City of WL Response to Open Letter from WLFN Chief Willie Sellars

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

In response to an open letter issued by Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars critical of a recent social media post shared by Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb on Friday, October 29, the City of Williams Lake is addressing the matter sincerely and seriously.

Chief Sellars’ open letter to the City criticizes a social media post shared by Mayor Cobb on Friday morning, October 29, titled ‘Residential schools – the other side of the story.’ In the letter, Chief Sellars requests City of Williams Lake Council to clarify its position in relation to residential schools and their impact on First Nations people.

“We received the letter Friday and have had ongoing discussions throughout the weekend between City staff and members of Council, and we will be providing a formal response on Tuesday, November 2 during our regular Council meeting,” said City of Williams Lake Chief Administrative Officer Gary Muraca. “The City of Williams Lake takes this matter seriously, and continues to work toward meaningful reconciliation.”

The City of Williams Lake remains committed to reconciliation efforts in collaboration with our First Nations neighbours moving forward.

Condemnation of comments of WL Mayor W. Cobb re: Residential Schools

Yesterday evening - the Williams Lake Tribune reported on a Facebook post from Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb about residential schools/"other side of the story" -- you can read that here

Upon learning of this -- Williams Lake First Nation Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars issued an Open Letter to Williams Lake City Council about Mayor Cobb's Facebook post - read the letter here.  Kukpi7 Sellars has asked for a response from Williams Lake City Council by end of day on Monday, November 1st

The public response to the Facebook post of Mayor Cobb was swift and predictable -- widespread condemnation of the Facebook post.  As of the writing of this post -- the Williams Lake Tribune Facebook page had recorded 103 comments and 103 shares of the Tribune news story

In my opinion - the Facebook post of Mayor Cobb was a "gross error in judgement" and as Kukpi7 Sellars has appropriately noted:

"We (WLFN) can no longer abide the City of Williams Lake, or any of its elected officials, trying to advance a narrative which is a slap in the face to our community, to other First Nations communities, or to the vast majority of Canadians who acknowledge the horror of residential schools and who want to assist with reconciliation"

Put bluntly -- my Cariboo RD Area Alternate Director, Phyllis Webstad, is a residential school survivor and there is NO such thing as "other sides" in residential school horrors, particularly with the news coming from Kamloops and elsewhere across Canada about child graves at residential schools... 

I hope that Williams Lake City Council will reflect appropriately over the weekend and when responding to the letter of Williams Lake First Nation next week, it will do so with true reconciliation between Indigenous and Non Indigenous Canadians in mind -- both in writing and in person...

SF

Local Gov't Mtgs - Week of Nov 1-5, 2021

The following local governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin are meeting next week (Nov 1-5, 2021) as follows:

Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on November 2nd, 2021 at 6pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  Meeting to be recorded for viewing post-meeting

On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Westrek Geotechnical Services Ltd. - Tim Smith, Engineering Geologist & Principal

* Committee Reports

* 2022 Mayoral Appointments - Acting Mayor/Co-Chair of North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee

* City of Quesnel Fees/Charges Bylaw for 2022

* NDIT Grant Applications

* MFA Equipment Financing - 2021

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake - Meetings as noted below, all in WL Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 (450 Mart St).

a) Special Closed (In-Camera) Meeting at 12pm.  Meeting closed to the public as per Sections 90(1e/k - land and negotiations) of the Community Charter.  View the meeting closure notice here

b) Public Hearing at 6pm -- Bylaw 2355 for property located at 365 Mackenzie Avenue North.  View the Public Hearing Agenda here

c) Regular Council Meeting -- immediately following termination of the Public Hearing.  Meeting to be livestreamed via YouTube (click here).  On the Agenda:

* Consideration of Recommendations from Oct 27th Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting

* Consideration of Recommendations from October 26th Committee of the Whole (Council) Meeting

* Consideration of 2 Development Permits - Ming's Restaurant & Chuck's Auto Supply 

* Approval for Hodgson Rd Water Main replacement and WL River Valley Bridges

* In-Camera Session following Adjournment of the Open Council Meeting -- Sec 90(1a/c - appointment/labour of the Community Charter)

View the full Agenda here

October 29th, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

As of Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, 89.8% (4,163,572) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 85.0% (3,940,563) have received their second dose.

In addition, 90.3% (3,903,864) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 85.6% (3,703,431) have received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 584 new cases of COVID-19, including 10 epi-linked cases, for a total of 204,914 cases in the province.

There are 4,982 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 197,396 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 436 individuals are in hospital and 156 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

• 232 new cases in Fraser Health
  • Total active cases: 2,115
• 81 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Total active cases: 704
• 85 new cases in Interior Health
  • Total active cases: 684
• 104 new cases in Northern Health
  • Total active cases: 817
• 82 new cases in Island Health
  • Total active cases: 603
• no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
  • Total active cases: 59

In the past 24 hours, nine new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,156.

The new deaths include:

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

There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks, for a total of 33 active outbreaks, including:

• long-term care:
  • Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor, Cherington Place, West Shore Laylum, Queens Park Care Centre, Heritage Village, Valleyhaven Retirement Community, Rosemary Heights Seniors Village, Tabor Home (Fraser Health);
  • Amica Lions Gate, Amica Edgemont (Vancouver Coastal Health);
  • Cottonwoods Care Centre, Overlander, Village by the Station, Haven Hill Retirement Centre, Deni House (Interior Health); and
  • Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Northern Health).
• acute care:
  • Mission Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Queen’s Park Care Centre (Fraser Health);
  • University Hospital of Northern BC, GR Baker Memorial Hospital and Bulkley Valley District Hospital (Northern Health).
• assisted or independent living:
  • Menno Terrace West, The Emerald at Elim Village, Swedish Assisted Living Residence, Harrison Pointe, Norman Manor, Pacific Carlton Seniors Community, Rideau Retirement Residence and Tabor Manor (Fraser Health).

There has been one new outbreak at Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre (Island Health).

From Oct. 21-27, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 65.1% of cases.
From Oct. 14-27, they accounted for 73.8% of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Oct. 21-27) – Total 4,098

• Not vaccinated: 2,418 (59.0%)
• Partially vaccinated: 252 (6.1%)
• Fully vaccinated: 1,428 (34.8%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Oct. 14-27) – Total 469

• Not vaccinated: 317 (67.6%)
• Partially vaccinated: 29 (6.2%)
• Fully vaccinated: 123 (26.2%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 21-27)

• Not vaccinated: 296.9
• Partially vaccinated: 84.5
• Fully vaccinated: 33.2

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 14-27)

• Not vaccinated: 58.6
• Partially vaccinated: 12.7
• Fully vaccinated: 2.7

Since December 2020, the Province has administered 8,218,844 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More:

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:

• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-April-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-Apr-May-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-May-June-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-June-July-2021.pdf

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 BC Centre for Disease Control (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:

• BCCDC: 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/data-outbreaks-facilities
• Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
• Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

October 28th, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

As of Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, 89.8% (4,160,780) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 84.9% (3,933,596) have received their second dose.

In addition, 90.2% (3,901,337) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 85.5% (3,697,157) have received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 758 new cases of COVID-19, including two epi-linked cases, for a total of 204,330 cases in the province.

There are 4,961 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 196,858 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 434 individuals are in hospital and 155 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

The new/active cases include:

• 329 new cases in Fraser Health
  • Total active cases: 2,153
• 74 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Total active cases: 678
• 108 new cases in Interior Health
  • Total active cases: 664
• 133 new cases in Northern Health
  • Total active cases: 821
• 114 new cases in Island Health
  • Total active cases: 586
• no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
  • Total active cases: 59

In the past 24 hours, 10 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,147.

The new deaths include:

• Fraser Health: four
• Interior Health: four
• Northern Health: two

There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Tabor Manor (Fraser Health), for a total of 33 active outbreaks, including:

• long-term care:
  • Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor, Cherington Place, West Shore Laylum, Queens Park Care Centre, Heritage Village, Valleyhaven Retirement Community, Rosemary Heights Seniors Village, Tabor Home (Fraser Health);
  • Amica Lions Gate, Amica Edgemont (Vancouver Coastal Health);
  • Cottonwoods Care Centre, Overlander, Village by the Station, Haven Hill Retirement Centre, Deni House (Interior Health); and
  • Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Northern Health).
• acute care:
  • Mission Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Queen’s Park Care Centre (Fraser Health);
  • University Hospital of Northern BC, GR Baker Memorial Hospital and Bulkley Valley District Hospital (Northern Health).
• assisted or independent living:
  • Menno Terrace West, The Emerald at Elim Village, Swedish Assisted Living Residence, Harrison Pointe, Norman Manor, Pacific Carlton Seniors Community, Rideau Retirement Residence and Tabor Manor (Fraser Health).

From Oct. 20-26, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 64.7% of cases.
From Oct. 13-26, they accounted for 74.0% of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Oct. 20-26) – Total 4,066

• Not vaccinated: 2,365 (58.2%)
• Partially vaccinated: 266 (6.5%)
• Fully vaccinated: 1,435 (35.3%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Oct. 13-26) – Total 458

• Not vaccinated: 310 (67.7%)
• Partially vaccinated: 29 (6.3%)
• Fully vaccinated: 119 (26.0%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 20-26)    

• Not vaccinated: 288.6
• Partially vaccinated: 87.1
• Fully vaccinated: 33.4

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 13-26)

• Not vaccinated: 57.0
• Partially vaccinated: 12.6
• Fully vaccinated: 2.6

Since December 2020, the Province has administered 8,202,550 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More:

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:

• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-April-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-Apr-May-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-May-June-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-June-July-2021.pdf

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 BC Centre for Disease Control (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:

• BCCDC: 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/data-outbreaks-facilities
• Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
• Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

Central Cariboo Joint Committee Highlights - Oct 26th mtg

Present: Councillors Ryll, Bonnell and Boehm & Directors Forseth, Delainey (via teleconference) and LeBourdais

Meeting chaired by Councillor J. Ryll and it was called to order at 5:30pm

The Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional territory of the Williams Lake First Nation

Meeting Agenda approved

Minutes of the Committee meeting held on September 22nd, 2021 were received/adopted

Delegation:

1) Shawn Lewis and Russell Bobrowski from the Williams Lake Cycling Club appeared before the Committee to provide an update as the Club's activities

Following the presentation -- A Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair thanked the delegation for their time/information

Business:

1) Fee for Service Agreement Renewal - Williams Lake Cycling Club

A report from the City's Mgr of Recreation/Leisure Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That it be recommended to the Regional Board/City Council:

That pursuant to the report of Kaitlyn Atkinson, Manager of Recreation and Leisure Services, City of Williams Lake dated October 21, 2021, the Fee for Service agreement with the Williams Lake Cycling Club be renewed for a further three-year term effective 2022 through 2024 in the amount of $20,000 per year; and further, that the schedule for issuance of funds be amended to allow that 50% of the contract be paid the first Thursday in April and the remaining 50% be paid the first Thursday in July, and the appropriate signatories be authorized to execute the agreements.

2) Fee for Service Agreement Renewal - Scout Island Trails

A report from the City's Mgr of Recreation/Leisure Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That it be recommended to the Regional Board/City Council:

That pursuant to the report of Kaitlyn Atkinson, Manager of Recreation and Leisure Services, City of Williams Lake dated October 21, 2021, the Fee for Service agreement with the Scout Island Nature Centre be renewed for a further three-year term effective 2022 through 2024 in the amount of $20,000 per year, and the appropriate signatories be authorized to execute the agreements. 

3) Esler Sports Complex - Field Maintenance Contribution Agreement Renewals

A report from the CRD Manager of Community Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That it be recommended to the Regional Board:

That the agenda item summary from Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services, Cariboo Regional District dated October 15, 2021 regarding a proposed renewal of field maintenance contribution agreements with the Williams Lake Soccer Associations, Williams Lake Slo-pitch League and the Williams Lake Minor Fastball Association be received; and further, that the agreements be renewed for a three-year term in the amounts of $34,000 for the soccer associations, $20,000 for the slo-pitch league and $12,500 for the minor fastball association, and the appropriate signatories be authorized to execute the renewal agreements

4) Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services 2022 Business, Financial and Capital Plans

A report from the CRD Manager of Community Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That it be recommended to the Regional Board:

That the agenda item summery from Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services, Cariboo Regional District dated October 15, 2021 regarding the Central Cariboo Central Cariboo/City of Williams Lake Joint Committee Agenda - October 27, 2021 Recreation and Leisure Services 2022 Business, Financial and Capital Plans be received, and the plans be endorsed as presented

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Director Forseth

5) Central Cariboo Arts and Culture 2022 Business and Financial Plans

A report from the CRD Manager of Community Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That it be recommended to the Regional Board:

That the agenda item summary from Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services, Cariboo Regional District dated October 15, 2021 regarding the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture 2022 Business and Financial Plans be received, and the plans be endorsed as presented. 

6) Displaying External Publications and Public Artwork in the CMRC - Amendment

A report from the City's Mgr of Recreation/Leisure Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That the amended policy be approved in principle, subject to corrective edits be completed and returned to Joint Committee for final approval

7) Proposed 2022 Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting Schedule

A report from the CRD's Deputy Corporate Officer was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That it be recommended to the Regional Board/City Council:

That the agenda item summary from Lore Schick, Deputy Corporate Officer / Executive Assistant, Cariboo Regional District dated October 20, 2021 regarding the Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting schedule for 2022 be received and approved

8) Action Page

The Committee reviewed the Action Page

Resolved: Action Page received and remove Items 3,4 from the Action Page

The Committee adjourned at 6:30pm

Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus Highlights - Oct 27th mtg

Present: Chair M. LeBourdais; Directors S. Forseth, A. Delainey and G. Kirby

Meeting called to order - 3pm and the Chair recognized that the meeting was being held on various Indigenous territories within the Central Cariboo-Chilcotin

Meeting agenda adopted

Minutes of the Caucus meeting held on September 22nd, 2021

Delegation:

Talia Mckay and Vanessa Riplinger from the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce appeared before the Caucus to discuss tourism statistics from the Tourism Discovery Centre in Williams Lake

A Question/Answer period ensued following the presentation

The Chair thanked the delegation for their time/information

Resolved: That the Visitor Services Network Statistics Program 2020 and 2021 reports from the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, be received

Discussion Items:

1) Role of the Regional District relative to Childcare Facilities in Williams Lake (Dir. Forseth)

2) Merging of Economic Development Functions into 1 Regional Economic Development Function (Mgr. Campbell)

3) HandyDART Scheduling between Bus and Cariboo Memorial Hospital from CRD Areas D,E,F (Dir. Delainey)

Action Page:

The Action Page was received with Item #1 to be removed

The Caucus adjourned at 3:51pm

October 27th, 2021 BC COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

As of Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, 89.7% (4,157,816) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 84.7% (3,925,937) received their second dose.

In addition, 90.1% (3,898,653) of all eligible adults have received their first dose and 85.3% (3,690,208) received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 609 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 203,582 cases in the province.

Note: The numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed.

There are currently 4,748 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 196,342 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 422 individuals are currently in hospital and 157 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Note: As of Oct. 26, Interior Health has changed the primary source of COVID-19 hospitalization surveillance data. This change in data source will lead to a one-time increase in the number of ever and currently reported COVID-19 hospitalizations. This change is retrospective to the beginning of the pandemic though primarily affects cases reported since August 2021.

The new/active cases include:

• 257 new cases in Fraser Health
  • Total active cases: 2,043
• 79 new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Total active cases: 676
• 92 new cases in Interior Health
  • Total active cases: 642
• 126 new cases in Northern Health
  • Total active cases: 804
• 55 new cases in Island Health
  • Total active cases: 524
• no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada
  • Total active cases: 59

In the past 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for a total of 2,137.

The new deaths include:

• Fraser Health: five
• Northern Health: one

There have been five new health-care facility outbreaks at Queen’s Park Care Centre, Rosemary Heights Seniors Village, Pacific Carlton Seniors Community, Tabor Home and Rideau Retirement Residence (Fraser Health). The outbreak at Sunset Manor (Fraser Health) has been declared over, for a total of 32 active outbreaks, including:

• long-term care:
  • Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor, Cherington Place, West Shore Laylum, Queens Park Care Centre, Heritage Village, Valleyhaven Retirement Community, Rosemary Heights Seniors Village, Tabor Home (Fraser Health);
  • Amica Lions Gate, Amica Edgemont (Vancouver Coastal Health);
  • Cottonwoods Care Centre, Overlander, Village by the Station, Haven Hill Retirement Centre, Deni House (Interior Health); and
  • Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Northern Health).
• acute care:
  • Mission Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Queen’s Park Care Centre (Fraser Health);
  • University Hospital of Northern BC, GR Baker Memorial Hospital and Bulkley Valley District Hospital (Northern Health).
• assisted or independent living:
  • Menno Terrace West, The Emerald at Elim Village, Swedish Assisted Living Residence, Harrison Pointe, Norman Manor, Pacific Carlton Seniors Community and Rideau Retirement Residence (Fraser Health).

From Oct. 19-25, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 64.1% of cases, and from Oct. 12-25 they accounted for 74.9% of hospitalizations.

Past week cases (Oct. 19-25) – Total 4,153

• Not vaccinated: 2,377 (57.2%)
• Partially vaccinated: 287 (6.9%)
• Fully vaccinated: 1,489 (35.9%)

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Oct. 12-25) – Total 449

• Not vaccinated: 306 (68.2%)
• Partially vaccinated: 30 (6.7%)
• Fully vaccinated: 113 (25.2%)

Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 19-25)    

• Not vaccinated: 293.1
• Partially vaccinated: 92.3
• Fully vaccinated: 34.7

Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 12-25)

• Not vaccinated: 55.8
• Partially vaccinated: 13.2
• Fully vaccinated: 2.5

Since December 2020, the Province has administered 8,186,611 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More:

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:

• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-April-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-Apr-May-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-May-June-2021.pdf
• https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/surgical-renewal-progress-report-June-July-2021.pdf

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:

• BCCDC: 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/data-outbreaks-facilities
• Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
• Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

Dog Creek Road Maintenance Works to be Undertaken on Wed, October 28th

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake will be undertaking maintenance works on Dog Creek Road as of 8 am Thursday morning. A contractor will be on site with an excavator, along with City crews and trucks.

Rob Warnock, Director of Municipal Services, said crews will be working to fix the hump in the road near Highway 20 at the start of Dog Creek Road.

“Our crews were there in the spring and fixed it then, but the hump has returned,” Warnock said. “We are repairing it again before winter due to safety concerns.”

Chief Administrative Officer Gary Muraca added, “The City continues to lobby senior levels of government to come up with a solution that meets our needs. That is still an ongoing process, but the City needs to ensure vehicular traffic safety while we undertake these measures. We cannot overlook residents’ immediate safety while we wait for a response.”

In August, the City contacted the Province to request funding for rehabilitation works due to slide activity on Dog Creek Road from Highway 20 to the municipal boundary. To date, the Province has not responded to the City’s request.

We appreciate the public’s continued patience as we work toward a solution for this ongoing issue.

For more information, contact Rob Warnock, Director of Municipal Services, at rwarnock@williamslake.ca or 250.392.1783.

Sani Dump Stations at Williams Lake Stampede Grounds Now Closed for Season

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

As a notice to residents and visitors, sani dump stations located at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds will be closed for the season due to colder weather as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27. They will open again in the early spring, weather permitting.

The three sani dump stations were installed for RV owners at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds to dispose of grey and black water in a safe, responsible manner into the sanitary sewer.

For more information, contact Rob Warnock, Director of Municipal Services, at rwarnock@williamslake.ca or 250.392.1783.

2022 Budget Pressures and Challenges

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

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

In a recent letter to the editor (click here) a constituent complained that the City hasn’t moved quickly enough on the repairs to the Johnston Bridge, calling on residents to “start bothering those in charge” to make speedier decisions on such major issues and, essentially, to stop spending money on “less important” projects. As Quesnel City Council heads into another budget cycle, the question of priorities is always forefront in our minds; as are questions of affordability, ratepayers’ willingness to pay, and Council’s legal limitations on taxation and spending for major infrastructure projects. The Johnston Bridge project is a good case in point for all of these considerations. From the moment the City was informed that this bridge had to be weight restricted due to significant structural issues, staff have been working on options for Council to consider to repair it. The development of these options takes time and requires significant analysis by specialist engineers. A report will be coming to Council soon with these experts’ recommendations. However, Council also has to consider a project of this magnitude through the lens of other significant budget pressures, our ability to pay for it, and its time sensitivity. There is a viable alternate route for trucks around the Johnston Bridge, and residents and lighter commercial and industrial vehicles can still cross the bridge, so Council has time to consider options for its repair. Council has also worked with the Cariboo Regional District, School District, and the Ministry of Transportation in an effort to ensure that Maple Drive is as safe as it can be for pedestrians and residents while we explore these options. Council must also consider the costs of repairing the Johnston Bridge, currently estimated at around $7 million, in light of the City’s other significant budget pressures. For example, as a result of new standards and regulations, the need to expand its existing footprint, and the need to recycle more, Council is faced with incremental capital costs for the current landfill that will be in the millions over the next few years. Similarly, we have major capital projects that need to be undertaken to modernize our water system. Looming over our heads is also the possibility of having to build water treatment facilities, another project that is in the tens of millions. These large-scale, high price tag projects are problematic for Council from a financing perspective, as they will all likely require referendums if we are not successful at obtaining grants for them and have to finance them ourselves. Unlike the provincial and federal governments, local governments cannot borrow to underwrite large capital projects without voter assent through either an alternate approval process or a referendum. Council is hopeful that we’ve avoided the need to go to referendum for the replacement of our #1 Firehall as we’ve obtained a significant grant to renovate the existing hall. But, we have outstanding requests for a Centre for the Performing Arts, new gymnastics facility, and a new indoor hard court facility that would accommodate tennis, pickleball, and basketball in the winter months and during smoke or heat events in the summer – all of these projects would likely require a referendum too. As Council formulates the 2022 capital budget, the Johnston Bridge repairs will be considered within the context of all these other priorities. And, as for those “less important” projects that are going on in the meantime, most are funded by grants that are specifically issued to underwrite such initiatives and these projects are important to the long-term viability and resiliency of our community.

 

2022 Cariboo RD Area "D" Community Survey Results

Earlier this month -- I launched my annual community survey for the unincorporated communities within Cariboo Regional District - Electoral Area "D".  

I received 45 Distinct Results from the communities of Soda Creek Road, Mile 168 Rd, Commodore Heights, Pine Valley, Wildwood, Deep Creek, Tyee Lake, Xat’sull FN (Deep Creek Reserve), Tyee Lake, Soda Creek Valley and McLeese Lake

General themes from the survey included:

* Roads/Drainage Issues/Concerns

* Logging Practices

* Removal of Fir Beetle infected wood

* Connectivity within Area “D of the Regional District

* Speeding in unincorporated communities, 

* Trail Expansion

* Consideration of Transit Bus from Wildwood – City of Williams Lake

Over the next year -- I will work on the raised matters as best I can over the next year.  I have already arranged meetings with both MOTI - Cariboo District & Telus in the month of November to discuss the specific concerns raised 

I sincerely thank all of the 45 people who took the time to participate in the survey.  Your feedback is greatly appreciated in serving the residents' of Cariboo RD - Area "D" to the best of my ability