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Introductiondownload report in Adobe Acrobat format
Now recognized as Canada’s Northern Gateway for Asia-North American trade, Prince Rupert’s deep, natural, ice-free harbour is linked to an efficient road, rail, and air network. Even so, the city, along with neighbouring coastal communities both on the mainland and on the Queen Charlotte Islands, still derives a fair share of income from fishing and seafood harvesting. Terrace has become a busy regional service and supply centre, while Kitimat was built by Alcan Aluminium in the 1950’s as a manufacturing town. Since that time Kitimat has diversified, but its economy is still primarily driven by manufacturing with the Rio Tinto Alcan aluminium smelter and the Eurocan pulp and paper mill. In 2009, the NCDR’s economy, and the whole province, was weakened by the global economic recession. What started as a forestry industry downturn in 2008, eventually spread to other industries. The value of the NCDR’s building permits dropped by 25.7% in 2009,[3] and the dollar value of major projects under construction slowed. Many projects that were expected to proceed in 2009 were deferred until 2010 or later. Mine development and mineral exploration virtually came to a standstill compared to previous years, a result of tight financial markets. In Northwest BC, estimated expenditures on major and small mine development projects was $47 million in 2009, down significantly from $245 million in 2008. Mineral exploration expenditures declined to $65 million from $140 million.[4] Despite the global economic recession the NCDR had a few bright spots last year: Cargo through the Port of Prince Rupert was at its highest volume since 1997, and 15% over 2008.[5] And Rio Tinto remains committed to its modernization of the Kitimat smelter, with an official construction start date anticipated for 2010. Preliminary site work began in 2009, and the company has promised to source locals for 93% of the project labour.[6] The modernization will increase production capacity and will ultimately generate about 1,000 jobs for 35 to 40 years.[7] Footnotes
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The North Coast Development Region (NCDR) accounts for 111,790 km2 of BC’s land base,[1] and comprises the Kitimat-Stikine and Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional Districts. The Nechako stretches from Telegraph Creek to the southern tip of the Queen Charlotte Islands, and from the Village of Queen Charlotte in the west across to the Municipality of New Hazelton in the east. The NCDR is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the province, and in 2009, the population was 59,405.[2] Nearly 60% of the region’s population resides within the communities of Prince Rupert, Terrace, and Kitimat—all situated within approximately 150 kilometres of each other.  |