According to the Ministry of Citizens’ Services and contrary to recent rumours the Burns Lake Service B.C. centre will remain open.
A number of local residents expressed their concerns about the closing of the Service B.C. centre to Lakes District News recently when they had heard that the centre could be shutting down locally and relocating to Vanderhoof.
A representative from the Ministry of Citizens’ Services did however confirm late last week that the employee position of government agent, held by Edgar Johansson in Burns Lake is moving to Vanderhoof.
The representative said that Johansson will co-manage the Burns Lake Service B.C. centre and the Vanderhoof Service B.C. centre from the Vanderhoof office.
“This is being done so we can effectively manage three Service B.C. centres within the region; Burns Lake, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James,” the representative said.
“The local hours of operation will remain the same as will the level and quality of service local residents receive from the office,” the representative said.
The Ministry of Citizens’ Services also said to Lakes District News that no jobs are being lost in Burns Lake.
“As it does today, Burns Lake will continue to have three Service B.C. staff to serve the community, including a government agent that will service the community of Burns Lake from Vanderhoof,” the representative added.
Johansson said that as co-manager will be primarily located in Vanderhoof but will make monthly visits to the Burns Lake office,” the representative added.
Johansson said his role as government agent consists of managing the office. “No services will be lost to local residents as a result of the move,” he confirmed.
