This week I’m in Victoria for meetings with members of the Provincial Cabinet, senior government officials, members of the opposition parties, and with companies and organizations we’re working with to advance various City initiatives.
While video and teleconferences have proven to be a productive -- and much more climate friendly -- way to stay in touch with the provincial government during this pandemic, nothing can substitute for face-to-face interactions and networking. So, it’s great to be able to reconnect with former colleagues who are now Cabinet Ministers and to meet some key Cabinet Ministers for the first time.
Over the course of the week I’ll be meeting with 19 members of Cabinet, all in an effort to find areas where we can collaborate to achieve our common agendas. Council’s approach to working with the Province continues to be solutions oriented; yes, we have a number of significant issues and concerns, but merely complaining about them does nothing to resolve them.
All things considered, the current government has been very good for Quesnel. Major capital projects like the addition to the hospital, the new Junior Secondary School, new social housing projects, and multiple major road upgrades, are very visible examples of the province’s investment in the future of our community. The urgent primary care clinic, funding for significant increases in mental health and addictions supports, and all of the grant funding we’ve received to advance our community transition strategy may be less visible than the capital projects, but they are not less important. They demonstrate our ability to work cooperatively with the Province to both address community needs and to ensure we remain a vibrant and sustainable place to visit, live, and invest in.
This week I’ll be discussing ways Quesnel can help the Province to accelerate its climate strategy and achieve dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. We’re currently working on a district heating project that has the potential to dramatically reduce natural gas consumption in the city. We’ve also begun to conduct research on net-zero neighbourhoods, net-zero buildings, and net-zero waste strategies; all in an effort to play our part in addressing the threat of climate change.
Quesnel is also well positioned to assist the Province with its efforts to advance reconciliation with First Nations. Council has multiple partnerships and projects with the First Nations that settled the North Cariboo millennia before European explorers “discovered” the Fraser River. We’re hoping the Province will work with us to fast track these projects so we can reflect the rich history and culture of the Southern Carrier and Tsilquot’in all along the City’s riverfronts and in our downtown core.
On the transportation front, I will of course be lobbying for the advancement of the North-South Interconnector Project along with seeking additional resources for our active transportation plan. The future of Johnston bridge will also be a topic for discussion.
The City’s forestry initiatives and food innovation hub will be discussed too, with a view to accelerating the innovation that’s happening in our area as a result of these two exciting initiatives.
And, of course, housing will be a central theme throughout the week, as we desperately need more market housing and more targeted affordable and social housing built throughout the city. Seniors housing will be a particular area that I will be canvassing with the appropriate Ministers.
A more complete report on my visit and lobbying efforts will be provided to the public when I report to Council upon my return.