Several hundred local delegates and others are due in the Bulkley Valley for the three-day annual general meeting of the North Central Local Government Association beginning May 13.
There are 39 members of the association which takes in municipal and regional district and First Nations governments stretching south from the far north of the province down to 100 Mile House in the Cariboo to the border with Alberta to the east and to the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Formed in 1955, the association acts as an advocate on northern and rural isssues to senior governments.
Bulkley Valley co-hosts and financial supporters this year are the Town of Smithers, the District of Houston and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
Aside from the association business, various tours are on tap of the area, including Silverthorne Lake in Houston, a Smithers walking tour, a Wetzin’kwa Community Forests tour and a combined Witsuwit’en cultural tour and visit to the Toboggan Creek hatchery west of Smithers.
District of Houston mayor Shane Brienen called the co-hosting of the convention a perfect way to expose the region to people who either have not visited before or who have travelled through without stopping.
“It will be really good for the area,” said Brienen of the anticipated influx.
He said Houston has a lot to showcase, including its revitalized 9th and 10th Streets in the downtown core, its thermal loop heating system at the recreation facility and the extensive logging and prep work to build a fire guard.
All of the business, presentation and panel discusssions take place in Smithers.
In terms of presentations, Quesnel mayor Ron Paull will guide people through the extensive project to improve Hwy97 as it goes through his city while Northern Health representatives will provide tips and a practical demonstration on using Naloxone kits to help reduce the effects of opioid overdoses.
Providing the groundwork for housing can be complicated everywhere and that’s also the case with First Nations so First Nations representatives will pass along their experiences with taxation provisions and how they relate to housing solutions.
Smaller communities in the north such as Houston and Mackenzie are not strangers to what happens when mills close so that will heighten a presentation on what happens to promote stable and steady economic growth.
Delegates can also expect to learn more about finding, recruiting and then keeping a skilled and in-demand workforce at one of the panel sessions.
There’ll also be a talk by Kevin Falcon, the official leader of the BC United opposition in the provincial election.
Skeena - Bulkley Valley NDP MP Taylor Bachrach will be on hand and Nathan Cullen, the NDP MLA for the Bulkley Valley - Stikine riding and the provincial land, water and resource stewardship will make a virtual presentation.
Bulkley Valley musician Mark Perry will provide an evening of entertainment on May 15.
The convention wraps at noon on May 16.