SQCRD receives Provincial approval on proposed name change

The SQCRD logo may soon be
gone as Regional District claims
a new name

Those that print business cards and official stationary may want to start thinking about preparing bids, as there may soon be a name change for the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District.

Regional District officials received a correspondence from Peter Fassbender, the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, offering up the province's support for the request of a name change for the regional body to the North Coast Regional District.

In his correspondence to District officials, Mr. Fassbender noted that he would be recommending the change to the Lieutenant Governor in Council, one of the final steps required to make it all official.

SQCRD first approached the idea of a name change in September of 2015, shepherding the proposal through the political process through the course of the last year.

The regional body made use of the Alternative Approval Process in March to seek the consultation of area residents. The AAP mechanism is a somewhat controversial approach that seems to be used more and more of late by regional and municipal officials, as they look to move forward initiatives without having to hold a full referendum on the issues.

The news of the provincial recommendation towards the name change was included as part of the review of the Regional District's work for August and September.

Other areas which gained the attention of members of Regional District were:

A resolution to provide a letter of support to the Prince Rupert Unemployment Action Centre Society, as that organization attempts to secure additional grant funding towards the hiring of a second advocacy employee.

A resolution to send correspondences to various Ministers with respect to the proposed Aurora LNG project footprint and incursions into the Dodge Cove Official Community plan.

The Board also resolved to submit comment on the Federal Government's Marine Consultation process related to marine safety and a crude oil tanker moratorium on the North Coast.

A resolution to support the Sandspit Wild Harvest Festival Society's application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust's Fabulous Festivals and Events program, the support comes in the amount of $2,500.

The Board will also send correspondences to the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Minister of Agriculture expressing opposition to a proposed pilot project to process hake catch at sea by domestic trawlers.

Regional District members also adopted a number of policy initiatives and received information from the UBCM on funding related to grant funding for the Community to Community Forum process.

Background on the two meetings over the summer can be reviewed here.

More items of interest on Regional District can be examined here.