Author: SKEENA NEWS

OTTAWA — The geopolitical complexity of the Skeena region’s energy corridor was pushed to the forefront of the national agenda today, January 28, 2026. During high-level “Team Canada” meetings in Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney held a three-way tête-à-tête with B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to address an escalating crisis over energy sovereignty and market diversification. The meetings, held against the backdrop of rising trade tensions and the looming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), have placed the Port of Prince Rupert at the heart of a “once-in-a-generation” struggle. Alberta’s “Global Moral Imperative” Premier Danielle Smith arrived in Ottawa advocating…

SMITHERS / TERRACE / PRINCE RUPERT — Regional school districts entered a critical administrative phase in late January 2026, as boards moved from high-level strategic planning to the ground-level logistics of student registration and facility upgrades. SD54 (Bulkley Valley) – The Search for Leadership and Food Security The School District 54 (Bulkley Valley) Board of Education convened for its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the district office in Smithers. A primary focus of the session was the formalization of the search for a new superintendent following the announcement that longtime leader Andy DuRoss will retire at the end of the 2026–2027 school year. The…

TERRACE — As the “industrial engine” of the Northwest continues to accelerate, the logistical backbone of the Skeena region—the Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat (YXT)—is navigating the growing pains of a record-breaking era for regional aviation. During the January 26–27 period, the terminal served as a high-volume conduit for the industrial workforce, balancing stable flight operations against a persistent challenge on the ground: a 20-to-30-minute waiting game for transportation. Operational Stability and the Coastal Challenge Despite the notoriously challenging coastal mountain environment, flight operations remained largely stable through the start of the week. The airport continues to serve as a vital link for the industrial…

KITAMAAT VILLAGE — The Haisla Nation is intensifying its commitment to “human capital” this week, moving to ensure that the multi-billion dollar industrial boom on its doorstep translates into long-term stability for its members. From high-tech trades training to affordable housing initiatives, the late January period has seen a surge in community-led social infrastructure projects. Piping Foundations – A Pipeline to Local Careers On January 19, 2026, the Haisla Nation Employment & Training team officially opened applications for the Piping Foundations Program. This initiative targets members looking to enter the high-demand trades of plumbing, steamfitting, and sprinkler fitting—skills that are increasingly vital as projects…

TERRACE — A notorious local eyesore that once stood as a symbol of urban decay on the Bench is poised for a major revitalization. On Monday, January 26, 2026, the Terrace City Council voted unanimously to support a $200,000 grant application to help transform the former Coachman Apartments into “The Benchmark,” a modern 48-unit rental complex. The building, located at 4204 Sparks Street, has sat vacant for two years after a catastrophic series of events led to its closure. In early 2024, the Terrace fire chief declared the structure uninhabitable following years of systemic neglect, black mould complaints, and a final tipping point during Christmas 2023…

TERRACE — The Skeena region has become the site of a global precedent in Indigenous sovereignty and resource governance. In a series of historic announcements on January 26 and 27, 2026, the Province of British Columbia and the Tahltan Central Government (TCG) issued a dual authorization for the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project, marking the first time a major industrial project has been approved via a consent-based framework under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) issued the project’s certificate on Monday, followed by the Mines Actpermit on Tuesday. This sequence effectively ends the era of “consultation” in favor of “consent,” elevating…

TERRACE / SMITHERS — The final weekend of January 2026 saw the Skeena region come alive with a diverse blend of cultural celebrations, from a traditional Scottish supper to the arrival of legendary punk rock bands. Robbie Burns Day: A Toast to Scottish Heritage Sunday, January 25, marked Robbie Burns Day, a significant occasion for those honoring Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. The celebrations kicked off early in the region: National Rockers Invade B.C., Northern Fans Head to Prince George Beyond the local cultural events, the broader B.C. landscape reverberated with the sounds of punk rock as iconic bands The Offspring and Bad Religion embarked on…

TERRACE — The social fabric of the Skeena region during January 24–25, 2026, was defined by local sports rivalries, cultural celebrations, and the arrival of national entertainment. The Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) season reached a peak during late January, with the standings tightening as teams battled for home-ice advantage in the looming playoffs. River Kings Resilience Despite a dramatic 6–5 shootout loss to the Prince Rupert Rampage on January 17 at the Terrace Sportsplex, the Terrace River Kings remained atop the league standings with 25 points. In that contest, Terrace surrendered a three-goal third-period lead, ultimately falling when Prince Rupert’s Judd Repole scored the lone goal of the…

KITIMAT — The District of Kitimat is navigating a high-stakes legislative season as it balances multi-billion dollar industrial growth with the increasingly heavy burden of local social services. During recent deliberations, the Kitimat Council addressed critical funding for vulnerable residents, symbolic steps toward reconciliation, and a strategic reversal to protect emergency air services. The Cost of Care: TSW Day Shelter and the “Download” Debate On January 13, 2026, Council approved a $125,000 grant for the Tamitik Status of Women’s (TSW) Day Shelter.While the funding, sourced from the Affordable Housing Initiatives and Operational Fund, ostensibly covers 50% of the program’s eligible expenses, the approval sparked intense…

PRINCE RUPERT — The Port of Prince Rupert entered the final week of January 2026 as Canada’s third-busiest seaport by container volume, a position reinforced by a year of historic infrastructure milestones and shifting cargo dynamics. The performance of the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) throughout 2025 has provided the fiscal and operational momentum observed during the January 24–25 period. Annual Performance and Cargo Diversification Data finalized in the week leading up to January 24, 2026, reveals that the Port of Prince Rupert handled 26.3 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, marking a 14 percent increase over the previous year. This growth occurred during a “historic…