The District of 100 Mile House may be considering a new bylaw to stop invasive plant species.
During the Mayor's Report at its regular council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23, Mayor Maureen Pinkney talked about a delegation from the Invasive Species Council of BC, that went to the Cariboo Regional District board meeting earlier this month. Pinkney noted that Invasive Species Council of B.C. executive director Gail Wallin told council there were about 39 different provincial species - and touched upon how goldfish had been disrupting the natural fish population.
"It seems pretty keen around the table that we can actually have bylaws of our own to stop some of the species from being allowed in our community," Pinkney noted.
Pinkney said in addition to passing a bylaw education would have to be provided to local retailers and the general public about the impact of seemingly innocuous invasive species.
District debates pausing PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program
During the infrastructure update given to the District of 100 Mile House on Oct. 22, Joanne Doddridge, the District's Director of Economic Planning and Development - stated that they were hoping for a good turnout from the PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program. Doddridge noted that 100 Mile House has seen limited success from the program and stated that staff should consider pausing the program.
Doddridge added that Mayor Maureen Pinkney agreed with her. Coun. Donna Barnett however, did not just agree but also blasted the program entirely, calling it the "most unsuccessful program that government put in place."
She cited that some people who were involved with the program did not get their papers five years after they came through PNP. Pinkney added that five or six people would tour the community from other countries, but after COVID hit, it all just kind of "dried up on our end."
Council discussed the matter further but did not make a final decision either way.
District of 100 Mile House will support grant for historic 100 Mile Lodge
The District of 100 Mile House unanimously approved an application to the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program for a grant for the historic 100 Mile Lodge for the building tourism project. The Lodge is currently slated to be turned into a community museum by the 100 Mile House & District Museum Society.
The amount requested is $49,002.25. The agenda item was a late item added to the district's meeting at the last minute before the meeting.
