Latest news with #LaxKw'alaams
CBC
21-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
New totem pole in B.C. acknowledges Canada's legacy of Indian hospitals
Social Sharing An Indigenous community near Prince Rupert, B.C., raised a new memorial totem pole ahead of National Indigenous People's Day to honour those who were affected by the Miller Bay TB Hospital. According to the Lax Kw'alaams Band, the Miller Bay TB Hospital, which operated from 1946 to 1971, was used by the federal government to isolate and treat Indigenous patients with tuberculosis (TB). Many of them were children who were forcibly removed from their communities and patients were often separated from family for years at a time. In a statement, the Lax Kw'alaams Band said Friday's pole raising ceremony was part of a day of remembrance and healing. "We wanted to recognize [and educate] people throughout Canada and B.C. on Miller Bay and the effects that it had on a lot of people," said Joey Wesley, a councillor with Lax Kw'alaams Band. "One way that we wanted to recognize and honour everyone was to carve and raise a totem pole in memory." The pole was carved by Mike Epp, a Tsimshian carver. In a press release, Epp said the monument is made out of red cedar and represents healing for the survivors of Miller Bay TB Hospital. "I can't wait to see how it looks standing up," he said ahead of Friday's event, noting that pole-raising ceremonies bring the community together. The Miller Bay TB Hospital was one of at least three major Indian hospitals that operated in B.C., according to the University of British Columbia's Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. Indian hospitals were substandard facilities operated by the federal government starting in the 1930s to separate Indigenous people from the rest of the Canadian population to stop the spread of tuberculosis. Tens of thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients, including children, were admitted to the overcrowded, poorly staffed and unsanitary institutions. Survivors allege they faced physical and sexual abuse from hospital staff, along with forcible confinement to beds without a medical reason. Some say they were also the subject of medical experiments. In March, Ottawa reached a proposed settlement agreement with survivors of Indian hospitals to provide individual compensation ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Totem pole figure meanings, from bottom to top Epp says that the bottom figure of the totem pole is a shaman. "The shaman is there to help heal the people that are still dealing with their trauma from the hospital," Epp told CBC's Daybreak North. Above the shaman is a figure of a woman chief, who is holding a young man in her hands. "This part represents continuing the traditions, teaching the young people in the tribe how to carry themselves." Four small figures are above the woman chief, representing the people who were lost in the Miller Bay Hospital. On one side are men, on the other side are women. Above that is a foot and a half of blank space where pieces of copper are going to be installed. The copper pieces are being sent to Epp from family members who were impacted. A warrior with copper in one hand, and a spear in another, sits on top of the blank spot. The warrior represents the resilience of First Nations people and their role as guardians of future generations, lands and waters.
CBC
11-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
B.C. company pressures feds to pave way for $750M gas export facility in Prince Rupert
Social Sharing A major B.C. exporter has announced it is ready to invest $750 million in a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export facility in Prince Rupert, B.C. — though it still faces a legal battle against the Port of Prince Rupert in order for it to move ahead. Additionally, Trigon Pacific Terminals CEO Rob Booker is urging the federal government to expedite the approval process for the project, arguing it is in that national interest against the backdrop of a trade war with the United States that has Canada seeking new markets for its oil products. Booker says the company's board has given full spending approval for the project, which could be operational as soon as 2029 and would focus on selling product to Japan, South Korea and India, rather than the United States. If it moves ahead, it would have an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year. "I think this project clearly aligns with federal priorities with respect to Canadian energy security, Canadian export focus away from the U.S.," he said. "It's a win-win-win, in that it's shovel-ready and ready to go and has the money to do it." Trigon operates the largest export terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert, the third-busiest port in Canada. Its focus is primarily on metallurgical coal but it is seeking to diversify into liquefied gas and other products destined for overseas markets. The project is backed by both the Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla First Nations, who have equity positions in Trigon, as well as the Albertan government, where much of Canada's petroleum is produced. Brian Jean, Alberta's minister of energy and minerals, called the investment decision "great news for Canada and Alberta." Project could be blocked by exclusivity deal However, aside from regulatory hurdles, Trigon is also facing a legal battle in order to proceed. Last year, the company sued the Port of Prince Rupert, arguing the port is blocking its attempt to change its business model to include liquid gas exports. B.C. coal exporter suing port authority over right to send propane overseas 1 year ago Duration 1:33 The Port of Prince Rupert says Trigon Terminals can't export liquid propane to Asia because two other companies have exclusive rights to do so. Trigon, which is trying to move away from exporting thermal coal, is now suing the port authority over the matter. However, the port has an exclusivity deal with the exporters AltaGas and Vopak who have approved their own $1.35 billion export facility in Prince Rupert and who say part of that decision was based on the deal, which provides them with security in exchange for the investment of time and money needed to advance the project. The Port of Prince Rupert, for its part, has filed a countersuit against Trigon, claiming the initial lawsuit is damaging the port's reputation as a reliable partner and that violating exclusivity could harm future deals. Asked about those lawsuits, Booker said he is "confident there are several paths the federal government can take to make this a win for everyone." Emissions from fossil fuel production rising The federal government has not weighed in on the project, but last week the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced new legislation aimed at fast-tracking major projects, with five criteria to determine whether they are in the "national interest." Those criteria include the project's likelihood of success, whether it would strengthen the country's resiliency and advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples, and whether it would contribute to economic growth in an environmentally responsible way. However, some environmental groups have expressed concern that the threats from the United States are being used as a way to force through projects that would previously have been blocked due to their environmental impacts. Those concerns come as much of western Canada, including parts of B.C., are once again blanketed by smoke from wildfires that have worsened, in part, because of rising temperatures. While Canada's emissions have dropped slightly, the most recent analysis from the Canadian Climate Institute found the progress was largely offset by an increase in emissions from oil and gas production, which as of last year's analysis, made up 31 per cent of Canada's national total.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Trigon gives green light to LPG export facility in Prince Rupert, B.C.
The bulk carrier Unicorn Ocean is seen loading coal at Ridley Terminals, part of the Prince Rupert port system, March 8, 2013. Ridley Terminals was renamed Trigon Pacific Terminals in April 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Robin Rowland PRINCE RUPERT — Trigon Pacific Terminals is giving a green light to a new $750-million liquefied petroleum gas export facility in Prince Rupert, B.C. Trigon chief executive Rob Booker says the company now needs the federal government to expedite the shovel-ready project that he says is in the national interest. Subject to all necessary legal and regulatory approvals, Trigon says the facility is expected to start exports in late 2029. It will have annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year. The company says the final investment decision comes with support from the Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla First Nations. Trigon already operates a multi-commodity bulk export terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.
