Mayor Hansen shares reflections on 2024 and vision for the new year

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — City of Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen is sharing her thoughts on the achievements and challenges of 2024 and looking forward to what the community can expect next year. 

Hansen says the community faced challenges over the past year, one of the biggest being the wildfire evacuation from Fort Nelson.

“We definitely couldn’t have done as much as we did without the support from our ESS staff and our hotels and the restaurants and the community. They were fantastic.”

The Mayor says wildfires can be frightening, and the least that can be done is to help the exhausted people who arrive in Fort St. John.

The other big challenge of the year was the closure of Canfor Sawmill, which left hundreds of residents without jobs. 

Hansen says her heart goes out to the families affected by the closure. 

“It’s still hard to see us losing such a large industry that’s been a tremendous community partner,” said Hansen. 

Meanwhile, one major accomplishment Hansen attributes to the city and its staff is the fast and efficient issuing of permits for the VRS Communities Harlequin at City Centre senior housing project currently under construction. 

“I have to give so much credit to our staff for getting those permits in such a timely manner,” says Hansen. 

The mayor says the 115-unit facility will have a significant impact on the community. 

“The city invested in this project with land, and it’s going to make a very positive [addition] to our downtown area, and, most importantly, keeping families together.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Hansen says the city will work on upgrading the water systems to ensure continued access to clean, safe drinking water.

“It’s one of our primary responsibilities as a municipality.”

Hansen hopes to get a referendum on the North Peace Leisure Pool Replacement project in 2025 which recently had a Phase Three engagement summary report presented to the PRRD. 

She says council will also look into reservoir upgrades at Northern Lights Drive and replacing the 106th Avenue reservoir.

“We want to make sure we’re continually investing in our in our water sources, and importantly, making sure that it’s quality, you know, safe drinking water.”

Hansen concluded by wishing a Merry Christmas and blessings for the new year to residents 

“Our hearts go out to those that have personal struggles, and we hope that they know they could reach out, just to the community, and to organizations. Fort St John is such a generous community, and we don’t want anyone to feel that they’re alone. As a community, we’re stronger when we help each other,” Hansen concludes.