March 2025
Winter is more than half over and the days are starting to get noticeably longer. I’m sure that Murray Ridge wishes these winter rains would stop any time soon, but any precipitation is better than none for this coming summer.
The Budget process is in full swing, and the Community review period should be from mid to late March. One can check on the District’s webpage for more details.
The Resource Benefit Alliance (RBA) was signed last summer by the 3 Regional Districts and 18 Communities in NW B.C. of which Ft St James is a part. This funding has strict government restrictions on how the funding can be spent. It can not be used to reduce residential taxes but must be spent on Infrastructure to enhance the community. Due to this influx of funds, there will be numerous projects this summer. To name a few, they are
1) Fort Forum renovations
2) sewer, water hookups and paving of Birch, Dogwood, Douglas as well as 2nd,4th,6th and 7th Ave West
3) Phase 2 of the Fire Resiliency Plan behind our new Hospital
4) Spirit Square
5) Goodwin Park
6) playground upgrade and repairs.
There will be lots of activities around when you include the RCMP detachment and Hospital demolition and landscaping.
If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.
Enjoy
Mayor Martin Elphee
I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season and wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
There is a variety of activities this month from the Dog Sled races, Groundhog Magic Show, Ladies Curling Bonspiel, Winter Poker Ride and the co-sponsored Nak’azdli and District Family Day. Murray Ridge and Pope Mountain Arts also have events to help beat the Winter Blues. You can find a list of events on various websites.
You should have received your BC Assessment by now and the average Fort property has increased in value by 3.6%. Staff and Council will be busy the next few weeks preparing the final budget. This will be released to the community once completed
I hope to see you out enjoying some of the winter activities.
Food or thought: Try not to become a person of success, but a person of value.
Mayor Martin Elphee
Winter is fast approaching and only 8 weeks until Christmas.
This year it would be beneficial to the community if we shop locally more often rather than at the big box stores. Many goods and services are locally sourced and crafted which means a unique gift. The money stays within the community to create jobs and help to grow business as well as the local tax base.
Council would like to thank FPX Nickel Corp. for supporting 2024-25 Public Skating. Admission will be free of charge for the season which is Fridays 6:30 – 7:30 and Sundays 5:00 – 6:00 pm at the Fort Forum. Come out for some free entertainment and exercise.
Nothing is impossible. Even the word itself says it I’m possible.
Yesterday's light dusting of snow was a gentle reminder that we live in a region of 4 seasons that can change on a moment’s notice. Hopefully, we have put our gardens and greenhouses to bed, other than possibly the root crops - Time to ensure we’ve put our summer equipment away and started bringing in our winter wood supply.
Thank you to all those that attended the Sept. 30th Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at Kwah Hall. It was well attended, and we were entertained by Dakelh drummers, singing of Clan songs, demonstrations of beading, traditional medicine and numerous other activities.
A few activities of note this month are Oct 10th Town Hall meeting at the Community Centre (6 pm = 8 pm), Spirit Square Community Consulation Oct 16th (6:30 pm - 8 pm) and the Halloween Pumpkin Walk Oct 31st.
Staff and Council will also be starting on the Budget with a couple of sessions.
"Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you."
September and our future generations have headed back to school and before we know it there will be snow on the hilltops.
The Mayor and Council will be heading to Vancouver in the middle of the month for this year’s Union of BC Municipalities Convention. It is a busy week between the conference, trade show and networking with other councils. The most important time is the Ministerial meetings which allow us to voice our community concerns. All communities have unique issues on how to stretch our resources to address the long list of priorities.
September 30th is Truth & Reconciliation Day with a commemorative ceremony to be held outside Kwah Hall starting at 10:00 am. See you there and remember to wear something orange.
“If you talk to someone in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
It’s August and we are rapidly working our way through the summer season. Before we know it we will be experiencing crisp winter weather, but that all depends on your point of view.
The bush is still tinder dry as shown by the Fire Indices. Even though we do receive precipitation, it doesn’t take long for the backcountry to dry out due to warm temperatures and winds. Remember to follow the Wildfire Service app for any restrictions in our area.
The Resource Business Alliance (RBA) has finally been signed and comes into effect for the next 5 years 2024-2028. This will bring Provincial Funds to our community which can then be used for new or existing infrastructure. The concept is to return funds to the 18 Communities and 3 Regional Districts of NW BC that have seen the resources extracted from our towns.
“We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn.”
Thank you to all that organized and volunteered your time to make Canada Day a wonderful success. The weather was not the finest but other than the breeze it was bearable.
Paving of the District streets that were torn up last year (Elm, Fir, Grove and Heathmont) to install new sewer and water hookups should be complete by early July. This will be a welcome change for the residents. Unfortunately, our aging infrastructure dictates that the entire District’s residential sewer and water hookups be replaced over the next few years.
A positive sign over the past few weeks is the rising of the water level on Stuart Lake. It has not returned to normal levels and will take a few years because of climate change. It will be good to see El Nino leave and La Nina return.
Hopefully we can all get out and enjoy the outdoors over the next few months. If you ever have any questions or concerns and see anyone of the Mayor and Council, feel free to ask as we were elected to represent you.
Positive energy quote “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face”.
Thank you and enjoy
Mayor Martin Elphee
Good day to all the residents of the District, Area C of the RDBN and the 5 local First Nations. Spring was a little slow arriving this year which wasn’t all that dreadful due to the low snowpack we received last winter.
We are again working closely with Nak’azdli Whuten with regards to any emergencies that may influence Our Community. With one season under our belts, we are better prepared with EOC and ESS training. This will enable us to get the necessary information out to you. There will be information boards at Cottonwood, District Office, Tourist information booth and the Nak’azdli Band Office. They will be updated daily with the most recent information for you including evacuation maps.
May 15 and 16 saw the District host a Town Hall Information Session at the Community Centre. They were well received with some topics discussed: water line replacement, roads and paving, wastewater improvements, downtown core and the arena revitalization. No date has been set for the next session, but we are looking at the fall off this year.
Enjoy your summer but remember what we learned in previous years with regards to fire, water and bears. This will come in handy again this year.
Enjoy and stay safe.
Mother Nature appears to be taking her time to deliver the warm weather that we all enjoy either at the lake, in the backyard/garden or wherever our heart and legs take us. The ice is finally off, but the lake level is very low, and boaters should beware of new obstacles.
Bears have been sited within the community already as there is little nourishment in the bush. They will return to where they last found food, which in this case is our garbage. Please put out your garbage the morning of pickup to minimize them knocking over your can. The District has purchased a number of steel bear resistant garbage cans large and small to be placed around the community.
Please be careful with fire as human caused fires are the major case at this time of the year. Endako as well as a few other communities around the province have already had Evacuation Orders due to the burning of yard waste. Fires within the community are restricted to an enclosed fire pit currently.
Our lawns and gardens will be requiring water soon. Let’s all try to be water wise this year and not use our water needlessly. Sorry for being the bearer of bad news but it’s meant only to be a reminder that global warming is fully upon us.
Here’s hoping we all have an enjoyable smoke free summer that we can appreciate with our friends and neighbors. Take care and enjoy.
Mayor Martin Elphee
Previous Mayors' Messages
Fall is in the air, children are back in school, hunters are after the elusive wildlife and wood gathers are filling their woodsheds prior to the onslaught of winter.
The major construction sites within town are starting to take shape and look like the structure that we envisioned in the artist’s concept. The RCMP detachment and the Seniors Independent Housing will be move in ready soon with landscaping to be completed next year. The Hospital is on target for the following year.
There have been a few changes to the Fort Forum since the spring. A new dehumidifier has been installed to remove excessive moisture in the air. The ice surface has a new removable white flexible matting surface which is easy to install, environmentally friendly and able to accept advertising. Also, we have a new electric Zamboni which will not emit any toxic fumes.
The sewer and water hookups on Elm, Fir, Grove and Heathmont should be completed for this year with just the final cleanup touches remaining. Sorry for any inconveniences you may have experienced during the summer, but our aging infrastructure needs to be addressed prior to a complete failure. This will be ongoing throughout the community over the next couple of years.
After the summer of smoke and haze, it is nice to see the sun again. Get out and enjoy the fall colors while you can. Happy Halloween and safe Trick or Treating to those of you young at heart.
Mayor Martin Elphee
Hope everyone has had a wonderful summer as Fall is just around the corner. Leaves are changing colour, days are shorter and the mornings are becoming brisk. A very colourful time of the year for those family pictures.
Fire bans are still in place for our area. Wildfires continue to be of concern as well as air quality in our region. We welcome firefighters from near and far to Fort St. James, who have been working endlessly to protect structures, forest and human life. Stay and safe and thank you!
Water valve replacements are well underway, I would like to thank our citizens for being understanding and patient with the disruptions. A benefit is that the weather has been very cooperative for this project.
There have been numerous bear sightings within the past few months. The bears are also feeling displaced by the fires, looking for food sources before hibernation. Please be responsible, pick your apples and put your garbage out the morning of pickup. This will help to keep us all safe, especially with children now walking to and from school.
Thank you.
Welcome to the summer of 2023 and I hope you are enjoying this incredible weather. The fire ban has been in place for a few weeks now and by the look of it, it may be in place for a while. Due to the hot, dry October last year and again in May this year, the Fire Danger Rating is extreme. We will need significant rainfall, not the little sprinkles we have been receiving to rectify the situation.
The District had a fire started by a lighting strike in the Community Forest near Onjo (Witch) Lake in early June. Thanks to all those involved in keeping it small, and getting it under control quickly. The 6-7 km access was difficult.
I have heard the berries are early this year in some areas and seem to be smaller than usual due to the weather. Be careful when you are out and about as even the wildlife are having a hard time this summer.
The Splash Park has been Completed at Goodwin Park, which is a magnificent addition to our community for all the young and young at heart.
Have a safe and Happy summer!
Thank you, Mayor Martin Elphee,Late spring is finally in the air with the birds singing, trees and shrubs starting to bud but unfortunately the lake ice is still with us. It shouldn’t be long by its appearance.
Recently, the Sinclair Group announced curtailments for their 3 local sawmills. Apollo will be down 4 weeks in June while the other 2 will be down between mid May to late July. This affects the community from mill workers, loggers, local businesses and all their immediate families. Our community is resilient and will get through this again.
The forest industry is presently under a strategic review with representatives from Provincial government, First Nations, Local government, forest companies and all other stakeholders meeting and discussing the future of our forest ecosystems. The Mountain Pine Beetle ravaged a large portion of mature Pine throughout BC and we are paying the price today. The forest industry will not be the same going forward. If previous generations were to come back today I’m quite sure they would say “what happened?”
We are in that transitional part of the year from snow to water activities. Soon we will be able to get out and enjoy the summer with family and friends. Council and I put in a request for a perfect summer this year and are hoping someone reliable heard us and they pull through.
Enjoy
Another month has gone by and the days are starting to get noticeably longer. With luck we will receive considerably more precipitation before the start of the next fire season.
Over the past few weeks, Nak'azdli Whut'en and the District of Fort St. James have been working on building and strengthening our relationship for the benefit of "our" community. These meetings have been very successful and the next few have already been planned.
We hope to see you in the stands on February 25th at 6:45 pm for the First Annual Nak'albun Combined Community Hockey Challenge at the Fort Forum Arena. Come cheer on the teams representing the District of Fort St. James and Nak'azdli Whut'en.
Food for thought - Try not to focus on how we are different. Instead, consider how we are similar.
Lets look forward to spring, lets look forward to working and playing together.
-Mayor Elphee
Happy New Year to all and hope you were able to enjoy the Christmas season with family and friends and not affected by the cold or influenza.
It's budget time for myself, Councillors, and the admin team. Thank you all for your comments and feedback on our 2023-2027 financial plan budget survey! you can find a copy of the report on the front page of the website.
Now that the days are officially getting longer, its time to take advantage of the rest of the winter season. Be sure to get out and enjoy the Winter classic hockey tournament this weekend at the Ernie Sam Memorial arena and the Fort Forum Area this weekend, and the Caledonia Classic Dog Sled races at Cottonwood Beach February 3rd to 5th. Check out the District webpage for more planned WinterFest events throughout the month of February.
Take care and enjoy,
Mayor Elphee
Greetings to all the residents of Ft St James and the surrounding area. Christmas is upon us once again, and I hope it finds you and your family well.
I ask you to shop locally and support our local merchants and artisans so that they can keep their doors open.The winter season can be difficult for those less fortunate, hopefully you will show your kindness with a helping hand at this time of year.
On behalf of the District staff, myself and Council we would like to extend a heartfelt Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year.
Mayor Martin Elphee
Good day
At this time, I would like to thank the previous Mayor and Council for the commendable job they did over the past four years. The present Mayor and Council were recently sworn into office and are ready, willing and able to get on with the job at hand.
The first order of business for the new council is the 2023-2027 budget. As in previous years we are looking to you for input into this process through Public Survey. You can do this either by picking up a paper copy at the front desk of the District Office during regular business hours or go online to the District website fortstjames.ca, go to the drop down in the bottom right - 2023-2027 Financial Plan Survey. We welcome and value your input. Thank for taking a few minutes of your time to complete this survey. The deadline is November 30, 2022.
There is a tremendous amount of activity going on in the community presently with winter logging just starting up, the construction of the new hospital, seniors housing complex and the RCMP building. As well, Fort St James Forest Products has recently started operations with about 60 new employees.
Any concerns or ideas for change feel free to contact me at the District Office.
Influenza season is just beginning, and covid hasn’t yet gone away so we still need to stay safe and stay healthy.
Mayor Martin Elphee
Happy Summer,
When I was elected Mayor almost two years ago we were in the midst of Covid restrictions and almost all volunteer recreation and social programs in Fort St James, the very programs that make our community livable, had been cancelled. Finally, after Two Years to Flatten the Curve we were, in April permitted to once again connect with our families and friends and after two missed years. On July 1st, 2022 we held a celebration. Canada Day in Fort St James is the event that brings all our residents together. This year’s event was no exception and was an unqualified success. A big shout-out goes to Brooke Eschuk, our Economic Development Officer for her fine organization skills and for bringing her entire family to set up the barricades for the event. The weather co-operated, the fireworks were great, and we will work to make our 2023 Canada Day event even bigger.
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I have written this report on a forward-looking basis and I refer you to the Annual Report for a more historical perspective. The biggest news in Fort St James is that construction of the new Stuart Lake Hospital is now underway. This facility, when it opens in 2024, will provide our community with enhanced medical services including additional Extended Care beds and together with a recently approved 36 unit Senior’s complex will allow our senior residents to age in place in Fort St James instead of being moved to a facility in a neighboring community as is currently the practice.
District staff is seeing a significant upturn in inquiries about sub-divisions and other forms of development as the number of housing units available locally, both purchase and rental, continues to shrink. I was informed by several employers recently that they are experiencing significant difficulty in recruiting workers for Fort St James positions due to the severe shortage of local accommodation. Fort St James is not alone in this situation – all Highway 16 communities have experienced a population influx over the past 12 – 18 months as city / urban residents, for many reasons, are choosing a rural lifestyle. Our local housing situation is even more pressing however as we risk being unable to attract the additional hospital staff that will be needed to run our new larger hospital if there is nowhere for them to stay. All housing options including public / private partnerships are being investigated and increasing available housing in Fort St James is now the top priority of our District Council going forward.
We continue to experience staffing struggles in the District Office with two senior positions currently unfilled and as a result it was necessary to hire, on a temporary basis, Martin Taylor, as Acting Chief Administrative Officer. Recruitment efforts are underway to fill the Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Officer positions however it will likely be September at the earliest before new staff members can be in place and until the positions are filled, we will all need to be understanding of the pressures our existing District staff are currently working under. A big Fort welcome to Doug Lowther, our new Public Works Superintendent. Doug grew up in Burns Lake and is pleased to be returning home to the Bulkley Nechako area.
A new District of Fort St James Municipal Council will be elected on October 15th and for those of you who would like to have a say in local matters or if you have different ideas on what the District should or should not do – I would strongly encourage you to run. Take a look at the Government section of our website for more information on how to gather nominations, and submit your name for candidacy.
The District of Fort St James recently signed an Agreement to work with Nak’azdli Whut’en with respect to the construction of a new Wastewater Treatment plant on Nak’azdli reserve. Nak’azdli Whut’en would own and operate the facility and the District of Fort St James would pay its proportional share of the facility’s operational costs. We have yet to be provided with any technical or financial data for the project as it was originally proposed and we were recently advised that inflationary pressures have now resulted in the need to make substantial revisions to the original proposal. These revisions reportedly required resubmission to the appropriate funding agencies and we would expect to be provided with a full financial outline for the project once that process has been completed. The District of Fort St James is in no way committed to move forward with this project and in fact cannot commit to anything without knowing what the full financial details of the project actually are. The District’s current wastewater facility is over 60 years old, does not meet current environmental standards and Band leadership want this facility shut down and the site decommissioned at the earliest possible date. Nak’azdli Whut’en is driving this project bus and I would expect that the District of Fort St James will be their co-pilot and sit in the front passenger seat.
On the economic front the recent purchase and reopening of the Fort St James Green Energy plant by Nak’azdli Whut’en and Arrow Transport and the new soon to be operational Hampton Lumber Fort St James sawmill are our local good news forestry stories and while I would like to be able to tell you that the cloud of uncertainty that was hanging over the interior forest industry is gone – I can’t. The industry continues to shrink due to a diminishing fibre supply and high operational costs, with even more economic pain to come as the new forestry business model is further implemented. And just when you think things couldn’t get worse, the just announced interest rate increase and the likelihood of further rate hikes in the coming months will depress housing demand and result in a drop in lumber prices, further increasing the economic pressures on industry players and forestry dependent communities, in the months ahead. The interior forest industry is a long way away from being out of the woods yet (pun intended).
I remind you that I am available to talk about any aspect of this report or in fact about anything Fort St James. My cell number is 250 996 3752 – just give me a call.
Bob Motion
MayorBy its actions, our community has once again proven that we can come together in a time of need to make something special happen. You have reached deep, very deep, into your pockets to support our Fort St. James Search and Rescue Volunteers in acquiring a much needed training and service facility with individual donations in the thousands and tens of thousands of dollars and a night to remember fund raising dinner.
The amenities we enjoy in Fort St. James today, from the Curling Rink to the Golf Course, Ski Hill, Seniors Centre, Music Makers, TV and Radio services and even the Fort Forum were all created and build by volunteers. The Search and Rescue effort has shown that we are still a community that cares and will volunteer to assist our neighbour and to help improve our community. This is what makes Fort St. James a truly special place to live and you all need to take a collective bow - you've done The Fort proud.
Bob Motion, Mayor
250-996-3752