Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District - as delivered by CRD Chair Al Richmond:
“Today, I have the distinct pleasure of reviewing the Cariboo Regional District’s key accomplishments and successes for 2015. Looking back over the past year, our region can be proud of its achievements. The CRD experienced many successes in 2015.
The year started with three sub-regional budget consultation meetings taking place in 100 Mile House, Quesnel and Williams Lake. During these meetings we presented the proposed 2015 budget to our residents to seek feedback from them before adopting the budget at the end of March.
In February, the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee unanimously endorsed a resolution to proceed with the Arena Replacement Project on the site of the former Cariboo Regional District Library, as proposed during the public consultation process prior to the referendum in June 2014. Construction of the new West Fraser Centre is scheduled to commence in the early spring of 2016.
On the heels of the Cariboo Regional District’s successful display during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, the Regional District once again partnered with our member municipalities, the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and Pioneer Log Homes of BC Timber Kings to promote the Cariboo Chilcotin to the nation and the world at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. The display, which was located within the Northern BC Tourism pavilion, featured an indoor display area including a photo booth for visitors to have their picture taken with a beautiful Cariboo Chilcotin backdrop and some fun props such as gold pans, cowboy hats, fishing gear and more items which can be found in and around our region. Over 25,000 visitors passed through the trademark Cariboo Chilcotin entranceway during the two weeks of the Games.
Following a yes vote for the Sam Ketcham Pool Referendum which was held in November, the newly formed working group which was formed from elected officials and staff of the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake got to work on the major renovations project. The Project Management firm was selected in March. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2016 with and estimated completed in the fall of 2017.
In May of 2015, the CRD attended the North Central Local Government Association Conference which was held in Prince George. Delegates and their partners were able to attend some great workshops, business sessions and of course some spectacular entertainment and social events. I would also like to take this opportunity to again thank the many volunteers who dedicated their time and efforts to put on this conference. The hospitality which was offered to delegates and their partners was second to none.
In June, the CRD Board of Directors and staff travelled to Esler Sports Fields for the first of two 2015 Board on the Road events. The traditional Board on the Road BBQ was put on in support of the Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association to raise funds for its teams representing our region at tournaments across the province.
In July, our Emergency Operations Centre was opened again, this year as a result of the Puntzi Lake Interface Wildfire. The EOC provided assistance to residents and co-ordinated efforts to ensure public safety. Our EOC web site and Facebook page became the go-to place for news media, agencies, and the public for up to date information during the fire season. Our staff and many volunteers worked tirelessly side by side to meet the needs of the people directly affected by the fires, evacuations and alerts for the duration of the Puntzi Lake fire. We worked closely with our friends from the Redstone Indian Band under the leadership of their Chief, Percy Guichon. Chief Percy’s staff worked closely with CRD Emergency Operations staff to help keep local residents up to date on the fire activity and evacuation orders, provided a meeting spot for fire information meetings and helped in any way possible. We thank Chief Percy and his staff for their support and teamwork during this event. We are also most appreciative to Emergency Management BC for continuing to support our staff during emergencies. As with the Mount Polley Tailing Pond Breach of 2014 and the firestorms of 2010, our staff is to be commended for their dedication to helping those in need and finding solutions to daily challenges as they presented themselves.
Throughout 2015, the CRD continued to monitor the Mount Polley situation and attended many sessions discussing the temporary discharge permits. The CRD met with Chief Donna Dixon of the Soda Creek First Nation to hear the Bands concerns about the discharge permits and continue to meet with Chief Anne Louie of the Williams Lake Indian Band to discover ways in which we can all collectively move forward in the aftermath of Mount Polley. Mount Polley will be a major project that we will continue to work on and monitor with all of our First Nations and Non First Nations communities to create a better tomorrow for all residents.
On August 29, the Cariboo Regional District’s Chief Election Officer declared the results as official for the South Cariboo Highway Rescue and the Deka Lake Fire Service expansion referendums. Just under 700 south Cariboo residents participated in the two referendums through advance polls, mail ballots and general voting day.
The second Board on the Road event took place on September 10 and 11. The first day featured a Community to Community forum with the Canim Lake Indian Band. This event was the first step in strengthening our relationship, exploring shared services and developing an MOU with the Canim Lake First Nation. We look forward to continuing discussions in the coming year and the formalization of agreements between our communities. During the evening, the CRD hosted the traditional Board on the Road BBQ which was a community fundraiser for the Forest Grove Community Association who used the monies raised to help repair the roof on the Forest Grove Community Hall.
From September 21 to 25, the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors attended the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention and AGM which took place in Vancouver, BC. Throughout the convention the CRD met with provincial ministers, attended workshops and spoke to CRD resolutions.
During the conference, the CRD met with the Premier of BC, the Honourable Christy Clark, the Minister of Environment, The Honourable Mary Polak and staff from the Minister of Energy and Mines to discuss the next steps in the clean-up and recovery from the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Pond Breach.
Throughout the year, the CRD unveiled six new wheelchair accessible trails throughout the region including the 108 Lake, Dugan Lake, Barkerville Cemetery Trail, Kostas Cove, Claymine and the Stanley Cemetery Accessible Trails.
The Cariboo Regional District declared September 30 annually as Orange Shirt Day. The municipalities within the region, along with School District 27 and 28 have also made this same declaration to aide in the healing and reconciliation process and to create a better future for generations to come.
In 2015, the CRD successfully applied to a number of different provincial and federal funding programs such as the Building Canada Fund, the Towns for Tomorrow program, Northern Development Initiative Trust, the Community Tourism Opportunities program and UBCM’s Fuel mitigation fund for a total of approximately $1 million. The CRD also received approximately $1.7 million from the Community Works Fund which focuses on green initiatives and energy efficiency projects.
So often we forget how far we have come, and the challenges and issues we have overcome, or resolved along the way. Part of the reason for this report is to remind you of our accomplishments, and to compliment you on your successes.
Creating new partnerships, enhancing services, undertaking capital projects, informing the public and responding to residents’ needs is what building this region is all about. Our organization will continue to respond to community and residents’ needs thereby achieving our goal of:
Building Communities Together
I would like to thank all the Board members and staff for your dedication, perseverance and support throughout 2015. Thank you.”
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