qathet Regional District (qRD) directors have expressed concerns about the effect the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act will have on regional districts.
At a committee of the whole meeting last month, Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said a staff report illustrates many concerns about the new legislation. He said qRD should add its voice to those of other regional districts on this matter.
According to the staff report, the new act represents a significant change in emergency management in BC. The report stated that many regional districts have expressed concerns that the regulations currently being considered do not accurately take into consideration an understanding of regional districts and the unique challenges in relation to emergency management.
There was a recommendation that these concerns be expressed to the premier and minister of emergency management and climate readiness, requesting they consider establishing a working group of regional districts, offering a path toward ensuring a working group of regional districts offers a path toward ensuring the act and its regulations are appropriate for regional districts.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said the province was downloading onto regional districts, shirking its responsibility.
“It’s a provincial responsibility to deal with emergency and disaster management,” added Gisborne.
He suggested that the working group also include collaboration with Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). He moved an amendment to the recommendation about sending correspondence to the premier and minister responsible, to include the UBCM.
Manager of emergency services Ryan Thoms said UBCM is aware of the regional districts wanting more time and engagement.
Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick said she did not support the amendment. She said the recommendation is to express concerns to the province.
“Our comments are directed to the province,” said McCormick.
Gisborne’s amendment failed.
City of Powell River alternate director Trina Isakson made an amendment that the UBCM chair be copied with the correspondence. The amendment carried.
The committee then carried the motion that the committee recommend to the regional board that the concerns be expressed to the premier and minister of emergency management and climate readiness, with a copy to the chair of the UBCM, requesting that a working group of regional districts be established.
According to the staff report, the Emergency and Disaster Management Act presents a significant change in emergency management in BC, with the most significant impacts for regional districts most likely being presented in the local authority regulations anticipated this year.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
