Year in Review: Top Stories of 2025 #13 & 12
Following on from yesterday’s post, we continue the countdown to the Top Story of 2025 brought to you by the broken typewriter.
The next two stories are regional in focus – and one will continue into 2026 as the various proponents for proposed wind farm projects plan to hold community meetings and will likely return to the Peace River Regional District several more times before they put shovels in the ground.
Communication was part and parcel of the second story in this post, as the District of Taylor sought feedback in February from local First Nations on their proposed land acknowledgement.
#13 – Wind project proponent must communicate
For the second time in as many months, the Peace River Regional District board told Innergex Renewable Energy that the company needs to communicate better with the public about all their proposed projects.
Innergex was back at the PRRD board meeting on July 17 to discuss another potential wind farm project for the region. The company last gave a presentation to the board in May, when the directors passed on their constituents’ concerns about the company’s landmen approaching landowners in the Farmington and Bessborough areas, wanting to set up leases for a future project. At the time, directors informed Innergex that communication with the public is vital, especially with projects of the size the company is proposing.
At last Thursday’s meeting, Innergex’s Senior Development Manager Mike Goodman, and Development Associate Adeline Thames introduced the project that was causing landowners so much concern in the spring – the Bessie Wind project.
Goodman started off his presentation by stating that the Bessie Wind project is a separate project from the Stewart Wind which is to be located some 50 km northwest of where Innergex wants to build this latest project.
“We’ve been speaking to landowners, with First Nations, we really view this board and the people you represent as stakeholders, so we’re really happy to be here, to speak to it, and to try to be open and transparent, and let you know where we are in development,” Goodman said.
However, when asked by Area C director Brad Sperling if they have had or plan to have any community meetings, Goodman replied that they intend to have open houses and involve the community, but the timing for that would be better for when they have a layout and the project has been awarded.
#12 – Taylor Council seeks First Nations feedback
Developing a land acknowledgement is something the District of Taylor takes seriously, and its First Nations Land Acknowledgement Development Committee has spent the better part of a year, working with and learning from First Nations in the area.
The District of Taylor believes that it’s important to develop a land acknowledgement that properly reflects the long-standing relationship between First Nations and the land.
As part of the committee’s journey to develop the land acknowledgement, members took part in activities and courses to help committee members better understand this relationship, Councillor Desirae Graziano explained in her report to council.
By Fall 2024, the committee had developed several draft versions of a land acknowledgement which reflected the work they had completed.
On December 2, the committee met with Taylor Council, draft acknowledgements in hand, and emerged from that meeting with a land acknowledgement that reflected the District’s respect for its First Nations neighbours.
There won’t be a post tomorrow as it’s Christmas Day, but the countdown to the most read broken typewriter article on 2025 will continue on Boxing Day.