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Prince George businesses presenting potential solutions for social issues to city council

Groups will pitch ideas to Mayor and council at tonight’s meeting
Hanna Petersen
Hanna Petersen
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The Prince George Chamber of Commerce hosted an emergency meeting with its business members to discuss crime, vandalism and other issues affecting the downtown core (via Kyle Balzer)

Prince George Chamber of Commerce (PGCC), and Downtown Prince George and Gateway Business Improvement Association will be presenting to city council tonight (Dec. 16).

Representatives from each association will be discussing a list of recommendations for resolving social issues, specifically to the downtown core, for the city to consider as well as recommendations geared for the province and Northern Health.

On Nov. 12, the PGCC hosted a business consultation, where they say they gained a clearer understanding of the issues, impacts and desired outcomes of their representative members and stakeholders.

“We understand that this is not just a Prince George issue. Social and economic impacts are being experienced throughout B.C. and Canada. However, we believe in working collaboratively to invoke positive change in our community – building a better Prince George for everyone,” the businesses write in their delegation to council.

They add the included recommendations represent the first steps in what will be a long process requiring multiple engagements with different levels of government, stakeholders and community organizations.

The groups have six 2020 policy and enforcement requests specifically for the City of Prince George:

  1. They want an additional six officers and two support staff for the Prince George RCMP who would be assigned to uniform patrols of the downtown and gateway areas and are asking the city to defer spending to create a net zero budget impact. They also want the city to work with the RCMP and other stakeholders to create an Integrated Public Safety and Enforcement Team.
  2. They want the city to enforce the property maintenance bylaw so that any establishment found not adhering to the rules and regulations in the bylaw should be subject to additional fines and penalties.
  3. The city should engage BC Hydro and Clean BC on opportunities to enhance lighting solutions in defined areas of the City. Particular focus should be placed upon alleyways and alcoves, walking routes, surface parking locations and parkades.
  4. They are asking the city to petition the province and Northern Health to develop treatment facilities and sobering centres to ensure at risk persons can secure localized treatment assistance without the need to travel to the Lower Mainland.
  5. That the city continue working with BC Housing and the province to develop housing and employment solutions for those at risk on our streets.
  6. They also want the city to engage with Downtown Prince George the Gateway BIA and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce to advocate on their behalf to the Provincial and Federal Governments.

During tonight’s council meeting, the city will also be voting on the recommendation to establish the Select Committee on A Safe, Clean and Inclusive Downtown.

The committee would include a maximum of 14 members, eight of which would be representation from the PGCC and Gateway Business Improvement Association, as well as the RCMP, Northern Health, B.C. Housing, Association Advocating for Women and Community, and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre.

You can take a look at the full agenda for tonight’s meeting online.

If you can’t attend the 6 p.m. council meeting, you can livestream it from the comfort of your own home, and if you’re too busy to watch it, you can come back and check it out later.

The city archives all live-streams.