Feedback requested on provincial COVID-19 response

Local governments may now register to provide feedback on the provincial government’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. These virtual engagement sessions will be held on May 31 and June 2 (morning and afternoon options are available). To register, please contact UBCM staff, and indicate the date and time you prefer.

 

On March 16, 2022, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Honourable Mike Farnworth, announced an independent review of the provincial government’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The review is intended to find ways for the provincial government to be better prepared for the next event, whether a pandemic or other emergency.

 

The review, being conducted by former senior public servants Bob de Faye, Dan Perrin and Chris Trumpy, is intended to find ways for the provincial government to be better prepared for the next event, whether a pandemic or other emergency. The review will look at what went well, what could have been improved, and what changed during the pandemic in the government’s response.  To do that, the review will look at all aspects of the response, involving all parts of the government, and will examine the response from the beginning of 2020 to the present. A report will be completed in September 2022 and the government has committed to releasing the report to the public.

 

The Terms of Reference indicate that the review will focus on how decisions were made, communications and implementation and operations. The decisions of the government and Provincial Health Officer are not being assessed as the circumstances of the next event will be different. Rather, the review will examine how decisions were made, communicated and implemented.

 

The team conducting the review is engaging with stakeholders from many sectors, as well as Indigenous governments and groups, the public and the public service.

 

As well, the team will be sending letters to all local governments, inviting written responses from councils and boards, as well as individual councillors, board members and staff members, to provide feedback on the provincial government’s response to COVID-19.