The Northern Allowance (Tax Credit)

[JIAHN]

OK, I live in Prince Rupert. It is a Commercial Transportation hub. It is an important hub. It is the center between Haida Gwaii Port Hardy, Vancouver Island and Terrace, BC. It rains alot, it is Green, it is a fishing hub......................and it is arguably the most isolated large community in BC. Certainly more isolated than Fort ST. John or Dawson Creek, who both get a partial Northern Allowance.

 

IMO, Prince Rupert should qualify for the Northern Allowance as should Haida Gwaii, Terrace, Kitimat, and many other surrounding villages and towns. To spell it out, so as not to be misunderstood. It take 16 hours driving to get to Prince Rupert, 22 hours by ferry to Port Hardy, another 4 hours to drive to Nanaimo, and a 1 1/2 hour ferry to Vancouver. As for plane service, it is a $450 dollar ticket from Terrace to Vancouver, and a $700 dollar ticket from Prince Rupert. Incidentally, it's another $80 return for gas to Terrance and back, and the Ferry service cost is approx. $500 to $600 for car and driver before you pay for a $145 stateroom, or a $60 dollar reclining chair.

 

Now, it appears that latitude is the qualifier, for the federal government, and after 1 1/2 hour discussion with the local MLA, who does not seem to want to champion the cause, it appears no one wants to address this issue................obviously the local MP, has their head in the sand, as there is absolutely no noise on this issue.

 

I thought I would open this up and see if anyone has any incite into this subject................please feel free.......maybe I am wrong????

[Optimist Prime]

I was ruminating on this about eight months ago on a project. In my opinion the entire northern allowance from Alert Bay down to you needs to be refunded and reworked as a formula. Folks in the Territories need help, lots more than they have now, and as you rightly point out, folks in Prince Rupert need a bit of help too. I would support this.

[MattJVD]

Prince Rupert doesn't have the same logistical challenges that the territories have, it's a major point on the CP rail network so goods flow in pretty easily. Travelling is a pain in the ass, no doubt, but apples aren't $9.99/lb.

[JIAHN]

1 hour ago, MattJVD said:

Prince Rupert doesn't have the same logistical challenges that the territories have, it's a major point on the CP rail network so goods flow in pretty easily. Travelling is a pain in the ass, no doubt, but apples aren't $9.99/lb.

Hi Matt

I agree with the north....as in far north, but I can tell you first hand, gas, and food is cheaper in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, not to mention, there is alot of cross border shopping between those 2 communities, and Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd, and Grand Prairie. That is a huge tax savings in it's self, and on big items, saves alot.....PS...Gas is a hell of alot cheaper!

 

As for Prince Rupert......food costs are generally, quite a bit higher than even in Terrace.....meat especially! We won't even talk gas!

 

All I am saying is that Fort St. John etc, and even higher enjoy things that cost Rupertites......and just for the record, 1/2 the community is lower income, and could really benefit from this......................

 

 

Edited October 3, 2024 by JIAHN

[MattJVD]

1 hour ago, JIAHN said:

Hi Matt

I agree with the north....as in far north, but I can tell you first hand, gas, and food is cheaper in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, not to mention, there is alot of cross border shopping between those 2 communities, and Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd, and Grand Prairie. That is a huge tax savings in it's self, and on big items, saves alot.....PS...Gas is a hell of alot cheaper!

 

As for Prince Rupert......food costs are generally, quite a bit higher than even in Terrace.....meat especially! We won't even talk gas!

 

All I am saying is that Fort St. John etc, and even higher enjoy things that cost Rupertites......and just for the record, 1/2 the community is lower income, and could really benefit from this......................

 

 

Sorry, I completely missed the point on that haha. I thought you had to live in the Territories to get the tax credit, didn't realize those other northern BC towns received it to. Yeah, I agree that it doesn't make sense for Dawson Creek residents to receive it but not Prince Rupert.

[Shift-4]

14 hours ago, Optimist Prime said:

 folks in Prince Rupert need a bit of help too. I would support this.

Judging by @RupertKBD posts I would agree

[RupertKBD]

51 minutes ago, Shift-4 said:

Judging by @RupertKBD posts I would agree

 

See? I knew the old Shifty was still there....

[JIAHN]

12 hours ago, RupertKBD said:

 

See? I knew the old Shifty was still there....

 

What do you think about this @RupertKBD

 

I mean, I am a newbie here, only having lived here a year, but it's pretty noticeable here....yes/no?

 

 

Edited October 4, 2024 by JIAHN

[RupertKBD]

9 hours ago, JIAHN said:

What do you think about this @RupertKBD

 

I mean, I am a newbie here, only having lived here a year, but it's pretty noticeable here....yes/no?

 

I think you raise some valid points, but TBH, I don't really notice the high cost of things on the north coast.....probably because I've been here for 35 years now....

 

I certainly think Haida Gwaii residents should get some consideration. My daughter moved there with her new husband and things are very expensive there (and hard to get)....