Prince George, B.C.- This evening’s regular meeting of  City Council   is  expected to be  a long one.In addition to the  continuation of the application for a rezoning and  change to the Official Community Plan  for  a light industrial  development  on Otway Road  ( see other story)  Council will  be asked to have the Intergovernmental  Resolutions Committee  consider a  special resolution  that  could be  sent to the Union of BC Municipalities  calling for the Province of BC  to  develop a poverty reduction strategy.

The report from Mayor Lyn Hall states “the poverty rate in British Columbia continues to be among the highest in Canada.  Many impacts of poverty are experienced at the local level, and local residents pay for poverty in increased health care costs, higher crime, higher demand for community, social and charitable services, lack of school readiness, reduced school success, and lower economic productivity.”   The  report  goes on to  note that although  agencies in Prince George are  doing their best to mitigate the effects of poverty,  “in the absence of a comprehensive provincial strategy with cross-ministry action, targets, and timelines their efforts have not provided a sustainable path out of poverty for their clients.”

Council will also hear an update on plans for the 2017 Telus Cup, which will be  held in Prince George  April 24 to 30th in Prince George.  Council will also be asked to approve  submitting a bid to host the  2020/2022  BC Summer Games,  and  spend  $45 thousand in cash and  commit $50 thousand of  in-kind should the  bid be successful.

UNBC Political Science students will be on hand to make a presentation on their  survey on  what barriers ( if any) youth face during elections.