UNBC's Northern Coastal Information and Research Program (NCIRP) will be convening a workshop in Port Hardy on December 16-17 to bring together its newly formed Community Guidance Group and the members of a delegation who went on a study trip to eastern Canada in October.

The 15-member "Guidance Group" appointed by UNBC draws membership from a wide spectrum of communities, perspectives and life experiences of people who live along the edge of the Queen Charlotte basin study area (eastern Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait, Queen Charlotte Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound).

Also attending the workshop in Port Hardy will be participants from a unique study group that traveled to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in October. This was part of an ongoing study on the socioeconomic implications of offshore oil and gas development. "One key purpose of the workshop will be to summarize and build on the lessons learned back east," says Norman Dale, NCIRP Manager. "Several leading authorities on community aspects of offshore oil and gas will be available as resources for the workshop which is being organized by the Prince Rupert-based Community Fisheries Development Centre."

The meeting is a response to the high level of community interest surrounding the offshore development issue. "UNBC embraces the idea of what is called the adjacency principle" says Mr Dale. "This means that the communities nearest to possible resource developments must have a leading role in all aspects of the work. Our research and information program is one of the opportunities to make this happen for the north and central coast."

Guided by the results of the Port Hardy invitational workshop, and before spring 2004, UNBC will hold a series of meetings in many communities along the Queen Charlotte Basin to report on the NCIRP. There will also be several other community-oriented meetings about offshore oil and gas in early 2004 - notably the planning sessions and public review commissioned by the Federal Government. "Everyone working on these matters recognizes the urgent need for quality information and meaningful community engagement," says Mr Dale.

The NCIRP is a $2 million ongoing initiative funded by the BC Government to conduct independent research and information activities related to offshore oil and gas.