Share the wealth is the mantra

The first container has yet to come ashore and the calls for the expected bonanza to be shared across the Northwest. Local NDP MP, Nathan Cullen, has gone on record as suggesting that communities such as Terrace and other northwest communities need to receive a more dedicated response from the federal government, one that involves more than just infrastructure.

Cullen mentioned the recent Change brings opportunity conference as a good example of information sharing, but suggests it's not enough. Of course it won't be long before somebody reminds him that he didn't attend that particular conference, but that comes with the territory of being an elected official.

The Daily News recounted the MP’s thoughts on the port and its impact on the region, in a front page story in Monday’s paper.

FIND BETTER WAY TO SHARE PORT BONANZA, SAYS MP
Communities such as Terrace need to share in benefits, says Nathan Cullen.
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Monday, December 4, 2006
Page one

The federal government needs to do more to ensure all the communities in the region can benefit from Prince Rupert’s container port project, says Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen.

“There’s a pile of money on the books right now for helping communities transition economically,” he said. “I want to use some of that money to be able help communities like Terrace and beyond access this project and do something positive.”

The feds’ contribution so far amounts to $30 million for the 500,000 container phase one of the development. But the MP believes Canada’s role needs to be greater than just a cheque for infrastructure.

“There’s some good things we’re working on with the credit unions and some other groups, but the federal government to this point has figured out their only role is just simply build the port,” he said. “That’s not enough, we need the tools to be able to get the local communities really invested into this thing and getting some of the benefit.

“Otherwise, it’s just a bunch of trains going by, and it’s got to be more than that. There’s huge opportunity for us to really get involved and do something pretty impressive.”

The MP believes the timeline is short with Fairview opening in October 2007. He wants the government to pony-up for local communities now before it is too late.

“The trick with this project has always been early action and strong action (and) by that I mean you have to be in on the planning stages and affect the way this project goes ahead,” said Cullen. “I thought the container port conference two weeks ago was good but we’re not even close. The Federal government’s role in this is to be able to provide the money essentially for local communities to participate properly, to do the right types of studies, initiate the right kinds of businesses and then start to form the marketing co-operatives and business solutions to go out and know where we’re going to send our products to, because ultimately that’s what we want to do.