Northern BC Archives

Agricultural Land Reserve Settles Treaty 8 Claims

First Nations will receive approximately 27,000 acres of protected agricultural land in BC’s Peace Region as a result of settlement agreements addressing their land entitlements claims under Treaty 8, signed in 1899. “For more than 100 years, the First Nations were deprived of the use and benefit of thousands of acres of land owed to…

20 Years of Fallout in the Forestry Sector

More than 20 years ago, a tiny insect changed B.C.’s forestry future. The fallout is still happening Job losses being seen across the province have been predicted for more than a decade, industry leaders say No one is surprised by the news of Canfor shutting down one of its pulp mills in Prince George. Not…

Rural Patients and Doctors Worry about Lengthy Wait Times and Level of Care as Workload Rises

Bob Storey is waiting to be put on a waiting list. Bob Storey grips his cane outside the community health centre in Fraser Lake, B.C. He’s waiting for a doctor’s appointment in January that will get him on a waiting list for a hip replacement. In the Northern Health authority where he lives, the average…

Net Zero Energy Duplex at Williams Lake First Nation Completed

A new net zero energy duplex at Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) in the Cariboo is one of six demonstration projects by builders across Canada. Zirnhelt Timber Frames near Williams Lake and five other companies are working with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) to advance the net zero home industry. For the new duplex’s…

An Infrastructure Gap Slows Down Adoption of EV

‘The gap is large’: B.C.’s small towns illuminate urban-rural divide in EV infrastructure There’s an infrastructure gap that’s slowing down the adoption of electric vehicles across B.C. Here’s what three small towns — urban and rural — are doing to close it. In areas with less population density, British Columbians outside of city centres are…

Two Cooperative Associations in BC’s Peace Region Approved for $1 million

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT, B.C. – Two cooperative associations in B.C.’s Peace Region have been approved for $1 million through the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund’s (PACF) Agricultural Impact and Opportunities Initiative. The Fort St. John Seed Cleaning Cooperative Association and South Peace Grain Cleaning Cooperative Association will receive $746,000 and $254,000, respectively. The…

Housing Shortages and Rural Migration

When non-metropolitan communities do not have enough housing supply, or not enough appropriate housing, community and economic development faces challenges, and social and economic momentum can be lost. Attracting new residents, housing a larger workforce, and enabling seniors to comfortably age in place, all while maintaining a high quality of life for all residents, becomes…

BC’s First Provincial Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy

British Columbia’s First Provincial Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy: Virtual Community Engagement Series In January 2022, The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) released British Columbia’s first Provincial Urban-Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. To continue raising awareness and gathering support from communities across B.C. AHMA will be hosting various community engagement sessions in…

Proposed Sale of Forest Tenure to B.C. First Nations Offers Hope to Hard-Hit Forestry Town

Canfor also agreed to sell Mackenzie site, plant and equipment to wood product company Peak Renewables Residents of Mackenzie, B.C., have long had complaints about seeing their timber supply shipped elsewhere, costing jobs. A new deal between Canfor and local First Nations may change that. (Nicole Oud/CBC) Forestry company Canfor Corp. has signed a letter of…

Local Immigration: Assessing the Policy Capacity of Smaller Communities

Who should decide whether a smaller community is ready to welcome foreign-born residents? Who should participate in the design and implementation of a local immigration strategy? There has been an increasing policy interest in encouraging immigration settlement in smaller communities, as evidenced by the introduction of Rural and Northern Immigration pilots and soon-to-be Municipal Nominee…