PRRD calls for revisions on letter to provincial government leaders

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has expressed frustrations towards a letter to Premier David Eby and Leader of the Opposition John Rustad regarding racism and anti-Indigenous comments during the 2024 Provincial General Election. 

During the November 21st regular council meeting, the Board of Directors reviewed an email and letter from Dale Bumstead, who is seeking 18 signatures from different governmental bodies in Northern B.C., and a motion of support for the letter. 

The draft letter expresses ‘united condemnation of the racism and anti-Indigenous rhetoric’ displayed during the 2024 Provincial General Election. 

“As leaders in the northeast, we are committed to fostering a society rooted in mutual respect, inclusivity, and reconciliation,” the letter reads. 

“We stand united in our expectation that, when such sentiments surface, the leadership of this province will act decisively, condemning them unequivocally and settling a clear example.” 

The City of Dawson Creek council previously voted to support the letter during the November 18th regular meeting of council. Despite the letter holding 15 governmental logos below the concluding line, not all have voted to support the letter. 

The PRRD also received letters from several region residents opposing the letter due to its ‘grandstanding’ message and lack of detail. 

Director Lilia Hansen, Mayor of Fort St. John, explained she had contacted Bumstead when the letter was still ‘in draft form’ and requested more details be included, but this advice was not reflected in the current version. 

“While I am in favor of the intention of the letter, to speak against bullying, harassment, racism, that is something we can all stand behind. I’m going to put out there that I’m not in favour of the letter [that is] currently drafted,” Hansen stated. 

“I also have a concern that the draft letter has logos on it from communities before they gave their approval, and it does give the impression of an acceptance to it in advance.” 

Area C director Brad Sperling also expressed concerns about the letter’s structure. He explained that he will always support any letter that reflects the PRRD’s views on racism but that the letter was too broad.

Director Danielle Veach, Mayor of the Village of Pouce Coupe, also shared these sentiments. 

“The language is far too broad, and it could create a situation where we are alienating a group of people,” Veach stated. 

Veach explained she also reached out to Bumstead with concerns regarding the ‘language within the letter’ and does not support the current version of the letter. 

“My concern is that by not naming this specific person and the specific incidents that we are referring to, we are sort of painting everybody with the same brush and really not focusing on what the issue is with the comments made by this candidate,” Veach explained. 

Alternate Director Reid Graham also expressed his lack of support for the letter, stating that he would like to see proof of the comments the letter alludes to. 

Director Allen Courtorielle stated he was in favor of the letter, and spoke about an incident involving Conservative Candidate Marina Sapozhnikov in the Juan de Fuca-Malahat voting district making racist comments during an interview. 

“Let’s not say that we didn’t hear it because you did hear it,” Courtorielle said.

“With the letter being proposed by Bumstead, regardless of who he might be but intentions that we as a group saying that we don’t acknowledge the letter, saying that it’s not written in a proper way.” 

“It’s never proper to have racism in your community, in your room right now stating that ‘we don’t believe it was happening.'” Curtorielle said.

“Regardless of how we feel today, we have to make sure that tomorrow when we get up that we’re in a better place.” 

“This letter was written based on a specific incident to a great extent. It’s aimed firmly at the provincial political arena, after the election but in that context. Racism is not something that visits any one group, it visits all of them,” Director Travous Quibell, Mayor of Hudson’s Hope said. 

Veach explained that the letter was indeed intended to speak about Spazohnikov’s comments, which have already been addressed by Rustad who spoke up ‘technically’ against the candidate’s comments. 

After a lengthy discussion, the board decided that the directors would forward their comments on the letter to the Chair, who would then send them to Bumstead on November 25th. 

To read the letter and email, see pages 41 to 45 in the agenda package below.