Regional District Highlights for November 2025

Feedback Still Needed on New Regional Zoning Bylaw

Note: The Regional Zoning Bylaw Survey #2 deadline was extended from November 30, 2025 at 4:30pm (MST) to December 15, 2025 at 10:00am (MST). The extension was announced on November 24, 2025.

The second round of public engagement on the new Regional Zoning Bylaw is quickly drawing to a close. The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) encourages residents to visit the project website at haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/RZB to complete the online survey before December 15, 2025, at 10:00am (MST). Hard copies of the survey are also available at the PRRD offices in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.

The new bylaw aims to simplify and update how land can be used to better support local people, farmers and businesses. The draft includes clearer zoning definitions, new zones, larger accessory building sizes, clearer regulations for home-based businesses, more types and increased number of dwelling units and more.

This engagement period follows a successful first round (March-May 2025) that garnered over 600 survey responses, and 15 open houses recently wrapped up across the region (November 15-23). Staff will compile the engagement results from the second round to inform the Regional Board.

Project Update: Jackfish Community Hall

The The PRRD Board has approved the recommendation to proceed with a structural and building systems assessment for the Jackfish Community Hall. This recommendation was reviewed by the Electoral Area Directors Committee (EADC) on October 9, 2025, and approved by the Regional Board on November 7, 2025.

The approved assessment will focus on:

• Examining the Hall's current structural condition.
• Identification of necessary repair recommendations and associated cost estimates.
• Addressing aging infrastructure, water damage and safety concerns.
• Exploring options to ensure the space is both functional and financially sustainable long-term.

Community feedback gathered through a public meeting and survey in September 2025 played a key role in informing the Board's decision. The results highlighted strong support for the Hall's preservation.

Once the structural assessment is complete, the findings, including assessment results, repair costs and potential taxation implications will be presented to the community at a future public meeting. For more information, please contact the Community Services Department at community.services@prrd.bc.ca or visit the Jackfish Community Hall project page at haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/JCH.

Chair's November Update Highlights Provincial Advocacy

Former Chair Hiebert recently sat down with Moose Media to chat about news and initiatives at PRRD. This discussion was recorded before the Regional Board held its annual election on November 6, 2025, where Brad Sperling was elected Chair and Leonard Hiebert was elected Vice-Chair.

The topics ranged from the Regional Growth Strategy being adopted on July 17, 2025, to advocacy efforts with Provincial ministers at the BC Union of Municipalities conference in September, including:

Resource Development and Economic Growth

• Supporting Tumbler Ridge’s Conuma coal mine permitting efforts.
• Addressing wind farm development impacts.
• Need for sustainable resource management.

Health Care and Community Support Services

• Improving rural healthcare access.
• Need for doctor retention and family practice support.
• Increased funding for local seniors aging-in-place programs.

Public Safety and Infrastructure

• Concerns about repeat offenders and crime rates.
• Increased BC Hydro grants-in-lieu of taxes.
• Better recognition of regional districts as local governments.

Agriculture Support

• Raised concerns about ongoing drought conditions and food security.
• Discussed the impact on livestock operations due to feed
  shortage.