Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:Temporary Winter Shelter – BC HousingDavid Sheach, BC Housing’s Non-Profit Portfolio Manager for the North, joined Council to provide the report required in January during approval of the Temporary Winter Shelter (TWS) at BC Housing owned 395 Elliott Street. The shelter operated from January through the end of April 2026, sharing the site with Northern Health who operated mental heath and addiction services from the location. An incident occurred that caused reconsideration of the co-location of the services and Northern Health relocated the services to other facilities. Security patrols of the site that were contracted by Northern Health have been expanded and continued by BC Housing. BC Housing is requesting approval to continue the Temporary Use permit for 395 Elliott Street for the next two winter seasons. Due to community concerns Council requested an additional meeting to review the request, wanting greater notice to and input from the neighbourhood. The meeting is expected to take place in July or August 2026.PSI Group of CompaniesDr. Curtis Berthelot, P.Eng., President of PSI Group of Companies, joined Council to talk about a potential new home for the company’s mine engineering materials laboratory, engineering design centre, training facility, and mine ground support materials distribution centre.PSI is looking at bringing state-of-the-art, mechanized, and lower-carbon technologies into the mining sector, with Quesnel proposed as its provincial headquarters. If the project moves ahead, it could bring meaningful economic growth to the community, including long-term jobs, technical training opportunities, and potential new revenue.Long Term Shelter Plan A draft plan for developing a longer-term shelter strategy was endorsed by Council. The plan lays out a process to be unrolled over the next two years to identify a new location(s) for shelter services following the closure of the current facility on Carson. The current location has been identified as inadequate based on location, capacity, and design. Council will be engaged in the process to provide input on the process and community engagement.Cold Weather PlanningCouncil received the final Cold Weather Plan prepared by LevelUp Consulting. Council requested staff ensure there are options for emergency warming/cooling centres to be available for all community members in need. Discussions on utilizing 395 Elliott as an emergency centre will be directed to future meetings on re-activating a Temporary Winter Shelter at this location as discussed below.Cemetery Contribution Agreement with Cariboo Regional DistrictCouncil approved the Cemetery Contribution Agreement with the Cariboo Regional District. This agreement is one of several individual service agreements that will replace the long-standing Memorandum of Understanding that previously covered multiple shared services. More agreements for other services will come forward separately.Animal Control ServicesCouncil talked about the BC SPCA’s upcoming withdrawal of animal shelter services for the City of Quesnel and what that could mean for the City and residents. Council noted that the lack of shelter services is concerning, and there is still some uncertainty around how stray animals can be brought to the BC SPCA, and by whom.Council approved suspending dangerous animal seizures until a suitable facility can be identified to house dangerous animals, staff noted that there have been no instances where this was required the last two decades. Council also approved suspending pound services and the seizure of at-large animals once the BC SPCA ends extensions to the current contract.The current extension with the SPCA ends Aug 31, 2026. Staff will keep exploring options for animal shelter services, including issuing a request for proposals for someone to operate a facility in the community.2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Monitoring ReportCouncil received an update on the 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Report, confirming all routine testing requirements were met. A total of 371 samples were tested for E. coli, with no exceedances, and follow-up testing addressed any total coliform results.The City continues regular maintenance work, including leak detection, reservoir inspections, and water main flushing. A manganese water quality advisory remains in place, and work is ongoing with Northern Health and specialists to reduce levels and support lifting the advisory. The water permit requires the City to have water treatment in place by June 2030.The full report is available at City Hall and on the City of Quesnel website.2025 Annual ReportCouncil approved the 2025 Annual Report for the period ending December 31, 2025.Announcements/Events Billy Barker Days 2026 – 50th Anniversary: July 16th-19th.

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