UNBC Hosts Symposium on Port Expansion in Prince Rupert
September 11, 2007
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As Prince Rupert prepares to open its much anticipated container
terminal tomorrow, the University of Northern British Columbia will be
hosting a symposium in Prince Rupert later this week on what the
expansion means for the political and economic development of Northern
BC.
The symposium will held at the NWCC/UNBC campus in Prince Rupert on Friday, September 14. Speakers will be attending from Washington State, New Brunswick, and UNBC, offering various perspectives on social and environmental issues, ports and port logistics, and the effects of the new port on Northern BC, Western Canada, and the Pacific Gateway strategy.
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 of
Northern BC,” says UNBC Political Science professor Gary Wilson, who
has organized the symposium and will present a paper on the anticipated
local and regional impacts of the port development. “Many people
see this as a coming of age; not only for Prince Rupert but for the
entire region. It’s not just about a port, it’s about a region having
new political, social, and economic connections to the world and all of
the opportunities and challenges this will present. We’re excited to be
hosting this event in Prince Rupert and participating in a historic
week for the province.”
The port symposium is the fourth Steelhead Symposium, a regular series of academic conferences presented by the UNBC Political Science program and focusing on the major political issues of Northern BC. Note that while the Steelhead Symposium later this week is open to the media, it is not intended for a public audience. Prince Rupert has formerly been a major Canadian port for natural resources (especially coal) and grain. The new container capacity will increase the port’s attractiveness for shippers and consumers on both sides of the Pacific and is expected to fuel transportation-related developments elsewhere in northern BC, such as a rail distribution centre 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 |
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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 Northern British Columbia will be holding the 4th Annual Steelhead Symposium in Prince Rupert on September 14, 2007. The symposium will focus on the impacts that the Prince Rupert container terminal development will have on British Columbia and western Canada. It will also examine the broader implications of the Pacific Gateway Strategy for the political, 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 and Indigenous Nations – old story, new cover.” Paper presented by Caroline 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 at the Port of Prince Rupert; considerations from a transportation perspective.”
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 British Columbia: “Global to Local: The Prince Rupert Port Development and its Impact on Northern British Columbia.”
John F. Young, University of Northern British Columbia: “Port Alberta? Networked Federalism and the Port Development in Prince Rupert”
