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PRINCE RUPERT
SHAUIN THOMAS / THE NORTHERN CONNECTOR
PRINCE RUPERT - New Aiyansh’s George W. Robinson from the Gitmidiik Masters team at the men’s masters team at the All Native Basketball Tournament, looks to be surrounded by a sea of upraised arms while playing Bella Bella. Full results of the tournament can be found on Pages 22 and 23 of this issue.
Working Alaskans could trim Rupert ferry service Together... ...Better! By Martina Perry
THE NORTHERN CONNECTOR
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PRINCE RUPERT - One year after BC Ferries reduced sailings on the North Coast, the Alaska government is proposing to cut the number of sailings to Prince Rupert in half. The State of Alaska’s transportation department is proposing reductions to Alaska Marine Highway System service as part of an effort to cut costs. The subject was brought up in a House Finance Committee overview of the department’s budget on Feb. 9. It has been estimated that by reducing mainliner service to communities in southeast Alaska
and pushing back the start of service between Prince Rupert and Juneau, the Alaskan government could save $3 million a year. “The department has proposed delaying the return to service date for the M/V Taku, which would effectively reduce the summer port calls to Prince Rupert from four sailings per week to two sailings per week,” explained Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities communications officer Jeremy Woodrow. “It’s important to note that the department has proposed service reductions, but that these are not final until the State of Alaska Operating Budget has been finalized and passed by the legislature
this April,” said Woodrow. Tourism Prince Rupert chair Scott Farwell said the group is always concerned when transportation to and from the community is reduced, but the group is remaining hopeful. “I understand most of the cuts are resulting from the decline in the price of oil and the challenge that creates for the Alaskan economy. Hopefully it’s short-lived,” Farwell said. “A low dollar and a low price of fuel should help with the visitors in our region as well, so it’s kind of a good/bad scenario.” Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce president John Farrell said it’s too early to know how the cuts would impact
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the business community. “The Alaskan Marine Highway sees 15,000 passengers travel between our two nations every year. That’s an important connector,” he said. “I understand that the Alaskan government is dealing with a projected multi-million dollar budget deficit and that cuts to services are a solution. These are choices that need to be made.” Aside from potential service cuts, there’s been controversy over plans to rebuild the marine highway’s dock in Prince Rupert because of a federal American law which would require the project to use American steel. The Canadian government isn’t happy with the requirement.