Terrace, BC – April 27, 2022 –The Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) is an association of 21 local governments across the Northwest from Masset to Vanderhoof. Formed in 2014, the RBA includes all member municipalities and electoral areas of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, and the North Coast Regional District. The RBA was formed to seek a sustainable funding agreement with the province that ensures more of the revenue generated from the northwest, remains in the region. A funding agreement will allow local governments to better encourage economic development in the northwest and ensure that development creates good local jobs and sustainable, livable communities.
On April 22 & 23, 2022, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Nathan Cullen, met with members of the NW Resource Benefits Alliance, in Terrace, B.C. The purpose of the meeting was for the province to engage with Mayors, Chairs and Electoral Directors to discuss regional challenges and infrastructure and service delivery needs so that the Northwest benefits from the tremendous level of economic development activity in the region. Local governments are feeling the pain of growth and councils and regional boards are strained to meet these challenges while trying not to burden their overtaxed citizens.
The Minister was well received by the group and his participation in understanding the dilemma we have in such a highly dependent resource section of the province. The Minister committed to working out a path forward with us through a process-oriented Memorandum of Understanding anticipated to be signed at UBCM this September, in Whistler, B.C.
Quotes:
“People in every corner of the province deserve access to the critical services we all rely on – and that includes communities across the northwest. Having represented this region for nearly two decades, I’m aware of the challenges faced by many communities in our region and am committed to working with our local government partners in the RBA to develop a new MOU that lays out the path forward for how we can better work together to support the region.” – Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and MLA for Stikine
“We thank the Province and Minister Cullen for meeting with the Resource Benefits Alliance and understanding the unique challenges we face in the northwest. We certainly look forward to working with him on a funding agreement that addresses our infrastructure needs and helps generate revenue for the province.” – Sean Bujtas, Co-chair RBA Steering Committee
Media contact for the RBA
Ron Poole,
RBA Management Consultant 250-615-3694
