WHEREAS the economy of communities in Northern BC is highly dependent on primary resources, which are subject to direct impact from markets, and accounts for 60 of the provincial GDP; AND WHEREAS current economic and natural factors, such as the pine beetle epidemic and strong Canadian dollar, to name only two, are negatively impacting communities in the North and the very core of individuals and families in those communities, with long-term negative implications to the provincial economy: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the provincial government to find sustainable, long-term solutions to the current negative economic impacts on Northern communities by: - Assisting with basic infrastructure needs in order to make industries and business competitive and viable, through more sensible funding opportunities specifically targeted to the North; - Assisting local governments with basic operational needs, which, for years now, have been cut back to basic services and are affecting the quality of life of the hard-working population of the North, through an agreement with the Northern communities to provide a steady source of income for the next ten to fifteen years, similar to the fair-share agreement that the government has with the Peace River communities, in order to provide economic relief to the taxpayers who are now facing an economic downturn.
