Highlights from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board of Directors’ Meeting of May 13, 2021
The TNRD Board of Directors held its regular Board Meeting in-person and via Zoom at the Valley First Lounge of the Sandman Centre in Kamloops with social distancing guidelines and safe meeting protocols in place. The meeting was live streamed on the TNRD’s Facebook page, view the recording here.
Liquor Licence Application Recommended for Approval
The Board endorsed an application for a liquor primary licence at 3802 Ranchland Road to be recommended for approval to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch proceeding a virtual Public Hearing. The purpose of the application is to serve liquor at the Trans Mountain Expansion Project camp east of Merritt to workers and camp guests after work hours.
A letter with a detailed information package was sent to all owners/occupiers within 300 metres of the proposed lot for the liquor lounge on April 8th, 2021. Anyone with interest in the property who may be affected by the proposed Licence were given the opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing. View Notice of Intent.
Chair’s Announcements
Chair Gillis announced the appointment of Jessie Lampreau as the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library’s first Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, and welcomed Terri Hadwin to the role of Grants and Research Assistant with the TNRD.
Delegation from New Gold’s New Afton Mine
The Board received a presentation from Julie Rachynski, HR and Community Manager with New Gold, New Afton on an upcoming community engagement project, Beyond New Afton. The purpose of the Beyond New Afton project is to understand the social impacts on communities of interest before the mine winds down operations in the future. Learn more about the project here.
Delegation from the Be Amazing Campaign
Cathy Peters with the Be Amazing Campaign gave a presentation to the Board on how to stop human sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and child sex trafficking in BC. Ms. Peters’ mission is to raise awareness about these issues to politicians, police and the public and requested a letter of support from the TNRD Board to continue in her efforts to combat sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Learn more about the Be Amazing Campaign here.
Update on Forensic Audit from BDO canada
Simon Padgett, Director of Forensic Disputes & Investigations with BDO Canada provided a brief update on the forensic audit and review of the TNRD’s finances. Mr. Padgett informed the Board that BDO commenced the investigation on Wednesday, May 5 when he attended the TNRD office in Kamloops to gather background information and meet with senior management. He advised that the investigation is in its preliminary stages, and that the data and analytics of the information gathered will take place in Vancouver and Toronto. A report will be issued at the conclusion of the findings from BDO, who was selected as the proponent for the financial review in April 2021 following a Request for Proposals issued by the TNRD.
Zoning Amendment Proposed to Allow for Retail Development in Tobiano
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2736 was given first and second reading by the Board. The zoning bylaw amendments proposed would enable the development of a neighbourhood retail commercial centre in the community of Tobiano to sell groceries, liquor and household items. The zoning amendment bylaw will be brought to a Public Hearing at a future date. Read the report here.
COVID-19 Safe Start Grant Funds
As recommended by the Committee of the Whole, the Board approved the allocation of $150,000 from the COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant funds to each of the TNRD’s 10 Electoral Areas. This is in addition to $100,000 that has already been allocated, topping the Electoral Area funds up to $25,000 each in total.
The Board also approved $100,000 from the COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant funds to TNRD pooled economic development services, and $79,000 for other regional support. View the minutes of the April 23, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting here.
Board Adopts Territorial Land Acknowledgement
The Board adopted the following territorial acknowledgement at Board and Committee meetings:
“The TNRD would like to acknowledge that we connect with many First Nation Communities across our vast regional district and today are located on the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc territory,
Situated within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation.
The TNRD appreciates the partnership that we have with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, and respect the territory and land on which we gather here today.”
The next Regular Board Meeting is on June 17, 2021 at 1:30 pm.
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