MLA Rice ready to welcome back the Cruise industry ... when safe to do so

The giant vessels of the cruise industry will be passing by 
Prince Rupert this year, MLA Jennifer Rice looks forward
to welcoming them back post COVID, but recent events from
the USA may change the cruise narrative on the North Coast

The recent move of the US government to allow cruise ships to travel to and return from Alaska without need of a Canadian stop, dominated much of the Legislature time early in May and with a return to Legislative duties this week, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice used some of her allotted time through her virtual session to address the topic.

The majority of her commentary was one that echoed much of the NDP government's recent approach, a handling of the issue which as we noted last month that did not particularly impress American political leaders or those of the BC Liberal opposition. 

Some  areas of her contribution to the debate were focused on the local tourism opportunities and some of the recent funding by the government to help tourism coming out of COVID.

"My home community of Prince Rupert is ready and willing to welcome Alaska cruise passengers when it's safe to do so. We have a breadth of attractions for adventurous souls, with world-class kayaking, whale- and bear-watching and cultural experiences. 

Our restaurants cover the gamut from international cuisine to locally caught seafood. 

While things are gradually opening up across the province, it's still not safe enough to open international and U.S. borders. This is for the health and safety of all Canadians. We are working with colleagues across the province, with the federal and U.S. governments. 

Premier Horgan is meeting Alaska senators on June 9th on this very matter. The Transportation and Infrastructure Minister has sent a letter to his federal colleagues around the logistics of technical stops. 

The Tourism Minister has met with the U.S. Consulate General in Seattle and discussed this issue. 

She has spoken to the federal Economic Development Minister on the matter, and she has met multiple times with Ian Robertson from the Greater Victoria Port Authority. 

Ian is also a member of our tourism advisory table. 

The B.C. intergovernmental relations team meets with the Seattle consulate weekly. 

The Provincial government shares a common desire with the people of Alaska to see a safe return to the cruise ship industry to the benefit of both of our regions. 

We're investing in tourism so  we are ready when the borders open."

At the end of May, the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce and MP Taylor Bacharach added their voices to the conversation on working to ensure that the local Cruise industry will remain a area for growth and employment.

What remains to be seen is if the sudden attention of the NDP and Federal government to the US concerns, late sit is now, will be enough to reverse the America mindset that there is no need to stopover in Canada anymore. 

Something which if it becomes more than just a one year temporary measure could have a serious impact on all of the industry planning of recent years.

More notes on the work of Ms. Rice in the Legislature can be explored here.

A wider overview of the Cruise industry on the North Coast can be reviewed here.