NORTH BATTLEFORD - At the first State of the City Address in over three years, Mayor David Gillan began his address on the city’s recent partnerships, major projects, and vision into the future by thanking attendees and offering a land acknowledgement.
Gillan began by speaking on the partnerships the city has undertaken in the last three years, starting with the near closure of the Lighthouse emergency shelter in 2021 after the council's election. Immediately, the city contacted the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan and BATC to discuss a long-term plan to keep the shelter open. This culminated with BATC operating the emergency shelter in the Battlefords, now Miwasin Kikinaw.
“I can honestly say that without sitting down and working in partnership with everyone, we may not have an emergency shelter today,” Gillan said, thanking BATC, the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan Ian Hamilton for his work to save the shelter.
In 2020, the Battlefords saw the completion of a Parks and Rec master plan between the city and the Town of Battleford. This plan included the sharing of facilities and resources for long-term provision in the region.
“Both councils recognized that it does not matter whether you live in the Town of Battleford or North Battleford, people wanted high-level facilities and programming, without duplication,” Gillian said.
Gillan also added that both the town and the city recently signed a multi-year agreement to assist each other with the funding of regional assets. The city is now entering into similar discussions with neighbouring RM's.
In 2018, the City of North Battleford, the Town of Battleford, neighbouring RM’s, and five First Nations signed an agreement, establishing a formal partnership called the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition.
Some results include:
- anti-racism workshops;
- Covid-19 Pandemic meetings;
- and a comprehensive regional emergency plan.
Gillian also believes that as a result of this agreement and the BRCC partnership, the town and city signed onto the coalition of inclusive municipalities, of which 96 other cities and towns are also members across Canada.
But Gillan feels that although the city is focused on partnering with community members to foster a community where everyone feels welcome, and a society without fences, there is still a problem.
“Does everyone have the opportunity to truly participate? It has to do with the fundamental difference between being in the community, and being of the community,” Gillan said.
He added that everyone can be in the community by going to the store, going to school, buying a home or going to church. But to Gillan, being a part of the community means being recognized, validated, and supported by municipal lawmakers, teachers, employers, public and social services, housing, medical providers, the religious community, and the general population.
“That is being of the community.”
Since the council was elected, the city has undertaken several initiatives furthering inclusion and reconciliation, including:
- The adoption of a formal land acknowledgment policy;
- Raising Metis and Treaty 6 flags in council chambers;
- renaming Railway Ave West to Peyak Trail;
- the creation of two urban reserves with a plan to create two more;
- celebrating Pride Week and the LGBTQ2+ community; and
- completing the first stage of new accessible council chambers
Looking at crime
Addressing the topic of crime in the Battlefords, Gillan said that it’s been a priority for previous council’s as well, adding that North Battleford has frequently been number one or two on the Crime Severity Index.
“We understand the challenge this negative moniker can bring to you, your business, to our community, and we have committed resources to tackle this and build our public image…If you ask almost anyone, I think it has been misrepresented.”
And although with the formation of the Gang Task Force Unit has seen a decrease in violent offences and the Battlefords ranking on the violent crime CSI index, non-violent crime including mischief, trespassing and vehicle theft have been rising and contributes 30 per cent to the overall index.
The city pays for 37 RCMP officers and approximately another 20 to 30 are paid for by the province.
“One of the things I am most proud of, and I’m sure our councillor members were all very proud of, is the community leadership groups that come forward, especially Citizens on Patrol,” Gillan said.
Gillan said that COPP is endorsed and supported by the council because he believes that their work is proven to deter trespassing, car shopping, and other forms of petty crime.
“Having engaged citizens who take pride in our region is so important, and ultimately, that sense of community is what will evolve into a strategy for re-framing the Battlefords,” Gillan said, imploring anyone with free time to join him and Mayor Ames Leslie as members of COPP.
“The more members we have the safer our city will be.”
Speaking to enforcement and community safety, Gillan reminded people that the Battlefords has the largest RCMP detachment in Saskatchewan which responds to both the city and town, and the RM’s of Battle River, Meota and North Battleford.
But Gillan believes that the Battlefords is receiving more attention from the provincial government, including a new crime reduction team for the Battlefords, six Community Safety Officers, Gillan anticipates “seriously positive results over the next few years.”
He also said that the city has been nurturing relationships with the federal government, and specifically Public Safety Canada, regarding funding for programming with a prevention perspective, adding, “20 per cent of crime is directly attributable to mental health and addiction, at least…We will receive funding for a gang exit strategy and community wellness.”
The city will have more information in the coming months, including information on provincial funding for mental health and addictions.
Before moving on to address post-secondary education in the Battlefords, Gillan added that half of all vehicle thefts in the Battlefords are because keys are left in the ignition or fobs are in the cars.
“We don’t live in a perfect world, but we need to collectively work together to prevent crime…I encourage you not only to read the newspaper to find out news about what is happening in the city, especially around crime and safety, but also follow us at the city on our social media,” he said, asking people to follow the City of North Battleford's Facebook page to see good news about the Battlefords.
“We’re working very hard to change the narrative that permeates all of the social media.”
Education
Gillan believes that North West College is so popular that it is running out of space to offer all the programs it would like to. He then shared that a site for a new campus for NWC has been selected inside the city.
“I can confidently say that this council is highly supportive of a new college campus…I’ve been drawn to the college’s approach to change the lives of those who are experiencing challenges within our community,” he said.
Gillian said that the college has been forthcoming about wanting to create long-term opportunities to assist those that want to go to the school and stay in the Battlefords while they do it.
“The province of Saskatchewan is in the enviable position that it has more jobs than people to fill the jobs. Especially around mining, light manufacturing, and healthcare,” he said, that some employers are hiring overseas or out-of-province
“We have many young adults in the Battlefords that need these opportunities, but sometimes going to Saskatoon for school isn’t an option…we must bring more programming to the Battlefords,” Gillan said.
High-level discussions are currently being held with the province to see if the new campus building would be a provincial-owned building or if it should be owned by a third party and leased to NWC and the province.
“As more people get educated, the more they are lifted from underemployment,” Gillan said, encouraging everyone to reach out to the provincial government and request that the government supports the NWC at a critical time in the discussion.
The economy
Moving to a discussion on economics, Gillan highlighted the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on the city, citing fewer visitors, limits on attendance at recreational facilities, and fewer people buying homes as examples.
This council, our council came in at the height of pandemic shutdown,” Gillan reminded people in his address, noting that the city has joined the Battleford Chamber of Commerce as a non-voting member to better engage with the interests of business in the Battlefords.
“The City has a vested interest in nurturing economic development.”
And to illustrate that, Gillan said that the city has spent millions in recent years on downtown revitalization, enhancing the downtown core, and retaining and attracting business. The city is also committed to working with and supporting regional tourism.
Recent projects have included:
- A new gas plus, Mcdonalds and Petrocan;
- $16 million sewer upgrades to sustain an expanded population in the next few decades, expand on environmental protections and curb potential sewage spills;
- $400,000 lights at the beaver lion stadium;
- $800,000 state-of-the art firetruck to go into use with a Pushing In Ceremony on March 10;
- Underground pipe and asphalt improvement of $24 million since 2015;
- Territorial drive expansion with lights at Sobey’s and Co-op;
- backup generator for Fairview water reservoir;
- Investing in the smart water meter for $2.5 million with 5,000 meters to be installed
- investing $600,000 to upgrade water pressure in Douglas Pearson area.
Gillan also spoke on the reality of the ageing nature of the Access Communication’s Centre and Don Ross Centre, noting that the city is beginning to plan for their replacement with new facilities.
“This won’t be tomorrow…but it’s on the city’s radar, and it will certainly require the support and buy-in from our surrounding communities and all levels of government.
“Finally, I want to speak about a community spirit project,” Gillan said, referencing the upgrade for the water tower set to be completed in 2023, with millions of different colour combinations to commemorate or celebrate specific days, weeks, or months in recognition of inclusivity or significant occasions.
Thanking the residents of North Battleford for their patience during COVID-19, and unprecedented times, saying, “...our council had some very difficult decisions to make during COVID-19, decisions we didn’t want to be making. Both with the public accessing our facilities, but also with our own staff and management.”
Gillan then spoke on the strength of the city’s finances, that the balance sheet is strong, is able to meet all obligations when due, the reserves for future projects are all cash funded, and the audits remain clean.
“That being said, we have seen some rather high tax and utility increases over the last few years. However, most of the rather large increase over the last few years have been, to a great extent, beyond the control of administration or council,” Gillan said, referencing the recent RCMP unionization, reduced provincial operating grants, and unprecedented inflation.
Gillan added that the city has been making significant investments, contributing to the rise of taxes.
“No one likes raising taxes and fees, including me. However, I can assure you these increases were necessary to get major projects done…and also necessary to leverage and attract grant funding, which save the residents of North Battleford millions of dollars.
“Our council has always been transparent and willing to make the necessary investments that we believe will position our city, and your city for long-term sustainable growth, prosperity, and quality of life for our residents.
“This sometimes means raising taxes beyond what some people will see as reasonable. However, it will only burden the next council with more expense if we do not invest today, at today’s cost.”
In closing, Gillan said he believes that although there are challenges, the City of North Battleford also has opportunities.
“What is my assessment of the state of the city? I can honestly say we are not perfect, but what municipality or organization is perfect? The most important point is that we are continuously striving to improve, and we are improving, and we are trending in the right direction…let’s all be optimistic.
“You elected the seven of us on the council to represent you back in 2020. I truly believe we have worked very hard since that time to improve the inclusivity and quality of life in our city, and the region as a whole.”
