Building bylaw changes
City of Powell River officials are rushing through an amendment to the building regulation bylaw that is expected to improve enforcement.
Councillors passed the first three readings of the bylaw amendment at the January 17 council meeting. Staff brought forward a recommendation to amend the bylaw at the committee-of-the-whole meeting held earlier in the day.
Mac Fraser, chief administrative officer, explained staff became aware that there was a “bit of a weak spot” in the bylaw. “We’re moving to close that so that we don’t have expectations of building permit holders that aren’t appropriate,” he said.
The amendment changes the definition of a recreational vehicle and inserts a section that states the city may order the suspension of an occupancy of a building or structure if either is being occupied without a permit.
Council also passed a motion to hold a special council meeting on Thursday, January 24 to adopt the bylaw amendment.
Ringing bells
BC New Democratic Party leader Adrian Dix joined executives from Catalyst Paper Corporation in Toronto last week to sound the opening siren at the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
Catalyst’s new class of common shares began trading on the TSX on January 7. Dix joined Catalyst president and CEO Kevin Clarke, board member Todd Dillabough and other company representatives at the TSX on Tuesday, January 15.
Catalyst also invited BC Premier Christy Clark, who declined the invitation.
