Port Alberni seeks provincial guidance

Apr 28, 2026 | 9:01 AM

Port Alberni City Council members attended the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities conference this past weekend.

The City wants the Province to provide a framework for how local governments should work with First Nations.

Mayor Sharie Minions says all First Nations should have both a voice and a vote in regional government decisions.

“We are pursuing opportunities for inclusive government, and what it looks like at the regional district when it gets to a point of inviting non-treaty Nations is still to be determined but my feeling would be that if we’re inviting them to the table, then they should say at that table,” she said.

Recently the City of Nanaimo began the process to expand their boundaries to include the Snuneymuxw Reserve so First Nations could vote in municipal elections.

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Mayor Minions said Port Alberni is not looking to replicate that model, but is looking at ways to allow greater community involvement.

“It’s really just asking the province for guidance on helping communities develop framework so that we have a bit more guidance on moving forward with what our relationships with First Nations should look like,” she said.

Minions said Port Alberni council is proud of the city’s close relationship with neighbouring First Nations, and is looking to provide Indigenous governments with not just a voice but a vote in local decisions.

by David Wiwchar

Port Alberni seeks provincial guidance

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