Local officials hail Port investment by Federal government

Wednesday's investment of close to 22 million dollars into port infrastructure in the region has been greeted with enthusiasm from local leaders, with representatives from some area First Nations, as well as the City of Prince Rupert on hand to share their thoughts on the latest announcement from the Port of Prince Rupert.

As part of the morning event, Port CEO and President Shaun Stevenson called on Lax Kw'alaams Mayor John Helin, Metlakatla Chief Councillor Harold Leighton and Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain to come to the podium to speak to the announcement of the day.

Lax Kw'alaams Mayor John Helin 

Mayor Helin led of the delegation, noting how he had recently attended a Northern Chiefs conference on energy in Vancouver and how the how ports and getting product to tidewater made for much of the discussion of the session.

Mr Helin observed how the North Coast was being recognized for its importance for global shipping and how Prince Rupert is the safest port from which to ship product from.

Calling today's announcement another step forward,  he noted how the eyes of the world were on this region and how it takes everyone working together  from all levels of government and local officials to bring it all together.

"The eyes of the world are on us to see if we can get business done, and it's about time that we were listening to good announcements in this region. So it's important that we can have our differences but work together" -- Lax Kw'alaams Mayor John Helin at Wednesday's Port announcement

Metlakatla Chief Councillor Harold Leighton

Chief Councillor Harold Leighton reflected on the ongoing challenges of development and how his community has been involved with Port developments over the years and how that relationship has provided for a number of benefits to Metlakatla.

"Metlakatla has always been supportive of projects developed by the port, we have our challenges, but on this one we have all come together to agree to  move ahead. And that's what makes it more successful where all First nations can work together with the Port and DP World to make things happen. We have some of the economic benefits to our communities, we get to build infrastructure in our community, we get to build the recreation facilities that we need, we get to put our children to school and that'w what it does for our communities and why its so important" -- Metlakatla Chief Councillor Harold Leighton on port development

Mayor Brain Speaking at the Port announcement

Mayor Lee Brain observed on how the news of the connector road will be well received in Prince Rupert, as well as to note that the rail improvements could provide better access to Watson Island.

"Today's announcement shows hand in hand how the community and the port can grow together, we've heard nothing but complaints about the downtown core, about the truck traffic, the safety concerns, everyone's been hearing that. This is going to completely redirect the traffic and be able to have new development opportunities for downtown"  -- Mayor Lee Brain speaking to how today's announcement will impact on the city

He also made note of the upgrade to the rail bridge at the entrance to the Port, observing for the audience how it also is located close to the Watson Island site, which the city is redeveloping as a trade and logistics park and how the city is hoping to achieve financial benefits from that intiative to put towards the city's own development plans.

Mayor Brain also made note of the shared goals of all stakeholders in the region with all levels of government working together with the port.

"As Mayor Helin said earlier, when we're all going to Ottawa, were all with one message now, the Port, the First Nations the City, we're all bringing a common message and it's being heard loud and clear by the Federal government"

The morning conference ended with Chief Clifford White of the Gitxaala territory asking for a moment to speak, providing a welcome to Minister Beech and outlining for the audience how that community wished to be recognized in this process moving forward.

You can review their comments from the event through the Port's video archive of the announcement, Mr. Helin leads off the trio of local officials at the twenty minute mark.




For more notes on Monday's announcement see our item here, more background on Port development can be reviewed from our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review