Dawson Creek to champion mental healthcare access in NCLGA resolution

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Dawson Creek is asking the province to make mental healthcare more accessible for British Columbians. 

During its March 23rd meeting, the City of Fort St. John council reviewed a letter from the City of Dawson Creek about a healthcare-related resolution to the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA)’s 2026 annual general meeting and convention. 

In the letter, Dawson Creek mayor Darcy Dober explains the city is seeking improved access to publicly-funded mental health services across the province. 

“The resolution reflects growing pressures experienced by local governments as gaps in accessible mental health services increasingly affect municipal systems such as emergency response, policing and community safety,” Dober wrote. 

The resolution, included in the letter, encourages the NCLGA and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) to request the province “take steps to improve access” to mental healthcare, with a focus on early intervention and prevention. 

The resolution comes one month after the February 10th mass shooting at a school and home in Tumbler Ridge, which left nine dead – including the shooter – and sparked conversations about mental health accessibility in rural areas.

While Dawson Creek’s letter welcomes support in the form of co-sponsorship, Fort St. John city councillors noted the resolution was similar to ones presented to NCLGA in previous years, and while it may be specific enough to gain approval, they were concerned the odds were still slim.

The council chose to receive the letter “for information,” and did not propose any resolutions for co-sponsoring or reflecting support for the resolution prior to attending the NCLGA convention in Prince George from May 20th to 22nd. 

To read the full letter and resolution, see below.