The Northern View, February 12, 2014

Page 1

PRINCE RUPERT VOL. 9 NO. 7

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

FREE

Global interest drives conference expansion BY SHAUN THOMAS

Business

PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

Chamber names Excellence finalists Pages A8-A10

Sports

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Calling all outdoor bikers Page A11

Todd Hamilton / The Northern View

Prince Rupert Friendship House’s Darnell Calder sets up the offence in front of Hesquiaht Bull Kenny David during opening round Intermediate Division ANBT action on Monday. For highlights and updates check our website at www.thenorthernview.com.

Dudoward finds saviour in Port Ed Page A13 BY SHAUN THOMAS

Final schedule for northern routes remains a mystery

PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View

Work continues on new hospital Page B1

Despite extensive opposition from people throughout the North Coast, ferry cuts are coming to the region later this year. B.C. Minister of Transportation Todd Stone announced on Feb. 5 the province was moving ahead with $14 million worth of service reductions on northern and minor routes, reductions that will take place effective April 28. But what exactly those reductions will look like remains unclear as the Ministry and BC Ferries will be working with community leaders and BC Ferries to finalize the schedule before publicly releasing them in March. “The decision to go ahead with service

g

istin

L New

“It’s the most diverse group of delegates, globally, to ever come to Prince Rupert.”

Service cuts coming to BC Ferries in April

Our town

Haida Gwaii

A spike in industrial interest in the region has resulted in an expansion of this year’s National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference. “This is the fourth year we’ve held the conference in Prince Rupert and, because of the massive interest in the region, demand has gone up enormously. Normally by this time we are 60 per cent sold out, but this year we are already 90 per cent sold out,” explained organizer Geoff Greenwell of the 2G Group. - Geoff Greenwell “This year we are going to expand to the civic centre to allow up to 400 delegates, whereas in years past we have had to cap it at 280 ... we have 275 registrations sold and the rest will easily be gone by the end of February.” Delegates already registered come from around the world, with more nations expected to attend. See NABOC on Page A3

727 / 731 2nd Ave West $650,000

“I don’t know how much more poorly they could have handled the situation.” - Scott Farwell reductions was a tough one, one of the toughest I have had to make, but it is one piece of a strategy ... we need to align service levels with demand,” said Stone during a provincial media call, noting he is under no illusions there will be no impact to the coast. “There will be impacts in every coastal community, no question about it, but fees cannot

continue to rise. Taxpayers ... have contributed $200 million to the coastal ferry service, so there is no more room there.” The initial proposal for ferry cuts for the North Coast called for the Prince Rupert to Port Hardy Inside Passage to have 39 fewer sailings in 2014, a reduction of 32 per cent, while there would be one less sailing per week between Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, a reduction of 27.2 per cent. Between the two routes, BC Ferries expected to save more than $2 million per year. Following the release of the proposed schedules, the government undertook a major consultation process that included hearing from more than 3,700 people and receiving more than 2,700 feedback forms. See FERRIES on Page A2

Gord Kobza

The Power of Experience Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. As a licensed realtor with over 25 years of experience, whether you are selling or buying, I am here to guide you through every phase of the process with skill and integrity. For a free consultation please call or e-mail me today. I look forward to helping you find the perfect home!

www.gordonkobza.com

250.624.9298 Suite 6 - 342 3rd Ave W. info@gordonkobza.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.