Back to SearchCity of Quesnel updates Board on healthcare recruitment and retention activities
Beverlee Barr presented an update to the Board on the City of Quesnel’s healthcare recruitment and retention initiative. The program began in 2015 as a means of addressing a shortage of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, and has since become a well-recognized model for similar services to complement the recruitment efforts of health authorities. A similar initiative was later introduced to the central and south Cariboo regions based on the successes of the joint initiative with the City of Quesnel.
Regional District amplifies call for Williams Lake urgent and primary care centre
The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District is calling for meetings with Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Interior Health in support of the City of Williams Lake’s pursuit of an urgent and primary care clinic. The Board has expressed that the CCRHD is prepared to finance its share of any capital costs for such a clinic, and discussed at length the escalating challenges with the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers. Through this meeting, the Board will seek to build a pathway forward in an effort reduce the strain on overworked hospital staff and support the provision of essential healthcare services for Cariboo-Chilcotin residents.
Interior Health demystifies the Sewerage Regulation’s scope of authority
Interior Health representatives presented information to the Board about the regulations affecting the design and maintenance of septic systems. A key highlight was that the sewerage regulation only focuses on the management of pathogens and the type of development at the time of construction, but does not consider future or changed land uses, the management of chemicals or nutrients released by septic systems, or scaling impact of increased septic systems as additional developments occur. This has escalating impacts on the health of lakes, rivers, and drinking water sources as septic systems increase in density and deteriorate due to age.
The Cariboo Regional District has sought to address this regulatory gap through the implementation of development permit areas, as is the case for the Green Lake Official Community Plan, and its Shoreland Management Policy. Both policies seek to increase the setback of septic and sewerage systems from waterways, and manage the density of such systems to reduce cumulative impacts on the natural environment.
More information about the maintenance requirements for most septic systems can be found online at https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/maintenance-and-operation-onsite-sewage-systems.
Tips for locating a septic tank and field are also available at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/water-wells/how-to-find-a-septic-tank-factsheet/7285_how_to_find_a_septic_tank_factsheet_print.pdf
Short term borrowing for duty trucks for 150 Mile and Lone Butte fire departments approved
The Board authorized staff to apply for short-term loans to purchase two duty trucks for 150 Mile VFD and Lone Butte VFD. A total $183,000 in borrowing was approved, and will be repaid over a period of five years from the areas served by each fire department.
Bouchie-Milburn Neighbourhood Plan receives second reading, advances to public hearing phase
The Bouchie Milburn Neighbourhood Plan was given second reading at the Board’s June 2nd meeting after receiving input from the Agricultural Land Commission. This marks a critical step in embedding the desires and vision expressed by residents of the Bouchie-Milburn area for a more localized approach to planning in their community. A public hearing will be schedule for residents to provide any final comments prior to the bylaws being adopted to codify the plan into law.
Board discussion ensues on pending advocacy at annual local government convention
Preparations are underway at the Cariboo Regional District for the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, an annual gathering of elected representatives where community concerns are raised to the Provincial Government and shared priorities between communities are identified. The Board held initial discussions to identify which Ministers it will meet with, what concerns will be raised, and how to ensure that the needs of the Cariboo are heard by the Province. Core themes focused on local governments and the regional district being left out of critical conversations impacting local governments and the communities they serve. The Board has tasked Regional District staff with conducting background research on these topics to assist in preparations for potential meetings with various provincial Ministers and their staff.
Upcoming Meetings:
June 10, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – General Voting Day, North Cariboo Pool Referendum
June 12 @11:00 a.m. – South Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus
June 12 @ 12:00 p.m. – South Cariboo Joint Committee
June 13 @ 3:00 p.m. – North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus
June 13 @ 5:30 p.m. – North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee
June 21 @ 3:00 p.m. – Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus
June 21 @ 5:30 p.m. – Central Cariboo Joint Committee
June 22 @ 9:30 a.m. – Committee of the Whole – ON THE ROAD (McLeese Lake)
June 23 @ 9:30 a.m. – CRD/CCRHD Meeting – ON THE ROAD (McLeese Lake)
See the full CCRHD and CRD agendas at cariboord.ca/agendasminutes.
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