Council permits Canadian Tire expansion

City council voted on Monday to allow the Canadian Tire store in Dawson Creek to expand.

According to city information, the store wishes to move the garden centre into the parking area along 121 Avenue, expand their retail floor area by nearly 19,000 square feet, and add warehouse capacity.

The development permit voted on by council will allow them to expand onto the grassy area at the rear of the building. Four trees will be put on the rear and south of the building.

Council to discuss strategic priorities

City council will begin to formulate its 2013 strategic priorities chart beginning today.

The chart, which helps guide city staff as to what projects council would like to see finished within the year, and includes participation from all sectors of city staff.

Past projects from 2012 included an airport sustainability plan, and the design of a raw water reservoir.

Council votes against "buy local" purchasing policy

City council has voted not to change a purchasing policy despite a letter from a former councillor asking them to do otherwise.

The decision was made at their Monday meeting, and was done so unanimously.

Currently, the City of Dawson Creek has a purchasing policy that guides what services can be paid for by city funds and from whom.

However, Marilyn Belak wrote a letter asking them to change the policy. She argued that the city should change their policy so that city purchases be made from local firms first.

"A local procurement policy is a great way to show our belief in local business and to provide incentive and stability to local producers," she wrote. "Buy local is a recognized bridge to post-resource boom economic stability and as a Local Government we cannot fail to recognize our purchases as key economic development tools."

However, Mayor Mike Bernier turned down this line of reasoning. He said that in past meetings with Chamber of Commerce representatives and other businesses, they have asked them not to do that, as other communities may retaliate.

"Maybe our companies in other communities won't be looked at favourably for that bidding," he said. "We think competition is healthy and we're going to continue on with the policy as we have it."

Jim Chute, the city's chief administrative officer, also said that the motion had very little support from contractors hired by the city, and that the motion would need public consultation.