The Voice of Local Government in North Central BC

1. The Voice of Local Government in North Central BC

2. OUR MISSION STATEMENT : The NCLGA is an association of local governments whose mission is to address issues, and to move forward initiatives for the benefit of its members.

3. STRUCTURE: NCLGA Executive (13) • Table Officers (4) • Area Representatives (6) • Directors at Large (3) Secretariat • Executive Director • Executive Assistant

4. STRUCTURE: • 68 % of Provincial Land Mass • Over 300,00 Residents • 40 Local Governments* *26 have populations under 5,000

5. BUDGET 2011: Revenue $270,000 • $160,000.00 from Membership Dues • $90,000 Revenue from Convention • $10,000 Surplus Carried Forward • $10,000 Miscellaneous Revenue • Expenditures $270,000 • $122,000 Personnel • $32,000 Administration • $116,000 Programs (Including AGM) 100

6. WHY • United Action • Matters of individual or common interest • Gives a stronger voice for the North • Cooperation with UBCM • Development of sound local government • Member Education • Seminars, Training, Workshops

7. PRIORITIES • Ensuring Our Fair Share! • It is crucial that the Province see the value in reinvesting in the north; not just for the social and economic well being of our own communities, but also for the long-term stability of the entire province. • We need to get a reasonable return of revenue in our region • An improved resource sector will provide the funds provincially to continue investing in the north, and provide social and long term stability in our communities.

8. PRIORITIES PRIORITIES • COMMUNICATION • NCLGA Connector – Monthly Newsletter • Media Releases • Surveys • Website • Encouraged Member Involvement • Improved Regional Reporting • Social Media

9. TOPICS OF CONCERN • HEALTH CARE • Liaise with Regional Health Authorities • Cooperation with UBCM • Northern Cancer Centre • Retention of Medical Professionals • Preserve and Maintain Rural Health Care • Northern Medical Program

10. TOPICS OF CONCERN • FORESTRY • Mountain Pine Beetle • Bio-Energy Opportunities • Tenure Reform • Silviculture & Reforestation • Softwood Lumber • Agri-Forestry

11. TOPICS OF CONCERN • AGRICULTURE • Agricultural Land Reserve • Invasive Plant Control • Food Security • Financial Aid for Northern Farmers • Distance to Markets

12. TOPICS OF CONCERN • ENERGY & MINES • Regulatory Processes • Exploration/Access • Landowners Rights • Revenue Sharing from Mining Royalties • Environmental Assessment Reviews

13. TOPICS OF CONCERN • TRANSPORTATION • Railcar Service • Transporting Hazardous Materials • BC Ferries Rate Increases &Level of Service • Hwy. 16 Increase to 3 Lanes • Hwy. 97 Increase to 4 Lanes • Bottlenecks in Transportation Corridor • Maintaining Current Infrastructure • Greyhound Bus Service • Level of Service / Air Travel

14. TOPICS OF CONCERN • ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS • NCLGA welcomed the Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw as an NCLGA Member. • Treaty Negotiations • First Nations Partnerships

15. CURRENT ISSUES • Funding for Rural Schools • Improved Cell Phone / Internet Services • Policing Costs • Judicial Resources • Drug & Alcohol Treatment Programs • BC Ambulance Services • Funding for Fire & Protective Services • Incandescent Light Bulb Ban

16. CURRENT ISSUES • Carbon Offsets • Marijuana Grow Ops • Mandatory Winter Tires • Judicial Resources • Wildfire Prevention • Paleontological Resources

17. ACCESSIBLE & LIVABLE COMMUNITIES We will continue to advocate for communities that benefit all citizens and visitors: • Age-Friendly • Disability-Friendly • Universally Designed • Inclusive Communities

18. ACHIEVING SUCCESS • Association Executive & Staff • Optimizing use of Board Members’ time • Setting realistic short and long-term goals • Local Government Members • Communication with Area Reps • Communication with Executive • Communication with NCLGA Staff

19. MEMBER ADVOCACY- RESOLUTION SUCCESS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL – Mandatory for all new passenger vehicles as of September 2011 CUTS TO SHERIFF ESCORT SERVICES – To be reinstated IMPROVED TRAINING FOR RURAL GENERAL PRACTITIONERS $10M province wide program for rural communities to support physicians and improve patient access to rural emergency services. HIGHWAY 97 FOUR LANING – Engineering and design work is now underway. The Province has invested $4M to prepare 7 initial projects for construction.

20. MEMBER ADVOCACY- RESOLUTION SUCCESS Re-Instatement of the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative - $25M transfer to UBCM for the continuation of the initiative. CELL COVERAGE IN RURAL AREAS and HIGH SPEED INTERNET– TELUS $1B Contract with BC Government INVASIVE PLANTS - $700,000 in additional funding announced. CANADA WEST UNIVERSITIES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION – UNBC has received full membership.

21. WORKING WITH OTHERS &BUILDING ALLIANCES NCLGA Members Northern MLA’s Rural Caucus Federal MP’s CCBAC / OBAC Yellowhead Highway Association Other Area Associations Interior & Northern Health Council of Forest Industries Mining Association of BC UNBC Northwest Corridor Development Corporation

22. BEING FOCUSED • Effective, Informative & Productive AGM • Increasing the Profile of NCLGA • Effective Relationships with Industry • Positive Media Relations

23. Questions? North Central Local Government Association The Voice of Local Government in North Central BC