Prince George, B.C.-  The details of the transportation plan announced yesterday in Prince George are  the   result of a long  journey  that started  4 years ago  for the North Central Local Government  Association.

“It started with a resolution put forward by the town of Smithers in 2012 and has been a long journey marked with a lot of sweat and tears” says  Laurey Roodenburg, president of the NCLGA.

“People often wonder why we get involved in municipal politics”, says Roodenburg, who penned BC’s first municipal resolution calling for an inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women.   She says the solutions outlined in Transportation Minister Todd  Stone’s announcement  yesterday ( see previous story)  “are a good example of the work we do at the community level.  We consider this a win for northerners and it’s very satisfying.  A lot of mayors, chiefs, regional directors and councillors have been involved in this issue for years”.

“Cynics might say that other highway corridors in the region need this kind of solution, too, or that the Province should pay more for these new services”, adds Roodenburg, a three term Councillor from Quesnel. “It isn’t perfect, but we would much rather have an imperfect solution than none at all.  If nothing else, I have to say I’m impressed with Stone’s team and the amount of roll-up-the-sleeves time they’ve spent with community leaders on this.  We are a non-partisan organization, but we believe in giving credit where it’s due.  The Provincial government has certainly come through for northerners on this issue.”

The NCLGA hopes the new transportation model  for the Highway 16 corridor can be used as a template across the north-central region.  “Our next convention,( next May in Terrace)  which brings together hundreds of decision makers and key stakeholders from across the northern two thirds of BC, will include a heavy transportation component.  Travelling long distances, often in harsh weather, is a huge part of northern living”.