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CRD sees six of nine resolutions endorsed at UBCM

Consistency in accessing emergency services and cannabis revenue sharing among them
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Margo Wagner, chair of the Cariboo Regional District, seen here speaking at Orange Shirt Day in Williams Lake on Monday, Sept. 30 said the board met with many provincial ministers and staff during last week’s UBCM convention in Vancouver. Monica Lamb-Yorski photo

Busy and productive, with arrival of logging truck convoy from the Interior a definite highlight.

That’s how the Cariboo Regional District board chair is describing last week’s activities at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver.

Wagner said the time was filled with meetings with ministers and ministry staff, debating resolutions and professional development sessions.

“I always walk away from UBCM tired but pleased with what we were able to accomplish. I thought our Minister and staff meetings went well and I’m happy our resolutions were well received,” Wagner said.

An emergency resolution brought forward by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary urging the government to reinstate the rural dividend fund and the logging truck convoy that arrived in Vancouver from B.C. Interior communities were also highlights of the week, Wagner added.

Read more: ‘We’re all getting hit hard’: Cariboo loggers to join truck rally and protest job losses

“The statement made by the loggers from our communities was very impactful,” Wagner said. “Not only did the rally tie up traffic and make a loud presence, I think they really helped Lower Mainland residents realize what an impact the mill closures have on our communities. As the Premier said in his closing comments, Lower Mainland communities rely on the Interior for our resources and we need to work together to overcome these challenges.”

Of the nine resolutions submitted by the CRD for endorsement at UBCM, the first six passed, with the sixth seeing some amendments before approval. The final three resolutions were not voted on due to lack of time; they will be reviewed directly by the UBCM executive.

The resolutions cover:

Maintaining provincial responsibility for the Fire Services Act and regulations;

Cannabis revenue sharing with local governments;

A multi-agency approach to fire-smarting transportation corridors;

Increasing funding for fire centres in B.C.;

Improving access to provincial emergency preparedness funding for independent fire services; and

Consistency in access to Emergency Support Service (ESS) resources;

Training challenges related to new ammonia regulations;

The need for more small aircraft pilot training; and

Resourcing a data sharing system in B.C. for emergencies.

Read the full resolution details in the UBCM summaries from the week from the UBCM website.

Directors also met with ministers and ministry staff to advocate for developing emergency egress routes for the Wells area (Purden Lake Connector) and the Horsefly/Likely area (Ditch Road); improving access to broadband internet in rural areas; industrial, commercial and institutional recycling regulation; expanding three-phase power along Highway 26; fixing the West Fraser Road; and additional support for rural policing and crime prevention.

Read more: CRD directors look for solutions to growing rural crime trend



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Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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