Prince Rupert has been dealing with major infrastructure issues for years. The collapse of the fishing industry and loss of residential tax base has only worsened the situation over the past decade.

Now, things are at a critical point. With the development of the container port, and subsequent expansion, despite the local economy rebounding, roads, housing and especially drinking water infrastructure has not kept up with the cities growth.

Over the Christmas break, two major water mains ruptured in Prince Rupert due to an extreme cold snap. Those water-mains were more than 100 years old.

Last week the provincial government announced $65 million dollars for Prince Rupert to deal with immediate issues to the water system infrastructure to ensure the community of more than 12,000 people has clean drinking water. Although that will alleviate the immediate issues, Prince Rupert still need hundreds of millions of dollars to replace aging infrastructure over the next decade.

"For the next three years it's going to be Rupert renovations," said Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond. "These funds will definitely help immediately, but we have a long way to go in upgrading other critical infrastructure."

After years, the provincial government has finally provided critical funds, however the federal government has still not provided finical support for Rupert’s infrastructure needs, now Canada’s third largest port, next to Vancouver and Montreal.

Last week, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach joined other MPs from all parties on a cross country tour of major port infrastructure. There was a clear distinction between what MPs saw in Montreal and Vancouver, which ports are surrounded by millions of people and major metropolitan centres to support these ports. In Prince Rupert, 12,000 people and very few options to expand the tax base of the community, are tough obstacles to overcome to keep the more than $ 50 billion dollars’ worth of international trade and shipping moving.