British Columbia Premier reveals jobs plan anchored in rail

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark revealed her Canadian jobs plan, "Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan," which will be formally released on Thursday and is designed to help secure B.C. as the preferred gateway to Asia-Pacific trade and enable the provinice's resources to get to world markets. "I am in Prince Rupert today because if you are looking at Canada from Asia, with an eye to investing in our country, Canada truly starts here," said Premier Clark. "It is through British Columbia ports where resources are shipped to Asia, and where goods arrive for distribution at home and to the rest of North America. A bright economic future for British Columbians is linked to opening up Asia-Pacific markets to the rest of Canada, and B.C.'s transportation network will be the key to success." The province confirmed a CA$15 million (US$15.107 million) contribution for the CA$90-million (US$90.642 million) Road Rail Utility Corridor project, Phase 1 of a planned CA$300-million (US$302.139 million) development at the Port of Prince Rupert. This project includes investments of CA$30 million (US$30.214 million) from CN and CA$30 million (USS$30.214 million) from the Prince Rupert Port Authority. The federal government continues to work through its process to determine its participation with respect to the remaining CA$15 million (US$15.107 million). The CA$90-million (US$90.642 million) Road Rail Utility Corridor Project will expand Ridley Island's terminal capacity to help meet Asia's demand for Western Canada's natural resources. The project includes construction of new inbound and outbound rail lines and the extension of on-site rail and utilities. The investment will create more than 570 direct construction jobs over the life of the project and will further provide up to 4,000 operational jobs after all construction is complete.