Prince George, B.C.- With  just under a year to go before the next Provincial election,  Northern B.C. communities are  working to ensure their  voices are heard.

New President of the North Central Local Government Association, Laurey Roodenburg,  says much has been done over the past couple of years to  make sure those who live in Northern BC  are not  forgotten  “With just seven percent of the provincial population covering 70% of the provincial landmass, we have to look for strategic advantages where we can find them”, said Roodenburg. “In just the last year, for example, we’ve ratified MOU’s with UNBC, the Fraser Basin Council, Northern Development, two Beetle Action Coalitions and we’ve built strategic alliances with many others”.

The NCLGA stresses taking a non-partisan, conciliatory approach in dealing with stakeholders like the Provincial Government. “Our primary role is to promote the environmental, economic and social wellbeing of northern communities”, said NCLGA Past President, Brian Frenkel. “On that front, finger pointing and grandstanding get us nowhere; we see other levels of government as partners, not opponents.”

Roodenburg  notes  the region  has significant economic impact for BC “Our communities might be small, but as a whole, our region accounts for 80% of provincial exports, 60% of BC’s aboriginal population, 80% of agricultural land and we’re home to the vast majority of this Province’s major resource development projects. We’re far from insignificant.”

“Over the next twelve months, we’ll be meeting with as many decision makers as possible- in senior levels of government, industry and with other influential NGO’s, said Roodenburg.  She  says the NCLGA  has heard from more than 265 elected leaders  from the  communities under the  NCLGA umbrella and  the common  theme is capacity building  “We’re ready to do amazing things in this corner of the world. We’re ready to show everyone that economic development and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive. We’ve got the plans, the expertise and most importantly, the will. We just need the tools.” The tools Roodenburg is referring to run the gamut from increased broadband communications to the replacement of decaying infrastructure and, in many cases, legislative change.