Several mayors from across B.C. have united to advocate for resource development by creating the Alliance of Resource Communities.
Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl sits at the helm of the group, revealed in conjunction with the Get it Done conference on Sept. 22 in Victoria, hosted by Resource Works, a not-for-profit billed as a "leading voice" for the natural resource industry in Canada.
“It’s time for an alliance of community leaders from all corners of the province to come together and strongly advocate for a secure and brighter economic future through the responsible development of our abundant natural resources,” said Dahl
“While it’s encouraging that the federal and provincial governments are becoming more vocal in support of major projects, thousands of people in my community who rely on natural resource industries face an uncertain future."
Dahl was referring to Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to fast-track nation-building projects and the recent announcement of five major infrastructure projects.
In June, Dahl wrote a letter calling on mayors and regional-district chairs in the province's resource-dependent communities to join “a collective advocacy movement aimed at amplifying the voices of resource communities across B.C." He wrote it was time to "amplify our shared concerns, influence policy decisions, and drive change" to fuel the long-term growth and resilience of resource communities.
On Sept. 18, he and 10 other mayors penned an op-ed about their alliance, emphasizing the significant role that natural resources industries play in the economy.
"It’s all about the numbers," reads the op-ed. "B.C. needs to focus on producing things that the world will pay for. It’s our natural resources industries that largely pay the bills, deliver healthy paycheques, and backstop healthcare, education and the critical services we rely on. The world wants our natural resources, and we need the jobs and revenues they provide."
Resource Works President and CEO Stewart Muir said it is a good time for a group like this to be formed, especially at the local government level, as it is generally considered the most trusted level of government.
"If it can be part of bringing the concerns of residents to the higher levels of governments to say, 'Look, when you make a decision like that, it may be abstract for you, but not for us,' that is a good thing," he said.
The Alliance, which includes 11 other mayors, issued five calls to action. The key actions include calling for effective and coordinated government action in support of natural resource industries facing external economic threats, faster approvals of responsible natural resource projects, and increasing the momentum for First Nations' economic participation in resource development.
The Alliance is also calling for stronger “can-do” advocacy from all levels of government in the responsible development of natural resources in B.C. and the active involvement of local government and First Nations.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West said in a media release that resource development is not just a rural issue.
"Natural resources pay the bills for thousands of families in Port Coquitlam," he said. "Whether it’s a pipeline, a cutblock, or a copper mine, we benefit in the Lower Mainland.”
Fort St. John Mayor Lillia Hansen said all levels of government need to collaborate and focus on the key opportunities.
Dahl, West and Hansen are joined in the Alliance by Golden Mayor Ron Oszust, Port McNeill Mayor James Furney, Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond, Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Sparwood Mayor David Wilks, Port Hardy Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt, Pouce Coupe Mayor Danielle Veach, and Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth.
