NCLGA AGM and Conference to begin Wednesday

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The 2022 North Central Local Government Association convention begins Wednesday at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Center.

The association has advocated for issues in central and northern BC since 1955. It hosts an annual convention to discuss topical issues, attend workshops, and pass resolutions that will be advanced with other government orders.

The event will take place on May 4th and 5th. With the theme “Inspired to Lead,” the conference will touch on several topics, including health care, affordable housing, food security, natural resources, truth and reconciliation, and policing services.

This year’s convention will feature former federal justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould as the keynote speaker.

Wilson-Raybould, a former MP, BC provincial Crown prosecutor, and regional chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations will share her views on Indigenous rights and reconciliation, democracy and governance, leadership and justice.

A package of 32 resolutions has been assembled for delegate debate and voting in two
sessions on Thursday, May 5.

Some resolutions include:

• Asking BC Housing for strategies, including building incentives for rural, remote and northern communities to create affordable housing.
• A new ICBC Basic Insurance Rate Design to correct regional coverage inequities, consider winter tire subsidies and eliminate windshield deductibles.
• Requesting the provincial government to further support improved local medical services to meet the needs of all rural British Columbians in their communities
• Provincial government funding to train 40 veterinary students to address a critical shortage of vets in B.C.
• That the Province of BC retains the existing number of MLAs representing the Peace Region in any review by the B.C Electoral Boundaries commission, given the region’s distances and adverse weather conditions.

The NCLGA says resolutions approved will be forwarded to the Union of BC Municipalities for consideration at the main UBCM convention this September in Whistler.

In a statement, Mayor Lori Ackerman said the city is excited to host the event and looks forward to showing leaders across the regions what Fort St. John offers.

“We look forward to seeing you in Fort St. John and sharing the beauty of the traditional territory of the Dane-zaa and the Peace River region,” said Ackerman.

“It is sure to be one you won’t want to miss.”

Those interested can view a fully detailed program below.