Lax Kw'alaams Council update notes advances in transportation, housing and infrastructure planning

With residents set to go to the polls tomorrow, the Lax Kw'alaams Band Council delivered their final Community update for this term of office last week; a twelve page document which traces some of the initiatives that have been moved forward over the last few years.

Transportation and Housing make for some of the early themes, with the Council noting how it has secured a commitment from the Province for a new ferry for Lax Kw'alaams, while also observing as to how the a training program in the community has assisted members in obtaining marine tickets to prepare for maritime work.

As we noted back in 2016, the plans to replace the Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams is something that has been a long time goal for the community, with the Council looking to acquire a larger vessel for service.

The new update for 2019 does not however provide for a timeline for residents as to when residents may anticipate hopping aboard the new vessel.

When it comes to housing, the update provides a review of some of the success so far in building up housing stock for the community, noting how 16 homes are under construction with an additional 80 still in the planning phase.

Of that 80, the Council notes how 60 will be located in Prince Rupert with the remaining 20 to be built in Lax Kw'alaams. With the focus on housing, the Band Council has also created two Housing positions as part of its service delivery, with a Housing manager and housing co-ordinator in place to address housing themes for the community.

For the Prince Rupert plans, the Band Council is currently working with the city to identify a potential site for the 60 unit housing project, which will also include a daycare, employment training centre and community gathering space for members living in the Prince Rupert area.

Progress on housing was one theme in the recent
Lax Kw'alaams Community update

With water issues an ongoing theme on the North Coast these days, the update highlights the work that Lax Kw'alaams is taking on towards infrastructure upgrades, with notes on their work to secure funding for a water supply replacement and towards plan for a new Wastewater Treatment plant.

Some significant infrastructure planning is underway in Lax Kw'alaams

The report also makes note of the successful completion of the new Emergency Services building for the community, moves to enhance community pride and safety, Health initiatives as well as some background on New Federal government legislation and how it makes for changes for those living on reserves across the nation.

The conclusion to the update reviews some recent milestones for the Lax Kw'alaams Business Development office as well as a look at some of the cultural themes that the community continues to explore.

Some notes on the financial position for the community and a review of some of their policy work over the last year is also part of the presentation.

The full document was posted to the Lax Kw'alaams website on November 13th, you can review the Community update here.

Mayor John Helin and his council members will learn whether their work of the last four years has met the expectations of residents tomorrow, as residents go to the polls.

You can review our notes on the election ahead for tomorrow here.

For more items of interest from Lax Kw'alaams see our archive page here.