Regional district directors voted Friday in Prince Rupert (Dec. 16) to allow rural Graham Island director Ian Hetman to sign the protocol agreement with the Council of the Haida Nation, subject to a couple of amendments.
Administrator Janet Beil said the amendments were suggested by the regional district's lawyer. Mr. Hetman will discuss them with CHN president Guujaaw.
Masset and Port Clements signed the agreement almost two years ago. If Mr. Hetman does sign, rural Graham Island will become the third non-Haida community to join.
Meanwhile, Masset mayor Barry Pages was acclaimed as chair of the regional district, a position he's held for the past several years. Selecting a vice-chair was not quite so easy, Ms Beil said. Directors Karl Bergman and Tony Briglio both wanted the seat -- and the board vote resulted in a 5-5 tie. A second vote produced the same result, and the vice-chair ended up being chosen by a coin toss. The winner was Mr. Briglio, who represents Prince Rupert.
Directors voted to approve a bylaw giving Masset the capacity to borrow up to $6-million from the Municipal Finance Authority for hospital construction, Ms Beil said.
They also approved a $1,500 economic development grant for the Delkatla Sanctuary Society, for education programs at the nature centre in Masset.