Mayor Pond, other Northwest officials in Victoria for NWRBA sessions with province

Mayor Pond and City Manager Robert Buchan partipcated
remotely for Tuesday's Council session, some notes from the
BC Legislature on Wednesday offered up a glimpse
as to what they may have been up to while out of town.

It's been a busy week for meetings for elected officials of the Northwest, with the Northwest Resource Benefits Alliance group  in Victoria for sessions with the provincial government.

Those who follow our Prince Rupert City Council coverage, will have noted that both Mayor Herb Pond and City Manager Robert Buchan were both participating in this weeks council meeting by remote means. 

And while they did not indicate as to why they were away from town this week during that session, two MLA's from the Northwest provided us with a few bread crumbs towards following their work.

Both Skeena MLA Ellis Ross and Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen used Wednesdays Legislature session to bid a warm welcome to the delegation from the North.

Mr. Cullen using his time for a wider overview of the travelling party and their work, as well as a shout out for MP Taylor Bachrach who was also in Victoria this week.

I'd like to join my colleague from Skeena in welcoming representatives from the Resource Benefit Alliance. I believe we have three proud northern mayors joining us here today — mayor, of course, Sean Bujtas from Terrace, Mayor Shane Brienen from Houston, as well as Mayor Herb Pond from Prince Rupert — who are down to meet with myself, the Premier, and others  to talk about the important issues that they bring from the North. 

I would also like to join my colleague from Nanaimo in welcoming my representative, Member of Parliament Taylor Bachrach, who has served as mayor in Smithers, making us both Smithereens, a fierce advocate for the environment — no, it's true — Indigenous rights and title, as well as an instrumental figure in bringing the B.C. Bus North to make travel safe for everyone across the northwest. 

Mr. Ross would expand on his enthusiasm for the RBA project later in the same afternoon session, noting of the history for the organization an of their advocacy for a new funding agreement to benefit all communities in the region. 

"I rise in the House to recognize the Resource Benefits Alliance — RBA for short — an association comprised of 21 local governments across the northwest region, from Massett to Vanderhoof. 

The alliance was founded in 2014 to negotiate a new funding agreement with the province to ensure that northwest B.C. benefits from the economic activity in the area. Such activities enabled the creation of good, family-supporting jobs that not only enhance the area but also the lives of many looking for a place to start a family.

The natural resource industries of forestry, commercial fisheries, mining, hydroelectricity and LNG make up the key economic activities of the northwest region. Over the last five years, the region has seen $13 billion invested into major capital projects, including the $40 billion LNG Canada project. 

However, much of the economic activity in this region is located outside the municipal boundaries, meaning the benefits of the projects don't reach the communities which often bear significant impacts. 

The RBA is working towards encouraging economic growth in the region and building the necessary physical and social infrastructure to develop sustainable communities looking forward. The northwest has lots to offer, including great local businesses, affordable communities, talented people and an exceptional lifestyle. 

Increased economic growth will ensure northwest communities are places where workers and their families can thrive. 

I would like to thank the RBA for the hard work they continue to put in to advocate for the prosperous future of the northwest region and its people. 

If you haven't gotten your snazzy little pin yet, the mayors representing the RBA are sitting there. They have a whole supply of pins to give you."

Mayor Pond provided a short update of his own this morning through his Social Media page.

The Resource Benefits Association, has been rather  limited of late in providing updates towards their work,  with few entries to be found on their website or Social media stream.

Hopefully when Mr. Pond returns to the North Coast he'll have some additional notes to share towards their progress with officials in Victoria. 

You can review some of the past notes of their work from our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.