Council Highlights - August 10, 2026
Read below about some of the key highlights and decisions made by the City of Dawson Creek Council at the August 10, 2026 Council Meeting.
Permissive Tax Exemption Application - DC Society for Community Living
The Dawson Creek Society for Community Living attended the Council Meeting to present their case to Council for their request to receive a Permissive Tax Exemption. The Permissive Tax Exemption program allows Council to waive a percentage of property taxes for places of worship and non-profit organizations that meet the set criteria in the Permissive Tax Exemption Policy. Council approved the Dawson Creek Society for Community Living for a 100% tax exemption for the 2027 Permissive Tax Exemption Cycle.
Permissive Tax Exemption Application – Dawson Creek & District Chamber of Commerce
The Dawson Creek & District Chamber of Commerce attended the Council Meeting to present their case to Council for their request to receive a Permissive Tax Exemption. The Chamber currently owns the building at 904 102 Avenue downtown and utilizes the building for office space, business services and community meeting spaces for many non-profit organizations. Council denied the Dawson Creek & District Chamber of Commerce’s request for a tax exemption.
Nawican Emergency Shelter Update
Representatives from the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) and the Nawican Friendship Centre attended Council to publicly address the City’s concerns that were brought forward regarding the Nawican Emergency Shelter, particularly around difficulties that downtown small businesses have experienced with the unhoused population in Dawson Creek.
AHMA visited Dawson Creek and conducted a thorough analysis of the situation in Dawson Creek and how best to support the Nawican Friendship Centre in their Emergency Shelter operations.
View the full presentation online.
The key findings of the analysis were to:
- Strengthen complaint management and accountability
- Enhance supports and pathways for those struggling with substance use and mental health
- Improve site management and Good Neighbour Policy
- Increase coordination among community partners
The plan of action identified is to:
- Draft a formal complaint-management system
- Support a Good Neighbour policy and process which includes regular engagement with businesses and residents
- Develop ongoing neighbourhood mitigation measures
- Enhance education on harm reduction and cultural safety
- Improve reporting and accountability with the City
- Enhance site management and implementation policies and procedures
How they plan to address key community concerns:
- Substance use and intoxication: Enhance relationships and stabilize people to work and live within a community Congregation and trespassing in public spaces: Increased onsite on-site policies and outreach
- Litter and discarded supplies: Enhance onsite clean-up and collaborations
- Noise and disruptive behaviour: Good Neighbour process and site monitoring
- Impacts on businesses and community safety: Regular engagement with businesses
- Responsive Communication: Formal complaint-management with contacts
The organization is also looking into relocating the shelter from its current location to the original Nawican Friendship Centre building at 1320 102 Avenue. The original centre is larger and would have an improved building design, designated outdoor areas, greater privacy for residents, better opportunities for integrated services, and potential benefits including: reduced reliance on public spaces, improved guest management, and better site oversight.
Many businesses in the area have already provided positive feedback since new initiatives were implemented and it seems to be moving in a positive direction.
Note: As of July 27, 2026, Council Meetings are now being temporarily held in the Peace River Regional District Boardroom at 1981 Alaska Avenue while City Hall Renovations are completed. Learn more at www.dawsoncreek.ca/city-hall-relocation.