It was a busy week in Victoria during the Union of BC Municipalities convention for the District of Vanderhoof council.
Day one included attending sessions focused on local government engagement in provincial–First Nations negotiations, as well as healthcare and housing issues impacting Vanderhoof and other northern communities.
Councillors then met with Northern Health CEO Ciro Panessa to discuss topics such as staffing at St. John Hospital, nursing education pathways and housing for new healthcare staff.
The second day, council met with RCMP staff about the longstanding request to replace the aging RCMP detachment and a request for a new staff position of Sergeant Operations Non-Commissioned Officer with the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills about LPN bridging programs at Coast Mountain College.
Following the meeting with the RCMP, on day three, council met with the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General to discuss the urgent need for a new RCMP detachment and to address ongoing staffing challenges.
Concerns were raised about member wellness and burnout, specifically when it comes to high caseloads of local officers.
“Over the past three years, each of the 10 Vanderhoof constables has averaged 101 Criminal Code files annually — more than double the provincial average of 50 in 2023,” said district staff.
Council also met with the Minister of Environment and Parks to highlight the growing issue of Brownfields in the community. Council stressed the importance of stronger legislation to hold polluters accountable and to establish clear timelines for the remediation of abandoned properties.
Councillor Rodney Teed of Saik’uz First Nation, who has accompanied Council to UBCM for the second year, lent his voice to the discussion, speaking about the importance of the land, for today and for generations to come.
“The Brownfield issue affects many communities across Northern B.C., and council appreciated the minister’s openness to the solutions proposed by council,” stated district staff.
The Brownfield issue is that of surrounding contaminated, underutilized, or abandoned industrial and commercial properties in Vanderhoof.
Day four, Councillor Brian Frenkel was recognized for 25 years of service and Councillor Ken Young for 20 years.
Mayor and council also met with Premier David Eby and Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities Brittny Anderson to discuss LPN Cohort at CNC, funding for the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre, expanding the community forest and reallocating timber volume to First Nations and local governments when mills close.