During the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Dec. 14 board meeting, board chair Al Richmond provided his annual year-end address.
“Members of the board, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen … today, I have the distinct pleasure of reviewing the CRD’s key accomplishments and successes for 2012.
Looking back over the past year, our region can be proud of its achievements. The CRD experienced many successes in 2012.
The year started with our annual town-hall meetings in January and February throughout the 12 electoral areas and the four member municipalities. During these meetings we presented the proposed 2012 budget to our residents to seek feedback from them, before the budget was adopted at the end of March.
In May, the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House hosted representatives of the North Central Local Government Association who congregated in 100 Mile for the association’s annual AGM and convention. Under the theme of the “Log Home Capital,” delegates and their partners were hosted to some great workshops, business sessions and of course some spectacular entertainment and social events. I would also like to take this opportunity to again thank the many volunteers from South Cariboo who dedicated their time and efforts to make this event successful.
One of the highlights of the NCLGA convention for our region was when CRD Director and 100 Mile Mayor Mitch Campsall was elected as the new NCLGA president. Overall, the NCLGA was an extremely successful event for the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House, and, most importantly, the region.
In June, the board and staff travelled to Barkerville. During the two-days of meetings, the CRD held the first joint meeting with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and signed the Barkerville Accord – a document that commits both local governments to work in collaboration to address issues of mutual concern, and to promote the sustainability and economic vibrancy of the north central Interior. The traditional Board on the Road barbecue was put on in support of the Barkerville’s 150th Anniversary celebration.
Over the summer months, the CRD lobbied for our region on two critical issues, including a presentation in Prince George to the provincial committee regarding the timber supply on July 5. Many of the recommendations coming out of the final report published by the commission included CRD recommendations, such as using a science-based approach, promoting utilization of marginally economic forest lands, better fibre utilization.
The second issue was focused on the proposed federal electoral boundaries redistribution. Again, the CRD lobbied with a strong voice at the public consultation meeting held in Prince George on Sept. 17.
On Sept. 13-14, we were on the road again with our second Board on the Road meetings for 2012 – this time in Kersley. On Thursday, during the community barbecue, we took the opportunity to celebrate Director Ted Armstrong’s 35th anniversary as the CRD representative for Electoral Area A and Kersley.
In September, the CRD attended the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Conference in Vancouver. During the convention, nine of 10 CRD resolutions saw success on the resolution floor.
The CRD, along with the District of 100 Mile House, the City of Quesnel, the District of Wells and the City of Williams Lake and our neighbours from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and the City of Prince George, lobbied provincial ministries. One such meeting was with Premier Christy Clark and Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and the Minister Responsible for Labour Minister Pat Bell.
During this session, the CRD discussed its Strong Regions report and the need for increased alternative revenue streams for local governments. The province has committed to working with the CRD to potentially act upon some of the recommendations laid out in the report.
The CRD also met with Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson to discuss the Cedar Dam on Nina Lake. Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) chair John Massier and staff also had the opportunity to meet with Health Minister Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid to ensure the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Master Plan be given priority.
Three members of the CRD board were elected to the UBCM executive board, including Quesnel Director Mayor Mary Sjostrom as president; myself as third vice-president. 100 Mile Mayor Mitch Campsall was also appointed to the UBCM executive as the NCLGA representative.
We will continue to follow up with the issues discussed at UBCM, and will collaborate with our regions’ provincial MLAs and federal MPs to ensure the people of the CRD have a voice in Victoria and Ottawa.
The CRD successfully applied to a number of different provincial and federal funding programs, including the Building Canada Fund, the Towns for Tomorrow program, Northern Development Initiative Trust, the Community Tourism Opportunities program and UBCM’s Fuel mitigation fund. Our fuel management projects and water and sewer systems received approximately $1.3 million through these programs, which went back into our communities throughout the region. Another $1.7 million was allocated to the CRD under the Community Works Fund, which focuses on green initiatives and energy efficiency projects.
I would like to thank all the board members and staff for your dedication and perseverance throughout 2012.”
