NRRM mayor condemns proposed tolls for commercial vehicles driving to Alaska

FORT NELSON, B.C. — The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) has spoken out against Bill 7, a piece of provincial legislation that would see tolls imposed on commercial trucks traveling north from Fort St. John to Alaska.

According to a March 17th press release, NRRM Mayor Rob Fraser sent a letter to Premier David Eby on March 7th, supporting the province’s goal of maintaining its independence and Canada’s sovereignty amid an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.

However, the letter also reportedly outlined “Fraser’s concerns regarding the detrimental impact such tolls would have on the local economy.”

“Mayor Fraser emphasizes that the Alaska Highway is one of the last remaining economic drivers for the communities within the Northern Rockies, contributing vital revenue and employment opportunities,” the press release reads. “He pointed out that imposing tolls could significantly limit commercial traffic, further crippling an already struggling economy.”

According to Fraser, ground traffic only represents one per cent of the cargo entering Alaska annually, meaning a toll policy on commercial truckers would have a “catastrophic” impact on northeast B.C. and a negligible one on the U.S.

“This is yet another example of where policies imposed by the province have hindered economic growth in the Northern Rockies, driven by decision-makers lacking an understanding of the impacts where they are felt most,” Fraser reportedly said. 

He went on to say imposing these tolls would threaten one of the only remaining pillars of the NRRM’s economy and jeopardize the livelihoods of families that rely on the Alaska Highway’s commercial traffic for their income.

Fraser also reportedly invited Eby to visit the NRRM and “witness the impacts [of Bill 7] firsthand.”

Though he has since spoken with members of Eby’s cabinet, Fraser and the NRRM have yet to receive an official response to the letter.