Board Highlights - February 27 and 28, 2025

2025-2029 Financial Plan endorsed

The Cariboo Regional District’s five year financial plan has been approved by the Board of Directors. The financial plan will now be prepared for the Board to adopt it at its March 21, 2025 meeting, barring any further changes. The overall budget for the CRD’s 123 services is now at $78.88 million, with taxation revenues of approximately $35.4 million being requisitioned through the budget.

Public feedback was collected in an online survey from January 29 to February 19, 2025, and promoted through multiple advertising methods including a mailed summary of proposed budgets to each electoral area. 327 people participated in the survey, and the electoral areas with the highest participation included Electoral Area G (108 Mile-Lac La Hache), Electoral Area L (Interlakes), and Electoral Area A (Red Bluff-Quesnel South). This feedback was considered by the Board in its decision to adopt the budget, and is available online for public viewing.

Only one change was made to the budget – the Interlakes Fire Protection Area saw a $9,603 reduction in its proposed budget, resulting in a 2% decrease to the 22.5% raise that was initially proposed. Reductions were made by deferring planned spending on training, minor equipment, and minor building repairs and maintenance budgets. Other changes may be pending as the Board prepares how it has allocated Community Works Funding to projects in the financial plan, and whether any changes are needed to meet service goals and community needs.

Grant funding sought for water and sewer system planning

Master plans will soon be prepared by the CRD for 16 water and sewer systems. These plans are necessary to ensure long-term sustainability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance for these services. To that end, the CRD is applying for $160,000 in funding from the Infrastructure Planning Grant Program to help offset planning costs and could reduce the financial impact on service budgets. The CRD has allocated up to $350,000 in Community Works Funding to further support these planning efforts.

CRD opts out of provincial download of grant program responsibilities

In solidarity with other regional districts, the Cariboo Regional District will be communicating its intent to opt out of more downloaded responsibilities from the Ministry of Forests. The program in dispute, the “Firesmart Pilot Program for Regional District Cooperative Community Wildfire Response Organizations”, would require the Regional District to take a leading role in administering projects and funding. This includes responsibility to apply for funding and hold it on behalf of communities, establish new independent non-profit societies in areas where no fire department exists, and take responsibility for purchasing equipment and implementing training standards for these independent societies.

In making this decision, the Board identified that the Province is downloading the responsibilities to organize independent non-profit societies in the region, which the Cariboo Regional District would have little authority to manage or govern. The Cariboo Regional District remains supportive of the overall objective of improving community resiliency and response capacity of rural communities. The Ministry of Forests and Province of B.C. remain the best organization to manage projects supported by this funding, and the Regional District encourages the Province to work directly with interested communities.

Buy-local practices and policies to be looked at in wake of U.S. tariff threats

The Board has directed staff to provide an overview of the CRD’s current policies and practices for purchasing goods and services. This follows the U.S. President’s announcement of a 25% tariff on Canadian exports to the United States. While the CRD has historically followed procurement rules aligned with free trade agreements, including CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement), there is growing uncertainty about how these tariffs may impact trade agreements and local purchasing decisions.

Community group applications for Northern Development funding supported

The Board will be providing letters of support for several community groups seeking funding from the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT). This is a crucial requirement for applications sent to NDIT to ensure that community group projects are supported by local governments and First Nations. The projects which have been endorsed by the CRD Board include:

$20,784 from the Community Places funding stream for Likely & District Chamber of Commerce to revitalize and enhance historical and heritage displays in the Cedar Point Park area;
$30,000 from the Community Places funding stream for the Nazko Valley Community Centre Society to complete renovations in one unfinished room at the community centre;
$2,500 from the Fabulous Festivals and Events funding stream for the Williams Lake Cycling Club’s 2^nd annual “Ride Your Ride” Women’s Mountain Bike Festival;
$30,000 from the Community Places funding stream for the Williams Lake Rustlers Rugby Club to improve an outdoor skating rink at the rugby fields on Ottoman Drive.

Proposed resolutions for NCLGA convention endorsed

Calls for changes to provincial policies and legislation have been approved and will be sent to the North Central Local Government Association’s annual conference for consideration. These resolutions include proposed lobbying efforts to address:

These resolutions will be debated by local elected officials at the North Central Local Government Association’s annual general meeting being held in Prince Rupert this May. If endorsed at this convention, they will be sent to the Union of B.C. Municipalities for consideration.

Cariboo Chilcotin Healthcare Landing Program updates

Melissa LaPointe of Rogue Consulting Group Inc. provided an update on retention and recruitment support efforts for healthcare professionals in the central and south Cariboo. This program has been critical to ensuring that newly recruited healthcare professionals and ensuring that the community offers more than a job – the program has helped to connect them with homes, develop friendships, and build a sense of belonging in the community. She also discussed options for strengthening the program moving forward, including securing corporate sponsorships, pursuing grant funding, and transitioning the project to an independent, non-profit corporation, along with exploring whether to sustain funding as is or expand the program to support more health professionals.

Funds approved for healthcare improvements in Williams Lake and 100 Mile

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) is making key investments to improve healthcare facilities and services across the region. These upgrades will enhance patient care, accessibility, and the efficiency of medical infrastructure. Significant projects include wheelchair-accessible bathroom renovations ($250,200) and HVAC upgrades ($140,000) at 100 Mile District General Hospital, ensuring a safer and more comfortable environment for patients and staff. In Williams Lake, over $2.7 million is being invested to develop and improve primary care and community health program facilities, expanding access to essential services.

Additional upgrades include new physiological monitoring systems ($234,800) and a steam sterilizer ($195,500) at Cariboo Memorial Hospital, as well as critical water heating and ventilation system replacements at Fischer Place and Deni House. A comprehensive IMIT upgrade ($213,600) will modernize healthcare technology across multiple facilities.

Upcoming Meetings:

Mar. 10 @ 12:00 p.m. – South Cariboo Joint Committee

Mar. 11 @ 3:00 p.m. – North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus

Mar. 11 @ 5:30 p.m. – North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee

Mar. 19 @ 3:00 p.m. – Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus

Mar. 20 @ 9:30 a.m. – Committee of the Whole

Mar. 21 @ 9:30 a.m. – CCRHD / CRD Board

See the full CCRHD and CRD agendas and minutes at cariboord.ca/agendasminutes.