B.C. Liberal leadership candidate Kevin Falcon made a second campaign visit to Prince George on Monday, promising to establish a regional premier's office in the city.
The pledge is another element in Falcon's "northern prosperity agenda," which he launched in Fort St. John last week.
Falcon first visited Prince George last month by kicking off his northern campaign here, the same day he launched his candidacy in the Lower Mainland.
The regional premier's office - which cabinet ministers would also be expected to use - is meant as a base for interacting with people in northern B.C., said Falcon.
He argued that the office was more than symbolic, and committed to being in the office from time to time. Falcon said it was important to create the office because 60 per cent of the province's wealth is generated outside of the Lower Mainland.
The Liberals choose a leader on Feb. 27.
"I'm confident that we can do more for Prince George and the North to help it create more jobs and opportunities for growing the economy," Falcon said in a release.
Falcon, who toured Del-Tech Manufacturing during his stop in Prince George, said he wants to create a new northern transportation corridor strategy.
The new strategy would build on efforts already underway to make Prince George an international road, rail and air intermodal hub, he said.
The strategy would also include finding ways to expand port business at Prince Rupert, Kitimat and Stewart.
In an interview, Falcon said the new strategy could mean increased government spending in some cases. He said, however, that it also would involve taking a leadership role in encouraging the federal government to expand the Port of Prince Rupert, as well ensuring there are no barriers to private investment.
For example, the province can play a role in addressing First Nations claims and concerns, said Falcon.
The B.C. Liberal government, under Premier Gordon Campbell's leadership, has backed a northern corridor as a second gateway in British Columbia between Asia and North America.
Key projects have been the $170-million container-handling facility at Prince Rupert, and the $36-million expanded runway at Prince George, both of which received provincial funding. CN's $20-million container-handling terminal in Prince George is also considered a key corridor project.
Other B.C. Liberal leadership candidates have also visited Prince George, including George Abbott, Mike de Jong and Christy Clark.
Clark, who visited Prince George on Sunday, also gave a nod to northern B.C.'s resources as an important economic driver of the province. She said the province must make the $800-million Prosperity gold and copper mine a reality. The project has been rejected by the federal government over environmental concerns.
Falcon said he wants to see the Prosperity mine project put back in front of the federal government. While the environmental issues are important, he's concerned the economic benefits were not properly weighed.
He was more circumspect about Enbridge's proposed $5.5-billion oil pipeline through northern B.C., which is facing increasing opposition from First Nations, environmental groups and some municipalities. He said the decision on that project rests with the National Energy Board, which will hear from the detractors.
