MP Bachrach calls on feds to help with Prince Rupert infrastructure crisis

“With the city and province already at the table, a significant federal contribution is now essential to addressing Prince Rupert’s most critical infrastructure needs.”

OTTAWA — Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach has written to federal Infrastructure Minister Dominic LeBlanc and urged him to provide funding to address the Prince Rupert’s ongoing infrastructure crisis. This comes following a series of water main breaks over the holidays that prompted the mayor and city council to declare a state of emergency.

“With the city and province already at the table, a significant federal contribution is now essential to addressing Prince Rupert’s most critical infrastructure needs,” said Bachrach, who serves as both the NDP’s transport critic and deputy infrastructure critic. “My office is fully engaged in ensuring a successful outcome.”

In his letter, Bachrach emphasized that with Canada’s third-largest port, Prince Rupert is vital to Canada’s supply chain.

“While the Port of Prince Rupert has grown into a nationally significant trade gateway, the City of Prince Rupert has faced serious challenges maintaining the municipal infrastructure necessary to support this growth,” wrote Bachrach. “There is now a very real risk of catastrophic failure of the city’s drinking water distribution system, which would profoundly affect its 12,000 residents and the operation of the port.”

Bachrach added he is hopeful the federal government will recognize the urgency of the situation and act.

“If the federal government is serious about the resilience of Canada’s supply chain, it needs to be serious about Prince Rupert’s current infrastructure challenge too,” said Bachrach.

Bachrach plans to present the city’s case to Minister LeBlanc in person once Parliament returns for its spring session.