The Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) congratulates the four successful Northwest BC electoral candidates and invites them to continue to work with the RBA to achieve revenue sharing for the region.
Two MLAs were elected from each of the Liberal (John Rustad, Nechako Lakes and Ellis Ross, Skeena) and NDP (Jennifer Rice, North Coast and Doug Donaldson, Stikine) parties. All four candidates met with RBA representatives prior to the provincial election, and expressed their support for revenue sharing in the Northwest.
“Even though there is still some uncertainty about how the government will form in the coming weeks, many interpret the close election result as a vote for greater collaboration among the parties going forward. In that spirit, we are asking all of those elected from the Northwest to work together to help solve a real and urgent problem for the region,” said Bill Miller, RBA Chair and Chair of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
“Regardless of which party forms government, the fact remains that local governments in Northwest BC provide expensive services that are crucial to sustain the high level of current and planned economic activity – without a sufficient tax base to fund them. Many projects are located outside municipal boundaries, and those that are in municipalities also impact other populated centers. At the same time, this activity is creating tremendous wealth for the province that should be shared back to the communities,” said Phil Germuth, RBA Vice-Chair, Chair of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and Mayor of Kitimat.
“With 85% of the local population in favour of revenue sharing, and all 21 local governments across the region committed to resolving this issue, this is a movement that cannot be ignored. We will be in Victoria making sure that government addresses this issue promptly, but we’re starting at home by inviting the four successful candidates to an initial meeting as soon as possible to kick-off the process and start working together for the benefit of the whole region,” said Barry Pages, RBA Vice-Chair and Chair of the North Coast Regional District.
Invitations were extended this week for a meeting to take place soon between the elected MLAs and the RBA Chairs.
Signed,
Bill Miller, RBA Chair and Chair of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
Barry Pages, RBA Vice-Chair and Chair of the North Coast Regional District
Mayor Phil Germuth, RBA Vice-Chair and Chair of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
