This Saturday brings the return of a popular event from 2022, with the Kaien Island Seaside Pop Up Market making its return to the Cow Bay/Atlin Terminal area.
The popular event from last year is one that is Hosted by Ecotrust Canada, Tourism Prince Rupert, and Hecate Strait Employment Development Society,
The marketplace will be once again be located at the Hecate Strait Lot on First Avenue East with the market running from 11AM to 2PM.
Admission to the event is Free.
Shannon Lough, Ecotrust's Manager of Communications and Engagement highlights some of what you will find this Saturday.
The Kaien Island Seaside Pop-Up Market is returning to Prince Rupert, on Coast Ts’msyen Territory, Saturday, April 29, and will showcase local artisans, bakers, musicians, seedlings and seaweed fertilizer for local gardeners.
The market will have seedlings and seaweed fertilizer full of beneficial nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen for local growers preparing for their gardening season. Attendees who bring their own containers can fill them with fertilizer for free.
We recommend bringing a container that seals tight to avoid spills. We will also provide containers for a suggested donation of $5.
The Hecate Strait lot on Third East just above from the Atlin Terminal is host for a Pop Up Market this Saturday
Alberta based AltaGas and the Dutch Global bulk fuels giant Vopak are coming a new joint venture to explore the potential for a Large Scale LPG and Bulk Liquids export Terminal on Ridley Island.
In an information release on Wednesday, the background to what would be a 50/50 joint venture was outlined.
The new initiative to be known as REEF (Ridley island Energy Export Facility) builds on the previous work of VOPAK as part of their previously submitted regulatory findings for a Prince Rupert facility.
REEF has been granted the key Federal and Provincial permits to construct storage tanks, a new dedicated jetty, and rail and other ancillary infrastructure required to operate a state-of-the-art and highly efficient facility.
REEF would be developed on a 190-acre (77 hectare) site on lands administered by the Prince Rupert Port Authority for which the joint venture has executed a long-term lease that sits adjacent to AltaGas and Vopak's existing Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET), which has been in operation since April 2019.
The facility would have the capability towards the export of LPG's, methanol and other bulk fuels.
Wednesday's information release notes that should REEF reach a positive final investment decision, it is planned to be developed and brought online in phases.
This approach will provide the most capital efficient build out of the project, match energy export supply with throughput capacity, mitigate the challenges that large development projects can have on local communities, and provide local construction and employment opportunities that would extend over longer time horizons.
AltaGas has executed a long-term commercial agreement with the joint venture for 100% of the capacity for the first phase of LPG volumes, subject to a positive FID. AltaGas will also be responsible for the construction and operational stewardship of the facility.
Future phases of the project will be developed as additional long-term commercial agreements and critical milestones are achieved to deliver the maximum value for all stakeholders.
Building on their already existing relationship the two partners note of the benefits for shippers that will come from the new facility, with a significant reduction in transit time to global markets.
With only ten shipping days to the fastest growing demand markets in Northeast Asia, REEF will be able to efficiently connect Canada's vital energy products to the world. This includes having an approximate 60 percent base time savings over the U.S. Gulf Coast, which requires a minimum 25-day shipping time to Northeast Asia, and approximately 45 percent base case time savings over the Arabian Gulf, which requires a minimum 18-day shipping time.
This geographic advantage expands when there is significant congestion in the Panama Canal or when other global shipping pinch points experience disruptions. Furthermore, the Port of Prince Rupert provides REEF year-round ice-free operations and has the deepest natural harbour in North America, leaving it able to accommodate the world's largest vessels, which ensures safe and reliable market access and allows AltaGas and Vopak to efficiently connect upstream and downstream markets.
Much of the work is already in the books when it comes to consultation and regulatory themes, the partners noting of their work with the Prince Rupert Port Authority and First Nations.
Vopak, AltaGas, and the Prince Rupert Port Authority have been working closely with First Nations rights holders and key stakeholders, including the local communities in Northwestern British Columbia and the Federal and Provincial regulators, to deliver a project that will operate with industry-leading environmental stewardship and bring the strongest benefits to all parties involved. Key determinations and permits have been received from the Federal Government and an Environmental Assessment Certificate has been received from the British Columbia Provincial Government.
Both Port officials and those from the Metlakatla First Nation noted of their enthusiasm for the proposed development
"We congratulate Royal Vopak and AltaGas on this significant milestone towards advancing development of the terminal project at the Port of Prince Rupert. Once operational, the new facility will substantially increase and diversify the Port of Prince Rupert's liquid bulk cargo capabilities and capacity, while providing a much-needed export solution for Canadian producers during a critical time in the global energy transition." -- Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority.
Metlakatla First Nation Chief Harold Leighton noted of his excitement for the project as well.
"We commend Vopak and AltaGas on their efforts to-date on building long-term relationships with our community. We are excited with the potential this joint venture project provides to our area and the Metlakatla First Nation."
Motorists and Pedestrians in the downtown core have by now noticed something a bit different of the crossing of the intersection of Third and Fulton, with the Traffic light at the corner once again sending out flashing light signals for guidance.
The light, which has often suffered a similar fate in recent years may not be long for the corner this time, earlier this month at the April 11th City Council Session, City of Prince Rupert operations Director Pucci noted that the light would be up for replacement should it malfunction once again, its age making it more of a historical piece than a serviceable guide for traffic.
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While the City considers its next steps, motorists are reminded that the Flashing Red Light means a 4 Way Stop, particularly of importance considering the placement of the intersection and the volume of traffic that makes use of it each day.
Chantal Cornwall (left) spoke on behalf of a delegation from PURS at Monday's City Council Session
The First half hour of Monday's City Council Session served as an informative overview of a relatively recently formed Animal Rescue and Advocacy society in the community, with Chantal Cornwall and a delegation from PURS Paws United Rescue Society on hand to share a fair bit of background on their work in recent months.
Ms. Cornwall noted that the Society had been formed in the fall of 2020 and built upon the work of Kim St Pierre and others, particularly in the attention given to the Feral Cat population that is found in the city.
Ms. Cornwall and Ms. St. Pierre are the co-founders of PURS.
She observed that during the pandemic years, the region's feral population was at an all time high, that owing to a range of issues, from unemployment, eviction and the vet crisis in the province.
The growth of the Society and its work was put forward for Council with over 300 kittens and cats adopted since they were formed, some taken in by local families others taken to other communities by travellers heading out of town.
Among those that have helped the Society with their Travel program is Councillor Teri Forster, who it was noted has made many transits on their behalf.
Ms. Cornwall also outlined the scope and of their Trap and Release program, which locally since May of 2021 has seen 82 feral cats trapped, vaccinated and released. She noted of the cost of the program, which last year saw the Society spend close to 18,000 dollars towards fixing the feral population.
She observed as to how the Feral population serves a purpose in the community, keeping other pests under control.
"Feral cats have an important role in the whole balance of a port city, keeping the rat population of rodents and mice down. As soon as you take that out of the equation you're going to have a huge increase of infestation." -- Chantal Cornwall, Co-founder of PURS
Much of their efforts are funded by grants and fundraising efforts and they noted of the partnerships they have formed in Prince Rupert and across the Northwest.
Part of the PAWZ presentation on Monday was to raise awareness of their work and note of their ongoing Fundraising auction.
The Society also came to Council with a request, that for some assistance in finding a location for their use to provide for their Rescue service in the city.
Towards that theme, Councillor Wade Niesh asked for some further details on what they were hoping to make use of that effort.
"A small room, we're not asking for much it would be nice to stand up in one ... a room that has an entryway that can be used at 11 o'clock 12 o'clock at night that's when our best trapping can happen or early in the morning that would honestly be ideal. And to have something that they are safe to recover in and warm and safe for them and then they're released days later" -- Chantal Cornwall, Co-founder of PURS
Councillor Cunningham expanded on the area of the space they are looking for and then asked how people could contact them to help or need their assistance.
The number for those looking to contact the Society is 778-884-6663
Later as part of the Regular Council Session, the Council members agreed to help with their reques, directing City staff to look into potential options for a small space, with access to water, for their society to use to temporarily house animals for recovery.t
You can review their full prevention to Council from the Video Archive, which makes for the first item on the evening Agenda for the Council Members.
The next big dig for Prince Rupert's waterlines is underway, with City Council members receiving a report from Director of Operations Richard Pucci and approving of the contract award for what will be a major water infrastructure project.
We outlined the scope of the Contract request on Monday, which will see the work take place as part of a Master Contract Agreement with Coast Tsimshian Northern Contractors Alliance, which has partnered with an International Construction company IDL projects. Mr. Pucci noting in his report that combined they have the 'full circle equipment and workforce to put towards the project.
The report also noted of the priority repairs that will take place as part of the work ahead, flagging those areas where there is high risk of railer or a high likelihood of failure of infrastructure for the first phase.
Council members only had a few questions to ask related to the contract award, Councillor Wade Niesh making enquiries related to some of the increased cost for the work.
With Mr. Pucci outlining that materials, the use of larger pipe and distance covered for the work was part of that increase.
"So, what we've done is, we've expanded this Phase One there's two parts of this obviously.
There is the Shawatlans Road portion, we gave them the first award to start looking at materials and purchasing materials, this is now for the construction and installation.
We are going from where Fern Passage Submarine line connects up with this Shawatlans Road pipe all the way to the reservoir ... this is a large diameter HDP Pipe, very expensive pipe, it will be the most expensive pipe that we likely purchase ...
The price is what it is because of the size of pipe, type of pipe and the installation technique" -- Operations Director Richard Pucci
Coming out of that 20 millions dollars of work will come a new and improved road along Shawatlans Road, which will be at a standard width for a dual lane road upon completion.
Councillor Cunningham had questions on what expectations the city could have of the ability of the company to take on the work required.
"This company has all of the work force and the equipment required to complete the project, so we wanted to make sure that they have the ability to scale up and scale down as required for several work fronts.
This program when it gets into full swing will have several work fronts going so we need to make sure that this company along with other companies that we hire will have the ability to do the work"
As well Mr. Cunningham asked as to who would provide for some oversight on the work towards local workers and equipment whoever possible.
"We don't get that granular with their equipment and their personnel, they have stats that we've provided that show all of their local work force, the number of workers that are in the community, the Number of First Nation workers, the number of training workers and their equipment so that information has been provided" -- Operations Director Richard Pucci
Earlier in the evening, as part of City Council's approval of the 2023 City Budget, Council members heard of one additional item to the list of projects ahead, with Chief Financial Officer Corrine Bomben noting of one new capital request towards the sewer utility, related to the waste works that needs to be conducted.
"For efficiency while the water works are in progress it makes sense to replace the wastewater infrastructure which is of the same vintage. The city is currently working on getting grants for this, however presently it is anticipated that the City will need to fund this work through borrowing" -- CFO Corinne Bomben
Mayor Pond would later follow up on that late addition, asking for some additional background on the process ahead towards how the cit would approach any borrowing required for the work.
The CFO provided somewhat of a tutorial on the path ahead for council.
"Much like with a homeowner, your income basically determines how much you can goo ahead and borrow, so we're no different.
We have a significant capital plan that we need to address over the next ten years and our borrowing ability is very diminished, based on our revenues and also because of inflation at the moment and the interest rate costs.
So we are having to be very careful about what we select to borrow for, again, it's coming down as to what's mandated and what's needed for health and safety.
But there is a process, if Council goes ahead and approves this capital budget with the whole five year financial plan then staff will be coming forward with a Loan Authorization bylaw, much like we did with the RCMP and we did with the water dam loan and the land fill loan.
Council can go ahead direct whether we are going to go through the Alternative Approval process or if we go to a referendum and then the public will have a say on whether or not they are OK with us borrowing the funds that we need in order to conduct the work, and that generally takes six months -- CFO Corinne Bomben
You can review those themes from the City's Video archive of the Monday session, Ms. Bomben's late addition to the Budget list is introduced at the 32 minute mark of her presentation.
Mr. Pucci's overview of the water project about to get underway can be found at the 2 hour 20 minute mark.
The Prime Rupert RCMP is looking to locate 29 year old Garner John Price and have made use of their Wanted Wednesday program to ask the public for some help.
Price is wanted on a range of alleged offences which include:
Robbery Break & Enter with intent to commit an indictable offence Aggravated Assault Disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence
He is described as an Indigenous Male Five Foot Seven tall, (170 cm) Weighing 161 pounds (73kg) He has Brown Hair and Brown eyes.
The Prince Rupert detachment notes that Garner John Price is considered dangerous and should not be approached.
If you locate him, contact your local police immediately.
If you have any information about Garner John Price’s whereabouts, please contact the Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-624-2136. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The Province of British Columbia has added on to the funding pool for work on the next big trail project in Prince Rupert, announcing an additional 500,000 dollars for the Cloudberry Trail on Tuesday.
The funding part of a significant volume of funding towards tourism projects in British Columbia that saw 30 million dollars distributed province wide.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice noted of the vision for the trail and what it will bring to the community.
"Prince Rupert and the surrounding areas are home to some of the most spectacular plants, animals, and landscapes. While we live in a nature wonderland, ingress to trails and paths that allow us to maximize these benefits are limited. The Cloudberry Trail will make it so local people and tourists alike can access all the gifts Prince Rupert has to offer. I can't wait to see this project take off."
Some of the other areas of the Northwest to see funding from the province include:
Gitselasu Stewardship -- $49,000 HazeltonTrail Society -- $918,378 Smithers Mountain Bike Association -- $349,563 Tahltan Central Government -- $1,000,000 Village of Masset -- $998,250
