Author: SKEENA NEWS
TERRACE, BC — Amidst growing concerns over air quality and industrial emissions, Terrace City Council has formally called on the provincial government to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative human health impacts of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry. A Call for Oversight and Accountability On April 27, 2026, Council voted to support a request from local physician Dr. Marie-Lyne Bourassa, who expressed deep alarm regarding the ongoing emissions and smoke emanating from the LNG Canada facility in Kitimat. The motion, moved by Councillor Dave Gordon and seconded by Councillor Sarah Zimmerman, seeks to establish rigorous baseline data as regional projects like Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims move closer to…
On April 29, 2026, Premier David Eby and the B.C. government significantly expanded the “Look West” strategy, a cornerstone of provincial economic policy. Designed to accelerate major projects and secure $200 billion in private-sector investment by 2035, the strategy aims to provide stability amidst global economic volatility through the development of responsible resource exports. The government announced the addition of 17 new major projects to its priority list, nearly doubling the previous count and signaling a move toward a more independent provincial economy. Powering the North – The 2026 Priority Expansion The expanded list focuses heavily on critical minerals, renewable energy, and natural gas infrastructure—sectors where…
The late April 2026 landscape is being defined by a high-stakes legal battle as hearings commence in the B.C. Supreme Court regarding the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline. This 900-kilometre project is designed to transport natural gas from northeastern British Columbia’s Montney formation to the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG facility on the northwest coast. While it is a critical link in the provincial energy export chain, the project now faces two joined legal petitions challenging the provincial government’s administrative decisions. The “Substantial Start” Controversy At the heart of the judicial contest is the “substantial start” designation granted by the B.C. Environmental…
KITIMAT, BC — Getting the municipal books to balance in 2026 is going to cost a little more for residents and businesses alike. On April 22, 2026, Kitimat Council moved forward with its 2026 budget, passing the first three readings of both the Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw and the Tax Rates Bylaw. The headline figure? A 4.79% increase in property tax revenue compared to 2025, as the District grapples with the rising costs of infrastructure and service delivery. The “Point of No Return” Flat Tax A defining (and often debated) feature of Kitimat’s fiscal identity remains intact for another year: the Residential Flat Rate Tax. Maintained since the…
TERRACE, BC – The Skeena region’s environmental landscape reached a critical junction on April 22, 2026, as provincial authorities balanced the looming risk of early-season wildfires against the rising waters of the spring freshet. The Northwest Fire Centre (NWFC) has officially transitioned into active season management, implementing the first major prohibitions of the year. Fire Prohibitions – Bulkley and Nadina Zones Effective as of 12:00 PM on Friday, April 24, 2026, the NWFC has prohibited Category 2 and Category 3 open fires across the Bulkley and Nadina Fire Zones. This proactive ban encompasses the critical Highway 16 corridor, stretching from the Highway 37…
VICTORIA / SKIDEGATE — In a major step toward regional energy independence, the B.C. government announced a $6.6 million funding boost on March 12, 2026, for 13 remote First Nations to transition away from fossil fuel dependence. The funding, announced by Adrian Dix, Minister for Energy and Climate Solutions, is part of the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program—a pillar of the province’s broader CleanBC strategy. The initiative aims to reduce the environmental risks and exorbitant costs associated with transporting diesel to off-grid communities while fostering true “energy sovereignty”. Skeena and North Coast – Resilience in Action The disbursements are particularly critical for the Skeena and North Coast regions, where…
TERRACE — The City of Terrace is moving aggressively to reshape its urban footprint, with two major projects reaching significant milestones this week. From high-density residential planning to a total reconstruction of the downtown core, the city is positioning itself to handle the demographic shifts of 2026. 4001 Thomas Street – A Blueprint for Density Following a public hearing on March 9, the city has finalized the rezoning of 4001 Thomas Street from Neighborhood Residential to Urban Residential. The 6,309-square-meter development is designed to accommodate up to 26 townhouses and apartments tailored for families. Mayor Sean Bujtas has framed the move as a direct response to the housing affordability crisis,…
THORNHILL — The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) is taking proactive steps to maintain the long-term integrity of local infrastructure, issuing a formal Water Quality Advisory for the Thornhill Community Water System on March 11, 2026. The advisory specifically targets residents in Upper Thornhill and is set to take effect on Friday, March 13, 2026. Regional officials expect the notice to remain in place for approximately one week while crews perform essential system cleaning. Scheduled Maintenance and Turbidity The cause of the advisory is routine, scheduled maintenance and cleaning of the water system components. Residents may notice increased turbidity—a cloudiness in the water caused by suspended particles—which can occur when…
KITIMAT — A clear signal of the transition from the construction “boom” to the long-term operational phase of the LNG sector emerged on March 9, 2026. Edmonton-based Civeo, a major provider of worker accommodations, has filed a formal application with the District of Kitimat to significantly scale back its Sitka Lodge facility. The proposal reflects a broader regional trend of labor normalization, as the massive transient construction workforce is slowly replaced by a smaller, permanent operational staff. The Downsizing Strategy Civeo is seeking to reduce the capacity of Sitka Lodge in phases. The facility, which once bustled with over 2,000 workers, will now be tailored…
PRINCE RUPERT — The Gitxaala Nation has formally intensified its demand for a criminal investigation following a disturbing incident at the Prince Rupert Safeway on March 3, 2026. By March 7, the Nation’s leadership confirmed they have engaged a legal team to support the impacted family and are prepared to pursue all avenues of accountability. Allegations of Racial Profiling The incident, which occurred earlier this month, allegedly involved the racial profiling of a Gitxaala community member by store staff. Brenna Innes, Deputy Chief of the Gitxaala Nation, stated that multiple witnesses have come forward with video evidence and written statements that corroborate the family’s account of the event. “Our…