received dc office november 9/15 handout c-5prrd.bc.ca/board/agendas/2015/2015-32-478298400/... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
From: Julie Rogers <[email protected]>
Date: 11-09-2015 5:02 PM (GMT-07:00)
To: Chris Cvik <[email protected]>
Cc: Trish Morgan <[email protected]>
Subject: An invitation to the Up
Dear PRRD Board,
The NEBC Resource Municipalities Coalition is extending a personal invitation to each PRRD
Board member to attend the Upstream Update Forum on November 25, 2015 in Fort St John,
BC.
The Forum will feature a keynote address by former University of Northern BC President, Dr.
Charles Jago on resource development, a keynote speech by Jas Johal of BC LNG Alliance and
a variety of panels that will provide First Nation, community and business perspectives. The
Forum theme is ‘Empowering Community Voices in Resource Development’. We will bring
communities together to plan, collaborate and embrace opportunities that protect and enhance
the quality of life and services for all of our residents, now and in the future.
We welcome your participation. You can register online at the Forum registration fee is $100.
You can register through EventBrite here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/upstream-update-forum-
presented-by-nebc-resource-municipalities-coalition-tickets-19298617685
Attached are several documents outlining the purpose of the Coalition and the topics to be
covered at the November 25th Forum:
a) A document outlining the Role and Goals of the Coalition
b) An outline of the November 25th Forum Schedule
c) A copy of the November 9th Press Release
Regards,
Mayor Lori Ackerman Mayor Bill Streeper
City of Fort St John Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
Mayor Rob Fraser Executive Director Colin Griffith
District of Taylor NEBC Resource Municipalities Coalition
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Empowering Community Voices in Resource Development
NEBC Resource Municipalities Coalition – Forward Together Intense industrial activity is underway throughout Northeast BC — from expansion of natural gas production, to new mining operations, to Site C hydroelectricity generation. As the region prepares for more growth, the NEBC Resource Municipalities Coalition is here to bring communities together to plan, collaborate and embrace opportunities that protect and enhance the quality of life and services for all residents, now and in the future.
The Northeast: Engine of BC’s Sustainable Future
Dramatic Growth
Northeast British Columbia encompasses over 204,000 square kilometres, bordered by the Yukon and Northwest Territories to the north, the Rocky Mountains to the west, and Alberta to the east. This is a vast, remote and beautiful area of mountains, foothills, forests, lakes and the Peace River valley – nearly a quarter of the provincial landmass and home to over 60,000 people.
New initiatives in the oil and gas, hydro-electricity, mining and forestry sectors in the Northeast are critical to the provincial economy, in addition to tourism, agriculture and other economic activities.
Over the past 10 years, there has been a dramatic increase in Northeast natural gas development. The discovery of substantial shale gas fields has triggered a decade of unparalleled development, and the Province’s plan for liquefied natural gas processing is further driving production. Industry has invested over $62 billion dollars, and gas production has increased 70% over the decade. The impacts on Northeast communities are equally dramatic. Some, such as Fort St. John, have been growing at more than 3% per year.
Shaping our Future — without the Boom, Bust & Fizzle
The communities of the Northeast are the heart and soul of the region, offering stability and essential services such as land, transportation, utility systems, recreation and cultural facilities. How communities grow matters greatly to the people who live there.
Experience from Alberta shows that rapid growth related to oil sands development was accompanied by significant environmental degradation and deficiencies in housing, waste treatment and health care services in some communities. This has a ripple effect and makes it difficult for industry to attract key personal, especially those wanting to settle in the area.
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The Northeast can write a different story. Communities have an interest in fostering sustainable development and diversifying the economy sufficiently to outlast downturns in commodity prices. Residents – current and future – deserve to live, work and play here knowing it is possible to weather economic storms, such as those that have rocked so many resource communities in Canada and around the world.
There are big opportunities, and also big challenges ahead. The Coalition will help communities plan through collaboration.
Let’s Move Forward Together
Resolving the Disconnect between the Rural Oil & Gas Property Tax Base and Resource Municipalities
Since the advent of the oil and gas industry in the mid-1950s, the most significant challenge for municipalities in Northeast BC has been overcoming the lack of access to the rural oil and gas tax base. The municipalities and regional districts addressed this disconnect from the industrial tax base they serviced through a series of innovative agreements with the Province of BC, under which the Province provided offsetting grants in lieu of access to the industrial tax base.
The Peace Region Fair Share Agreement was negotiated in three parts, starting in 1994 and concluding in 2015. A new Peace River Agreement, which is in place for the next 20 years, provides an annual conditional grant to Peace Region municipalities and electoral areas.
The unique Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, incorporated in 2009 as BC’s one and only integrated regional government also entered an infrastructure funding agreement with the Province in 2013 that runs through to 2035.
The conditional annual grant programs are not indexed to the growth of the industrial tax base and the economy. If Northeast BC experiences overlapping substantial growth in natural gas, forestry, mining and hydroelectric development, the capacity of the municipalities and electoral areas to meet the costs of growth may need to be re-examined.
The current grant programs require local government signatories to prepare annual and long-term development plans, which must be based on the projected level of resource development for Northeast BC.
Empowering Communities through Collaboration
Communities are now focused on local plans and priorities, including much-needed investments in infrastructure, programs and services.
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It is timely to consider the issues we have in common. How can communities collaborate for mutual support and efficiency? How can new partnerships with other orders of government, including First Nations, and with the business, industry and not-for-profit sectors be created?
The City of Fort St. John, District of Taylor and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality together with honorary member Senator Richard Neufeld are renewing their commitments to the NEBC Resource Municipalities Coalition. The Coalition believes that, as equal partners in the development of natural resources of the Northeast, all municipalities and electoral areas must be consulted and directly engaged in the planning and development of the natural resources of the region. Everyone is stronger when we move forward together.
The Coalition is wide open to all municipalities and Electoral Areas of the Northeast to join in a renewed commitment.
Coalition Goals
The NEBC Resource Communities Coalition is committed to these goals:
Goal 1: Protect and enhance existing Resource Municipalities of Northeast BC
Goal 2: Mitigate negative impact of development on Resource Municipalities
Goal 3: Maximize local supply of labour, goods and services provided to resource industries
Goal 4: Increase the proportion of workers and their families that will take up permanent residence in the Northeast Resource Municipalities
Goal 5: Ensure that all Resource Municipalities are involved and consulted in all resource development decisions that impact them directly or indirectly
Goal 6: Protect the environment
Goal 7: Collaborate and build partnerships with First Nations
Goal 8: Address the impacts of worker accommodations on municipal services and infrastructure.
Strategic Opportunities and Challenges
Natural resource development should sustain communities and provide citizens with a high quality of life through the provision of services that ensure safety, education, health, economic vitality and a healthy natural environment.
Members of the NEBC Resource Municipalities Coalition plan to advance common interests through education, research and analysis and monitoring industrial development and associated impacts in the Northeast.
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Below are some suggestions for pooling our energy and resources, in a manner complementary to existing planning processes. The Coalition welcomes input and collaboration with all Northeast municipalities and citizens:
• Education and dialogue on the status and trends in resource development across the region• Identification of cross-boundary sustainability issues for Northeast communities• A cumulative impacts assessment flowing from resource development• A regional economic diversification strategy• Protocols, agreements and best practices for community-to-industry relations• Research, strategies and additional investments needed to advance such issues as:
o Recruitment, retention and training of workerso Building a resident workforceo Housingo Telecommunicationso Health of the air, watersheds and environmento Human health issues, addictions and medical careo Traffic, rural roads, transportation safetyo Policing and emergency serviceso Disaster planningo Social issueso Educationo Recreationo Tourism.
Our Forum Series
In 2015-2016 the Coalition will convene three forums in Northeast BC communities. The forums are an opportunity for representatives from government, businesses, and local organizations in the region, as well as individual citizens, to connect, learn, share information and explore issues of common concern.
This is a conversation for everyone in the Northeast.
2015-2016 Upstream Update Forums
The 2015-2016 Upstream Update Forum series, themed “Empowering Community Voices in Resource Development” kicks off November 25 in Fort St. John. Local government, businesses, and community organizations in the region, as well as individual citizens, are welcome.
Here’s an Agenda Preview:
• State of global economies & resource development
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• Status of current LNG, pipelines & other development proposals in the region• Economic growth projections and impacts• Challenges and opportunities of resource development• Sharing perspectives:
o Rural communitieso First Nationso Small businesso Energy serviceso Youth
Upcoming Forums
Watch for details of upcoming forums in Taylor (April 2016) and Fort Nelson (September 2016).
Connect with Us
Coalition Partners To learn more about the Coalition, contact us any time.
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor: Bill Streeper (T: 250 774-2541 | E: [email protected]) CAO: Randy McLean (T: 250 774-2541| E: [email protected])
City of Fort St. John Mayor: Lori Ackerman (T: 250 787-8150 | E: [email protected]) City Manager: Dianne Hunter (T: 250 787-8161 | E: [email protected])
District of Taylor Mayor: Rob Fraser (T: 250 789-3392| E: [email protected]) CAO: Charlette McLeod (T: 250 789-3392 | E: [email protected])
Coalition Executive Director Executive Director: Colin Griffith (T: 780 933-9054 | E: [email protected])
Visit us at www.NEBCCoalition.com
Handout C-5
The 2015-2016 Upstream Update Forum series, themed “Empowering Community Voices in Resource Development” kicks off November 25 in Fort St. John. Local government, Provincial government, businesses, First Nations and community organizations in the region, as well as individual citizens, are welcome.
The forums are an opportunity for representatives from government, businesses, and local organizations in the region, as well as individual citizens, to connect, learn, share information and explore issues of common concern. We anticipate over 125 participants at the Forum.
Preview of November 25th, 2015 Program
State of global economies & resource development
Status of current LNG, pipelines & other development proposals in the region
Economic growth projections and impacts
Challenges and opportunities of resource development
Sharing perspectives:
Rural communities
First Nations
Small business
Energy services
Youth
Upcoming Forums In 2015-2016 the Coalition will convene three forums in Northeast BC communities. This is a conversation for everyone in the Northeast. Watch for details of upcoming forums in Taylor (April 2016) and Fort Nelson (September 2016).
Contact Information
Colin Griffith, Coalition Executive Director - T: 780 933-9054 | E: [email protected]
Visit us at www.NEBCCoalition.com
Honourary Member Senator Neufeld
2014 Coalition Launch
2014 Coalition Launch 2014 Coalition Launch
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NEBC Resource Municipalities Coalition Hosts Upstream Update Forum
November 9, 2015 – For Immediate Release
Fort St. John, BC - Members of the Northeast BC Resource Municipalities Coalition (Coalition) today announced that the Coalition will host the first Upstream Update Forum in Fort St John on November 25, 2015. This Forum will be the first of three focusing on the challenges and opportunities of resource development in northeastern BC. Each Forum will address a specific resource sector with the first one being the oil and gas sector.
The Forum will feature a keynote address by former University of Northern BC President, Dr. Charles Jago on resource development, a keynote speech by Jas Johal of BC LNG Alliance and a variety of panels that will provide First Nation, rural community and business perspectives.
Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman, expressed her support for the Coalition by stating “Our Coalition believes it is time to reconnect with the people of Northeast BC and advance common interests through education, research and analysis and monitoring industrial development and associated impacts in the Northeast. We will talk about these studies during the Forum and address a number of other important topics during the day-long event.”
Mayor Rob Fraser of Taylor added “The Coalition believes now is the time to fulfil our role of ‘Empowering Community Voices in Resource Development’. We want to bring communities together to plan, collaborate and embrace opportunities that protect and enhance the quality of life and services for all of our residents, now and in the future. The Coalition is aware that many people in the Northeast are wondering what is happening with the proposed LNG projects for BC and what the impacts will be felt when these projects move forward. We’re confident our Coalition’s first Upstream Update Forum will provide a great platform for people to get information and ask questions.”
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Bill Streeper says, “This first of three Upstream Update Forums will provide the opportunity to share information about the Coalition’s activities with people in Northeast BC. Our region’s oil and gas industry is subject to the impacts of low oil prices, a lagging economy in many parts of the world, and uncertain short-term demand for liquefied natural gas in the Asia-Pacific region.”
During the summer the Coalition completed two major research projects including one titled Comprehensive Economic Analysis and Projects for Northeast BC and another titled Municipalities Role in Oil, Gas and Resource Development in Northeast BC. This document is available for download on the Coalition website NEBCCoalition.com.
More information about the Upstream Update Forum including how to register can be found at NEBCCoalition.com
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Contacts:
Coalition Executive Director Executive Director: Colin Griffith (T: 780 933-9054 | E: [email protected])
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor: Bill Streeper (T: 250 774-2541 | E: [email protected])
City of Fort St. John Mayor: Lori Ackerman (T: 250 787-8150 | E: [email protected])
District of Taylor Mayor: Rob Fraser (T: 250 789-3392| E: [email protected])
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