Provincial Awards

Northern Health & District of Kitimat Protocol Agreement
District of Kitimat

Building capacity through partnerships is a survival tool that organizations cannot ignore, especially in small towns where resources are often harder to come by. The District of Kitimat knows this well and for the past 25 years the Kitimat Recreation Department and Northern Health, Kitimat Health Unit, have been working together to bring the message of living well through an active lifestyle, including healthy eating and routine medical check ups, to members of the community.

Throughout their history, many joint programs and initiatives had been developed and delivered which up until 2008 were based on a very informal relationship. This started to change in 2006 when increased funding opportunities spurred the development of a number of new jointly delivered programs. The significant success of these programs resulted in changes not only in clientele and increased community participation in and demand for additional programs, but also in the perception of the partnership, both internally in each organization and within the community, and led to the creation of Kitimat’s Active Communities Committee, Kick It Up Kitimat (KIUK).

To formally recognize and continue the work that was already a part of the community’s fiber a protocol agreement between the District and Northern Health was created and signed on February 25th, 2008. The agreement acknowledges the role of the people from each organization and their shared vision and commitment to work together towards common goals; capturing the essence of the work done in the community. It also increases the capacity of both organizations’ abilities to meet the changing needs of the community through the sharing of resources and information - helping them achieve their collective mandates.

The agreement enables each organization to partner on projects/activities where a joining of resources and efforts will enhance outcomes and, where appropriate, actively seek to involve allied community partners. It has reduced duplication of services and messages to the public and assisted both parties better understand the resources each can provide.

The formal recognition provided by the District of Kitimat and Northern Health regarding the natural pairing and role that preventative health care and recreation services play in enriching citizen’s lives is a major milestone for both organizations. Other jurisdictions are now looking to this protocol agreement as a template to further their own community goals of creating healthier more active communities.

This protocol agreement is unique in BC. It brings together two government organizations in a positive way for the betterment of their community and guides the way for future joint initiatives. The BCRPA is pleased to present the District of Kitimat with the PERC Award for Management Innovation and Ingenuity.