Porter Creek resident Keith Lay raised concerns at city council’s meeting regarding the motion on street naming brought forward by Coun. Michelle Friesen.

Her motion calling on the city to work with the Kwanlin Dün First Nation to rename the streets in the McIntyre subdivision, as well as the subdivision itself, was adopted unanimously.

Concerns were raised regarding the timing of the motion, with suggestions it best come forward following an intergovernmental meeting with Kwanlin Dün next month.

Lay told council he was worried the work load that would be necessary to carry out Friesen’s motion would detract from initiatives already underway.

It would be a time-consuming and expensive process, he said.

Lay noted the 2020 Trail Plan and the Chadburn Lake Park Management Plan already speak to the integration of Indigenous languages and place names into the trail network in partnership with First Nations.

The plan, he noted, outlines a number of initiatives that should be undertaken.

The plan says the city should support Kwanlin Dün and the Yukon government in their efforts to develop a management and interpretive plan for the Canyon City Historic Site, Lay pointed out.

The city should work with local First Nations to identify and inventory significant cultural sites, traditional use within the Chadburn Lake Park Management Plan, says the plan.

It says the city should develop signage and interpretation opportunities, where appropriate, that emphasize the importance of the area to First Nations.

Lay suggested it would be better if Friesen’s motion came forward after the city has completed its ongoing efforts.

As he was taught, he said, you should finish the job you’re doing before you start another.