First convention for 2023 underway with NCLGA gathering

The 2023 political convention season is underway for BC's municipal politician with Council members and senior staffers from across Northern British Columbia gathering in Dawson Creek this week for the North Central Local Government Association convention.

The one week gathering which began on Tuesday will wrap up tomorrow after a full week and a full agenda of topics to discuss.

Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond noted at Monday's City Council session that Councillor Barry Cunningham had already established a Prince Rupert beach head at the convention, in Dawson Creek early to discuss themes related to Northern Health.

"Councillor Cunningham may be joining us, his intention was to join us by video chat. He is already up in Dawson Creek attending the North Central Local Government Association Meeting which a few of us will join up there. But there was a meeting with Northern Health today, we wanted to make sure we were represented at that meeting. So he's there. -- Mayor Herb Pond at Monday's City Council session

And while the Mayor observed that others would be joining Mr. Cunnighan for the week in the Peace Country, Mr. Pond never did fill out the roster sheet for residents as to who on council or staff was making the trip.

So far there have not been any social media shout outs from convention time to offer up a note or two on how things have gone or who's carrying the Prince Rupert flag for the event.

Prior to the convention the 41 member communities of the NCLGA provided for some Resolutions to consider, with a number coming from the Northwest.

From Smithers and Houston officials the focus has been:

Vaccine mandate for Health Care workers
Clean Transportation Action Planner Rural and Northern Communities
Building Bylaw enforcement
Treatment for mental health and addictions in Rural Communities
Prioritizing Municipalities in the Provincial Land acquisition process
Noxious weeds and invasive plant program for rail lines
Locally offered training and support for Public Health Officers in Northern BC
Limiting ability of major industrial to reduce assessed value

Terrace and Kitimat area resolutions include:

Withdrawal Management Services
Vaccine mandate for Health Care workers
Zero emission vehicles

There are no resolutions listed for the City of Prince Rupert, or other North Coast area governments in attendance this week.

A look at all of the Resolutions and other notes on the NCLGA convention can be found from the City Council Agenda package from Monday, pages 12-52.

The snapshot of convention week and the list of presentations and events is available here.

The convention will wrap up with the Friday session which notes of an 11:00 mark for the farewells to Dawson Creek.

You can learn more about the organization from their website here.

More notes on City Council themes is available through our archive page.