Northern Communities Push for Change

A recent gathering in Prince Rupert brought together local governments from northern British Columbia. They discussed various issues and came up with 23 resolutions. These resolutions cover a wide range of topics, from housing and crime to conservation and healthcare. Healthcare was a big topic. The City of Fort St. John pointed out that there is a shortage of healthcare professionals in B. C. They suggested making the licensing process easier for those trained outside the province. The City of Dawson Creek also raised concerns about the lack of primary care physicians in rural areas. They want the provincial government to take another look at recent changes that might be making the problem worse. Mental health support was another important issue. The Cariboo Regional District mentioned that local leaders are under a lot of stress. They want the government to provide better support for these leaders. However, some people thought this resolution was too vague and needed more details. The District of Mackenzie also talked about mental health, but for youth. They want more Foundry BC centers in rural areas to help young people with mental health issues. Again, some people thought this resolution could be more specific. The District of Vanderhoof and Village of Fort St. James brought up the need for a psychiatric hospital in the region. They argued that the current system is not working well and is causing problems in emergency rooms and other healthcare facilities. The City of Prince George also wants a secure psychiatric care facility, highlighting its role as a regional service hub. Housing was another major topic. The City of Fort St. John said that local governments need more money to address housing insecurity. The Town of Smithers had a few resolutions related to housing. They want the application process for affordable housing projects to be more affordable and for the government to fund all the necessary infrastructure upgrades. The District of Kitimat also talked about housing, but from a different angle. They want the government to give municipalities the option to opt into the Speculation and Vacancy Tax program to deal with empty properties. Crime and conservation were also on the agenda. The City of Williams Lake talked about the high costs and public safety impacts of prolific offenders being released into communities. The City of Dawson Creek wants more crime prevention officers in rural areas. The City of Terrace and City of Fort St. John both talked about RCMP contract costs, with the latter also wanting a way to verify these costs. Conservation was another important topic. The City of Prince George wants more resources for the BC Conservation Officer Service. The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine wants revenues from hunting and trapping licenses to go directly to conservation efforts. The Village of Burns Lake wants moose habitat to be a consideration in future forestry planning. The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechalko talked about the importance of community-based ecological knowledge in climate adaptation planning. The Peace River Regional District and District of Taylor discussed emissions policies, arguing against a sectoral emissions cap for the natural gas sector. The District of Mackenzie brought up the topic of nuclear energy, suggesting that the provincial government should review the Clean Energy Act to study the feasibility of lifting the current prohibition on nuclear energy. This resolution was quite controversial and passed by a narrow margin.