Sign In Register is benefiting from major industries like an aluminum smelter and a new LNG export facility with further investments literally in the pipeline The town of about 8,200 residents in the North Coast region of B.C the Aluminum Company of Canada (later Alcan and now Rio Tinto Alcan) acquired the land for a new smelter “Industry is the only reason we exist,” said Mayor Phil Germuth The original smelter started up in the mid ‘50s followed by the Methanex methanol plant in 1980 While Methanex and Eurocan closed in 2005 and 2010 Though it currently employs about 1,000 full-time workers plus indirect employment the smelter is now being overshadowed by another behemoth in Kitimat: LNG Canada LNG Canada is set to export its first LNG cargoes by this July is expected to employ 250 to 350 full-time workers once fully operational An investment decision will also be made about a second phase which would entail at least five more years of major construction with lower incremental costs due to existing infrastructure “If you look at the global LNG market and what’s happening politically around the globe it sure looks very positive that that decision will come,” said Germuth with preliminary construction and clearing work now underway It is a partnership between Pembina Pipeline Corp who negotiated a certain capacity in the pipeline for their own energy sources there’s the original Kitimat LNG site that belongs to Chevron and Woodside Energy and is undergoing a multi-million-dollar remediation with what’s taken place over the last couple of months if there’s probably some interest in it now,” said Ron Burnett A March deal between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security to supply LNG and ammonia to Japan could renew interest in the Kitimat LNG site it’s got to be exported from somewhere so it’s probably either [Kitimat] or Prince Rupert so this site would be perfect for that,” said Burnett The LNG Canada workers have been living in a workcamp but Burnett said the town’s housing stock is aging and upgrades are needed Most of the housing was built in early waves and today’s sales and values are steady having been an instant town in the ‘50s and then again when the pulp mill came in the ‘60s there was a big surge in housing and not a whole lot in between,” said Burnett tariffs are a concern but there is no panic He said Rio Tinto has valuable attributes such as its West Coast location its environmental standards and its creation of special alloys “It’s clear that we have things [the U.S.] needs and they have things we need they clearly do not have enough smelters or capacity or anywhere near it,” said Germuth Premier David Eby recently pivoted toward industry “As of the resource conference in Prince George The words wouldn’t even cross his lips six months ago,” said Burnett With renewed political appetite for resource projects As the aluminum smelter works to diversify its exports beyond America local leaders hope the new LNG facility will also support decades of prosperity “The future is looking pretty bright here,” said Germuth “It’s a great time to be mayor.” Sign In Subscribe Now Kitimat Council approved a $2,500 sponsorship for the Nation2Nation Women’s Gathering held April 24–25 at Riverlodge and Sitka Lodge—the first large-scale conference hosted in the community since the success of Minerals North last year That event demonstrated Kitimat’s capacity to accommodate major conferences and panel discussions designed to inspire and empower women across the Northwest With a theme of “Taking Chances,” the event focused on building resilience and stepping beyond comfort zones in pursuit of personal and professional growth Council also confirmed during the April 15 meeting that Mayor Phil Germuth and Councillor Michelle Martins would represent the District during the opening ceremonies Council’s approval followed a staff report highlighting the economic and community benefits of hosting events like Nation2Nation Conferences of this scale draw regional visitors generate revenue for local restaurants and businesses and provide a platform for showcasing the community to a wider network of leaders and entrepreneurs The 2023 Minerals North conference demonstrated these outcomes firsthand and helped solidify Kitimat’s credentials as a host community Though Nation2Nation operates as a private business staff confirmed that supporting the event would not constitute assistance to business under local government rules Council's decision reflects a broader aim to support initiatives that foster collaboration and build Kitimat’s reputation as a regional conference destination It’s hoped events like Nation2Nation also offer long-term value by positioning Kitimat as a viable host for future forums strengthening the town’s profile in Northwest B.C A second sponsorship request will return to Council later this year for consideration ahead of the 9th annual Nation2Nation Forum 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To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines The shifting tides of international trade and climate volatility have presented serious challenges to Rio Tinto’s BC Works operation but general manager Simon Pascoe says the smelter remains firmly committed to Kitimat and the surrounding region both as an economic driver and a long-term community partner “One of the things I can share with confidence is our fundamental strength and how well-positioned we are at BC Works,” Pascoe said during the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting on April 10 Pascoe said the company has spent recent months navigating complex international conditions—particularly sudden shifts in U.S The pace and unpredictability of these developments have required BC Works to remain agile while relying on the strength of its global network He said the company has been closely monitoring the evolving landscape since February and continues to work with governments and stakeholders in both Canada and the United States to pursue constructive outcomes is supported by a highly experienced global team capable of responding quickly to various trade scenarios While acknowledging frequent questions about expanding its customer base Pascoe said diversification is something BC Works has been evaluating the smelter’s certified aluminum—produced using renewable hydro power from Kemano—continues to be a strong and competitive product on the global market have been just as critical as market conditions Last year’s record drought pushed the Nechako Reservoir to historic lows threatening power generation at Kemano and the overall stability of smelting operations Pascoe described the company’s access to low-cost hydro power as one of its key competitive advantages and we can’t produce power without water,” he said That reliance has led BC Works to focus closely on reservoir management Pascoe said the company is continuing to balance operational needs with ecological concerns guided in part by the Water Engagement Initiative the initiative has brought together more than 40 organizations to address long-term planning in the Nechako watershed “This community engagement has been an integral part of how we came up with a balanced approach to make sure we could protect the reservoir for the long term while also maintaining enough production to meet our targets,” he said Recent rainfall helped ease some of the pressure saw an unusual increase in depth during the autumn months—normally a period of seasonal decline This has placed BC Works in a more stable position heading into 2025 Infrastructure and sustainability upgrades were another focus of BC Works’ operations in 2024 and supporting the smelter’s environmental goals Among the most significant projects was a $24 million replacement of the bath mill a critical component in the recycling of spent materials used in aluminum production improved operational reliability while reducing maintenance needs Work also continued on overhauling the alumina conveyor system with foundation work and new structural supports underway to improve material handling and reduce energy consumption Pascoe said the improvements will enhance worker safety and operational performance when the system comes online in 2025 BC Works also carried out key maintenance at the Kenney Dam and Skins Lake Spillway vital structures that regulate water flow from the Nechako Reservoir and supply hydroelectric power to the smelter These works included underwater inspections and reinforcements to extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure not only support Rio Tinto’s commitment to operational excellence but also form part of a broader strategy to secure the long-term sustainability of BC Works in Kitimat With the current collective agreement set to expire in July Pascoe acknowledged the significance of the upcoming negotiations which affected both operations and the broader community and expressed optimism about a smoother process this time “This year we are striving to ensure that our negotiations are uneventful and go smoothly,” he said “We’re looking forward to an open and transparent negotiations process with the Union cultivating a one-team approach for the long-term prosperity of BC Works and Kitimat.” BC Works' broader impact was outlined in the 2024 Communities and Social Performance report which showed more than $490 million contributed to British Columbia’s economy last year through wages $240 million was spent across the provincial supply chain and $11 million with Indigenous-affiliated suppliers The company also invested $1.9 million in community initiatives Pascoe said this shift toward long-term strategic partnerships is already making a difference Rio Tinto made the decision to change how it invests in the communities to move toward strategic partnerships and support initiatives that will have long-lasting benefits Our local team has surpassed every milestone in making sure our investments follow this new direction.” He added that the operation’s economic role extends beyond direct employment “Chances are good that everyone in this room knows someone who works or has worked with us either as a direct employee or as a contract partner,” he said “Our Local and Indigenous procurement portal gives us even more ways to connect with potential contract partners letting us build on the relationships we have with locally owned businesses.” Pascoe closed with a call for collective resilience the real strength in an organization like this one and troubleshoot challenges together,” he said campers at Hirsch-Creek Park and campground just north of Kitimat The officer who arrived at the scene found three young male residents lying dead in and beside a car in the campground parking lot A fourth young man was found clinging to life in the trees a few feet from the car He had lost 60 percent of his blood and was rushed first to Kitimat General hospital and then airlifted to Vancouver Twenty-one-year-old Donny Oliveira survived Kevin Vermette and his red chevy pickup were well known around town and witnesses passed along the number plate to police who quickly verified that the truck belonged to Vermette When they reached the motel where he lived they found Vermette’s truck parked in its usual spot outside room #5 taken his dog and his shotgun and headed into the bush Vermette was an experienced hiker and knew how to survive in the heavily forested area and back country trails and logging roads that surrounded the town By the end of 2000 police were no closer to catching him Posters had been splashed all across Canada with Vermette’s image and offers of a $17,500 reward Two extensive police searchers had turned up only animal bones America’s Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries did segments on the case More than 900 tips and sightings had come in from the public but whenever police responded to a tip The helicopter equipped with an infra red heat seeking radar never got a hit Last May 2024 the RCMP sent out an up-to-date composite drawing of Vermette and he remains on the RCMP’s most wanted list Is Kevin Vermette dhttps://bit.ly/3XuKu2Cad But what I did learn while researching this story and talking to people of Kitimat Listen to the podcast and see what you think Copies of my new book, Beneath Dark Waters: The Legacy of the Empress of Ireland Shipwreck, are available through my publisher Arsenal Pulp Press, or preorder from any independent bookstore across Canada Sponsor: Erin Hakin Jewellery You can listen to the podcast on this page (just go to the top) or on Apple I’m really sorry that you have been ignored Do you mind if I ask where exactly on Vancouver Island Curious if you were able to have a conversation with the survivor about what happened that night to caused Kevin to follow them and attack them It’s so unfortunate no one wanted to talk about the victims Unfortunately I wasn’t able to connect with any of the friends or families of the victims But I do cover a couple of theories of why Vermette was at the campground in the podcast Something seems to have set this guy off; were the victims simply in the wrong place at the wrong time I’m also reminded of the Agassiz murders where four teens were killed by a local nut who were simply out having a day out in the woods have a listen to the podcast and it goes through some of the scenerios is there an transcript that i can read based on what was said in the podcast Both Apple and Spotify generate transcripts of the podcasts – here’s a link to Apple https://podcasters.apple.com/support/5316-transcripts-on-apple-podcasts You’re looking for episode 46 The Kitimat Murders I haven’t read the transcript but I hope it understands my accent I have spent a lifetime searching for the missing A more complex tragedy than it appears at first Thanks for giving us a fuller picture in the podcast I believe there is definitely much more to this story concerning the victims As reported by you thus far I feel no sympathy for their death or their family The victims at age 20 were hardly children They were bullies harassing a guy that couldn’t even get protection from RCMP The families were equally guilty by brushing off what their sons were doing to make a person’s life miserable Whatever the rest of the story is I think the cover-up will not be revealed The real victim here is Vermette’s mother wondering what happened to her son and being bullied by the families that lost their son I hope that one day the truth will come out He had a tattoo of a Black Jaguars on his forearm from what I recall His tattoos are on display on his Interpol Most Wanted page: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/Red-Notices/View-Red-Notices#1999-24742 I just spotted him at mucho Burrito on the can with the shits and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account located in the northwestern town of Kitimat has landed square in the crosshairs of U.S Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentRio Tinto’s B.C Works aluminum smelter has the capacity to produce 420,000 tonnes per year of the light versatile metal used in everything from beverage cans to aircraft parts it shipped 83 per cent of its production to the U.S When B.C.’s relatively small output is combined with Quebec’s massive industry Canada exported some 2.7 million tonnes of primary aluminum to the U.S about 75 per cent of America’s aluminum imports Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. “We don’t need anything that they give,” and that Canada undercuts its own industry American primary aluminum production amounted to just 678,000 tonnes “The economics all comes down to the cost of electricity,” said University of B.C but also electricity with a very low carbon footprint.” undercutting commodity prices in another country to make yours more attractive is often referred to as dumping “Canada just has a low cost of production.” This is why Trump’s desire to ramp up aluminum production in the U.S Here are four things to know about North America’s aluminum production: The smelting process for aluminum involves using high-voltage direct-current electricity to separate metal from alumina ore so another way of thinking about aluminum is “it is solid electricity,” Steen said Aluminum producers are willing to ship the raw materials halfway around the globe where electricity is cheap then shipped somewhere else to refine it into alumina ore and then shipped again to a smelter like the one in Kitimat to make the final product who is director of the Bradshaw Research Initiative in Minerals and Mining at UBC albeit with a substantial carbon footprint aluminum producers have access to geothermal power The history of Kitimat’s aluminum smelter dates back to B.C.’s post-war industrial boom when the provincial government worked out a deal with what was then known as the Aluminum Company of Canada (Alcan) to provide the company with the cheap power it needed for a facility The location on B.C.’s remote North Coast was identified as having hydroelectric potential by surveyors as early as the 1920s The ensuing $500-million mega project (almost $6 billion in today’s dollars) involved building the Kenney Dam to block the Nechako River south of Vanderhoof and blasting a 16-km tunnel through Mount Dubose to what is now an 896-megawatt powerhouse at Kemano that Rio Tinto successor to Alcan after buying the firm in 2007 An 80-km transmission line connects Kemano to the smelter in Kitimat the first part of which opened in 1954 and was developed into the facility that still employs 1,500 people and injects $500 million annually into the B.C Rio Tinto also owns five aluminum smelters in Quebec that tap that province’s ample hydro power “So there’s these legacy deals that put Rio Tinto into a really Trump’s stated goal with tariffs is to coerce industrial companies — auto manufacturers aluminum smelters — to relocate stateside to create American jobs declaring that if they make their products in the U.S. He noted that the 10 per cent tariffs Trump briefly imposed on Canadian aluminum in 2018 “hardly had any impact on improving output from the U.S.” Steen guesses sourcing electricity in the U.S “there’s been an under-investment in the U.S Smelters are also still multi-billion-dollar complicated mega projects that take years to build they go over time and over budget by a long way,” Steen said spent $6 billion rebuilding its Kitimat smelter using modernized lower-carbon technology for smelting aluminum Company executive Jerome Pécresse told Business In Vancouver magazine that in the short term it will look to sell its product elsewhere B.C.’s minister of jobs and economic development said the province saw the aluminum sector pivot some of its trade to destinations such as the Netherlands in the EU under tariffs during Trump’s last administration trade figures show that 32 per cent of aluminum exports from the province went to the EU on total production valued at $758 million 16 per cent of exports valued at $1.3 billion went to the EU “These opportunities are going to be about our creativity and our relationships,” Gibson said Confused by the trade war? Our interactive tariff tracker, updated daily, will keep tabs on which tariffs are in effect, and which ones are coming up next. transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account the Kitimat Community Health Centre team began their day with a breakfast to honor four employees celebrating five years of service or more with Northern Health (NH).   Congratulations to Trista Skinner and Natalie Baldo for five years of service and Gilda Trzos for achieveing 35 years of service.  there was a profound sense of camaraderie and pride the manager of the Kitimat Community Health Centre presented each of the four employees with a pin of recognition from NH Gilda’s gold pin in particular stood out; adorned with ruby This pin signified her recognition for 35 years of service.   who is Gilda Trzos and what motivated her to work for the same organization and in the same community for such a long time Gilda is a Kitimat resident who became an employee of NH in 1989 She worked casually in a variety of positions for 11 years prioritizing the needs of her young family at that time She started as a switchboard operator at the Kitimat General Hospital subsequently transitioning to the diabetes program and then made her way to the Kitimat Community Health Centre more than 24 years ago Her current position as an administrative support involves managing biological and community care supplies.   Gilda summarized her motivation to continue working with NH and her reason for remaining in Kitimat That is part of the reason why I’ve worked in the same organization for so many years I remember going away on vacation and then thinking I miss my work friends or start families and decide to leave or stay afterwards It’s been a good journey and overall I find that people working in Kitimat Community Health haven’t really left the company We work hard together and focus on getting the work done We help each other out when someone needs it,” said Gilda.   When Gilda was asked for a message for employees with less than 35 years of service at NH she shared the following inspiring advice:  “Job satisfaction comes from doing your job the very best that you can The people you work with are affected by your attitude and what’s happening around you “Cultivate respect and collaboration in your workplace and amongst your colleagues Good relationships with the people you work with are so important Your coworkers depend on you to do your part so they can do theirs  Make people feel valued and that they matter.”  she counted 36 years of work for Northern Health which means she’s only four years away from her next pin Gilda’s advice emphasizes that each day at work brings new opportunities for advancement through awareness and for employees to consider working towards earning their pin.   Warmest congratulations to those who received pins in Kitimat and across NH this year and best wishes to them as they continue to make their mark Deepest gratitude to Gilda for sharing her valuable professional journey for 35 years and more at NH.   as well as the dedicated team for fostering a collaborative and accountable workplace environment.   Laura has been a social worker for 30 years with over 14 years of experience in education and healthcare settings in… © 2025 Northern Health A small administrative error in Kitimat’s cemetery bylaw required correction during council’s April 22 meeting The issue stems from an oversight in a previous update council adopted Cemetery Amendment Bylaw No staff later discovered that a duplicate section regarding fees for niche space and mausoleum services had mistakenly been left in Although the duplicate section was intended to be removed during the drafting process it remained in the final version presented to council Because the mausoleum is managed under a third-party agreement permits and transfers are governed by that agreement Council had previously given first three readings to the amendment bylaw on April 7 The proposed fix does not make any material changes to the substance of the code it deletes the unintended duplicate section aligning the code more accurately with council’s intent from the December revision John continued to be the most affordable communities in Northern BC in 2024 and 100 Mile and Smithers the least affordable According to the 2024 Housing Affordability Indicator Index from the BC Northern Real Estate Board home ownership in northern British Columbia remains very affordable especially when compared with the Vancouver and Victoria regions The aggregate Housing Affordability Indicator for northern BC for 2024 remains greater than 30 per cent The affordability of home ownership in northern BC is exceptionally favourable when compared with the Vancouver Area which experienced only marginally improved affordability clocking in at 133.0 per cent for 2024 According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income Affordability improved last year for nearly all measured northern BC communities, only 100 Mile House saw affordability worsen 100 Mile House also remains the least affordable community in northern BC The major factor for this result continues to be median household income; 100 Mile House being markedly lower in that measure than other communities in northern British Columbia as they have been for more than five years Smithers was the second least affordable community in the north with 39.4 per cent of a median household income needed to finance home ownership The BC Northern Real Estate Board also noted that average house prices in 2024 varied widely from community to community and Prince George also surpassing the $500,000 threshold 100 Mile House saw the largest increase in prices increasing 4.3 per cent over 2023 to hit $515,946 Kitimat continues to enjoy the lowest average house price of $392,854 only Quesnel and Kitimat had average house prices below $400,000 Towering trunks and thick canopies will be the focus of a new community initiative starting May 10 as Kitimat-area residents are invited to join volunteer-led hikes to explore and record some of the oldest trees in the Kitimat River valley “This is the first time this has been done in the area,” said Patricia Lange The Big Tree Quest begins with two guided hikes: the first departs from Riverlodge at 9:30 a.m on May 10 and explores trails in Kitimat River Provincial Park A second hike takes place May 31 along Joe’s Trail These free public events aim to teach simple techniques for measuring tree height circumference and canopy — skills that allow participants to contribute entries to the UBC Big Tree Registry “People are always interested in anything large they’ve seen a lot of history and they’re a little bit magical,” Lange said A Giant Spruce in Kitimat was once recorded as the largest in B.C it has since lost that distinction after losing its top half and being surpassed by others in the southern part of the province helped spark local interest in the region’s old growth and contributed to the push to document more of Kitimat’s forest giants “Of course we hope to find some to replace our Giant Spruce as a winner but just being on the list is an honour and a way to highlight our giants for conservation and tourism,” Lange said Although northern trees typically do not reach the same heights as those in southern forests Lange said the experience of standing among them remains powerful The UBC Big Tree Registry is a province-wide initiative to identify monitor and protect the largest known trees of each species in British Columbia while engaging the public in conservation efforts Forestry Association and inspired by the work of outdoor advocate Randy Stoltmann the registry has changed hands several times before finding a permanent home in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in 2010 Kitimat's Big Tree Quest aims to find and document 100 notable old growth trees in the Kitimat Valley over three years One of its goals is to map these giants and encourage visitation to their areas five Kitimat trees are listed in the registry but many local hikers are familiar with others that could qualify The Kitimat Valley Naturalists will guide as many groups and individuals as express interest Participants will also have the opportunity to name a special tree and take part in citizen science A training session is planned for avid hikers who want to learn how to gather data for submission to the registry These trained groups will later explore further into the backcountry while the public hikes are designed to be accessible for families “We really feel that one of Kitimat’s major assets is the old growth—I think ours is the best on the North Coast,” Lange said The Big Tree Quest is being coordinated by the Watershed Stewardship Group The scheduled hikes are expected to take a couple of hours and wear clothing suitable for light hiking Horticulturalist Todd Gesshe wants to do more than keep Kitimat green—he wants it to be the most beautiful and livable town in British Columbia Since joining the District of Kitimat five years ago Gesshe has led a steadily expanding horticulture program rooted in the concept of placemaking During an update to Kitimat council April 22 he described it as an approach that focuses on designing public spaces that enhance community well-being foster social connection and instil a strong sense of identity “I believe this is a very powerful and impactful concept,” he said “That’s what we’re keeping in the back of our mind as we go out every day continues to be challenged by the absence of an overarching beautification strategy departments often pursue projects without a shared long-term direction or a clearly articulated sense of the town’s identity What do we want people to feel when they are in our space “We use the phrase that Kitimat is a marvel of nature and industry but that phrase notably excludes reference to the actual community where we spend our lives.” the horticulture team has made consistent progress through cross-departmental collaboration and creative leadership Among last year’s highlights was the revitalization of the visitor centre landscaping In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce the team removed failing plants and old landscape ties to create a cleaner That project included improvements around the restored “Welcome to Kitimat” sign where chamber executive director Laurel D’Andrea led the signage renewal while the horticulture team enhanced the surrounding landscape with riverstone and fresh plantings “A lot of people come here to take family photos and now it’s something we can really make an impression with,” Gesshe said The team also restored disturbed areas at Radley Park sitka spruce and red cedar to rebuild privacy and restore natural beauty “You have to use your imagination a little because most of the shrub material was a little small but I encourage you to take a walk through the park and see the way this is developing.” Another transformation came to the museum courtyard a space that had long been overlooked but is now positioned to support the summer market and complement nearby storefronts which included new plantings and public art have helped activate the space and inspire surrounding enhancements “Sometimes these things are scheduled to happen anyway but I have a theory that this sets off a chain reaction for these types of things to start when you put a little love into these areas.” Gesshe credited the success of these projects to a capable and engaged municipal workforce “Many district staff have the practical skills and creative drive to step up to these design-focused initiatives,” he said That spirit has also fuelled smaller innovations including the transition to self-watering hanging baskets The new design cuts down on daily watering and reduces water use during dry summer periods Poles in the City Centre parking lot are now being assessed to determine if more baskets can be safely added “It would be great to bring some colour into that space Tree planting along Haisla Walkway has also contributed to the district’s goal of drought resilience The use of Honey Locusts and Scarlet Oaks reflects a broader strategy to select trees and soil blends that retain moisture and stand up to heat Gesshe said future development areas would benefit from clearly identifying where views are to be preserved and where vegetation should be prioritised The team’s responsibilities now include trail maintenance with work underway to improve user experience while protecting the natural appeal of local paths “The trails are an amazing asset to the community and there is still a tonne of potential with the existing beauty.” Gesshe said the Mountainview Meadows project will build on the success of the district’s popular pollinator gardens near Mountain View Square The gardens attracted a wide range of pollinating insects and became a popular community feature—but they proved difficult to maintain using the original seeding method “I had a theory when I started in those areas that .. but we weren’t getting the kind of regeneration we were hoping for The weed pressure starts to creep up in the spring,” he said The updated project will move away from annual reseeding and instead use carefully selected perennial species installed in mulched beds This will allow for better control of invasive plants and encourage reliable long-term growth helianthus and others—designed to echo successful installations at Riverlodge but scaled up significantly “Landscapes are regenerating nicely,” Gesshe said “We’re always trying to improve in terms of vision and efficiency.” “It’s undeniable the improvement that have been made,” said Councillor Graham Pitzel More than $55,000 raised through Kitimat’s Annual Community Telethon (ACT) has been distributed to local organizations supporting youth development raised during the 45th edition of ACT on Oct are allocated by the Kitimat Community Foundation to meet urgent needs and invest in long-term stability Contributions to the event come from across the community The Kitimat Community Foundation said the full $97,400 pledged during the telethon is not distributed for several reasons partly because some pledges are not honoured or collected It said the remaining funds are also used to cover the following year’s telethon and operational costs with $10,000 reserved for emergency requests outside the regular grant cycle The Foundation cited past examples such as support for the Mount Elizabeth Theatre’s 2024 campaign and the 2025 purchase of a new Kit the Fox mascot is sourced locally in accordance with its operational policy Among the largest recipients this year is the Kitimat Community Development Centre which received $18,736.14 to equip its community group space and support early childhood programs The grant will fund purchases including a baby car seat toys and play equipment for use in out-of-school and healthy babies programs BC Kitimat Parents Association received $7,200 to enhance training for youth enrolled in the Royal Canadian Army Cadet program The funds will cover marksmanship safety equipment a drum major mace and other training resources Arts and music opportunities for youth were supported through a $6,850 grant to the Kitimat Arts for Youth society The funding will go toward the Kitimat Band and Music Basics programs Kitimat Community Services Society received $6,000 to continue running its Literacy Kitimat and Kitimat Work BC programs Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School’s FIRST Tech Challenge robotics teams were awarded $3,000 to purchase building materials and workshop kits The program allows students in grades 7 to 12 to design and compete with robots while building their team’s brand and community presence Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Society 63 Kitimat received $3,500 for first aid certification for ten of its members helping maintain life-saving capacity on the Douglas Channel Kitimat Museum & Archives received $4,500 to run art workshops and purchase a surveillance camera system to support ongoing programming and security Tamitik Status of Women was awarded $5,500 to support its Free Store and Furniture Exchange programs which provide household goods and essential items to people in need $55,286.14 was distributed to eight community groups The annual October event has served as the Kitimat Community Foundation’s main fundraising source since 1979 with proceeds drawn from a broad base of donors committed to strengthening the community Kitimat council challenged the province’s highway maintenance team during a regular meeting on April 22 raising concerns about garbage along Highway 37 and questioning whether the current cleanup response is adequate The exchange took place during a scheduled presentation from Ministry of Transportation district manager Lauren Bell and Emil Anderson Maintenance operations manager Tyler Noble who appeared before council to outline summer maintenance plans What began as a routine update quickly shifted to focus on litter and debris along the highway particularly near the landfill access road Noble said the company has stepped up its efforts in recent weeks collecting between 11 and 15 bags of garbage per day from April 2 to 14 “We share the same frustration with everyone We’re trying to do more about it,” he said Councillor Gerry Leibel questioned whether posted fines for littering are being enforced pointing to continued roadside dumping despite warning signs Bell responded that enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the RCMP and is not handled by the ministry or the contractor Councillor Terry Marleau said he has seen a decline in road conditions over the years attributing the change to increased industrial traffic “Our government should be putting a heck of a lot more money into something they’re getting a lot more money from.. Councillor Mario Feldhoff questioned whether patrols are needed to identify issues that are visibly persistent and raised the idea of enlisting community groups to assist with cleanup “Wouldn’t it make more sense to have something .. involving community groups providing assistance?” he asked Bell explained that complaints from the public should be directed to Emil Anderson’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-665-5051 while urgent safety issues can be reported to police She noted that cleanup responsibilities apply to a 30-metre right-of-way on either side of the highway with efforts made to collect debris before it migrates beyond that boundary Bell also outlined how maintenance levels are tied to highway classification Highway 37 is designated Class 2 and receives patrols every two days with litter removal required within 21 days Noble said the company’s patrols are documented and audited and that resources are allocated according to contract requirements He acknowledged that more can be done to tighten certain response processes One issue is the removal of abandoned vehicles which Mayor Phil Germuth said are often left on the roadside for extended periods Bell said the response window is 48 hours from identification but delays can occur due to shift handovers Bell added that when such vehicles are reported Leibel also raised concerns about water pooling and road surface deterioration Bell said surface inspections are ongoing but did not confirm whether that section of highway had been flagged for repair The discussion also revisited a community proposal made by Bill Kearley Kearley proposed paying local groups minimum wage to remove litter supplying them with safety gear and transport and invoicing Emil Anderson for reimbursement Although the contractor cannot subcontract the work Kearley had suggested donations as a possible workaround Kearley has since stepped back from the idea “I don’t want to go the trouble; I’ve got better things to do with my life,” he said after the meeting “Why should Emil Anderson capitalize off it hiring cheap labour to do something they are getting paid to do?” Kearley first raised concerns in June 2024 a temporary increase in cleanup was observed he proposed an annual meeting between the district where residents could submit feedback through a “report card” on highway maintenance He also continues to call for the reclassification of the entire highway to Class 2 which would increase patrol frequency and cleanup timelines Bell and Noble said both teams are continuing to review operations and make adjustments within contractual and resource constraints Warning: this article discusses allegations of religious and sexual abuse of minors and may be upsetting to some readers call or text VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808 Two lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct by a church leader during his time in Kitimat were filed in B.C now with the Kelowna Harvest Fellowship and Kelowna Harvest Ministries International listed at the time of publication as an "apostolic overseer" with Harvest Ministries told his congregation on March 30 that he would be stepping down from his role at Kelowna Harvest Church because the "enemy" was bringing up past sins Ayla Thompson and Jasmine Hall allege that Lucier used his role and position as Minister at the Kitimat Harvest Ministries now known as the Kelowna Harvest Fellowship when they were vulnerable youths between 2001 and 2015 The plaintiffs were 14 and 11 years old and in foster care when they first met Lucier and joined his church.  The suit states that both plaintiffs looked to Lucier as a mentor a parental figure and someone who they could confide in and trust.  Lucier allegedly began the relationship as a mentor to the youth and would host one-on-one counselling sessions at his house Over time, Lucier allegedly groomed the teens by encouraging them to sit on his lap The suit alleges that Lucier "erod[ed] the plaintiff’s physical boundaries through touch and physical closeness." rubbed his erect penis on and touched the groin the suit alleges that Harvest Fellowship and Ministries International were complicit in a culture that enabled Lucier to groom and sexually abuse vulnerable youth as it ought to have known "Lucier's pattern of predatory behaviour against adolescents." The lawsuits are not the first time Lucier has been publicly accused of abusing others in his role as a religious leader. In 2024, an open letter signed by 24 named survivors, six people who chose to remain anonymous was delivered to the Oversight Committee at Harvest Ministries International A statement released by the Oversight Committee confirms it is engaging in an investigation into emailed allegations against Lucier and will be reporting the findings to the Harvest Ministries International directors soon Lucier and Kelowna Harvest Church and Harvest Ministries International have also acknowledged the lawsuits and denied all allegations of wrongdoing Kelowna Harvest Church and Harvest Ministries International acknowledge that we are in the process of being served with a civil legal lawsuit that accuses Art Lucier and Harvest Ministries International of alleged sexual assault and coverups which supposedly took place over 20 years ago We wish to make it very clear that we categorically deny these slanderous accusations These allegations are completely and totally false," reads the statement posted to the Kelowna Harvest Church website  Lucier and the board of directors for Harvest Ministries International state that they "will vigorously pursue all legal remedies available The plaintiffs are seeking relief for general and punitive damages lack of trust and further mental health issues now as adults due to the alleged abuse None of the allegations have been proven in court and no response to the claims have been filed at the time of publication.  Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters Federal candidates in the Skeena–Bulkley Valley race will face questions from the public on April 15 after the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce confirmed the date of its all-candidates forum Scheduling conflicts with other communities planning to host their own forums prompted the chamber to move the Kitimat event ahead by one day The public forum will take place from 6 to 8 p.m at the Mount Elizabeth Theatre and will be moderated by Thom Meier of the Kitimat Economic Development Association Audience members attending in person will be able to pose questions directly while the chamber will livestream the forum on its Facebook without online interaction The chamber has also extended an invitation to all candidates to appear individually on its podcast offering them a chance to share more detailed perspectives on their platforms “They will be interviewed separately and can take as much time as they would like,” said chamber executive director Laurel D’Andrea The debate comes just weeks before voters head to the polls on April 28 following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s March 23 meeting with Gov.-Gen Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament and trigger the federal election The candidate list for the Skeena–Bulkley Valley riding now includes five contenders Inderpal Dhillon was announced on March 30 as the Liberal Party candidate joining incumbent Taylor Bachrach of the NDP Ellis Ross of the Conservative Party of Canada Rod Taylor of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada and Adeana Young of the Green Party of Canada Young replaces Catriona Wright as the Green candidate but will not be attending the Kitimat forum Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines. VICTORIA — With so much anxious news on the economic front one positive development worth noting is unfolding on the North Coast of B.C We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentAs of mid-morning Thursday a liquefied natural gas carrier was in the Pacific off Haida Gwaii having loaded earlier this month at a terminal in Queensland Australia will pass through Dixon entrance and pick up a pilot at Triple Island escorted by state-of-the art tug HaiSea – battery powered and jointly owned by SeaSpan and the Haisla First Nation – the carrier will proceed up Douglas Channel to Kitimat and begin offloading its cargo of LNG Kitimat’s LNG Canada terminal is built for export. But first, its storage tank must be chilled to the temperature (in the range of minus 169 C) where natural gas liquefies and stays that way. The cooling process is expected to take three to four weeks, according to a recent report by Quinn Bender in the Prince Rupert-based Northern View newspaper. Once the cooling is done, the LNG Canada terminal, already 95 per cent complete, will be almost ready to go into production. The startup date is not yet set. But come summer, LNG Canada is expected to begin shipping out cargoes, each valued in the $150 million to $220 million range, every two days or so. “This is a very significant opportunity for us to diversify our markets,” Energy Minister Adrian Dix said Wednesday. “It couldn’t have come along at a better time.” He’s right about that. With the whole country focused on the need to diversify markets and reduce dependence on the U.S., B.C. can for the first time send its natural gas somewhere other than the domestic market or the U.S. The province can also begin reaping a revenue windfall. This year’s provincial budget forecasts the treasury will collect a combined $3.3 billion in natural gas royalties over the next three years, up from about $600 million last year. Not just here in B.C.: LNG Canada is expected to process significant amounts of natural gas from Alberta and Saskatchewan as well. The New Democrats can take credit for getting LNG Canada to the point where it begins to pay off, here and elsewhere. B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark started the push for developing LNG as an export industry with a major announcement in 2011. She made the drive a centrepiece of a winning election campaign in 2013, running on a slogan that promised LNG would deliver a “debt-free B.C.” But when Clark lost her legislative majority in 2017, no projects were underway. Premier John Horgan launched a push of his own, to the surprise of some NDP supporters as well as his partners in power sharing, the Greens. Seven years ago this month, Horgan offered $6 billion worth of tax and regulatory relief to investors in LNG plants, spread over 40 years. That still left the prospect of $22 billion in revenues over the same period, according to the NDP government’s reckoning. For as Horgan put it at the time, without the incentives to attract investment, the returns from LNG would be zero. Within six months of the government sweetening the offer, Shell and its trans-Pacific partners approved a final investment decision in the multi-billion-dollar LNG Canada project. That was not the only hurdle to be cleared. The Greens threatened to bring down Horgan’s minority government. Some Indigenous leaders and environmental activists blockaded the route of the Coastal GasLink pipeline that was developed to supply natural gas to the terminal. Horgan isolated the Greens by passing the enabling legislation for the needed tax and regulatory changes with the support of the B.C. Liberals. Indigenous leaders along the pipeline route signed benefit-sharing agreements, isolating the holdouts. It is commonplace in this country and province to complain that it takes too long to get things built. And no one would say that LNG was put on the fast track, given how it has been 14 years since Clark first made her push. Still, the New Democrats got this one done and, as Dix says, they did it in time to diversify the trade in natural resources. When I toured the Kitimat terminal last year, I was shown two spaces that were already cleared for construction of two additional LNG production trains to double production. Shell and its partners are expected to make a final investment decision on those next year. Already LNG Canada is ranked as “one of the biggest private sector economic projects in Canadian history,” as Premier David Eby put it earlier this year. I asked Dix if he and the premier would be travelling to Kitimat to take credit for the accomplishment.  “I can’t speak for the premier,” he replied. But once the legislature adjourns at the end of May, the energy minister intends to travel to Kitimat, which might put him up there in time to see off the first shipment of LNG. It is shaping up to be a remarkable year for Jessica Share The 12-year-old Kitimatian has been awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal and will travel to London this September to represent Diabetes Canada as an ambassador at an international fundraising walk—both honours earned through a year of determined community fundraising “It was definitely a surprise when I heard I’d been awarded the medal,” Share said ‘Is this actually happening?’ But the ceremony was really good and I got to meet a lot of interesting people.” Share received the medal on March 30 during a ceremony in Vancouver Administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall A total of 30,000 medals are being awarded to Canadians whose achievements or contributions have made a lasting impact either at home or abroad Her recognition came following a nomination supported by the Girl Guides' provincial commissioner acknowledging her sustained community involvement and fundraising achievements She is a youth member of the Second Kitimat Guide Unit Share’s campaign gained momentum after the Lace Up to End Diabetes walk in Kitimat on World Diabetes Day last November held in honour of a close friend recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes marked the beginning of her fundraising efforts to raise $3,600 She committed to running 366 kilometres and was later offered the chance to represent Canada as an ambassador at a 10-kilometre walk in London if she could raise $12,000 invites participants to cross several of the city's most iconic bridges—including Albert Millennium and Tower Bridge—beginning in Battersea Park and ending at Potters Fields Park The walk is also a celebration of health and wellness walkers help fund diabetes research while promoting their own health and that of their loved ones Share qualified for the walk through Diabetes Canada’s Ambassador Incentive a program that recognises top fundraisers who raise at least $12,500 Ambassadors join a distinguished group of individuals working to improve the lives of those affected by diabetes and are invited to represent the organisation internationally The recognition also comes with travel subsidies making it possible for Share to attend the London event She kept up her running challenge while personally approaching local businesses What began as a small community fundraiser became a months-long journey of persistence and determination “At one point I thought there was no point trying She exceeded her goal with widespread community backing Her Girl Guides unit was a strong source of encouragement during her local efforts in Kitimat joining her in training runs and participating in the November walk Although she will not be accompanied by the group in London their earlier involvement helped her reach her target Kitimat residents may still hear from Share in the coming months as she continues to gather support ahead of the London walk Her family plans to extend the trip to reconnect with relatives in the UK Sign up below for unlimited digital access for 30 days receive our daily news alerts & breaking news It's federal election day in the Kitimat area the end of a campaign that began March 23 and was quickly hit with the major issue of American president Donald Trump's tariff war declaration against Canada and the rest of the world one that will have to deal with Trump and a host of domestic issues is expected to be named tonight when counting concludes after the polls close The main parties vying for the 343 seats in the House of Commons are Mark Carney’s Liberals Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault’s Greens and Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada Polls are open in British Columbia from 7 a.m The polling station in Kitimat is at the Riverlodge Community Centre voters can go to the Haisla Nation Administration Building at 500 Gitksan Avenue For more information about your local polling station visit the Elections Canada website and type in your postal code Canadians can look at their voter registration card Voters can only visit their specified polling location There are five people running in the Skeena–Bulkley Valley riding: Christian Heritage Party: national leader Rod Taylor For Elections Canada’s FAQ page for questions like what kind of identification to bring, visit the Elections Canada website at www.elections.ca for coverage of the results once polls close Enjoying Reading The Kitimat Northern Sentinel Enter your email to connect to 30 more days worth of stories by journalists living & working in Kitimat Thank you for supporting local journalism Kitimat’s housing market cooled slightly in early 2025 with fewer properties changing hands compared to the same period last year Twenty-eight properties worth $11.6 million were sold in Kitimat between January and March down from 36 properties totalling $12.9 million over the same period in 2024 20 were single-family homes and three were half-duplexes 99 properties were listed through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in the Kitimat area slightly lower than the 107 available at the same time last year The average price of a detached home in Kitimat climbed to $413,095 by the end of March The figure represents a year-over-year increase of just over five per cent and a jump of nearly $40,000 since 2023 with Kitimat’s slowdown standing in contrast to stronger performances in some other northern communities John all recorded sales gains compared to the previous quarter Kitimat was among several areas—including Prince George The BCNREB reported 917 sales valued at $368.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 up from 817 sales worth $327.4 million in the same period last year seasonally adjusted data shows the region experienced a slight dip in quarter-over-quarter sales with activity about 3.1 per cent below long-term averages Inventory levels across the north remained tight there were 2,885 properties listed through MLS The average home sale price across the region slipped to $414,417—a modest 2.5 per cent drop from the previous quarter—but remained in line with Kitimat’s local average While Kitimat’s price growth aligns with broader regional trends its sales figures reflect a more cautious market The area’s performance stands in contrast to some neighbouring towns that benefitted from renewed buyer interest early in the year No One Covers Kitimat Like The Kitimat Northern Sentinel Don’t miss out on reading the latest local provincial and national news. Join our community and receive daily news alerts & breaking news Voters will have the chance to hear from federal candidates at a public forum hosted by the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce as the 2025 election campaign gets underway “We’re shooting for the 16th as that’s the day that works best for the candidates,” said chamber executive director Laurel D’Andrea "However we're still waiting to hear back from one of them." The forum will take place at the Mount Elizabeth Theatre with Thom Meier of the Kitimat Economic Development Association set to moderate Join thousands of other like-minded readers and sign up below to gain immediate & unlimited access to our news for the next 30 days – plus start receiving our newsletters Kitimat General Hospital has acquired a LUCAS Chest Compression System for its emergency room marking a significant improvement in emergency care for the community made possible through local contributions and key fundraisers “We are beyond grateful for the overwhelming support from our donors and community partners who have made this possible,” said Laurel D'Andrea president of the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation As Canada braces for American tariffs on Canadian-made steel and aluminum community of Kitimat is paying special attention with a sense of deja vu.  As the site of B.C.'s only aluminum smelter the northern coastal community founded in 1951 with a current population of just under 9,000 exists because of the aluminum industry then owned by the Aluminum Company of Canada started operation in 1954 and once employed close to 2,000 people.Now operated by Rio Tinto headquartered in the United Kingdom and Australia it employs 1,500 people directly or indirectly.  "It (aluminum) is the only reason why it (Kitimat) exists," Mayor Phil Germuth said It is the largest and the most stable employer in the region for 70 years." According to figures from Rio Tinto released in 2024 as part of the smelter's 70th anniversary the facility contributed $517 million to B.C.'s economy in 2023 employing some 1,500 directly and indirectly.  Kitimat is especially tuned into Sunday's statement from U.S President Donald Trump that the United States would impose tariffs of 25 per cent on all steel and aluminum entering the United States even though the United States last week paused threatened tariffs on all goods until early March.  Germuth said his community has been through this situation in the past Canadian steel and aluminum were subject to U.S tariffs between May 2018 and May 2019 during Trump's first term.  "I think we got through it fairly well," Germuth said but no one is freaking out yet or anything. Everybody is being very reserved at this time We have been through this before and we hope that we will get through it again."  But if Germuth struck a keep-calm-and-carry-on tone he also acknowledged the significance of the industry to his community as well as neighbouring communities such as Terrace.  "Anything that could potentially affect the aluminum industry here would no doubt have a major effect on not just the economy of Kitimat but both on the region and the province," Germuth said.  Germuth said he has reached out to Rio Tinto "We haven't had any discussions yet with other levels of government So I have no doubt that they will be reaching out and having those discussions."  Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said Monday afternoon (after Black Press Media had spoken with Germuth) that Premier David Eby recently met with officials from Rio Tinto who indicated they will be able to find new markets for B.C. aluminum "There is a lot of work happening behind the scenes," Kahlon said but our partners have been making plans to move our product to other jurisdictions." He added that these discussions have revealed strong interest for B.C especially when it comes to aluminum.  The United States currently imports about 3.5 million metric tons of aluminum with 0.5 million metric tons coming from B.C.  will act in solidarity with other Canadian provinces in response to the tariffs moves ahead with what President Trump has indicated," he said early Monday afternoon Kahlon acknowledged the uncertainty created by Trump is frustrating and challenging "We are not going to be bullied here," he said.  Kahlon also confirmed behind-the-scenes discussion about supporting impacted workers "Those measures have been agreed upon with the premiers and the Prime Minister but those only will be implemented once we actually see the tariffs come in place and we are able to assess what the short-term impact will be," he said.  Leader John Rustad said Monday morning the tariffs put Kitimat jobs at risk "So uncertainty is never a good thing and I know the people up there as well as people across the province are upset about that uncertainty and want to see some stability so that they can continue to put food on the table and support their families."  Business organizations and unions have also responded senior vice president of corporate affairs for the Mining Association of British Columbia said any tariffs would be highly disruptive and detrimental for the Canadian and B.C "The potential for tariffs on aluminum would not only harm Canadians businesses and everyday Americans," McEwan said have the critical minerals and metals the United States needs to meet their technological defence and national security objectives.” national director for the United Steelworkers union denounced the tariffs in a statement.  "We’ve been through this before and we know these kinds of reckless trade measures don’t work destabilize industries and create uncertainty across the economy on both sides of the border," Warren said.  Warren called on Ottawa to act quickly and forcefully with immediate counter-tariffs enhanced worker and industry support and a firm commitment to use Canadian steel and aluminum in public infrastructure projects.  the government must be ready to hit back just as hard and be ready to face the consequences of this new chapter in the crisis on jobs," Warren said we’ve pushed for domestic procurement policies to ensure taxpayer dollars support Canadian jobs and industries." aluminum tariffs on Kitimat’s biggest employer has the town of 9,000’s mayor on edge We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentA week after giving Canada a one-month reprieve from 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports President Donald Trump has put 25 per cent tariffs on all its aluminum and steel imports That will surely hit mining giant Rio Tinto’s B.C which runs a massive aluminum smelter in Kitimat has become an increasingly important market since the last time a Trump administration hit Canada with tariffs “The aluminum industry has been not only the single largest employer in this region but the single most-consistent employer for seven decades now,” Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth said employs some 1,500 people including its independently owned power station at Kemano During the smelter’s 70th anniversary in 2024 Rio Tinto’s Simon Pascoe said the facility’s impact extends beyond its immediate production by injecting $517 million into B.C.’s economy Rio Tinto will now be caught in what will be more expansive tariffs than Trump launched in 2018 and are being levelled with none of the exceptions that were included in the last round Trump has also raised the tariff on aluminum to the same 25 per cent rate set on steel “We were being pummelled by both friend and foe alike,” Trump said Monday from the White House as he signed a proclamation putting the tariffs in place “It’s time for our great industries to come back to America.” with Canadian Chamber of Commerce president Candace Laing referring to the president as a destabilizing force in the global economy “Today’s news makes it clear that perpetual uncertainty is here to stay,” Laing said Provincial officials are expecting the tariffs to take effect March 4 on Tuesday to address the growing trade tensions between Canada and the U.S The last time a Trump administration hit Canadian and European Union aluminum producers with 10 per cent tariffs in 2018 economists did notice a small decline in the value of aluminum exports from B.C. although Germuth said the town didn’t feel that big an impact is coming as B.C.’s aluminum exports to the U.S trade figures show the province’s exports of unwrought aluminum reached $1.3 billion in 2024 which was only 2.4 per cent of total exports That was a 24 per cent increase from $871 million in exports to the U.S The European Union was B.C.’s next biggest export market for aluminum in 2024 with companies there purchasing 11.4 per cent of the metal produced here was down 35 per cent from $321 million worth in 2023 “Definitely (the impact) is going to be significant,” said trade economist Ken Kikkawa “We don’t know how long that’s going to be I don’t think any firm would have any buffer of profits that can absorb that.” The tariffs are part of Trump’s aggressive push to reset global trade with the intent that tariffs on foreign competitors will strengthen U.S an assistant professor in the University of B.C.’s Sauder School of Business added that it will take a long time for U.S if their aluminum smelters have that capacity to ramp up or buyers of these (metals) are going to be the ones that are going to be hit the most,” Kikkawa said Economist Bryan Yu added that it is inevitable though that U.S aluminum demand will shift to domestic supplies as “(tariffs) make us less competitive.” “It’s not good for Canada as well,” said Yu chief economist for Central 1 Credit Union and we will likely see less demand for our products just from tariffs alone.” Yu said the dollar value of B.C.’s aluminum exports to the U.S which is an indicator of the toll the 10 per cent tariff took on the industry Trade figures showed a 14 per cent decline between 2018 A push to rezone 25 long-dormant lots on Mulberry Street to allow secondary dwellings is moving ahead with council’s full backing after a unanimous vote on April 22 “Despite our best efforts we have been unsuccessful in selling any of the lots under the current zoning,” said Jack Oviatt “Over the past few years not a single lot has sold and there’s been little or no interest despite competitive pricing with other lots in the area.” applied to rezone the parcels from R1-B – One Family Residential Zone to R2-A – Two Family Residential Zone BMO has announced plans to close its Kitimat branch directing customers to its Terrace location which opened in 1952 as the community’s first bank The bank has not provided specific reasons for the closure despite multiple inquiries but issued a general statement: “We continuously assess our operations – including our branch network – to adapt to changing consumer preferences for service delivery LNG Canada is on track to receive a shipment of liquefied natural gas at its marine terminal in Kitimat in early April as part of equipment testing ahead of its planned start of exports later this year The company announced the shipment last month and has now confirmed the vessel Maran Gas Roxana is en route to deliver the LNG Maran Gas Roxana is currently in the East Pacific lifted and battled as more than 160 students and coaches from nine schools converged at Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School (MEMSS) on April 14 for the Zone01 Regional Robotics competition “None of this is remote controlled,” said Tom Wilkinson a Grade 3 teacher at Nechako Elementary and one of the event’s coaches so it really has been a couple months of building followed by trial and error this year’s event marked a high point with the largest turnout to date but only if Canadian governments adopt a new roadmap to allow it to happen We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle content“To realize this vision federal and provincial governments must adopt a new political roadmap,” he told a packed room of business executives at the Canadian Club in Toronto on Thursday adding there should be “four drivers: the political will policy consistency and a Team Canada approach to rebrand Canada as a place to invest.” Poirier said expanded LNG shipments to Asia could displace coal use there while also diversifying the Canadian economy away from the United States but recent investments in liquefaction facilities along British Columbia’s coast could soon allow shipments to Asia Analysts say LNG — which is gas that has been chilled so it can be transported more easily — will fetch far higher margins in Asia interior to coastal liquefaction facilities in Kitimat that would allow it to be shipped across the Pacific Ocean The pipeline is already built and permitted on a heretofore unprecedented scale in Canada could begin this summer when the first of two liquefaction facilities comes online smaller facility is expected to be online around 2028 But TC Energy could also double or triple the amount of gas shipped through its Coastal GasLink pipeline by installing compressors — a project it has dubbed Phase 2 Poirier said energy projects in other countries move forward far faster than in Canada a 700-kilometre pipeline in Mexico that TC Energy completed with a Mexican utility He also said Germany built regasification facilities in 10 months after Russia invaded Ukraine something TC Energy has studied in order to learn from it He called it a matter of “political will” to build large-scale projects on a compressed timeline Poirier compared the LNG opportunity Canada has to the TransCanada Pipeline which was built in the 1950s to carry natural gas from as far west as Alberta to as far east as Quebec “Consider this: the TransCanada Pipeline was built in just two years,” he said projects can take over a decade to come to fruition or even make it to final investment decisions someone else has likely seized the market and opportunities are lost.” Some analysts have said that Phase 2 of Coastal GasLink — which TC Energy has not yet confirmed it will build or how much it would cost — could serve as a bellwether for the investability of other future energy projects because it offers some familiar benefits and trade-offs LNG shipments could add as much as $75 billion annually to Canada’s gross domestic product He also said LNG could reduce global emissions by displacing coal use in Asian economies this is a fairly easy project to accomplish,” Ian Archer North America Natural Gas at S&P Global Inc. Archer said Canadian LNG shipments would displace some coal use in Asia where every ounce of gas eliminates some coal use some LNG shipments would fill new demands for energy from growing economies expanding LNG shipments by building compressors along the pipeline could revive conflicts in Indigenous communities in B.C that opposed construction of Coastal GasLink in the first place while the pipeline was being constructed through approximately 190 kilometres of unceded Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation territory a series of protests and blockades disrupted construction Coastal GasLink reached 20 benefit agreements with Indigenous groups along the pipeline route including four of the five Wet’suwet’en Indian Act bands represented by the Office of the Wet’suwet’en “There was a lot of fierce local Indigenous opposition,” Archer said “And they’d have to go right back into this” to build the compressors for Phase II there could be federal and provincial barriers since installing compressors and expanding gas deliveries would increase the project’s overall emissions Canada’s efforts to fight climate change have focused on reducing emissions within the country but Poirier called for a policy change towards a more holistic view that would account for reductions elsewhere in the world that occur because of a Canadian project “Climate change is a global phenomenon,” he said LNG Canada is a consortium of Canadian subsidiaries of foreign-owned energy companies tariffs have fostered a positive national sentiment towards nation-building through projects such as pipelines To be the largest LNG producer in the world Australia and other countries with similar goals “We chose to have a serious policy discussion in the middle of an election campaign,” Poirier said “Our ask is that you hold each party accountable with the details of how they will achieve their goals so we can all make informed policy decisions.” This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Voters in Kitimat and Kitamaat Village gathered April 15 at Mount Elizabeth Theatre to hear federal candidates share their views on energy development and immigration—three issues that dominated the evening’s discussion organized by the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Thom Meier of the Kitimat Economic Development Association revealed both overlapping concerns and contrasting ideas about how best to support communities in the region Three of the five candidates running in the Skeena–Bulkley Valley race were in attendance: NDP incumbent Taylor Bachrach and Christian Heritage Party leader Rod Taylor Liberal candidate Inderpal Dhillon and Green Party candidate Adeana Young did not participate candidates consistently returned to the theme of economic development particularly as it relates to Kitimat’s natural resource economy and the LNG sector The trio agreed that Kitimat’s energy and industrial projects offer long-term potential but they diverged on how best to manage that growth highlighted the role of Indigenous leadership in bringing the LNG Canada project to the region “It wasn’t Canada or the government that brought LNG Canada to Kitimat,” he said Bachrach emphasized the importance of balancing development with environmental standards Indigenous consultation and long-term community benefit “If you’re looking for a fossil fuel lobbyist Taylor criticized “radical eco-lobbies” for opposing development and said industry needs a regulatory environment it can trust “Everything must be environmentally sound — that goes without saying All three participating candidates addressed the cost-of-living crisis though they proposed sharply different solutions Bachrach leaned heavily on recent NDP initiatives such as national dental and pharmacare and called for a windfall tax on large grocery chains “Housing shouldn’t be a financial asset,” he said “It should be a basic human right for everyone in this country to have a roof over their head.” Ross and Taylor both blamed the federal carbon tax for driving up prices Ross argued that the tax has a compounding effect through the supply chain who then passes it on to the grocer who passes it onto you.” Taylor echoed Ross’s position and called the carbon tax “a big lie,” while proposing a “Fair Tax” that would eliminate income tax in favour of a consumption-based system He also advocated banning foreign ownership of Canadian homes and land to relieve housing market pressure Taylor added that Canada should not mirror U.S warning that such responses would only increase costs for Canadian consumers A question on immigration and changes to the temporary foreign worker policy opened up a wide-ranging discussion on the region’s labour challenges and broader immigration policy Ross credited foreign workers with helping keep Kitimat and Terrace functioning during times when local residents were unwilling to take low-paying jobs He was clear in his support for immigration as a concept but said the Liberal government's approach of increasing intake without addressing housing supply and infrastructure was unsustainable He criticized existing barriers that prevent skilled immigrants — particularly doctors — from working in their trained professions and said a Conservative government would introduce a straightforward system to allow qualified immigrants to begin work after passing appropriate tests said Canada needs a merit-based immigration system that brings in people who can contribute to the country’s workforce He argued against what he called “charity-based” immigration and said the real issue lies in Canada's failure to inspire young people to take up essential jobs “We need to find a way to incorporate them into a job market where they’re so desperately needed,” he said He also raised concerns about border security saying more attention was needed on issues of fentanyl and human smuggling flowing in both directions across the Canada–U.S Trump wasn’t wrong about our border,” he said suggesting that policies under previous Liberal and Conservative governments had failed to confront the full scope of the problem and job market issues to a broader push for national independence He said Canada must become more self-reliant—not only in energy but also in food production and interprovincial trade—by reducing dependence on foreign ownership and global supply chains He called for Canadian jobs for Canadian families Bachrach praised the contributions of immigrants to Kitimat’s development and pushed back against scapegoating where some businesses depend on temporary foreign workers and international students for as much as 90 per cent of their workforce He warned that the federal government’s decision to send many of these workers back would harm communities already facing labour shortages “We need to ensure these immigrants’ human rights are upheld,” said Bachrach drawing applause as he addressed temporary foreign workers’ rights He said he had been working with chambers of commerce and business owners to raise the urgency of the matter with federal officials and called for policies that protect workers from exploitation while ensuring they are respected and supported of a transgender child asked the candidates to explain their understanding of sexual and gender identity Bachrach responded by affirming that trans people are people and said the first step is recognizing their rights He acknowledged that there is fear around the issue but said it is often misplaced and noted that even traditionally conservative voters have shown openness when they hear real stories Ross said that while he supports the dignity of all individuals he does not agree with trans women competing in female sports He also expressed discomfort with policies that limit parental involvement in their children’s gender-related decisions but added that the Haisla Nation has historically respected the complexity of identity and sexuality Taylor said he believes God created only male and female He said girls and women need spaces of their own free from what he referred to as biological males including those who have undergone surgery He said people with views like his are being bullied for their beliefs A 12-year-old then posed a pointed question to Ross and Bachrach about the carbon tax and oil lobbying asking what they planned to do about the climate crisis Bachrach responded by identifying climate change as a clear and present threat attributing it to the burning of fossil fuels He said the science behind human-caused climate change is settled and called out the Conservative Party for what he described as a pattern of opposing emissions-reduction measures based on exaggerated claims about their economic impact While acknowledging the importance of energy in Canadian life Bachrach said renewable sources were being sidelined and argued that transitioning to green energy could bring significant economic and employment benefits Ross pushed back by defending LNG development as not only essential to Canada’s economy but also one of the cleanest fossil fuel options available He highlighted the role of the Haisla Nation in fighting for high environmental standards within LNG projects and warned that a rapid transition away from fossil fuels would risk destabilizing the economy and quality of life who had not been asked the question directly He affirmed that environmental protection was “tremendously very important” to his party but insisted that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant but “plant food,” disputing its role in climate change such as chemicals in farming and untreated sewage and claimed that many scientists disagree with the dominant climate change narrative forums were also held in Houston on April 16 and in Burns Lake on April 17 Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that Conservative candidate Ellis Ross did not attend the all-candidates forum in Houston on April 16 and had not confirmed his attendance for the Burns Lake forum the following day; Ross was A proposed doubling of natural gas delivery charges over three years has drawn sharp criticism from Kitimat council with members rejecting Pacific Northern Gas’s (PNG) justification and calling for control of the local gas delivery.  which would apply only to the delivery portion of residential gas bills is under review by the BC Utilities Commission and is not yet approved LNG Canada has defended its handling of noise complaints tied to flaring during its Kitimat facility’s commissioning phase telling council that the company remains in compliance with regulatory limits but recognises residents’ concerns “It’s important to note flaring is an elevated noise source it is different than normal operations where we won’t have that kind of presence; we expect normal-operations noise to be substantially lower,” said Teresa Waddington Waddington told council on April 7 that flaring which began in late August 2024 as part of the plant’s commissioning phase is expected to continue intermittently during the facility’s start-up period with some events in the first year potentially lasting for several weeks Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter After years of construction, nearly 100 arrests, billions in government subsidies and dozens of environmental infractions B.C.’s long-promised liquefied natural gas export industry is poised to start shipping overseas this year It’s been more than a decade since an idea to transform a little northern B.C. industry town into the first community in Canada to export LNG across the Pacific Ocean was just a twinkle in a corporate boardroom LNG Canada will send its first shipments from Kitimat marking Canada’s entry into the global LNG market At the recent annual BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George Premier David Eby signalled his support for the nascent liquefied natural gas sector calling LNG Canada “one of the biggest economic projects in Canadian history.” Most of B.C.’s natural gas is extracted out of the ground using a method called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and liquefying it for ocean transport is energy intensive. From the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline to the publicly funded North Coast transmission power line infrastructure is being readied to service the LNG industry “The success of our natural resource sectors is key to our success as a province,” Eby said As those first shipments are loaded into the bellies of massive ocean carriers here’s what you need to know about the big year ahead for liquefied natural gas in B.C The first phase of LNG Canada a liquefaction and export facility on the shores of the Douglas Channel in Kitimat The fossil fuel development has been touted as the largest private investment in Canadian history.  Fed by the controversial Coastal GasLink pipeline completed in late 2023 following years of opposition from Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and their supporters the Kitimat facility fired up its smokestacks last fall as it began flaring off gas in preparation for commencing operations this spring The liquefaction and export plant will power its first phase of operations — which will produce around 14 million tonnes of LNG annually — by burning some of the gas it receives from Coastal GasLink told The Narwhal the facility is more than 95 per cent complete and “commissioning and start-up activities are well underway.” “We remain on track to ship first cargoes by the middle of 2025,” Waddington wrote in an email LNG Canada is a consortium of multinational companies that include Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas Construction on Cedar LNG a floating liquefaction and export facility majority owned by the Haisla Nation Cedar LNG will also receive its gas supply from the Coastal GasLink pipeline It plans to export around three million tonnes of LNG per year sending shipments across the Pacific Ocean to buyers in Asian countries the project represents a sorely needed source of revenue for a community long left out of any financial gains from resources “Today is about changing the course of history for my nation and Indigenous Peoples everywhere in history where Indigenous people were left on the sidelines of economic development in their territories,” Crystal Smith said when the project was approved in 2023 Eby touted Cedar LNG as an “unprecedented economic opportunity for the region.” Eby also nodded to a proposed liquefaction facility that would be the second largest in Canada.  “We also have the Nisga’a-led Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas project a nearly $10-billion investment,” Eby said a proposed liquefaction and export facility that would be built at the north end of Pearse Island a few kilometres from the Nass River estuary near the Alaska border is currently undergoing environmental assessment the plant would produce up to 12 million tonnes of LNG annually The Nisga’a Lisims Government and Texas-based Western LNG are partners in both the Ksi Lisims LNG project and the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission, or PRGT, pipeline Western LNG noted B.C.’s environmental assessment office will finalize its Ksi Lisims assessment report this spring and submit a referral package to the federal and provincial environment ministers The company also noted the environmental assessment office is expected to make decisions about whether or not to allow the PRGT pipeline to proceed this spring Western LNG announced it had secured more than $150 million in investment for its liquefaction facility and the pipeline.  “Ksi Lisims LNG and PRGT are designed to meet or exceed Canada’s rigorous environmental standards and will help meet global energy needs while driving regional prosperity,” Davis Thames, Western LNG’s president and CEO, said in a statement some Nisga’a leaders maintain LNG is a game-changer when it comes to economic opportunities.  “The Nisg̱a’a Nation has long tried to establish an economic base in the Nass Valley,” Nisg̱a’a Nation president Eva Clayton said last year “LNG will be a transformational opportunity for us to build our economy.” the projects provide a path to economic self-determination a key commitment outlined in B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act action plan A representative of the Nisga’a government declined to comment instead referring The Narwhal to publicly available information.  According to the Ksi Lisims assessment report published last November “economic development opportunities and reconciliation” form a key part of the province’s action plan and “Ksi Lisims LNG would serve as a means towards reaching this goal since Nisga’a Nation is one of the proponents of Ksi Lisims LNG and also through providing training and employment opportunities for the community.” FortisBC continues to move through environmental review of its plans to expand the Tilbury Island facility in Delta, B.C. The expansion project, according to the company’s description would supply gas to overseas markets and provide fuel for ships travelling to and from the greater Vancouver area while also increasing the amount of fuel kept on hand in case of local emergency and federal governments approved FortisBC’s plans to build a new marine jetty the company needs approval to build infrastructure that would allow it to liquefy more gas the plans include construction and operation of “a new LNG storage tank with a working volume of up to 142,400 cubic metres new liquefaction facilities with capacity of up to 7,700 tonnes per day of LNG production natural gas receiving facilities and supporting infrastructure.” If the expansion is approved, the LNG plant would increase its annual output to more than three million tonnes. The public can comment on the company’s draft application until early March Construction started last fall on Woodfibre LNG majority-owned by Indonesian billionaire Sukanto Tanoto’s Pacific Energy Corporation it is working directly in the ocean “during the marine window of least risk,” a requirement of federal and Squamish Nation regulations Woodfibre LNG was also “non-compliant with requirements related to storing hazardous materials providing required documentation related to the death of a great blue heron and the release of project water into the marine environment that occurred due to insufficient capacity of the water treatment system during heavy rain periods in October at the project site,” according to the assessment office Woodfibre will produce 2.1 million tonnes of LNG annually Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter A $335 million funding commitment to fund.. a massive open-pit coal mine near Jasper National Park is hoping to expand.. A trade war could help remake B.C.’s food system First Nations are leading efforts to make sure lake sturgeon can find a home in.. non-profit and supported by readers like you and U18 Winterhawks are set to compete in the BC Hockey Championships a rare achievement that highlights the strength of the local hockey program With all three rep teams advancing to the provincial stage and families are preparing for one of the biggest moments of their season with each team playing in a different location: Wylder Cashin was born at Kitimat General Hospital on Dec the Auxiliary to Kitimat General Hospital recognized Wylder as the final baby born at the hospital in 2024 The rivalry between Kitimat’s first responders is set to ignite once again as RCMP officers and firefighters lace up their skates for the annual Guns-N-Hoses charity hockey match on Feb with local sports clubs set to benefit from the heated showdown and 50-50 draws going to the Kitimat Firefighters Ladder of Hope Charitable Foundation The Kitimat Valley Housing Society (KVHS) is distributing surveys across the community for individuals aged 50 and older as it works to develop much-needed seniors’ housing in Kitimat The society says community participation is critical to securing funding for a project that aims to provide accessible emphasized the urgent need for seniors' housing in Kitimat BC Business The undeniable economic powerhouse of BC’s northwest coast, Kitimat is home to Canada’s first natural gas export facility—the LNG Canada mega-project—plus the recently-approved Haisla Nation-led Cedar LNG Twice the site of Canada’s largest-ever private investment, Kitimat is a booming industrial centre with a friendly Located on the traditional territory of the Haisla people Kitimat (meaning “People of the Snow”) was incorporated in the 1950s to serve the aluminium industry and attracted workers from around the world The massive Alcan Kitimat Project was completed in just five years; now owned by Rio Tinto But with the LNG Canada project poised for kick-off in 2025 and Cedar LNG hot on its heels there are more reasons than ever to invest in Kitimat Kitimat has everything you need—huge business potential great infrastructure (including high-speed Internet well-maintained highways and a nearby airport) affordable homes (the average house price in 2024 is only $386,106)—all set against a breath-taking backdrop of mountains fully equipped recreation and aquatic centres North Coast-Nechako: Sea Change Mainland-Southwest: Ripple Effect Vancouver Island: Welcoming Shores Thompson-Okanagan: Urban Makeover Kootenay: Hidden Gem Cariboo: Pioneer Spirit Northeast: A New Energy Era BCBusiness is your go-to playbook for what’s going on in the province right now Our magazine aims to inform and entertain you about the companies big and small making waves in your backyard the issues affecting the province and the people you really should get a coffee with Copyright © Canada Wide Media Limited. All Rights Reserved — Terms of Use & Privacy Policy Residents of Kitimat are under a water quality advisory after increased turbidity in the Kitimat River elevated the risk associated with consuming tap water While boiling water is not mandatory for all and individuals with weakened immune systems drink boiled or alternative water during this period While B.C.’s River Forecast Centre has not issued streamflow advisories for the area the district encourages residents to follow health recommendations until conditions improve Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth has weighed in on BMO’s decision to close its local branch after more than 70 years calling the move a blow to a community that has long supported the bank “BMO has made a huge amount of money off Kitimat businesses and residents—through mortgages A Kitimat resident is calling on district council to address noise pollution from LNG Canada's flaring operations saying excessive sound levels have disrupted the once-quiet rural environment "Residents like myself have been subjected to extensive noise pollution for months now," Andrew Farina told council during its March 3 meeting He has raised his concerns with the BC Energy Regulator submitting evidence that noise levels from the facility exceeded allowable limits for both high and low frequencies Noise regulations set a maximum nighttime limit of 40 decibels at a 1.5-kilometre radius from the facility Farina said he should not be able to hear any noise from the site at night He says his own monitoring of the decibel reading show the noise exceeds these allowable limits "doubles in sound intensity to the human ear." He urged the District of Kitimat to establish an environmental department to monitor noise levels at the regulated distance and "protect residents from these impacts." He also suggested amending the nuisance bylaw in general to impose a stricter nighttime noise limit of 30 decibels noting that Health Canada advises sleep disruptions begin at 32 decibels “These excessive noises have taken away the once peaceful rural environment I once had,” he said Farina said he has been in repeated contact with LNG Canada but claims the company has stopped responding to his inquiries A neighbour of Farina’s also spoke to council saying the noise penetrates his double-insulated home despite additional exterior insulation he likened the low-frequency noise to having "four locomotives running outside your house Responding to questions from the Northern Sentinel saying the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) has confirmed the company remains in compliance with its noise-related regulatory obligations Farina by the BCER," said Teresa Waddington She added community engagement is central to LNG Canada’s activities in Kitimat the company may take steps such as logging complaints "Every complaint we receive about our activities is taken seriously and investigated," Waddington said Noise monitoring results collected from his property have been shared with him at various meetings Despite these engagements and presenting Mr he has not been satisfied with LNG Canada’s responses to him." Councillor Michelle Martins led a motion to pursue the matter with LNG Canada despite regular and ongoing discussions already taking place between the two parties These engagements include discussions about concerns raised by residents Flaring is the controlled combustion of natural gas It is required during the start-up phase of facilities such as LNG Canada's Kitimat facility and occasionally during regular operations for which LNG Canada must obtain waste discharge authorization permits from the BCER the company has stated that flaring events would not have an adverse impact on neighbouring residential areas and that it would comply with the B.C has long been a cornerstone of the community The new LNG Canada mega-project—the first liquefied natural gas export facility in Canada—has further established Kitimat as a vital industrial hub Both employers offer immediate and long-term career opportunities drawing skilled workers from across Canada and rapidly developing healthcare and education sectors further bolstering the economy and ensuring job stability Kitimat fosters a strong local network and includes ample amenities plus a bounty of entrepreneurial opportunities Balancing work and leisure is highly valued in Kitimat with numerous community events throughout the year Both the natural environment and an array of indoor recreational activities provide endless opportunities for active individuals and growing families alike Kitimat is BC’s prime choice for career Connect on  Facebook, Instagram or YouTube A proposed bike path connecting Cable Car and Hirsch Creek is inching forward after a successful council motion to include it in the 2025 budget discussions The push for the project gained momentum after a letter from former councillor Lani Gibson urged council to prioritize the path’s development “The need for this project was confirmed through extensive community input into the Active Transportation Plan which you have adopted,” Gibson wrote referencing a 2024 report that outlined three possible routes A Kitimat man who has spent more than 30 years ensuring the safety of mariners has been named the recipient of the 12th annual Tim Jones Award a longtime member of Kitimat Marine Search and Rescue and RCMSAR Unit 63 was recognized at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) for his unwavering dedication to marine safety honours individuals who have made exceptional contributions to outdoor safety and rescue efforts in British Columbia “Duncan embodies the spirit of the Tim Jones Award—humble A review of Kitimat’s development approvals process is underway with early findings suggesting potential changes that could significantly impact how new housing and commercial projects move forward in the district council received an update from planning consultants Stantec who have been assessing how efficiently development applications are processed and where improvements can be made A call has gone out to the Kitimat community for characters and stories to be featured in a short documentary about motorcycle travel through the region The project is part of the Route 16 initiative a long-running campaign to boost motorcycle tourism along the Highway 16 corridor between Valemount and Prince Rupert The Route 16 initiative launched in 2017 with funding from Destination BC and contributions from a network of northern B.C An aluminum smelter site in Kitimat in northwest B.C is likely to feel the impact of new proposed tariffs revealed by U.S We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentAs he travelled to New Orleans to watch the the Super Bowl Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he would announce Monday plans to apply a 25 per cent tariff on all U.S The Rio Tinto Alcan aluminum smelter in Kitimat produces around 420,000 tonnes a year comprising 14 per cent of total output from Canada’s nine smelters Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox During a 70th anniversary event held last year Works spokesperson Simon Pascoe said that 1,500 people worked at the smelter and its Kemano Powerhouse The aluminum is made from imported ore (bauxite) and uses hydro power “The smelter’s impact extends beyond production it contributed $517 million to the British Columbia economy and invested $3.2 million in local community initiatives,” Pascoe said Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth said he had reached out to Rio Tinto’s local management hoping to meet on Monday to talk about the impact of the tariff According to the Aluminum Association of Canada buys most of the 3.2 million tonnes of aluminum produced in Canada each year Trump said the 25 per cent tariffs would be adjusted over the course of this week on a country by country basis Trump also imposed a 25 per cent aluminum tariff on Canada during his first term in March 2018 the White House announced a deal had been reached to prevent “surges” in aluminum supplies from Canada and Mexico In reaction to Trump’s announcement Sunday federal Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne posted on social media platform X saying Canadian steel and aluminum support critical industries in the U.S He said the existing trade relationship between Canada and the U.S makes North America “more competitive and secure.” Canada and Mexico were given a 30-day reprieve from an earlier tariff threat by Trump after both countries took steps to appease concerns about border security and drug trafficking With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press dcarrigg@postmedia.com Kitimat council has voted against a business application for a new cannabis store a rare move that went against staff recommendations The decision was driven by concerns that the town already has enough cannabis retailers and the plea of a local business owner warning of market oversaturation Councillor Mario Feldhoff said council has the authority to deny cannabis applications and noted community concerns over previous proposals The Kitimat Winterhawks accomplished a rare feat this season and U18—qualifying for the provincial championships the teams fought hard in their respective tournaments with the U15 and U18 squads securing bronze medals The bronze was especially meaningful for the U15 team which played in front of a home crowd at Tamitik Arena “The Winterhawks fought hard and brought home the bronze medal in the 2025 Tier 4 U15 Championship tournament and effort were incredible all weekend,” the U15 spokesperson said in a statement opening the tournament with a 4-4 draw against Creston Valley before suffering back-to-back losses to Nelson and.. Kitimat Fire and Ambulance is calling on residents to donate old vehicles to support emergency response training “These vehicles help us maintain and enhance various critical emergency response skills needed during real-life incidents,” the department said in a statement The donated vehicles will be used to train firefighters and paramedics in essential rescue techniques ensuring they are well-prepared for real-world emergencies Residents with vehicles beyond repair can donate them to the training program instead of paying disposal fees