LNG Green Light for Kitimat, as LNG Canada announces project to go ahead

The long winding road of LNG development in the Northwest has put down its roots in Kitimat, with LNG Canada announcing late Monday evening that Shell and its partners were moving ahead with a final investment decision.

 Andy Calitz, CEO of LNG Canada shared the details through an announcement Monday night providing some background to a decision that will make for a significant impact for those living at the north end of Douglas Channel.

“The Final Investment Decision taken by our joint venture participants shows that British Columbia and Canada, working with First Nations and local communities, can deliver competitive energy projects,”  ... “This decision showcases how industrial development can co-exist with environmental stewardship and Indigenous interests.”

“We look forward to helping Canada take its place on the global map of LNG exporting countries and want to recognize the important role played by all levels of government, First Nations and the many people that supported LNG Canada to help us get to an FID,”  .... “We also thank our joint venture participants for their trust in our ability to deliver a cost-competitive and reliable source of LNG for their global portfolios.”

The first footprint of the Kitimat terminal to be the development of two processing units known as trains, with the first shipment of LNG expected to depart Kitimat in the middle of the next decade.

The District of Kitimat was quick to respond with a letter of congratulations, hailing the milestone that the announcement means for that community, with Mayor Phil Germuth comparing the anticipation of the LNG Canada project to that of when the Aluminum Company of Canada selected Kitimat for development of an aluminum smelter and a community.

The District of Kitimat has congratulated
LNG Canada for their Final Investment Deictiona
to go ahead with development of an LNG terminal in the community
(click to enlarge)

With a signing ceremony to come Tuesday in Vancouver involving a range of dignitaries from Kitimat, the Haisla Nation, Federal and Provincial governments and LNG Canada, some early quotes have set the tone for what will come later today.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who already had a fairly significant day following trade negotiations with the USA and Mexico, hailed the milestone for energy production that the announcement brings.

“Today’s announcement by LNG Canada represents the single largest private sector investment project in Canadian history. It is a vote of confidence in a country that recognizes the need to develop our energy in way that takes the environment into account, and that works in meaningful partnership with Indigenous communities.”

British Columbia John Horgan highlighted the partnerships with Indigenous communities and the
path that the FID will create for future investment in the province.

"The project LNG Canada is bringing to northern B.C. symbolizes the kind of balanced and sustainable path forward British Columbians are looking for," ... "We welcome the unprecedented commitment shown by the LNG Canada partners to work within our province's ambitious climate goals. The critical importance of this project is what it represents – the intersecting of economic development, jobs for local workers, partnerships with Indigenous communities and forward-looking climate leadership. We're delighted the global business community sees British Columbia as a natural home for this kind of investment."

The first shipments from the LNG Canada terminal in Kitimat
are expected to take place in the mid 2020's
(artists rendition of the LNG Canada project, LNG Canada website)

More on the FID and what it will mean for Kitimat, British Columbia and the Canadian Energy sector will be outlined at the announcement ceremony of today.

Updates and reference notes from this mornings Press conference and signing ceremony:

LNG Canada Announcement

Statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: Government of Canada welcomes largest private sector investment project in Canadian history 

Statement and Info Sheet from the Government of British Columbia: BC's new LNG Framework to deliver record investment, world's cleanest LNG facility

Statement from the Haisla Nation: Celebrates momentous decision on LNG Canada Project

District of Kitimat: LNG Canada's Final Investment Decision

Video of Announcement and Signing Ceremony (from Vancouver Sun)

LNG Canada's past project vignettes



Some of the early reviews of Monday's news can be found below:

Monster LNG project will change how homes, businesses use power
Former BC Premier Christy Clark praises NDP for getting LNG deal done
Trudeau calls LNG project in BC biggest private investment in Canada's history
Maybe Horgan should send Christy Clark a nice thank-you card
LNG Canada project forces BC to find new ways to meet climate targets
Co-owners give $40 billion LNG Canada project green light in BC
$40B LNG facility is the light at the end of a long tunnel for Canada's natural gas sector
Trudeau backs LNG Canada amid looming steel duties
Shell, partners green light $40 billion LNG Canada investment
Questions answered, answers questioned in LNG Canada decision
What LNG means for gas sector
LNG Canada project formally signed into reality
LNG Canada project is a go
Former BC Premier Christy Clark says she doesn't care who gets credit for delivering LNG
'A spectacular day for British Columbians': Premier Horgan vows to hit climate targets even with LNG emissions
Environmentalists vexed by approval of Kitimat LNG project estimated to produce 3.45 megatonnes of carbon emissions
Big is Back: Canada's Mega LNG project gets green light on Asia Demand
Canada challenges US energy dominance with 'megaproject' one day after NAFTA deal
LNG Canada, nations biggest private-sector project yet, wins go-ahead
LNG Canada terminal does little for short-term prices but boosts gas producer confidence
Massive LNG Canada project in BC gets green light from shareholders
LNG Canada project in Kitimat given green light to build by shareholders
LNG Canada export facility in northern BC gets green light
LNG Canada project in BC gets shareholder's OK
$40B LNG project in northern BC gets go-ahead
The politics of LNG: Why Justin Trudeau and John Horgan could be putting their careers on the line today
Shell, partners green light $40 billion LNG Canada investment
LNG Canada, Justin Trudeau, and John Horan unveil LNG project
LNG Canada finally gives Trudeau the energy sector win he badly needed
The other trade battle in energy heats up
Shell's LNG Canada seen as tip of megaproject iceberg
'First of many': $40B LNG Canada signals revival of mega projects
Canada's Bruised energy sector sees LNG project as first of many
Shell approves $12bn liquefied natural gas project in Canada
LNG Canada makes it official, project gets partner approval
-
LNG Canada lauded as environmental saviour
Q&A: John Horgan on environmental challenges of LNG Canada
Carbon Tax, sales tax breaks finally make BC LNG happen
LNG Canada delivers positive investment decision
It's a Go! LNG Canada given the Green Light to Proceed 
LNG Canada gets the green light
Kitimat Mayor thrilled with LNG Canada announcement
Weaver says Greens won't support NDP LNG plans
Family the focus for Kitimat residents with LNG coming to town
LNG Canada announces final investment decision to build export facility in Kitimat
$50 Billion LNG Canada project gets green light in BC
It's a Go!
BC Greens will vote against LNG Canada going ahead
LNG Canada project in Kitimat given green light to build by shareholders
Kitimat residents prepare for good and bad to come from LNG Canada announcement
MLA's buzzing over $40 billion LNG plan
BC faces emissions cap as LNG Canada looks set to go
Huge LNG plant in Kitimat gets the green light, reports say

For a look back at some of the history of the LNG Canada project in Kitimat see our archive page here.

To return to our most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

With start of October, BC Government reminds us to shift to a Winter Driving mindset

The word is official now, Summer is over, as the BC Government reminds motorists that Winter Tire requirements are now in place for those taking to the province's highways. A moment that leave us with but our fond remembrances of summer time weather and a reminder that the more challenging elements of winter driving are not that far off in the future.

Today marks the first day for the winter travel requirements, with vehicles to be equipped with snow tires from today through until March 31st 2019.

The regulations are in place for certain highways across Northern British Columbia including the Highway 16 corridor, with the regulation in effect pretty well from the Port Edward road eastward.

An appropriate winter tire is defined as one with either the M+S or mountain/snowflake symbol and in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres.

While winter tires are not mandatory province-wide, they are required on a majority of B.C. highways.

Drivers without the proper winter tires in good condition driving on designated B.C. highways can receive a fine of $109.

Also starting today, commercial vehicle operators must carry chains and are required to use them when a mandatory chain-up is in place.

More background on today's return to the Shift to Winter can be found here.

Further notes on Winter Driving requirements is available here.

The provincial government also offers up tips for winter driving through its Shift to Winter program.

As the winter driving season gets underway you can access up to date information on the road conditions from the Drive BC website or twitter feed.

As well, we offer a link to the string of Highway cameras across the region here.

For more notes of interest on transportation on the North Coast see our Highway 16 corridor page here.

To return to our most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Champagne on ice, balloons ready to drop; as Kitimat awaits its FID announcement

The overview of the LNG Canada site proposed for Kitimat
(from LNG Canada animation presentation)

Things are building to pretty elevated point of excitement for the Kitimat region today as the focus turns to what is anticipated as a Final investment announcement for the Kitimat LNG project, expected sometime this week, if not today.

Hints towards a positive outcome for the lengthy process from proposal to development began to pick up speed last week, led by national financial news sources who cited officials with a pair of partner company's with Royal Dutch Shell as having signed on board for the plan to develop a 40 billion dollar terminal and pipeline project.

By mid afternoon Sunday, LNG Canada was doing its best to try to keep all the speculation into perspective, taking to social media to counsel patience from those anticipating any announcement.

Part of that caution reportedly comes as LNG Canada awaits confirmation of the participation of the remaining three partners in the project.

Yet, the news cycle yesterday, carried on undaunted, with a stream of articles indicating that the much anticipated announcement is not that far off.

Shell, partners approve huge $40 billion LNG Canada project, sources say
Huge LNG plant in Kitimat, gets the green light, reports say
2 of 5 investors grant final approval to $40B LNG Canada project
LNG politics ramp up as massive project approval looms
Shell's $40B LNG Canada project to be announced as early as Monday: report

Should LNG Canada deliver confirmation of their investment plans, it will prove to be seismic shift for the industrial footprint of the North Coast, with Kitimat the centre of the major investment for the short term, along with the jobs and spin off economic benefits that will come with such a massive development in their community.

Along with the Kitimat LNG proposal, Kitimat officials indicate that it may be but the first of a number of potential industrial projects that planning to set their course for the Douglas Channel area.




It's a news making moment that could have been Prince Rupert's at one time, had things gone a little differently on the LNG files, with both the Petronas led Pacific Northwest LNG project and Chinese led Aurora LNG projects both abandoned over the course of the last year, the list one of a time stamp of Prince Rupert's last five years of LNG fever that was never delivered.

Both of those projects had offered the prospect of significant investment in the community and what would have been a major shift in the industrial base for the community, but now are part of the history books of Prince Rupert's projects that never were.

Premier Horgan has been talking up the Kitimat LNG project as an indication that his NDP government is ready to move ahead with an LNG strategy, something that those of us in Prince Rupert never really seemed to get a feeling for, back when the NDP was serving as the opposition party.

When the word comes and all indications seem to be that it soon will, Kitimat will be able to rightfully stake claim to the Open for Business theme that most communities always suggest is their ongoing focus ... and having been as strong an advocate for the industry as the Kitimat Mayor and Council have been, they will be full value for that victory celebration that is surely to be launched.

And even as the speculation of a positive announcement percolates today, plans for the future for the Kitimat area are already in motion, with Mayor Phil Germuth noting for CTV News that Kitimat has already heard inquiries for further development in the community.

For more background on the Kitimat LNG project see our archive page here.


To return to our most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Rampage start 2018-19 CIHL campaign off on a winning note

One game into the new season and the Prince Rupert Rampage sit atop the CIHL standings, with the Rampage claiming a 5-1victory over host Kitimat in the ice breaker game to the 2018-19 season on Saturday night.

Despite some bus woes for the Prince Rupert lads which saw the start of the game delayed to 8 PM, the Rampage jumped off to a quick start in the opening frame with Brady Ward and Cole Atchison pacing the visitors to a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes, adding to the totals in period two when Jordan Aubee and Jacob Santurbano found the mark.

One of the Rupert goals was answered by Kitimat at the midway point of period two, with Taylor Mallet scoring what would by games end be the only Ice Demon goal for the contest.

Cole Atchison finished off the Rampage scoring on the evening midway through the third period, to make for the 5-1 final.

One of the newest recruits to the Rhinos had a fairly impressive debut with his new squad, as Judd Repole contributed three assists in the season opener, showcasing the play making skills that he displayed during his junior hockey days in the Kootenay Junior League.

Repole wrapped up his standdout junior career earlier this spring with Osoyoos and has now returned to the North Coast, his addition to the Rampage roster one which should help boost offensive numbers through the year ahead.

Keanu Wilson had a solid night in the nets to keep the Ice Demons from launching any kind of a comeback, an ambition that was assisted by strong defensive play in the Rampage end of the rink.

The night was a relatively peaceful debut for the season, with the Rampage and Ice Demons each serving 10 minutes of penalty time on five calls each.

The full box score for Saturday night's contest can be reviewed here.

Saturday nights game was the only one scheduled for the weekend and start of the CIHL season.

The Rampage return to the road on Friday, with a trip to Terrace on the agenda, making for the home opener for the CIHL champions of last year.

This Saturday night, hometown fans get their first chance to see the 2018-19 Rampage lineup for themselves, as the Rhinos host their home opener against Kitimat at 7PM.

You can keep up with updates from the Rampage room through their Facebook page here.

We feature updates on Rampage results through the season from our Rampage results page here.

For more notes of interest on the CIHL see our CIHL News archive page here.


To return to our most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Northern Sea Wolf sits out the fall, as BC Ferries outlines Central Coast plans

Almost ready for trials, the Northern Sea Wolf is in its final stage
of major upgrades, a process that has put the timeline for the vessel
significantly behind schedule for completion
(BC Government photo)

With the summer travel season nearing its end, BC Ferries has updated residents of the Central Coast and Northern Vancouver Island with their transit plan for the fall and winter months.

Starting October 12th and through until the spring of 2019 service on the Mid Coast Connector service will be provided by the MV Nimpkish, which is a change from the original plan of introducing the Northern Sea Wolf into service this month and will mean a reduced level of capacity for the route from what the new vessel would have provided for.

In the interim period since mid September, the Northern Adventure has been handling the duties of providing service for the route, it will now head off for its annual maintenance requirements.

BC Ferries has taken note of the impact that the delay in introducing the Northern Sea Wolf service has had in the Port Hardy and Bella Coola region and to redress that in part, they have announced a few service improvements for the Central Coast for next year.

Travel for all vehicles and passengers on the Nimpkish between the Mid-Coast ports will be at no charge through to March 31, 2019. 

To book your travel, they ask that you call the BC Ferries Customer Service Centre at 1-888-223-3779. Priority will be given to customers who have already requested reservations, and standard cancellation rates apply.

As for the direct summer service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola it will now run from June 3 through October 10, 2019. 

That schedule modification will extend the previously planned summer 2019 schedule by 10 sailings at the beginning and 8 sailings at the end. Those sailing schedules will be posted on bcferries.com in the upcoming weeks.

BC Ferries also plans to work with regional destination marketing organizations on Vancouver Island and the Chilcotin Cariboo to market this 2019 direct summer service.

Premier John Horgan and North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice on a tour of the
Northern Sea Wolf in May, neither has had much to say in the four months since
about the delay of the introduction of the vessel into service
(BC Government photo) 

When it comes to the current status of the Sea Wolf, BC Ferries notes that the major upgrade to the vessel is nearing completion, with the vessel having been moved to the BC Ferries refit facility in Richmond in September for the finishing work.

The timeline for the vessel will see Transport Canada drills and inspections taking place shortly, with the vessel then to complete its dock trials at the Mid Coast ports this fall.

BC Ferries plans to advise those communities that the vessel will be serving as it makes those dock trials, allowing residents of the region to get their first look at the vessel.

BC Ferries did not add much to the background from its original comments of May, as to why the project had fallen off the original timeline and what elements of the major upgrade provided the most troubles in meeting the original plan of a summer 2018 launch for the service.

As part of the plan to introduce the Northern Sea Wolf into service, BC Ferries also has completed 10 million dollars worth of upgrades to the ferry berths at Ocean Falls, Bella Coola, Shearwater and Bella Bella as part of the program.

You can review the full announcement from BC Ferries here.

For more items of interest related to BC Ferries see our archive page here.


To return to our most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Political signs of the season ... lead us to the Lester Centre tonight

The forest of political signs from Sunday at the
corner of 2nd Avenue West and McBride, heralds the arrival
of the 2018 City of Prince Rupert Council race

What could be one of the few opportunities to take the measure of the eight candidates for Prince Rupert City Council comes tonight at the Lester Centre as the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce and Prince Rupert Toastmasters host an Election Forum dedicated to the Council race.

The Council Forum which starts at 7 PM features a format that is divided into three very different elements of participation for the eight council hopefuls that will be seeking your support on October 20th.

The evening will get underway as the doors to the Lester Centre open at 6:30, with an opportunity to meet the candidates outside the theatre, with each of those participating on the  night setting up in the foyer, available there to answer questions or hear the concerns of the voting public.

Among those that will be standing ready to hear from the public about the last four years and their view of how the next four should go, will be incumbent city council members Barry Cunningham, Wade Niesh, Blair Mirau and Gurvinder Randhawa.

Members of the public can also learn more about the ideas that the newcomers to the council campaign offer, with Nick Adey, Charmayne Carlson, Sarah Dantzer and Reid Skelton-Morven also set to be in the foyer to outline their political themes for the public.

The Lester Centre is the venue for tonight's Al Candidates Forum

Things move into the theatre for the 7 PM start of this years Council Forum.

Organizers have created an ambitious and tightly packed two hour program for the evening which Chamber of Commerce President Dave McKeever to outline the format ahead, as well as to introduce the moderators  from the Prince Rupert Toastmasters who will asking the questions of the candidates for the evening.

Those providing the questions to the council hopefuls will be Michal Sluka, Leslee Bruce and David Armstrong, while Michael Gurney and Lorraine Zuzarte will be the official timers of the evening, seeking to keep the candidates to their allotted times for comments and rebuttals.

The candidates then will be offered the opportunity to deliver their two minute opening statements, providing the first glimpse of the focus for their campaign of the next nineteen days.

The first phase of questioning comes as a two part themed question period, the topics selected by Chamber of Commerce representatives and reflecting the themes of interest that they have worked on in the lead up to the Forum.

Round One -- Economy and Infrastructure

Round Two -- Dynamic Community

Each category features eight questions that the candidates have already had a chance to review, they will be asked to select one question from each of the lists that has been made available to them.

The forum organizers plan to release the complete list of sixteen questions for the public to review once the Forum has come to an end.

Rounds Three and Four will be turned over to the public who can make their inquires of the candidates by way of electronic input, whether through a pre forum option (see below) or by crafting their question while in the theatre through their own electronic devices, or by submitting them to roving members of organizing committee who will include those questions on the electronic list for consideration.

From those submitted, the highest ranked questions will be the ones which will be asked of the candidates.

As part of this segment, the candidates will once again be offered the chance for a ninety second response.

You can contribute your own question, or vote on ones that have already been submitted by logging onto the Questions for candidates link here.

The information that is included as part of that feature advises that the top voted questions will be asked at tonight's forum, a bit over thirty minutes have been set aside for the public question and answer session for the evening.

As with the Chamber created questions, all of the public submissions will be released by the organizing committee following the forum, to allow for further discussion by the candidates as the campaign moves forward.

All candidates will also be provided with interjection cards which will allow them to offer a one minute response or rebuttal immediately after a candidate has completed their thoughts, the candidates will be allowed to use that rebuttal on two occasions.

No interruption of the speakers will be allowed as part of the format, those candidates who have a question or response to something they have heard will make use of the interjection cards.

Following the end of the the Public questions element of the night, the council candidates will then be offered one minute to make their closing comments and final pitch of the night to the voters.

Mayor Lee Brain who recently was returned to office by acclamation, will also be offered up to six minutes to deliver an address to the audience as part of tonight's Council focused forum.

Mr. McKeever will then bring the night to an end with some concluding remarks on behalf of forum organizers.

For those that cannot make it to the Lester Centre for tonight's candidate Forum, it is also available for viewing on City West Community Television, channels SD10 and HD310 as well as through online streaming through the CityWest Facebook page.

CityWest will air the Prince Rupert forum again on Sunday, October 7th, with plans to run the three Northwest Forums from Kitimat, Terrace and Prince Rupert one more time on October 19th.

See the CityWest Facebook page in the days ahead for the full schedule of rebroadcast options.

Some background on the advance polling process and election day itself can be reviewed here.

You can explore some potential discussion themes, as well as the latest notes from the election campaign trail from our archive page here.

To return to our most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Real Estate Tracker: Week ending September 30, 2018

Our weekly review of the listings of the local real estate agents, tracking those properties which appear to be driving the local price structure for the North Coast.

Every Monday, we look over the listing prices of the past seven days and outline the Top 10 asking prices in the area, providing a snap shot as to where the Real Estate market may be trending on a week to week basis.

The listings below are purely for information purposes, for further background on the properties recorded, see our links page for access to the individual real estate listings.

The Archive for our weekly review can be found here.

Our list of the top ten priced homes for the week ending September 30, 2018 is below:

Real Estate Listings on the East Side of Prince Rupert

Week ending September 30, 2018

Real Estate Listings on the West Side of Prince Rupert

Week ending September 30, 2018

The fall usually heralds a slowing of the real estate sector and that would be the case this week, which found no change to review from the list of ten.

Our review continues to feature seven  properties on the west side of the McBride Street line for this week, with three located towards the east.

The benchmark for this week back remains just above the six million dollar point,  set at $6,056,000.

The lowest mark for the list of ten is set at  $556,000, while our top end from the last week features a new price point of  $674,000


Below find our findings as of the Week ending September 30, 2018

1830 Graham Avenue                   $674,000 -- Reamx
1800 Atlin Avenue                        $639,000 -- Remax
1042 Edward Street                       $625,000  -- Realty Executives
1881 Graham Avenue                    $599,000 --  Realty Executives
2017 Graham Avenue                    $599,000 --  Remax
2230 Graham Avenue                    $599,000 -- Remax
536 Sherbrooke Avenue                 $589,000 -- Remax
1027 Borden Street                        $588,000 --  Realty Executives
2067 Graham Avenue                    $588,000 -- Remax
638 11th Avenue East                    $556,000 -- Realty Executives

For more items related to Real Estate see our archive page here. 

For background on Housing issues in the region see our past items here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.