Momentum for Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance initiative, as Province signs MOU with member communities

Officials from the member communities of the Northwest BC Resource 
Benefits Alliance celebrate the signing of an MOU with the Province of
British Columbia at the UBCM convention in Whistler

The communities of the Northwest are hailing an announcement today coming out of the UBCM convention that will see the Province and the Northwest partners sign a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines common goals and sets out principles for future engagement.

Nathan Cullen, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, who is also the MLA for Stikine spoke for the BC government towards the announcement of today.

"We know that northwestern B.C. has unique needs and is growing quickly. By signing this MOU agreement, our government is committed to listening to rural and northern voices, and we will work collaboratively to meet the needs of people in this beautiful region.”

The RBA is an association of the 21 local governments in northwestern B.C., from Masset to Vanderhoof. 

The organization which was formed in 2014, covers the expansive reaches of the Northwest. 

It includes member municipalities and electoral areas of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and the North Coast Regional District.

All of which have many different issues and seek remedies to a range of concerns.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice also outlined her thoughts on the commitment towards further engagement.

“We’re committed to ensuring people in northern B.C. have the services they need, which can be challenging while communities are in the midst of rapid economic growth. This is great news for communities in northwestern B.C., and I look forward to the continued collaboration.”

No details towards what the common goals may be were included as part of today's announcement which you can read here. 

The main takeaway from the news out of Whistler is that of how the work ahead will build shared knowledge of the unique challenges in the region and determine the next phase to discuss solutions. 

Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain, who has been part of the ongoing work of the Association shared his notes on today's announcement through his Social media page. 

Though as the outgoing mayor notes, the work ahead is that which is very much still in progress and a process that he won't be at the finish line for. 

The news today comes after a bit of a lull in the relay of information on the work of the Benefits Alliance members, the Alliance website a portal which  hasn't had much to share in recent months, up to today that is.

Some of the past notes on the initiative can be tracked through our archive page here.

More notes of interest from the UBCM convention can be explored here.