TERRACE
1.34
$
S TANDARD
$1.20 PLUS 14¢ HST
VOL. 25 NO. 10
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
We need to be ready to boom By Lauren Benn A TERRACE-BASED think tank says the northwest is not prepared to handle the level of economic activity headed our way. To better cope, the Skeena-Nass Centre for Innovation in Resource Economics (SNCIRE) wants to create a regional clearing house for information circulating between businesses, agencies and governments who will be affected by growth and its effects. SNCIRE regional director Rick Brouwer laid out the plan before city council June 11 in asking for $7,500 to help finance the con-
cept. “Northwest BC is an immense area richly endowed in natural resources but with a population of less than 100,000 people,” said Brouwer in a report given to council. “Communicating the needs of so many small communities is impossible without a regional voice.” Without a regional voice, and without looking at regional impacts and service gaps as well unintended effects of industry, an industrial boom could create a mess which would involve cleanup in its aftermath, he said. With foresight, issues can be anticipat-
ed, dealt with, and energy in the form of man power can be applied to goals that would preserve the wealth expected to hit the region instead, Brouwer added after the meeting. “Let’s be smart about how we grow,” Brouwer said, adding that spending money on regional co-operation now will pay off down the road. Currently, Brouwer explained that while there are many initiatives working to bring northwesterners together with specific goals in mind, there is no one place for all ideas to be gathered, shared, studied and gaps identified and dealt with.
“It’s ad hoc,” said Brouwer to council of current economic development groups and committees focused on the boom. For example, the Invest Northwest website, financed by economic development groups, is a good landing point for those interested in seeing what kind of activity is going on in the region, he said. And BC Hydro’s Northwest Transmission Line Labour Market Project — which identifies labour needs resulting from projects including and stemming from the line — is essential.
Cont’d Page A32
Enbridge deal divides Metis By Lauren Benn
STAFF PHOTO
■ Strike up the band BARITONE PLAYERS Garrett Andrei, left, from Suwilaawks and Dominic Jones from Cassie Hall were part of a mass elementary band that played concerts June 13 at Cassie Hall and Suwilaawks. Grade 7 band students from the area’s public elementary schools joined with Grade 6 band students from Ecole Mountainview at the performances. The students gathered earlier this year for a weekend retreat sponsored by the Dare to Dream Foundation which promotes band programs in elementary schools.
A NORTHWEST Metis leader has resigned after the official provincial Metis organization signed up for benefits from Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline project without first asking its members. Alan Sauve said he left his position as president of the Terrace-based chapter of the Metis Nation of BC (MNBC) after being told its executive had accepted a pipeline ownership, employment benefits and revenue sharing package. He said the announcement was made at a meeting he thought was being held to discuss holding a vote among Metis as to whether they should sign on with Enbridge or not. “It was a dog and pony show,” said Sauve of the meeting. “I had to resign.” Three senior Metis Nation of BC officials also resigned after the meeting. The organization had previously cancelled two planned votes among its members regarding the Enbridge package. Word of a deal struck with Enbridge surfaced through a May 26 letter from MNBC president Bruce Dumont, sent to Metis chapters after the meeting in Vancouver attended by Sauve. “I am pleased to advise that the board of directors of the Metis Provincial Council of British Columbia has agreed ... to take advantage of an equity ownership interest in (a) Northern Gateway Project limited partnership,” read the letter by Dumont. “Being on the inside working with the company on all aspects of the project, including ensuring adequate safeguards are in place for the environment and generating economic opportunities for our people is much preferred over being simply another critic on the outside and gaining absolutely nothing for Metis citizens. “The leadership shown by the MPCBC board in making this challenging decision represents a valuable step towards providing for the current and future needs to the MNBC and Metis citizens of British Columbia and continued strength of the Metis Nation.”
Cont’d Page 2
Graduation
The bankbook
Trail revival
Centennial Christian School sees off another year of grads \COMMUNITY A20
A balanced school board budget sees less being spent next year \NEWS A9
A couple is passionate about sharing a love for trail running here \SPORTS A30