The Mayor and Council of the District of Vanderhoof attended the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver from September 16 to 20, engaging with provincial ministries to address pressing local issues. The Vanderhoof delegation was joined by Councillor Rodney Teed of the Saik'uz First Nation.
Key discussions during the UBCM focused on the importance of local fibre, manufacturing jobs, and community forest expansion.
Meetings were held with several provincial ministries, including forests, energy, mines, municipal affairs and health. Specific topics raised included infrastructure needs, nursing programs, and the impact of the Nechako River flow on fish populations.
The delegation also emphasized on local employment in mining and healthcare, with ongoing initiatives to attract and retain professionals in these fields.
While no specific promises were made due to the upcoming provincial elections, the emphasis of the team was on ensuring messages were communicated to senior government staff.
Mayor Kevin Moutray provided an update from Vancouver on Sept. 20, and said, “I think this has been one of the most productive UBCM conventions. We felt we had the opportunity to speak with many ministers, and our message was heard.”
At the top of the agenda, discussions with Premier David Eby centred on the importance of fibre staying local to communities, and providing manufacturing jobs close to where that volume is located. There was also discussion about how community forest expansion could play a significant role in moving these initiatives forward.
With the writ dropping on Sept. 21 and an unpredictable election looming, the Vanderhoof delegation recognized that some of these topics may need to be revisited if the government changes next month.
However, Moutray expressed confidence that the discussions would yield positive results regardless of any governmental changes.
“If the same party remains in power, ministries and ministers may shift, but senior staff will stay the same. It's crucial to get our message across to the Premier, as it will remain relevant if he stays in power. Additionally, we want to ensure that senior ministers are informed so that when a new government is formed, we can hit the ground running.”
In the event of a change in government, particularly with the Conservative Party of BC potentially replacing the incumbent NDP, Moutray acknowledged uncertainty regarding their policies on some of these topics discussed at UBCM. “I'm not familiar with their current stance,” Moutray said.
The delegation also held discussions with Forest Minister Bruce Raltson on fibre and mill closure.
Conversations also took place with the Minister of Energy and Mines Josie Osborne about future mining projects in the Nechako area and ensuring a higher percentage of the workforce comes from local communities. “Fly-in, fly-out arrangements do not benefit rural BC,” Moutray said.
Council reiterated the need for infrastructure development in an around Vanderhoof to the Minister of Municipal Affairs Anne Kang, . “This demand is echoed by small towns across BC, so I'm sure she [Kang] has heard it often, but it's essential to reinforce the need for more infrastructure funding,” Moutray said.
Meetings with the Health Minister Adrian Dix focused on nursing and medical programs, exploring ways to deliver these programs more accessibly within communities. The delegation communicated their hope to create an licensed practical nurse cohort at College of New Caledonia.
Moutray said local healthcare training is the best way to attract professionals by growing talent in-house and within communities. "That’s the strategy we want to see implemented.”
Moutray described the discussions with Dix as productive, especially concerning local nursing initiatives. Additionally, council also met with Ciro Panessa, CEO of Northern Health, to discuss attraction and retention of medical staff at St. John Hospital. The conversations focused on ER staffing and recruitment strategies.
“Northern Health is hiring better, and we’re engaging with them to make nursing programs more appealing and accessible,” Moutray said.
Discussions also addressed the Nechako River’s flow and temperature, which have implications for fish survival, as well as sustainable funding for the White Sturgeon Conservation Centre.
In closing, Moutray said the whole week has been a whirlwind for the team and they look forward to keeping the dialogue going on with Victoria after the provincial elections are over with next month.
"We look forward to when the government re-forms and we'll definitely be sending at least myself if not a delegation down to Victoria to remind people of these files and to keep pushing forward," Moutray said.
