Municipal Government 2023 -- Town of Smithers and Telkwa

Our quick reference and archive of items from Smithers and Telkwa for 2023

Town of Smithers website

2022

Smithers/Telkwa region

Skeena, Bulkley River Flood Watch 2023 


December

December 19 -- Town shuts down library from being used as warming centre  

December 18 -- Citizens on Patrol (COP) elects new board members 

December 15 -- Soccer Society makes progress in dispute over closing date for fields 

December 14 -- Smithers to hire second Community Safety Officer 

December 14 -- Smithers hires new CAO

December 13 -- Limited childcare spaces remain an issue in Smithers 

December 8 -- Citizens on Patrol seeks volunteers; public meeting December 14
December 6 -- Smithers and Houston swap Chief Administrative Officer position status


November

November 30 -- Smithers Airport now considered in climate action study

November 30 -- Arts and Culture programs saw a 'tremendous success" this year

November 30 -- Festival of Trees returns 

November 28 -- Funding distributed to three projects in the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District 

November 22 -- Council votes to charge for electric vehicle charging 

November 22 -- Seniors group seeks to redirect funding for French school 

November 20 -- Council directs staff to research banning roaming cats 

November 16 -- Smithers Mayor now co-chair of Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance 

November 13 -- Fallen RCMP officers and firefighters honoured at Remembrance Day ceremony 

November 15 -- Smithers animal control bylaw amendment proposal moves forward 

November 13 -- Veterans Park encampment cleanups suspended 

November 10 -- Take Back the night event hosted in Smithers 

November 10 -- Remembrance Day ceremonies being held across Bulkey Valley and Lakes District 

November 9 -- Orphaned bear cub rescued in Smithers, outside Canadian Tire 

November 9 -- Former Telkwa mayor's jump back into politics is about health care

November 9 -- Council supports fire department's quest for new radios 

November 7 -- Encampment takedowns and cleanings suspended temporarily in Smithers 

November 2 -- Council appoints deputy corporate officer

November 2 -- Fundraising continues to complete Smithers-Telkwa trail

November 2 -- More Provincial moves announced to encourage housing in BC NCR
November 1 -- Smithers resident requests a ban on roaming cats 
November 1 -- Proposed legislation to allow more small-scale, multi-unit homes in BC

October

October 27 -- Annual haunted house returns to Bulkely Valley Pool for Halloween 

October 26 -- Smithers Community Services Association hosting an open house 

October 24 -- Smithers remains  most expensive place in the north to buy a house 

October 23 -- Steelheads struggle with schedule due to rink closure 

October 19 -- Civic Centre opening delayed

October 19 -- Accessibility plan adopted by Smithers 

October 18 -- Train whistle stopping effort dates 

October 16 -- Bulkley Valley Soccer society fights to keep fields open 

October 12 -- Discarded animal remains on Smithers trail raises safety concern

October 12 -- Dianna Plouffe steps down as Chief Administrative Officer for Smithers 

October 12 -- Facility upgrades delay Smithers Civic Centre opening 

October 6 -- Smithers Airport welcoming second flight to Vancouver 

October 6 -- Smithers Community living services association kicking off year long 50th Anniversary celebration with Open House

October 5 -- Province tables further restrictions on public drug use 

October 5 -- Smithers' homeless population has nearly doubled in two years 

October 5 -- Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach questions Minister on delays in funding critical Northwest Infrastructure projects  

October 5 -- BC introduces legislation to ban public drug use in certain areas following months of backlash from Municipalities 

October 5 -- Dianna Plouffe steps down as Smithers CAO

October 5 -- Hangar at YYD to be demolished 

October 4 -- Additional daily flight with Air Canada coming to Smithers October 29

September 

September 29 -- Air Canada to add second daily flight between Smithers and Vancouver at the end of October 

September 29 -- Smithers officials celebrate expansion of Air Canada service to community NCR

September 28 -- Smithers to create economic plan 

September 28 -- Smithers mill kicks in $100K for Indigenous housing project 

September 27 -- BC Transit Announces temporary service reduction in the Bulkley Valley for start of October 

September 25 -- UBCM wrap up (audio)

September 21 -- Telkwa resident wants answers following water line break 

September 21 -- New report examines struggles to fund infrastructure projects in the Northwest, despite hosting most major industry projects 

September 21 -- Province continues to support northwestern BC economic growth

September 21 -- Smithers Fire Rescue sees large spike in calls, labour hours in July 

September 21 -- Smithers hires Burnaby company for energy audit 

September 20 -- Bulkley Valley governments to cohost NCGLA

September 14 -- Perimeter Trail reconnection project nears completion 

September 11 -- Smithers has a taxi service again 
September 11 -- Canadian and American flags flown at Smithers Fire Hall

September 6 -- Bear calls up this year 
September 1 -- 111th Telkwa BBQ kicks off this weekend 

August

August 31 -- Smithers to end Permissive Tax Exemption program 

August 31 -- Smithers hires Telkwa's fire chief 

August 31 -- Smithers to create crime reduction committee 

August 29 -- Northern transportation service survey calls for provincial trip booking service 

August 24 -- New Taxi company starting operations in Smithers 

August 23 -- Smithers organizations to lose permissive tax exemptions 

August 18 -- Water infrastructure upgrades underway in Telkwa

August 18 -- Telkwa forging ahead with renovations to the old fire hall 

August 17 -- Telkwa infrastructure upgrades (video)

August 17 -- BC government gives infrastructure money to Telkwa

August 16 -- Smithers considers course to eliminate permissive tax exemptions, would Prince Rupert Council consider similar plans NCR

August 15 -- Smithers Wastewater Treatment (video)

August 15 -- New support available for not-for-profit organizations 

August 14 -- Smithers advances new wastewater treatment system plans amid funding delays 

August 13 -- Smithers to start design phase of upgrades needed for waster water treatment facility 

August 10 -- Highway 16 and King Street most dangerous intersection in Smithers 

August 9 -- Smithers hotel no loner for consideration to become supportive housing 

August 1 -- Crime Severity Index down for Bulkley Valley and Lakes District  

August 1 -- Smithers violent crime rate (video)

July

July 31 -- Smithers violent crime severity index jumps nearly 30 per cent 

July 31 -- Committee of the Whole votes to end permissive tax exemptions 

July 27 -- Council receives heat response plan and risk reduction strategy 

July 26 -- Town of Smothers to pursue funding for more childcare spaces 

July 20 -- Smithers seeks funding for an energy audit on town-owned buildings 

July 20 -- Smithers seeks new signage to make walking safer for seniors

July 13 -- Town discloses $75K + salaries and $25K + supplier payments 

July 12 -- High manganese concentrations found in Smithers water supply

July 11 --  Gymnastics building renovation gets green light to reduce parking 

July 11 -- Town of Smithers to survey riverbank south of Smithers Airport runway 

July 6 -- Council awards paving contract 

July 6 -- Iconic igloo attraction demolished west of Smithers 

July 5 -- Proposal to rezone former Capri Motor Inn in Smithers to allow for supportive housing receives first two readings from Council

July 4 -- Council approves contemporary look for Main Street Reno

July 4 -- Town will not allow Pro-Life Society to fly their flag downtown

July 4 -- Opposition arises to BC Housings purchase of motel 

June

June 29 -- Regional District and Lake Sabine Nation hold meeting 

June 28 -- Smithers Council votes against introducing a pro-life crosswalk
June 28 -- Town conducts largest business survey ever 

June 27 -- 2023 Smithers Business walk hits downtown sidewalks 

June 22 -- Smithers want to host NCLGA AGM

June 20 -- Pro-life society would like to fly their flag downtown 

June 20 -- Veterans Peace Park will temporarily continue to be homeless encampment location 

June 14 -- Phase One of Smthers to Telkwa trail officially opens 

June 12 -- Cycle 16 trail from Smithers to Laidlaw open

June 8 -- Province paves the way for safer roads 

June 8 -- Quick Bridge replacement completed behind schedule 

June 2 -- Salute in Smithers for popular musical ambassador includes downtown mural which now makes him a Northwest tourist attraction  NCR

June 1 -- Visiting industry not supporting enough community development in Bulkley-Nechako 

June 1 -- First Nations outline din new Regional District guide 

June 1 -- Finding the fare balance in northern transit costs 

June 1 -- Inclusive employment opportunities forum coming to Smithers

May

May 31 -- Bovill Square covered in colour despite controversies  

May 30 -- Smithers Parks bylaw (video) 

May 30 -- Pride celebrated, but not without controversy 

May 26 -- Chandler Park taken off the table for an overnight sheltering location 

May 26 -- Safety first

May 25 -- College welcomes largest international cohort since before COVID-19

May 24 -- Telkwa Reading Room to undergo some renovations soon

May 24 -- Town land near Chandler Park no longer in consideration for temporary overnight sheltering 

May 23 -- Telkwa wants to update community wildfire protection plan 

May 18 -- Telkwa making moves to connect multi-use path to village

May 17 -- Rosenthal Road riverbank work begins 

May 16 -- Smithers, Telkwa and regional district issue hazard notice following flood warning 

May 16 -- Bulkley riverbank erosion being corrected along Rosenthal Road

May 10 -- Smithers property taxes increasing by over 5%

May 9 -- Residents of Coalmine Road in Telkwa demand answers from Council

May 9 -- Northern flexibilities needed in ALR process

May 5 -- Smithers holding events commemorating Red Dress Day

May 4 -- Smithers Park Bylaw (video)

May 4 -- Smithers sees surge in ambulance wait times 
May 4 -- Smithers ready to connect trail to town  
May 3 -- Smithers still undecided on an encampment location 
May 1 -- Smithers Municipal Property tax rate to go up 5.2% in 2023, in contrast to initial 8.7 percent forecast 

May 1 -- Property taxes in Smithers go up less than anticipated 

April 

April 28 -- Four local arts and culture organizations given funding 

April 26 -- Smithers Anti-Racism (video)

April 26 -- Farmland is for farming 

April 26 -- Disaster response now has a local plan in region  

April 26 -- Council defers signing on to anti-racism protocol 

April 26 -- Property taxes expected to rise over 5% in Smithers 

April 25 -- Provincial funding provided for biking trails in the Bulkely Valley and Lakes District 

April 21 -- Northern Communities to benefit from New Provincial Flood Hazard Mapping Efforts 

April 20 -- Smithers Fall Fair and Telkwa BBQ to receive grants to continue  

April 20 -- First Police Honours Night held in-person since 2019

April 20 -- Friendship Centre Society wants to build daycare 

April 18 -- Smithers Regional Airport Conducting Emergency Exercises next month, encourage tenants to Attend

April 17 -- Smithers Council struggles with parks bylaw

April 13 -- Air Canada sticks to one flight per day out of Smithers 

April 13 -- Affordable housing project on Main Street gets green light for less parking

April 12 -- Smithers Council divided around signing racism and hate protocol

April 6 -- Smithers hires a new Community Safety Officer 
April 5 -- Town allows Francophone school some variances for its temporary setup
April 3 -- Taxi service returning to Smithers

March 

March 31 -- Funding announced for three Stikine riding libraries 

March 31 -- Bulkley Valley air quality statement rescinded for a second time this week

March 31 -- Canadian municipalities still face millions in retroactive RCMP payments 

March 31 -- Provincial Funding for Emergency Services Support announced  NCR

March 30 -- Telkwa council asking for public input on the Five year Financial Draft Plan

March 30 -- Upcoming Smithers annual water flushing

March 30 -- BC Transit reduces service in Smithers 

March 30 -- A new community safety officer is in town

March 30 -- Perimeter Trail clean up for wildfire mitigation begins 

March 29 -- Terrace taxi company plans to roll into town 

March 28 -- Smithers affordable housing project stalled (video)

March 28 -- Possible parks bylaw change irks residents 

March 28 -- Smithers considering revamped sheltering bylaw (audio)

March 24 -- Bulkley Valley/Lakes District air quality warnings (video)

March 24 -- Smithers looking for feedback on temporary sheltering locations 

March 23 -- Council questions lease for affordable housing project 

March 23 -- Appointments made for Accessibility Advisory Committee 

March 23 -- Telkwa proposed 12 percent tax increase 

March 23 -- Telkwa council sets priorities for 2023 -2026 Term

March 22 -- Dust advisory in effect for Bulkley Valley and South Cariboo

March 21 -- BC Transit Temporarily reducing service in the Smithers Regional Transit system beginning next week

March 20 -- Environment Canada issues special air quality statement

March 16 -- Former mayor of Telkwa dies at age 56

March 16 -- Northwestern local governments press case for provincial taxation sharing 

March 16 -- Former Telkwa mayor dies at 56

March 16 -- Town of Smithers under budget for snow removal in 2022

March 16 -- Telkwa assigning fire chief to emergency program coordinator role 

March 9 -- Former Mayor of Smithers dies 

March 9 -- Town of Smithers mourns loss of former Mayor Cress Farrow

March 9 -- Telkwa receives over $1 million in-one time funding grant

March 9 -- Old hangar to go

March 9 -- Telkwa Fire Rescue Truck 21 damaged, five crew members safe, in vehicle incident

March 9 -- Airport wants a grader

March 8 -- Northwestern local governments press case for provincial taxation sharing

March 6 -- Smithers looking for feedback on temporary sheltering locations  

March 2 -- Smithers Mayor appointed to BC Transit Board (video)

March 2 -- Budget 2023 benefits Northern Communities; Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen

March 2 -- Golf course to build new pump house building 

March 2 -- Smithers and Telkwa volunteer fire departments receive funds for fire equipment
March 2 -- Smithers looking to improve library 
March 1 -- Smithers Mayor appointed to the BC Transit Committee

February

February 28 -- Town of Smithers hires a Climate Action Specialist 

February 28 -- Smithers Art Gallery Creation Station lease extended temporarily 

February 23 -- Telkwa Council looks to 'old airstrip' as possible industrial site 

February 23 -- Creation Station lease up in the air 

February 23 -- Smithers to feel the effects of mill closure, says mayor 

February 22 -- Smithers Mayor named to BC Transit Board of Directors 

February 21 -- Burger King softer step closer to coming to Smithers 

February 17 -- Several northern communities to benefit from firefighter equipment funding 

February 16 -- Regional District of Bulkley Nechako contemplates tax increases  

February 16 -- Telkwa Fire Rescue trucks will display students artwork for a year

February 14 -- Concerns raised about former KFC rezoning

February 10 -- New $1 billion one-time grant program aims to help each of BC's municipalities and Regional Districts build for future growth

February 10 -- BC Government looks to distribute 1 billion dollars to provincial communities towards infrastructure needs NCR

February 9 -- Smithers Fire Department buying new truck and tools 

February 8 -- Smithers opens online portal for those affected by mill closures

February 6 -- Town of Smithers offers support for neighbouring communities in light of string of Northern Sawmill closures 

February 2 -- Calls for police service in Smithers up in 2022 

February 2 -- Smithers Citizens on Patrol program on track to start in summer 

February 2 -- Local ESS director not consulted with new ESS program guide 

February 2 -- Smithers to continue rolling along with active transportation plan

January

January 26 -- Sun sets on historic wooden truss Quack Bridge 

January 26 -- The Telkwa Museum receives donation from Coastal GasLink for new online database

January 19 -- Telkwa Council meeting at a glance 

January 17 -- Alpine Al attacked again 

January 16 -- Smithers supports another group applying for the same grant 

January 16 -- Smithers planner awarded childcare plan contract  

January 9 -- Smithers property assessment values rise another 14 percent 

January 5 -- Northwest BC communities call for help amid doctor shortage 

January 4 -- Property Tax Relief (video)
January 3 -- Homeowner Grants to cover up to $1.045 for Northerners in 2023

January 3 -- Northern Property assessments continue to rise 

Areas outside of Smithers/Telkwa  can be found here.




Archive of items from 2022 
Archive of items from 2021
Archive of items from 2020
Archive of items from 2019
Archive of items from 2018
Archive of items from 2017
Archive of items from 2016
Archive of items from 2015
Archive of items from 2014

Archive of items from 2012 and 2013

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