“Young People not leaving Fort Nelson,” Streeper said on visit to Ottawa

“Young People not leaving Fort Nelson,” Streeper said on visit to Ottawa

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality has seen $90 million in royalties to date

OTTAWA – The message from three northeast British Columbia residents to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources was clear, oil and gas development had brought jobs to the region and kept families close together.

Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River welcomed Bill Streeper, Mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, along with Dave Turchanski and Art Jarvis from Energy Services BC. They appeared before the House of Commons Committee Tuesday morning to discuss the impact of natural resource development on residents of northeast BC.

“Family life has really excelled”, said Mayor Streeper to the members of the committee, “It has made communities like Fort Nelson more whole when younger people are not leaving”. Mayor Streeper told the committee that before the development of the growth of the natural gas industry, his three children and seven grandchildren were spread out over three cities. He credits the industrial activity with bringing his family home to Fort Nelson with “an average income in excess of $100 000 a year”.

MP Zimmer said “Natural Resource development is more than just an economic benefit. It creates opportunities, and that enables families to stay together. Strong families are essential to strong communities, and our Government is working hard to make those opportunities happen”.

Dave Turchanski, President of Energy Services BC told the committee that Northern BC is “probably one of the best places in North America as far as LNG gas is concerned”, which promises new opportunities and continued prosperity.