‘Why are we not at the table?’: PRRD seeks recognition from province

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district is looking for more recognition as a governing body in northeast B.C. from the province.  

During the Peace River Regional District’s board of directors meeting on January 8th, a decision was made to pursue a meeting with the Ministry of Local Governments and Rural Communities and B.C. Premier David Eby. 

Darcy Dober, the director and mayor of Dawson Creek, noted the board originally requested a meeting with Eby at the 2025 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), but were “rerouted” to the Ministry of Local Governments and Rural Communities. 

“The revenue that comes to our province through natural resources, I believe, covers over half of the healthcare expenses in B.C.,” Dober said.

“It’s a substantial resource that comes from here, so I think that needs to be a topic; why are we not on the map or at the table?”

While no specific topics were discussed by the board on January 8th, notes forming the staff report detailed the board had requested a meeting with Eby to discuss considering the regional district to be “a key level of government representing the northeast.”

The board requested “timely information sharing, meaningful consultation” and “a seat at the table” in discussions about communities, economy, infrastructure and natural resource development in northeast B.C. held at the provincial level.

The directors also specified in their January 8th vote the meeting be held either during the BC Natural Resources Forum from January 20th to January 22nd in Prince George or after. 

The meeting request was also extended to include B.C. Premier David Eby, who will be in attendance at the forum.