Final report - Integrated Land Management Bureau

Transportation Assessment of the North and Central Coast of BC
• new ferry and passenger rail terminal in Fairview area (Prince Rupert);
• Tsimshian Access project;
• expansion of terminals and attraction of additional port services in Port of
Prince Rupert;
• coordinated coastal barging system;
• identification and assessment of an alternative route to Highway 20
between Bella Coola Valley and Anahim Lake;
• improvement of Bella Coola’s river dyke system; and,
• Kitimat-based passenger and freight ferry service.
Recommendation #2: Develop a regional ferry advocacy organization.
• The municipalities, Regional Districts and First Nation communities of the
LRMP Plan area need to work together and research and advocate their
interests on ferry matters, thereby strengthening their collective voice.
Tourism sector representatives should also become involved in order to
better coordinate their efforts with those of BC Ferries.
Recommendation #3: Hire an economic development manager in Prince
Rupert.
• This person would make transportation issues a major focus, and help
advance regional initiatives.
► Issue: BC Ferries’ withholding of the Northern Transportation Strategy has
created uncertainty about future service and deterred private investment.
Recommendation: The Northern Transportation Strategy needs to be made
public as soon as possible.
► Issue: The Canadian Marine Act puts Prince Rupert at a financial
disadvantage compared to US ports.
Recommendation: Lobby federal ministers for changes to Canada Marine Act.
► Issue: The Tsimshian Access Project is the North Coast’s #1 transportation
priority.
Recommendation: Support current planning efforts in Prince Rupert and area,
in particular the Tsimshian Access (cited earlier as a long term project), as well
as the planned expansion of terminals and attraction of additional port
services, and gap analysis and feasibility study of services to improve the
capacity and service quality of the Prince Rupert Airport to act as a
transshipment facility for fish and seafood products.
Chisholm Consulting vii