Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday, November 30, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:



Religion versus LGBT rights: Langley's Trinity Western University Law School case goes to Supreme Court of Canada
A National Housing Strategy to Maintain Homelessness for Decades to Come
Trans Mountain pipeline project still lacks hundreds of permits
B.C. NDP, Greens flex partnership with swath of new policy achievements
Full recognition of UNDRIP is a necessary step toward reconciliation
Kelly Ellard, who killed 14 year old Reena Virk, granted conditional day parole
The push for rental-only zoning in Vancouver
Indigenous groups in Alberta, N.W.T. say they've borne 'enormous costs' from B.C. dams, call for end to Site C
Premier John Horgan says improved housing options to be focus of B.C.'s next budget
Fernie mayor thanks Flames for 'beautiful gesture' of outdoor rink after 3 men died in ammonia leak
Reena Virk killer Kelly Ellard granted day parole
B.C. companies pay lowest median fines in Canada for workplace deaths, CBC analysis finds
Repeat bad drivers can expect dramatically longer prohibitions in B.C.
Premier Notley to be greeted by pipeline protestors in Vancouver
Horgan says improved housing options his top priority
Ottawa insists Trans Mountain expansion will be built
Coleman casts for info on precarious promises to Plecas
Government considers cap on minor injury claims to 'fix' ICBC finances
NDP and Greens stack the deck in referendum vote
ICBC to ditch computerized assessments for drivers with medical concerns
Hiring many more teachers poses problems
E & N punching bag takes more hits
Kelly Ellard's parole delivers blow to Virk family
One-in-Five 911 calls are 'non-emergencies': E-Comm
B.C. Premier John Horgan vows clear referendum question
B.C. Seniors to get new driving assessment
John Horgan finishes first session at legislature as B.C. Premier
The BC NDP could be risking its future under proportional representation
Vancouver police can march in Pride parade, but not in uniform, society says
2 years after a court decision Vancouver francophones say their kids still need more schools
Province pledges new rules for agricultural waste following aquifer contamination report
B.C. government tells Ottawa to back off in Trans Mountain pipeline process as debate heats up

Ottawa Observations: Thursday, November 30, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday, November 30, 2017



Canadians doing business in China should be warned of possible trouble, former envoy says
Ten governments reach deal on sustainable Arctic fishing
Canada won't rush into free-trade deal with China, minister says
Senate starts debating cannabis bill, but no guarantee it will meet Canada day deadline
Finance Minister dismisses questions about father's 2015 sale of Morneau Shepell shares
National Security bill will make it easier to combat homegrown extremism: Goodale
Liberal government withdraws court case on First Nations health care
It's time to extend a version of parental leave to Members of Parliament: report
Speaker gives Tory MP the boot from House for heckling
Morneau at centre of fiery debate in Commons that leads to Tory MP's ejection
Ottawa backs off of court proceedings on First Nations child health care
Canada, U.S. held joint exercises simulating nuclear attack on both sides of border
Air Transat failed passengers stuck on 2 flights at Ottawa airport, agency decides
Massacre survivors, family members press Liberals for stronger gun laws
NDP MP loses rare secret-ballot vote to keep her private member's bill alive
Raymond Théberge named Canada's official languages commissioner
For its next breakthrough, the Green Party might want to go east
Baloney Meter: Are Liberals welcoming ISIL returnees to Canada with open arms?
Judicial council won't pursue inquiry into conflict of interest allegation against Vic Toews
Canada sets aside two bunkers at military bases amid global uncertainty, North Korean threat
Everything you need to know about Daesh 'returnees' (including that it's not illegal to simply join Daesh)
Bill Morneau says he didn't spill details of tax changes
A new generation of Canadian mayors looks to flex some muscle
Canadian mayors look to Ottawa for new partnerships
Kudos to Canada for seeking a peaceful end to North Korean nuclear crisis
Will Superman save Chinese-Canadians in wine pickle?
Trudeau's famous inclusiveness shouldn't be extended to terrorists
Is celebrity gossip your 'local news'? Ottawa must think so
Tory MP booted from Commons as tempers flare over share sale by Bill Morneau's father
French-Italian consortium offers Canada a deal on a new fleet of frigates that could save $32 billion
When planes become cattle cars we're trapped on for six hours, we need a passenger bill of rights
B.C. government tells Ottawa to back off in Trans Mountain pipeline process as debate heats up
A National Housing Strategy to Maintain Homelessness for Decades to Come
Canada the Last Resort for Haitians Fleeing Trump's Crackdown
The Power of Words: Why Trudeau's LGBTQ2 Apology matters

Port highlights Northern BC's forest sector and its connection to Asia through Prince Rupert

With their Economic impact report of this week telling the story of the economic engine that the Port of Prince Rupert provides across Northern British Columbia, a new video from the Port offers up a further glimpse into just how that inter-connection works from Prince Rupert to Prince George and beyond.

The latest of short video vignettes that Port has produced, puts the focus on the province's forest sector and how communities that are at the heart of the industry are sending their products to market through the Fairview container terminal and other facilities of the Port of Prince Rupert.




The tour of the region takes the viewer to the sawmills and pulp mills of Northern British Columbia rolling along to cover a list of towns and cities like Burns Lake, Prince George, Fraser Lake, Smithers, Houston and Terrace to name a few.

Locations that become more than just stops on the CN Rail mainline map, but communities that provide for jobs and an economic engine for the entire Highway 16 corridor.

Where the products of Northern British Columbia's forest sector come from.
and where they are destined for after the products ship out of the Port of Prince Rupert
(from Port of Prince Rupert video presentation)

Included among some of the featured stops on the video review are the facilities located in Prince Rupert from the Fairview container terminal, to the new loading facility on Ridley Island and the giant lumber yard of Tidal Coast Terminals in the city's Industrial Park.

The theme of the four and half minutes that of how each community of the North is connected to each other, with the Port providing for the heart of the trade from the forests of the province to the markets of Asia.

You can learn more about the economic impact of the Port from our look at their report of this week, available here.

Further notes related to the Port can be found from our archive page here, while a look at the Port's partners in shipping in the region can be reviewed here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Terrace closest location for public meetings on Greyhound Service Termination request

Residents of the North Coast wishing to appear at a public hearing on the request to terminate Greyhound Service along Highway 16, will ironically have to do a little bit of travelling to do so.

With those seeking to participate required to make their way to Terrace or Smithers in the Northwest to share their thoughts or concerns.

The Passenger Transportation Board has announced a series of meetings for December 11th to 14th in four locations;  starting in Prince George on December 11th and wrapping up in Fort St. John on December 14th.

The two sessions scheduled for the Northwest will take place in Terrace on December 12th and Smithers on December 13th.

The Terrace meeting will take place from 1 to 3 PM on December 12th in the Skeena Room of the Best Western Hotel, those wishing to participate must contact the agency to register by Noon of December 8th. 

Those in the Smithers area will gather in the Summit Ballroom of the Prestige Hudson Bay Lounge on December 13th, with the Bulkley Valley session to take place from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

 Those wishing to participate in any of the public hearing sessions must contact the agency to register by Noon of December 8th. 

You can access the registration form here, see the links included in that document for more details on the hearing process.

As we reviewed in August, Greyhound has applied to the PTB to terminate much of its service to Northern BC, including the Prince Rupert to Prince George run.

Since that time, the Agency that oversees Passenger Bus service in the province received over 1,700 email correspondences on the topic, as well as 220 written statements related to the request to terminate the service.

From that feedback, the Passenger Transportation Board decided to hear directly from the public and the impact that any change may have on them.

"Public meetings will allow the Passenger Transportation Board to hear directly from individuals and community representatives about their transportation use and how the proposed changes could affect them ... The Board will also hear directly from Greyhound about its passenger services and business model that relates to the application."  -- Catherine Read, Chair of the Passenger Transportation Board.

The full notification from Wednesday can be reviewed here.

Some background information related to the Greyhound request can be found from our Highway 16 archive page here.

Documentation for the December information sessions can be reviewed below
(click to enlarge)

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:



B.C. slams Ottawa's defence of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
Police uniforms, vehicles no longer allowed in Vancouver Pride parade
Police uniforms barred from 2018 Vancouver Pride parade
Future of Vancouver's golf courses up for review in 25 year parks plan
Woman concerned over 'stream' of homeless sleeping in Vancouver backyard
Passenger Transportation Board holding public hearings before deciding if Greyhound can leave northern B.C.
'Working poor' and homeless get transitional housing
In midst of plenty, need for food banks still high
Patients' rights violated in B.C. mental health detention system, report says
Businesses eligible for more wildfire financial assistance
'It's a joke': Burnaby residents scoff at Kinder Morgan first-aid kits
Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore announces he won't be seeking re-election
B.C. Attorney General orders ICBC to investigate claims linked to casino-money laundering probe
It seems transparent that NDP fails neutral sniff test
Sample of B.C. farmed salmon 'blood water' tests positive for virus: critic
NDP and Greens stack the deck in referendum vote
Salmon farms spewing untreated bloodwater puts wild fish at risk: advocates
NDP, Greens unite to support electoral reform ahead of vote; Liberals opposed
Get informed on referendum
Bonanza surpluses coming to an end
Many ministries could be the ministry of health
B.C. Hydro selling Jordan River property
B.C. to implement longer prohibitions for dangerous drivers
Ottawa adds 'kick in guts' to wildfire disaster for B.C. couple
Uniformed police won't be allowed to march in Vancouver's Pride Parade
Some radical ideas to deliver affordable homes in B.C.'s pricey Lower Mainland
Calgary and Vancouver are, on average, Canada's most indebted major cities: report
Vancouver plan to build 72,000 new homes - and maybe restrict  foreign owners - approved
B.C. to extend pilot project for search and rescue drones
As long as people say 'not in my backyard,' homelessness will keep growing: Surrey advocate
Ottawa seeks conflict resolution panel for Trans Mountain pipeline project
Kelowna getting homeless complex
NDP and Greens band together on B.C.'s proportionals representation referendum 
Rising apartment rents leaving a growing gap between Vancouver tenants
Vancouver Pride Society makes decision on police participation in 2018 parade
Vancouver-based Indigenous HIV organization uses Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week to highlight funding cuts
Peace Valley landowner association lawyer alleges that B.C. Hydro wants to re-open Site C review
Like failed promise to end homelessness, Vancouver will not meet Greenest City 2020 target
Vancouver city councillors coy about 2018 election plans
Surplus Down But NDP has Hopes for Growth
A BC without Site C Best Bet for Taxpayers

Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday, November 28, 2017



Former envoy David Mulroney says official warning needed for Canadians doing business in China
Census 2016: Canadians in prime working years less likely to hold full time jobs
Supreme Court of Canada nominee Sheilah Martin an advocate for equality
Few residential-school survivors succeed with full income-loss claims
Nearly half of soldiers who killed themselves in 2016 were dealing with loved one's suicide
B.C. slams Ottawa's defence of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
Scheer's support for Trudeau's LGBTQ apology highlights a deepening consensus
Canada's troubling downward trend in work-force skills
CP head says NAFTA talks 'frustrating' but expresses little worry
Canada sets aside two bunkers at military bases amid global uncertainty, North Korean threat
Morneau's counterpunches miss their mark, as Conservatives go for the kill
Andrew Scheer calls on Finance Minister Bill Morneau to resign amid 'cloud of suspicion'
Trudeau strayed too far from historic wrongs in LGBT apology: Tory MPs
Extraordinary jurist': Sheilah Martin named new justice to the Supreme Court of Canada
Canadian workforce is more educated and sitting in traffic longer than ever before: 2016 census
$175M in federal money for working poor goes unclaimed
Sorry has been the hardest word for governments
Canada to co-host meeting on North Korea crisis with United States
'A turning point': Power of apology lies in building the future, not tearing down the past
CSIS's ask for telecom subscriber info of possible future targets denied
'Vulnerable' clients charged up to 30% for tax credit as CRA drags heels
Finance minister's nasty fight with Opposition over ethics spills out of the House of Commons
Absence of Indigenous candidate a 'great missed opportunity,' law expert says
Ottawa to help build care facility for mercury victims in Grassy Narrows
Trudeau defends Morneau as Tories call for finance minister to resign over ethics-related controversies
Justin Trudeau has unfinished business after Supreme Court pick
Governments can and must do more to tackle hate
Morneau must go
'Chill Out" about Jihadists? Nonsense
Surely Morneau's days as Minister are numbered
We already know Trudeau's ethical standards
'Town that fun forgot' lives on with rink of rules
Liberals stand by beleaguered Morneau in face of Conservative calls for his head
Take-it-outside theatrics continue a long tradition of House machismo
Better debates would bring better elections - so can the Liberals, for once, get reform right?
Housing chief sees dreams of ownership fading for Canadians
Andrew Scheer calls for embattled Finance Minister Bill Morneau to resign
Justin Trudeau appoints Sheilah Martin to Supreme Court of Canada
Ottawa seeks conflict resolution panel for Trans Mountain pipeline project
What Donald Trump's tax plan does for the rich, to the poor and Canada
Canada seen as less stressful location for summit on North Korea
Some of the cases involving new Supreme Court Justice Sheilah Martin

Pembina approves development of Watson Island LPG terminal

Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain was celebrating some welcome news for his Watson Island rejuvenation plans today, with word from Pembina Energy that the company had approved the development of a Liquid Petroleum Gas Export Terminal for the site.

The announcement from Pembina which you can read here, is part of the energy company's 2018 Capital program.

Stuart Taylor, Pembina's Senior Vice President for Natural Gas Facilities noted that with their Final Investment Decision now in place, the company looks forward to moving the development ahead.

"Since our initial announcement of potentially developing the Prince Rupert Terminal, we've worked diligently with municipal and other stakeholders and are now able to move forward with our final investment decision

We are very excited to progress the Prince Rupert Terminal and continue working with the local communities, stakeholders, First Nations and governments in the area.

This Project will provide significant economic benefits to the Prince Rupert area including 150 to 200 construction positions and, once operational, it will create between 20 to 30 full-time positions in addition to generating annual property tax revenue and lease payments."

Once competed and in service, anticipated for mid 2020, the terminal will have capacity to export 25,000 barrels of LPG per day.

As noted in the media release, the project is expected to create up to 200 construction jobs as it is built and then permanently employ 20 to 30 full time workers upon completion.

Mayor Brain shared his excitement for the announcement of today with a number of declarations, the first through the media release from Pembina.

"We are thrilled to work with Pembina to finally get Watson Island back in business ... What was once the story of economic downfall and hardship is now the story of prosperity and renewal. 

Getting Watson Island back on the tax roll has been the key priority of this council, and receiving this final investment decision from Pembina will provide us with additional lease and tax revenues to support community services and infrastructure."

The second call for mission accomplished, came from the Mayor's Facebook page, which highlighted the announcement of the day and debuted a new logo of sorts for Watson Island declaring the Industrial site as being "back in business".

Further background on the City's arrangement with Pembina can be reviewed from the City's Information release on the latest news which was posted to the city website this afternoon.

The statement hails the arrival of Pembina and its plans to begin site preparations immediately and notes that the Mayor and Council are happy to credit Pembina with being the first company willing to write a new chapter in the storied saga of Watson Island.

The statement from the city also declares a new name for the industrial site which will now be known as the Watson Intermodal Trade and Logistics Park.

While the two statements make note that the capital costs are expected to be around 250-270 million dollars, there is no indication from any of today's announcements as to what amount the taxation process, or lease benefits from the site will deliver to the City as part of the development and operation of the terminal project

You can learn more about Pembina's plans for Watson Island as part of the Open House to be hosted by the Mayor and City of Prince Rupert on December 6th.

For more background on the Pembina project see our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Dismantling of City Hall Tent City, gives birth to new community based Society for the homeless

With the end of the Tent City camp at Prince Rupert City Hall over the weekend, some of the organizers of that community based protest in support of the homeless have expanded on their theme, forming a new collective known as Unity City Society of Prince Rupert.

The group debuted a Facebook page November 26th noting that the concept had been formed coming out of the Tent City group and that organizers were in the process of forming a Society to work towards permanent, emergency, supportive and affordable housing.

Among some of the early followers for the new group include a range of current politicians and potential politicians for the 2018 municipal election cycle.

Though so far, the names of those following the group as observers are significantly higher than those actively participating in the discussion, or commentary on themes related to affordable housing and homelessness.

As for the current status of those that had been staying at the encampment at City Hall during the two weeks of its existence,  the majority of those  have since shifted to the recently opened Winter Shelter facility at the old McLean and Rudderham building.

However, as you explore the commentary through social media of late, those advocates for the homeless do note that some of those from the tent city continue to live out in the elements in various locations around the city.

And while the Extreme Winter Shelter does address the overnight period, with hours of 8 PM to 8 AM, one of the original issues that seem to have sparked some of the recent events remains unresolved.

In October, Councillor Joy Thorkelson made a passionate plea for the establishment of some form of a daytime warming centre for those that were homeless, something that remains elusive as we continue through the cold and wet of November and on to the winter months.

There has been an unofficial daytime option offered by the owner/operator of the Coastal Cafe, but a permanent option to address some of the Councillors concerns has not as of yet materialized.

Councillor Thorkelson's comments of last month, were just the latest that she and fellow councillor Barry Cunningham had offered up to their City Council counterparts as they look to seek solutions to the affordability situation in the city.

Shortly after her council remarks on November 8th, the first of the tents began to go up at City Hall, sparking the sudden rush to ensure that some form of suitable accommodation could be provided for the short term, with an eye towards a larger solution.

Earlier this month, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice appeared at City Council to outline the support the province would be providing for both the short term shelter option and to arrange for the arrival of modular units in March to try to alleviate the housing concerns.

From that Council session, the Mayor and the Transition House Society would later expand on how the winter shelter program would operate, announcing its location on November 17th.

The focus now outlined by the Unity City group would seem to suggest that they'll take up the torch as advocates for the homeless and those in need.

As well perhaps they may serve as a community watchdog of sorts, to watch over the local efforts to make sure that the promises made over the last few weeks are lived up to and that now that the tents have disappeared from City Hall that the homeless situation doesn't fall off the civic radar.

You can follow the group's work from their Facebook page here.

A look back at the Tent City protest is available here, while a larger overview of housing across the Northwest can be found on our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:



Vancouver, Toronto rental markets face rising rents, extremely low vacancy: survey
Site C will be a strategic asset in fight against climate change
Protestors block driveway, delay modular-housing project on Vancouver's south side
B.C. Finance Minister Carole James upbeat on province's budget
Accused in B.C. police officers death appears in Abbotsford court
Ex-RCMP inspector accused of assault was in consensual relationship with woman: defence
Defence calls woman a 'liar and a perjurer' in former B.C. Mountie's sex assault trial
B.C. budget surplus shrinks with mounting spending pressures
Food banks in areas affected by wildfires still seeing increased demand
B.C. sees a major spike in hate crimes in 2016
'I think this could open up a lot of interesting doors": LGBT community in B.C. reacts to federal apology
B.C. investigating claims fish processing plants release contaminated effluent
Suspect charged in Abbotsford police officer's death makes brief court appearance
B.C. firearms task force to target homegrown illegal gun trade
Investor confidence plummets for BC's energy sector
Still a long way to go in managing mental illness
B.C. government's surplus projection shrinks
Budget surplus shrinking as NDP makes good on spending promises
'Blood water' pumped into ocean prompts investigation
Referendum count is not as promised
E & N line needs new approach
ICBC tests new distracted driving prevention technology
Surplus decreased as B.C. wildfire, ICBC costs rise
Controversial B.C. Christian law school lays out case ahead of Supreme Court of Canada hearing
Surrey mayor says province needs to move faster on modular housing after tent city video goes viral
B.C.'s liquor stores want control of recreational pot sales, but not everyone's on board
Provincial surplus down $56M, says B.C. finance minister
New politicians wanted Gerontocrats Need Apply
Break on Hydro coming even if freeze rejected: Minister
City invites public to share solutions to single-use waste items at Cambie and West Broadway pop-up
Hate crimes against Asian Canadians and LGBT people increased in B.C. in 2016

Ottawa Observations: Tuesday, November, 28, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday, November 28, 2017






As North Korea threat grows, foreign ministers to meet in Canada
'We were wrong': Trudeau apologizes for decades of LGBTQ discrimination
Ottawa starts healing process with LGBTQ apology
Trudeau's LGBTQ apology: A Globe guide to how we got here
Trudeau urged to delay trade talks until China frees two Canadians
CSIS secretly capturing phone-identifying data of terrorism suspects: ruling
Trudeau to name new Supreme Court judge, maintaining gender split
New mortgage rules could disqualify 10% of buyers with big down payments: Bank of Canada
Canada takes softwood lumber fight to WTO
Critics paint 'bleaker picture' amid Alberta's jobs optimism
Morneau threatens to sue critics over attacks on his personal financial decisions
Canada vows to assist Montreal woman and her children who escaped Islamic State
Feds have no alternative to Phoenix pay system: Lemay
Canada to co host meeting on North Korea crisis with United States
'A turning point': Power of apology lies in building the future, not tearing down the past
'Our collective shame': Trudeau delivers historic apology to LGBT Canadians
Finance minister's nasty fight with Opposition over ethics spills out of the House of Commons
Household debt, home prices biggest risk to Canadian economy, Bank of Canada says
MPs begin two days of secret ballot voting in NDP bid to revive derelict vessel bill
Canada taking fight with U.S. over softwood lumber duties to WTO
Single mom says she's battled the CRA for 6 months over child benefit - with no result
British design first to be submitted in Canadian navy's warship contest
MPs begin two days of secret ballot voting in NDP bid to revive derelict vessel bill
TransCanada says it is engaging with landowners on new Keystone XL route
Trudeau is apologizing to LGBT civic servants: Here's why
NAFTA's potential end would hurt, but BMO says it's a 'manageable risk'
Ruling over translation contract could cost CRA millions
Government won't scrap Phoenix, Commons committee told
Trudeau to name new Supreme Court judge
Heritage minister accused of doing 'nothing' for newspapers after Torstar-Postmedia deal
CBSA says Muslim asylum seekers' answers to targeted questions were never used
On our 150th, a quiet celebration and a quiet strength
Monsef's papers still aren't in order and the media still hardly cares
Not his father's son: With apologies for historic injustices, Trudeau goes where his dad wouldn't
Despite Gates funding, Canadian startup nearly bankrupted after NRC ignored rent-leniency pleas
New powers for U.S. border guards would be rarely used: minister
Lockheed Martin leads team of companies in warship bid
Canada, U.S. to co-host summit to discuss diplomatic response to North Korea threat
Economic recovery in oil provinces helps lower national vacancy rates
In full: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's speech apologizing for government's past discrimination against LGBT people
Justin Trudeau delivers historic formal apology for Canada's past LGBT purge
New politicians wanted: No Gerontocrats Need apply

The Port of Prince Rupert: A billion dollar Northern BC industry that passes through Prince Rupert each and every day

The Port of Prince Rupert released a report on Tuesday that highlights the massive footprint that the terminal facilities around Prince Rupert harbour are playing in making for an engine for the British Columbia economy.

An information release from the Port makes note of the strong results that have been delivered to the region from Port Operations from the period of review of 2016.

Towards those results, Interim Port President and CEO Joe Rektor pays tribute to the workforce that has been assembled to help to build the port's growing reputation for efficient movement of product through the Northwest Gateway in Prince Rupert.

“The Port of Prince Rupert’s success is built on the hard work of the women and men that contribute to safely moving cargo through the Gateway every day,” ... “We’re proud of the economic contribution we’ve been able to make over the past decade. We know we need to keep working hard to stay competitive and sustain that into the future.”

All of that hard work of those who work for the Port is best examined through the annual review.

A document which explores the economic impact that the port has had across the region, brought to life through the roll call of statistics that the report delivers.

Among some of the highlights are:

3,100 women and men in Northern British Columbia work directly on operations moving international trade through the Port of Prince Rupert in 2016

That direct employment injected $260 million in annual earnings into the regional economy.

The average annual wage for those associated with employment in the Northwest BC gateway in 2016 was $83,480

A total of 5,200 jobs are associated when those businesses that provide services and suppliers to the Port operations are considered. 

Of the total number of jobs that make for the Port's supply chain across Northern BC, 54 percent are found in the rail and trucking sector.

Almost half the direct employment with the Port is located in Prince Rupert, with Terrace, Smithers and Prince George also benefiting from the port's supply chain presence.

Since 2009, the amount of direct employment related to the Port has grown by 1,800 jobs, making for an increase of 138%

The Port estimates that over the next decade an additional 5,400 jobs will be created as the port expands its economic footprint on the North coast.

Other elements of the Report make note of the contribution the Port makes to the revenue stream of local communities, delivering more than 7 million dollars to local municipal governments through Port taxation revenue.

When it comes to the day to day activity on the waterfront, from their report, the Port notes that 35 billion dollars of trade was shipped through Port facilities in Prince Rupert in 2016.

And while not quite the same stunning figures of the industrial trade, the rebounding Cruise industry on the North Coast generated 500,000 in local visitor revenue over 15 cruise ship days, which attracted 7,100 cruise passengers to the Northland Cruise terminal in 2016.

As for the shipments that arrive or depart from port facilities, a number of graphical presentations provides for the snap shot of what rolls in and out of Prince Rupert each day.

That success in part comes with the port's partner of Canadian National Railway providing the transportation arteries that keep that flow of trade moving to and from points across North America and delivers much of the product that is destined for port facilities around the world.

What we're shipping out of the Fairview Container Terminal every day

What's coming ashore at the Fairview facility

The story of exports in 2016 from Prince Rupert Grain,
Ridley Terminals, Westview Terminal and through lumber shipments
(all of the images above from the Port of Prince Rupert report)

You can get the full overview of the Port's impact on the economy of the Northwest from two segments of their presentation released today.

The Executive Summary

The Full Report

For more notes of interest related to the Port of Prince Rupert see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

MP Nathan Cullen to propose name change for federal riding

Skeena-Bulkley Valley may be a historical footnote for the next time voters of the Northwest head for the polls, that should Nathan Cullen have success with a proposal introduced today, as the MP submits his riding name change suggestion for the consideration of Parliament.

In a notice on his twitter feed on Tuesday, the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP offered up "Skeena-Pacific Northwest" as the name to be submitted.

Providing with it, a short note (not even  using up the new 240 character limit) as to how it respects the history and vast geography of the region.

The MP notes that the decision to seek a name change came after a number of conversations and consultations.

The change if approved would make for the latest metamorphosis for the Federal riding, which has been known as Skeena, then Skeena-Bulkley Valley in recent years.

And going way back in time, our corner of the province had at one point been part of the riding of New Westminster as BC joined confederation in 1871, represented at the time by an Irish immigrant Hugh Nelson from County Antrim.

The name of the riding once again changed in 1896 to be part of the newly created riding of Burrard, followed by another re-draw of the borders to reflect the latest change in the territory covered from Comox-Atlin in 1904.

The now more familiar Skeena took hold in 1917, the Bulkley Valley added to the name as the turn of this century arrived into the 2000's.

The riding remains one of the largest in land mass that there is for election to the House of Commons, making for a wide and diverse population base and one which requires extensive travel to address constituents concerns for whomever is elected to hold the office.

The history of the riding is a fairly entertaining item to dig into courtesy of the website ThreeHundredEight.com which traces some of the name changes, colourful history and personalities that won elected office through the century.

The First MP for the Northwest Conservative Hugh Nelson
serving from 1871 to 1874
(photo from ThreeHundredEight.com)

The NDP's Nathan Cullen the current MP for the riding
of Skeena-Bulkley Valley since 2004
(photo from House of Commons video)

Mr. Cullen did not indicate in his tweet of today, what the process towards renaming might be, or how long such a project will take to put in place.

For more items related to his work at the House of Commons see our archive page

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

City of Prince Rupert drops video trailer for upcoming Watson Island showcase

The studios of Producer Mayor Lee Brain were busy over the last few days, putting the finishing touches on the second of what may be the start of a Watson Island anthology of short films.

This latest effort, which was released Monday, takes the Mayor back to the industrial site offering a sneak peek at what will be the topic of a public presentation on December 6th.

That's the afternoon/evening that the City of Prince Rupert has put aside to host an Open House at the North Coast Convention Centre from 4 to 7 PM to share the latest of details that they can release on Watson.

The short travelogue has the Mayor standing on the site of what could be the Pembina Liquid Propane Terminal, currently the focus of a number of corporate studies to determine if they will go ahead with the project to ship Liquid Propane to export markets from the city owned island.

Released on the Mayor's Facebook page, as well as the City of Prince Rupert page, Mr. Brain advises that the city is getting closer each day to putting Watson Island on the tax roll.

Some of the themes the Mayor explores in the video include the decommissioning work on site which has been a two year process and of which the Mayor advises is now nearly 90 percent complete.

The mayor notes in his presentation that all of the chemicals that were on the site have been removed from Watson Island and it now is ready to host new partners for industrial development.

He offers up some background to the Pembina proposal and how it offers the opportunity to generate more revenue through leases and taxes for the City of Prince Rupert.

The final segment of his update of the 97 video is a reminder for the public that the City will explain more on the latest news from Watson at the December 6th public Open House.



Over the weekend, the Mayor also had led a group of former pulp mill workers on an expedition to explore the Watson Island site that once was their workplace.

You can compare the most recent short video presentation above with the original walk around the site that was produced in March (below).

It offers up a chance to make some comparisons on the progress and take some notes to bring with you for the Open House.



For a wider overview of the long running Watson Island , including a number of themes not explored in the video shorts so far, see our Watson Island Archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review