Forestry
We have always been a forestry city and we will continue to be that. We have seen a painful shrinking of BC’s forest industry. When Canfor announced plans to shutter Northwood this year, I got the call the same day from a friend working there, and when we had finished talking, I called our staff to ensure that we were moving immediately on securing community transition funds, and bridge to retirement programs. Those discussions are well underway today.City Councils cannot and will not run businesses, but we can clear the way for businesses, we can seek opportunities and make sure doors are kept open for our local businesses. But when our businesses are facing threat, we will fight for our industries, our businesses and our workers.
The Potential for Growth
There is every indication of serious investment in or near Prince George, from Northern Health’s new acute care tower ($1.75 Bn) and Mental Health and Addictions facility ($72 Mn), to the Vitreo Minerals mine ($300 Mn), the Enbridge Sunrise Expansion ($4Bn) and many other projects of national significance near our city. Those projects will mean years of construction dollars and labourers in the city, and an opportunity for Prince George.
Projects of “national significance”
While the province and federal government are spending, we have to know how to take advantage. As we know, Ottawa is leading us through the coming trade war right now, but during the last crisis in 2020, I was President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and led a remarkable team to secure enormous investment from Ottawa for all Canadian cities and communities. Billions that were needed in our cities and communities nationwide were delivered because of that advocacy. In Prince George alone, we received $6 Mn in “safe restart” funds to get us through the crisis, among other funds.
I led that remarkable team through crisis to success in 2020-21, and will use that extensive, battle-won experience to help us get the outside support we need through this trade war, however long and deep it goes.
We have seen a federal government already expanding defense procurement. Through the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee I chaired, we are already pursuing opportunities for Prince George with provincial and federal ministers and parliamentary secretaries. We will pursue this harder in the days ahead.
Prince George in an Era of Tariffs
When US tariffs were announced, I asked our Intergovernmental Affairs committee to expand our mandate to economic issues. All of council agreed, and we have been preparing for, maintaining and growing our economy through the days and years ahead.