Monday, December 6, 2021

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb to establish "Indigenous Relations/Reconciliation Standing Committee"

At their meeting on Tuesday -- Williams Lake City Council will receive a report from the City's Corporate Officer regarding 2022 Internal/Community Committee appointments, as directed by Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb - click here .  

As part of Council's Standing Committees (which are established by the Mayor under Section 141 of the Community Charter), the Indigenous Relations/Reconciliation Standing Committee is proposed to be created to deal with Indigenous Relations/Reconciliation Matters... 

Both the Terms of Reference for the Committee as well as the appointed 3 City Councillors to the Committee have yet to be established but that would likely be the Committee's first task - propose a Terms of Reference for the Committee for the consideration of Williams Lake City Council for approval

This will be the 1st time, that I can remember, that a Williams Lake City Council has had a Standing Committee focused on Indigenous Relations/Reconciliation Matters.  I would reasonably anticipate that Williams Lake City Councillors Jason Ryll and Marnie Brenner will be given strong consideration for appointment to this Committee, given their strong stances on Indigenous Relations between the City and their Indigenous Neighbours but we'll have to wait and see who Mayor Cobb officially appoints to the Committee over the next number of weeks to come... 

Within the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region -- the only 2 Local Governments in the Region that will or has Standing Committees focused on First Nations/Indigenous Matters currently will be the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District (First Nations Relationships Committee -- members on this Committee are Committee Chair Angie Delainey and Directors Willow Macdonald, Jim Glassford and Mary Sjostrom)

SF


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Friday, December 3, 2021

Local Gov't Mtgs - Week of December 6-10, 2021

Next week (Dec 6-10, 2021) -- the following local governments or Boards of Education of the Cariboo-Chilcotin will meet, as follows:

Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 7th at 6pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  Meeting to be recorded and uploaded to YouTube for future viewing - click here

On the Agenda:

* Retirement Presentation - Melinda Moorehouse
* Committee Reports for consideration of endorsement

* Quesnel/District Visitor Information Centre Management Agreement Renewal
* Snow Contractors Liability Insurance 
* Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Lease at 410 Kinchant Street 
* Northern Development Initiative Trust ("NDIT") Grant Applications 
* Central Mountain Air Request for Extension of Fee Waiver at the Quesnel Regional Airport 
* Bylaws for 2nd Reading or Adoption

View the full Agenda here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) -- Transportation, Facilities and Finance Committee.  Meeting on Tuesday, December 7th at 4pm, via electronic means (for full details, click here).  

On the Agenda:

* Updates on COVID-19, Emergency Preparedness Planning
* IT 4K 12 Update
* Board Committee Appointments
* Future Committee meeting dates

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 at 6pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St). Meeting to be livestreamed via YouTube (click here).  On the Agenda:

* Council Attendance at BC Natural Resources Forum - January 18-20, 2022
* COVID-19 Safe Restart Funding: Reallocations
* Annual Resolutions (Wrestling Day, Committee Appointments, Meeting Schedule for 2022, Acting Mayors in 2022

* Notice of Motion from Councillor Nelson re: Meeting with School District No. 27 and Williams Lake First Nation on the former Poplar Glade Elementary school site

* Development Permit Application - DP #06-2021 -Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. / CBRE Ltd. (Ministry of Citizens' Services)

* Poll of Council - Cold Weather Response Working Group Temporary Warming Shelter Plan
* Letter of Support for City of Kamloops re RCMP Contract Policing Municipal Cost Increases
* In-Camera meeting to follow Open City Council meeting -- Section 90(1k - negotiations of the Community Charter).  

View the full Agenda here

 

Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District - Regular Board of Directors' meeting on Friday, December 10th at 9:30am in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). Meeting to be audio livestreamed - for access, click here and look for "View Livestream"

On the Agenda:

* Delegation: First Nation Health Authority
* CCRHD Board Procedure Bylaw - 3 Readings and Adoption
* Hospital Consent Calendar
* Northern Health - Bylaw Request for Core Network Replacement Project
*  Interior Health Capital Projects and Planning Status Report – October 2021
* Northern Health -- Northern Clinical Simulation Centres - Celebrating 10 Yrs of Collaboration and Partnership Renewal

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District - Regular Board of Directors' meeting on Friday, December 10th following  recess of the CCRHD Board Meeting, meeting to be held in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake). Meeting to be audio livestreamed - for access, click here and look for "View Livestream"

On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation & Forest Enhancement Society of BC
* Land Use Matters
*  Application from Frank and Loretta Dyck to extend 103 Mile water system.
* Proposal to Use Rural Feasibility Reserve Funding for Potable Water Study in Tatla Lake
* 2 Community Works Fund application - Energy Efficiency Projects
* Agricultural Development Advisory Committee – Membership Appointments
* Consent Calendar
* Committee Reports
* Bylaw to approve 2021 Budget Amendments

View the full Agenda here
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December 3rd, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

As of Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, 85.1% (4,240,459) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.8% (4,079,299) have received their second dose.

In addition, 91.2% (4,229,649) of eligible people 12 and older have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 88% (4,079,277) received their second dose and 10% (469,176) have received a third dose.

Also, 91.6% (3,963,783) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 88.5% (3,829,103) received their second dose and 11% (468,509) have received a third dose.

B.C. is reporting 405 new cases of COVID-19, including five new epi-linked cases, for a total of 219,584 cases in the province.

There are currently 3,071 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 214,047 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 276 individuals are currently in hospital and 95 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

  • 110 new cases in Fraser Health
    • total active cases: 990
  • 45 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
    • total active cases: 498
  • 97 new cases in Interior Health
    • total active cases: 585
  • 57 new cases in Northern Health
    • total active cases: 351
  • 96 new cases in Island Health
    • total active cases: 646
  • no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
    • total active cases: one

In the past 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,351.

The new deaths include:

  • Fraser Health: three
  • Island Health: two
  • Vancouver Coastal Health: one

There is one new health-care facility outbreak at Ponderosa Lodge (Interior Health). The outbreak at Peace Villa (Northern Health) has been declared over, for a total of five facilities with ongoing outbreaks, including:

  • long-term care:
    • George Derby Centre (Fraser Health); and
    • Ponderosa Lodge (Interior Health)
  • acute care:
    • Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health); and
    • St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health)
  • assisted or independent living:
    • Laurier Manor (Northern Health)

From Nov. 25 to Dec. 1, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 58% of cases and from Nov. 18 to Dec. 1, they accounted for 65.9% of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Nov. 25 to Dec. 1) – Total 2,411

  • Not vaccinated: 1,303 (54%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 96 (4%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 1,012 (42%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Nov. 18 to Dec. 1) – Total 246

  • Not vaccinated: 151 (61.4%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 11 (4.5%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 84 (34.1%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 25 to Dec. 1)    

  • Not vaccinated: 176.3
  • Partially vaccinated: 44.0
  • Fully vaccinated: 22.6

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 18 to Dec. 1)

  • Not vaccinated: 32.6
  • Partially vaccinated: 7.8
  • Fully vaccinated: 1.8

Since December 2020, the Province has administered 8,761,618 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More:

For the Nov. 23, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children aged 5-11, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0209-002245

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/children

For the joint statement on Health Canada approval of COVID-19 pediatric vaccine, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0204-002205

For the Oct. 26, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 booster shots for all British Columbians, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25604

For information on booster doses, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/booster

For regional restrictions in the Northern Health region, visit: https://www.northernhealth.ca/sites/northern_health/files/health-information/health-topics/orders/documents/nh-gatherings-events-orders-oct-2021.pdf

For information on a third dose for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register#immunocompromised

As they become available, information on school outbreaks will be posted online: www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures

For surgical renewal commitment progress reports, visit:

To learn about how B.C. counts its daily COVID-19 cases in hospitals, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0058-001844

To learn about the BC Vaccine Card and how to access yours, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html

For the Aug. 12, 2021, announcement on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care

workers, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25143

For information on breakthrough cases, see the BCCDC weekly data summary: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#summary

Detailed data is posted daily on the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data or: www.bccdc.ca

To register to be immunized or to learn about getting your second dose, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register or https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/dose-2

For the provincial health officer’s orders and guidance, visit: 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

For guidance on restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

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

For COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information, visit:

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Thursday, December 2, 2021

December 2nd, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

As of Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, 85% (4,234,504) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.8% (4,076,233) have received their second dose.

In addition, 91.2% (4,227,853) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 87.9% (4,076,211) received their second dose and 10% (452,593) have received a third dose.

Also, 91.6% (3,962,145) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 88.5% (3,826,335) received their second dose and 10% (451,943) have received a third dose.

B.C. is reporting 368 new cases of COVID-19, including one new epi-linked case, for a total of 219,180 cases in the province.

There are currently 3,020 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 213,694 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 284 individuals are in hospital and 97 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

  • 90 new cases in Fraser Health
    • Total active cases: 1,003
  • 48 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
    • Total active cases: 485
  • 101 new cases in Interior Health
    • Total active cases: 578
  • 40 new cases in Northern Health
    • Total active cases: 351
  • 88 new cases in Island Health
    • Total active cases: 602
  • one new case of people who reside outside of Canada
    • Total active cases: one

In the past 24 hours, five new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,345.

The new deaths include:

  • Fraser Health: three
  • Northern Health: two

There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks, for a total of five facilities with ongoing outbreaks, including:

  • long-term care:
    • George Derby Centre (Fraser Health); and
    • Peace Villa (Northern Health)
  • acute care:
    • Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health); and
    • St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health)
  • assisted or independent living:
    • Laurier Manor (Northern Health)

From Nov. 24-30, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 57.9% of cases.

From Nov. 17-30, they accounted for 68.1% of hospitalizations.  

Past week cases (Nov. 24-30) – Total 2,468

  • Not vaccinated: 1,332 (54%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 96 (3.9%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 1,040 (42.1%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Nov. 17-30) – Total 248

  • Not vaccinated: 160 (64.5%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 9 (3.6%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 79 (31.9%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 24-30)    

  • Not vaccinated: 181.4
  • Partially vaccinated: 45.2
  • Fully vaccinated: 23.2

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 17- 30)

  • Not vaccinated: 34.4
  • Partially vaccinated: 6.0
  • Fully vaccinated: 1.7

Since December 2020, the Province has administered 8,736,385 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More:

For the Nov. 23, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children aged 5-11, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0209-002245

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/children

For the joint statement on Health Canada approval of COVID-19 pediatric vaccine, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0204-002205

For the Oct. 26, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 booster shots for all British Columbians, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25604

For information on booster doses, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/booster

For regional restrictions in the Northern Health region, visit: https://www.northernhealth.ca/sites/northern_health/files/health-information/health-topics/orders/documents/nh-gatherings-events-orders-oct-2021.pdf

For information on a third dose for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register#immunocompromised

As they become available, information on school outbreaks will be posted online: www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures

For surgical renewal commitment progress reports, visit:

To learn about how B.C. counts its daily COVID-19 cases in hospitals, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0058-001844

To learn about the BC Vaccine Card and how to access yours, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html

For the Aug. 12, 2021, announcement on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care

workers, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25143

For information on breakthrough cases, see the BCCDC weekly data summary: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#summary

Detailed data is posted daily on the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data or: www.bccdc.ca

To register to be immunized or to learn about getting your second dose, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register or https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/dose-2

For the provincial health officer’s orders and guidance, visit: 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

For guidance on restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

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

For COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information, visit:

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Wednesday, December 1, 2021

December 1st, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

As of Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, 84.8% (4,228,684) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.7% (4,072,923) have received their second dose.

In addition, 91.2% (4,225,895) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 87.9% (4,072,902) received their second dose, and 9% (434,790) have received a third dose.

Also, 91.6% (3,960,344) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 88.4% (3,823,351) received their second dose, and 10% (434,146) have received a third dose.

Today’s case counts are provisional and may be updated.

B.C. is reporting 375 new cases of COVID-19, including no epi-linked cases, for a total of 218,801 cases in the province.

There are 2,936 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 213,394 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 301 individuals are in hospital and 98 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

  • 98 new cases in Fraser Health
    • Total active cases: 994
  • 70 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
    • Total active cases: 476
  • 69 new cases in Interior Health
    • Total active cases: 537
  • 62 new cases in Northern Health
    • Total active cases: 360
  • 76 new cases in Island Health
    • Total active cases: 569
  • no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
    • Total active cases: zero

In the past 24 hours, seven new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,340.

The new deaths include:

  • Fraser Health: three
  • Island Health: three
  • Vancouver Coastal Health: one

There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks for a total of five facilities with ongoing outbreaks, including:

  • long-term care:
    • George Derby Centre (Fraser Health); and
    • Peace Villa (Northern Health)
  • acute care:
    • Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health); and
    • St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health)
  • assisted or independent living:
    • Laurier Manor (Northern Health)

From Nov. 23-29, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 58.2% of cases.
From Nov. 16-29, they accounted for 68.1% of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Nov. 23-29) – Total 2,414

  • Not vaccinated: 1,310 (54.3%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 95 (3.9%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 1,009 (41.8%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Nov. 16-29) – Total 267

  • Not vaccinated: 171 (64.0%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 11 (4.1%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 85 (31.8%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 23-29)    

  • Not vaccinated: 180.6
  • Partially vaccinated: 43.6
  • Fully vaccinated: 22.6

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 16-29)

  • Not vaccinated: 36.4
  • Partially vaccinated: 7.4
  • Fully vaccinated: 1.9

Since December 2020, the Province has administered 8,709,802 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More:

For the Nov. 23, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children, ages 5-11, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0209-002245

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/children

For the joint statement on Health Canada approval of COVID-19 pediatric vaccine, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0204-002205

For the Oct. 26, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 booster shots for all British Columbians, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25604

For information on booster doses, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/booster

For regional restrictions in the Northern Health region, visit:
https://www.northernhealth.ca/sites/northern_health/files/health-information/health-topics/orders/documents/nh-gatherings-events-orders-oct-2021.pdf

For information on a third dose for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register#immunocompromised

As they become available, information on school outbreaks will be posted online: www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures

For surgical renewal commitment progress reports, visit:

To learn about how B.C. counts its daily COVID-19 cases in hospitals, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0058-001844

To learn about the BC Vaccine Card and how to access yours, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html

For the Aug. 12, 2021, announcement on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care workers, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25143

For information on breakthrough cases, see the BCCDC weekly data summary: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#summary

Detailed data is posted daily on the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data or: www.bccdc.ca

To register to be immunized or to learn about getting your second dose, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register or https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/dose-2

For the provincial health officer’s orders and guidance, visit:
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

For guidance on restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

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

For COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information, visit:

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Housing woes to opportunities

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Editor's Note -- this week Quesnel City Council column is written by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson.  He can be reached via email here

Quesnel needs more housing: supported, affordable, seniors, rental, family, multi-unit, townhouse/row house, single-family residential, etc. This need will grow as we work with Northern Health to get our seniors’ care needs met locally, as more businesses expand their operations in town, and as Osisko Development Corporation’s Cariboo Gold project (formerly known as Barkerville Gold Mine) moves to full production in early 2024.

Yet, we have some very particular challenges when it comes to housing; challenges that will require us to be very creative and deliberate about how we meet both our current and future housing needs.

First, as much as house prices (and rental prices) have risen in Quesnel over the past few years, the market value of new development here is still nowhere near what is needed to attract large scale development. Most larger developers require a much faster and higher rate of return on their investment than they can currently get in Quesnel.

Second, we are land pinched; that is, we don’t have a lot of easily developable property left in the City limits. This is compounded by the fact we live in a geologically complex river valley that requires us to be sensitive on where and how we build due to slow moving landslides and floodplains.

Third, the large tracts of developable lands that do exist generally require significant infrastructure investment to extend into new areas or upsize current infrastructure needed (water, sewer, drainage, hydro, natural gas, roads, etc.) to create properly serviced lands to develop into housing units. To properly service an area is an added cost limiting returns for a developer seeking to build much needed housing here.

As a result of the challenges outlined above, we are going to have to be very creative and entrepreneurial in how we approach meeting our community’s housing needs, especially if we want all new housing to be built to the highest standards, including new standards for greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. net zero housing).

As part of the City’s comprehensive housing strategy, we enabled secondary suites and accessory housing (secondary dwelling, carriage house) in all areas of the City when we updated the City’s Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Expanding quality rental housing opportunities within our existing stock of single-family residential housing is potentially the quickest and most economical way to expand housing options in the City. We will be completing a community project to develop new BC Building Code ready building plans for a secondary dwelling and carriage house.

We’ve also created an incentive package for new housing development that includes a five- or ten-year property tax relief, as well as a waiving of development cost charges.

We have identified developable properties owned by the City and have open RFPs for developers to provide proposals for multi-unit developments. There are opportunities available on Kinchant Street and Neighbour Road.

We have seen the development of four large non-profit housing projects in the City over the last few years and have a couple of projects that are on the books but awaiting funding sources. Our Development Services Department has seen a substantial increase in interest from market housing developers over the past couple of years (and a record number of building permits have been issued), but we are still looking for market housing projects to fill the needs identified. Our team is continuing to work with developers to encourage the investments needed to prepare for the housing demands we are anticipating.

If you have creative ideas about how we can expand our housing opportunities in Quesnel and attract more housing development, we’re all ears. Please share your ideas by emailing us at .

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Steve's Meeting/Expense Calendar - November 2021

In the month of November 2021 -- I attended the following meetings or events in my capacity as the Cariboo RD Area "D" Director:

* November 2 - Part of NCLGA Table Officer Virtual Delegation meeting with BC Citizens' Services Minister Lisa Beare

* November 7 - Attended Inaugural 2021 Winter Market -- McLeese Lake Farmers' Market at the Alexandria Community Hall in Cariboo RD Area "A" (Melville Rd)

* November 9 - Attended the November meeting of the Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Society's Board of Directors meeting, in my capacity as the Regional District's Central Cariboo CRD Director Liaison

* November 10 - NCLGA Executive Committee Meeting

* November 11 - Presented a Wreath at the Williams Lake Remembrance Day event, on behalf of the Cariboo Regional District

* November 12th - Meet with MOTI Cariboo District Mgr Sandi Griffiths regarding Area "D" Road/Drainage Concerns

* November 18th - Regional District Committee of the Whole session

* November 19th -- CCRHD/Cariboo RD Board Meetings

* November 24th - Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus Meeting

* November 26th --  Part of NCLGA Table Officer Virtual Delegation meeting with BC Advanced Education Minister Anne Kang and then NCLGA 2022 Convention Organizing Committee meeting

* November 28th - Wildwood Community Association Meeting

* November 30th - Presentation to Williams Lake City Council, in Committee of the Whole re: Housing in Central Cariboo, Regional District Grant for Assistance program and Pine Valley Sewer System (City has a stakeholder interest in this RD Service as it relates on it for sewer at WL Regional Airport)

As of expenses submitted in November 2021:

* November 18th -- Regional District Committee of the Whole session ($206)
* November 19th -- CCRHD/Cariboo RD Board Meetings ($206)
* November 24th -- Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus Meeting ($83)

SF
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Tuesday, November 30, 2021

WL Council Highlights (Committee of the Whole) - Nov 30th, 2021 mtg

Present: Mayor W. Cobb (Chair); Councillors Boehm, Brenner, Nelson, Ryll, and Smith

Video of the meeting here

Meeting called to order at 6pm

The Chair recognized that the meeting was being held on traditional Shuswap territory

Meeting Agenda adopted
Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on October 26th, 2021 were received/adopted

Delegation:

1) Steve Forseth - Cariboo RD Area "D" Director appeared before the Committee to provide an update on Housing, Regional District Electoral Area Grant for Assistance Program and the Cariboo Regional District's Pine Valley Sewer System Service

Director Forseth answered questions of the Committee, following his presentation

The Chair thanked Director Forseth for his time/information

Business:

1) Letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs re Bill 26 Proposed Legislative Amendments

The letter from the Ministry was presented to the Committee
Discussion ensued thereon.. 

Resolved: That the letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs dated October 26, 2021 regarding an overview of Bill 26 and the proposed legislative amendments to various provincial acts, including the Community Charter and the Local Government Act, be received for information

2) Cold Weather Response Working Group Temporary Warming Shelter Plan

A report from the Well-being and Safety Plan Coordinator was presented to the Committee
Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved - That it be recommend to Council:

"That pursuant to the report of the Well-being and Safety Plan Coordinator dated November 25, 2021, a letter be provided to BC Housing endorsing the Emergency Cold Weather Action Plan, submitted by Canadian Mental Health Association, which establishes the temporary opening of a warming shelter from December 2021 to March 31, 2022, located at the Hamilton Hotel; and that Council allocate $20,000 from the City’s UBCM Strengthening Communities Fund allotment to support this project.

The Committee adjourned at 6:45pm
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November 30th, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

As of Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, 84.8% (4,225,218) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.7% (4,069,988) have received their second dose.

In addition, 91.1% (4,224,201) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 87.8% (4,069,967) received their second dose, and 10% (418,428) have received a third dose.

Also, 91.5% (3,958,775) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, and 88.3% (3,820,698) have received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 358 new cases of COVID-19, including three epi-linked case, for a total of 218,426 cases in the province.

There are 2,889 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 213,053 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 300 individuals are in hospital and 104 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

  • 107 new cases in Fraser Health
    • Total active cases: 1,018
  • 53 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
    • Total active cases: 443
  • 85 new cases in Interior Health
    • Total active cases: 552
  • 56 new cases in Northern Health
    • Total active cases: 337
  • 57 new cases in Island Health
    • Total active cases: 539
  • no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
    • Total active cases: zero

In the past 24 hours, no new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,333.

There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. The outbreak at Abbotsford Regional Hospital (Fraser Health) has been declared over, for a total of five facilities with ongoing outbreaks, including:

  • long-term care:
    • George Derby Centre (Fraser Health); and
    • Peace Villa (Northern Health).
  • acute care:
    • Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health); and
    • St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health).
  • assisted or independent living:
    • Laurier Manor (Northern Health).

From Nov. 22-28, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 58.2% of cases.

From Nov. 15-28, they accounted for 65.9% of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Nov. 22-28) – Total 2,342

  • Not vaccinated: 1,269 (54.2%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 93 (4.0%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 980 (41.8%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Nov. 15-28) – Total 223

  • Not vaccinated: 135 (60.5%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 12 (5.4%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 76 (34.1%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 22-28)    

  • Not vaccinated: 173.2
  • Partially vaccinated: 41.8
  • Fully vaccinated: 21.9

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Nov. 15-28)

  • Not vaccinated: 28.6
  • Partially vaccinated: 8.3
  • Fully vaccinated: 1.7

Since December 2020, the Province has administered 8,688,112 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More:

For the Nov. 23, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children, ages 5-11, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0209-002245

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/children

For the joint statement on Health Canada approval of COVID-19 pediatric vaccine, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0204-002205

For the Oct. 26, 2021, announcement on COVID-19 booster shots for all British Columbians, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25604

For information on booster doses, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/booster

For regional restrictions in the Northern Health region, visit:
https://www.northernhealth.ca/sites/northern_health/files/health-information/health-topics/orders/documents/nh-gatherings-events-orders-oct-2021.pdf

For information on a third dose for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register#immunocompromised

As they become available, information on school outbreaks will be posted online: www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures

For surgical renewal commitment progress reports, visit:

To learn about how B.C. counts its daily COVID-19 cases in hospitals, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0058-001844

To learn about the BC Vaccine Card and how to access yours, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html

For the Aug. 12, 2021, announcement on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care workers, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25143

For information on breakthrough cases, see the BCCDC weekly data summary: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data#summary

Detailed data is posted daily on the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data or: www.bccdc.ca

To register to be immunized or to learn about getting your second dose, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register or https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/dose-2

For the provincial health officer’s orders and guidance, visit:
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

For guidance on restrictions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

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

For COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information, visit:

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