From the Bear Pit
Regional Council Meeting News
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November 22, 2021 Regional Council Meetings
Business Walks 2021
Business Walks is a program aimed at business retention and expansion to support existing businesses in a community. Through a day dedicated to learning more about local businesses through face-to-face interviews, the Business Walks program offers an excellent opportunity to listen to the local business community, identify needs and strengthen relationships with local business owners. On October 22nd, 2021, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality staff, councillors and Fort Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) staff and volunteers visited businesses on a 2021 Business Walk.

During the 2021 Business Walk, a total of 55 businesses were surveyed in our commercial zones representing approximately 50% of the businesses with listings in that area. Businesses may not have been surveyed if the owner or manager wasn’t available, if the business chose not to be surveyed, if the business has closed, if the business was closed at the time or if our surveyors ran out of time to reach all businesses. The 55 businesses surveyed cover a wide range of business types including but not limited to: a variety of service providers (hair, auto, accounting, etc.), retail, hospitality, food services and industry supply stores. 

There are a few prominent themes that Council was made aware of:
  • the impact of crime and vandalism increasing fear and anxiety within our community.
  • lack of customers, staff will work with the Chamber to encourage shopping local, educating the community of the importance of supporting local economies.
  • finding and retaining employees was also mentioned as a challenge, mentioning Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) contributing to this challenge.
  • the question "What can be done to help your business meet your goals?" received responses indicating business owners and managers may not be aware of the potential the NRRM and Chamber has for positive influence to contribute to local business.

Staff will work to address these issues through various strategies touched on in the "What We Heard" report.

WildsafeBC 2021 Year End Presentation
Special Regional Council Meeting: November 22, 2021 5:00pm
WildSafeBC is the provincial leader in preventing conflict with wildlife through collaboration, education and community solutions. It has evolved out of the highly successful Bear Aware program and is owned and delivered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation.

Wildsafe BC's Community Coordinator, Kim Eglinski gave a year end presentation, noting numbers of issues are down overall from last year with less garbage bins tagged and fewer offenders. The proper steps for reporting bear activity weren't always taken, many residents posted on Facebook but didn't always call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) phone line, making it harder to accurately track actual incidents. She will continue to encourage residents to use the proper avenues for reporting wildlife. In 2021, WildsafeBC and the Conservation Officers also assisted with a local trial of garbage cart locking devices for those who do not have garages or secure areas to store their bins. Feedback surveys are being completed by the homeowner at these residents, and will be used to determine if bin locks are adopted permanently.

In 2022, WildsafeBC plans to focus their efforts on commercial bin maintenance as some issues have been occurring.
Winter Wonderland Skating
Come out and skate in our winter wonderland December 17th-29th!

Did you know that you can reserve private ice time for your family/group - email Ginger at ghaayer@northernrockies.ca by December 16.
2020 Winter Wonderland Skate
Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 197, 2021
(In Camera Electronic Participation)
Regional Council adopted Procedure Amendment (In Camera Electronic Participation) Bylaw No. 197, 2021 to amend the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Procedure Bylaw No. 1, 2009, and provide for electronic participation in all Regional Council meetings. This was a temporary measure during the pandemic, and will now be a permanent feature.

A separate Repealing Procedure Amendment Bylaw (Emergency Electronic Participation) Bylaw No. 198, 2021 was also required to effect the above amendment.

Also of note
  • Regional Council email ratified the reallocation of Fort Nelson Family Development Society grant-in-aid funding. Initially the funds were allocated for the Parade of Lights, they have now since refocused their efforts to a project called "Season of Giving", to assist local families in need during the holiday season.


Northern Rockies Regional Municipality www.NorthernRockies.ca