Politicians from Campbell River will head to Japan later this year to visit their sister city.
Mayor Kermit Dahl will pick up to three councillors to be part of a trip to Ishikari in northern Japan to mark the 40th anniversary of the twinning of the cities.
Both cities have fish in common – Campbell River is the self-proclaimed salmon capital of the world and Ishikari is known as the town of salmon.
The relationship, which started in 1983 under former Mayor Robert Ostler, has also been an opportunity for exchange students and youth ambassadors.
Three city staff will also go and members of the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Nation and School District 72 have also been invited to attend.
The plan was approved during a committee of the whole meeting this morning (April 23).
The city has a budget of $25,000 for the anniversary celebrations. Financial reports show $12,689 of that was spent in 2023 when Japan’s delegation came in July to renew the agreement.
The city had normally put aside $5,000 a year for international relationships but it stopped in 2020. The current international relationship reserve has a balance of $21,500, according to a staff report.
