Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 2, Issue 6

201 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6 NORTH COAST REGIONAL DI STR I CT , BR I T I SH COLUMB I A mapping project, as well as tsunami hazard mapping project. Determining what we might expect in terms of sea level rise and erosion failure instances, and at tsunami impacts that would arise from something like an Alaskan Aleutian or a Cascadia sub zone seismic event.” As for their workforce and major industries, it’s hard to narrow down exactly one. “That’s where our geographic divide comes into play,” Fish explains. “On the mainland is some fairly significant industrial activity, including one of the largest ports in North America, here in Prince Rupert. And over on Haida Gwaii I would say they are focused on forestry activities and tourism. Tourism throughout the region is a pretty big one, but on the mainland side of things you have more traditional resource-based industries.” Transportation in and out of the North Coast is as varied as the geography. They are mile zero for the Highway 16 road network, which starts in Masset and goes along Haida Gwaii, picking up on the mainland side in Prince Rupert. There are commercial airports serviced by Air Canada in Prince Rupert, Sandspit, and one in Masset serviced by Pacific Coastal Airlines. For inter- provincial travel, the regional district has a BC Ferries terminal that runs from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert to Vancouver Island. For more rural communities, like those unincorporated communities in electoral areas A and C, the only transportation available is by boat. Residents must have access to their own transportation or an arrangement through seaplane providers. “One great thing about living up here is it’s relatively small, everybody knows everybody, particularly if you’re out on the water – so it’s easy to hitch a ride if you need it,” Fish explains. Despite its vast geography and varying needs, the North Coast Regional District remains united. “It’s a pretty wide gamut,” Fish says. “But there’s one thing I would say we all share in common and that’s our connection to water – the ocean here.”