Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen is hopeful the dispute between the Canadian and U.S governments can be resolved and a new Alaskan ferry terminal can be built.
“It’s just not in Alaska’s interests to hold this up. This is an investment that makes sense for their own people and for travel to the Alaskan Panhandle and beyond. It’s cutting off their nose to spite their face,” he said during a teleconference with media last week.
Cullen said he has been in conversation with Minister for International Trade Ed Fast regarding the ferry terminal upgrade, imploring that negotiations continue and for there to be a way the terminal gets built.
“What I was encouraging the minister to do is to make sure the lines of communication are still open even as the Alaskans have pushed off their decision whether or not to build this terminal,” Cullen said.
“It’s in their interest. They have to understand that the Buy America policy goes directly against Canada’s interest, particularly on land that is owned by the Canadian government.”
Cullen said the terminal upgrade is important for Prince Rupert and Alaska, with there being an exemption the Alaskan government can adopt.
“It’s clearly something they can do. It’s been done before on much, much larger projects,” he said.
