NCLGA Convention in Fort St. John this week

Local government officials from across Northern British Columbia including the Northwest and North Coast have gathered in Fort St. John this week for a four day convention of the North Central Local Government Association.

It's the first in person gathering in two years for the officials as they look to discuss a range of municipal issues of key importance to northern communities.

The convention opened on May 3rd and will come to an end of Friday, making for a full week of political exchanges and information sharing after a two year break from in person gatherings.

Officials from Prince Rupert, Port Edward and North Coast Regional District do not appear to have brought any resolutions with them, as none of the items up for consideration are listed as from Prince Rupert City Council, the District, or the Regional government body on the North Coast.

There are some initiatives from the northwest being considered however.

Smithers, Houston  and Bulkley Valley officials have submitted resolutions on Regional ICBC Rate inequities, Veterinarian shortage, Access to health care services, Request for increased funding to BC Public Libraries

Terrace and Kitimat officials also have provided a number of initiatives for consideration, they include:

Public Interest Guidelines for charging public offenders, Registration of Internationally Educated Nurses, Cultural Awareness training for all Local Governments.

The NCLGA executive also has five resolutions for consideration, Housing,  Justice Reform, Transportation, Access to energy advisors, Provincial Tax on Used items

The full Resolution package can be reviewed here. 

Jody Wilson-Raybould was the 
Keynote Speaker for the NCLGA event

The week has featured a number of events from workshops to information briefings and speeches from a wide range of presenters, included on the list was former MP Jody Wildson Raybould, who was the keynote speaker as part of the Tuesday session.

You can review the full agenda for the week to see what delegates have been busy with from this link to the official package for NCLGA 2022.

Prince Rupert Council members did not make mention of their plans to attend the convention at either the April 25th Council session or the Special Council session called for this past Monday, so it's not known how many, if any of the City's elected officials or staff members are in attendance this year.

So far there has been no mention of the event through the Mayor's Facebook page or the City of Prince Rupert social media account.

Likewise, there has been no indication as of yet, as to how many, if any representatives from Port Edward or Regional District may be in the Peace Country this week for the sessions.

One group is in Fort St. John with a Prince Rupert connection however, that's the Prince Rupert Port Authority which noted their participation in the convention on Wednesday.

Also in attendance through the week have been members of the Northern Development Initiative Trust, a key partner in municipal development across Northern British Columbia.

You can follow up on any developments from the convention through the NCLGA website, Facebook page and twitter feed.