Water Treatment Remains Key Issue for City Representatives During Meetings with Provincial Leaders
PRINCE RUPERT, SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2026 – At this year’s Union of BC Municipalities Conference, Council and staff continued to advocate for ongoing investment in critical infrastructure for Prince Rupert, with water treatment a central topic for 5 out of 9 meetings held with different Ministries. Past meetings helped to secure an unprecedented $65 million in failing underground water infrastructure, which is supporting the BIG Project currently under way. The City is now advocating for additional funding to fully design and cost water treatment, to be followed by requests for capital funds to install it.
“We take every opportunity we can to get face to face contact with the Province and keep Prince Rupert at the forefront of their minds,” said Mayor Herb Pond. “This year yielded some really productive meetings and we look forward to them bearing fruit in the coming months.”
Additional key topics of concern this year discussed with various Ministries are listed below:
- Water Treatment Infrastructure: Continuing to build on the success of prior advocacy work, City staff and Council met with related Ministries to advocate for continued support noted above.
- Modernization of Environmental Compliance Regulations for Communities with Unique Conditions: This meeting requested Provincial consideration for reviewing environmental compliance and permitting frameworks to ensure communities like ours, with unique precipitation, coastal conditions, and legacy infrastructure are well supported in meeting desired environmental outcomes.
- Advocacy for Provincial Funding to Support the Airport Ferry Service: The City currently subsidizes the airport ferry by approximately $1.5 million annually, which is a service unique to our community. Provincial subsidy of this critical transportation link has been something the City has advocated for frequently at past conferences, with that effort continuing.
- Provincial Support for Cruise Tourism Infrastructure and Community Amenities: With cruise traffic doubling between 2025 and 2026, and a continued growth outlook for the industry, the City met with the Province to discuss funding mechanisms that might support host communities in investing in appropriate amenities that benefit both tourists and residents.
- Power Transmission to Support Local Economic Growth: In alignment with Provincial climate goals, Prince Rupert is advocating for upgrades to regional power transmission infrastructure to support the development of a low-carbon fuel economy and attract clean energy industries to the North Coast.
Overall, Council and staff had several productive conversations with the various Ministries, and looks forward to continuing to advance the above goals over the next year.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Veronika Stewart, Manager of Communications, Engagement and Social Development
Office: (250) 627 0976
Cell: (778) 884 6285
Email: veronika.stewart@princerupert.ca