It may be his first time attending the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference, but Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain was praised by Premier Christy Clark in her keynote address to municipal leaders from around the province.
"Lee Brain has incredible vision. Charles Hays, who died aboard the Titanic in 1912, had a vision too and that was to see Prince Rupert become a port city for the world. Lee has taken that vision up, with gusto I might add, to ensure his community can achieve success," she said.
"When he sees membership in the Chamber of Commerce grow by 40 per cent, he knows small business is growing and small business is growing. That is part of his vision."
Clark also used her address to delegates to announce the creation of a three year, $75 million Rural Dividend.
"We have protected British Columbia's economy by diversifying it .... we have to help rural communities diversify and this dividend is all about sharing the wealth," she said
$25 million will be made available each year over the next three years to help smaller communities build capacity and quality of life, expand learning and skill development opportunities, retain youth and bring previous residents back and encourage collaboration with First Nations.