MLAs urged to continue representing Peace River’s communities on ‘critical’ issues

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Members of the district’s regional board expressed concerns about being “invisible up here in the north” to newly elected MLAs ahead of their first sitting in the provincial legislature. 

Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy and Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld met with the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors during the January 23rd board meeting. 

The meeting allowed the directors to communicate the concerns they hear from residents to the MLAs. 

In introducing themselves to the board, both MLAs emphasized their commitment to representing their constituents to the best of their ability and improving the challenges currently facing their communities. 

“The fix isn’t going to happen in this four-year cycle, it’s going to be over the next 20 years, and we have to address the critical [issues]. Especially when it comes to our emergency rooms closing, that’s way more common in the rural areas of B.C., especially in the north,” Kealy said. 

Lilia Hansen, director and mayor of Fort St. John, gave the Peace River North MLA a detailed outline of the concerns she has as an elected official and a member of the northern community. 

She detailed concerns about the province “downloading” financial burden to municipalities and regional districts, healthcare costs, as well as concerns in the “broken record” project that is the Taylor Bridge. 

Hansen also expressed frustration about not hearing anything about the Fort St. John Canfor sawmill closure when attending the 2024 Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the BC Natural Resource Forum. 

“In our area we have had multiple mills being closed, and I can see why they don’t want to bring it up, but it needs to be discussed because there are unintended consequences by decisions that we make at all levels of government,” Hansen said. 

Hansen also stated she consistently hears concerns about crime rates, “revolving doors” in the court system and access to healthcare – especially psychiatric, detox and recovery beds – and reliable rail transportation service. 

“How are we going to get more manufacturing or industry or work happening farther north if we don’t have the transportation?”

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia will be in session starting on February 19th for the first time since the 2024 provincial general election.

The northern MLAs have also been appointed to the Conservative Party of B.C.’s shadow cabinet. Kealy has been named shadow minister for agriculture expansion and food security, and Neufeld has been named shadow minister for natural gas and LNG. 

Both MLAs have emphasized to the PRRD their intentions to represent the interests and advocate for the Peace Region and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.