The City of Prince Rupert has agreed, in principle, to join the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance.
Council voted at an in-camera meeting on Jan. 12 to sign a confidential memorandum of understanding “subject to further governance discussions” that will see them join an alliance that includes Terrace, Kitimat and the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District. The goal of the alliance is to present a united front to the provincial and federal governments when it comes to ensuring a fair share for northwest municipalities as liquefied natural gas exports and other resource-based industries turn their eyes to the region.
“There will be a potential of $16-32 billion dollars of new revenue available to the province through LNG and other industries in Northwest B.C., and the RBA is designed to negotiate as a collective voice with the B.C. government to receive a fair distribution of those resources” said Mayor Lee Brain.
“At this stage, Council feels it to be a low risk to join the RBA, and it also does not limit our ability to negotiate taxation agreements directly with potential LNG companies here in Prince Rupert.”