The Cariboo Regional District will send a letter to the Minister of Transportation and BC Ferries opposing the proposed cancellation of Route 40 (Port Hardy to Bella Coola).
The letter will outline how the cancellation will not only have immediate impacts on the Bella Coola area, but that longer term economic ripple effects will be experienced throughout the entire region.
The board received a news release from the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) which states their opposition to this proposal and the economic hardships and loss of jobs this cancellation could cause.
The CCCTA news release also cites the lack of meaningful consultation with affected stakeholders as this route is a key component of the provincial Discovery Coast circle route and generates significant revenue for businesses and communities throughout the Interior.
2014 Provisional
Budget Discussions
The proposed 2014 five-year financial plan calls for an overall requisition increase of 2.5 per cent, with 1.4 per cent being attributable to new services, 1 per cent representing inflationary increases over 2013 and 0.1 per cent for the Anahim Lake Airport boundary expansion.
These preliminary numbers are exclusive of grant for assistance allocations which at this time reflect the approved grants for 2013 as new grant requests have not yet been considered in the Central or North Cariboo.
The provisional budget will be presented at the next CRD board meeting on Dec. 13 for adoption.
Once the provisional budget is adopted, the CRD will be seeking input and feedback through three sub-regional community engagement sessions which will take place in early 2014.
Be sure to watch for the dates of these sessions to ensure you have your say in the process before the final budget is adopted at the end of March.
ALR Core Review
The CRD will be asking for further consultation on any changes proposed through the provincial Core Review of the Agricultural Land Commission.
This action is in response to information the BC Food Systems Network has issued to all local governments regarding the Core Review and proposed changes to the Agricultural Land Commission and Land Reserve. The CRD will address the following in its query:
1.) Given that agricultural land comprises of less than five per cent of B.C.’s land base, the CRD reaffirms its support for the preservation of agricultural land in the Province’s Agricultural Land Reserve;
2.) The CRD reaffirms its support for the continuation of this decision making process as shared by regional districts and the ALC, and;
3.) An extension to the time in the core review process in order that the regional district and other interested parties can make meaningful presentations to the review committee.
The next CRD board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 13.
Interlakes
economic
strategy proposed
During a finance budget meeting recently, the Cariboo Regional District board discussed establishment of an economic strategy for the Interlakes area in Electoral Area L.
The directors resolved to include a contribution of $5,000 in the 2014 provisional budget to support the Interlakes Economic Association for development of the strategy. These funds will be included under the South Cariboo Economic Development function financial plan.
Later in the meeting, the CRD board discussed the options to include a contribution to the Forest Grove Curling Rink in the 2014 South Cariboo Recreation function financial plan.
The current amount under consideration is $5,500.