In Stewart, BC, the representative from the Tahltan Central Government, Nisga’a Lisims Government, Arrow Group of Companies and the provincial and federal government came together to announce the opening of a new port.
The mayor of Stewart, BC, Angela Brand Danuser in the press conference said, “Today marks another exciting chapter. We’re very pleased to welcome the partnership involving the Nisga’a Nation, Charlton Nation and Arrow Transportation. We often hear British Columbia as being described as having two ports. But this province has long had a third port right here in Stewart. Canada’s most northerly ice free port. Our deep water access and our location in the mineral rich golden triangle makes Stuart an important part of British Columbia’s transportation and trade network”.
Leaders of Talhtan and Nisga’a first nations were present and gave statements. President of the Talhtan Nation, Kerry Carlick said, “As people might know that 70% of the Golden Triangle is located within the territories. It means, you know, greater participation, greater benefits for our people”.
He then pointed to the desperate need of infrastructure in the region. “Infrastructure that is sorely needed in our area. There’s been a lot of minerals and a lot of things going out of the territory. So this partnership and ownership of this port with the Nisha and the arrow really means more benefits that are going to really hit the ground and have meaningful impacts on our people”.
Furthermore, the federal government, through 672,134 through PacifiCan. The port will be expanding and will bring in new jobs. New feasibilities studies will be also be occur to discover the capacity of the region.
In terms of economic reconciliations, Kerry added, “I think it’s huge. It goes a long way to the goals of economic reconciliation and reconciliation in general. It feels amazing to be a part of this with our neighbors, the Nisga’a, and with the province and industry and the federal government. To really be doing something I think is going to have lasting impacts on only for our people, but Canadians in general”.
As this port is developing, one of the company that is going to be benefitting the most is the Newmont Corporation. They own Red Chris Mine and Brucejack mines. They will be benefitting through the reduced shipping time to international exports. According to the mayor of Stewart, BC, Angela Brand Danuser, The estimated shipping time is faster by approximately a day.
Premier Eby was also present at the announcement of the terminal and was opened to be interviewed. He said “This is a crucially important part for British Columbia and for Canada. I’ll be honest, you know, it looks quite small, but but the reality is that this port represents access to Asian markets for literally billions of dollars of investment and mines, which reflects thousands of jobs for British Columbians and Canadians and independence from the U.S. market, which at a time like this is absolutely crucial for our provincial and national economies”.
He also emphasized the significance of this project being run mostly by indigenous nations. Eby Said, “the fact that this project is being done with First Nations industry working together with the support of provincial and federal governments, it’s exactly what we need to be doing as a province and as a country”.
He also added that is this just the beginning and that this port will be receiving additional funding in the future as a means of expanding. Because of the province is approving the mine expansion or a new mine in the region every two months. This will help fund the provincial economy and create jobs. And from the tax collected, funding of services in the region will expand.
In the press conference, he called out President Donald Trump trade war with the Canada “world’s dumbest trade war and hopes that we all get back to sanity as soon as possible”.