Listen Live
Listen Live
HomeNewsNorthern BC municipalities pushing for a seat at the table this week

Northern BC municipalities pushing for a seat at the table this week

The North Central Local Government Association is preparing for what is expected to be it’s biggest ever AGM, starting Wednesday in Dawson Creek.

More than 30 resolutions have been forwarded to the convention by local governments. A recurring theme sees resolutions calling for more consultation and collaboration between local government, industry and the province. Others ask for more transparent management of the region’s forests.

“The north is a commodity based economy really, and we want to make sure that we as municipalities understand that a lot better.” NCLGA President Brian Frenkel said “That starts with government and industry.”

Frenkel noted that many local governments feel completely in the dark when it comes to the lifeblood of their communities.

- Advertisement -

“Whether they are mines or mills, not that people in communities want to get into the business of those corporations, but just an insight or oversight of what’s going on”

In an exclusive interview with MY PG NOW, Premier Christy Clark said she understands where local government is coming from.

“I think it is reasonable to want to make that relationship work. It’s not always possible I don’t think for communities to get all the lead time that they’d like and probably should have, but I think it’s something we should all be working towards.”

Clark took the opportunity to champion the province’s job creation track record “The only reason that we are leading, is because we have decided we are all coming together, we are all going to be united. I think that’s part of what they are talking about in local government, ‘how do we make sure that we are more united in trying to preserve jobs’ and I support that.”

Other resolutions up for debate include calls for funding for upgrades at CN Rail crossings, DNA analysis downloading, the discontinuation of daylight savings and the well publicized request from Williams Lake Council asking for prolific offenders to be chipped with GPS trackers.

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading