South Peace MLA: very unique time in B.C. provincial politics

Northern British Columbia is still not getting a fair shake from the south side of the province, says a northern B.C. MLA.

Article content

This was a message B.C. South Peace region MLA Larry Neufeld came bearing with a visit to Dawson Creek city hall last week.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

“I very much want to assist wherever possible, and interject where you’d see fit (on municipal issues), he said to council Monday morning giving a year-end, provincial update.

“Collaboration is very important to me (and to the position of MLA); I’ve learned that over the last year. The focus on trying to bring attention to the south peace,” he said.

“The reality is down south (Vancouver/Victoria) – we are not seen by the rest of the province as the economic engine of the province that we are. Hardworking, diligent people.”

Neufeld outlined coal as the province’s number one resource.

“Most of that is coming out of the South Peace.”

Article content

Article content

He added natural gas was another northern boon.

“We supply both natural gas and coal, and we supply a lot of it.”

Neufeld touched upon Tumbler Ridge’s recent ER closure woes and health care concerns. The Tumbler Ridge Health Centre and ER is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, with on-call services available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. This fall Northern Health, the Government of British Columbia’s health authority for the area, eliminated overnight and weekend access for residents.

Following this change, residents need to call 911 for emergency care and transport to a medical facility outside the community

“We’ve been pushing very very hard to find a solution for the community to bring back a sense of security. We are making progress. Without question this is a crisis, losing 50% of medical staff in a month,” he says.

Article content

“Changes were made, not communicated to community and there was large fear and push back. A large push back to ensure it will not happen else. I have been ensured at the highest of levels that in Chetwynd and Dawson Creek, this will not be happening here.”

Neufeld says he sees the future of Peace River South as doing pretty good financially speaking when looking under B.C.’s feet.

“Coming from this background, the oil and gas under our feet represents one trillion dollars to this provincial economy. With a ‘T’ not a ‘B’.

Neufeld said a recent Cowichan area decision has created unrest in the province.

The Supreme Court of B.C. ruled the Cowichan Tribes never surrendered their territory and therefore still have Aboriginal title to it – has ginned up fear, distrust, and more about Canadian private property rights.

Article content

“The Cowichan decision has created fear in BC. The premier says he would address it, he has not. As a business owner and landowner, anyone with simple title – it should be a significant concern. It is an incredible concern.”

City council spoke to the provincial habit of government “downloading” provincial services and responsibilities on municipalities – without proper financial compensation. To which, Neufeld said the financial condition of the province was …not good.

“The financial condition of the province right now is dire, it is dire. We are in trouble financially. Without access that precious natural resources people are asking for – we are not doing the province justice.”

Neufeld says since fall 2024 election – it’s been an interesting time in provincial politics. After the BC Conservative party took official opposition late last year, a series of Conservative MLAs exit the party, including North Peace MLA and Neufeld’s immediate neighbor to the north, Jordan Kealy.

2025 yielded an exodus of several MLAs from the Conservative caucus; MLA Dallas Brodie expelled from the caucus following podcast comments made regarding residential school survivors.  Kealy and Tara Armstrong left the caucus shortly after in protest. Brodie and Armstrong later launched their own provincial party, OneBC, which is now currently in the midst of a caucus split in Dec. 2025. Other Conservative MLAs, including Elenore Sturko and Amelia Boultbee, also exited the B.C. Conservative Party.

“This is a very unique time in provincial politics,” Neufeld says.

Article content