City of Powell River Council will consider approving terms of reference for the intergovernmental relations protocol working group formed between the city and Tla’amin Nation.
At the September 10 committee of the whole meeting, councillors received a report on meetings held by the working group. City councillor Trina Isakson said terms of reference had been discussed and a draft document had been written to be potentially adopted by each respective council.
Isakson added that there was potential for an update by Tla’amin to city council on the future of the Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat mill site at some point this fall.
Councillor Cindy Elliott asked if the draft terms of reference should be adopted by council. Isakson made a motion that committee of the whole members recommend that council approve the working group terms of reference, as attached to the September 10 agenda. She said because of the Tla’amin election on September 14, the timing was not urgent.
Councillor George Doubt said the working group developed the terms to outline how the working group would do business and move intergovernmental relations forward in the future.
“Having it approved by each council is the way we plan on going,” said Doubt. “Hopefully, we can get this passed so we can get on with the work. It came out of two meetings – one introductory meeting and another to finalize the terms of reference wording.
“The intention of the working group is to continue giving reports to council. The working group will agree on what those reports are going to be so both this council and Tla’amin council get the same information.”
Elliott said it was clear that the decision-making bodies were the councils, that decisions come to the councils, and decisions being made out of the work being done by the working group are hashed out at the council table.
“I’m really happy to see these terms of reference come forward and I support the motion,” said Elliott.
The motion to refer the terms of reference to city council carried.
According to the terms, the purpose of the working group is to work in service of common goals for the greater community, rooted in a shared vision of a thriving and resilient community. Specifically, the working group: promotes dialogue and communication between elected representatives of the city and Tla’amin; identifies areas of mutual interest and concern; explores opportunities for collaboration on initiatives that benefit both communities; supports reconciliation efforts; develops proposals that help both governments work toward solutions, and to make recommendations about proposals to member governments.
The terms of reference stated that the working group makes recommendations to members’ councils, but does not decide for nor act on behalf of their councils.
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