Job Fair Caravan arrives Friday

After a couple of near misses, the Canada Starts here Jobs Caravan will finally make that final hour and a half drive down Highway 16 to Prince Rupert.

As we outlined in the past here and here, the Jobs caravan seemed to only have Terrace punched into the ole GPS, however last month they set the co-ordinates for Prince Rupert and started down the road.

And tomorrow, the exhibition of job opportunity will set up shop at the Highliner Inn, offering the chance for job seekers to link up with would be employers.

The full list of employers and exhibitors in attendance can be found here.

Fifteen original employers seem to have been whittled down to 12 through cancellations, though there apparently is the promise of more to come by the time they open the doors at 11 am on Friday.

The opportunity to explore further, will continue on until 6 PM when the exhibitors pack it all up and head off to the next stop on the province wide tour.

More on the Job Fairs can be found on their website, while those on twitter can find out more and gain updates on the #BCJobFair theme

The tour featured stops (and more would be employers) in Terrace and Smithers earlier this week and will set up shop in Surrey on Monday.

Some of the media coverage on the jobs fair tour can be found below.

Northern View-- Fairly good chance to get a job
Terrace Standard-- Terrace Jobs Fair helps locals looking for work
Terrace Standard-- Jobs support called the key to area's future
CFTK-- Smithers BC Jobs Fair (video)
CKPG-- Travelling Job Fair stops in Prince George (video)
CKPG-- Provincial Job Fair in PG

Canadian ports in position to gain greater share of Asia Pacific Shipping

It's perhaps the worst dream that US Port officials could have, the prospect of Canada's major ports claiming an even larger share of the traffic that currently makes its way to US destinations.

Yet, that's exactly what could happen in the near future, as the Asia Pacific Foundation advises in a recent report.

The report called Seizing the Continent, outlines how American port and rail capacity has reached a congestion point, with little scope for forward momentum, all while Canadian ports have developed an impressive infrastructure and find that they still have much room to expand.

Pointing towards the good working relationship with the nations two railways, the Foundation highlights the opportunities available to the ports of Vancouver, Halifax and Prince Rupert,  a prospect that could see Canada claiming 10 percent or more, of the container volume destined for North America.

At the moment, Canadian ports have only a 5 per cent share, but with the transportation grid in place in Canada and much room for expansion, the belief is, that within four years Canada's ports could up that share to 10 percent.

An accomplishment which would translate into much growth and job opportunities for the communities they serve.

The Asia Pacific Foundation found that the working relationship between CN and CP with the nation's three major container ports is a blue print of sorts for success, with excellent links and access to US markets.

Much of that can be found in the Pacific Gateway strategy that the Port of Prince Rupert uses, which has goods unloaded in Prince Rupert destined for the US in an impressive turn around time.

A successful arrangement that is finding much favour with shippers looking for faster access to the US Midwest.

The timing of that expansion of trade through Canadian ports would seem to fit right into the Prince Rupert Port Authorities plans for Fairview expansion.

Should all fall into place, the rising tide of Pacific trade will be directed towards Canada, just as Prince Rupert is ready to accept it.

With the Port already finding throughput increasing in leaps and bounds, the future it would appear seems quite bright for even further expansions and placement of Prince Rupert as a key destination for shippers around the Asia Pacific region.

You can review the Summary Report for Seizing the Continent here.

The Asia Pacific website offers up further information on matters of interest to global trade, offering an interesting glimpse into how Canada and in particular Prince Rupert continue to play a growing role in the transportation links between the continents, the full website can be found here.

Our archive of items about the Port of Prince Rupert can be found here.

Some of the media reviews of the Asia Pacific report release can be found below.

Financial Post-- Seize the Continent
Vancouver Sun-- Canada could steal port business from U. S., report says
Business in Vancouver-- Canada has opportunity to become global shipping leader
Canadian Manufacturing-- Message to Canada: Develop a North American logistics gateway
Sun News-- Canada must focus on exporting to Asia, never mind the US
Yahoo Finance-- APF Canada Report Urges the Creation of North American Gateway...

A summer sail on the North Coast with BC Ferries

BC Ferries' marketing plan for the North Coast and Haida Gwaii is underway, a pretty impressive little bit of image making that offers up the coastal waterways and Island crossing as a cruise of discovery for folks from afar.

While the locals await further word on the fate of the northern routes (and any service cuts and cost increases that may arrive) the branding of the current schedule has begun for those looking for something a little different for their summer travels.

BC Ferries Vacations is offering a variety of possible excursions for travellers, featuring four distinct options for those that may wander up our way.

Included in the Vacation package is:
(click on blue titles for description of each tour)

The Best of Northwest BC
The Inside Passage Wilderness Circle Tour takes visitors from Vancouver, up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy, with two days to explore the Prince Rupert area and then travellers are off through the Bulkley Valley to Prince George and then back to Whistler and finishing off in Vancouver.  Travellers are provided with eight nights of accommodation along the way, ferry reservations and either a whale watching or Grizzly Bear tour while in Prince Rupert. The summer rate is $1129

Inside Passage Coastal Adventure
Described as an Adventure in B. C.'s Northern reaches, the seven day tour offers travellers a Vancouver departure and a journey across to Nanaimo and up Vancouver Island to Campbell River for the day, the next day it's north to Port Hardy. From there travellers embark on the Inside Passage Cruise to Prince Rupert, three nights at the Crest and a chance to explore the region before heading back to retrace their steps.  The summer rate for this option is $1432

Haida Gwaii Adventure-Haida House
A five day excursion across to Haida Gwaii, offering up four nights accommodation at the Haida House at Tllaal, the many options for exploration offer up a chance to take in much of the scenery of the Islands. The summer rate for this excursion is $539

Discovery Coast Circle Tour
A nine day trip through the province which starts in Vancouver takes the traveller to Campbell River and then Port Hardy. A trip to Bella Coola for a couple of days is next and then it's some overland travel through to Williams Lake, on to Whistler and back to Vancouver. The summer rate for this journey is $970.

Prince Rupert plays a central role to three of these four options and on two of them, the city is host to an extended stay for further exploration.

A recent item on the BidOnTravel website seems to find favour with the concept of an Inside Passage journey,  Dan Nadeau offered up this review of the trip aboard the Northern Expedition, giving it a high recommendation  for would be travellers.

We imagine that those dependant on the North Coast Tourism industry, are hoping that the word of the journeys through Prince Rupert spread far and wide.

Prince Rupert sits at 193rd place (out of 200) in Moneysense ratings

While we await the cusp of our hopeful future, our past it would seem is providing for a less than glowing reference mark for the number crunchers at Moneysense Magazine.

The publications annual examination of Canada's urban communities has ranked Prince Rupert in 193rd place out of 200 cities surveyed.

Compared to last year that is a significant drop in the rankings, last years survey provided for a finish of 179 out of 190 cities. (view last years findings here).

Over the last number years, Prince Rupert has found itself among the lower ranked of communities in the annual survey.

This  years findings, suggesting that while the prospects look good for the future, for the moment we are still very much a struggling community.

View the rankings here (click on each category to see where Prince Rupert placed in each)

Our placement marks the low point for British Columbia cities and parks us below Port Alberni (189), Quesnel (183), Campbell River (180) and Abbotsford (174) in the bottom range of BC communities.

Of note to local residents will be our ranking compared to that of Terrace, the only other Northwest Community ranked this year, Terrace pulled in a ranking of 155 in this years survey.

Prince Rupert's results in a variety of categories included:

Percentage of those who bike to work 1.1%
Days with Rain 228.2
Days Above 0 276.3
Population Growth 2011-12  .80%
Jobless Rate  13.23%
Average House Price $211,438
Average Household Income $67,439
Crime Severity Index 181.85 ( higher number indicative of higher crime rate)
Property Tax 1.84% (lower number is indicative of higher taxes)
Doctors per '000 1.53
Employed in arts and rec  1.02%
New Car ownership .28%

The most disturbing trends for Moneysense it would appear were our Crime Severity where we were 9th overall, Property Taxes where again we were 9th in highest taxes of communities surveyed.

Our Jobless rate is the 8th worst of the survey sample, while the always popular days with rain left us as the undisputed champs at number one!

You can review the methodology of the above number crunching here

You can review each section of the survey individually as well.

Overview
Map
The Ideal City
Infographic

In the past local politicians have been less than impressed with the Moneysense overview, considering this year's numbers we imagine that will be a theme moving forward this year

The Northern View had two items on the topic of the Moneysense survey.

March 27-- So what makes Rupert so bad? (e edition page 6)
March 26-- Magazine ranking rains on Prince Rupert's parade 

Will Vancouver's coal concerns provide a bounty of opportunity for Ridley Terminals?

There's an interesting battle starting to rage in Vancouver over planned expansion of Metropolitan Vancouver's coal export terminals, an issue which is making for much in the way of discussion and controversy.

Business in Vancouver-- Anti-coal municipalities face 'uphill' legal battle: lawyer
Vancouver Sun-- Coal lobby stresses jobs, economics as terminal controversy heats up
Vancouver Sun-- In Port Metro Vancouver, it's full steam ahead for coal
Vancouver Sun-- Port approves first of two controversial coal-export projects
Vancouver Sun-- Facts in short supply in the coal debate
Vancouver Sun-- Serving as the doormat of the gateway to the Pacific
Vancouver Sun-- Coal-shipping facilities under scrutiny
Vancouver Sun-- Coal exports provide British Columbians a "living wage"
Vancouver Province-- Mayor Gregor Robertson's objections to coal exports is 'meaningless,' says port official
Vancouver Province-- Fight brewing over North Vancouver terminal's plans to double its coal exports
Surrey Now-- Coal Train proposal riles councils
The Tyee-- Like whaling, BC's coal industry is best put behind us
The Tyee-- Coal Opponents Forging Cross Border Ties
The Tyee-- South of Border, Hot Debate involves BC Coal Port Plans
The Tyee-- Vancouver mayor, port officials square off over coal shipments
The Tyee-- Coal Port to China Barges ahead without Public Support: Activists
Georgia Straight-- Surrey and Vancouver city councils to review motions on Fraser-Surrey Docks coal export expansion
Georgia Straight-- Daniel Tseghay and Andrew Weaver: We can choose not to export coal in B. C.
Vancouver Observer-- City of Vancouver takes leadership on coal: highlights of yesterday's hearing
Vancouver Observer-- Battle over coal heats up in Metro Vancouver
Vancouver Observer-- Outrage over Port coal expansion grows
Vancouver Observer-- Port Authority misrepresents public comments on coal export proposal: VTACC
Vancouver Observer-- Coal expansion plan a serious health concern: chief medical officers ask for more formal input into reviews
Business in Vancouver-- Coal Sector generates $3b in GDP: PwC

The prospect of slowing down, if not reversing some of the shipments of coal in the Vancouver area could provide for yet more opportunity for the North Coast's Ridley Terminals, which currently is  working towards a further expansion of its own shipment capacity.

While the Terminal continues down the path towards possible privatization, the future it would seem could provide for a bonanza of opportunity not only for whichever company may eventually lay claim to the company, but to north coast workers and potential workers at the terminal site.

You can review some of our past items about Ridley Terminals here.

All of that coal that is currently routing through Vancouver (and that planned for the future) will need a terminal that can quickly turn around the vessels calling port side, Prince Rupert's Terminal already boasts of a pretty good reputation, should shippers be looking long term and towards a less controversial future, it would seem that Ridley Terminals would provide a pretty good fit.

It may not be a long, long term bonanza however, considering the battle lines over coal shipments that seem to be forming up.

The nature of those opposed to the concept of coal (both across the province and on the north coast) would seem to be that of no mining, no shipments.

But, for the short term (length of which the above battle would dictate) for many in Metro Vancouver it would seem that out of sight, out of mind will work, and Ridley Terminals would surely meet those expectations we imagine.

The Federal Government floats its tanker strategy for consideration

With an eye on the ongoing discussions of the Enbridge Joint Review Panel, the Federal Government has offered up some transportation points for consideration, outlining it's thoughts on proposed tanker safeguards for British Columbia's coastal waters.

The Announcement of the Federal proposals for "World Class Tanker Safety" and some background on the current regulations in place, come as there is much discussion on the future prospects of development on the North Coast.

With LNG proposals popping up with increasing frequency, the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway project which is currently in the Review process and the latest concept for an oil refinery for Kitimat, the waters of the north coast would seem destined to become just a little more congested in the years to come.

Kitimat in particular is receiving  a fair amount of interest from the press release of Monday, key to their future aspirations, the note of public port designation for their growing terminal plans.

The announcement of Monday adds amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001

Among them:

Strengthen the current requirements for pollution prevention and response at oil handling facilities 

Increase Transport Canada's oversight and enforcement capacity by equipping marine safety inspectors with the tools to enforce compliance 

Introduce new offences for contraventions of the Act and extend penalties relating to pollution 

Enhance response to oil spill incidents by removing legal barriers that could otherwise block agents of Canadian response organizations from participating in clean-up operations

The Government also announced eight further measures to strengthen the tanker Safety System in Canadian waters, including:

Tanker inspections: The number of inspections will increase to ensure that all foreign tankers are inspected on their first visit to Canada, and annually thereafter, to ensure they comply with rules and regulations, especially with respect to double hulls. 

Systematic surveillance and monitoring of ships: The government will expand the National Aerial Surveillance Program. 

Incident Command System:  The government will establish a Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Incident Command System, which will allow it to respond more effectively to an incident and integrate its operations with key partners. 

Pilotage programs: We will review existing pilotage and tug escort requirements to see what more will be needed in the future. 

Public port designations: More ports will be designated for traffic control measures, starting with Kitimat. 

Scientific research: The government will conduct scientific research on non-conventional petroleum products, such as diluted bitumen, to enhance understanding of these substances and how they behave when spilled in the marine environment. 

New and modified aids to navigation: The CCG will ensure that a system of aids to navigation comprised of buoys, lights and other devices to warn of obstructions and to mark the location of preferred shipping routes is installed and maintained. 

Modern navigation system: The CCG will develop options for enhancing Canada's current navigation system (e.g. aids to navigation, hydrographic charts, etc) by fall 2013 for government consideration.

The reaction to the Government's announcement has been rather swift from opponents, with many suggesting it is just "window dressing", or the currently popular theme of   "greenwashing".

The Dogwood Initiative offered up the start of the push back towards the Federal plans with a number of video presentations, similar to the one featured below.
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Some of the reviews to Monday's announcement can be found below:

CBC Daybreak North-- Minister says government is making a safe system safer with tanker rules
CBC-- 'World Class' tanker safety system announced by federal government
The Northern View-- Cullen calls oil spill response plan 'greenwashing'
CFTK-- Oliver Energy Envoy (video)
CFTK-- Reaction Mixed to New Tanker Safety Measures Announced by Ottawa
CFTK-- Federal Government Announces Tanker Safety Legislation
Globe and Mail-- Ottawa tightens tanker safety with $120 million plan
Vancouver Sun-- Oil spill defence plan derided by critics as PR ruse
Vancouver Sun-- Federal Tanker regulations win support from B. C.'s marine-shipping industry, criticism from environmentalists
Vancouver Sun-- Harper Government plans 'world-class' system to address oil spill fears
Vancouver Sun-- More inspections, tougher pollution penalties for B.C. oil tanker traffic
CTV BC-- Feds bump up oil tanker safety measures
Vancouver Observer-- New federal oil spill plan announced but enviros not impressed
The Tyee-- More inspections, tougher pollution penalties for oil tanker traffic
24 Hours Vancouver--  Tanker safety measures aim for local support
BC Shipping News-- Federal Government Announces new initiatives to strengthen Canada's spill response regime
CKNW-- Enbridge: It's own worst enemy

Special Events Parade Float planning moves to next phase

With funding in hand from the Prince Rupert Port Authority the Prince Rupert Special Events Society is hopeful that in short order the city will soon have a shiny new parade float to send around from community to community.

The float to serve as a helpful reminder to others in the Northwest and in Alaska as to the opportunities available to visitors to Prince Rupert.

The first phase of float construction recently came to an end, with the deadline for proposals closing on March 18th.

Next up will be the consideration of the proposal and notification to the successful applicant, anticipated to be on March 22nd.

The chosen option will have a very short time frame to bring concept to reality, as the Special Events Society would like to have the float ready for action by May 28th.

The Society outlined some background on its vision for a parade float, with a fairly extensive prospectus posted to their website.

Among some of their key requirements.

Must depict the City of Prince Rupert and aspects of the North Coast

Should not be designed to include people

Float may not be greater than 14 feet high, 20 feet long or 8 feet wide

Able to be mounted on an 8.5 x 20 ft flat deck trailer

Must be able to be fully dismantled and reassembled by 1-3 people

Must be sturdy, stable and made from good quality materials

Able to withstand long distance highway travel and ferry transportation

Built to last a minimum of five years

The Special Events Society outlined some of their wishes for the parade float project (as well as developments and plans for the year ahead) at their recent appearance at Prince Rupert City Council.

City Council Timeline February 25, 2013 (audio from 18 minutes to 39 minutes )

It is hoped that the float will be able to make its debut at Prince Rupert's Seafest Parade in June, the first long distance trip would come up for the July 4th celebrations in Ketchkian, with other Northwest BC destinations to follow through the summer.

More information on the work of the Special Events Society can be found here.