Port development and energy among highlights for the Northwest in the Speech from the throne

A new northern energy corridor from Prince Rupert to Prince George will also be pursued. That alone holds the potential for billions of dollars in new investment that will create new high-paying jobs for the North.

The Port of Prince Rupert is revitalizing northern and rural economies and creating a powerful platform for future development. The next phase of that port development will be pursued, in co-operation with First Nations and the federal government.

Working with the federal government, a new integrated Pacific Ports Strategy will also be developed, to make the most of Canada's Pacific Gateway.

--Excerpts from Tuesday's Speech from the Throne

The spring session of the British Columbia Legislature was formally declared underway on Tuesday, as the Liberal Government of Gordon Campbell outlined the path they are charting for the province.
.

British Columbia’s First Aboriginal Lieutenant-Governor , Steven Point outlined the government’s agenda which provides for an ambitious and interestng mix of possibilities for Britsh Columbians.

Among some of the challenges placed on the agenda, that the government intends to tackle were:

A proposed ban on smoking in cars, when children are present in the vehicle.

The opportunity for pharmacists to authorize renewals of a patients prescriptions

The development of a three year nursing degree as opposed to the current four year program, allowing nurses to enter the workforce sooner.

Ambulance attendants wll provided with the responsibility of treating and releasing patients when appropriate

A pledge to provide more and better services for the disadvantaged and mentally ill

Communities will be required to include provision for mental health and addiction service facilities in their community plans.

A study on the prospect of introducing a day long pre kindergarten program for three and four year olds in the province.

Restore faith in a battered justice system

And keeping with the Premiers emphasis on the environment of late, provision for an aggressive Green program (including a home monitoring system) designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the province by one third by 2020.

Among some of the prospects on the horizon for Northwestern BC will be an a commitment of support of the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert, through phase II and on to phase III, which upon completion would add an additional throughput of 4 million containers by 2013. At present the phase one capacity of the port is 500,000 TEU’s.

In addition to seeking to increase the transportation network through the port, energy was on the mind of the Campbell government, with the prospect of a northern energy corridor being developed stretching from Prince Rupert to Prince George, traveling through some 17 different traditional territories.

The Vancouver Sun provided a complete transcript of the speech, which opened with tributes to those that have served both Canada and British Columbia through the military and public service, celebrated the pending arrival of the 2010 Olympics, highlighted a renewed desire for new relationship with First Nations and closed with a call to reach higher and see beyond our lifetimes for a better time.

.

A Speech from the throne is always a grandiose occassion, filled with sufficient pomp and ceremony and more than a little wishful thinking by the government, which always tends to spread as much positive thinking as possible into one days work at the legislature. What remains to be seen over time, is if this government can deliver on many of their grand ambitions delivered today.

A number of British Columbia news organizations provided their take on the days' developments, the review is as follows:

Vancouver Sun--Throne speech all about you

Vancouver Sun--First Take: The Newspaper's View

Vancouver Sun--What about crime?

Vancouver Sun--What about health care?

Vancouver Sun--What about the environment?

Vancouver Sun--All day kindergarten for three year olds

Prince George Citizen--Northern energy corridor touted in throne speech

CBC--Throne speech calls on B.C. citizens to halt global warming

Globe and Mail--B.C. Throne Speech focuses on environment

Victoria Times Colonist--Throne speech focuses on health care

Canadian Press--Campbell wants British Columbians to fight climate change, improve health care