The Northwest Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) has started negotiations with the province on a revenue-sharing agreement.
The alliance of 21 municipalities across the northwest met with the premiere yesterday at the Union of BC Municipalities.
“After four years of empty promises we have finally gotten to the negotiation table,” said RBA Chair, Bill Miller. “The senior government officials understand this type of agreement will not only benefit the northwest but the whole province.”
In a release today, the Premier confirmed he and his senior government officials will immediately begin working with the RBA on a resource benefits sharing agreement.
Miller says the RBA is putting together a business plan for the deputy minister of finance by October 17.
He says getting a fair return on the resource dollars generated in the entire northwest will help to address an infrastructure deficit.
“The fact that we’re already in a deficit, we’re not able to address that stuff without significant costs to our local taxpayer,” says Miller.
“The revenue generation has always gone to the melting pot of the provincial coffers. And really, what’s not happened since way back in the 60s; there hasn’t been any real significant investment in the area. And that’s really what this is about.”
Miller hopes they can have a deal negotiated with John Horgan and the NDP by the end of March.