By Cheryl Jahn

Federation Flight In Alberta

May 17, 2018 | 3:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A group of a hundred BC business leaders and representatives from 11 First Nations hopped on a plane this morning, bound for Edmonton to meet with political leaders in Alberta. They are also meeting with the Chambers of Commerce in Edmonton and Calgary. And they bring a message;

“The main message is that there’s unity amongst the business community,” says Mike Davis, the Vice President of Regional Initiatives for with the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of BC. “We’re seeing 54% of British Columbians polled are now showing support of Kinder Morgan.”

The fact the business community are taking it upon themselves speaks volumes for Prince George-Valemount MLA and Finance Critic Shirley Bond.

“To learn that a hundred leaders, First Nations leaders and business leaders, are actually going to Alberta to meet with the Premier to re-assure her that BC is still open for business is a pretty dramatic example of how concerned business leaders are feeling in this province,” says Bond. “Surprising, but I hope the message is well received.”

Many in the business community, including Davis, says this is a federally-approved project. Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau stated yesterday that it will financially compensate Kinder Morgan if the TransMountain pipeline faces any delays beyond the May 31st deadline set by the company. To Bond, forcing taxpayers across the country to foot the bill is galling.

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“There is a company that is willing to build this pipeline and to pay for it. The fact that taxpayer dollars might be considered rests squarely in the shoulders of NDP government and the Premier of this province. It’s time for them to recognize they are hurting the investment climate of in British Columbia. It’s bigger than one project and we better make sure that we’re sending the right message.”

The Federation Flight is only set for a single day.