“I’d like to say I had a good night’s sleep while I was there ... I’d like to say.”
That was Clearwater councilor Ken Kjenstad’s comment after a hectic five days the week before last in Vancouver attending the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.
Other Clearwater representatives who attended included mayor John Harwood, councilor Stephanie Teare, and chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx. Wells Gray Country (Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area A) director Tim Pennell was there as well
They certainly seem to have been busy. Kjenstad presented a tightly spaced four-page report with the convention highlights to town council last Tuesday.
BC Hydro’s plans to introduce Smart Meters across the province were probably the most controversial item on the agenda, he said.
There were plenty of protesters against the proposal and the conference did not endorse the plan, but the government plans to go ahead anyways.
Not so well reported in the media but possibly of more long-term interest were the workshops.
Things started off on the Monday with a study session on creating age friendly communities.
Items such as safe walking areas, affordable housing, and activities for seniors are important, Kjenstad reported.
A study session on the forest economy looked at “... something near and dear to us,” said the councilor. “We need new and better ways to use our resources.”
“New thinking has to take place in the use of products - especially for use in biofuels.”
Canfor hosted a dinner for delegates from communities the company works in.
“It was pretty enlightening,” said Kjenstad. “They wanted to give the communities confidence that they are in it for the long haul.”
The forest company asked for a meeting with Clearwater council in late October or early November.
Rural towns had a chance to talk about common concerns in the Small Talk Forums.
Items for discussion included transportation and the difficulties associated with highways running through towns, transit, road safety, and the need to attract medical personnel.
District of Kent has achieved success using a large diameter hose to provide fire protection to areas without hydrants. The insurance companies accept the innovation, said Kjenstad.
The danger of interface fires and how to prevent them was another topic of concern.
Elected officials from Kamloops to McBride and beyond met with Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman about improving the energy supply to the North Thompson and Robson valleys.
Mayor Harwood did a good job in presenting the case that more and more consistent electrical power is needed not just for industry but for community wellbeing as well, said the council member.
The delegates also met with BC Hydro on the subject.
The convention rejected a proposal from the province to set up an Auditor General for municipalities. However, the executive was asked to continue sitting on the committee as it was felt the government might go ahead in any event.
A clinic discussed the ins and outs of holding in camera (closed to the public) meetings. Such meetings must follow the correct criteria for and those reasons must be stated. The public should be aware of the times and places of in camera meetings, and policies should be in place regarding releasing the minutes of the meetings.
Meetings with Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thompson, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom and Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell all focused on improved access to wilderness areas such as Trophy Flower Meadows. Seeing several ministers meant possibly they could share the costs, Kjenstad said.
The meeting with Pat Bell also looked at the future of the Wells Gray Infocenter, moving forward on the application for UNESCO World Heritage status for Wells Gray Park, and the need to update the park’s master plan.
Four provincial ministers, including Minister of Environment Terry Lake, met as a resource panel with delegates.
Presently there are nine mines near production or working towards construction in the province, including Yellowhead Mining’s Harper Creek project near Vavenby.
Motions passed by the convention of local interest included one that there be a dividend that would return a fair share of revenue creased by rural-based resource industries.
Another asked that the province provide appropriate budget and staff to fully support the operation of provincial parks.
A third asked the province to increase the funding for visitor centers such as the Infocenter.
The UBCM convention also asked that the province undertake a comprehensive review of the forest tenure system.
Councilor Stephanie Teare commended Terry Lake who, in his role as MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson, did a good job in setting up meetings with ministers and making sure they were fully briefed about local issues beforehand. Council approved a motion she made to send him a letter of thanks for his support at UBCM.