Last week, Mayor O’Connor, Councillor Thoss, and CAO Mombourquette attended the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Vancouver. Leaders from municipalities, regional districts, and some First Nations came together to attend sessions and discuss key policy issues and shared interests.
It was also an opportunity to meet with provincial ministers and staff. The Lytton team had scheduled meetings with Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin, Minister of Health Adrian Dix, and Minister of Forests (Archaeology Branch) Bruce Ralston.
Some of these ministerial meetings had positive results. For example, the Lytton delegation learned that the medical centre in the Village will be rebuilt on the same property on Main Street and the Province will partner with the Village to build a joint Fire Hall and ambulance station.
Lytton also hosted a media briefing to raise awareness about ongoing barriers with the current archaeology process in place for Lytton residents; until that point, the Premier had ignored repeated requests to meet with the Village. Shortly after the media briefing, the Premier’s office scheduled a meeting with the Mayor.
During the meeting, Premier Eby listened to Lytton’s concerns, particularly around the exorbitant costs and delays for required archaeology work for residents. He said his staff would work on this issue, even during the writ period.
Unfortunately, in the meeting with the Minister of Forests, the Village did not hear any commitments to cover the costs for any required archaeology as residents rebuild or to simplify the process. The Village will continue to advocate on behalf of community members.
The UBCM Board includes leaders from across the province. On Friday morning, Mayor O’Connor was elected as a Small Communities Representative on the Board. This is the first time a Village of Lytton representative has sat on this Board. Mayor O’Connor’s appointment will help the Mayor to continue to draw attention to small communities’ interests and advocate on behalf of Lytton and other small communities for policy, legislation, and funding with other orders of government.
