A LETTER CONTAINING nearly 140 signatures went out late last week to Premier Gordon Campbell and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, asking for money to create a new kind of forest industry.

Organized by the newly-formed Skeena-Nass Centre for Innovation in Resource Economics (SNCIRE) and spurred on by the coming closure of the Eurocan pulp and paper mill in Kitimat, the letter says traditional ways of earning a living from the forests of making lumber and producing pulp and paper no longer work.

“We must all work together to address the critical issues facing our region,” said the letter.

It says research and development money would identify specific products that could be made from northwest wood that would set this region apart from other areas.

Local forester Rick Brouwer, who is the executive director of the innovation centre, said he was pleased that so many people signed the letter.

“There as an amazing cross section from governments to businesses to organizations and from all over,” he said.

The list includes Terrace, Prince Rupert and Port Edward municipal councils, economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, individual business people and people who lead non profit social services agencies.

“What we need is their attention to move beyond bridging [employment] and transition programs. We need to look beyond that and create something new,” said Brouwer.

The letter ends by saying the northwest should receive the same financial consideration for research and development monies provided to the interior when the pine beetle attacked its forests.

Terrace council signed the letter Nov. 9, but not without vigorous discussion. Mayor Dave Pernarowski, who is co-chairing a task force dealing with the fallout of the Eurocan closure, suggested the letter be shelved and the innovation centre become a member of the task force. There needs to be a united front shown to governments rather than a series of individual responses, he said.

“Obviously, SNCIRE has the expertise surrounding the forestry sector,” he said of the centre, explaining that it could then incorporate its information and knowledge into the task force document. Councillor Brian Downie agreed, saying that the SNCIRE letter would be redundant with the goals of the task force.

Councillor Brad Pollard, who sits on the innovation centre's board, said he didn't see how the two items were mutually exclusive.

“Why could we not support this and (have SNCIRE) participate in the (task force)?” he said.

Pernarowski agreed, but explained that he wanted to streamline communication between groups and the government.

“I don't know that there's a real rush or panic to get this letter out,” he said, pointing out that he didn't believe the District of Kitimat has signed off on the letter. “So I'm just asking them, as part of this motion....to hold off on sending it until we've determined what that overall message is going to be.”

Councillor Lynne Christiansen agreed with Pollard, saying she couldn't see why council couldn't sign the letter and invite SNCIRE to be a member of the Eurocan closure task force.

Councillor Carol Leclerc pointed out that the group had asked for council's signature a week ago, which was then put off to discuss during this council meeting.

“We're kind of dragging this out for SNCIRE,” Leclerc said. “I don't think there would be any harm in sending off the letter.”

As of late last week, Smithers council did not sign the letter because it wanted an amendment and there was no word from Kitimat council.

And here is a copy of the letter, including a list of those who signed it.

November 10, 2009

An Open Letter to:

Premier Gordon Campbell

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Dear Premier Campbell and Prime Minister Harper:

Re: A Unified Message from the Skeena-Nass Region

The undersigned, as representatives of local governments, First Nations, social service organizations, economic development organizations, local businesses, and chambers of commerce, are providing this unified message to the provincial and federal governments: Provide adequate resourcing to allow us to turn the Skeena-Nass back into a wealth-making region.

The announcement on October 28, 2009 of the permanent closure of the Eurocan pulp mill in January 2010 will result in the loss of 535 direct and over 1000 indirect jobs in the Skeena-Nass region. Over the past decade this area has lost 2500 direct and as many as 5000 indirect jobs in the forest sector alone.

This closure of the last industrial wood manufacturing facility in the region shows that the economic model that has dominated the Skeena-Nass region for the past 60 years no longer works, and that we must all work together to address the critical issues facing our region:

 An over-reliance on commodities like dimension lumber and pulp as our primary products;

 Forest policy issues that have been in place for decades and need an overhaul;

 Needed resources for identifying and marketing the special attributes, competitive advantages and available resources in the Skeena-Nass Region;

 Needed support for development of a diversity of products from the region;

 Inadequate resourcing for trying new things and applying new research or ideas on the ground;

 Recognition that the region has little capacity for “matchedfunds” in order to allow us to access funding from provincial or federal agencies; and

 Recognition that funds for “bridging programs” are only effective if there is another “shore”.

We have come together to let you know that it is long past time to change the Provincial and Federal focus on “bridging”. Instead, we need to see resources put towards “building the other shore”, so that we know what we are bridging to. You, as representatives of the land owners, need to invest in the Skeena-

Nass region to rethink, reinvent, and recreate the natural resource economy. This needs to occur in co-operation with the people of our region, because we understand what needs to be done and we are ready to try new things.

Building the other shore means identifying the additional natural resource opportunities and options that could exist in the Skeena-Nass region, providing an environment where we can test these opportunities and then promoting commercialization of those that are successful. Resourcing for this is critical. We already have people and players coming forward with ideas, but not enough resourcing to act on them.

The Skeena-Nass region has been in an economic crisis since 1997, and has lost as many or more jobs as other parts of the country that have benefited from large injections of stimulus funds. However, there is also an opportunity to rebuild and grow a new economy in the Skeena-Nass (the “other shore”).

What we need, at a minimum, is provision of funding to a locally controlled body, with at least the same funding as was provided to the mountain pine beetle action committees, with additional incremental funds to allow for research and application of concepts and ideas on the ground.

We ask that you respond to this need immediately. We also invite you to come and meet with us.

Sincerely,

Skeena-Nass Center for Innovation in Resource Economics Board of Directors:

John Nester - Great West Life Assurance Co., Terrace, BC

Brad Pollard - McElhanney Consulting Services, Terrace, BC

Jack Talstra - Talstra & Company, Terrace, BC

Joe Wong - Woodmere Nursery, Telkwa, BC

Rick Brouwer - Executive Director, Skeena-Nass Center for Innovation in Resource Economics, Terrace, BC

Ken Kubota - Project Coordinator; Skeena-Nass Center for Innovation in Resource Economics, Terrace, BC

Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

Coleen Taylor - President

Irlanda Price - 1st Vice President

James Cordeiro - 2nd Vice President

Donna Demers -Treasurer

Bert Husband - Past President

Vivian Raposo - Director

Kelly Gingles - Director

Curtis Sagmeister - Director

Charlynn Toews - Director

Glenn Kelly - Director

Janice Paulitschke - Director

Wade Bennett - Director

Brian Langston - Director

Leydi Noble - Director

Ian Black - Director

Stacey Mann - Executive Director, Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce, Terrace, BC

Dave Johns - Deputy Mayor, District of Stewart, BC

K.T. Industrial Development Society Board of Directors:

Ron Burnett - Former Co-Chair, Kitimat EDC, Kitimat BC

Campbell Stewart - Owner, Terrace & Kitimat A&W Restaurants, Terrace BC

Colin Adam - Branch Manager, McElhanney Consulting Services, Terrace, BC

Bill Hickman - Retired, SMIT Marine Canada, Kitimat BC

Mike Scott - Owner, Magnum Road Builders, Terrace, BC

Gerry Martin - President, Shames Mountain Ski Corp, Terrace, BC

Lael McKeown - Co-Owner, Progressive Ventures Ltd, Terrace, BC

Bill Eynon - Former Plant Manager, Methanex Corp, Kitimat BC

Robin Lapointe - Owner, Lapointe Engineering, Kitimat BC

Lynn Stevenson - Owner, Management Matters, Kitimat BC

Austin Byrne - Executive Director, K.T. Industrial Development Society, Kitimat, BC

Mark Ignas - Administrator, Gitxaala Nation, Kitkatla, BC

Bruce Andrews - Owner, Lakedrive Lumber, Terrace, BC

Shane Neifer - Owner, High Mountain Tonewood Company, Terrace, BC

Dave Greening - Owner, Value Wood Products Ltd, Terrace, BC

Lloyd Norton - Value Wood Products Ltd, Terrace, BC

KathyLewis-Chair,EcosystemScienceandManagementProgram,UniversityofNorthernBritish

Columbia,PrinceGeorge,BC

RenéeMitchell-GolderAssociatesLtd,Terrace,BC

PaulHanna-Owner,SilverwoodConsulting,Terrace,BC

DieterMarder-SilverwoodConsulting,Terrace,BC

UskoMurtonen-SilverwoodConsulting,Terrace,BC

MichaelHogg-Owner,Wightman&SmithInsurance,Terrace,BC

CamStevens-Chief Forester, Gitxsan Chief’s Office, Hazelton, BC

North West Loggers’ Association Board of Directors:

Joe Bevan-Controller,KalumVenturesLtd,Terrace,BC

Jim Checkley-CedarlandTireLtd,Terrace,BC

Trevor Jobb-Vice-President,NorthwestTimberlandsLtd,Terrace,BC

James McKay-Owner,DJMcKayEnterprises,Terrace,BC

Dave Martin-NorthDivisionManager,A&ATradingLtd,Terrace,BC

John Nester-Agent,GreatWestLifeAssuranceCo.,Terrace,BC(repeatsignature)

Bill Sauer-General Manager, North West Loggers’ Association, Terrace, BC

Remko Engelbertink-RegisteredProfessional Forester,Terrace,BC

Rod Hayward-ManagingDirector,HawkairAviation,Terrace,BC

Ulyses Venegas-Owner,ArtitecturaDesignandConstruction,Terrace,BC

Joanne Legros-Owner,PequesWeeOnes,Terrace,BC

John C Bartlett-President,JCBartlett&AssociatesLtd,FtProvidence,NT

Chris Bartlett-JCBartlett&AssociatesLtd,FtProvidence,NT

Sarah A. Zimmerman-Owner,sazcommunications,Terrace,BC

Terrace Economic Development Authority Board of Directors:

Darryl Tucker-Hawkair Aviation,Terrace,BC

Kevin Jeffery-Terrace Totem Ford,Terrace,BC

Rob Dykman-Tower Radio Ltd,Terrace,BC

Christine Slanz-Northwest Science and Innovation Society,Terrace,BC

Brad Pollard-McElhanney Consulting Services , Terrace, BC

Dave O’Leary-Northwest Community College,BC

Ken Parkes-Andritz Automation,Terrace,BC

Kelly Gingles-Skeena Rent-A-Car(National CarRental), Terrace,BC

Craig Sears-Pacific Northern Gas,Terrace,BC

Rick McDaniel -Re/Max of Terrace,Terrace,BC

Curtis Sagmeister-Coast Inn of the West, Terrace, BC

Sam Harling Economic Development Officer, Terrace Economic Development Authority,Terrace,BC

Jayne McKenzie-President, Keenleyside Insurance Services Ltd, Terrace ,BC

Layne Clarke-Sales Representative, Northwest Business Machines,Terrace,BC

Marilyn Kerr-President ,Sight & Sound Audiotronic, Terrace, BC

Mark deJong-Manager,Thornhill Motors,Terrace,BC

Karlene Clark - Owner, Images by Karlene, Terrace, BC

Dennis Roth - Co-Owner, MediChair North Coast, Terrace, BC

Rod Link - Editor and Publisher, Terrace Standard, Terrace, BC

Sid Peltier - Owner, White River Helicopters Inc, Terrace, BC

Mel Stevens - General Manager, Laxgalts'ap Forest Company Ltd, Laxgalts'ap, BC

Alan Moore - Chair, Laxgalts'ap Log & Timber Co. Ltd, Laxgalts'ap, BC

Owen Fewer - Planner, Canada Resurgence Developments Ltd, Terrace, BC

Dave Marko - Woodlands Operations Coordinator, Gitxsan Forest Enterprises Inc, Hazelton, BC

Val Gauvin - Owner, Dawne Business Solutions, Terrace, BC

Jerry Gagnon - Owner, JAG Contracting, Terrace, BC

Smithers District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

Dave McKenzie - Sandman Inn, Smithers, BC

Jason Krauskopf - Rays Board Shop, Smithers, BC

Debbie Meissner - Hawkair Aviation, Smithers, BC

Geli McAloney - Studio G, Smithers, BC

Dave Walter - Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Smithers, BC

George Whitehead - ScotiaBank, Smithers, BC

Linda Hanson - Individual member, Smithers, BC

Randy Krooker - Randy’s Image Design, Smithers, BC

Heather Gallagher - Manager, Smithers District Chamber of Commerce, Smithers, BC

Shannon Emerson - concerned resident, Terrace, BC

Mike Lozier - concerned resident, Terrace, BC

Sharon Emerson - concerned resident, Terrace, BC

Les Emerson - concerned resident, Terrace, BC

Doris Emerson - concerned resident, Terrace, BC

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine Board of Directors:

Harry Nyce (Board Chair) - Electoral Area A (Nass Valley, Meziadin)

Gerd Gottschling (Vice Chair) - District of Kitimat

Melanie Sondergaard - Electoral Area B (Hazeltons rural areas, Kispiox Valley, Moricetown

through Cedarvale)

Allan Lanctot - Electoral Area C (Rural Terrace area, south coast)

Dave Brocklebank - Electoral Area D (Telegraph Creek, Iskut, Bob Quinn)

Ted Ramsay - Electoral Area E (Thornhill)

Darcie Frocklage - Electoral Area F (Dease Lake)

Lynne Christiansen - City of Terrace

Carol Leclerc - City of Terrace

Alice Maitland - Village of Hazelton

Peter Weeber - District of New Hazelton

Angela Brand Danuser - District of Stewart

Bob Marcellin –Administrator, Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, Terrace, BC

Gerald Nyce - General Manager, Haisla Resources LP, Kitamaat Village, BC

City of Prince Rupert:

Jack Mussallem - Mayor

Anna Ashley - Councillor

Kathy Bedard - Councillor

Gina Garon - Councillor

Sheila Gordon-Payne - Councillor

Nelson Kinney - Councillor

Joy Thorkelson - Councillor

Nellie Cheng - Economic Development Officer, Prince Rupert & Port Edward Economic Development

Corporation, Prince Rupert, BC

Denise Gagnon - Owner, Spa Essentials, Terrace, BC

Stacey Tyers - Executive Director, Terrace Anti-Poverty Society, Terrace, BC

City of Terrace:

Dave Pernarowski - Mayor

Brad Pollard - Councillor (repeat signature)

Bruce Martindale - Councillor

Carol Leclerc - Councillor (repeat signature)

Brian Downie - Councillor

Lynne Christiansen - Councillor (repeat signature)

Bruce Bidgood - Councillor

Ron Poole - Chief Administrative Officer, City of Terrace, BC

Barry Nikal - Chief of the Moricetown Band, Moricetown, BC

Dave Menzies - Operations Manager, Central Mountain Air, Smithers, BC

Alex Bolton (Sin’oogit Hataxgm Lii Midiik) - Treaty Negotiator, Kitsumkalum Treaty Office, Terrace, BC

Roger Harris - Haisla Business Development Corporation, Kitimat, BC

Erin Griffith - Owner, Urban Colour, Terrace, BC

District of Port Edward:

Dave MacDonald - Mayor

Knut Bjorndal - Councillor

James Brown - Councillor

Dan Franzen - Councillor

Murray Kristoff - Councillor

Ron Bedard - Chief Administrative Officer, District of Port Edward, BC

Mark Starlund - General Manager, Kitwanga Lumber Co Ltd, Kitwanga, BC

Carol Sabo - Executive Director, Ksan House Society, Terrace, BC