Bureaucratic delays creating significant obstacles to rebuilding Lytton

More than three years after devastating fire, it is time to restore a community's sense of hope and belonging.

Published Oct 16, 2024  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

The devastating 2021 Lytton Creek Fire destroyed 90 per cent of the village. Rebuilding has been slow. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Village of Lytton continues to grapple with the long and painful process of rebuilding after the devastating 2021 Lytton Creek Fire. Over three years have passed, and yet for many residents, the hope of returning to normalcy feels as distant as ever.

The primary barrier to rebuilding remains the complex web of bureaucratic delays and financial challenges — particularly the mandatory archeological studies required before construction can begin. These studies, while vital for preserving Indigenous heritage, have become a significant obstacle. During the debris removal and remediation stage, the Village of Lytton paid approximately $4.3 million for archeological work aimed at assessing the potential for significant archeological finds. Now, in addition, our residents are being asked to pay out-of-pocket for more studies with quotes between $26,000 and $46,000 per home, and one as high as $82,000. The village’s leadership has continually urged the provincial government to step in.

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Most recently, after holding a media event at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, the premier finally agreed to meet. During that meeting, I was assured the government would work on a quick solution to the Village of Lytton’s challenges. My encouragement to see the government finally act turned to disappointment after meeting with Forests Minister Bruce Ralston a day later. While the premier committed to working on the issue, the minister indicated that addressing it would likely require a legislative change — one that could take years.

When will this end? Why has Lytton been abandoned by the David Eby government? These are the questions residents are asking their elected mayor and council.

Lytton simply can’t wait any longer. Residents and homeowners are financially stretched and emotionally exhausted. Words and promises are empty without action — they won’t help to get residents back into their homes.

The provincial government must expedite the archeological process and, crucially, provide funding to cover the costs for the village of Lytton’s residents. This is not just about financial support — it is a matter of fairness and justice for a community that has already endured far too much. Allowing bureaucratic red tape to be a barrier to rebuilding a village is unacceptable.

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As mayor, I have persistently voiced our frustration with the slow pace of rebuilding. The Village of Lytton is not asking for exemptions from the archeological process. We fully support the rights of local Indigenous communities and the protection of heritage sites. The problem lies in how the process has been managed. The entire Village of Lytton, including areas not affected by the fire, has been included under a single permit issued by the archeology branch. The effects of this approach have been far-reaching in terms of delays and additional costs.

The financial burden of these studies should not fall on the shoulders of residents who have lost so much. Many in the community are struggling financially after years of displacement, and now they are being asked to shoulder the additional cost of archeological preservation. This is a responsibility that should fall under provincial jurisdiction.

The slow pace of recovery in the Village of Lytton highlights a critical issue in disaster management: the balance between heritage preservation and the urgent need to rebuild communities. B.C. is home to a rich tapestry of Indigenous cultures and history, which should be protected. But the province must also recognize the human cost of delay.

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Now is the time for the provincial government to act and remove the special archeology requirements in the Village of Lytton, which have created insurmountable barriers to rebuilding. Reverting to the same requirements that apply to other communities in B.C. will allow Lytton residents to rebuild and return home. This is not just about construction permits or heritage sites. More than three years after the fire, this is about restoring a community’s sense of hope and belonging.

Denise O’Connor is the mayor of Lytton.

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