By now the citizens of Prince George are aware of the results from the elections held in Saskatoon for the position of third vice-president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
I was first elected to the FCM in 2009 and I have taken a strong interest in rural/urban fairness issues, which happens to be an articulated and long-standing goal of the FCM.
The reasoning behind this goal was a requirement to balance the needs of the rural areas, which create the majority of the wealth, with the strength of the voting bloc in metropolitan areas. For this purpose, the federal government has had a rural secretariat tasked with the responsibility to address this goal.
Despite the comments of those now left to explain their actions in deciding that a member of Vancouver council would better serve our region, I believe that had I been elected to serve, the rural voice at the national level would have been enhanced. I believe my record speaks for itself as to my suitability for the role of third vice-president.
Despite what occurred, I took great satisfaction when all delegates unanimously endorsed an emergency resolution I initiated. The resolution "In Support of Rural Canada" highlighted the 2012 federal cutbacks of support for the rural secretariat. It called on the federal government to put political will and resources back behind the rural portfolio.
I leave it to the citizens of our great community to decide, as it is you who fund our participation in the FCM, whether your interests have been well represented. The opportunity for local representation at the national level becomes available to B.C. only once every five years, so it will be a considerable amount of time before Prince George will next be able to compete for a full voice on matters important to each of us.
I have been very moved by the support, well wishes and encouragement I have received since the events of June 3 and I want you all to know that I remain dedicated to our community first and being a Prince George councillor first.
Coun. Garth Frizzell
Prince George
