Mayor Pond highlights infrastructure, quest for funding as Council, staff focus at UBCM Convention

Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond
with some pipe from a recent
civic works excavation site

Mayor Herb Pond has offered up a glimpse of what the Prince Rupert delegation will be focused on as they dig into the full work ahead at the 2023 UBCM convention in Vancouver. 

Mr. Pond used his social media stream to provide the talking points for Council and Staff making infrastructure their major theme for attention as they meet with other delegates and officials at the Vancouver Convention Centre this week.

In his comments, which were accompanied by a photo of the state of some of that infrastructure, by way of a pipe from a recent excavation on McKay Street, the Mayor notes that the City's delegation will be thankful for the funding received so far.

His commentary also notes that they will continue to push for continue discussion on themes such as the Port Tax Cap and Resource Benefits funding aspirations.

The thank you note also observed of recent funding for the new middle school and the province's help in lobbying the Federal Government when it comes to the City's current funding request of 82 million dollars for infrastructure work

click to enlarge

Mr. Pond doesn't announce the roster for the delegation in his social media notes, but a quick head count would suggest that if all six council members and at least four Senior Staffers are on hand in Vancouver, there could be at least eleven members of Team Prince Rupert on hand to share the Mayor's message with those in attendance.

Yesterday the UBCM focus was on housing, with the Provincial Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon speaking to the convention  on the measures the province has been taking towards improving on the volume of housing to be built in BC.

One Northwest politician gaining some attention on opening day for the Convention was Smtihers Mayor Gladys Atrill, she spoke to UBCM on some of the impact of decriminalization of drugs on communities and the need for additional supports for municipalities.

Monday's session included a presentation from Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry, who had counselled patience over the drug decriminalization  pilot project.

You can review more notes from the convention through our archive page here.

For a look at some of Prince Rupert's challenges see our Major projects archive here and our notes on housing here.