PRRD calls for province’s action on youth mental health, road safety and Canada Post

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Regional politicians are hoping to help address growing concerns about youth mental health, road safety and Canada Post closures.

During the October 16th meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors, Electoral Area C director Brad Sperling brought forward three items of new business for discussion and vote. 

Items of new business are topics brought forward by directors for the first time. It is a section included in the agendas of municipal government bodies such as the PRRD and local councils, and it allows politicians to gain support for issues facing their constituents. 

Sperling’s items focused on the stretch of Highway 29 between the districts of Hudson’s Hope and Chetwynd, possible closures of rural Canada Post locations and Saplings Mental Health Services in Fort St. John. 

The first item – Highway 29 – was raised due to local concern about portions of the highway that have fallen into disrepair, in particular a portion over a hill which Sperling describes as “barely even one lane.”

Sperling explained if that portion of the highway becomes inaccessible, residents of Hudson’s Hope in need of emergency access to medical services would be faced with an increased travel time of between 40 and 45 minutes, travelling to Dawson Creek rather than Chetwynd. 

The director recommended a letter be sent to the province’s minister of transportation, Mike Farnworth, to ask that repairs of the highway be considered the “highest priority.”

Sperling’s second new business item pertained to Canada Post, specifically concerns felt by residents around the possibility of losing more rural post offices. 

Calling the situation “unacceptable,” Sperling expressed a desire to send a letter to Bob Zimmer, the member of parliament for Prince George, Peace River and Northern Rockies; Jordan Kealy, the MLA for Peace River North; Larry Neufeld, the MLA for Peace River South; and Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada. 

The letter would also be addressed to the federal minister responsible for Canada Post, Joël Lightbound, the minister of government transformation, public works and procurement.

The third item of new business focused on Saplings Mental Health Services in Fort St. John, which Kealy spoke about during the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia’s question period in early October. 

Funding for Sapling’s inpatient/outpatient program is expected to cease in March 2026 following the termination of its contract with Northern Health. 

“The emergency rooms [are] already overworked, understaffed, if it’s open…this is important, and are there other programs in our region? Are they [going to] be in danger of being closed?” Sperling asked.

Sperling recommended the board question the Ministry of Education and Child Care on whether it supports providing resources to school districts in the PRRD to train counsellors in mental health and addictions to help children so they are not “going through a revolving door.” 

All three items of new business were voted on and, following the approval of the board of directors, the letters recommended by Sperling will be sent.