Mayor welcomes transmission line, but MLA questions provincial commitment
Only online.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: September 17, 2009 12:16 PM
North Coast reaction to the announcement of $130 million in committed federal funds for the Northwest Transmission Line has been mostly positive, with Prince Rupert mayor Jack Mussallem saying that the transmission line and the jobs it could bring will “resonate throughout the north”.
“It’s good news not only for the communities along the corridor, but it’s good news for the whole area. As you get the electrification it makes life more affordable for the people up there and it makes any new developments more affordable…By itself it creates a build-up of infrastructure. It has to do with the affordability of development, and that is why it’s so important,” he said, noting that the port could see an increase in throughput as the nearest export facility to any of the proposed mines.
“In the build-up and development of new operations, whether it is mining, forestry or tourism, all of those will look to the major centres in the area to supply products, goods and services or, if they’re shipping out, will look to those major centres as ports to handle their products.”
North Coast MLA Gary Coons also said it was good news from the federal government, but said he questions the B.C. Liberals’ commitment to the $250 million it had previously pledged to the project.
“The B.C. liberals had no interest in any more funding except for a committed $10 million environmental assessment needed before construction can start. It seems that a wad of money came their way and they’re stuck with no plan, no strategy, and no real commitment to open up the significant potential in the region, especially when construction is expected to start next spring, a short eight months from now,” he said, pointing to comments from Energy and Mines Minister Blair Lekstrom saying the government was looking to secure $90 million from private sector companies that would use the line.
“This is very confusing. It seems the B.C. Liberals are making it up as they go along…It’s obvious that they’re in a wagon with no wheels!”
For his part, Lekstrom told Black Press that, "We've made it very clear as we move forward with this agreement with the federal government that the electrification of Highway 37 will be a reality."
v2
