Work camps are usually built to house employees for various pipeline, hydro, mining and natural gas projects. The one community where work camps lie within municipal boundaries is the District of Chetwynd, but last month its council voted against allowing one of them to expand. But the district's debate highlights the delicate balance Peace Region municipalities face in ensuring all of its citizens benefit from a strong economy. Chetwynd's many wood carvings pay tribute to its forestry history, but its central location in the South Peace region makes it an attractive hub for work camps in various industries. "Work camps are very useful, closer to the working area, so that you take away that traffic on highway systems, and it definitely brings a safety factor increase.

Source: CBC News February 19, 2019 15:53 UTC