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CRD resolutions endorsed by northern BC local governments

Smithers, BC – The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) went three for three at the North Central Local Government Association’s (NCLGA) annual conference in Smithers, BC , May 5 -7, 2010. The CRD’s three resolutions that had been submitted for debate on the resolutions floor were all endorsed by the NCLGA membership.

“The Board and staff are to be commended for their hard work in developing these successful resolutions,” stated CRD Chair Al Richmond. “I am encouraged that these resolutions will be met with strong support from the NCLGA members at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) conference later this year.”

The first resolution to reach the floor requested that the North Central Local Government Association lobby the Provincial government to ensure that the costs of palliative care are the same in residential care facilities as they are in acute facilities. Currently, there is no per diem cost for palliative care located within an acute care facility; however, in residential care facilities located away from acute care facilities, there is a per diem fee for palliative care. The Regional District has also learned that many palliative care patients are serviced through residential care facilities as there is a limited availability of palliative care beds within acute care facilities. Therefore, these patients and their families are then burdened with costs associated with palliative care that other families experiencing the same traumatic circumstances are not required to pay.

The second CRD resolution called for NCLGA to lobby the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport to implement a Provincial Accessibility Capital designation, and to award that designation to a community or region within British Columbia on a two-year basis.

The final resolution addressed interim tax relief for small resort owners.  Throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin, property assessments have risen astronomically in recent years, and owners of small resorts have been hit hard by this trend. Combined with the current economic downturn, and a seasonal business operation window, there is a growing imbalance between property taxes due and income received. Many of the resorts in the region have been forced to close their doors, or have reduced services, which has severely impacted their earning potential and created an uncertain future for their survival.

All resolutions endorsed by the NCLGA membership will now be forwarded to the UBCM conference where they will be voted on by the local government representatives from the entire province.

The CRD’s resolutions will be available for viewing on the CRD website at www.cariboord.bc.ca

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