Quesnel Council Highlights - Nov 29th Special Mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Delegations - Revitalization Plans Davie Street Revitalization Plan North Fraser Drive Landing Revitalization Plan Representatives from L&M Engineering Limited presented their final long-term revitalization plans to Council.  These plans aim to attract new investment, promote the aesthetics of the areas, provide a balanced transportation system and foster links to surrounding areas.

Delegations - Quesnel Ball Field Action Plan Quesnel Ball Field Action Plan R.F. Binnie and Associates presented an action plan to enhance our ball fields by addressing the needs of the baseball and softball community within Quesnel and area, for Ranger Park in Barlow Creek and West Fraser Timber Park.

 

Agreement Renewals Council approved renewal of the following Agreements: Quesnel Kangaroos Sr. Hockey Club Agreement Moonshine Coffee Ltd./Shiraoi House Lease Agreement Amendment Request Quesnel Curling Centre Lease Agreement Quesnel Crafters' Society/Hudson's Bay Building Lease Agreement Quesnel Regional Airport Renewal & Amendment Contribution Agreement Cariboo Regional District/City of Quesnel

Council Remuneration Council approved a stipend increase of 4% for 2023, which is a reduction from the 7.7% under Policy IWC-8 - Annual Review of Council Remuneration and Expenses, which is tied to the Consumer Price Index.

 

Development Services Strata Conversion Application - 410 Pinchbeck Street Council directed staff to proceed with an application for the Strata Conversion of the 8-plex at 410 Pinchbeck Street without the requirement to show a vacancy rate at or above 4% and, Council's final approval will be subject to the applicant satisfying the conditions set out in section 5 of the Strata Conversion Policy.  Residents will have the opportunity to directly speak to Council on this issue, during this process.

Bylaws Bylaw 1929 - City of Quesnel Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw 1929 of 2022 - Final Adoption Council approved the annual update to the Comprehensive Fees Bylaw. Water fees will be increased 10% ($23.72 to a single family dwelling). Sewer Fees will be increased 5% ($13.92 to a single family dwelling). Other fee increases included 2% for airport fees, 2% for cemetery services and an increase to the minimum cost for a commercial load at the landfill to $25.

 

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings: Week of November 28-Dec 2nd, 2022

During the week of November 28-December 2, 2022 -- the following local governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin will be holding meetings, as follows:

Quesnel - Meetings as noted below, all in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St., Quesnel) 

1) Special Closed (In-Camera) Council Meeting - 5pm on Tuesday, November 29th.  Meeting to be closed as per Sections 90(1g - litigation) and (2b - confidential negotiations) of the Community Charter.  View the closed meeting notice here

2) Special Open Council Meeting - 6pm on Tuesday, November 29th.  On the Agenda:

* Delegation -- Revitalization Plans - North Fraser Landing and Davie Street - L&M Engineering Limited & Quesnel Ball Field Action Plan - R.F. Binnie and Associates 

* Report from Policy/Bylaw Committee - Meeting Schedule for 2023

* Quesnel Regional Airport Renewal & Amendment Contribution Agreement Cariboo Regional District/City of Quesnel

* Quesnel Kangaroos Sr. Hockey Club Agreement (Recommendation from North Cariboo Joint Committee)

* Council Remuneration for 2023

* Moonshine Coffee Ltd./Shiraoi House Lease Agreement Amendment Request

* Quesnel Curling Centre Lease Agreement

*  Strata Conversion Application – 410 Pinchbeck

* Quesnel Crafters' Society/Hudson's Bay Building Lease Agreement

View the full Agenda here

3) Financial Sustainability/Audit Committee - Regular Meeting on Wednesday November 30th at 10am.  On the Agenda:

* 2022 Capital Program - Update

* Review of proposed 2023 Capital Budget

* Review of Community Groups requests for inclusion in 2023 Budget

* Discussion Items - SPCA Contract, Living Wage

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole Session on Tuesday, November 30th at 6pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation -- Ordell Steen and Susan Hemphill, Scout Island Nature Centre re Request for Increase in Fee-for-Service Rates for Scout Island

* Review of 2023-2025 Fee-for-Service Agreements

* 2023 Grants-in-Aid Awards

* Preliminary 2023 Budget and 2023-2027 Financial and 10-Year Capital Plans - Request for Direction 

 View the full Agenda here 

City of Quesnel to rescind its' COVID-19 Policy effective Dec 1st, 2022

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Effective December 1, 2022, the City of Quesnel will be rescinding its Mandatory Vaccination Policy. Mandatory vaccination against the COVID-19 virus will no longer be required for City staff, volunteers, and contractors. 

In late 2021, the City introduced a mandatory vaccination policy in order to provide a safe work environment for its employees, contractors, and visitors and to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

Since the start of the pandemic, the health and safety of the City’s workforce and residents have been a top priority.  COVID-19 has now become one of several respiratory illnesses that are prevalent locally and the impact of the virus on our community and the City of Quesnel organization is changing.

The City will continue to closely monitor the evolving public health information and the COVID-19 situation to protect the health and safety of its employees. As an employer, the City will continue to take every precaution reasonable to safeguard employees from workplace hazards, including COVID-19.

Public health officials continue to communicate that vaccination is the best way to keep ourselves, our co-workers, and our community safe. The City continues to strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help protect themselves and others, including a fall booster dose to prevent severe illness.

City of Williams Lake/WLFN Sign Fire Service Agreement

Joint Release - City of Williams Lake/Williams Lake First Nation:

The City of Williams Lake and Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) are pleased to announce the signing of a fire service agreement (the “Fire Service Agreement”) to protect infrastructure at WLFN’s San Jose Indian Reserve No. 6 (IR#6), an urban reserve that hosts a number of key WLFN economic enterprises including Unity Cannabis and Sugar Cane Cannabis. A further mixed-use residential/commercial project, the Osprey Nest, is currently under construction on IR#6.

The Fire Service Agreement is the result of more than a year of negotiation and collaboration between the City of Williams Lake and WLFN, and commits the City to provide enhanced fire protection to IR#6 for an annual fee. The provision of water and sewer services to IR#6 was addressed in an earlier agreement signed by both parties in the 1990s. That earlier agreement committed that the City would provide water and sewer services to IR#6 in exchange for a sewer right of way through the WLFN reserve lands (known as Tillion IR#4) at the confluence of the Williams Lake River Valley and the Fraser River.

In 2014, WLFN assumed control of its reserve lands under a form of sectoral self-government known as “First Nations Land Management”. This removed WLFN from land-related provisions of the Indian Act, and gave WLFN the authority to negotiate agreements, pass laws and lease and develop lands without the involvement of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

The Fire Service Agreement is consistent with other servicing agreements in Canada and was modeled to incorporate best practices shared by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

WLFN Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars stated:

“Originally created by Canada as a subsistence reserve for our ancestors to fish at Williams Lake, IR#6 has now evolved to reflect WLFN’s forward-looking approach to self-sufficiency. WLFN has made significant efforts to foster economic reconciliation by creating new employment opportunities and revenue streams, and we have been as innovative as possible with our land-use planning and development. This important commitment by the City of Williams Lake to provide fire protection will ensure WLFN’s community investments are protected and maintained well into the future. WLFN is grateful for this partnership with the City of Williams Lake.”

Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor further commented:

“I am pleased that the City of Williams Lake and Williams Lake First Nation were able to work collaboratively to address this essential service. It is extremely important that the City continues to focus on meaningful reconciliation and relationship building, and the signing of the Fire Service Agreement is reflective of our commitment to moving forward together for the mutual benefit of our communities.”

Quesnel Council Highlights - November 22nd mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Delegations As per the Community Charter, Business Improvement Areas must provide Council with a five-year strategic plan and budget for review & approval, to proceed with Local Area Service Bylaw renewal. The South Quesnel Business Association ("SQBA") and the Quesnel Downtown Association ("QDA") Bylaws expire at the end of 2022 and, representatives attended to present their respective strategic plans and budgets to Council: Tobi Weightman, President; Charlotte Kurta, Vice President and Lisa Boudreau, Executive Director attended on behalf of the SQBA. Gilbert Schotel, President; Matthew Maglio, Vice President and Patty Morgan, Office Manager attended on behalf of the QDA.

Business Improvement Area Bylaw Renewal Council approved: the Quesnel Downtown Association’s Plan and Budget and directs staff to proceed with preparing the Bylaw for the extension of the Quesnel Downtown Association Business Improvement Area for the years 2023- 2027 for the amount of $70,380 in 2023 and going up by inflation each year after that; and the South Quesnel Business Association’s Strategic Plan and directs staff to proceed with preparing the Bylaw for the extension of the South Quesnel Business Improvement Area for the years 2023- 2027 for the amount of $80,000. Both of which are a Council initiative process and subject to petition against.

 

Lhtako Dene Commitment to Partnership & Initiatives In response to correspondence from Lhtako Dene, new Council reaffirmed their commitment toward preserving the strong relationship between the City and Lhtako Dene and, their priority to continued collaboration through active partnerships on many existing reconciliation initiatives, including Community Forest, Lhtako Cultural Centre, Lhtako Dene Park, a Residential School Commemorative space at City Hall and, future initiatives.

Development Services Update Council approved Development Permit 2022-49 for the construction of a 6-storey residential building by Xerox Properties at 442 Kinchant Street and a variance to  reduce parking requirements to 54 stalls. The Quesnel Tillicum Society received a 6 month extension for their zoning amendment bylaw which had received third reading October 19, 2021 and lapses if not adopted within 12 months. This extension will allow the Society the opportunity to complete a development permit for a multi-unit apartment, the final step required prior to adopting the bylaw.

 

Grant Update Council approved application to the Infrastructure Canada Active Transportation Fund to fund the Active Transportation Plan Update and Expansion project for $50,000.

2023 Council Meeting Schedule Council approved the 2023 Council Meeting Schedule, which is posted on the City of Quesnel website and, will appear in the November 30 and December 7 editions of the Quesnel Cariboo Observer.

 

Bylaws Bylaw 1929 - City of Quesnel Comprehensive Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 1929 of 2022 - First, Second and Third Reading Bylaw 1930 - City of Quesnel Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1930 of 2022 (RTC EZ Vape at 960 Chew Road) - First and Second Reading and set the Public Hearing date for January 10, 2022 at 6pm in Council Chambers. Bylaws 1931 and 1932 - City of Quesnel Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 1931 of 2022 and City of Quesnel Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1932 of 2022 (PRT Growing Services at 275 Lear Road) - First and Second Reading and set the Public Hearing date for January 10, 2022 at 6pm in Council Chambers, with consultation, as per s.475 of the Local Government Act.

Central Cariboo Joint Committee Highlights - November 23rd mtg

Present from City of WL -- Mayor SPS Rathor (Co-Chair); Councillors J. Lyons/M. Moses

Present from Cariboo RD -- Directors S. Forseth (Co-Chair), M. Neufeld, M. LeBourdais

Meeting Chair - Director S. Forseth

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30pm

The Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on traditional, unceded Williams Lake First Nation territory within Secwepemculecw and reminded Committee members to keep their mobile devices on vibrate mode to minimize distractions during the meeting

Meeting Agenda adopted

Minutes of previous Joint Committee meetings held September 28th (lack of quorum) and October 19th, 2022 were received/adopted

The Chair led Joint Committee through Joint Committee 101 and Meeting Logistics - no resolution resulted from the session

Business:

1) Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's 'Performances in the Park Report' and request for increase in Performances in the Park Contract for years 2023-2026 inclusive

A report from the Society was presented to the Committee and representatives from the Society were available to answer questions of the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon...

Resolved: That the Joint Committee recommend to the Regional Board/City Council:

"That the contract between the Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Society, City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District be renewed between years 2023-2025 inclusive for an annual cost of $22,000 per year"

Resolved - That Staff be directed to report back on use of the CMRC facilities, if necessary, for the purposes of Performances in the Park in July/August

2) Central Cariboo Arts and Culture 2023 Business and Financial Plans

Report from the Regional District's Mgr of Community Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That the Joint Committee recommend to the Regional Board:

That the agenda item summary from Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services, Cariboo Regional District dated November 16, 2022 regarding the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture 2023 Business and Financial Plans be received, and the plans be endorsed as presented.

3) Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services 2023 Business, Financial and Capital Plans

Report from the Regional District's Mgr of Community Services was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That the Joint Committee recommend to the Regional Board:

That the agenda item summary from Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services, Cariboo Regional District dated November 16, 2022 regarding the Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services 2023-2027 business and financial plans and the 2023-2027 capital plan for the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex be received, and the plans be endorsed as presented. 

4) Proposed 2023 Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting Schedule

Report from the Regional District's Deputy Corporate Officer was presented to the Committee

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved: That the Joint Committee recommend to the Regional Board/City Council:

That the agenda item summary from Lore Schick, Deputy Corporate Officer / Executive Assistant, Cariboo Regional District dated November 17, 2022 regarding the Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting schedule for 2023 be received and the 2023 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting schedule be endorsed as follows, with meeting start times to be 5:30 PM: 

 Wednesday, January 25, 2023 

 Wednesday, February 22, 2023 

 Wednesday, March 22, 2023 

 Wednesday, April 26, 2023 

 Wednesday, May 24, 2023 

 Wednesday, June 21, 2023 

 Wednesday, September 27, 2023 

 Wednesday, October 25, 2023 

 Wednesday, November 22, 2023

5) Discussion Item -- Central Cariboo Arts/Culture & Recreation Facilities (Dir. Forseth)

The Chair led a discussion on this item 

Discussion ensued thereon

Resolved - Place on Action Page as "Standing Item"

6) Late Item - Joint Use Agreement

Briefing from CRD Mgr. of Community Services

Discussion ensued

No resolution resulted from the discussion

7) Action Page

The Committee reviewed the Action Page and agreed to remove Item #2

Joint Committee adjourned at 6:55pm

Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus Highlights - Nov 23rd mtg

Present: Chair M. LeBourdais; Directors S. Forseth, M. Neufeld, T. Pare (via teleconference) and B. Anderson

Meeting called to order - 3:05pm

The Chair recognized that the meeting was taking place on traditional, unceded Williams Lake First Nation territory within Secwepemculecw

Meeting Agenda approved, as amended (Items from Dir. Forseth - Stolen Fuel in Area D; Central Cariboo Convention Transit in portions of Areas D,E,F)

Minutes of the September 28th, 2022 Caucus meeting were received/adopted

Delegation:

1) Denise Deschene and Ruth Lloyd from the Williams Lake Active Transportation Committee appeared before Caucus to discuss their Committee's concerns and suggestions in regard to Active Transportation in the Central Cariboo sub-region

Following their presentation -- a Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair thanked the delegation for their time/information

Discussion Items

a) Rural Caucus 101

b) Stolen Fuel within Area "D" communities - Dir. Forseth

b) Central Cariboo Transit in Areas D,E,F - Dir. Forseth

Resolved -- That the topic of convention transit in portions of Areas D,E,F be referred to the Central Cariboo Joint Committee in January 2023 

Business:

1) 2023 Grants for Assistance

Report from Staff was presented outlining received Grant for Assistance applications for Areas D,E,F,J,K

Resolution -- That it be recommended to the Regional Board that Grants for Assistance be authorized to the following groups, as follows:

i) Horsefly Community Club - $5,000 from Area "F"

ii) Gavin Lake Forest Education Society - $1,545 divided equally between Areas D,E,F 

Caucus adjourned at 4:03pm

BC Government delivers action to expand housing supply

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

To help deliver more good homes for people, the Province is introducing new laws to build the homes people need, make it possible for homes that are vacant to be rented and remove discriminatory age and rental restrictions in strata's that hurt young families.

“B.C.’s housing crisis is stressing out and hurting people while it holds back our economy,” said BC Premier David Eby. “As a first step in my 100-day plan, we are making changes to deliver more homes for British Columbians, faster. We will work with municipalities to set housing targets and make sure the homes people need get built. For those searching for a home today, there's good news. We're making it possible for thousands of condos that are vacant to be rented out as soon as these new laws pass. For those worried about the future, we're setting out a new way to co-ordinate the efforts of our cities and the Province to build the homes people need quickly.”

The first piece of legislation, the Housing Supply Act, will help speed up housing development and increase supply by giving the Province the power to set housing targets in municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected growth. Targets will be based on information provided by and in consultation with municipalities. The new housing targets will encourage municipalities to address local barriers to construction so that housing can get built faster, including updating zoning bylaws and streamlining local development approval processes.

“I had a good job lined up and even I had a hard time finding a home,” said Omama Shoib, a health-care worker who moved from Alberta to Victoria. “We need more housing options across the board urgently. Some people aren’t as lucky as I was and have to turn down job opportunities or schooling because they can’t find suitable housing. I’m relieved the government is doing more to increase housing so people don’t have to give up on pursuing their goals just because they can’t find a place to live.”

The Province will monitor progress and work with municipalities to help address barriers to meeting housing targets and to support the increased community needs associated with targeted growth. The act enables compliance options as a last resort, should municipalities with the highest need struggle to create the conditions that are necessary to ensure housing gets built.

If passed, the Housing Supply Act is scheduled to be brought into force in mid-2023. To support implementation, the Province will continue to help local governments speed up local approval processes through the continued implementation of the Development Approvals Process Review and work underway to accelerate provincial approvals. 

In addition, the Province is making amendments to the Strata Property Act to end all strata rental-restriction bylaws and to limit age-restriction bylaws so that the only permitted age restriction is to preserve and promote seniors' housing through the “55 and over” rule in strata housing. Some buildings have “19+ only” age restrictions that mean couples starting a family have to plan to move out as soon as they become pregnant. Strata's will be able to appear at the Residential Tenancy Branch to evict problem tenants and recover costs of those appearances. 

“There’s a lot of things on your mind when you are getting ready to start a family. It can be a very stressful time,” said Sarah Arnold, an expectant mother and condo owner in Victoria. “The last thing you need to think about when you’re preparing to welcome a newborn is finding a new place to live. These unjust age restrictions have hurt a lot of families, and I am pleased to see the Province is taking action to make sure no more couples have to uproot their lives and leave their homes if they decide to start a family.”

In areas where government has data through the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, there are approximately 2,900 empty condos that cannot be rented out because strata rules prevent them from renting out their condo, and government expects there are more empty units in strata buildings in other parts of the province. This amendment will enable owners to rent out these badly needed homes immediately. Government also expects that some owners in strata buildings would choose to rent out a room in their condo if they were given the opportunity to do so.

“Rules that prevent families with children from living in a home or prevent people from renting the unit they own are no longer acceptable in our current housing market,” said the Hon. Murray Rankin, BC Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “These amendments will open up more rental and homeownership options for people at a time when they’re needed the most.”

If approved, the changes to the Strata Property Act would take effect immediately. Bylaws restricting short-term rentals, such as AirBnBs, will continue to be allowed.

These actions are new steps to deliver homes in B.C., building on B.C.’s 10-year, $7-billion Homes for B.C. plan.  

Learn More:

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing

Background:

Legislation is being introduced to increase housing supply and speed up housing development in communities throughout the province where the need is greatest. Amendments are also being made to the Strata Property Act that will remove discriminatory age and rental restrictions in strata bylaws to broaden access to existing housing in B.C.

Housing supply act:

The housing supply act builds on existing requirements for local governments to create Housing Needs Reports that identify housing demand and supply factors in their jurisdictions. 

In 2018, government introduced a new requirement for local governments to produce housing needs reports every five years. The first reports were submitted by April 2022. The Province provided $5 million over three years to support this work.

According to an April 2022 report from the Homebuilders Association Vancouver, 19 out of 20 Metro Vancouver municipalities are not building enough housing to meet their projected population growth for 2040.

Initially, it is expected that housing targets will be established in consultation with approximately eight to 10 municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected growth. ​The targets will be based in part on information and advice provided by municipalities through their housing needs reports on housing demand and supply factors, and will include criteria, such as unit size and densities, tenure and affordability. Targets will also factor in community plans, projected population growth, economic projections, the local development environment and other relevant factors. Once a housing target is established in a municipality, the municipality will be required to report on its progress, including homes delivered and the actions taken or planned toward meeting the target.

The act will allow the Province to appoint an independent adviser to review the processes of municipalities that struggle to make progress on housing targets. The adviser would help the provincial government better understand unique challenges of the municipality and provide recommendations for actions the municipality or the Province could take to ensure housing targets are met.

The United Kingdom and California have similar housing target frameworks. California has been doing this since 1969 and the U.K. since the early 1980s. Target-setting in both jurisdictions is iterative as new information becomes available and lessons are learned. California has implemented compliance consequences, which allow the state to bar access to grants and loans, including those for infrastructure, if a local government does not fully participate in their targets process.

To support implementation, B.C. will continue to provide new tools and supports to local governments to help them speed up their local housing approvals processes through the continued implementation of the Development Approvals Process Review, as the Province also accelerates work to speed up provincial approvals. 

In 2021, government provided $15 million to local governments to support the implementation of initiatives to improve and speed up development approvals processes, while meeting local government planning and policy objectives. Recent amendments to the Local Government Act also provide new tools to municipalities to help them speed up local approvals.

Strata Property Act amendments:

Amendments to the Strata Property Act will ban strata rental-restriction bylaws and limit age restrictions in strata housing to 55 and older, preserving seniors’ communities, while opening up housing options for families. These changes fulfil a recommendation of the Province’s Rental Housing Task Force.

Rental restriction bylaws have already been banned in strata corporations formed since Jan. 1, 2010. The change extends the ban on rental restrictions to stratas formed before that date. There are approximately 300,000 strata units built before 2010 that may still be subject to rental bans.

Data from the Speculation and Vacancy Tax shows that in areas of B.C. covered by the tax, there were nearly 2,900 vacant units in strata buildings with rental restrictions in 2021 – the last year the exemption was available before it phased out. If passed, age and rental restrictions would be lifted immediately, and these empty units will be available to renters.

Stratas that want to restrict short-term rentals, like AirBnBs, will still be encouraged to do so to ensure long-term rental options are available for British Columbians. The Province is working with municipalities to bring in further short-term rental restrictions in future legislative sessions. In addition, the Residential Tenancy Branch policy guidelines have been updated to state that a strata corporation can issue a notice to end a tenancy and apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for dispute resolution in place of the landlord, while recovering the costs of that application.

The Province is also making life easier for those who live in stratas by making electronic meetings a permanent option. During the COVID-19 pandemic, electronic meetings became a reliable and safe way to conduct strata operations and often increased owner participation. Electronic meetings may be held by phone or online via Zoom or Teams, for example, or as a hybrid both in-person and electronically. 

If approved, this change would take effect immediately. The Province’s temporary regulation allowing stratas to hold electronic meetings was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2022.

BC Safer Communities Action Plan

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The Province is making changes to help keep British Columbians safe, launching a new Safer Communities Action Plan with immediate steps that will strengthen enforcement to keep those who commit repeat violent offences off our streets, and strengthen services to build safe, healthy communities for everyone.

The new measures respond to a rise in repeat violent offending linked to unintended impacts of federal law changes and subsequent Supreme Court decisions, and increased mental-health and addiction challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the toxic drug crisis.

“Being compassionate, concerned and taking action on mental-health and addiction issues does not mean that we have to accept repeated criminal behaviour or violence,” said BC Premier David Eby. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. We are making changes to bring key groups together to keep people and communities safe – ensuring those who commit violent acts face consequences, and creating as many opportunities as possible for them to address mental-health and addiction issues to break the cycle of a life in and out of jail.”

The Safer Communities Action Plan lays out concrete steps at the provincial level to make communities safer under two tracks: enforcement, and intervention services. Each initiative is structured to improve co-ordination between law enforcement, community service organizations, justice system actors, health providers and people who are recovering from addiction and mental-health challenges in a collaborative, co-ordinated approach to address the issues people are seeing in their communities. 

New measures announced include:

• launching new repeat violent offender co-ordinated response teams, made up of police, and dedicated prosecutors and probation officers;
• expanding mental-health crisis response teams into more communities so police can focus on crime, and people in crisis are met early on by health-care workers and community members;  
• taking the next steps in creating a new model of addictions care at St. Paul’s Hospital so people can seamlessly move from crisis response in the emergency room, to detox, to treatment services, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care, with plans to expand this model in the future;  
• opening 10 new Indigenous Justice Centres to provide culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Peoples involved in the justice system to address the root causes of their involvement in the system and help them break the cycle;
• going after the houses, cars and luxury goods of high-level organized criminals who profit on misery by introducing “unexplained wealth order” legislation in spring 2023; and
• building public confidence in the prosecution system with new direction from the attorney general to prosecutors to implement a clear and understandable approach to bail for repeat violent offenders within the existing federal law. The new policy will take effect on Nov. 22, 2022.

The plan includes other co-ordination measures, such as better support for people with acquired brain injuries through overdose or other injury  - with a focus on those involved in the criminal justice system - through increased funding for the Brain Injury Alliance, more integrated information sharing between justice and community partners to strengthen case management and expanding the use of technology to guide police in gathering, and sharing information with doctors and nurses during mental-health crisis situations.

These actions align with recommendations from a number of reports on community safety, including the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act, the First Nations Justice Strategy and the Investigation into Repeat Offending and Random Stranger Violence. 

The Safer Communities Action Plan complements the B.C.-led action with other provinces and territories to pressure the federal government to address the consequences of changes to the federal bail system that have made it more difficult to hold people who commit repeat, violent offences in custody while they are waiting for trial.

The action plan also builds on work already underway by the provincial government to help break the cycle of repeat offending and build safe and healthy communities, including complex-care housing, new and expanded community transition teams to better support people who are leaving correctional facilities, and funding to support work by the BC First Nations Justice Council to develop better, culturally appropriate supports for Indigenous people in the legal system.   

Since 2017, the government has taken steps to make B.C. communities safer by taking action to stop the money laundering and organized crime that fuels the toxic drug crisis, providing resources to police, reversing cuts to sexual assault centres, increasing crime prevention and victim support services funding, and record investments in housing, mental health and poverty reduction. 

Quick Facts:

• The LePard-Butler investigation into repeat offending and violent stranger attacks’ 28 recommendations were released on Sept. 21, 2022, and the full report was made public on Oct. 1, 2022.
• The recommendations cover several areas, including:
  • improving the system of care for people in the criminal justice system with mental-health and substance-use challenges;
  • creating more opportunities to divert people from the criminal justice system;
  • improving services for Indigenous Peoples;
  • improving collaboration between partners, including community services, law enforcement, and all levels of government; and
  • addressing repeat offending and improving public confidence in the justice system.

Learn More:

To read more about the Safer Communities Action Plan, visit:
https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/safer-communities

To read the full repeat offender investigation report, as well as the BC First Nations Justice Council's submission to the investigation panel, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Prolific_Offender_Report_BCFNJC_submission.pdf

To learn more about the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, visit:
https://bcfnjc.com/landing-page/justice-strategy/

To read the revised bail policy (effective Nov. 22, 2022), visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/prosecution-service/crown-counsel-policy-manual/bai-1.pdf

Backgrounders (4) can be viewed here

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings - Week of November 21-25, 2022

During the week of November 21-25, 2022 -- the following local governments or Boards' of Education of the Cariboo-Chilcotin will be meeting:

Wells - Regular Council Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, November 22nd in Wells Council Chambers (or Zoom, as required) - 4243 Sanders Avenue.  When available, the Agenda can be viewed here

Quesnel - Meetings as noted below in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St)

1) Special Closed (In-Camera) Council at 5pm on Tuesday, November 22nd.  Matters to be discussed in Closed Session are as per Sections 90(1c/1g - labour/litigation) of the Community Charter.  View the closed meeting notice here

2) Regular Council Meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, November 22nd in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant Street).  On the Agenda:

* Delegations -- South Quesnel Business Association & Quesnel Downtown Business Association re: renewal of their BIA Taxation Levy

* Committee Reports/Recommendations

* City of Quesnel Comprehensive Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 1929 of 2022 - First Three Readings

* BC Active Transportation Network Grant - Plan Update and Expansion Project

* Council Meeting Schedule for 2023 - for Approval

* Snow Contractor Liability Insurance/Request for 2 Contractors to join City of Quesnel's Liability Insurance Program

* Letter from Lhtako Dene Nation: Request for confirmation of commitment to partnership and reconciliation initiatives 

View the full Council Meeting Agenda here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) -- Inaugural Meeting of the 2022-2026 Board of Education for School District #27 on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 at 6pm - SD27 Boardroom (350 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

* First Nation Traditional Welcome - WLFN Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars

* Swear in Zones 1-7 SD27 Trustees

* Election of Chair/Vice Chair of the Board for 2022/23 Term

* Committee Assignments for 2022/23 Term

* Report of the Superintendent

* Committee Reports

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District - see below but all meetings to take place in the Cariboo Regional District Williams Lake Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake)

1) Central Cariboo Rural Caucus - 3pm on Wednesday, November 23rd - on the Agenda:

* Caucus Overview

* 2023 Grants for Assistance - For Approval 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - 5:30pm on Wednesday, November 23rd.  On the Agenda:

* Joint Committee Overview/Meeting Logistics 

* Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's 'Performances in the Park Report'

* Central Cariboo Arts and Culture 2023 Business and Financial Plans

* Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services 2023 Business, Financial and Capital Plans

* Proposed 2023 Central Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting Schedule

* Discussion Item - Central Cariboo Arts & Culture and Recreation Facilities (per Director Forseth)

* Action Page 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

 

City of Williams Lake Launches Matching Campaign for Endowment Fund

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake is launching a matching fund campaign this week to raise funds for the City of Williams Lake Endowment Fund, which was established in 2021.

The fund was created under the umbrella of the Prince George Community Foundation (PGCF) and finished off its inaugural year with $150,000 thanks to a matching gift from Northern Development and a private donation of $50,000 that came in at the end of 2021.

Currently, the PGCF has 18 regional partners under its umbrella, and while the PGCF provides administrative support, the City of Williams Lake retains control on how the income earned annually will be spent in the community, and is responsible for growing the fund.

The goal for future years is for the City of Williams Lake Endowment Fund to offer grants to community groups and organizations covering a broad spectrum of needs including recreation, health, the arts, the environment and education. The intended establishment of the fund was for funds to come from interest earned from the endowment rather than the City’s annual budget funded by taxpayers.

“We are delighted to announce through the launch of this campaign that our anonymous donor has again committed to a significant donation, and this year will be matching donations up to $100,000,” Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said.

Every dollar received adds to the funding pool, and earned interest is generated to flow back into the fund and eventually the community for generations to come. Through pooling all the income from its funds together, the PGCF is able to earn a higher return that benefits all of Northern BC and the Cariboo.

“This year, we are again blown away by this extraordinary offer from a community member that highlights the generosity that exists in our community,” said the City of Williams Lake's Manager of Economic Development, Beth Veenkamp. “Residents who choose to use this mechanism as a tax or estate planning tool can be assured that their contribution will create a long-lasting legacy that will benefit our community for generations to come.”

While the tax receipts will be issued from PGCF, donors can be assured that those funds will remain within the Williams Lake fund and will continue to grow. All donations to the fund are eligible for a charitable tax receipt and can be made online at www.pgcf.ca/donate-now/ by selecting ‘City of Williams Lake Endowment Fund’ from the drop-down menu.

For assistance, residents are encouraged to contact the City’s Economic Development Office or visit www.williamslake.ca/950/City-of-Williams-Lake-Endowment-Fund.

Annual grants support key local services in Cariboo-Chilcotin communities

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

People in 55 B.C. communities, including Vernon and 18 other Interior municipalities, will benefit from approximately $17.3 million in grants in lieu of municipal property taxes this year.

“Through our annual grants-in-lieu program, we’re supporting the essential work local governments do to build stronger communities and provide the services people depend on,” said the Hon. Lisa Beare, BC's Minister of Citizens’ Services. “This funding helps improve people’s lives by giving municipalities extra resources to plan, enhance and build vital local services and amenities.”

Grants in lieu of property taxes are distributed every November and reimburse local municipalities throughout the province for the services they provide to the public and their support of local infrastructure, such as parks, municipally run sewers, roads and fire protection.

Grants cover land and property owned by the provincial government, such as office buildings, warehouses and courthouses. 

Schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes and are not part of the grants-in-lieu calculation. Also excluded from compensation under the Municipal Aid Act are provincial assets such as highways, forests, and parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation.

The Ministry of Citizens’ Services distributes the funds on behalf of the provincial government.

Quick Facts:

• The Province is exempt from paying taxes to municipal governments under the federal Constitution Act and pays annual grants instead.
• In 1963, the Government of B.C. recognized its responsibility to compensate municipalities for local services that benefit provincially owned properties.
• That is why, despite the exemption, the B.C. government pays municipalities and regional districts the same general municipal and regional district amount through grants in lieu which would otherwise be paid through property taxes.
• Each municipality distributes a portion of the funds to its regional district, where applicable, and those governments use the money to help pay for local services.

Learn More:

For more information about grants in lieu of taxes for local governments in B.C., visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/finance/requisition-taxation/grants-in-lieu-of-taxes

A backgrounder follows

Backgrounder:

The following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments' will receive grants as follows:

• District of Wells – $2,794
• City of Quesnel – $85,726
• City of Williams Lake – $117,060
• District of 100 Mile House – $20,861