PRINCE RUPERT VOL. 9 NO. 35
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
FREE
Is it back to school for B.C. students? Feature
Uncertainty abounds as Sept. 2 draws near
Heart of our City: Paul Bozman Page A6
BY MARTINA PERRY PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
Community Rupertites ride to conquer cancer Page A11
“We continue to prepare for school to begin as scheduled.”
ICE BUCKET OFFICERS Shaun Thomas / The Northern View
Const. Matt Ericson, summer student Const. Reid Skelton-Morven and auxiliary Const. Erica Collison react to being doused in ice water as part of a fundraiser for ALS. The officers, along with other residents, took the challenge during the Fraser Street Block Party on Aug. 21. For more on the block party, see Page A18.
Sports PRFC set to host the region’s best Page A14
Haida Gwaii Leaders remember Mayor Wally Cheer Page B1
Whether or not North Coast students and others across the province will return to school on time remains unclear as negotiations have yet to provide certainty to parents and students in B.C. As of Aug. 25, a deal between the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) had not - Sandra Jones been reached. Sandra Jones, superintendent of School District 52 (SD52), said the district remains hopeful that school will start on time, with preparation for openings taking place as usual.
See TEACHERS on Page A2
Port Edward seeking fair LNG tax regime Council hoping to avoid legislated mill rate BY SHAUN THOMAS PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
The District of Port Edward and Pacific NorthWest LNG will begin discussions this week about property taxation on the Lelu Island terminal to determine what rate would be fair to both the company and the municipality. Chief administrative officer Ron Bedard said using the district’s current taxation rate for industry could present an unnecessary burden on the company. “The feeling is that the normal tax route is not the way to go. For example, if it is a $10 billion project it would mean our community would get $27 million per year in taxes. While I assured Pacific NorthWest LNG we could easily spend it, it seems a bit much ... it’s tough
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“It is tough to argue for $27 million per year.” - Ron Bedard to argue for $27 million per year when the whole budget is around $2 million,” he told council, noting a letter received from the province supporting the discussion was the last step to discussions beginning. “My hands have always been tied because it is the province that sets the regime of how we can tax properties ... the province is now willing to work with the proponent and ourselves to potentially would out a taxing regime that is more favourable.”
Pacific NorthWest LNG said the discussions scheduled to take place are among the many that are taking place as the company works toward a final investment decision later this year. “These discussions build upon the work being undertaken with local, regional and provincial governments to ensure that the tremendous benefits stemming from our project are realized,” said Pacific NorthWest LNG senior corporate affairs advisor Spencer Sproule. Although the province has given their approval, the legislative power of the government and its determination to see LNG developed is also one of the catalysts for the two parties to work out an agreement that benefits them both. See PORT EDWARD on Page A2
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