Cariboo-Chilcotin Politics

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Committee of the Whole (WL Council) Session - March 2nd mtg

Present: Mayor W. Cobb (Chair); Councillors Boehm, Bonnell, Brenner, Ryll, Smith (in WL Council Chambers) and Nelson (via electronic means)

Meeting called to order - 6pm

Procedural Motion - Close Meeting to Public Attendance:

RESOLVED: That members of the public are not permitted to physically attend the March 2, 2021 Committee of Whole Council meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the December 2nd Gathering and Events Public Health Officer Order. As per Ministerial Order No. M192 from the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and, for the purposes of Division 3 of Part 4 of the Community Charter, the meeting is not to be considered closed to the public and will be livestreamed on the City of Williams Lake's YouTube Channel, located at https://www.youtube.com/user/CityWL, to ensure openness and transparency

Meeting Agenda adopted

Minutes of the Committee meeting held on Feb 16th, 2021 were received/adopted

Delegations:

1) Sydney Redpath, from the Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast Tourism Association appeared before the Committee to provide a Regional Tourism update. Presentation here

A Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair thanked Ms. Redpath for her time/information

2) Laurie Walters, PASS Program Coordinator - Community Futures, Cariboo-Chilcotin and Larry Stranberg, Program Manager of Community Futures, Cariboo-Chilcotin appeared before the Committee to present on Introduction of Planning A Successful Succession (PASS) program

A Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair thanked the delegation for their time/information

Business:

1) COVID 19 Safe Restart Funding - Further Allocations

The Committee received a report of the CFO - click here

Discussion ensued thereon...

Resolved -- That the Committee recommend:

That Council allocate the remaining unallocated $546,205 from the COVID‐19 Safe Restart Grant to boost the uncollected taxation revenues, directing the funds to City’s capital program.

2) Extension of Rent Relief at Williams Lake Regional Airport (YWL)

The Committee received a report of the Economic Development Officer - click here

Discussion ensued thereon...

Resolved -- That the Committee recommend:

That Council extend the facility rent relief extended to commercial tenants at Williams Lake Regional Airport (YWL) terminal for an additional period of six months ending September 30, 2021

The Committee adjourned at 6:58pm

BC State of Emergency (COVID-19) extended to March 16th

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The Province of British Columbia has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing health and emergency management officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response.

The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on March 16, 2021, to allow staff to take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns and COVID-19 outbreaks.

“Vaccines have already saved the lives of some of our most vulnerable, and yesterday we announced the next phase,” said BC Premier John Horgan. “Every single day we’re making progress, thanks to the hard work of public health experts, front-line health-care workers, essential workers and British Columbians who are committed to doing their part to keep us all safe. We’re going to get through this together.”

The extension of the provincial state of emergency is based on recommendations from B.C.‘s health and emergency management officials. The original declaration was made on March 18, 2020, the day after Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer (PHO), declared a public health emergency.

“We need to keep following public health orders so we can all get through this next period safely until more vaccines are ready,” said the Hon. Mike Farnworth, BC's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “In the meantime, orders will continue to be enforced for those who refuse to do their part and risk undoing the progress we’ve made so far.”

The Province continues, with the support of police and other enforcement officials, to use measures under the EPA to limit the spread of COVID-19, including issuing tickets to owners, operators and event organizers who host an event or gathering contravening the PHO’s orders.

On July 10, 2020, the COVID-19 Related Measures Act came into force, enabling provisions created for citizens and businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue as needed should the provincial state of emergency end.

Learn More:

On Dec. 16, 2020, enforcement measures were expanded.
Details are available here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0108-002083

On Nov. 24, 2020, a mask enforcement order was introduced under the EPA, requiring masks for people over the age of 12 in public indoor settings, unless they are exempt.
Details are available here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0061-001960

For information on all recent orders and guidance, as well as general COVID-19 information for all British Columbians, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19

For more information and latest medical updates on COVID-19, follow the BC Centre for Disease Control on Twitter @CDCofBC or visit the centre‘s website: http://www.bccdc.ca/

March 2nd, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Numbers Update

Joint Statement from BC's Provincial Health Officer/Minister of Health (Dr. Bonnie Henry/Hon. Adrian Dix):

“Today, we are reporting on three periods: Feb. 26 to 27, we had 532 new cases, Feb. 27 to 28, we had 508 new cases and in the last 24 hours, we had a further 438 new cases.

“This results in a total of 1,478 new cases, with no new epi-linked cases, for a total of 80,672 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 4,464 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, with 8,210 people under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and a further 74,776 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Of the active cases, 236 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 65 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Since we last reported, we have had 327 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 857 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 88 in the Island Health region, 92 in the Interior Health region, 114 in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.

“There have been 42 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern in our province, for a total of 158 cases. Of the total cases, 10 cases are active and the remaining people have recovered. This includes 137 cases of the B.1.1.7 (U.K.) variant and 21 cases of the B.1.351 (South Africa) variant.

“To date, 275,681 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 83,777 of which are second doses. Immunization data is available on the COVID-19 dashboard: www.bccdc.ca

“There have been eight new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,363 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones to COVID-19.

“There have been four new health-care facility outbreaks at Glacier View Lodge (Island Health), Chilliwack General Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital.

“The outbreaks at St. Paul’s Hospital, CareLife Fleetwood, George Derby Centre, Eden Gardens, Wexford Creek and Noric House are now over.

“Today, we begin Phase 2 of our COVID-19 immunization program, which will immunize more than 400,000 people in B.C. between March and early April.

“Phase 2 continues to focus on high-priority, higher-risk individuals, in advance of the age-based general population immunizations that will follow.

“With the additional supply from the newly approved AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India viral vector vaccine, combined with setting the second dose interval at 16 weeks, everyone moves up the line, meaning more people will be vaccinated more quickly.

“Every day we are one step closer to widespread community immunity and post-pandemic life. Let’s ensure we are continuing with our efforts until we get there.”

Learn More:

Mental health support:

Mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
Or: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19
Or: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-supports-covid-19

To share your feedback in the Personal Impacts of COVID-19 survey, visit: https://www.bcchr.ca/POP/our-research/pics

Provincial health officer orders and guidance:

Orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Guidance on new restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

Vaccine and outbreak info:

For vaccine information, visit the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data Or: www.bccdc.ca

For data regarding ongoing outbreaks in long-term care, assisted-living and independent-living facilities in B.C., visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#outbreak

The latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19, and where to get tested:

The latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

Non-health related information:

Financial, child care and education support, travel, transportation and essential service information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority:

BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC

2021 Business Facade Improvement Grants

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Northern Development Initiative Trust has approved the City of Williams Lake’s application for a $20,000 Business Façade Improvement Program grant for another year. The funds will be delivered through a local Business Façade Improvement Program to improve retail and commercial building façades in the City’s downtown and highway commercial corridor. A primary purpose of the program is to assist in improving the physical appearance and/or functionality of commercial buildings for the betterment of business viability and service to the public.

By facilitating improvements to business façades, business areas can become more appealing to consumers, thereby increasing the marketability of commercial spaces and assisting business viability and retention.

Existing buildings in the Downtown and Highway Corridor Development Permit areas of the City of Williams Lake are eligible for the program. Building owners, or business owners with written authorization of the property owner, can apply to the City for a 50% reimbursement grant up to a maximum of $5,000 for approved façade improvement projects. Projects must have a minimum value of $2,000.

Please note this program is awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, and applications will be approved as completed applications are submitted.

The City is accepting applications until May 29, 2021.

The Business Façade Improvement Program application and guidelines are now available on the City’s website at https://www.williamslake.ca/852/Business-Facade-Improvement-Program.

For more information about funding programs and Northern Development Initiative Trust success stories, visit their website at www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca.

For more information on the program, please contact Linda Evans, Development Services Coordinator, at (250) 392-1765 or levans@williamslake.ca.

Central Interior parents to benefit from new child care spaces

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- 100 Mile House is to receive 5 daycare spaces while Alexis Creek is to receive 76 spaces. Purpose (100 Mile House): Renovations will add five licensed school-age spaces to the existing seven child care spaces currently at Small Explorers, expected to open in September 2021. The facility is wheelchair accessible and offers inclusive care for children with support needs.

Purpose (Alexis Creek): Tl’etinqox Government is building the new ‘Anaham Children’ child care centre next to the community school and adult learning centre. A total of 76 new licensed spaces will be created – 12 infant/toddler spaces, 16 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten, 16 preschool spaces and 32 spaces for school-age children. The centre will deliver cultural and language programs, along with parenting workshops and a breakfast and lunch program with traditional foods. The centre is expected to open in August 2021.

Families in the central Interior will have access to nearly 230 new licensed child care spaces as part of the Province’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to child care through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

“These new child care spaces for families in the central Interior are bringing us one step closer to delivering the quality, affordable and inclusive child care that all B.C. families deserve,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “Child care for families is key to B.C.’s economic recovery, and these new spaces will make it easier for parents, especially mothers who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, to return to work or school.”

The Childcare BC New Spaces Fund is supporting four projects that will create 228 new licensed child care spaces in 100 Mile House, Alexis Creek, Kamloops and Logan Lake. These spaces are part of the fastest creation of child care spaces in B.C.’s history and were part of the September 2020 milestone that marked more than 20,000 new spaces funded throughout the province in just over two years.

New child care spaces are on the way for families in the following communities:

100 Mile House (five spaces)
Alexis Creek (76 spaces)
Kamloops (122 spaces)
Logan Lake (25 spaces)

“I’ve been teaching young children for 22 years and running Small Explorers Daycare for 13 years in our small town of 100 Mile House,” said Jamie Hughes, owner, Small Explorers Daycare. “Our daycare has established deep roots in the community and helped shape many of our young people into the wonderful little humans they are. For us, Small Explorers Daycare is not just a business – it’s about the personal relationships and bonds formed between the child care provider and families.”

An additional 4,110 spaces, funded through the 2017 Budget Update and the Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, takes the total number of new, licensed spaces funded in B.C. to more than 24,500 since July 2017.

“Supporting high-quality, inclusive child care is one way we’re helping children build the foundation they need to lead happy and healthy lives,” said Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development. “The Tl’etinqox government’s work to build a new child care centre in Alexis Creek will give more children the opportunity to learn and grow surrounded by their community and culture.”

Quick Facts:

Since July 2018, more than 20,000 new licensed child care spaces have been funded in British Columbia, including 509 in Kamloops and 33 in Logan Lake.
Throughout the province, the Childcare BC plan has helped parents save up to $1,600 a month per child through the Affordable Child Care Benefit and the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.
As a result of these investments, parents in Alexis Creek, 100 Mile House, Kamloops and Logan Lake have saved more than $21.7 million.
Early childhood educators in these communities have received more than $1.16 million in wage enhancements.
Through B.C.’s combined affordability initiatives, more than 36,000 children have received child care for $10/day or less since the beginning of the Childcare BC plan.

Learn More:

For information on health and safety standards for child care during COVID-19, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/ChildCareCovid-19Response

Child care factsheet: https://news.gov.bc.ca/18430

To learn more about the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/newspacesfund

For more about Childcare BC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare

For a French translation, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021CFD0019-000338#translations

2021 BC Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

“Today, we reflect on the sacrifice and dedication of British Columbia’s search and rescue volunteers – the thousands of hard-working specialists who help those injured or stranded in our province’s backcountry.
“B.C.’s search and rescue volunteers are among the best in the world, and I am so proud of the efforts they make to reduce the harm for those in dangerous situations. They deploy to rescue people in need at any time of year, in all conditions, at any hour of day or night. They spend countless hours training to the high standards set by the BC Search and Rescue Association, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) Air.
“With each deployment, these responders risk their own safety. Tragically, some of our best and brightest search and rescue volunteers have lost their lives in the line of duty in years past. To compound the challenges these volunteers face, the last 11 months have been the busiest in the history of B.C.’s search and rescue program.
“When COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in early 2020, we were all challenged to adjust our approaches to daily life to stay safe and healthy. Many people responded by seeking out the beauty of B.C.’s trails and backcountry.
“This renewed enthusiasm to explore our wilderness has been heavily felt by B.C.’s 79 ground search and rescue groups and PEP Air teams. These groups normally deploy for approximately 1,700 ground search missions in a year. In the first 11 months of fiscal 2020-21, there were 1,985 incidents – more than any other year in the history of the program, with one month still to come.
“Today, I encourage all British Columbians to honour the memory of those who lost their lives trying to save the life of another and the incredible work these skilled responders do to keep us all safe. This can be done in many ways, including visiting the memorial at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, by taking a moment to reflect on their sacrifice and that of their loved ones and by ensuring we are all as prepared as we can be before heading out into the elements.
“On this Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day, I extend my deep gratitude to the thousands of selfless volunteers who put service above self and, in doing so, make British Columbia a safer place to live, work and play.”

Monday, March 1, 2021

March 1st, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Numbers Update