Despite some reservations over aspects of the plan not yet addressed, city council ultimately decided to endorse two TransCanada natural gas pipeline projects.
During Tuesday night's meeting, city council voted 7-1 to write a letter of support for the Coastal GasLink Pipeline and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission projects.
Coun. Jillian Merrick was the sole opposing vote and Coun. Garth Frizzell was not in attendance.
Coastal GasLink plans to deliver natural gas from northeastern B.C. to the the proposed LNG Canada export facility at Kitimat. The Prince Rupert line would ship gas to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility in Port Edward.
The construction of both projects is anticipated to "provide substantial economic benefits" to Prince George given its status as a business and transportation centre, said the letter from TransCanada community relations manager Rebecca McElhoes requesting council's formal support.
"Once in operation, TransCanada's infrastructure would provide property tax payments within the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George which would support education and services such as fire protection, police services, schools and hospital districts," McElhoes wrote.
Coun. Brian Skakun suggested that a conditional letter of support be composed for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) work, but highlighting that there are issues, such as those regarding First Nations' rights, yet to be addressed.
"LNG is not going to save the day in this province, we know that now. But I think if there's an opportunity to create some short-term jobs within any of the communities along the possible pipeline from here west and some long-term sustainable jobs, I think that's important," he said.
Merrick said she appreciated that TransCanada, which has a P.G. office, has been so proactive in dealing with the city and keeping it up to date, but that the project scope is entirely out of Prince George boundaries.
"We have several economic benefits that may come from the pipeline but we don't have much skin in the game on this," said Merrick. "And as much as we have a responsibility to investment in the region, we also have a responsibility to our neighbours who are dealing more tangibly with the benefits and losses that this project might bring."
Merrick also questioned what good a letter would ultimately achieve.
"The project certainly doesn't hinge on whether they've got a letter of support from the City of Prince George or not," she said.
"But what it may do is isolate and alienate some of the communities that are having more challenge or even parts of the community that are having more considerable debate of this project and what the benefits to their community is."
Project proponents like TransCanada are trying to get money for their investment, said Coun. Frank Everitt.
"The money market's pretty fluid and if they think there's support around for that, that's what they said they wanted it for."
In her letter, McElhoes confirmed the financial incentive.
"Both LNG Canada and Pacific NorthWest LNG are now considering whether to proceed with positive investment decisions," McElhoes wrote.
"TransCanada is looking to demonstrate that there is strong local support for LNG export development and pipeline development in particular."
Letters of support have already been written by the Prince George, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Mackenzie, Smithers, Kitimat and Dawson Creek Chambers of Commerce, the communities of Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Houston, Terrace, Kitimat, Port Edward and the Kitimat Economic Development Association.
Back in September, TransCanada provided a sample letter of support that council could use, which states that "LNG development has already provided economic stimulus for northern British Columbia and Prince George" and that council has "noted the wide scope your preliminary environmental and engineering field programs, and their reliance on the skills and hard work of northern residents."
But Mayor Lyn Hall said using the template wouldn't work, given the specifics council wants to include.
"There's no question that within the letter... we stay away from the template and that we do identify things that they presented to us recently in their presentation to council around environmental issues, First Nations issues and social issues that have been brought up," he said.
"They're a good corporate citizen in Prince George, there's no question about it and they showed that all the time and they have a great deal of work throughout Highway 16 West and I think they're looking to Prince George and other communities along the corridor as well as in the northeast for support of various things... There's nothing wrong with us identifying some things that we want to make aware and may be a concern of ours that they're taken care of."
