Campbell River is leading a new province-wide push to make sure B.C.’s resource towns aren’t drowned out in Victoria and Ottawa. In a letter dated June 5, Mayor Kermit Dahl invited every mayor and regional-district chair in British Columbia’s resource-dependent communities to join “a collective advocacy movement aimed at amplifying the voices of resource communities across B.C.“”Together, we can amplify our shared concerns, influence policy decisions, and drive change that will support the long-term growth and resilience of resource communities,” Dahl wrote.
Why it matters
Resource communities generate much of the economic activity that keeps British Columbia’s public services afloat, yet they often fight an uphill battle for attention in policy debates dominated by metropolitan interests. Forest, energy, and mining towns face rising regulatory costs, infrastructure bottlenecks, and investment flight just as Canada’s trading partners are demanding more responsibly produced commodities. Campbell River’s call aims to close that political gap.
Objectives laid out
The campaign is built around three goals. First, it will raise awareness by demonstrating the economic and social contributions that resource towns make to the province. Second, it will advocate for supportive policies, pressing Victoria and Ottawa for rules that enable rather than sideline responsible resource development. Third, it will foster collaboration by encouraging communities to share best practices, align strategies, and amplify one another’s efforts.
Initial actions are already in play. A targeted communications drive aimed at urban voters and policymakers will roll out this summer. Campbell River is simultaneously expanding its outreach, building a coalition of like-minded municipalities to coordinate advocacy. The city has also submitted a resolution to the Union of B.C. Municipalities and applied to host a dedicated session at the 2025 convention, ensuring resource-sector issues are front and centre on the UBCM agenda.
Mayors and chairs have been asked to sign on before UBCM’s resolution deadline in early August. Several northern and coastal communities are already thought to be drafting council motions of support. If momentum holds, the coalition could present a united front on key files – for example, timber supply certainty, LNG expansion, and mine-permitting reform – when the Legislature reconvenes in the autumn.
Resource Works President & CEO Stewart Muir welcomed the move. “Resource communities have been Canada’s engine room for a century,” he said. “When they stand together – municipal leaders, Indigenous partners, industry – they don’t just advocate for themselves, they advocate for every British Columbian who depends on responsible resource development for jobs, public revenue, and climate-smart exports.”
Resource Works is hosting an event during UBCM week in September where topics of this type will be the focus of discussion. For more information, drop a line to info@resourceworks.com. (edited)
