The Cariboo Regional District board met Wednesday, Feb. 18, and provided the following highlights.
Healthy Communities update
Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye, Healthy Communities Grant Researcher, Mark Pugh, from Acute Services for Interior Health, and Dr. Glen Fedor appeared before the Board to provide an update on Healthy Communities activities. The presentation focused on results of the recent South Cariboo Mental Health survey. Some of the key areas that were addressed in the survey included geographic isolation, wait lists, cultural differences and barriers. More information about the BC Healthy Communities program is available online at bchealthycommunities.ca
Board supports Williams Lake Indian Band application
The Cariboo Regional District will be writing a letter of support to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada regarding the proposed addition to one of the Williams Lake Indian Band’s reserves. The proposed reserve lands are lands to be exchanged with the Province of BC for portions of the reserve lands that are related to the Highway 97 road widening.
Bouchie Lake recreation projects get support
The CRD agreed to support an application from the Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission to the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) Regional Development Account, under the Community Halls and Recreation Facilities Program. If approved, the request of $30,000 would be used to undertake improvements to the Bouchie Lake Community Hall including demolition and reconstruction of the hall entrance. The existing concrete stairs will be replaced with a covered wheelchair accessible ramp and handrails, and exterior lighting will be installed to improve safety. The project will support community recreation and event infrastructure and will create some temporary local labour jobs.
Proposed changes to fire service training and fire inspections
The Cariboo Regional District reviewed and will be seeking clarification on the recent proposed changes to the BC Fire Service Minimum Training Standards and the ongoing discussions regarding Fire Inspections in rural areas. The CRD will be requesting amendments to the BC Fire Service Minimum Training Standards Playbook to clarify the definition of “authority having jurisdiction”. The clarification will specify that regional districts are only responsible for those fire departments they operate directly and instances in which an exterior operation level service may enter an interior space. The CRD will also be investigating what other regional districts are doing with respect to fire-related safety inspections in the rural areas, and the implications of advising the Fire Commissioner’s Office that Cariboo Regional District volunteers will no longer act in the capacity of Local Assistant Fire Commissioners. Further information about the proposed changes can be found online at embc.gov.bc.ca/ofc/index.htm
Toastmaster’s Month declared
The CRD has proclaimed March 2015 as Toastmasters’ month throughout the Cariboo-Chilcotin. In 2015, Toastmasters International is celebrating its 90th Anniversary around the globe.
Budget consultation survey results and meeting notes
The board reviewed the results of the 2015 budget consultation open house surveys and meeting notes. The budget consultation process will be referred to Board strategic planning for future consideration.
NCLGA
The CRD will be submitting a resolution to the North Central Local Government Association’s (NCLGA) Annual General Meeting and convention. The resolution will call on the Province to deliver the full allowable cut under the BC Timber Sales program, complete a science-based inventory of the available timber supply and move assertively to increase operating certainty on the working forest land base. The AGM and Convention will be held in Prince George, May 6-8, 2015. This annual event is focused on connecting communities, identifying common challenges and facilitating positive change. Further information about the NCLGA is available online at nclga.ca
Invasive plant management report
The CRD Board of Directors received the annual review of the Invasive Plant Management program. Treatment crews completed an inventory on 2050 sites over the 2014 operational season that began in May. The CRD follows the concepts of an integrated pest management program; employing a whole suite of tools to control invasive plant species dependent on the species and/or site conditions. Treatment activities included mechanical, chemical and biological. In 2014, the Program provided invasive plant management services for the Cariboo Regional District, City of Williams Lake, and District of Wells on private, municipal and regional district owned lands. Services were also provided on a fee for service basis for the City of Quesnel, BC Hydro, Fortis BC Energy Inc., Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. Further information about the Invasive Plant Management program is available online at cariboord.ca or by calling the CRD’s at 250-392-3351 or 1-800-665-1636.
Next meeting
CRD Board Meeting – March 6, 2015
