Fort St. John Chamber suggests PRRD hire Indigenous Liaison

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter to the regional board suggesting the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) hire an Indigenous Liaison to support reconciliation and economic development in the region. 

The liaison would advise staff and directors on reconciliation and understanding the scope of work needed to be achieved to build meaningful relationships. 

The chamber’s letter states, “In addition to reconciliation, work is required to build trust within the Indigenous community, allowing the PRRD to create appropriate and thoughtful policies that will collectively benefit and support the region.”

For the hiring process, the chamber suggests Indigenous communities be included to ensure the candidate selected for the position can work effectively with all parties involved.

Along with an Indigenous Liason, the chamber recommends the PRRD engage in a process to “understand the economic future of the region better.”

This includes having a dedicated staff working with Indigenous communities, municipalities, rural directors, and economic developers in hopes of allowing decision-makers to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within the economy. 

The chamber suggests the PRRD hire an economic development professional onto staff as well.

The chamber believes hiring a professional will help inform decisions surrounding land use, resource development, urban reserves, and business climate.

“We encourage the board to consider the clear need to carve out a plan for economic sustainability within the PRRD and to dedicate time and effort to creating a framework for not only the business community but also those who choose to participate in the economy of the northeast,” the letter reads. 

The chamber’s letter will be discussed among directors at the PRRD’s November 16th regional board meeting.