Municipal Government 2022 -- Town of Smithers and Telkwa.

Our quick reference and archive of items from Smithers and Telkwa for 2022

Town of Smithers website

For items of interest on the 2022 Municipal Election campaign see our archive page here. 

2022

Smithers/Telkwa region

December

December 22 -- Smithers Climate Action group sets implementing plans as priority for town

December 22 -- Smithers and Terrace team up on Emergency Funding application for 6th year in a row

December 22 -- Emergency Support Services seeks $60K in equipment funding 

December 22 -- Smithers to create a mobile food vendor policy 

December 14 -- Vandals rip off horn from Alpenhorn Man statue in Smithers 

December 14 -- Smithers council votes to draft mobile vendor policy

December 9 -- Smithers Homelessness issue (video)

December 9 -- Leaders in Smithers appeal to public for help finding shelter space as winter sets in

December 9 -- MP Taylor Bachrach calls Smithers Homeless situation dangerous and unsustainable, seeks location for new short term shelter 

December 8 -- Council lukewarm on proposed changes to Central Park building 

December 8 -- Regional District announces start-up business contest 

December 2 -- Province adds first $10 a day childcare centre to Telkwa

December 1 -- Council passes food truck request to staff for recommendation

November

November 30 -- Northwest Housing crisis (video)

November 30 -- Heated potty talk at Smithers council meeting 

November 29 -- Town, stakeholders discuss solutions to lack of taxi service 

November 24 -- Smithers Talks event exceed organizers expectations 

November 24 -- 911 Dispatch has been disrupted three times in six months 

November 23 -- Town and new bylaw officer part ways 

November 23 -- Town of Smithers applies for 2023 Storefront Spruceup funding
November 17 -- Main Street affordable housing proposal one step closer to reality 

November 17 -- Smithers residents invited to attend community transportation meeting to discuss solutions to ongoing woes 

November 17 -- Affordable housing project on Mains Street drawn up

November 17 -- The new Village of Telkwa Mayor and Council soon in Nov 8

November 17 -- Town seeks input on taxi and ride sharing services for Smithers

November 17 -- Two new construction projects to be given awards

November 10 -- Smithers Council sworn in 

November 8 -- Citizens on Patrol meeting attracts large turn-out 
November 1 -- Smithers holding meeting to reform citizens on patrol program

October

October 27 -- Smithers town council to be sworn in on November 1

October 27 -- Town, RCMP, merchants seek to re-energize Smithers Citizens on Patrol 

October 27 -- Community leader were invited to stand together to spark understanding, support and action in the prioritization of Indigenous housing 

October 26 -- Emergency Service vehicles destroyed in suspected arson case at Smithers hotel parking lot 

October 26 -- Smithers fire fighters struggled with house fire due to Telus outage 

October 26 -- Arson suspected after 4 RCMP cruisers, ambulance set on fire near Smithers hotel

October 20 -- Smithers Council's last meeting ties up loose ends 

October 18 -- Smithers Talks: Registration opens for Smithers dialogue opportunity 

October 13 -- Smithers hires new economic development officer

October 13 -- CIBC and Smithers compromise on signage 

October 6 -- Smithers Skateboard Society asks town for dough

October 6 -- Replacement of historic Quick bridge to start in February 2023 

October 6 -- Give thanks  to the members of Telkwa Fire Rescue

September

September 28 -- Laidlaw Frontage Road to be closed for through traffic 

September 27 -- Smithers Skatepark Society updates Town Council on project 

September 22 -- Smithers Skatepark holds soft opening of expanded facility 

September 19 -- Grammy winner Alex Cuba celebrated in Smithers   

September 16 -- Premier Horgan's farewell to UBCM makes for personal review of his political travels NCR

September 16 -- Northwest communities sign memorandum on revenue-sharing with province

September 15 -- Six Northern Communities among those benefitting from Fresh Provincial Heat Preparation Funding 

September 15 -- Smithers and Telkwa receive funding for heat preparedness 

September 15 -- Memorandum of Understanding signed between BC and Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance 

September 15 -- Public Hearing for community plan rescheduled following confusion  

September 15 -- Nathan Cullen's UBCM speech covers housing, climate change, reconciliation and infrastructure themes  NCR

September 15 -- Provincial Government and Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance partner up to help northwest and rural BC

September 15 -- Momentum for Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance initiative, as Province signs MOU with member communities  NCR
September 8 -- What Matters in our Valley request public meeting on Telkwa Coal

September 7 -- Town Council hears from the community about proposed new zoning bylaw, official community plan  

September 2 -- Public Hearing for Smithers Official Community Plan to be hosted next week

September 2 -- Telkwa BBQ returns in its full capacity this weekend 

September 1 -- Smithers continuing to work on childcare plan
September 1 -- Grand re-opening of Main Street in Smithers celebrated 


August 

August 31 -- RCMP agreement leaves communities pinching pennies 

August 26 -- Parts of Perimeter Trail to be closed at Riverside Park

August 25 -- Art Gallery pulls back from gallery/library building project 

August 25 -- Workshop to bring people together coming to Smithers 

August 25 -- Smithers community to gather to honour Alex Cuba 

August 25 -- Telkwa moves ahead with Green Burial site

August 24 -- Smithers sees request for government funds rejected 

August 24 -- Smithers Art Gallery to take step back from the library/art gallery project 

August 23 -- Main Street Re-opening Party planned in Smithers 

August 22 -- Alex Cuba being celebrated at "Grammy Block Party" At Boils Square in Smithers

August 20 -- Helicopter taking LiDAR surveys of the area

August 19 -- Where have all the Mayors gone? (audio)

August 18 -- New low-cost housing project makes progress

August 12 -- Traffic control for wildfire risk reduction on HB Mountain Road, expect delays

August 12 -- Alex Cuba shares the love with Smithers (audio)

August 11 -- Tourism society worried about lack of taxi service

August 10 -- Arrest made after Bovill Square was vandalized again

August 9 -- Smithers Bylaw Officer leaving the community
August 9 -- Boville Square vandalized, arrest made
August 5 -- Seymour Lake Road down to one way traffic for congestion trial
August 5 -- Smithers businesses, residents concerned about uptick in criminal activity
August 3 -- Town, downtown merchants and RCMP react to uptick in criminal activity 

August 3 -- Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako receives funding for First Nations engagement
August 2 -- Smithers Crime Severity Index drops 18. per cent 




July

July 28 -- Food Banks feeling the crunch of high grocery prices 

July 27 -- Hydro to shut down power on mountain for two days 

July 27 -- Sally Ann opens cooling station to help people beat the heat 

July 27 -- Cooling centre opens in Smithers 

July 27 -- New Staff Sergeant to join Smithers RCMP detachment 

July 26 -- Lack of taxi service tabled at Smithers Council meeting

July 22 -- Main Street re-landscaping gets back on track

July 21 -- Smithers to create master park and rec plan 

July 21 -- The homeless camp and the library (audio)

July 20 -- Nearly 400 crashes reported to ICBC since 2017 in Smithers 

July 14 -- Re-landscaping of Main Street's budget increases 

July 12 -- Smithers Council give staff the green light to create Parks and Recreation Master Plan 

July 11 -- Town of Smithers phone lines back up and running 

July 9 -- Emergency Operation Centres in the Bulkley Valley to get upgrades after receiving funding

July 8 -- Former The Interior News columnist dies 

July 8 -- Town of Smithers provides update on Landscape revitalization project 

July 7 -- Road Closure on Babine Lake Road, detour through Granisle

July 7 -- Smithers and Telkwa hoping to upgrade communication infrastructure in event of emergency

July 7 -- Smithers Skate Park expansion continues to roll

July 7 -- BV Pool expansion grant application to proceed

July 7 -- Province estimates Babine Lake Road to be closed until July 16

July 6 -- Greener Homes (video)

July 5 -- Smithers Forest Service Road washout (video)
July 4 -- Road closure on Babine Lake Road, detour through Granisle 
July 2 -- Babine Lake Road closed due to washout 

June

Flood related items for the Skeena River and Area can be found here.

June 30 -- Smithers supports Terrace citizen's greener homes campaign 

June 29 -- Irrigation repairs cals downtown revitalization landscape project budget to increase

June 23 -- Improvements coming to the Perimeter Trail near Riverside Park 

June 23 -- Airport water system to be upgraded

June 21 -- Smithers, Telkwa, regional district rescind Bulkley River Hazard notice 

June 19 -- Smithers considered most affordable city to live according to Moving Waldo

June 17 -- Fire departments to hold training exercises in Smithers this weekend 

June 17 -- Toxic drug alert issued for Smithers area

June 17 -- Smithers sees increases in overdose events due to toxic drug

June 16 -- Smithers Council bends the rules on shipping containers downtown

June 16 -- Officials want people to sign up for emergency alert system

June 16 -- Smithers' Director of Corporate Services moves on 

June 15 -- Pre Trial conference held in Prince George for former NW politician (video)

June 14 -- Former Telkwa Mayor to appear in court tomorrow

June 13 -- Study shows Smithers Housing Market is cheapest in BC

June 10 -- Cycle 16 breaks ground on Smithers to Telkwa multi-use trail

June 9 -- Public comment period open for Telkwa coal mine environmental review

June 6 -- Smithers flood prep (video)

June 6 -- Smithers Pride (video)

June 2 -- Alfred Avenue paving project to go to voters 
June 2 -- Perimeter Trail to lose some wildfire fuel 
June 1 -- Twelve prefabricated housing units to begin crossing Telkwa Bridge June 2


May

May 31 -- Smithers Pride event to return in person 

May 31 -- Northwest Transit users from Terrace east asked for feedback on Highway 16 community to community bus service  NCR

May 30 -- BC Transit creating survey related to transit services on Highway 16

May 30 -- BC Transit looks at ways to improve transit service along highway 16

May 27 -- High streamflow advisory issued for Smithers, Telkwa, Hazelton 

May 26 -- BV Taxi shuts down again

May 26 -- For the second time since 2020, Bukley Valley Taxi is set to park their service for good

May 26 -- Foundation nears completion for new units at Telkwa Seniors Housing complex 

May 26 -- Smithers library calls new funding a happy surprise

May 26 -- High Streamflow advisory issued for the Bulkley River 

May 24 -- Smithers provides update on Downtown Revitalization project 

May 20 -- Smithers Tourism preparation (video)

May 20 -- People experiencing vulnerable housing to camp near Veterans Park

May 19 -- Smithers doctor short about to get worse 

May 19 -- Smithers Council to allow residents of Shelter trailer in veterans park to remain once tailer is removed 

May 19 -- Initial RCMP backpay discussions result in delay of invoices

May 19 -- Local Supply Company floats idea to rent SUPs at Late Kathlyn to town council

May 19 -- Upgrades coming to Smithers Council chamber's audio-visual

May 18 -- Smithers wildfire preparation (video)

May 18 -- Smithers Fire Department prepares for wildfire season with enhanced training programs

May 18 -- Smithers area residents may see smoke as pile burning activities get underway

May 18 -- Town to allow people to camp near Veteran's Park

May 17 -- Pile burning to take place on Driftwood Road

May 17 -- Province investing in public library improvements

May 16 -- Local Government Awareness being recognized by Northwest governments 

May 12 -- Telkwa property owners to see rise in taxes

May 12 -- Smithers RCMP detachment welcomes newest member, Nick Hubenig

May 12 -- Smithers Council vote in favour of new mixed building 

May 6 -- Telkwa residents asked to conserve water as work on Morris Reservoir picks up

May 5 -- BC, Northwest leaders resume negotiations over sharing tax revenues from industrial projects

May 5 -- Smithers Citizens on Patrol seeks reinforcements  

May 5 -- Telkwa to empty and inspect Morris Road  reservoir as part of refurbishment project 

May 5 -- Taylor Bachrach, Nathan Cullen pay tribute to former Smithers councillor Harry Kruisselbrink upon his passing  NCR
May 3 -- Town flags fly at half-mast in memory of Harry Kruisselbrink 
May 3 -- Former Smithers Councillor passes away 


April

April 29 -- MLA Nathan Cullen meets with Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance 

April 29 -- Members of Resource Benefits Alliance hope for progress on funding agreement with province by UBCM this fall NCR

April 28 -- Hopes for Northwest infrastructure support (video)

April 28 -- BC, Northwest leaders resume negotiations over sharing tax revenues from Industrial projects 

April 28 -- Smithers population ages slightly according to 2021 census 

April 28 -- Is Telkwa Coal worth the risk?: Former Fernie Mayor

April 27 -- Smithers Main Street Beautification (video)

April 25 -- Former Telkwa Mayor update (video)

April 25 -- Main Street re-landscaping begins 

April 22 -- Kimberly defeats Smithers in semifinals of BC's Best Small Town Contest 

April 22 -- Former Telkwa Mayor Brad Layton pleads not guilty to drug possession 

April 20 -- Housing affordability slightly worsens in Smithers 

April 20 -- Residential property tax increase of 11.8 percent coming as council passes three readings of budget 

April 19 -- Funding provided to local governments and First Nations in the Northwest Fire Centre 

April 19 -- Six Communities in Northwest Fire Centre receive fresh injection of FireSmart Funding

April 19 -- Northwest BC communities get funding to support wildfire-risk mitigation 

April 18 -- Smithers looking to become BC's Best Small Town

April 18 -- Northern BC home sales decline by 23% in March 

April 17 -- Smithers takes the North in Best Small Town contest 

April 14 -- Former Smithers Councillor passes away

April 14 -- Smithers renovating downtown area over the summer 

April 14 -- Replacement of Main Street landscaping to be completed this summer 

April 13 -- Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako receives funding for new projects 

April 13 -- Smithers water main flushing to start next month

April 13 -- Town lowers flag to honour former councillor Ron Purcell

April 12 -- Council supports a permanent sidewalk patio at Smithers Brewing Company 

April 11 -- Smithers Brewing Company hopes to get green light on permanent sidewalk patio 

April 11 -- Town of Smithers to revitalize the downtown core 

April 10 -- Smithers advances to finals for Best Small Town in Northern BC 

April 8 -- Northwest Housing report (video)

April 8 -- Bill 20 gains first reading towards change in Municipal affairs in British Columbia  NCR

April 7 -- Used bike sale to be hosted by the Smithers Fire Department 

April 7 -- Bulkley Valley foresters share concerns on stumpage harmonization 

April 6 -- Home sales remain hot in Smithers 

April 5 -- Town clarifies water advisory, water safe except for infants 

April 5 -- Water Quality Advisory issued in Smithers, due to elevated manganese levels 

April 5 -- Water quality advisory issued for Smithers 

April 4 -- Smithers Volunteer Firefighters Association hosting used bike sale to support Muscular Dystrophy Canada 

April 1 -- Provincial Funding for Arts and Culture
April 1 -- Smithers Chamber postpones Northwest Trade Expo once again

March

March 31 -- Several Northwest communities share in $2.8 million community shuttle program funding

March 31 -- Northern Communities awarded funding for community shuttle programs

March 29 -- Workshops to be held for Town of Smithers OCP Zoning  bylaw review project

March 29 -- 6 northwest child care sites are welcomed into $10 a day child care program 

March 28 -- Town of Smithers to pick up Spring Clean-up refuse next month

March 26 -- Bulkley Valley forestry industry lobbies Smithers council of support pushing back agains old-growth deferrals

March 24 -- Smithers moves on to round two of best BC Small Town

March 24 -- Smithers to have childcare spaces as part of $10 a day Childcare

March 22 -- Smithers Skatepark Society hopes to break ground on construction this spring

March 18 -- Smithers advances to quarterfinals in BC's best town contest

March 18 -- Will Smithers be BC's best small town? Vote now

March 17 -- Northwest funding (video)

March 17 -- Cullen reacts to new funding for local projects in the Northwest

March 17 -- Municipal Affairs Minister believes in community based approach to solving the Housing crisis 

March 15 -- Bulkley Valley Bus Service Reduction (video)

March 15 -- Service reduction for Smithers buses

March 15 -- Layton's court date adjourned for three weeks

March 15 -- Former Telkwa Mayor Court date (video)

March 15 -- Smithers Rental program (video)

March 14 -- Former Telkwa mayor to appear in court tomorrow

March 14 -- Smithers hopes to get more rental housing through program policy  

March 14 -- Town of Smithers hopes to start road sand clean up

March 14 -- Staffing shortage prompts changes to Smithers area BC Transit runs

March 10 -- Telkwa receives $87,000 for downtown revitalization

March 10 -- Dust advisory issued for the Bulkley Valley and Lakes

March 7 -- Former Telkwa Mayor Charged (video)

March 4 -- Smithers Council to return to in person meetings

March 4 -- Former Telkwa Mayor charged with Fentanyl possession
March 4 -- Historically low housing inventory in Smithers says BCNREB President

March 3 -- Local man charged in drug possession investigation

March 3 -- Smithers airport receives $505,000 in COVID-relief funding

February 

February 28 -- Smithers Airport Funding (video)

February 28 -- Smithers real estate inventory hits historic low point 

February 26 -- Canada provides funding to the Smithers Regional Airport

February 24 -- Smithers top municipality in BC for mineral exploration spending

February 22 -- Smithers Council discuss permit for proposed multi-family home development

February 18 -- Town of Smithers a part of new program aimed at supporting women in politics

February 17 -- First phase of multi-use pathway between Smithers and Telkwa out to tender

February 17 -- Smithers population declines in 2021 census

February 10 -- Town of Smithers staff working to clear water pooling and fix potholes

February 9 -- Bulkley Valley, Lakes District population growth not as strong says Statistics Canada

February 9 -- Major Northwest municipalities see slight population growth over past five years, say census
February 8 -- Lack of accessible healthcare brought forward to Smithers council

February 7 -- Smithers/Telkwa recycling depot reopened after being temporarily closed

February 7 -- Smithers/Telkwa Recycling Depot Temporarily closed due to supply issues

February 6 -- The recycling depot located at the Smithers-Telkwa Transfer Station is temporarily closed

February 4 -- Smithers Skate Park hits fundraising goal, thanks to the Smithers community

February 4 -- Six Northern Communities receive provincial funding for tourism infrastructure projects

February 3 -- The Bulkley Valley Community Foundation has announced recipients for 2022 community grants

February 1 -- Smithers Skatepark Society close to fundraising goal for new skate park

January

January 31 -- Former Smithers Councillor, Andrew Stalker passes away

January 26 -- Telkwa decides agains hosting by-election

January 25 -- Smithers Town Council provided with alternate funding approach for Library/Art Gallery project 

January 25 -- Rebates still available for the Wood Stove Exchange program in the Bulkley Valley and Lakes

January 20 -- Smithers re-applies for wastewater grant to avoid non-compliance fines

January 14 -- Telkwa Mayor steps down

January 14 -- Telkwa Mayor submits resignation

January 13 -- Telkwa mayor steps down; village cites health issues

January 11 -- Smithers Town Council to advocated for more childcare

January 7 -- Community health measures to be implemented for Town of Smithers operations 

Areas outside of Smithers/Telkwa  can be found here.



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