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| Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach'' interview for the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce Podcast was released this week offering a range of topics for review |
Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP was a recent guest interview on the Prince Rupert Chamber of District Podcast "Let's Get Down to Business", the Federal politician for the Northwest exploring a range of topics from government issues to local business challenges as part of a half hour conversation with Chamber President Daphne Thomson.
The early portion of the segment, which was recorded during the City of Prince Rupert's State of Local Emergency in December related to its water infrastructure, had the MP discussing how he made the shift from the municipal scene as Mayor of Smithers, to that of Federal MP.
Mr. Bachrach observed how many municipal issues can't be addressed without a partnership with both provincial and federal government, Mr. Bachrach noting how he has used his experience as a municipal mayor to take up the issues of concern for cities and towns across the Northwest.
The MP also had a few thoughts towards Prince Rupert, describing the community as in an exciting and interesting period of time in its history, noting of the decline of sone of the pivotal industries of the past and then charting the resurgence of the port and its expansion, which he outlined has put Prince Rupert into a good place for its future.
Key to that future Mr. Bachrach touched on the current infrastructure challenges and the need for investment towards them and in the city overall, something he outlined he would be speaking on, to the Federal government advocating towards the supports that are need locally.
"The challenge at this juncture is making smart decisions to position local businesses and position the City of Prince Rupert to take advantage of that opportunity ... I think the biggest thing is to make sure that we're finding ways to support municipal infrastructure.
So that as the port grows, the city is able to maintain and enhance those services that are so vital to the people who work at the port.
The port and the city aren't these two separate things, they're very much reliant on each other and we need to make sure, particularly when it comes to infrastructure ... so there's a huge need for investment in the city so that the city can support the growth of the port.
That's one of the things that I'm going to take over this next year, working with the Mayor and Council, working in partnership with local residents to make sure the Federal Government understands that situation.
Putting pressure on them to make the changes and make the investments that are needed"
The Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP also observed that the Federal Government is at the start of developing new legislation to amend the Marine Act, which governs ports and he outlined how he plans to work on that file.
"I'm going to be working not only with the City, but also with the Port to understand what these changes mean locally and whether there are amendments that are needed to be made to reflect the local situation."
Some of the other elements of the discussion focused on employee recruitment and retention and the state of the housing situation in the community.
On the need to fill open job positions, areas that were explored included themes of removing barriers, improving on immigration expectations and developing a path to citizenship for those that come to Canada to work.
The MP observing that he is in Opposition, so his task is to raise the issues, but the follow up an action on theme is in the hands of the government of the day.
Child care, and providing incentives towards increasing the growth of population made for an interesting exchange, though as the MP noted it's a topic that would be controversial and would make for a fascinating discussion topic.
Towards the entrepreneurship found in the Northwest Mr. Bachrach, who once ran his own small. business, had nothing but praise for their work ethic and their contribution to community.
"I think, my reflection travelling around through communities in the Northwest is that we're blessed in this region with such incredible entrepreneurship.
People who get into small business have amazing ideas, they have an amazing work ethic and they bring a lot of creativity to their roles.
You know, we often think of business simply as a way for people to earn a living, but it's so much more than that, they contribute to the fabric of the community in many, many different ways.
And so I would end this interview just with an expression of gratitude for the folks who are doing that, who are working so hard, who are making big sacrifices in oder to get their business off the ground"
You can review the half hour discussion as Mr. Bachrach explores the topics with the Chamber President from the video below:
The archive of Chamber Podcasts to date, which cover a wide variety of themes is available here.
More notes on the work of the MP in Ottawa can be examined from our archive here.
While themes of Business across the Northwest are explored through our Commercial Sector archive.
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