New Director Appointed to Prince Rupert Port Authority Board
EFFECTIVE JUNE 26, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) announced today changes to its Board of Directors. The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport for the Government of Canada, has confirmed the appointment of Rod Graham.
Mr. Graham is the President of Velocity Truck Centres in Canada and has extensive experience as senior corporate executive in various sectors including financial/investment, transportation, alternative energy, construction, manufacturing, and resource services. Mr. Graham is a Chartered Financial Analyst with an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) program. Based in Calgary, he has served on more than two dozen public, private, and not-for-profit boards in western Canada, including the Board of Governors of the Business Council of British Columbia and Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. His three-year term commenced June 17, 2024.
“On behalf of our organization, I congratulate and welcome Rod,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Rod brings valuable experience and insight to PRPA’s Board of Directors as we enter the most significant phase of development in the Port of Prince Rupert’s history.”
Mr. Graham will replace outgoing Board member Frans Tjallingii, who was appointed by the Minister of Transport in 2017. Mr. Tjallingii served as Chair from 2019 until 2024. PRPA’s Board of Directors will select a new Chair from its membership in the coming weeks.
“We extend our appreciation to Frans for his leadership of the Board and his contributions during a critical period of investment and gateway growth, particularly in regard to his commitment and leadership in advancing the Port of Prince Rupert’s sustainability strategy and decarbonization goals,” said Stevenson.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Board of Directors is comprised of seven people. Three of the Board members are appointed directly by each level of government—municipal, provincial, and federal—while the balance is appointed by the federal government in consultation with the Port User Nominating Committee. Board members are appointed for a term of no more than three years with a maximum tenure of three terms.
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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY
The Prince Rupert Port Authority manages the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s northernmost trade gateway on the west coast. The Port of Prince Rupert anchors one of the fastest and most reliable supply chains between North America and Asia, providing vital infrastructure to support shippers and industries as they move their goods and resources to market. The port handles approximately $60 billion in trade value per year and supports an estimated 3,300 direct supply-chain jobs in northern BC, $340 million in annual wages, and generates $1.4 billion for the northern B.C. economy.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Olivia Mowatt
Senior Communications Officer
Prince Rupert Port Authority
omowatt@rupertport.com
EFFECTIVE June 10, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Through an Integrated Marketplace project led by Innovate BC, new zero and low-emission heavy-duty (HDZEV) trucks will be added to operations at the Port of Prince Rupert to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainability in the province’s transportation sector.
The HDZEV project will see four new trucks – two hydrogen powered, one battery electric and one hydrogen-diesel co-combustion – utilized on existing operational routes. These operations will provide data to better understand the range, reliability and potential best use case for the vehicles.
Innovate BC is delivering the project through the Integrated Marketplace, which works to bolster innovation in the province by linking strategic buyers representing some of British Columbia’s largest economic drivers to B.C.-based solution providers to implement, scale up, and ultimately export B.C. technology solutions. Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA), which oversees the Port of Prince Rupert, is serving as the testbed partner for the project.
“The Integrated Marketplace acts as a platform for partners like Prince Rupert Port Authority, which are key contributors to British Columbia’s economic growth, to de-risk the adoption of new technologies while supporting the decarbonization and innovation goals of their organizations and the province,” said Peter Cowan, President and CEO of Innovate BC. “We are proud to lead this project and look forward to seeing its outcomes and generated data inform the greater adoption of zero emission vehicles across more industrial sectors here in B.C.”
In addition to the $2.45 million contributed to this project by the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Canada has provided $3 million and PRPA has contributed $500,000 to bring the project to fruition. The funding will be used to procure the zero- and low-emission vehicles and to fund the necessary fuelling, charging and maintenance infrastructure, including electric vehicle chargers and local green hydrogen production.
“This partnership between governments, industry and B.C. businesses will help accelerate the Port of Prince Rupert’s continued progress toward decarbonizing port operations and to enable greater competitiveness and sustainability for Canadian supply chains,” said Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “The utilization of zero and low-emission vehicles is a key component of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s strategy for reducing port-related carbon emissions by a further 30 percent by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.”
Other project partners include Velocity Truck Centres, which will support the purchase and maintenance of the hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen-diesel co-combustion and battery-electric class eight heavy-duty trucks. The trucks will be operated by Gat Leedm Logistics and powered in part by Delta-based Hydra Energy, who will generate hydrogen fuel for the participating trucks. NuPort Robotics will install hardware, lead data collection and reporting to support performance metrics, data acquisition, and analytics for the project.
Vehicle testing will provide important information about their performance, technical capability and operational feasibility. The project will run to the end of 2026.
The Integrated Marketplace operates through partnerships with major testbed sites, which currently include the Port of Prince Rupert, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and the Port of Vancouver. The launch of the HDZEV project at the Port of Prince Rupert follows the announcement of Moment Energy’s battery energy storage system (BESS) Integrated Marketplace project at YVR which will provide high speed charging capacity for fleet vehicles. Together, these projects are working to enhance operations at partnering testbeds and accelerate decarbonization within the province.
To learn more about Ignite, visit: www.innovatebc.ca/programs/zev
QUOTES
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport, Canada
“Encouraging the use of zero emission vehicles is a critical step towards a cleaner transportation system. By investing in initiatives like this, we are not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also setting a precedent for sustainable commercial transportation nationwide. Through initiatives like the Zero-Emission Trucking Program, we’re actively tackling pollution and building a stronger economy that benefits every Canadian.”
Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“The focus of this pilot – lowering transportation costs through the use of zero and low emission vehicles- can be a competitive advantage for B.C. industries. It’s another element to make our supply chain more efficient and resilient, core features of our Goods Movement Action Plan”.
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
“Through the Integrated Marketplace we are bringing local companies together to share innovative technologies to solve real challenges other businesses are facing,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, “These new zero and low emission vehicles will be coming to the Port of Prince Rupert to support the goal of our Industrial Blueprint to seize new opportunities in growing clean energy and sustainable industries across B.C. creating a more resilient and clean economy.”
Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast
“It’s incredible to see test beds from the Integrated Marketplace in rural communities like Prince Rupert creating important solutions for industry. Data gathered from the project involving Velocity Truck Centre, Gat Leedm Logistics and the Prince Rupert Port Authority will help other B.C. companies learn about zero emission vehicle adoption, creating an easier pathway for interested businesses to transition.”
Rod Graham, President, Velocity Truck Centres Canada
“Velocity Truck Centres is very proud to be a part of this monumental Port of Prince Rupert greenhouse gas reduction initiative. We are excited to be helping support and maintain new clean transportation technologies that will drive sustainability in the provincial transportation sector in British Columbia. We are especially pleased to be working with our Indigenous partners at Gat Leedm Logisitics. Their history and stewardship of the port lands and surrounding territory is very important to the core values for our firm.”
Raghavender Sahdev, President and CEO, NuPort Robotics
“NuPort is thrilled to play a role in this project demonstrating the benefits of commercial zero-emissions vehicles. Supporting such innovative projects aligns with our vision for the efficient, safe and sustainable movement of goods and services, fostering a greater adoption by key transportation stakeholders.”
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT
Michael Gleboff
Innovate BC
Communications + Community Manager
mgleboff@innovatebc.ca
604–602-5210
Olivia Mowatt
Prince Rupert Port Authority
Senior Communications Officer
omowatt@rupertport.com
250-627-2588
EFFECTIVE June 4, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Three companies are being honoured for their exceptional participation in the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Green Wave program.
The recipients of the 2023 Green Wave Award are container shipping line COSCO, liquefied gas shipping line Navigator Gas LLC, and coastal passenger and vehicle transportation service BC Ferries.
PRPA also recognizes the owners of bulk carrier KEY GUARDIAN and cruise vessel ROALD AMUNDSEN for using underwater noise mitigation technology to reduce the impacts of vessel noise on marine mammals’ communication along Canada’s west coast. The ROALD AMUNDSEN is the world’s first hybrid electric expedition cruise ship and the first vessel with an underwater noise notation from globally recognized ship classification society DNV to call on Prince Rupert.
Introduced in 2013, the Green Wave program provides financial incentives to commercial vessel owners who voluntarily invest in environmentally sustainable measures. Using standards recognized throughout the global maritime industry, PRPA offers reduced harbour fees based on a vessel’s emissions and underwater noise performance. The Green Wave program requirements are regularly updated to incorporate evolving environmental best practices.;
“The Prince Rupert Port Authority applauds the 2023 Green Award recipients – each of whom are repeat winners of this accolade – for their continued investment in sustainable transportation and proactively reducing their environmental footprint,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Our organization takes pride in the level of participation in the Green Wave program and how it represents our collective efforts within the global shipping industry to enable the adoption and acceleration of sustainable practices.”
The Green Wave program is an important component of PRPA’s commitment to environmental stewardship and supports the organization’s ongoing actions to reduce carbon dioxide, airborne particulates, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide in the airshed surrounding the Port of Prince Rupert. Since 2014, there have been a total of ~540 calls that met the standards for Green Wave under the RightShip Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Rating. The method, developed by the world’s leader in maritime environmental assessment, rates vessels on their relative efficiency. As a result, approximately 615,200 tonnes of GHG emissions were avoided in the local airshed over the past decade, which is equivalent to removing 12,960 passenger vehicles from the road for a year. These savings are key to PRPA’s goal of reducing carbon intensity at the Prince Rupert Gateway by a further 30 percent by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
QUICK FACTS:
- 37 percent of all commercial vessel calls at the Port of Prince Rupert in 2023 qualified for the Green Wave program.
- 92 individual vessels met Green Wave program criteria in 2023, the majority qualified through RightShip (39) and the Environmental Ship Index (40).
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Olivia Mowatt
Senior Communications Officer
Prince Rupert Port Authority
omowatt@rupertport.com
EFFECTIVE May 30, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority congratulates Vopak and AltaGas on their positive final investment decision on the Ridley Energy Export Facility (REEF). This is an incredible milestone for the Port of Prince Rupert as it marks the largest investment in the Port’s history, with a capital cost of $1.35 billion.
REEF will provide unprecedented market access for Canada’s energy sector by facilitating the export of liquefied petroleum gases, methanol, and other bulk liquids. This project solidifies Canada’s critical role in the global energy transition and also confirms the Port of Prince Rupert’s leading role in enabling and diversifying Canada’s trade portfolio.
Read the full news release:
EFFECTIVE MAY 23, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has reached financial close on a $150 million loan to the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) for the first phase of a project to build CANXPORT. The new export logistics hub will expand capacity and capabilities for rail-to-container transloading of multiple export products at the Port of Prince Rupert, improve Canadian supply chains, and drive trade and economic growth.
Work has already begun to prepare one of Canada’s busiest ports for the new facility, located a short distance from Fairview Container Terminal, which will provide access to capacity to improve the balance of import and export cargoes that will benefit the Port’s broader intermodal business, driving local economic and employment benefits both directly and indirectly within the community.
The innovative facility will enable the efficient containerization of bulk commodities such as agricultural, forestry, and plastic resin products with room to expand and diversify to handle additional cargoes in the future. The project’s scale, unit train capabilities, and integration into existing container terminal operations will facilitate substantial opportunities to exporters that enhance container supply chains and ways to reach international markets. The hub’s initial annual capacity will be 400,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (containers).
Local Indigenous partners are involved in the development and operation of CANXPORT. The primary contract site development was awarded by PRPA to an Indigenous joint venture that includes Metlakatla First Nation, Lax Kw’alaams Band, Gitxaała Nation and IDL Projects Inc. Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams are also majority owners of Gat Leedm Logistics, the largest provider of truck drayage services within the Port, that will also support CANXPORT’s operation. Following construction, CANXPORT’s operations are expected to commence in Q3 2026.
Funding for Phase 2, which is expected to be approved later in 2024, will be used to help Ray-Mont Logistics to finance construction of the transloading facility and container storage yard.
Capital investment in CANXPORT is provided by PRPA, Ray-Mont Logistics, and Canadian National Railway Co. (CN). The Government of Canada and the Government of BC are also financial contributors to the project infrastructure.
This is the CIB’s first investment in a Canadian port. The Port of Prince Rupert is a critical Canadian trade gateway that ships a diversified portfolio of cargoes through several intermodal, dry bulk and liquid bulk terminals. The Port is the closest North American west coast port to Asia-Pacific markets. The Port is also the deepest natural harbour in North America, is ice-free year-round, and is able to accommodate the largest vessels in the shipping trade.
Endorsements:
Helping to expand Canadian exports by providing financing for the CANXPORT project is a key part of the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s mandate. Our first port investment will increase exports by adding containerized shipments that will elevate the country’s GDP and competitiveness while also supporting Indigenous communities in Prince Rupert.
Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank
The Port of Prince Rupert is an important part of Canada’s supply chain, serving as a vital gateway for trade. This investment in the CANXPORT project marks a significant step in enhancing marine shipping efficiency and reliability, ensuring smoother transportation of goods, and
Canadians from coast to coast to coast will benefit.
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport
This investment in the Port of Prince Rupert’s expansion will improve Canada’s export capabilities to the Asia-Pacific region, driving trade and economic growth. We’re also looking forward to the incredible economic opportunities that the CANXPORT project will bring for Indigenous communities in Prince Rupert.
Parm Bains, Member of Parliament for Steveston—Richmond East, British Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s historic investment in the Port of Prince Rupert’s CANXPORT project will enable transloading and logistics services on an unprecedented scale and unlock significant competitive advantages for Canadian exporters. The facility is strategically located within the gateway’s fully contained intermodal ecosystem, and supports the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s commitment to realizing a vision of a competitive, resilient, sustainable port.
Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority
The expansion at the Port of Prince Rupert will open new opportunities for B.C. companies to get their products to market. Our government’s $25 million investment will support businesses and job growth right across the Province and keep our economy competitive.
Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
CANXPORT represents a truly unique opportunity for Ray-Mont to offer our valued customers the best containerized export logistics solution in North America. The facility will offer over 50 acres of land with future expansion potential, three loop tracks each capable of handling 10,500’ unit trains, and trucking on private roads allowing us to decarbonize and electrify our operations. Combined with the natural benefits of the Port of Prince Rupert, we will be able to offer unparalleled levels of productivity and supply chain resiliency for exporters.
Charles Raymond, President & CEO, Ray-Mont Logistics
CN is proud to support the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert through our partnership in the CANXPORT project. This innovative export logistics hub will not only enhance Canada’s supply chains and trade capabilities but also allow for growth opportunities for its partners and local communities, including Indigenous-led businesses. The Port of Prince Rupert is a key hub for many industries to access new markets and we are excited to share the benefits of this project with customers across CN’s network.
Tracy Robinson, President & CEO, CN
Read the original press release from the Canadian Infrastructure Bank
EFFECTIVE MAY 13, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – Advanced surgical Rhinology services will soon be available to patients across northwestern B.C. for the first time ever, thanks to a partnership between the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) and the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation.
Through a $51,000 commitment from PRPA’s Community Investment Fund, a new Scopis Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) navigation system has been purchased for the Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace. The new imaging system offers electromagnetic technology for high-definition guidance during complex sinus and skull-based surgeries.
This investment will help patients as far away as Burns Lake, Dease Lake, Haida Gwaii, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Stewart and Terrace.
According to the Foundation, up to 60 per cent of rhinology patients require surgery. With the new ENT equipment, the need to refer to Vancouver will be greatly reduced, potentially saving patients travel time and expenses while keeping them closer to their personal support.
This upgrade will not require any new surgical instruments as the hospital is otherwise equipped for this type of surgery.
“On behalf of the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation, we would like to thank the Prince Rupert Port Authority for their ongoing partnership and support for the betterment of healthcare services in the region,” said Chris Mallet, Chairman of the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation. “Having a state-of-the-art ENT Navigation System will not only allow patients to stay closer to home for treatment but also assist in recruitment of physicians and technicians specializing in Ear, Nose & Throat surgeries. We appreciate the collaboration and generosity of the Prince Rupert Port Authority and look forward to working together in the future.”
This is now the second time PRPA has invested in the Terrace hospital, following a contribution of $19,500 towards the Women’s Wellness Centre and Colposcopy Clinic back in 2021.
“Building a better medical future here in the Northwest and supporting an improved standard of living for northerners is extremely important,” said Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “PRPA is proud to team up with the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation to enhance capabilities in-house and provides patients some relief from having to travel long distances for specialized services.”
To date, PRPA’s Community Investment Fund has contributed more than $700,000 to the purchase of new medical equipment and other upgrades in northwest B.C., including:
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Bed Replacement Project – $150,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Cancer Care Unit upgrade – $100,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Diagnostic Ultrasound Machine upgrade – $72,500
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital X-Ray Machine Replacement – $69,750
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Orthopedic Surgical Equipment – $60,500
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Laparoscopic Surgical Tower – $60,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital In-patient Bathtub upgrade – $45,500
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Palliative Care upgrades – $36,500
- Prince Rupert Hospital Cancer Screening Scope Guide – $35,260
- Acropolis Manor Door Wrap Project – $15,000
The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) announced today changes to its Board of Directors. The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport for the Government of Canada, has confirmed the appointment of Hilary Cassady. The City of Prince Rupert and District of Port Edward have confirmed the appointment of Lee Brain.
Ms. Cassady is a User Appointee, selected in consultation with the Port User Nominating Committee. Ms. Cassady has an extensive corporate background, having served in executive and senior roles for Danone in Asia and Europe, as well as Bentall Kennedy and QuadReal Property Group in Canada. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and an ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. She also currently sits on multiple Boards of Directors, including the British Columbia Lottery Corporation where she was formerly the Chair of the Human Resource committee. Her three-year term commenced March 25th, 2024.
Mr. Brain is a Municipal Appointee and was selected by the City of Prince Rupert and District of Port Edward. He previously served as Mayor of the City of Prince Rupert for two-consecutive terms and currently works as a facilitator, mediator, and community engagement specialist. Mr. Brain completed the Undergraduate Semester in Dialogue Facilitation & Mediation program, in addition to a Certificate in Innovative Leadership, at Simon Fraser University. His three-year term commences May 1st, 2024.
“On behalf of our staff, I congratulate and welcome Hilary and Lee,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Both were born and raised in Prince Rupert, and each bring unique experience and skills to PRPA’s Board of Directors as we continue to activate the port’s ambitious growth plan to strengthen its role as an economic engine for the community, region, and all of Canada.”
Mr. Brain will replace outgoing Board member John Farrell, whose term finishes at the end of April 2024. Mr. Farrell was appointed by the City of Prince Rupert and District of Port Edward in 2015 and served as the Chair of the Board’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee.
“We extend our gratitude to John for his commitment to the Board of Directors, particularly during a period of unprecedented development and growth at the Port of Prince Rupert,” said Stevenson.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Board of Directors is comprised of seven people. Three of the Board members are appointed directly by each level of government—municipal, provincial, and federal—while the balance is appointed by the federal government in consultation with the Port User Nominating Committee. Board members are appointed for a term of no more than three years with a maximum tenure of three terms.
EFFECTIVE MARCH 7, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Smithers golf course is now up to par as a year-round recreational asset after work was done to make the course walkways accessible and safer throughout the winter months.
In partnership with the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund, the Smithers Golf and Country Club has completed work to enhance the cart paths and ensure the walkways are open and safe during the winter. The club also put up fencing and other barriers to ensure the rest of the golf course is protected during winter, and installed lighting enhancements for all 18 holes.
The golf course trails are used daily by community members for walking, snowshoeing, and tobogganing, and these improvements will see a broader use locally, regionally, and for visitors alike.
“Smithers is a very outdoor-oriented community, for all seasons,” said Andrew L’Orsa, President of the Smithers Golf and Country Club. “With the addition of the trail maintenance equipment, the club is now able to properly maintain the trails and will expand them in the years to come. The equipment is also a key addition to enhance the quality of the course throughout the year.”
With the improvements, the club expects participation numbers to increase even further, as the terrain is now entirely family-friendly.
“PRPA is proud to collaborate with this project that will improve and enhance health and the quality of life for Bulkley Valley communities, and the Northwest in general,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority.
PRPA’S Community Investment Fund contributed $78,500 to the project. This is the first time the Community Investment Fund has contributed to a project in the community of Smithers.
January 4, 2024
The Prince Rupert Port Authority is proud to officially release its 2022 Sustainability Report. PRPA is building a better Canada by growing trade, and partnerships mean everything to us. This means vital trade, thriving communities, and sustainable development. In this report, we address the importance of our sustainability commitments, such as the environment, our values in regards to our people, our community including economic and employment development, and governance.
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 23, 2022
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – One of Prince Rupert’s most vital community hubs has undergone a significant transformation on both the interior and exterior through a partnership between the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund and the Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert. The investment has been designed to make it easier for community members to access the more than 30 educational, cultural, social, health and wellness, and recreational services offered there. Two additional projects were completed this year to upgrade the Friendship House’s main building on Fraser Street in Prince Rupert, greatly enhancing programming and making the facility safer, more efficient, and more accessible for the thousands of people who use Friendship House services each year.
On the east side of the building, the exterior facilities have been completely overhauled, to create an enhanced outdoor play area for the benefit of the Friendship House’s Preschool and other programs. The newly renovated Children’s Discovery Garden features a new large wood-framed shelter, sandbox, landscaping, planter boxes, wooden walkways, pea gravel, and grass that surrounds the existing playground equipment. Adding these natural surfaces creates greater developmental opportunities for children as they explore the outdoor environment.
On the building’s north side, a new Food Service Room and connecting patio were added to complement the existing Community Kitchen, which was built through a prior Community Investment Fund project. The reconfigured room and outdoor terrace are outfitted with dining tables and chairs, to create a café-like setting. These renovated areas are designed to be multi-use spaces, accommodating several different activities and programs including the Youth Catering Program, which provides local youth with the opportunity to gain employable culinary skills by hosting events in the space. The new Food Service Room also aids the Friendship House’s food security programs, offering a more welcoming space for weekly food hamper distribution and serving community meals.
Beyond broadening and enhancing culinary training and food security services, the Food Service Room and patio provide a new space for cultural and social services, including the Elder Youth Mentorship Program. This initiative brings together different generations to learn traditional First Nations’ teachings and practices, particularly around harvesting and preparing traditional foods and medicines. These newly updated spaces also serve as a safe and accessible area for passengers using the Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) Van, to sit and enjoy a coffee while they wait. The EVAW program offers twice-weekly shuttles to Terrace for a nominal fee, helping people without access to a vehicle reach medical and other important appointments.
“These newly enhanced spaces serve many purposes and help our organization continue to improve the services and programs we provide,” said Anna Zanella, Executive Director of the Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert. “Working together with the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund, we are generating new opportunities for North Coast residents of all ages, to connect with one another, expand their abilities, and gain knowledge.”
“PRPA partners with the Friendship House of Prince Rupert because it is an integral part of the community, providing vital and inclusive services that support youth, adults, families, and seniors from communities all over the North Coast. Our investments will ensure that their staff and volunteers can continue to evolve and enhance the ways they develop and deliver programs and host community events and improve the experience for people participating in them,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority.
Over the past four years, the Community Investment Fund has collaborated with the Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert to modernize the non-profit organization’s main facility in several ways. The Fund contributed $155,000 to these two latest projects, bringing PRPA’s total investment to over $438,500. Previous projects include:
• Second Floor and Stairwell Upgrades (2022) – $126,830
• Front Entrance & Lobby Upgrades (2021) – $62,500
• Community Kitchen Upgrade (2019) – $94,172
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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY’S COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND: The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2010, more than $17.5 million has been committed to the Fund, helping to bring more than 100 local projects to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting recreation, health and wellness, arts and culture, youth, education, the environment, and other needs in the community.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Katherine Voigt
Manager, Corporate Communications
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250 627 2594
kvoigt@rupertport.com