Author: SKEENA NEWS

OTTAWA, CANADA — The Government of Canada has announced temporary emergency border and immigration measures in response to the growing Ebola outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa, affecting residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan. The federal government confirmed that beginning May 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, immigration documents issued to residents of these three countries will be temporarily suspended for a period of 90 days. The measures are currently expected to remain in effect until approximately August 25–26, 2026, unless extended or modified by Canadian authorities. The suspension applies to: This means that even…

Terrace is entering an important moment of growth, change, and renewed local confidence — and at the centre of that momentum is Suresh Choudhary, the new Executive Director of the Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce. For many in the region, Choudhary is not a new face. He is a long-time Terrace resident, a community volunteer, a business-minded leader, and someone whose work has quietly connected many corners of civic life — from local commerce and housing conversations to hospice care, cultural events, sports, newcomer support, and non-profit service. His appointment marks more than a staffing change at the Chamber.…

Vancouver’s 150 MW AI Data Centre Plan Is Already Facing Protest — What Happens If a 300–400 MW AI Campus Comes to the Skeena Region? British Columbia is now entering a new industrial debate — not only about LNG, mining, forestry, or ports, but about artificial intelligence. On Saturday, May 23, 2026, a protest is scheduled in downtown Vancouver against proposed AI data centre developments. The protest is being organized by NO AI DATA CENTRES IN VAN, a student-led group identified in the research as being founded by Torin LaRocque. The group is opposing the rapid expansion of large-scale AI computing facilities…

TERRACE, B.C. — A devastating early-morning fire has destroyed the historic Terrace Bowling Centre, bringing an abrupt and heartbreaking end to one of the city’s longest-running indoor recreation spaces. The Terrace Fire Department was notified of a structure fire at the bowling alley at approximately 4:29 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Crews from the Terrace Fire Department responded, with support from the Thornhill Fire Department through the automatic aid agreement. Terrace Fire Chief Joel Brousson said crews arrived to find a “well working fire.” Firefighters initially attempted to fight the fire aggressively, but the situation quickly became dangerous as flames spread…

By Skeena News Canada’s bill for hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup has now climbed above $1 billion, raising new questions about public spending, transparency, and whether taxpayers across British Columbia — including Northern B.C. — will see meaningful benefits from a tournament centred mainly in Vancouver. According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, total government support for Canada’s share of the World Cup is now estimated at $1.066 billion. Canada will host 13 matches, with seven games in Vancouver and six games in Toronto. That works out to roughly $82 million per match. The federal portion is estimated at $473 million, while provincial and municipal governments are…

Skeena Needs Local Representation Beyond Party Politics The recent removal of Skeena MLA Claire Rattée from the B.C. Legislature during Question Period has drawn attention across northwest B.C., especially because the exchange involved LNG Canada, Kitimat, jobs, and the future of resource development in our region. Rattée, the BC Conservative MLA for Skeena, said she objected after Premier David Eby claimed that BC Conservatives do not support LNG Canada. In her statement, she said the Premier was attempting to “rewrite history” on LNG Canada and pointed to her past work as a Kitimat councillor during the project’s development. Procedurally, however,…

The proposed Skeena Data Centers initiative could transform the region — but questions remain over electricity, water demand, salmon ecosystems, environmental risks, and long-term sustainability. A proposed industrial-scale AI and data infrastructure project in Terrace, British Columbia is drawing growing regional attention as discussions intensify around artificial intelligence, energy demand, environmental sustainability, and the future direction of Northwest B.C.’s economy. The proposal, known as Skeena Data Centers (SDC), envisions a massive technology campus that could eventually require between 300 MW and 400 MW of continuous electricity capacity — making it one of the largest potential industrial power consumers in the…

The Skeena region faced its most severe operational disruption of the year during the early hours of Monday, May 4, 2026. A massive telecommunications outage, beginning at approximately 3:15 AM, paralyzed digital and voice connectivity across a vast area stretching from Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert to Burns Lake and Smithers. This 15-hour blackout was not caused by a technical glitch or a storm, but by a deliberate act of vandalism linked to attempted copper cable theft. A Severed Lifeline Technicians confirmed that perpetrators operating between Fraser Lake and Burns Lake cut through primary fiber optic lines shared by regional…

The operational viability of the British Columbia Supreme Court in the Skeena and surrounding northern regions has reached a breaking point. A formal notice issued by the court on April 30, 2026, warns of a critical systemic failure in the infrastructure required to support criminal trials for in-custody accused persons. This is not a traditional legal backlog; it is a logistical collapse of the custodial support systems that allow the wheels of justice to turn in the North. The “Custodial Vacuum” in the North For decades, a delicate balance allowed northern courthouses—often located hundreds of kilometres from provincial pre-trial correctional centers—to function.…

The energy sector in the Skeena region has emerged as the most significant driver of global interest in the current economic landscape. Geopolitical instability in the Middle East—exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in Iran and frequent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—has significantly increased the premium on stable North American energy supplies. LNG Canada Phase 2 and Corporate Consolidation In Kitimat, the LNG Canada facility has been fully operational since the summer of 2025, and industry focus has now transitioned toward the Phase 2 expansion. A major milestone in this transition occurred on April 27, 2026, when Shell PLC announced a landmark $22 billion agreement to…