Releasing a plan to renew the northern and rural economy, B.C. Liberal candidate Christy Clark said Thursday she would continue efforts to develop the northern gateway.
She said she would do that by working with the federal government to expand the container port and break-bulk terminals at the Port of Prince Rupert and Kitimat and the transportation hub at Prince George.
The province provided some of the investment into the $170-million container-handling facility at Prince Rupert, as well as funding for the $36-million runway extension at the Prince George Airport.
The projects are meant to foster another gateway between Asia and North America, which is expected to bring economic benefits to northern B.C.
"The economic challenges facing rural B.C. are complex and require an approach where communities are empowered, people are listened to and government responds. We recognize that government decisions, no matter how small, can have a big impact in rural British Columbia," said Clark in a statement.
She was travelling in northern B.C. on Thursday, moving eastward on Friday.
Clarks northern and rural plan also includes:
- Creating a B.C. Investment Board to measure the success of major projects moving through the regulatory process. The board would give a grade and make recommendations on improving the system.
- Putting more power into the hands of communities to decide on the allocation of infrastructure grants.
- Extending the oil and gas road improvement program.
- Supporting more training opportunities in the North in health and engineering.
- And reviewing regional trust programs like the Northern Development Initiative Trust to look for improvements.
