Fort St. John City Hall. (Energetic City)
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C – The City of Fort St. John is applying for COVID-19 Restart Funding to address homelessness and other community impacts due to the pandemic.
City staff will apply for up to $450,000 through the Local Governments Strengthening Communities Services grant.
Community Services Director Karin Carlson’s April 12th report to council states the pandemic has resulted in an increase in domestic violence, substance use and homelessness. ),whenLoaded(initFlexitive);
“The demographics we are most worried about are those especially vulnerable to health and safety risks associated with living unsheltered in our community, including women, children and Indigenous people,” says Carlson’s report.
Sukunka Wind Energy Project (naturalforces.ca)
MOBERLY LAKE, B.C. – One of the largest majority-owned Indigenous green energy projects located in B.C. is now completed and commissioned as of April 1st.
The Sukunka Wind Energy Project was developed in partnership with the Saulteau First Nations and Natural Forces and is located just south of Chetwynd.
The Saulteau First Nations and Natural Forces developed an innovative approach to the project’s design, protecting the environment, construction, investment, and financing. The project was completed on schedule with this approach, even with critical phases being implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. ),whenLoaded(initFlexitive);
Participants on the Vertical Slam Ultimate Challenge course. (Laurie Cardinal)
TAYLOR, B.C. – The Vertical Slam directors met this past weekend to discuss options for the race this year, deciding to postpone the event until September.
The directors decided a live in-person race in June, like originally planned, is not currently feasible. The group announced the Vertical Slam Beatton River Valley event would be postponed until they can do a live event, which has been tentatively set for September 11th, 2021, with a fee of $25.
The Beatton River Valley race is a new 21-kilometre course with different terrain and a lot more backcountry. In past years, the event was held at the Big Bam Ski Hill in the Taylor area.
(Stock)
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C – City council is in support of a 3-digit suicide prevention hotline in Canada.
City staff will be sending a letter in support of the hotline to local MP Bob Zimmer, the Federal Minister of Health, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and local area municipalities. The motion advising staff to pen a letter of support was approved at Monday’s council meeting.
Conservative MP Todd Doherty (Cariboo–Prince George, B.C.) introduced the motion to the House of Commons on December 11th, which passed. The motion aims to establish an easy to remember three-digit (988) hotline that is accessible to all Canadians. Local MP Bob Zimmer sent a letter to council on March 31st asking for the city’s support.