While elected officials throughout the Peace were reacting with levels of disbelief and disgust upon hearing area delegation requests at Union of BC Municipalities meetings were being shunned – both Dawson Creek and Fort St. John mayors are saying meetings have been scheduled. Fort St. John mayor Lori Ackerman confirmed Sunday morning meetings with Peace region reps were indeed happening.
"(The coalition) is meeting with Horgan," she noted Sunday morning.
Dawson’s Dale Bumstead said Sunday morning the city had been fielding questions from a handful of community members as well.
“I had heard about a few elected officials wondering about an audience, but everything seems to be going ahead."
By Saturday afternoon, the word had reached MLA Mike Bernier about apparent snubbing of regional business. One report noted it was the NEBC resource municipalities coalition being ignored.
“I’ve been hearing from mayors and councillors as well,” said South Peace MLA Mike Bernier.
Bumstead noted on social media earlier in the day that the City of Dawson Creek had meeting scheduled with all kinds of ministries and portfolios.
"Health, Municipal Affairs, Forest, Land Natural Resources, Energy. We have a very full week of meetings."
Another Peace Region politician noted the snub seemed to be towards anything coalition or regional government-related.
"I don't understand it at any level. That is why municipal politicians attend UBCM. It makes no sense."
Bernier said a snub was not appropriate at any level.
“It is not appropriate – if they are not working with all of BC, and ignoring this area is a slap in the face. Perhaps Premier Horgan and the ministers should change their minds.”
The UBCM was formed to provide a common voice for local governments at a provincial level. UBCM Convention 2017 goes this week from Sept 25 to 29.
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