Dempsey Bob receives Officer of the Order of Canada appointment

A Northwest British Columbia resident, one who has received accolades from around the world for his work in carving, has been awarded one of the highest of civilian orders by the Governor General David Johnston.

Dempsey Bob, the world renowned Tlingit/Thaltan carver from Telegraph Creek, has been carving and teaching for over 40 years, his work showcased in museums and galleries across BC, Canada around the world. Sought out by many as a mentor and teacher, his work has showcased Northwest art for over four decades.

In June he gained one more notice of appreciation, as he was appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada, one of 34 Officers named, along with 40 members listed as appointed.

Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to take place at a later date.

While remaining active in carving, Dempsey Bob currently is also a senior advisor to the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Arts, a position he has held since the School was created in 2006, part of the campus of Northwest Community College.

The college took justifiable pride in announcing his appointment to the Order of Canada with this press release, which outlines his importance and impact to the program at NWCC.

CEAA seeks public comment on Prince Rupert LNG project

Another day and yet another development when it comes to the prospective launch of Prince Rupert's LNG industry.

Yesterday we outlined details of the BG Group's application for a licence to export some 21.6 million tonnes of gas per year from a facility to be built on Prince Rupert's Ridley Island.

Today, by way of a public notice from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, a call for comments has been issued for the BG Groups' proposed Prince Rupert LNG project.

As part of the modernized Canadian Environmental Act of 2012, the CEAA has commenced with a federal environmental assessment for the Proposed Prince Rupert LNG Project.

In their press release, the CEAA has invited the public to offer their thoughts on aspects of the environment that may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The Deadline for comments is July 21st,  comments are to be submitted in writing to the Agency:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
410-701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V7Y 1C6

The CEAA can be reached at 604-666-2431

Items of note on the Prince Rupert LNG Project can be directed to the CEAA by email at
PrinceRupertLNG@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

A full review of the Public Notice can be examined here.

A reference sheet for the Prince Rupert LNG Project (80042) can be found here.

Further information is available from this media release from the CEAA.

The Prince Rupert LNG project is one of the two original projects announced for the North Coast.

Since that time, a number of other potential projects have been mentioned, though at the moment, only the BG Group and the Petronas project are in the active assessment phase.

You can review all of our items on LNG development in the Northwest from our Industrial Development Archive.

Media reviews of the latest call for comments from the CEAA can be found below.

BG Group applies for LNG Export Licence from NEB

British Energy developer the BG Group, proponents of a LNG Terminal for Ridley Island have submitted an application to the National Energy Board, seeking an export licence that if approved, could see the company ship some 3.3 billion cubic feet of gas a day, making for a total  21.6 million metric tonnes annually from what would be it's Prince Rupert terminal.

The application projects for  a start up target of 2021 for the first shipments off of the North Coast.

It was the first of two applications to the National Energy Board this week.

As we outlined on the blog earlier today, ExxonMobil has also made an application for an export licence for the north coast, though they have not, as of yet, identified a host community for any proposed terminal.

The two export licence applications were welcome news for the Provincial Government, which outlined the government's thoughts on the topic with a media release today.

The BG Group is one of the two original proponents for an LNG Terminal on the North Coast, following almost step by step those developments from the Petronas proposal.

The BG proposal is known as the Prince Rupert LNG project, more information about it and links to their community access process can be found from their website.

BG has recently increased its footprint in the community, holding open houses, meeting with the Chamber of Commerce,  providing a presentation to Prince Rupert City Council on November 13th and launching their website.

One of their principal advocates on the North Coast is former Mayor Herb Pond, who has been assisting the company make its contacts and put forward their vision to the community.

You can learn more about the proposed BG terminal project, as well as other proposed developments on the north coast from our LNG archives.



CFNR-- Two more LNG export licences sought
Energetic City.ca-- BG Group, Imperial Oil apply for LNG export licences
Financial Post-- BG Group looking to partner up for proposed West Coast LNG project
Wall Street Journal-- BG Group seeks Canada LNG Export License

Port reviews achievements of the year past, looks to the future

The Prince Rupert Port Authority held it's Annual Public Meeting on Wednesday evening, a gathering at the Crest Hotel that heralded much in the way of the Port's achievements in the year past.

2012 was a year which saw a record 22.2 million tonnes processed through the Port's facilities, a figure that accounts for an increase of over 15 per cent from the year previous.

The Total revenue numbers were even more impressive, with a 40 per cent increase recorded in 2012 from 2011's numbers. When the accountants finished all of that tabulating for the 2012 numbers, the Port had recorded revenues of 36.7 million dollars.

As part of the APM presentation, Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority outlined the background on the Port's success in the year past and looked ahead to the future and the impact that Port operations will continue to have on the communities that host Port operations.

2012 saw more than 200 million dollars invested into infrastructure, marine terminal and expansion projects and looking ahead to 2020 the potential for more than 20 Billion dollars in investment is a very real possibility with the range of developments currently in the proposal stage.

Regular readers of our blog would agree with the President and CEO, that the future for the Port and the North Coast is looking rather bright at the moment.

With any number of projects on the drawing board for future development. From further expansion of container operations at Fairview, proposed LNG development to expanded coal operations, the increased development of Port related industry continues on.

The Road, Rail and Utility project currently underway on Ridley Island is setting the stage for  future development, an infrastructure project that will expand the opportunity for development looking towards that 2020 benchmark.

The latest addition to the Prince Rupert waterfront and industrial base is currently under construction, with the new Pinnacle pellet plant on the waterfront destined to begin operations this fall.

As well, there are still hopes in the community of an announcement from Canpotex on their potash plans, a project that has captured the imagination of the community for a number of years now.

You can get a sample of some of the impact of the Prince Rupert Port Authority on the local industrial base by reviewing our Industrial Development archives, which features past items of note on developments among all of the Port's industrial partners.

You can gain a snapshot of Wednesday's  meeting from this media release from the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

Making a commitment to the community was also a theme of Wednesday's Annual Public Meeting, as the Port presented a cheque to representatives of Prince Rupert's Trades Training Project, with 100,000 dollars now destined towards that program.

The money from Wednesday is the latest  of that commitment to community support that comes from the Port's Community Investment Fund,  the Port  donation will be added to that from other partners in the project, with Ridley Terminals, Northwest Community College and School District 52 already on board with support.

The Trades Training project will begin in September of this year with a Millwright Foundations Program being offered at Charles Hays Secondary School, as part of the Trades Training project n Industrial Electrical Foundations Program will be launched in February.

You can learn more about the Port's donation and the Trades Training Project here.

Media reviews of the details from the Annual Public meeting can be found below.

June 21-- Opinion 250-- Prince Rupert Port in Ship Shape
June 21-- Northern View-- Prince Rupert Port Authority says best is yet to come
June 20-- CFTK-- Port Budget (video)

North Coast Trades Training gets another boost

A much anticipated program for the Fall of 2013 received a major boost on Wednesday, as the Prince Rupert Port Authority named the Trades Training Project, as the latest recipient of funding from the Port's Community Investment Fund.

The announcement was made at the Port's Annual Public Meeting, a 100,000 dollar donation from the Port's Community Investment Fund, that will be added to the money and support already in place from Ridley Terminals, Northwest Community College and School District 52.


"The Port Authority is excited to have three of our community partners collaborating on these much-needed educational opportunities,"... "We are happy to make this contribution that will allow local people to pursue careers in their own communities, likely supporting the gateway industry the Port Authority and our partners are working hard to grow in a sustainable manner." --  Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, sharing announcing the Port Authority stake in trades training on the North Coast.

You can review the full media release from the Port Authority here.

With anticipated growth in the trades forecast for the North Coast the three community partners have embarked in a program to deliver two key trade foundations, the first of which is the Millwright Foundations program which will start with the return to school of September 2013.

That program will be followed by the start of a program for Industrial Electrical Foundation that will begin in February of 2014.

Those interested in the program can contact Charles Hays Secondary or Northwest Community College for further details on how to apply and when and where sessions take place.

The Charles Hays website features this link to information about the ACE IT program (scroll down to the very last item of the handbook)

The announcement of the program has been well received throughout the community, the project offers the opportunity for local residents to receive training in the trades and a foundation for future employment in the Northwest.

Earlier this year we outlined the nature of the twin programs earlier this year  on the blog, you can review some of the background on the project here.

June 24-- CFTK-- Prince Rupert Port Authority supports skills Training

Prince Rupert Marine Search and Rescue looking for recruits

Those volunteers that provide for search and rescue services on the North Coast are looking for some recruits for the fall, seeking a handful of candidates that are up to a challenge and eager to serve the community.

Station 64 Prince Rupert, is on a recruiting drive for the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue service that stands by ready to lend assistance when it's requested.

They are holding an information session from 5:30-6:30 PM on Thursday, June 13th at the Prince Rupert Curling Club, where members will explain the duties and requirements of those that may wish to step up and lend a hand (and some time).

Beyond the obvious requirements for those that take to the seas to lend assistance in marine emergencies, the organization is also looking for assistance with shore based activities in administration, fundraising and marine safety promotion.

Those successful applicants will begin training in the fall to take up duties with the group of volunteers currently in place.

Last year Station 64 spent nearly 500 hours on the water, both in training and responding to marine incidents.

A full review of their services can be found here, which provides some background on the work they do on the North Coast and what their requirements are in this recruiting drive.

Those who intend to take in the information session are asked to confirm their attendance by calling 250-600-0945.

You can also follow the latest developments from Station 64 from their twitter feed or on their facebook page.

The Northern View outlined some points on the Search and rescue recruitment posting this item to their website on June 12th.

CFTK outlined the recruiting efforts with this item (video) and this item posted to their website on June 13th.