Discussion of the issues that affect you on a local, provincial and federal level
Friday, December 20, 2024
Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments/Boards' of Education on Winter Recess
Changes to the Federal Cabinet (Ministry)
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Cariboo RD Board Chair Margo Wagner reflects on eventful year
“This past year brought both expected progress and unforeseen challenges. One significant event was the Chilcotin River Landslide, an unexpected disaster that required a swift pivot in our response efforts. Despite managing wildfire evacuations at the same time, our Emergency Operations Centre adapted effectively, demonstrating the strength of interagency relationships that we have built over many years. We continue to monitor developments, work with regional and provincial partners, and provide timely updates to the community.
In 2024, we also saw important advancements in fire protection services. Voters approved a referendum for the Red Bluff Firehall, enabling us to move forward with designing and constructing a new facility to serve Red Bluff, Quesnel, and the surrounding areas. This project represents a significant investment of $3.25 million. Additionally, the Forest Grove and Barlow Creek Volunteer Fire Departments will each receive a new fire tender to replace aging vehicles, while Interlakes continues to procure the second of three water tenders approved last year. These upgrades are critical to maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of our volunteer fire departments.
We also launched a new FireSmart program this year, focusing on wildfire education and community engagement. Several town halls and events raised awareness of wildfire risk reduction, generating significant interest from residents. We are committed to expanding this program in 2025 to include more planning and assessments, pending funding approval. Initiatives like the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans and a property assessment program will identify regional risks and opportunities for mitigation.
Looking ahead, the CRD is preparing to address several priorities in 2025. Bylaw enforcement capacity will be increased with the addition of a second officer, doubling our ability to manage issues such as unpermitted construction and zoning violations. This improvement will help us respond more effectively to community concerns.
We are also prioritizing asset management to ensure sustainable investments in critical infrastructure. With 16 utility systems, 18 firehalls, and numerous other facilities in varying conditions, it is essential to plan for maintenance, repairs, and replacements. To this end, we have applied for funding from the Union of BC Municipalities to develop an Asset Management Strategy. This will help us identify gaps in planning and information and create a roadmap for addressing them.
As we move into the new year, I want to thank our residents, staff, and partners for their dedication and collaboration. Together, we will continue building a resilient and sustainable future for the Cariboo Regional District.”
Residents can stay informed about regional district news, including future opportunities for public engagement and budget consultation opportunities, by registering for our e-newsletters at www.cariboord.ca/subscribe
Quesnel Council Highlights - December 17th, 2024
2025 Capital Budget
Council approved proceeding with the 2025 capital projects; staff will now move forward with building the Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw based on the 2025 to 2029 capital plan presented. Ongoing discussions will occur regarding significant projects in the next five years such as the potential renovation to the RCMP office, required landfill changes, and other recreational/amenity plans.
The capital budget for 2025 is $15.0 million with the largest project being the Johnston Bridge. Logistics, final project scope and pricing are still being determined for the bridge project. The intention is to proceed with the bridge in 2025 if possible. Approval of the budget allows staff to begin tendering and working on the 2025 capital projects. Changes can still be made to this budget before the bylaw is passed in April/May.
Housing Needs Assessment
New Provincial legislation requires municipalities and regional districts to complete an Interim Housing Needs Report (HNR) by January 1, 2025, using the new standardized HNR Method. The first “regular” Housing Needs Report must then be completed by December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter. These changes will help local governments and the B.C. government better understand and respond to housing needs in communities throughout B.C. and amend Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaws by December 2025. ~2024 North Cariboo Interim Housing Needs Assessment
Development Services
Council approved remedial action orders on the following properties, citing them to be in unsafe condition, as per Section 73 of the Community Charter:
Council directed the property owner at 531 Lewis Drive to cease occupying the property in the recreational vehicles, within 120 days.
Grant opportunities
Council approved the following grant applications and expenditures:
Northern Development Initiative Trust:
- Economic Development Capacity Building;
- Grant Writing Support ($2500 City contribution); and
- Local Government Internship Program ($17,500 City contribution).
The Cariboo Regional District Regional Attraction Agriculture and Food Security project ($2,000 City contribution from 2025 Council Initiatives Budget).
Committees
Council approved the Financial Sustainability & Audit Committee's recommendation to increase the two standing School District #28 bursaries from $800 to $1200 per year, to account for the rising costs of post-secondary education.
Bylaws
- City of Quesnel Comprehensive Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 1969, 2024 - Final Adoption
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Tŝilhqot’in National Government Welcomes Charges Against Mount Polley Mine
The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) welcomes the long overdue charges laid against Mount Polley Mine (TSX: III) even though the charges come ten years after the devastating tailings pond breach. The Mount Polley breach had a direct and significant negative impact on the 2014 Tŝilhqot’in salmon fishery on the ʔElhdaqox (Fraser River).
TNG maintains its position that the ongoing mine tailings effluent discharge by Mount Polley Mine into Quesnel Lake without sophisticated water treatment is an ongoing harm and an unacceptable mining practice. Cumulative effects of multiple sources of pollution, including the Gibraltar Mine’s discharge of mine tailings effluent into the ʔElhdaqox next to the Tŝilhqot’in community of ʔEsdilagh, remain a major concern. These concerns are largely unaddressed by the Province despite many years of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation calling for Indigenous-led monitoring, assessment and action. The Tŝilhqot’in have taken great care to protect the headwaters of the Tŝilhqox (Chilko River) and Dasiqox (Taseko River) salmon stocks, and are dismayed by the damage caused to the pristine headwaters of Quesnel Lake.
The Tŝilhqot’in National Government is the governing body for the Tŝilhqot’in people. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is comprised of six communities located throughout the Tŝilhqot’in (Chilcotin) territory and is the only Nation in Canada with a court declaration of Aboriginal title (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia)
Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse, O.B.C, LL.D. (hon.)., Tribal Chair, Tŝilhqot’in National Government:
“These charges are long overdue! Instead of ensuring the right thing was done for salmon, the Province dealt with the breach by issuing more mining permits to Mount Polley. In my opinion, the Mount Polley mine disaster has had an extremely negative impact on our people’s traditional fishery on the Fraser River. Many of our people have chosen not to fish in the Fraser River since the breach due to fears of contamination and we continue to push for better water treatment of effluent being pumped into the Fraser.”
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Williams Lake Council Highlights - December 17th, 2024 mtg
Present: Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Flaspohler, Lyons, Moses and Nelson
Saturday, December 14, 2024
BC Greens sign Agreement-in-Principle with BC NDP
Friday, December 13, 2024
Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government/Boards of Education Meetings - Week of December 16-20, 2024
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Cariboo RD Winter 2024 UpFront Newsletter
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings | Week of December 9-13, 2024
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Coralee Oakes appointed to Barkerville Heritage Trust Board of Directors'
Oakes served as a Quesnel city councillor, served as Cariboo-North MLA from 2013-2024 and was in the provincial cabinet under former BC Premier Christy Clark after her election in 2013 until 2017. One of her cabinet positions was as minister of community, sport and cultural development
Before she took public office, Oakes was executive director supporting the tourism and small business sector as well as serving on numerous boards including the minister's council on tourism, the small business round table, Canadian Chamber of Commerce executives and B.C. Chamber of Commerce.
“I am thrilled to join the team as director with the Barkerville Heritage Trust," Oakes said. "I have long been an advocate for Barkerville. This national and provincial treasure is vital for regional economic diversification. As a living museum, its educational programs and interpretive activities foster relationships and advance Indigenous reconciliation.”
Barkerville is a heritage property and park owned by the Province of British Columbia, as well as a National Historic Site designated by the Government of Canada in 1924. It was later recognized as a Provincial Heritage Property in 1958 and is now the largest living-history museum in Western North America.
The Barkerville Heritage Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that has run Barkerville under a Heritage Site Management Agreement in partnership with the Province since 2005. The BHT’s role is to ensure the continued operation of Barkerville as a high quality heritage site, and is also responsible for the management, protection, and operation of the Richfield Courthouse, Blessing’s Grave Site, the Cariboo Wagon Road Northern Terminus Memorial Cairn, and Cottonwood House Historic Site.
To learn more about the Barkerville Heritage Trust’s Board of Directors, as well as upcoming events including Olde-Fashioned Christmas on December 14th & 15th, visit www.barkerville.ca.
Friday, December 6, 2024
Cariboo RD Board Highlights - December 6th, 2024 mtg
Present: Chair M.Wagner/Vice Chair M. Neufeld and Directors Sjostrom, Bachmeier, Massier, Forseth, LeBourdais, Richmond, Glassford, Pare, Anderson, De Vries, Coleman, Roodenburg, Pinkney and Alternate Director S. Nelson (Williams Lake)
Meeting called to order at 10:15am
CCRHD Board Highlights - December 6th, 2024 mtg
Present: Chair A. Richmond/Vice Chair M. Sjostrom and Directors Bachmeier, Massier, Forseth, Neufeld, LeBourdais, Wagner, Glassford, Pare, Anderson, De Vries, Coleman, Roodenburg, Pinkney, Smith and Alternate Director S. Nelson (Williams Lake)
Meeting called to order at 9:30am
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Williams Lake Council Highlights - December 3rd, 2024 mtg
Present: Acting Mayor J. Flaspohler and Councillors Boehm, Moses and Nelson
Monday, December 2, 2024
Steve's Meeting/Expense Calendar - November 2024
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Wildfire Risk Reduction project planned for Dog Creek Road
Chilcotin River Landslide Update
Information checkpoints in Farwell Canyon will soon be disbanded. Community information officers from Tl’esqox and Yuneŝit’in have been stationed in this area since the Chilcotin River landslide occurred on July 31, 2024. They have been present to inform people entering the area of the continued risks in the area following the initial landslide.
There is an area of high-risk for further landslides along the riverbanks near Farwell Canyon Bridge. A highly visible fault line on the riverbank south of Farwell Canyon Bridge is of immediate concern, and the area below it is not safe for public access. While the primary concern remains the area near Farwell Canyon bridge due to the high level of public access and the presence of Indigenous fishing sites, other areas along the Chilcotin River may also pose significant hazards to public safety.
Because of the continued uncertainty about slope stability following the release of water on August 5th from the landslide debris dam, crown lands along the riverbed and riverbanks of the Chilcotin River are subject to a Crown Land Closure issued on September 18, 2024. This area extends from south of Dante’s Inferno Park to the confluence with the Fraser River. Hazard assessments are ongoing in this area and will inform further action to ensure public safety.
Public access to this area is strictly prohibited without authorization from the Province of B.C. to access the area. This instrument remains in place until January 25, 2025, but may be extended by the provincial government. At this time, Farwell Canyon Road remains open to the public and is not subject to the Crown Land Closure.