Here are some highlights from the December 2, 2024, City Council meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
Public washrooms in downtown
Council has directed City staff to provide a report by the third quarter of 2025 to identify costs of enhancing access to washrooms located in selected downtown service provider locations by providing funding to enable dedicated monitoring services; and costs of having the Canada Games Plaza washrooms open from 7am to 11pm daily.
In addition, Council directed staff to:
- “build a question or option in appropriate future surveys about public washroom access to determine need and demand”, and
- “explore grant opportunities to expand safe public washroom access in City of Prince George including enhancing washroom upgrades for year round access.”
And Council referred "to the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs to develop an advocacy plan to lobby both the Provincial and Federal Government for increased capital funding to communities to ensure safe and clean access to washrooms for all residents.”
Interim housing needs report
Council received the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Report. The report provides an updated analysis of housing needs in Prince George to supplement the existing Housing Needs Report published in 2021.
It shows that there is a projected need for 5,218 new housing units by 2026, and 12,503 new housing units by 2041.
The report to council explains that this Interim Housing Needs Report was created in accordance with amendments to the Local Government Act through Bill 44 requiring local governments to have an interim report prepared by January 1, 2025.
This Interim Housing Needs Report will inform housing policy and planning until the next full report is completed by 2028.
Northern Angel Investment Summit to receive funding
Council approved $5000 from the council contingency budget be used in support of the upcoming Northern Angel Investment Summit.
The Summit, which kicks off in June 2025, will be held in Prince George for the first time. The purpose of the summit is a 10-week program connecting investors with startups through hands-on angel investment training and equipping startups to attract capital, culminating in a public summit with a significant investment placement.
Grant application for economic diversification
Council has agreed to support administration in applying to the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) for a grant of up to $500,000 to support the analysis of economic feasibility and potential benefit of establishing a life sciences sector in Prince George. The project aims to help diversify the local economy while providing health benefits to the region.
The report to council explains that the University of Northern BC, Lheidli T’enneh Nation, and Northern Health are pursuing an initiative to establish a life sciences sector based in Prince George that would serve northern BC residents but first require an economic analysis to prove feasibility of the initiative. The City will now apply to the REDIP grant program on behalf of the partnership and, if successful, support operationally with no financial contribution required.
Letter from Minister of Housing
Correspondence from the Minister of Housing was included on the agenda, which in addition to praise for the collective efforts of the City, BC Housing, and the Ministry to address housing and health challenges, provided some information on the recent specific supports in Prince George. Through the HEARTH program, the Victoria Street Supportive Housing facility (former North Star Inn) provides 96 supportive homes. Additionally, as part of HEARTH program, the 43 new temporary modular supportive homes at 397 3rd Avenue will provide immediate shelter for the unhoused. Each modular home has two units and a shared washroom, for a total of 43 private rooms, including two accessible units. The site will include an amenity trailer with a dining area, offices, meeting room, and commercial kitchen trailers as well as a designated outdoor smoking area.
These sites are available to their residents 24/7, with operators offering residents supports, services, and amenities, including meals, laundry, and shower facilities, on-site staff support, health care referrals, wellness checks, and connection and referral to community services and support groups.
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Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca