FORT ST. JOHN – Mayor Lori Ackerman, and members of Council recently had an opportunity to meet with: Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, Ellis Ross; Premier, Christy Clark and, the provincial Green Party Caucus.
Mayor Ackerman and three Council members met with Minister Ross for breakfast. The minister was very interested in the work the community has done around ‘Let’s Talk Site C’ and the community measures agreement that resulted from it.
Mayor Ackerman highlighted the City’s ability and desire to work with industry to strengthen the community. In the afternoon, Mayor Ackerman and Councillor Trevor Bolin met with Premier Clark.
They discussed lost contracts on the BC Hydro Site C project and shared the concerns of local businesses and local employees. Mayor Ackerman and Councillor Bolin emphasized that the community is strengthened when contracts are honoured.
Finally, Mayor Ackerman and Councillor Bolin met with the BC Green Party Caucus. They discussed BC’s reputation asa world leader in regulations and best practices in resource extraction. The importance of local government involvement in the decisions that impact the community was also stressed. It was also suggested the caucus visit with Blueberry, Doig and Halfway First Nations.
“I think it was important to remind these decision makers that there is a community hereand we need to be involved in decisions that impact us,” says Ackerman. “We discussed the importance of local hire and local businesses. I don’t want my community to be used as a political football between political parties.”
“I was surprised and impressed with the Green Party’s openness to a balanced approach to resource development in the north and I hope that continues,” says Councillor Bolin.
Council will invite MLA John Horgan to visit the community to learn about the BC Hydro project and the natural gas industry.
“At one time Mr. Horgan sat in my office and stated he would not shut down Site C,” say Ackerman. “I welcome him back to continue that conversation and learn more about the community here and how we work with industry and other levels of government to strengthen our community.”
