Quesnel Council Highlights - July 28, 2026 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

2026/27 Northstar Interchange Prescribed Fire Proposal

Matt Duran, Wildfire Technician with the Quesnel Fire Zone of the Cariboo Fire Centre, provided Council with an update on plans for a prescribed burn near the Northstar Interchange.

The project is designed to reduce the risk of spring grass fires by safely removing dead vegetation that can easily ignite and spread to nearby properties, infrastructure, and forested areas.

Planning and coordination are ongoing, with the BC Wildfire Service working closely with the Quesnel Fire Department, local First Nations, and other partners to ensure the burn is carried out safely and effectively.

The burn will only proceed when weather and site conditions are favourable. While timing will depend on those conditions, the current target is Spring 2027, when crews can remove winter vegetation and encourage healthy new growth in the area.

Quesnel Regional Airport Master Plan

Council recently received an overview of the upcoming Quesnel Regional Airport Master Plan from HM Aero Aviation Consulting.

The plan will help guide the airport's long-term future by identifying operational, infrastructure, and economic development priorities while adapting to changing industry needs. Work will be completed in four phases, including stakeholder engagement, background analysis, strategic planning, and development of the final Master Plan.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and will help shape the future direction of the Quesnel Regional Airport for years to come.

March with Arch

Council approved a request to reserve two campsites for four nights in support of the annual March with Arch Pilgrimage in 2026.

The March with Arch is an annual healing journey that honours Archie Chantyman and promotes messages of faith, hope, love, unity, and forgiveness. The pilgrimage brings participants together in a shared experience focused on healing and community connection.

The reserved campsite dates are September 11 to 13 and September 21 to 23, 2026.

Nilhts’i Ecoener Wind Project

Council deferred consideration of a request to provide a letter of support for the Nilhts’i Ecoener Wind Project as part of its Energy Regulator Activities Act permit application.

Council requested additional information regarding the project's potential use of the Quesnel landfill and any associated impacts on landfill capacity and operations. The matter will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further consideration once that information has been received.

City of Quesnel Appointment of Officers and Delegation of Authority Amendment Bylaw No. 1985 of 2026 

Council approved the first three readings of the City of Quesnel Appointment of Officers and Delegation of Authority Amendment Bylaw No. 1985 of 2026.

Providence Long Term Care and Assisted Living Update

Council received an update on the proposed Providence Long-Term Care and Assisted Living development at Cariboo Field (345 Roddis Drive).

Development Permit approval and site preparation for the new 144-bed long-term care and 144-bed assisted living facility is expected to begin in late fall, with construction anticipated to start in spring or summer 2027.

Council was also advised that the project has requested approval for construction activities between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days a week. Under the City's Nuisance Bylaw, construction noise is currently permitted from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends.

Council Information Package:

Council discussed the Council Information package:

• Northern-Rural Homeowner Grant – City of Prince George:
  Council approved a letter be sent to the City of Prince George to support their request to the Province to reconsider the decision to end the Northern-Rural Homeowner Benefit.
• Temporary Winter Shelter:
  Council directed staff to obtain legal advice regarding the City's authority, responsibilities, and potential liabilities related to the provision or non-provision of winter shelter for unhoused individuals.

Correspondence

Council approved the following requests for resolutions of support for initiatives and grant applications:

• Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) - Request for Support:
  Council approved a letter be sent to the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) in support of its Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) resolution advocating for the establishment of an Indigenous-led, cross-sector housing alliance and to endorse AHMA's advocacy efforts urging the Province of British Columbia to support the continuation of Canada's Urban Native Housing Program beyond its anticipated expiry in 2028.
• ECHEN Request for letter of support - Hall renovation NICHIE Marketing:
  Council approved a letter of support request to ECHEN Healing Society for their application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust Community Development Grants Program for the ECHEN Hall Renovation Project and the Nurturing Indigenous Culture, Heritage and Expression Promotion and Community Awareness Campaign.

Announcements/Events

• The Lhtako Dene Nation Traditional Powwow takes place from July 31 to August 2, 2026, at the Lhtako Dene Nation Pow Wow Grounds.
  Dates & Times: Opens Friday, July 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM and runs through Sunday, August 2, 2026.
• The 8th Annual Touch A Truck event takes place on September 19, 2026, hosted by the Quesnel & District Child Development Centre.

Special Quesnel Council Highlights - July 21, 2026 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

July 21, 2026, Special Open Council Meeting

Temporary Use Permit at 395 Elliott Street Council considered a Temporary Use Permit to allow a temporary winter shelter to operate at 395 Elliott Street. Following discussion, the motion to approve the permit was defeated. Council heard presentations from BC Housing and the Quesnel Shelter and Support Society regarding the shelter's operation from January to April 2026. During that time, the shelter provided overnight accommodation, meals, health and wellness supports, and case planning services. As part of the process, additional public notification was provided through newspaper advertisements, the City's website, and direct mail to nearby property owners. Community feedback included seven letters expressing concerns and twenty three letters expressing support. The City will continue working with community partners and stakeholders toward the development of a long-term shelter strategy for Quesnel.

Special Quesnel Council Meeting - July 21, 2026

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 5:30pm -- Quesnel Council will be holding a Special Council Meeting in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel) 

On the Agenda:

Delegations -- i) Quesnel Shelter and Support Society and ii) BC Housing

Business: 

* Administration Report #59/26 - Temporary Use Permit Reconsideration for 395 Elliott Street, Quesnel

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Anticipated Future Meetings of Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments/Boards of Education:

District of Wells Council -- Tuesday, August 11, 2026

City of Williams Lake Council -- Tuesday, August 11, 2026

District of 100 Mile House Council -- Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District/Cariboo Regional District Boards' -- Friday, August 14, 2026

Boards of Education for School Districts' #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) and #28 (Quesnel) -- September 2026 

Quesnel City Council Highlights - June 23, 2026 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Temporary Winter Shelter – BC Housing David Sheach, BC Housing’s Non-Profit Portfolio Manager for the North, joined Council to provide the report required in January during approval of the Temporary Winter Shelter (TWS) at BC Housing owned 395 Elliott Street. The shelter operated from January through the end of April 2026, sharing the site with Northern Health who operated mental heath and addiction services from the location. An incident occurred that caused reconsideration of the co-location of the services and Northern Health relocated the services to other facilities. Security patrols of the site that were contracted by Northern Health have been expanded and continued by BC Housing. BC Housing is requesting approval to continue the Temporary Use permit for 395 Elliott Street for the next two winter seasons. Due to community concerns Council requested an additional meeting to review the request, wanting greater notice to and input from the neighbourhood. The meeting is expected to take place in July or August 2026.

PSI Group of Companies Dr. Curtis Berthelot, P.Eng., President of PSI Group of Companies, joined Council to talk about a potential new home for the company’s mine engineering materials laboratory, engineering design centre, training facility, and mine ground support materials distribution centre. PSI is looking at bringing state-of-the-art, mechanized, and lower-carbon technologies into the mining sector, with Quesnel proposed as its provincial headquarters. If the project moves ahead, it could bring meaningful economic growth to the community, including long-term jobs, technical training opportunities, and potential new revenue.

Long Term Shelter Plan  A draft plan for developing a longer-term shelter strategy was endorsed by Council. The plan lays out a process to be unrolled over the next two years to identify a new location(s) for shelter services following the closure of the current facility on Carson. The current location has been identified as inadequate based on location, capacity, and design. Council will be engaged in the process to provide input on the process and community engagement.

Cold Weather Planning Council received the final Cold Weather Plan prepared by LevelUp Consulting. Council requested staff ensure there are options for emergency warming/cooling centres to be available for all community members in need. Discussions on utilizing 395 Elliott as an emergency centre will be directed to future meetings on re-activating a Temporary Winter Shelter at this location as discussed below.

Cemetery Contribution Agreement with Cariboo Regional District Council approved the Cemetery Contribution Agreement with the Cariboo Regional District. This agreement is one of several individual service agreements that will replace the long-standing Memorandum of Understanding that previously covered multiple shared services. More agreements for other services will come forward separately.

Animal Control Services Council talked about the BC SPCA’s upcoming withdrawal of animal shelter services for the City of Quesnel and what that could mean for the City and residents. Council noted that the lack of shelter services is concerning, and there is still some uncertainty around how stray animals can be brought to the BC SPCA, and by whom. Council approved suspending dangerous animal seizures until a suitable facility can be identified to house dangerous animals, staff noted that there have been no instances where this was required the last two decades. Council also approved suspending pound services and the seizure of at-large animals once the BC SPCA ends extensions to the current contract. The current extension with the SPCA ends Aug 31, 2026. Staff will keep exploring options for animal shelter services, including issuing a request for proposals for someone to operate a facility in the community.

2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Report Council received an update on the 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Report, confirming all routine testing requirements were met. A total of 371 samples were tested for E. coli, with no exceedances, and follow-up testing addressed any total coliform results. The City continues regular maintenance work, including leak detection, reservoir inspections, and water main flushing. A manganese water quality advisory remains in place, and work is ongoing with Northern Health and specialists to reduce levels and support lifting the advisory. The water permit requires the City to have water treatment in place by June 2030. The full report is available at City Hall and on the City of Quesnel website.

2025 Annual Report Council approved the 2025 Annual Report for the period ending December 31, 2025.

Announcements/Events  Billy Barker Days 2026 – 50th Anniversary: July 16th-19th.

Quesnel Council Highlights - May 26, 2026 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Quesnel Farmers Market Delegation

Wylie Bystedt presented to City Council on behalf of the Quesnel Farmers’ Market, highlighting its history, operations, and the broader economic impact farmers’ markets have in communities across the province. Operating for more than 30 years, the Quesnel Farmers’ Market provides low-barrier opportunities for entrepreneurs to participate in the local economy.
 

RCMP Detachment Project Delegation

Council received a presentation from Bassem Tawfik of KMBR outlining the design work completed for renovations to the RCMP detachment. The presentation highlighted key project features, as well as preliminary cost estimates to help inform future planning and decision-making.

BC Transit Annual Operating Agreement

Council approved entering into the 2026/27 Annual Operating Agreement for Quesnel Transit Service with BC Transit. The agreement outlines the system’s budget, service levels, and cost structure. The current agreement also reflects the transit fare increase approved by Council earlier this year, which will take effect on June 29, 2026.

Statement of Financial Information 2025

Council approved the 2025 Statement of Financial Information. Each year, the City puts together a Statement of Financial Information, as required by the Financial Information Act. The City also shares an annual report on Council pay and benefits under the Community Charter. The expenses listed cover all costs from the year, not just training and travel, so residents can see the full picture.

RCMP Detachment Project

Council has decided not to proceed with a referendum in 2026 for the proposed renovation and expansion to the RCMP detachment. Instead, staff have been directed to develop a communications plan to better inform both the incoming Council and the community about the City’s long-term capital needs, including major unfunded projects such as the detachment upgrades. This plan will also seek public input to help prioritize these projects, ensuring future decisions reflect community values and financial considerations.

625 Allard – Hazard Development Permit for placement of mobile home

Council has approved Development Permit DP2026-88 to allow for the placement of a mobile home on Lot 9, District Lot 704, subject to several geotechnical safety conditions. These include requirements for appropriate foundation design, site investigation of any existing fill, ongoing monitoring and adjustment of the home’s cribbing, and the use of flexible service connections. To ensure long-term compliance with these conditions, a Section 219 restrictive covenant referencing the geotechnical report must be registered on title prior to issuance of a building permit.

• D25G-013 Assurance
• D25G-013 Geohazard V2
• Site Plan

Bylaws

Bylaw #1984 - City of Quesnel Election and Other Voting Procedures Bylaw No. 1984, 2026 - Final adoption

Quesnel Council Highlights - May 5, 2026 mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Retirement Presentation - Donna Kopetski

Council recognized the retirement of 28-year employee Donna Kopetski. We wish Donna all the best in her retirement.

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2025 Audit of City Financial Records

KPMG Enterprise Partner, Corey Naphtali advised Council that the City received a clean audit report in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards and Council approved the 2025 Financial Statements.

Tourism and Event Inventory and Tourism Package Development

Andréa Khan from AK Consulting presented the findings of the Tourism and Event Inventory Package Development to Council. The project wrapped up six months of research and community engagement, carried out over four phases. The work resulted in a clear inventory of local tourism assets, a 15‑year pipeline for potential event bids, an economic development model, and the success of the North Cariboo Tourism Forum. It also kicked off the development of four experience packages and produced a practical toolkit to help keep the work moving forward.

In a report brought forward following the presentation, Council endorsed the Tourism & Events Inventory and Package Development Report and directed staff to move ahead with implementing the initiatives outlined in the report. Council also supported seeking out funding opportunities to help move these initiatives forward as they become available.

Three Rivers Community Forest Lease Agreement

Council approved the five-year lease agreement with the Three Rivers Community Forest for the use of office space in the Forestry Initiatives centre of City Hall.

2026 Local Government Election

Council approved the first three readings of the City of Quesnel Election and Other Voting Procedures Bylaw No. 1984, 2026, and appointed Laura Long as the Chief Election Officer, and Joel McKay and Kari Bolton as Deputy Chief Election Officers for the 2026 general local election.

2026 voting opportunities anticipated to be scheduled are as follows:

• Advanced Voting – 8 am to 8 pm – October 7 and 10 – City Hall
• General Voting Day – 8 am to 8 pm, October 17 – City Hall, Correlieu School and Dragon Lake School

Please watch the City of Quesnel Website at: https://www.quesnel.ca/city-hall/elections/2026-local-government-elections for more information on the upcoming election.

Vaughan Sewers Replacement - Contract

Council awarded the Vaughan Street Sanitary and Storm Replacement project to Knappett Industries for $676,068 plus GST, with funding coming from the capital reinvestment reserve and sewer reserves. The project will replace and upsize about 100 metres of the existing storm sewer main, along with replacing the sanitary sewer main on Vaughan Street and in the lane north of the West Fraser Centre.

Bylaws

• Bylaw #1981 - City of Quesnel Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1981, 2026 - Final Adoption
• Bylaw #1982 - City of Quesnel 2026 Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1982, 2026 - Final Adoption

Announcements

• May is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month in Canada.
• May 5, 2026 - National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - Red Dress Day.