From the Bear Pit Council News | | Publication Date: April 7, 2026 | Regional Hospital District March 23, 2026 | Northern Rockies Regional Hospital District Annual Budget Bylaw No. 86, 2026 The Northern Rockies Regional Hospital District recieved three readings and adoption of its 2026 Annual Budget Bylaw No. 86, 2026 This budget supports ongoing hospital upgrades, equipment purchases, and major projects in partnership with Northern Health, including continued work to replace the X-ray system and planning for a future CT scanner. Administrative costs remain minimal at $4,000. Funding comes primarily from property taxes, with $342,400 requisitioned for 2026. This budget ensures continued investment in local healthcare facilities and services. Video Recording | Regional Council March 23, 2026 | March 26th Proclaimed Purple Day in the NRRM Purple Day is observed each year on March 26 to raise awareness and understanding of epilepsy. Founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, it encourages people to wear purple and support those living with epilepsy. Increased awareness helps people recognize seizures, respond appropriately, and promotes inclusion, as epilepsy can affect anyone. March 26, 2026, was proclaimed “Purple Day” in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. Proclamation | Video Recording | River Well to Booster Station Line Replacement Award The 2026 budget for the River Well to Booster Station Line Replacement project was pre-approved, and the contract was awarded to S. Young Enterprises for $747,676.51 plus contingency and applicable taxes. The project was re-tendered in early 2026 after an unsuccessful 2025 procurement, resulting in six compliant bids, with S. Young Enterprises being the lowest qualified bidder within the revised budget. This approval allows the project to proceed on schedule and supports the NRRM’s commitment to maintaining sustainable infrastructure. Admin Report #19/26 | Video Recording | Award of 2026 Annual Capital Gravel Supply and Roadworks The 2026 budgets for the Birch Drive and 56 Street Renewal, Minnaker Subdivision Surface Renewal, and Roads Renewal (asphalt) were pre-approved, and contracts were awarded to Tangle Ridge Custom Crushing Ltd. for the 2026 Annual Capital Gravel Supply ($640,000) and the 2026 Roadworks Program ($3,666,561.49), plus applicable taxes and contingency. Early procurement generated competitive bids, securing cost-effective pricing and ensuring the projects can proceed on schedule, supporting the NRRM’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and effective asset management. Admin Report #20/26 | Video Recording | Physician Housing Inventory and Future Accomodation Needs Regional Council directed staff to explore the future sale of an existing physician residence, which no longer meets recruitment and retention needs, and to investigate acquiring a replacement property better suited for physician housing, including an additional unit to support locum coverage, with a report back to Council outlining options and financial implications. This approach aims to modernize the municipality’s housing inventory, support physician recruitment and retention, and provide flexibility for short-term and senior-level municipal housing needs when required. Admin Report #21/26 | Video Recording | 2026 Chief Election Officer Appointments Anastacia Aspden was appointed as Chief Election Officer and Alycia Gregory as Deputy Chief Election Officer to conduct the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality 2026 Local Government Elections and any 2026 Referenda. Their appointments ensure the municipality meets legislative requirements under the Local Government Act and School Act, and provide experienced leadership to manage election planning, operations, and coordination with School District #81, while maintaining service levels within Corporate Services throughout 2026. Admin Report #22/26 | Video Recording | Letter of Support for 2026 Seniors Week NDIT Grant Application Regional Council approved providing a Letter of Support for the Seniors Roundtable’s 2026 Seniors Week Celebrations grant application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Fabulous Festivals program, supporting inclusive events that celebrate seniors, foster community connection, and recognize the contributions of older adults in the Northern Rockies. Letter | Video Recording | Save Our Northern Seniors (SONS) Request for Support Letter Regional Council approved that a letter be sent to the Ministry of Health and Premier regarding the postponement/cancellation of the Third House at Peace Villa, expressing concern over the impact on seniors in the region, highlighting growing waitlists and pressures on hospital and community care, and urging that the previously announced plans for the facility be honored to meet urgent local needs. Letter | Video Recording | Toad River Fire School – Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committee Request A request has been received from the Wildfire Resiliency Committee regarding the Toad River Fire School and interest in conducting training using existing fire equipment. The committee is seeking funding from the FireSmart budget to support Incident Command System (ICS) and fire management training, while also exploring the potential to expand local fire safety capacity. Council has been provided with background on training, liability, and regulatory considerations, and further legal and operational information will be required before any decision or formal involvement by the NRRM is made. Video Recording | For Information
Letter from U. Schildknecht, Northern Rockies Lodge Resignation from Tourism Advisory Committee Correspondence
Letter from the NRRM to Bob Warner, Director Wildfire Recovery, Ministry of Forests Prescribed Fire Approvals Within the Fort Nelson Forest District for the 2026 Season Correspondence
Letter from the NRRM to Northern Rockies Arts Council Letter of Support; Northern Rockies Arts Council’s Street Festival 2026 Correspondence | Career Opportunities at the NRRM | northernrockies.ca/careers | northernrockies.ca/notices | Council reported on the meetings, activites and appointments to Committees/Boards related to their roles on Council. Video Recording | | Interested in all things Recreation!? Check out NRRM’s Leisure Guide. We publish three guides each year:
Winter, Spring/Summer, Fall northernrockies.ca/Leisure | | | | | |
.jpg)
