New year-round shelter coming to Williams Lake

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

People experiencing homelessness in Williams Lake will soon have access to 40 new shelter spaces as construction begins to repurpose the former Elks Hall into a year-round shelter.

“People who are sheltering outdoors should have access to a safe and warm place to stay,” said the Hon. Ravi Kahlon, BC's Minister of Housing. “When this new shelter opens, 40 people experiencing homelessness will be able to access beds, basic supports and connections to essential services in the community 24/7 all year round. Bringing people indoors and providing them with supports is crucial to ensuring that people get the care they need to move out of homelessness.”

Located on 98 1st Ave. S., the two-storey building will be leased by BC Housing and renovated to meet the needs of shelter residents. To expedite renovations, work will focus on converting the upper floor into a sheltering space for residents, with occupancy expected in fall 2024.

The Province, through BC Housing, is providing $1.2 million for the renovations and $2 million in annual operating funding through the Permanent Housing Plan.

“The City is committed to working together with all organizations and stakeholders to help ensure the vulnerable population is supported, and any issues related to the operation of this temporary facility are addressed in a timely fashion,” said Surinderpal Rathor, Mayor of Williams Lake. 

The new location will replace the temporary shelter operating at the Hamilton Hotel, which BC Housing leased for people to stay during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Mental Health Association – Cariboo Chilcotin Branch (CMHA-CC), which manages the shelter at the hotel, will operate the new shelter and provide staffing, support and referrals to services.

“There continues to be a strong need for more shelter spaces in Williams Lake and the new 98 1st Ave. S. location will help address this,” said Tereena Donahue, executive director of CMHA-CC. “We are excited to open the space and look forward to continuing our support for the Williams Lake community.”

While shelters provide immediate relief to people experiencing homelessness, they are not a long-term solution to the homelessness crisis. Through the Belonging in BC homelessness plan, it is government’s goal to move people into permanent, stable housing. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 78,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including 75 homes in Williams Lake.

Learn More:

To read the Belonging in BC plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BelongingStrategy.pdf

To learn more about government’s new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436

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/

Tŝilhqot’in Nation and B.C. strengthen relationship

Courtesy of the Government of BC: 

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Premier John Horgan and five B.C. ministers gathered on Tŝilhqot’in Title Land to discuss opportunities under the Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement to further reconciliation and Tŝilhqot’in self-determination.

The agreement is the framework for Tŝilhqot’in Nation, B.C. and Canada to bring transformative change to the lives of the Tŝilhqot’in people and to the relationship with the Crown. It was signed in 2019, following the historic 2014 Supreme Court of Canada declaration of Aboriginal title for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation over 1,900 square kilometres of land in the caretaker area of the community of Xeni Gwet’in.

“Overall, we had a very positive few days of meetings with the Premier and cabinet ministers. We have had a long-standing relationship with Premier Horgan that extends well before he was premier,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Tl’etinqox and Tŝilhqot’in National Government Tribal Chair. “In our opinion, he has been one of the better premiers that has led British Columbia. A wide scope of issues was addressed on Title Lands. Governance isn’t just about resource extraction – it’s about our people. We must keep the social well-being of our people at the forefront of the work we do as leaders.”

Premier Horgan and colleagues travelled to the Tŝilhqot’in Declared Title Area on Sept. 21, 2022, to spend two days engaged in discussions on collaboration, shared decision-making, and social and cultural priorities that support the health and wellness of the Nation and the six Tŝilhqot’in communities: Tl'esqox, ʔEsdilagh, Yuneŝit'in, Tl'etinqox, Tŝideldel and Xeni Gwet’in. The event was held at the Nemiah Valley Lodge, which is an economic initiative owned and operated by the Xeni Gwet’in Government. The visit also included cultural activities and community events in the spirit of celebrating the enduring cultural practices of the Tŝilhqot’in people. A community dinner was held where Premier Horgan presented repatriated Tŝilhqot’in baskets to the Tŝilhqot’in people in ceremony. These artifacts are now home with the Tŝilhqot’in people.

“For the better part of 150 years, since the Chilcotin War of 1864, the history of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and the Crown has been one of denial of rights and promotion of conflict. I am grateful and humbled to be welcomed to the Title Lands and share in the Tŝilhqot’in culture, language, traditions and governance,” said Premier Horgan. “It’s been an honour and privilege to be invited to experience Tsilhqot’in ‘Nen’ (lands, water and resources) first-hand and understand the power and importance of them.”

The purpose of the Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement is to bring transformative change to the lives of the Tŝilhqot’in people and to the relationship between the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Canada and British Columbia. It is the first tripartite reconciliation agreement of its kind in the province.

“The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is recognized for its leadership in advancing Indigenous rights,” said Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “This trip has been an opportunity for our governments to continue this complex work together. It was an honour to be here with the Premier and my fellow ministers to meet with Tŝilhqot’in Nation, including those who participated as witnesses in the historic court case, and to see the lands that the Tŝilhqot’in people have cared for and held dear for generations.”

A core principle of the agreement is to support the self-determination of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation. The agreement is a tangible expression of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which recognizes every Nation has unique and distinct paths to self-determination. It includes a commitment for Canada and B.C. to legally recognize Tŝilhqot’in governance so that the Tŝilhqot’in communities can transition away from the Indian Act on a path toward self-governance.

The agreement commits the Nation and the provincial and federal governments to sustained progress on eight Tŝilhqot’in priorities: Tŝilhqot’in governance; language and culture; children and families; healthy communities; justice; education and training; Tŝilhqot’in Nen (lands, water and resources); and economic development. 

The five ministers who attended were:

• Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation;
• Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development;
• Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation;
• Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Emergency Management BC; and
• Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests

Learn More:

Tŝilhqot’in National Government: https://www.tsilhqotin.ca/

Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement: https://www.tsilhqotin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019_08_Agreement_gwetsen_nilti_pathway_agreement_signed.pdf

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHskZCEeeq

Backgrounder here

Wildlife Act changes support reconciliation

Courtesy of the Goverment of BC:

The B.C. Government has introduced legislation to ensure greater collaboration and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in the management of wildlife in the province.

“Wildlife is vitally important to Indigenous Peoples but for too long their voices were not being heard, and they had too little input into how this precious resource was being managed,” said the Hon. Katrine Conroy, BC's Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “For the first time, the changes we’re making will ensure Indigenous ancestral knowledge of wildlife is considered, and that will mean a stronger and more effective relationship for wildlife stewardship with Indigenous Peoples.”

The foundational laws for managing wildlife in B.C. came into effect almost 200 years ago. Updates to laws over the years have reflected the changing nature of wildlife management in response to social values, common law and scientific advancement. For the first time, the legislation is being amended to integrate Indigenous perspectives.

"Generations of traditional knowledge about the hunting grounds, a court case that took three years to get to the Supreme Court and after all this time, our rights are confirmed," said Kukpi7 te Esk'etemc, Chief Fred Robbins. "With this project, we wish to be part of the solution and protect the wildlife that is a right given to First Nations by the Creator. For time immemorial as long as the grass grows, wind blows and water flows."

Bill 14, the Wildlife Amendment Act, 2022, brings in a requirement to consider Indigenous knowledge and establishes a process by which the Province can align its laws with protocol hunting agreements and traditions that have long existed. These changes complement the non-derogation provision recently added to the Interpretation Act. This ensures that the Wildlife Act does not negatively impact Aboriginal constitutional and treaty rights.

“Operationalizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia requires shifts in legislation, policy and practice," said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. "The Wildlife Act amendments are one positive step, while much work is needed to steward and protect species and habitat for Indigenous Peoples. Moving forward, the government must continue to review the act in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples to ensure it is aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples and as part of its commitment to implement the Together for Wildlife Strategy."

The Wildlife Act amendments are the first steps toward addressing key concerns from First Nations. The government will continue to review the act in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples.

A backgrounder follows.

Backgrounders

Updates to Wildlife Act promote Indigenous interests

The Wildlife Act has not been changed to address Indigenous interests since 1966. As a result, the static nature of the legislation creates conflict with the recognition of the inherent rights of First Nations people under the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982.

The changes also support the Province’s commitment to the full adoption and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous knowledge

A key change in the legislation is the recognition of Indigenous knowledge about wildlife. In this way, knowledge systems that are embedded in the culture and traditions of Indigenous Peoples and are based on observations and interactions with the environment can be respected and incorporated when decisions about wildlife management are being made under the Wildlife Act.

Sheltering

This change enables the minister and First Nations to enter into legally binding agreements on “sheltering.” Sheltering is the practice of a host First Nation permitting a guest First Nation to harvest wildlife within the host’s territory. Permission typically comes with conditions (such as who may hunt what species, when, where and by what means). When a First Nation enters into these agreements with the minister, it will bring provincial laws into alignment with the existing Indigenous laws. This change is expected to improve certainty around data collection and sharing of information on wildlife.

Consultation

Changes to the Wildlife Act were developed with Indigenous members from several First Nations and followed by consultation and engagement with all First Nations, the seven modern Treaty Nations and Indigenous-led organizations. Key wildlife and habitat organizations in B.C., including the BC Wildlife Federation, the BC Trappers Association and the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia, were also engaged.

Amendments to BC Local Gov't Legislation

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Proposed legislative amendments respond to local government requests, give communities new tools to help deliver housing and dissolve the Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality.

If passed by the BC Legislature, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendments Act (No. 2), 2021, will:

Require local governments to consider developing or updating codes of conduct

Local elected officials have a responsibility to act in the best interests of their communities and be accountable to the residents of those communities for their choices. Proposed amendments to the Local Government Act, Community Charter and Vancouver Charter will add a new requirement for all municipal councils and regional district boards to publicly consider developing codes of conduct for their council or board members. The change provides a tool to strengthen local government responsible conduct by creating a regular process for elected officials to engage in conversations about shared expectations for conduct as they carry out their responsibilities and govern together. This is another step in ongoing work that the Province, the Union of BC Municipalities and the Local Government Management Association have committed to doing together, and the approach was supported by a special resolution endorsed at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention in September 2021.

Authorize the dissolution of the Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality

The Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality was incorporated in 2013 with no residents, to facilitate the development of a ski resort proposed in the Jumbo Valley. As that ski resort proposal is not proceeding and Jumbo does not have residents to request dissolution as required under existing legislation, the proposed amendments are required to disincorporate the municipality. The proposed changes to the Local Government Act and Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act will create a specific regulatory authority to allow the Province to dissolve Jumbo by revoking its letters patent and providing additional powers to address any administrative matters that may arise. The amendments will also withdraw the authority to incorporate a mountain resort municipality without residents in the future. The disincorporation of Jumbo is an integral step to support the proposal to create an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area in the Jumbo Valley.

Streamline local government development approvals processes

The proposed changes will remove the default requirement for local governments to hold public hearings for zoning bylaw amendments that are consistent with the official community plan. The amendments will also enable municipalities and regional districts to delegate decisions on minor development variance permits to local government staff, which will help decrease the amount of time it takes for approval. Together, these proposed changes will provide the authority for local governments to improve their processes and help get homes built faster throughout the province. To learn more, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/25595

Modernize local government public notice requirements

Local governments have requested more flexibility for providing statutory public notices, as is the case in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec. Proposed amendments to the Local Government Act, Community Charter, Islands Trust Act, Municipal Replotting Act, University Endowment Land Act and Vancouver Charter will enable local governments to determine and specify, by bylaw, the methods they will use to provide public notice that will reach the greatest number of people in their communities. Local governments that choose to adopt a public notice bylaw will have to first consider principles of effective public notice.

Respond to the Islands Trust request to remove administrative barriers and meet its unique mandate more effectively

The Islands Trust is responsible for protecting the unique nature and amenities in the trust area, which spans the major Gulf Islands and many other smaller islands. The proposed amendments to the Islands Trust Act address specific requests made by the Islands Trust’s board of directors to deal with some barriers. The changes include:

• amending the Islands Trust Act to include a specific reference to First Nations in the trust’s objective statement to recognize its ongoing relationship and reconciliation efforts with First Nations;
• enabling the Islands Trust to give financial support to community groups for activities that provide education about or preserve the environment and unique amenities of the Trust Area; and
• streamlining the Islands Trust development approvals processes by enabling local trust committees to adopt and amend Development Approval Information bylaws. Moving this decision to local trust committees is consistent with other authorities in the trust and will create efficiencies in approval processes.

Facilitate economic development opportunities for the City of Powell River by removing historic regulatory restrictions on city-owned land in the mill site area

In 1955, Powell River was incorporated under specific legislation, the Powell River Incorporation Act, which limits municipal regulation of the mill and the mill site area of the city. At the time, these provisions protected the operations of the pulp mill. However, due to the transfer of former mill land to the city, these restrictions now limit their development potential. The proposed amendment to the act will support Powell River’s economic development objectives by removing the city-owned lots from the mill site area to allow for further development. This amendment is supported by the Tla’amin Nation and the current mill owner, Paper Excellence (Catalyst).