The board of Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (RDBN) expressed concerns about the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, during their Dec. 14 meeting. The board is not in favour of the act which focuses on climate change and disaster mitigation but in a way which places unchecked power into the hands of governing bodies.

The Act focuses on emergency response in four phases: mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery and acknowledges the relationship between climate change and disasters.

It will allow the minister and local government authorities to enter into agreement and form multi-jurisdictional emergency management organizations (MJEMO).

This also means the minister and local government can shutdown or temporarily suspend businesses who are operating within the MJEMO.

Clint Lambert, RDBN鈥檚 Francois/Ootsa Lake director, said the act will affect people鈥檚 lives and livelihoods. Lambert said that these businesses are people鈥檚 livelihoods, which is how they put food on the table and pay rent. He was concerned that, if adopted, the new act will become an overreach of power and that, according to him, should not exist. Lambert stressed that this will not only affect local businesses but also community groups as well.

Judy Greenaway, Fort St. James director added to the criticism and said the act was framed by someone who did not have boots on the ground. She said the ministers should have talked with the people on the ground before making such decisions.

Mark Parker, RDBN鈥檚 chairperson, expressed concerns as to whether First Nation communities were consulted before making such decisions.

Parker emphasized that during the wildfire season, RDBN consulted with the First Nation communities for joint evacuation orders and alerts, which was a huge step in his opinion.

Deborah Jones-Middleton, RDBN鈥檚 director of protective services, stated that one First Nation working group (unnamed) had worked through the act with the ministry, although not everyone was involved to give their input.

Jones-Middleton agreed with Parker and said that every communication with the First Nations must be documented and discussed with the board for any state of emergency requests.

Jones-Middleton added that if the board feels something cannot be done immediately, it should be brought up and consulted with the First Nations later.

She suggested that, board should send a letter to the MLAs to address the concerns.

Later, Lambert suggested consulting with other regional districts is necessary. He feels that if one regional district accepts this act, it will be enforced on others as well.

鈥淲e should cc [carbon copy over email] all regional districts because if we show that we do not support this, it will hopefully start the fire.鈥�

Once implemented, anyone who fails to comply with the act can be imprisoned for one year and may be fined $100,000 for the committed offence. A corporation will be fined $1,000,000; employees, officers, or directors can be imprisoned for a term of not more than one year and may be required to pay a penalty of up to $300,000.

After hearing everyone, chairperson Parker decided a letter should be drafted for the next meeting to discuss further on this issue. Board agreed to it.