all meetings, as noted below, in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House) on Tuesday, February 24, 2026

1) Committee of the Whole at 4:30pm -- on the Agenda: 

* Discussion re: Asset Management Update / 2026 Capital Plan  

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) Regular Council Meeting at 5:30pm.  On the Agenda: 

* Delegations -- Melissa LaPoint: Health Landing Coordinator and Peter Scholz: Rail Line Advocate 

* Approval for Events -- South Cariboo Farmers Market street closure and What’s Hoppening 

* Proposed NCLGA Resolution – Expansion of Support for Medical Professional Services

* Closed/In-Camera Council Meeting -- Sections 92 + 90(1g - litigation) of the Community Charter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District -- all meetings, as noted below, in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom

1) Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus/Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 3pm.  On the Agenda: 

* Delegations -- Dawson Road Maintenance and Williams Lake RCMP

* Discussion Items -- Williams Lake Community Wildfire Roundtable; Williams Lake Fringe OCP (Water Aquifer Study + Aquatic Habitat DP Area)

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) Central Cariboo Joint Committee/Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 5:30pm.  On the Agenda: 

* Information Items -- Report on Fortis Incentives Presentation and Request for Letter of Support - R.I.S.E. Society

* Deferred Item: Report of Naming Rights Policy

* Discussion Item: Williams Lake Stampede 100 Years Celebration & Long Term Sustainability

View the full Meeting Agenda here

3) Finance and Budget Committee/Regular Meeting on Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 9:30am.  On the Agenda: 

* Review DRAFT 2026 Cariboo Regional District Budget 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

4) Special Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) Board Meeting - Thursday, February 26th at 11:00am.  On the Agenda: 

* Delegation: Interior Health re: Capital Funding Request for the 2026/2027 Fiscal Year

* Review Interior Health Capital Funding Request for the 2026/2027 Fiscal Year

View the full Meeting Agenda here

5) Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board Meeting -- Friday, February 27th, 2026 at 9:30am.  On the Agenda: 

* Delegation: Melissa LaPointe, Program Director for the Cariboo Chilcotin Healthcare Landing Program re: an annual update on retention and recruitment for healthcare professionals in the Central and South Cariboo 

* 3 Readings/Adoption of 2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Budget

* Closed/In-Camera Board Meeting -- Sections 92 + 90(1e/j - land and information prohibited from public disclosure) of the Community Charter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

6) Cariboo Regional District Board -- following recess of the CCRHD Board meeting or 9:45am on Friday, February 27th, 2026, whichever occurs first.  On the Agenda: 

* Delegation at 11:30am -- Peter Scholz with Cairnstone Planning will attend remotely to provide information on the future operation and governance regarding the Prince George - North Vancouver rail corridor.

* Land Use Matters (Area Directors only) 

* Year-Round Grant for Assistance Applications -- Tyee Lake Community Association (Area D) and Interlakes Community Centre Society (Area L)

* Request for Community Works Funds to replace roof at McLeese Lake Community Hall

* NDIT Application: Anahim Lake Community Association's Hall Upgrades 

* NCLGA 2026 Resolutions for approval: Post Secondary Options 

* Aquire property from City of Williams Lake for $1 for Williams Lake Library 

* Endorse recommendations from CRD Committees/Commissions

* Closed/In-Camera Board Meeting -- Sections 92 + 90(2b(iii)) of the Community Charter [between a Regional District and a First Nation or a prescribed Indigenous entity, or between a First Nation or a prescribed Indigenous entity and a third party

View the full Meeting Agenda here

VIDEO: February 18, 2026 Cariboo RD Area "D" Virtual Town Hall Meeting (2026 Cariboo RD Budget and Other Matters)

Last night (February 18, 2026) -- Cariboo RD Area "D" Director Steve Forseth hosted a virtual Zoom Town Hall meeting from 7-8pm to discuss the Cariboo Regional District's 2026 Budget and provide an Area Director Report

Area Director's Report -- Road Maintenance within the Electoral Area; Road concerns in the Electoral Area; Upcoming RD Initiatives in 2026 – Dog Control in the Region,Regional Parks/Trail Service, proposed feasibility study in Williams Lake for Indoor Multi-Use Building, Streetlighting Service for Lagerquist Rd in McLeese Lake; Old Wildwood School Property – Status Update; BC Hydro Project in Wildwood – Status Update and 2026 Cariboo Regional District Area Director Elections

2026 Cariboo RD Budget Numbers -- https://www.cariboord.ca/.../budget-and.../budget-2026/

2026 Cariboo RD Budget Survey -- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RTK696D

The full meeting video can be viewed here

Quesnel Council Highlights - Feb 17, 2026 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Delegation - BC Transit

BC Transit Government Relations Manager Iris Brown provided Council an operational overview, which included:

• BC Transit Partnership Model and Cost Sharing
• Quesnel Transit System and performance
• Replacement of medium duty fleet vehicles due to maintenance issues.

A fare review is currently underway and a service review will be conducted between July - August 2026, with finalized service recommendations coming forward April - July 2027.

Farewell to Local Government Intern Denae Meise

Mayor Paull spoke on behalf of Council and staff, thanking Local Government Intern, Denae Meise, for her time with the City of Quesnel and sharing some of her key accomplishments.

The internship started in May 2025, partially funded through Northern Development Initiative Trust. The program gives post-secondary graduates an immersive experience in local government.

2026 Operating Budget 

Council approved the Operating Budget for 2026 of $22,128,153, including the adjustment for major industry and directed staff to continue building the Five Year Financial Plan based on this budget.

510 people participated in this year's budget survey versus 190 in 2025.

Top Themes:

• Public Safety, homelessness, drugs
• Roads, snow, bridges & core infrastructure
• Cut back on flowers & non-essential beautification
• Management, wages & staff efficiency
• Permits, development, housing and taxes
• Fleet/equipment & operational productivity

Council recognized the challenges facing the city’s industrial sector when giving direction for the budget this year and administration found reductions to bring the tax increase down to 2.5%. An additional adjustment was made for major industry only, bringing the total tax increase down to 1%.

The municipal tax increase for 2026 is estimated at:

• $34.04 for the average residential house ($9.20 per $100,000)
• $40.00 per $100,000 for commercial/light industry assessment

Final rates will be determined when revised assessments are received in late March.

(Note this is just the municipal portion. The City receives the tax rates for the other taxing authorities in April)

Image

Development Services

Council approved a Development Variance permit at 577 Willis Street to vary an interior side yard setback of 1.31m  from the interior lot line to accommodate a completed deck and stairs.

 

Council support for local initiatives

Council approved support for the following:

• Quesnel Ski Touring Club's grant applications to Quesnel Community Futures for two biathlon rifles and to Northern Development Initiative Trust for funding to renovate the Hallis Lake lodge water system.
• BC Association of Farmer's Market's - A letter to Minister of Health, Josie Osborne, requesting continued and expanded funding for the 2026 BC Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon program at the Quesnel Farmers' Market, to improve access to local, fresh food for low-income households in our area.
• Quesnel Arts Society's application to Northern Development Initiative Trust Fabulous Festivals and Events program for funding to host the Quesnel Children's Festival on May 30, 2026.

Bylaws

• Bylaw 1983 - City of Quesnel Multi-Unit Housing Incentive Amendment Bylaw No. 1983, 2026 - First Reading

Cariboo RD Area "D" Virtual Town Hall Meeting - February 18, 2026 at 7pm

For those who reside on or live within the following unincorporated communities in Cariboo RD Electoral Area "D" (north of Williams Lake):

* Soda Creek Road (past the City of Williams Lake municipal boundary)

* Mile 168 Road
* Commodore Heights
* Pine Valley
* Fox Mountain
* Wildwood
* Xat'sull FN (Deep Creek + Soda Creek Reserves)
* Deep Creek
* Tyee Lake
* Soda Creek Valley
* McLeese Lake/Duckworth Lake
* Macalister
* Marguerite

Your Cariboo Regional District Area Director will be hosting his annual Virtual Budget Town Hall meeting to discuss the Cariboo Regional District's 2026 Budget as it relates to those who reside in Electoral Area "D" (north of Williams Lake) on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 7pm

Zoom call details:

Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82142696161?pwd=KjY300zNoxftUcVwEDuvfK6nrawiHs.1

Meeting ID: 821 4269 6161
Passcode: 081149
-----------------
Phone in option:
+1-780-666-0144
Meeting ID: 82142696161#
Participant: #
Passcode: 081149

** PLEASE NOTE ** -- this is NOT the official public consultation that the Cariboo Regional District is required by provincial legislation to complete in respect of our annual budget. For those details, please go to

https://www.cariboord.ca/regional-government/budget-and-finances/budget-2026/

Also:

The Cariboo Regional District is mailing out a 2026 budget flyer for each Electoral Area as budget impacts will be different, depending on what services that each Electoral Area (or portion thereof) pays into.

For those in Cariboo RD Area "D" -- you can access that budget flyer electronically at

https://www.cariboord.ca/media/tm1lah5u/area-d-final-budget-mailout.pdf

BC Budget 2026/Impacts on BC Local Governments'

On February 17, 2026 - the BC Provincial Government released its 2026 Budget (and related 2026-2029 3 Year Financial Plans).  Full background can be viewed at https://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2026/

The reaction of provincial opposition parties (BC Conservatives, BC Greens) was swift and predictable -- rejection of the budget plan as lacking any direction for back to balance and misguided priorities... 

As far as BC Local Government priorities go -- 

1) Investment of $15 million more dollars into the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program for the current intake ending April 2026

2) Involuntary Care --$131 million for intensive mental-health and addictions treatment, including increasing spaces for those who need involuntary care through new facilities in Prince George, Maple Ridge and Surrey

3) Appropriations for BC Local Government services and transfers will drop by $10 million in 2026/27 from $218 million to $208 million

The Union of BC Municipalities/UBCM which is the provincial advocacy body for all 191 BC Local Governments' (27 Regional District, First Nation Members and 161 Municipal Councils) does a deep dive into the 2026 BC Budget and full impacts upon BC Local Governments here

As it stands currently -- the current BC NDP Government do have the numbers to pass the budget (failing no absent MLA from any necessary confidence votes in relation to budget bills or passage of the budget votes) by a count of 47 NDP to 46 combined Conservatives, BC One, BC Greens and Independents

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government/Boards of Education Mtgs | Week of February 17-20, 2026

Following the Family Day Long Weekend -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments/Boards of Education will be holding meetings during the week of February 17-20, 2026, as follows: 

Wells -- all meetings below in Wells Council Chambers/Zoom (4243 Sanders Avenue)

1) Closed/In-Camera District of Wells Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 from 2-3pm and 4:45pm to 5:30pm, as per Sections 92 + 90(1a/1L - appointment/strategic planning) of the Community Charter.  View the full Closed Meeting Notice here

2) Open District of Wells Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 from 3:15pm to 4:30pm in Wells Council Chambers or via Zoom (4243 Sanders Avenue).  On the Agenda: 

* Moment of Silence to honour those impacted by the Tumbler Ridge tragedy 

* Unfinished Business: Strategic Priority Projects

* Reports from Wells Mayor/CAO

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Quesnel:

1) Regular Council Meeting on February 17, 2026 at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St.).  On the Agenda: 

* Delegations -- i) BC Transit re: Update; ii) Farewell from Local Government Intern Denae Meise

* Committee Reports

* Presentation of 2026 Operating Budget 

* Development Permit - DVP2026-82 - 577 Willis Street... 

* City of Quesnel Multi-Unit Housing Incentive Amendment Bylaw 1983, 2026

* Requests for resolutions of support -- Cariboo Ski Touring Club, BC Farmers Market and Quesnel Arts Council

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) Financial Sustainability/Audit Committee/Regular Meeting on February 18, 2026 at 9am in the Fraser River Meeting Room at Quesnel City Hall (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* 2026-2030 Five Year Financial Plan 

* Local Government Carbon Action Program (LGCAP) Reserve Update

View the full Meeting Agenda here

School District #28 (Quesnel) - Regular Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7pm in the SD28 Administration Office (401 North Star Rd, Quesnel).  When available, the full Meeting Agenda can be viewed here

Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement - 450 Mart St).  On the Agenda: 

* Delegations: Nathan Daye re Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Blood Donation Awareness & Peter Scholz, Cairnstone Planning on Behalf of NDIT re Letter of Support Request for Continuation of Railway Services

* Non-Standard Vehicles on City Streets - Council direction being requested

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2026 Cariboo RD Area "D" Virtual Town Hall Meeting - Feb 18, 2026 at 7pm

Courtesy of Cariboo RD Area "D" Director Steve Forseth:

Next Wednesday, February 18, 2026 -- I will be hosting my annual Virtual Budget Town Hall meeting to discuss the Cariboo Regional District's 2026 Draft Budget/5 Year Financial Plan on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7pm.  Full details on the virtual meeting at https://www.facebook.com/events/1968401180375345

** Please note that this is NOT the official Cariboo Regional District formal budget consultation exercise ** 

The Cariboo Regional District offers the following for review, prior to my Virtual Budget Town Hall meeting... 

1) Area "D" Budget 2026 Flyer (this will be mailed out to all Area "D" property owners or renters) -- https://www.cariboord.ca/media/tm1lah5u/area-d-final-budget-mailout.pdf

2) Full 2026 Cariboo Regional District Budget Documents -- https://www.cariboord.ca/regional-government/budget-and-finances/budget-2026/

3) 2026 Budget Survey (please fill this out and tell the Cariboo Regional District how you feel about the proposed budget) -- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RTK696D

Cariboo RD Area "A By-Election/1st Day of Advanced Voting

Today (Feb 11, 2026) from 8am - 8pm at the Quesnel and District Recreation Centre on North Star Road in Quesnel (just down from McDonald's in Quesnel) is the first day of advanced voting for Cariboo Regional District Area "A" voters in Alexandria, Kersley, Red Bluff and those living on Maple Drive within Area "A" as well as those living on Quesnel-Hydraulic Road within Area "A" to elect 1 individual to represent Area "A" on the Cariboo Regional District Board for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term 

Full details on the Cariboo Regional District website here

Also (as I know it is being asked online) -- candidates can be reached directly online as to their platforms.  

While Chris Helmink does not have an online presence (Facebook,etc.)  -- Nicole Audet does via a Facebook page here

Williams Lake Council Highlights - Feb 10th, 2026 mtg

Present: Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Flaspohler, Lyons (via Zoom), Moses and Nelson 

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 and Mayor Rathor expressed his personal condolences and that of Williams Lake City Council in regards to the shooting incident in Tumbler Ridge, BC (click here)

Meeting Agenda approved  - click here

Meeting Video - click here

Minutes of the previous City Council meeting was adopted 

Delegation:

Venta Rutkauskas and Cheryl Chapman from the Orange Shirt Society appeared before Council to discuss the April 2026 Graduation Event at BC Place in Vancouver 

Following their presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor thanked the delegation for their time/information 

Response to Delegations:

Council received the presentation from the Orange Shirty Society, directed Staff to distribute information on the April 2026 Orange Shirt Day Graduation Event at BC Place to all BC Local Governments' and that the Mayor or alternate be approved to attend the April 2026 graduation event at BC Place

Business:

1) Council received for information the accounts payable computer cheque and EFT/Electronic Funds Transfer listings dated January 29 and February 5, 2026

2) Council authorized entering into a License of Occupation Agreement with the Toronto-Dominion Bank for an existing overhead awning sign located along Borland Street at 101 Second Avenue North

3) Following public input -- Council approved Development Permit No. 04-2025 for G.L. Smith Planning & Designs Inc., on behalf of The TDL (Tim Horton's) Group Corp., to permit exterior renovations and site improvements to the existing Tim Horton’s located at 1059 Highway 97 South

4) Council received a report from the Chief Financial Officer regarding an early debt repayment option from the Municipal Finance Authority and directed Staff to proceed 

5) Council received for information a report of the Senior Bylaw Officer regarding an update on the status of the City's pre-approved temporary overnight shelter locations following nine months of implementation

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillor S. Nelson

6) Council received for information a report from the Director of Protective Services/Fire Chief regarding an overview of the downtown street concerns raised by Consus Management Ltd., summarizing the actions taken to date by staff, and outlining ongoing work related to downtown safety, sanitization and multi-agency coordination

And at the request of Councillor Nelson -- 

That Council direct that there be immediately a higher RCMP presence in the downtown Williams Lake area, re-iterate to the Provincial Government that prolific offenders be required to wear GPS devices while out on bail and that a dialogue be pursued between the RCMP, Interior Health, Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Williams Lake BIA/Business Improvement Area and the City of Williams Lake to establish short term solutions in regards to the rash of break-ins in the downtown core of Williams Lake 

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillor M. Moses 

7) Council agreed to advocate to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), the Premier, the Minister of Forests, and local MLA(s) regarding the significant impacts of the recent changes to the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program, requesting the restoration of stable, multi-year wildfire risk reduction funding, the reinstatement of fuel management eligibility, and continued predictable support for FireSmart positions and Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) implementation

8) Council authorized RFP/Request for Proposals, as follows: 

a)  purchase of four half ton four door quad cab 4x4 pick-up truck vehicles to Dueck Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC Ltd. for the purchase price of $300,821.37, including all applicable taxes, and authorize staff to use the remaining budgeted funds to purchase a dump box insert at an estimated cost of $10,000.00

b) purchase of one 2026 four-cylinder SUV/ MPV/ Crossover vehicle to Dueck Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC Ltd. for the purchase price of $42,144.29

9) Council authorized a Remedial Action Resolution for property at 55 6th Avenue South (behind Hamilton Hotel) - click here

10) Council endorsed recommendations from a previous meeting of Central Cariboo Joint Committee, as follows: 

* That City of Williams Lake and CRD staff bring forward to the next Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting, a proposal for the makeup of a Working Group for the development of an Indoor Multi-Use Facility

* approval be granted to place the described artwork created by Montana Russell in her presentation, on a wall in the West Fraser Aquatic Centre lobby

* That City of Williams Lake/Cariboo Regional District staff report back to the February Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting regarding the Joint Use Facilities Agreement.

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

* That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #03-2026, the presentation from Darren VanEs and Greg Jeannotte, R.I.S.E. Society, be received and a letter of support be provided to the RISE Society; and further, that the City request local First Nations, the Cariboo Regional District (via the Central Cariboo Joint Committee) and the Interior Health Authority to also provide letters of support to the Society

*That Committee of Whole Council Report #04-2026 and the report of the Chief Financial Officer dated January 14, 2026 be received and Council maintain its direction to not consider late permissive tax applications

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Mayor SPS Rathor; Councillors M. Moses and S. Nelson

* That pursuant to Committee Report #05-2026 and the report of the Deputy Corporate Officer dated January 15, 2026, Council approve new City of Williams Lake Recognition Program Policy No. 235, and repeal Council Policies No. 32 and 215; and further, that Policy No. 235 be brought back to Committee of Whole Council for review in February 2027, following its first year of implementation.

12) Council received the January 28, 2026 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting minutes 

13) Council received for information a letter from the Cariboo Regional District dated February 2, 2026 advising of the nomination period for appointment of the Cariboo Regional District representative to the NCLGA/North Central Local Government Association's Board for the 2026-27 term

14) Council agreed to provide a letter of thank you to the Minister of Health to encourage continued support of their Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program in our community

15) Council proclaimed the following: 

* March 26, 2026 be proclaimed as "Purple Day" in the City of Williams Lake

* the lights of Williams Lake City Hall be changed to red on March 24, 2026 for "World Tuberculosis Day"

16) Council received its' "Council Information Package" as of February 10, 2026 

Members of Council reported on their recent activities 

Motion to Close the Meeting:

At 7:40pm -- Council resolved to proceed into a Closed (In-Camera) Council Meeting, following adjournment of the Open Council Meeting - as per Sections 92 + 90(1a - appointment) of the Community Charter

And then Council adjourned at 7:41pm

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments/Boards of Education Meetings | Week of February 9-13, 2026

During the week of February 9-13, 2026 -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments/Boards of Education will be holding meetings as follows: 

Wells -- 

1) Closed Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 2-3pm and 4:45 to 5:30pm, as per Sections 92 + 90 (1a + 1L -- appointment and strategic planning) of the Community Charter.  View the Closed Meeting Notice here

2) Open Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 3:15pm to 4:30pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Avenue) and via Zoom.  When available, the full Meeting Agenda can be viewed here

Quesnel -- 

1) Policy/Bylaw Review Committee on Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at 3:15pm in the Fraser River Meeting Room (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda: 

* Review Public Notice Bylaw 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) -- Committee of the Whole session on Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 4:30pm in the SD27 Boardroom (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda: 

* Anorak and Regalia Project – Lakecity Secondary School presentation

* FESL: Attendance Data

* Super Attendance Recognition Program

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Williams Lake - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at 6pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart St, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Venta Rutkauskas, Orange Shirt Society re Support of April 2026 Graduation Event

* Development Permit Application - DP #04-2026 - G.L. Smith Planning & Designs Inc. - Exterior Renovations & Site Improvements - 1059 Highway 97 South (Tim Horton's) - Approval

* Debt Early Redemption Opportunity (Mackenzie Avenue Rehabilitation)

* Changes to FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Program 

Editor's Note -- at the February 6, 2026 meeting of the Cariboo Regional District Board, it was agreed that a Joint Cariboo RD-Municipalities (Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House) letter be authorized on this same subject

* Remedial Action Resolution - 55 Sixth Avenue South (behind Hamilton Hotel)

* Recommendations from previous Central Cariboo Joint Committee and Committee of Whole Council meetings

* Closed Council Meeting - Section 90(1a - appointment) of the Community Charter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

100 Mile House -- Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at 5:30pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce

* 108 ATV Club 

* Mount Timothy Master Plan Referral - Direction of Council requested

* NCLGA 2026 Resolution – Nurse Practitioner Support 

* Closed Council Meeting -- Sections 90(1c + 1g - labour + litigation) of the Community Charter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District -- 

1) South Cariboo Joint Committee -- Regular Meeting on Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 12pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers.  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: CRD Staff re: "Cariboo It's True" program

* Lumberman's Ballpark Bleachers

* RBC - Barrier Buster Grant Application - Front Row for All

* 100 Mile House Soccer Fields Entry Gate

* Discussion Items: South Cariboo Recreation Centre (Media Booth/Outdoor Rink) 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at 3pm in the CRD Quesnel sub-office (101-410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda:

* Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2026

* Delegation: FARMED

* Appointment of Co-Chair of North Cariboo Joint Committee for 2026 

* Quesnel Community Council - Invitation - 12th Annual Gallery Awards

* Grants for Assistance - Billy Barker Days - 50th Aniversary

* Contribution Agreement Renewals with City of Quesnel for Transit, HandyDart, Airport and Visitor Information / Tourism Marketing Services

* North Cariboo Community Committee Appointments for 2026 

* 2026 North Cariboo Rural Caucus Meeting Schedule

View the full Meeting Agenda here

3) North Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda: 

* Virtual streaming and recording options for North Cariboo Joint Committee meetings

* Capital Budget Amendment – Soccer Facility

* QYSA Licence of Occupation and Management Agreement

* World Cup Community Event

* Pickleball request for expansion at QYSA

* Review North Cariboo Joint Committee Terms of Reference (participating in Closed Committee Meetings via electronic means) 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board Highlights - February 6, 2026 mtg

Present: Vice Chair J. Massier and Directors Oakes, Bachmeier, Forseth, Neufeld, LeBourdais, Wagner, Glassford, Pare, Anderson, De Vries, Paull, Rathor, Smith and Alternate Director D. Funk (District of Wells) 

Meeting called to order at 9:30am

The Vice-Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional, unceded territory of the Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw and welcomed Alternate Director Funk from the District of Wells to today’s meeting of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board … 

Meeting Agenda adopted - click here

Minutes of the previous CCRHD Board Meeting were adopted

Business:

1) The Board received its' upcoming Delegations List

Meeting recessed at 9:35am

Meeting resumed at 10:30am

Delegation:

Samantha Mtatiro, Healthcare Recruitment Coordinator with the City of Quesnel, appeared before the Board remotely via MS Teams to provide an update on recruitment and retention activities

Following the presentation -- A Question/Answer period ensued... 

The Vice-Chair thanked Ms. Mtatiro for her time information

Meeting recessed at 10:53am

Meeting resumed at 2:36pm 

Closed (In-Camera) Board Session:

At 2:36pm -- the Board recessed its' Open Meeting to hold a Closed Board Meeting as per Sections 92 + 90(1e + 1j - land and information prohibited from public disclosure) of the Community Charter

Resumption of Open Board Session:

At 2:55pm -- the Board resumed its' Open Board Meeting

And then the Board adjourned at 2:56pm 

Cariboo Regional District Board Highlights - February 6, 2026 mtg

Present:

Chair M. Wagner/Vice-Chair M. Neufeld; Directors C. Oakes, B. Bachmeier, J. Massier, S. Forseth, M. LeBourdais, J. Glassford, T. Pare, B. Anderson, E. De Vries, R. Paull, S. Rathor, M. Pinkney (via MS Teams) and Alternate Director D. Funk (Wells) 

Meeting called to order at 9:45am

The Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional, unceded territory of the Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw and welcomed Alternate Director Funk from the District of Wells to today’s meeting of the Cariboo Regional District Board 

Meeting Agenda adopted - click here

Minutes of the previous Board meeting were received/adopted

Delegation (11:00am):

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerksen appeared before the Board to provide a general update

Following his presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair thanked MLA Doerksen for his time/information 

Business:

1) The Board gave 1st and 2nd Readings to the following Land Use Bylaws: 

a) Interlakes Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5545, 2025 & South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5546, 2025 -- Area "L"/7083 Thomas Rd

b) Williams Lake Fringe Area Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 5547, 2025 and Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5548, 2025 -- Area "D"/1875 Fox Mountain Rd

c) Chilcotin Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5543, 2025 -- Area "K"/5531 Chilcotin Hwy 20

2) The Board gave 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings and Adoption to Williams Lake Fringe and 150 Mile House Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5544, 2025 -- Area "E"/1123 Denny Rd

3) The Board adopted South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5441, 2023 -- Area "H"/2750 Bradley Creek Rd

4) Travis Flanagan, Cariboo RD FireSmart Educator, provided a brief verbal update on recent FireSmart funding announcements and responded to questions of Directors' 

At request of Director Forseth (Area "D") -- 

That a Joint Cariboo Regional District-Member Municipalities letter be sent to the Premier of BC and Minister of Forests requesting that the Provincial Government provide for sustainable FireSmart funding in its’ 2026 budget and a copy of this letter be forwarded to all Regional Districts, NCLGA, UBCM and the Hon. Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities as well as the Hon. Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance

5) The Board approved Year Round Grant for Assistance applications, as follows:

i) Horsefly River Roundtable -- $1,000 divided equally between Areas “D” & "F"

ii) South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce -- $1,000 divided equally between Areas "H" and "L"

6) The Board authorized NDIT or Northern Development Initiative Trust applications, as follows: 

* Gold Rush Cycling Club – Dragon Mountain Mountain Bike Trail Development

* Likely & District Chamber of Commerce – Bullion Pit Lookout Penstock Enhancement

* Williams Lake Cycling Club – 2026 Ride Your Ride Women’s Mountain Bike Festival

7) The Board received/ratified the Monthly Cheque Register for the month of January 2026 in the amount of $2,708,623.87

Meeting recessed at 10:25am to CCRHD Board

Meeting resumed at 10:53am 

Delegation — 11:00am (MLA Lorne Doerksen) — see top 

Meeting recessed at 12:02pm for lunch

Meeting resumed at 12:50pm 

8) The Board received its' Information-Only items and following discussion: 

* Staff were directed, at request of Director Oakes (Area A) to prepare a 2026 NCLGA Resolution regarding post-secondary education closer to home options within the Cariboo-Chilcotin 

9) The Board endorsed recommendations from its' Committees or Commissions, as follows: 

a) Heritage Steering Committee - Meeting of January 13, 2026 

That a letter of support be sent to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recommending a commemorative plaque be placed in Likely or Lac La Hache in recognition of Tomah LoLo and Long Baptiste for their legacy and contribution to the beginning of mining history in the Cariboo.

b) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - Meeting of January 28, 2026: 

* That City of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District staff  bring forward to the next Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting, a proposal for the makeup of a Working Group for the development of an Indoor Multi-Use Facility (for Williams Lake) 

* That approval be granted to place the described artwork created by Montana Russell in her presentation, on a wall in the West Fraser Aquatic Centre lobby

* That staff report back to the February Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting regarding the Joint Use Facilities Agreement

10) Corporate Bylaws: 

a) Bouchie Lake Fire Protection Boundary Expansion Bylaw No. 5554, 2026 was given 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings 

b) Cariboo Regional District North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 5551, 2026 was given 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings and Adoption 

c) Cariboo Regional District Deka Lake Fire Protection Service Boundary Amendment Bylaw No. 5542, 2026 was adopted 

11) Directors' Requests

a) At the request of Directors' Bachmeier, Anderson and DeVries (Areas B,K,L) -- the Board approved access to their Director Initiative Funds, as follows: 

* Area B -- up to $5,000 to attend the 2026 FCM/Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention in Edmonton, AB

* Area K -- up to $1,900 to attend the BC Guide and Outfitters Conference on March 26-28, 2026 in Kelowna, BC 

* Area L -- up to $5,000 to attend the 2026 FCM/Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention in Edmonton, AB

Directors’ reported on their recent activities… 

Closed (In-Camera) Board Meeting:

At  2:23pm -- the Board recessed its Open Meeting to hold a Closed Board Meeting as per Sections 92 + 90(1k - negotiations) of the Community Charter

Resumption of Open Board Meeting:

At 2:34pm-- the Board resumed its' Open Meeting

And then the Board adjourned at 2:36pm