Prince George, B.C. – The Province is going to pursue the environmental  assessment and First Nations consultation to bring electricity to the highway 37 corridor.  

 

That was the prime announcement by the Premier in his key address to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

 

The electrification of highway 37 has been seen as a key to opening up development of mininig projects. With Galore Creek on the shelf, the electrification of highway 37 (which the Province had agreed to cost share) was also put on the shelf.

 

Earlier this week, the Premier announced on the Meisner program on 93.1 CFIS,  that the province was looking for partners on the Highway 37 corridor .

 

By agreeing to move forward with the environmental assessment and First Nations Consultation, mining companies can show money lenders there is a commitment to install the line and will be more likely to get the funding they need to help pay for their part of the hydro development.

 

He kicked off his address with an Olympic promo. With Olympic theme music in the background, the Premier called some of the Beijing Olympians up to the stage. He thanked them all for their accomplishments, and asked them to be special Olympic Ambassadors for the 2010 games. 

 

The Premier also took time to say a special thanks to Mayors who have opted not to run again, but who have served their communities for years, and have shown true leadership. The first name on his list was that of Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley. Prince George he said is a different City now than it was in 2001. “He had a vision for medical training, a vision for a transportation hub.”