Council participates in annual Union of BC Municipalities Convention (UBCM)

The Fort St. John City Council recently participated in the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention, where they interacted with provincial ministries and promoted the priorities of northern communities.

The Union of B.C. Municipalities is considered the voice of local government in our province, while providing a forum for members to establish policy and engage with provincial leaders on matters of common concern.

The Council discussed several important issues during meetings with provincial ministries including health care, housing, public safety, forestry, and economic development.

Other key topics discussed during the convention were health care recruitment and training, closure of the Canfor sawmill, adding a third unit at Peace Villa long-term care facility, solutions for unhoused individuals with addictions and the impacts of emergency room and hospital diversions.

Four advocacy resolutions were submitted by Fort St. John at the convention and three of these were successfully passed, while the fourth was not reviewed because it resembled another resolution that had already been approved.

These resolutions included supporting salvage logging of wildfire-impacted areas, ensuring consultation with local governments on provincial legislation, establishing a year-round forest fire management program and ensuring consultation with local governments on provincial legislation.

According to a media release from the city Canfor representatives cited delays in the provincial permitting process for timber harvesting as a key factor in the decision to close the Fort St. John Sawmill when Council met with them during the convention.

Participating in the UBCM Convention is a crucial strategic effort for the Fort St. John City Council and guarantees that our community's concerns are represented on matters that impact everyone.