CRD Board Highlights - Oct 3rd mtg

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

BC Timber Sales

Steve Kozuki, Timber Sales Manager for BC Timber Sales Cariboo Chilcotin area, appeared before the Board to provide an overview of the Provincial auction of the timber supply. According to Kozuki, the Provincial auction of 20 per cent of the timber supply, supports the market based stumpage system and diversification of the forest economy. BC Timber Sales (BCTS) was founded in 2003 with a mandate to provide the cost and price benchmarks for timber harvested from public land in British Columbia. Through 12 Business Areas and an operational presence in 33 locations, BCTS manages some 20 per cent of the provincial Crown allowable annual cut. Further information about BC Timber Sales in the Cariboo Chilcotin is available online at for.gov.bc.ca/bcts.

Northern Health Update

Debbie Strang, Northern Health Quesnel Health Service Administrator, appeared before the Board and presented an update on health issues in the Northern Health administrative area. Some of the items discussed included the pharmacy renovations, the new Sterile Preparation Rooms, update on the Master Planning process for GR Baker Memorial Hospital and an update on new medical staff. Ms. Strang provided an overview of some of the key capital purchases made by the CCRHD over the past few years. More information about Northern Health is available online at northernhealth.ca.

Special Project Funds Approved

The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors authorized a total of $597.38 of Electoral Area I Special Projects funds. The funds will be used to make repairs to the Baker Creek Community Hall. The hall was recently struck by lightning and requires immediate repairs to prevent further damage.

Youth Parliament

The Cariboo Regional District will be sending information to Secondary Schools throughout the region regarding the 2014 Youth Parliament. The British Columbia Youth Parliament’s 86th Parliament will be held in Victoria at the Provincial Legislative Chambers from December 27 to 31, 2014. This project is non-partisan and applicants should have a keen interest in learning about parliamentary proceedings and in serving their community. The Youth Parliament is a province–wide organization for young people ages 16-21 and teaches citizenship skills through participation in session and in community service activities throughout the year. Deadline for submissions is October 22, 2014. Further information about the program is available at bcyp.org.

Ministry of Transportation

At the request of the City of Quesnel, the Cariboo Regional District will be writing to the Minister of Transportation, The Honourable Todd Stone as a follow up to the recent meeting with the ministry at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention last week in Whistler.

     The first item the letter will emphasize is the need to develop a Transportation Plan for the North Cariboo to address significant and serious traffic concerns within the city and surrounding areas.

     The second issue will reaffirm the need to connect Quesnel and the Nechako Basin by a bridge over the Blackwater River. This passage would allow future opportunities with the New Gold Blackwater Project for Quesnel and area residents regarding employment and other economic development opportunities.

Upcoming Meetings

Oct. 24, 2014 – CCRHD & CRD Board Meetings.