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Mayor’s Year End Message 2022

At the time of this writing, it is the Winter Solstice December 21^st. As Northerners I think we can agree that winter has been here for awhile. The weather seems more difficult than normal, and I know many of you, your families, or friends, have had disrupted travel plans.

There is no sugar coating the fact that it’s been a difficult, and for many of you, a stressful year. I know in talking to many of you over the last few days that the Christmas spirit is a bit tougher to maintain during these troubling times locally, nationally, and internationally.

We are all struggling with the increases in the cost of living and the uncertainty of our lives coming back to some normalcy after the disruption of 2 years of covid and this Spring’s flood.

Despite the many challenges facing our community over the last year, the Town of Hay River was able accomplish a number of priorities in order to improve the lives of our residents. I think its important to let you know some of the things we were able to accomplish for you.

• Flood Response, Recovery and Mitigation – extensive repairs to flood damaged infrastructure were completed. Ten flood mitigation projects have been added to planning documents.   $2.5M of flood response, recovery, and mitigation related funding has been secured to date. 
• Zoning and Building Bylaw – an update to the bylaw was completed that reduces minimum housing footprint allowances, increases overall housing density allowances, and incorporates more beautification into development. 
• Core Infrastructure Replacement and New Construction – substantial completion of Lift Station #4, Capital Drive, Riverview Drive, Caribou Crescent, Beaver Crescent, Industrial Drive underground utilities
• Land and Housing Development – substantial completion of Fraser Place housing development, addition of 10 Vale Island residential lots, secured funding for Sundog business park development, completed draft of a Community Housing Plan, partnered on a Habitat for Humanity house project
• Recreation Improvements – substantial completion of enhancements to Bob McMeekin Park, Golf Course and Ski Club road access and site improvements
• Electrical Franchise – Council has passed first reading of an electrical franchise agreement with NTPC with goal to reduce electrical services costs
• Strategic Plan – developed a 2022-2025 Strategic Plan to guide direction of the municipal government
• Social Issues Committee – established a multiagency committee to develop and implement a plan for improving various social issues within the community
• Event Hosting – Hosted the NWT Tourism Conference and AGM, Partnered with Polar Pond Hockey to host an international climate awareness event
• Community Services – entered into multiyear funding agreements with the Hay River Library, Hay River Museum, and the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre to support midterm support
• Climate Change Support – Recipient of the NWTAC 2022 Energy Award, completed a district biomass heating feasibility study, diverted over 150,000 tires from the landfill

These are but a few highlights of the accomplishments over the last year. My enthusiastic thank you to our Town staff and of course to Council for all your hard work and dedication to the well being of our community.

I suspect it may still be some time before our collective lives see any improvement in the circumstances that we are currently encountering. That said every storm ends and with-it better times come. In the interim please look out for neighbours, friends and family over the holiday season. If you can make a difference in someone’s life through kind words, thoughts or giving please do.

Council and I look forward to serving you in 2023 and to developing a healthy community together.

Bless you all.

Kandis Jameson

Mayor

Town of Hay River