UNBC Hosts Symposium on Port Expansion in Prince Rupert

Media Release

September 11, 2007

As Prince Rupert prepares to open its much anticipated containerterminal tomorrow, the University of Northern British Columbia will behosting a symposium in Prince Rupert later this week on what theexpansion means for the political and economic development of NorthernBC.

The symposium will held at the NWCC/UNBC campus in Prince Rupert onFriday, September 14. Speakers will be attending from Washington State,New Brunswick, and UNBC, offering various perspectives on social andenvironmental issues, ports and port logistics, and the effects of thenew port on Northern BC, Western Canada, and the Pacific Gatewaystrategy.

Ports, Politics and the Pacific Gateway:
Consequences for Regional Development
in Western Canada
9am – 4pm
Room 155, NWCC/UNBC Campus in Prince Rupert

“The opening of the container port is a major development for all ofNorthern BC,” says UNBC Political Science professor Gary Wilson, whohas organized the symposium and will present a paper on the anticipatedlocal and regional impacts of the port development.  “Many peoplesee this as a coming of age; not only for Prince Rupert but for theentire region. It’s not just about a port, it’s about a region havingnew political, social, and economic connections to the world and all ofthe opportunities and challenges this will present. We’re excited to behosting this event in Prince Rupert and participating in a historicweek for the province.”

The port symposium is the fourth Steelhead Symposium, a regular seriesof academic conferences presented by the UNBC Political Science programand focusing on the major political issues of Northern BC. Note thatwhile the Steelhead Symposium later this week is open to the media, itis not intended for a public audience.

Prince Rupert has formerly been a major Canadian port for naturalresources (especially coal) and grain. The new container capacity willincrease the port’s attractiveness for shippers and consumers on bothsides of the Pacific and is expected to fuel transportation-relateddevelopments elsewhere in northern BC, such as a rail distributioncentre in Prince George.

Contact:
Gary N. Wilson, Political Science professor, UNBC – 250.960-5514
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622

Media Downloads

Click on the thumbnail of Gary Wilson below to access a high-resolution file.

Agenda

4th Annual Steelhead Symposium

“Ports, Politics and the Pacific Gateway: Consequences for Regional Development in Western Canada”

NWCC/UNBC Campus
Room 155
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Friday, September 14, 2007

The Department of Political Science at the University of NorthernBritish Columbia will be holding the 4th Annual Steelhead Symposium inPrince Rupert on September 14, 2007.  The symposium will focus onthe impacts that the Prince Rupert container terminal development willhave on British Columbia and western Canada.  It will also examinethe broader implications of the Pacific Gateway Strategy for thepolitical, economic and social development of this region.  

9:00-9:15 – Opening Remarks

9:15-10:00 – Guest Speaker – Prince Rupert Port Authority (TBA)

10:00-11:30 – Social and Environmental Issues

Charles Menzies, University of British Columbia: “New World Port andIndigenous Nations – old story, new cover.”  Paper presented byCaroline Butler, University of Northern British Columbia

Jean Melious, Western Washington University: “Prince Rupert: Environmental Consequences of a Remote West Coast Port.”

11:30-1:00 – Ports and Port Logistics

Michael C. Ircha, University of New Brunswick at Fredericton: “Canadian Ports. Trends and Opportunities.”

Anne V. Goodchild, University of Washington: “A Container Terminal atthe Port of Prince Rupert; considerations from a transportationperspective.”

1:00-2:30 – Lunch

2:30-4:00 – Impacts on Northern BC and Western Canada
Tracy Summerville and Gary N. Wilson, University of Northern BritishColumbia: “Global to Local: The Prince Rupert Port Development and itsImpact on Northern British Columbia.”

John F. Young, University of Northern British Columbia: “PortAlberta?  Networked Federalism and the Port Development in PrinceRupert”