Budget Talks Today
By 250 News
Wednesday, January 26, 2011 03:57 AM
Prince George, B.C. –Its an invitation only meeting, but this afternoon, community and business leaders in Prince George will be huddling for an economic roundtable session.
The meeting has been set up by Cariboo-Prince George M.P Dick Harris, and MP Gordon O’Connor, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip.
The subject will be the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
These kinds of discussions are supposed to look at projects and ideas that don't cost money, but Initiatives Prince George CEO and President Tim McEwan will be reiterating a message which calls for infrastructure spending in the north.
"These are investments which will generate more wealth" says McEwan, who points to matters such as the twinning of highway 16 from Prince Rupert to Alberta, and the expansion of the Prince Rupert Port as the Fairview and Ridley Terminals a have either reached, or will soon reach capacity. Both terminals are key to the Asia- Pacific corridor.
McEwan says he also plans to press for:
- municipal infrastructure spending,
- open skies agreement which would open the door for cargo flights in and out of Prince George,
- the need for a harmonized environmental assessment process,
- Northern Bio-Energy cluster development with emphasis on research and development at post secondary education level, and
- a focus on legacy projects from the Canada Winter Games.
As for the City of Prince George, Finance and Audit Committee Chair, Murry Krause will make the presentation. Krause will thank the Federal Government for the contributions to Boundary Road and River Road, then focus on several areas including:
- Appreciation for the investment in the Asia Pacific corridor and the need to strengthen that commitment through a comprehensive national transportation policy that sets the stage to take advantage of the opportunities that exist to increase trade with Asia.
- Continued need for infrastructure funding to assist communities like Prince George as they deal with aging infrastructure
- Understanding of local government’s desire to have a greater say in financial management matters in the next RCMP contract. The current Federal-Provincial agreement expires in 2012.
- The value of considering policy changes along the lines of the northern living allowance that would further help northern and rural communities in attracting and retaining the workforce that is needed in a growing northern economy.
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Posted by: Harbinger on January 27 2011 7:13 PM