#princerupert

Northwest B.C. Housing Splits Apart as Kitimat Rebounds and Smithers Prices Soar Terrace remains expensive despite falling sales, Prince Rupert struggles to turn port growth into housing momentum, and Kitimat emerges as the Northwest’s most affordable major market The housing market across Northwest British Columbia is moving in directions few would have predicted. Kitimat, still adjusting to the departure of thousands of LNG Canada construction workers, recorded one of the region’s strongest increases in home sales during the first half of 2026. Prince Rupert also sold more properties, even as detached-home prices declined and the city continued to wrestle with aging houses and failing municipal infrastructure. Terrace recorded fewer sales and a lower average detached-home price, but buyers received little meaningful relief as limited inventory kept the city among the Northwest’s most expensive housing markets. Smithers experienced the steepest sales decline among the four major centres, yet its median detached-home price climbed to approximately $575,000—the highest in the region. The latest figures show that Northwest B.C. can no longer be described as a single housing market. The LNG town, the port city, the regional service centre and the mountain lifestyle community are now following sharply different paths. Northwest B.C. housing at a glance CommunityFirst-half 2026 salesChange from 2025Median detached priceTerrace123Down 9.6%About $540,000Kitimat85Up 19.7%About $400,000Prince Rupert75Up 17.2%About $420,000Smithers73Down 17.0%About $575,000 The numbers challenge several common assumptions. Kitimat was not the weakest ownership market. Terrace was not leading the region in sales growth. Prince Rupert’s port expansion did not create a housing boom. And Smithers—not Terrace—was the most expensive major housing market in Northwest B.C. Kitimat’s post-LNG surprise Kitimat recorded 85 property sales during the first six months of 2026, up from 71 during the same period in 2025. That represents an increase of nearly 20 per cent. The total value of transactions rose from approximately $28.7 million to $31.9 million, while 62 detached houses changed ownership. The increase came as Kitimat continued adjusting to the end of LNG Canada’s enormous construction phase. At the project’s peak, thousands of temporary workers were accommodated in industrial camps, hotels, apartments, basement suites and investor-owned houses. As construction wound down and LNG Canada moved into permanent operations, much of that temporary population departed. The result has been a major shift in the kind of housing demand present in the community. Rental conditions reportedly weakened sharply as landlords lost industrial and contractor tenants. Some investors who purchased homes during the construction boom were left competing for a much smaller pool of renters. Yet the same correction appears to have helped Kitimat’s ownership market. The median detached-home price declined from approximately $419,500 in 2025 to around $400,000 in the first half of 2026. That made Kitimat the most affordable of the four principal Northwest markets. Homes also sold relatively quickly, averaging approximately 26 days on the market—faster than in Terrace, Prince Rupert or Smithers. Local families and first-time buyers who struggled to compete during the construction boom may now be finding opportunities. Kitimat’s housing market is not simply collapsing after LNG construction. It is being redistributed. Some houses that previously functioned as temporary workforce rentals are returning to the permanent residential market, where they can be purchased by people who intend to live in the community. KITIMAT MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 85 Sales change: Up 19.7% Median detached price: Approximately $400,000 Average detached price: Approximately $435,492 Average time on market: 26 days Main pressure: Post-construction rental correction Main advantage: Lowest entry price among the four major markets Kitimat’s longer-term outlook will depend on whether permanent industrial employment can replace enough of the extraordinary demand created by LNG construction. Rio Tinto’s BC Works smelter remains a major, stable employer. Cedar LNG is under construction and will bring additional activity, although its expected workforce is far smaller than the peak LNG Canada construction workforce. The possibility of future LNG expansion also continues to influence expectations. But proposed projects and future expansion cannot be treated as guaranteed housing demand. For now, Kitimat appears to be moving away from a temporary-worker market and toward a more affordable ownership market for permanent residents. Terrace remains expensive—but fewer homes are changing hands Terrace registered 123 property sales during the first half of 2026, down from 136 during the same period last year. The total value of sales dropped from approximately $72.1 million to $59.9 million. Detached-home sales fell to 68, while the average detached selling price declined to approximately $532,053. Those numbers would normally suggest a market losing strength. But Terrace buyers are unlikely to feel that the city has suddenly become affordable. The median detached-home price remained close to $540,000—approximately $140,000 higher than Kitimat. At the end of June, only 170 properties of all types were reportedly available across the Terrace trading area. Terrace is therefore facing an unusual situation: sales are declining, but the supply of attractive and attainable housing remains too limited to produce a major price correction. The city’s economic base helps explain why prices remain elevated. Terrace functions as Northwest B.C.’s primary healthcare, retail, aviation, education, government and professional-services centre. The opening of Ksyen Regional Hospital expanded Terrace’s healthcare role and created demand from physicians, nurses, technicians, administrators and other professionals requiring permanent housing. The city also benefits from Northwest Regional Airport, Coast Mountain College, provincial offices, construction companies, Indigenous organizations and regional businesses serving communities from Kitimat to the Hazeltons and beyond. This gives Terrace a more diversified employment base than communities tied primarily to a single industrial project. TERRACE MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 123 Sales change: Down 9.6% Median detached price: Approximately $540,000 Average detached price: Approximately $532,053 Average time on market: 37 days Main pressure: Limited quality inventory Main advantage: Diversified regional economy Terrace’s challenge is not necessarily disappearing demand. It is the shortage of appropriate homes. There are too few affordable rentals for service workers, too few attainable houses for first-time buyers and too few modern family homes for professionals relocating to the region. Existing homeowners may also be reluctant to sell and surrender mortgages secured when borrowing costs were lower. That so-called mortgage lock-in effect is a plausible contributor to limited listings, although local evidence would be required to measure its exact impact. Terrace is not experiencing an obvious housing boom. It is experiencing something more frustrating: fewer transactions, stubbornly high prices and not enough suitable homes for the people trying to enter the market. Prince Rupert’s port grows faster than its housing market Prince Rupert recorded 75 property sales in the first half of 2026, up from 64 during the same period in 2025. That was an increase of approximately 17.2 per cent. However, the total dollar value of sales remained almost unchanged at approximately $30.5 million. The median detached-home price reportedly declined from approximately $446,805 to $420,000. More properties sold, but they generally changed hands at lower prices. That creates an uncomfortable contrast for one of Canada’s most strategically important port cities. The Port of Prince Rupert continues to attract major investment in container shipping, bulk exports, energy terminals, logistics facilities and rail infrastructure. Cargo volumes increased during 2025, while additional projects around Ridley Island, Kaien Island and the regional rail network promise further investment. But major infrastructure investment has not translated into an equivalent housing surge. One explanation is that modern port expansion does not necessarily create employment in proportion to the volume of cargo moving through the terminals. Automated equipment, on-dock rail systems and highly efficient logistics operations can move more cargo without requiring thousands of additional permanent residents. Some construction employment is also temporary, while rotational and commuting workforces do not always create new local households. The other explanation is more visible on Prince Rupert’s streets. The city has a serious housing-quality problem. Many homes are old and have endured decades of heavy rain, moisture, wind and deferred maintenance. Buyers regularly encounter properties requiring expensive upgrades involving roofs, foundations, drainage, electrical systems, plumbing, insulation, mold or structural repairs. A $420,000 home requiring another $150,000 in renovations is not necessarily more affordable than a newer, more expensive property in another community. PRINCE RUPERT MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 75 Sales change: Up 17.2% Median detached price: Approximately $420,000 Average time on market: 49 days Main pressure: Aging housing and infrastructure failures Main advantage: Major port and logistics investment Prince Rupert also faces severe physical barriers to new construction. Steep rock, muskeg, limited serviced land and high building costs make new housing difficult to deliver. At the same time, the city is undertaking extensive work to replace aging water and sewer infrastructure after years of breaks, advisories and emergency repairs. These projects are essential, but they also consume municipal resources, disrupt neighbourhoods and add financial pressure to local taxpayers. Prince Rupert’s economy may be expanding, but its residential foundation remains fragile. The city’s next major challenge is not attracting another industrial announcement. It is ensuring that workers and families can find modern, reliable and financeable homes when they arrive. Smithers becomes the Northwest’s most expensive market Smithers recorded 73 property sales during the first six months of 2026, down from 88 during the same period last year. That was a decline of 17 per cent—the steepest fall among the four major Northwest markets. Yet the median detached-home price rose from approximately $529,659 to $575,000. Fewer homes sold, but the ones that did sell established the highest price level in the region. Smithers has increasingly become a premium lifestyle and professional-services market. The town has a stable employment base in healthcare, education, provincial government, tourism and regional administration. It also supports mining and exploration activity across northern B.C., attracting technical, engineering, environmental and administrative professionals. But Smithers’ appeal extends beyond employment. Its mountain setting, ski hill, fishing, trails, cultural amenities and community character make it attractive to retirees, remote professionals and families leaving larger cities. Smithers offers a lifestyle that buyers may be willing to pay a premium to obtain. The problem is that there are very few homes available. Only 31 detached houses reportedly sold during the first half of the year. Acreages and vacant land accounted for a significant portion of the remaining transactions. For a family seeking a standard home within town, the selection can be extremely limited. SMITHERS MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 73 Sales change: Down 17.0% Median detached price: Approximately $575,000 Average time on market: 45 days Main pressure: Extremely limited housing and rental supply Main advantage: Lifestyle demand and diversified professional employment Smithers is not experiencing a high-volume real estate boom. It is becoming an exclusive, low-liquidity market where scarcity allows a relatively small number of sales to support the Northwest’s highest prices. That creates growing affordability concerns for local service workers, younger families and residents without access to professional, government or resource-sector incomes. Houston delivers the region’s biggest surprise Beyond the four primary markets, Houston recorded the strongest sales increase identified in the regional data. Property transactions rose from 25 during the first half of 2025 to 37 in the first half of 2026—an increase of 48 per cent. The rebound came despite continuing uncertainty surrounding the forestry sector and the future of major mill operations. Lower housing prices may be attracting buyers looking for affordability along the Highway 16 corridor. Some households may also be choosing Houston while working in mining, construction, forestry support or other regional industries. But percentages can be deceptive in small markets. An increase of 12 sales creates a 48 per cent jump when the starting point is only 25 transactions. Houston’s rebound is notable, but it does not yet prove that the community has completed its economic transition away from dependence on forestry. The bigger question is whether affordable housing can help Houston retain families and attract new employers—or whether the increase represents a short-term bounce from an unusually weak year. Hazelton’s problem may not be weak demand The Hazelton and Highway 37 area recorded just 14 property sales during the first half of 2026, down from 17 a year earlier. It would be easy to interpret those numbers as evidence of a weak housing market. But transaction volume tells only part of the story. The Upper Skeena contains a substantial amount of older housing, some of which requires significant repairs or does not meet the standards demanded by conventional lenders and insurers. A property can be inexpensive and still be difficult to purchase. Homes with foundation problems, outdated electrical systems, water issues, major structural repairs or uncertain servicing can be challenging to finance. As a result, buyers may need larger down payments, private financing or cash. The region also faces limited serviced land, high construction costs and a shortage of local contractors. Hazelton’s housing problem may therefore be less about a lack of people seeking homes and more about a lack of safe, modern and mortgageable properties. Northwest B.C. has both a rental shortage and a rental surplus The region’s greatest housing contradiction may be found in the rental market. Terrace, Prince Rupert and Smithers continue to face very limited rental availability. Kitimat appears to be experiencing the opposite. Rental demand in Kitimat weakened following LNG construction demobilization, leaving some landlords with vacant houses, apartments and secondary suites. Reported local estimates have placed Kitimat’s vacancy rate as high as approximately 20 per cent. That figure requires caution because it may come from a local survey or a particular part of the rental market rather than a directly comparable CMHC measure. Smithers’ reported vacancy rate also comes from local housing analysis because the town is not consistently covered through the same CMHC rental survey used in larger centres. Even with those limitations, the broad divide is clear. In Kitimat, landlords are competing for fewer industrial tenants. In Terrace, renters are competing for limited housing near the Northwest’s largest concentration of healthcare and regional services. In Prince Rupert, tenants face a shortage of modern, well-maintained rental units. In Smithers, suitable vacancies can be extremely difficult to find. The same Northwest region contains both excess rental capacity and severe rental scarcity. There is no single solution The data exposes a housing mismatch rather than one universal regional shortage. Kitimat has to transition housing built or purchased around temporary industrial demand into stable homes for permanent residents. Terrace needs more apartments, townhouses, serviced lots and attainable family housing. Prince Rupert needs infrastructure replacement and major investment in the quality of its existing housing stock. Smithers needs additional supply in a market where land, labour and construction costs make private development difficult. Hazelton and the Upper Skeena need more homes that are safe, modern, serviced and eligible for conventional financing. Houston needs to connect housing affordability to a credible long-term economy beyond forestry dependence. Stewart, with its tiny population and project-driven economy, requires a completely different approach based on mining cycles, seasonal workers and extremely limited construction capacity. Building more units will not solve every problem if those units are unaffordable, poorly located, unsuitable for families or dependent on temporary workers. Northwest B.C. needs the right housing in the right communities for the people who will remain after the construction crews leave. What happens next The remainder of 2026 and 2027 could widen the differences between these markets. Cedar LNG construction may absorb some of Kitimat’s available rental capacity and provide additional confidence to the resale market. Any serious movement toward an expansion of LNG Canada could quickly change expectations, although a proposed expansion should not be counted as confirmed demand until a final decision is made. Terrace is likely to remain expensive unless more serviced land and new housing become available. Prince Rupert’s market will depend partly on whether large-scale infrastructure replacement creates conditions for modern residential development rather than merely repairing past failures. Smithers is likely to remain costly and tightly held as long as lifestyle demand and professional employment compete for a very small pool of properties. For years, industrial announcements across the Northwest were often treated as if they would lift every nearby community in the same way. The first half of 2026 shows why that assumption no longer works. LNG construction can produce a rental boom followed by a vacancy problem. Port expansion can increase cargo volumes without creating a matching population surge. Healthcare and government employment can keep housing expensive even while sales decline. Lifestyle demand can turn a small northern town into the region’s highest-priced market. Northwest B.C. is not rising or falling together. It is splitting into separate housing realities—and the distance between them is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Read the full article

Northwest B.C. Housing Splits Apart as Kitimat Rebounds and Smithers Prices Soar Terrace remains expensive despite falling sales, Prince Rupert struggles to turn port growth into housing momentum, and Kitimat emerges as the Northwest’s most affordable major market The housing market across Northwest British Columbia is moving in directions few would have predicted. Kitimat, still adjusting to the departure of thousands of LNG Canada construction workers, recorded one of the region’s strongest increases in home sales during the first half of 2026. Prince Rupert also sold more properties, even as detached-home prices declined and the city continued to wrestle with aging houses and failing municipal infrastructure. Terrace recorded fewer sales and a lower average detached-home price, but buyers received little meaningful relief as limited inventory kept the city among the Northwest’s most expensive housing markets. Smithers experienced the steepest sales decline among the four major centres, yet its median detached-home price climbed to approximately $575,000—the highest in the region. The latest figures show that Northwest B.C. can no longer be described as a single housing market. The LNG town, the port city, the regional service centre and the mountain lifestyle community are now following sharply different paths. Northwest B.C. housing at a glance CommunityFirst-half 2026 salesChange from 2025Median detached priceTerrace123Down 9.6%About $540,000Kitimat85Up 19.7%About $400,000Prince Rupert75Up 17.2%About $420,000Smithers73Down 17.0%About $575,000 The numbers challenge several common assumptions. Kitimat was not the weakest ownership market. Terrace was not leading the region in sales growth. Prince Rupert’s port expansion did not create a housing boom. And Smithers—not Terrace—was the most expensive major housing market in Northwest B.C. Kitimat’s post-LNG surprise Kitimat recorded 85 property sales during the first six months of 2026, up from 71 during the same period in 2025. That represents an increase of nearly 20 per cent. The total value of transactions rose from approximately $28.7 million to $31.9 million, while 62 detached houses changed ownership. The increase came as Kitimat continued adjusting to the end of LNG Canada’s enormous construction phase. At the project’s peak, thousands of temporary workers were accommodated in industrial camps, hotels, apartments, basement suites and investor-owned houses. As construction wound down and LNG Canada moved into permanent operations, much of that temporary population departed. The result has been a major shift in the kind of housing demand present in the community. Rental conditions reportedly weakened sharply as landlords lost industrial and contractor tenants. Some investors who purchased homes during the construction boom were left competing for a much smaller pool of renters. Yet the same correction appears to have helped Kitimat’s ownership market. The median detached-home price declined from approximately $419,500 in 2025 to around $400,000 in the first half of 2026. That made Kitimat the most affordable of the four principal Northwest markets. Homes also sold relatively quickly, averaging approximately 26 days on the market—faster than in Terrace, Prince Rupert or Smithers. Local families and first-time buyers who struggled to compete during the construction boom may now be finding opportunities. Kitimat’s housing market is not simply collapsing after LNG construction. It is being redistributed. Some houses that previously functioned as temporary workforce rentals are returning to the permanent residential market, where they can be purchased by people who intend to live in the community. KITIMAT MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 85 Sales change: Up 19.7% Median detached price: Approximately $400,000 Average detached price: Approximately $435,492 Average time on market: 26 days Main pressure: Post-construction rental correction Main advantage: Lowest entry price among the four major markets Kitimat’s longer-term outlook will depend on whether permanent industrial employment can replace enough of the extraordinary demand created by LNG construction. Rio Tinto’s BC Works smelter remains a major, stable employer. Cedar LNG is under construction and will bring additional activity, although its expected workforce is far smaller than the peak LNG Canada construction workforce. The possibility of future LNG expansion also continues to influence expectations. But proposed projects and future expansion cannot be treated as guaranteed housing demand. For now, Kitimat appears to be moving away from a temporary-worker market and toward a more affordable ownership market for permanent residents. Terrace remains expensive—but fewer homes are changing hands Terrace registered 123 property sales during the first half of 2026, down from 136 during the same period last year. The total value of sales dropped from approximately $72.1 million to $59.9 million. Detached-home sales fell to 68, while the average detached selling price declined to approximately $532,053. Those numbers would normally suggest a market losing strength. But Terrace buyers are unlikely to feel that the city has suddenly become affordable. The median detached-home price remained close to $540,000—approximately $140,000 higher than Kitimat. At the end of June, only 170 properties of all types were reportedly available across the Terrace trading area. Terrace is therefore facing an unusual situation: sales are declining, but the supply of attractive and attainable housing remains too limited to produce a major price correction. The city’s economic base helps explain why prices remain elevated. Terrace functions as Northwest B.C.’s primary healthcare, retail, aviation, education, government and professional-services centre. The opening of Ksyen Regional Hospital expanded Terrace’s healthcare role and created demand from physicians, nurses, technicians, administrators and other professionals requiring permanent housing. The city also benefits from Northwest Regional Airport, Coast Mountain College, provincial offices, construction companies, Indigenous organizations and regional businesses serving communities from Kitimat to the Hazeltons and beyond. This gives Terrace a more diversified employment base than communities tied primarily to a single industrial project. TERRACE MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 123 Sales change: Down 9.6% Median detached price: Approximately $540,000 Average detached price: Approximately $532,053 Average time on market: 37 days Main pressure: Limited quality inventory Main advantage: Diversified regional economy Terrace’s challenge is not necessarily disappearing demand. It is the shortage of appropriate homes. There are too few affordable rentals for service workers, too few attainable houses for first-time buyers and too few modern family homes for professionals relocating to the region. Existing homeowners may also be reluctant to sell and surrender mortgages secured when borrowing costs were lower. That so-called mortgage lock-in effect is a plausible contributor to limited listings, although local evidence would be required to measure its exact impact. Terrace is not experiencing an obvious housing boom. It is experiencing something more frustrating: fewer transactions, stubbornly high prices and not enough suitable homes for the people trying to enter the market. Prince Rupert’s port grows faster than its housing market Prince Rupert recorded 75 property sales in the first half of 2026, up from 64 during the same period in 2025. That was an increase of approximately 17.2 per cent. However, the total dollar value of sales remained almost unchanged at approximately $30.5 million. The median detached-home price reportedly declined from approximately $446,805 to $420,000. More properties sold, but they generally changed hands at lower prices. That creates an uncomfortable contrast for one of Canada’s most strategically important port cities. The Port of Prince Rupert continues to attract major investment in container shipping, bulk exports, energy terminals, logistics facilities and rail infrastructure. Cargo volumes increased during 2025, while additional projects around Ridley Island, Kaien Island and the regional rail network promise further investment. But major infrastructure investment has not translated into an equivalent housing surge. One explanation is that modern port expansion does not necessarily create employment in proportion to the volume of cargo moving through the terminals. Automated equipment, on-dock rail systems and highly efficient logistics operations can move more cargo without requiring thousands of additional permanent residents. Some construction employment is also temporary, while rotational and commuting workforces do not always create new local households. The other explanation is more visible on Prince Rupert’s streets. The city has a serious housing-quality problem. Many homes are old and have endured decades of heavy rain, moisture, wind and deferred maintenance. Buyers regularly encounter properties requiring expensive upgrades involving roofs, foundations, drainage, electrical systems, plumbing, insulation, mold or structural repairs. A $420,000 home requiring another $150,000 in renovations is not necessarily more affordable than a newer, more expensive property in another community. PRINCE RUPERT MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 75 Sales change: Up 17.2% Median detached price: Approximately $420,000 Average time on market: 49 days Main pressure: Aging housing and infrastructure failures Main advantage: Major port and logistics investment Prince Rupert also faces severe physical barriers to new construction. Steep rock, muskeg, limited serviced land and high building costs make new housing difficult to deliver. At the same time, the city is undertaking extensive work to replace aging water and sewer infrastructure after years of breaks, advisories and emergency repairs. These projects are essential, but they also consume municipal resources, disrupt neighbourhoods and add financial pressure to local taxpayers. Prince Rupert’s economy may be expanding, but its residential foundation remains fragile. The city’s next major challenge is not attracting another industrial announcement. It is ensuring that workers and families can find modern, reliable and financeable homes when they arrive. Smithers becomes the Northwest’s most expensive market Smithers recorded 73 property sales during the first six months of 2026, down from 88 during the same period last year. That was a decline of 17 per cent—the steepest fall among the four major Northwest markets. Yet the median detached-home price rose from approximately $529,659 to $575,000. Fewer homes sold, but the ones that did sell established the highest price level in the region. Smithers has increasingly become a premium lifestyle and professional-services market. The town has a stable employment base in healthcare, education, provincial government, tourism and regional administration. It also supports mining and exploration activity across northern B.C., attracting technical, engineering, environmental and administrative professionals. But Smithers’ appeal extends beyond employment. Its mountain setting, ski hill, fishing, trails, cultural amenities and community character make it attractive to retirees, remote professionals and families leaving larger cities. Smithers offers a lifestyle that buyers may be willing to pay a premium to obtain. The problem is that there are very few homes available. Only 31 detached houses reportedly sold during the first half of the year. Acreages and vacant land accounted for a significant portion of the remaining transactions. For a family seeking a standard home within town, the selection can be extremely limited. SMITHERS MARKET SNAPSHOT Sales: 73 Sales change: Down 17.0% Median detached price: Approximately $575,000 Average time on market: 45 days Main pressure: Extremely limited housing and rental supply Main advantage: Lifestyle demand and diversified professional employment Smithers is not experiencing a high-volume real estate boom. It is becoming an exclusive, low-liquidity market where scarcity allows a relatively small number of sales to support the Northwest’s highest prices. That creates growing affordability concerns for local service workers, younger families and residents without access to professional, government or resource-sector incomes. Houston delivers the region’s biggest surprise Beyond the four primary markets, Houston recorded the strongest sales increase identified in the regional data. Property transactions rose from 25 during the first half of 2025 to 37 in the first half of 2026—an increase of 48 per cent. The rebound came despite continuing uncertainty surrounding the forestry sector and the future of major mill operations. Lower housing prices may be attracting buyers looking for affordability along the Highway 16 corridor. Some households may also be choosing Houston while working in mining, construction, forestry support or other regional industries. But percentages can be deceptive in small markets. An increase of 12 sales creates a 48 per cent jump when the starting point is only 25 transactions. Houston’s rebound is notable, but it does not yet prove that the community has completed its economic transition away from dependence on forestry. The bigger question is whether affordable housing can help Houston retain families and attract new employers—or whether the increase represents a short-term bounce from an unusually weak year. Hazelton’s problem may not be weak demand The Hazelton and Highway 37 area recorded just 14 property sales during the first half of 2026, down from 17 a year earlier. It would be easy to interpret those numbers as evidence of a weak housing market. But transaction volume tells only part of the story. The Upper Skeena contains a substantial amount of older housing, some of which requires significant repairs or does not meet the standards demanded by conventional lenders and insurers. A property can be inexpensive and still be difficult to purchase. Homes with foundation problems, outdated electrical systems, water issues, major structural repairs or uncertain servicing can be challenging to finance. As a result, buyers may need larger down payments, private financing or cash. The region also faces limited serviced land, high construction costs and a shortage of local contractors. Hazelton’s housing problem may therefore be less about a lack of people seeking homes and more about a lack of safe, modern and mortgageable properties. Northwest B.C. has both a rental shortage and a rental surplus The region’s greatest housing contradiction may be found in the rental market. Terrace, Prince Rupert and Smithers continue to face very limited rental availability. Kitimat appears to be experiencing the opposite. Rental demand in Kitimat weakened following LNG construction demobilization, leaving some landlords with vacant houses, apartments and secondary suites. Reported local estimates have placed Kitimat’s vacancy rate as high as approximately 20 per cent. That figure requires caution because it may come from a local survey or a particular part of the rental market rather than a directly comparable CMHC measure. Smithers’ reported vacancy rate also comes from local housing analysis because the town is not consistently covered through the same CMHC rental survey used in larger centres. Even with those limitations, the broad divide is clear. In Kitimat, landlords are competing for fewer industrial tenants. In Terrace, renters are competing for limited housing near the Northwest’s largest concentration of healthcare and regional services. In Prince Rupert, tenants face a shortage of modern, well-maintained rental units. In Smithers, suitable vacancies can be extremely difficult to find. The same Northwest region contains both excess rental capacity and severe rental scarcity. There is no single solution The data exposes a housing mismatch rather than one universal regional shortage. Kitimat has to transition housing built or purchased around temporary industrial demand into stable homes for permanent residents. Terrace needs more apartments, townhouses, serviced lots and attainable family housing. Prince Rupert needs infrastructure replacement and major investment in the quality of its existing housing stock. Smithers needs additional supply in a market where land, labour and construction costs make private development difficult. Hazelton and the Upper Skeena need more homes that are safe, modern, serviced and eligible for conventional financing. Houston needs to connect housing affordability to a credible long-term economy beyond forestry dependence. Stewart, with its tiny population and project-driven economy, requires a completely different approach based on mining cycles, seasonal workers and extremely limited construction capacity. Building more units will not solve every problem if those units are unaffordable, poorly located, unsuitable for families or dependent on temporary workers. Northwest B.C. needs the right housing in the right communities for the people who will remain after the construction crews leave. What happens next The remainder of 2026 and 2027 could widen the differences between these markets. Cedar LNG construction may absorb some of Kitimat’s available rental capacity and provide additional confidence to the resale market. Any serious movement toward an expansion of LNG Canada could quickly change expectations, although a proposed expansion should not be counted as confirmed demand until a final decision is made. Terrace is likely to remain expensive unless more serviced land and new housing become available. Prince Rupert’s market will depend partly on whether large-scale infrastructure replacement creates conditions for modern residential development rather than merely repairing past failures. Smithers is likely to remain costly and tightly held as long as lifestyle demand and professional employment compete for a very small pool of properties. For years, industrial announcements across the Northwest were often treated as if they would lift every nearby community in the same way. The first half of 2026 shows why that assumption no longer works. LNG construction can produce a rental boom followed by a vacancy problem. Port expansion can increase cargo volumes without creating a matching population surge. Healthcare and government employment can keep housing expensive even while sales decline. Lifestyle demand can turn a small northern town into the region’s highest-priced market. Northwest B.C. is not rising or falling together. It is splitting into separate housing realities—and the distance between them is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Read the full article

Ottawa–B.C. Deal Puts North Coast Transmission Line at Centre of Northwest B.C.’s Future By Skeena News A new Canada–British Columbia economic agreement signed in Vancouver on July 2 could become one of the most important infrastructure decisions for Northwest B.C. in a generation. Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby announced the Canada–B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, a broad federal-provincial framework aimed at accelerating major projects, strengthening clean energy infrastructure, expanding trade, and supporting resource communities. For the Skeena region, the biggest piece is clear: the North Coast Transmission Line. The agreement includes major federal support for the North Coast Transmission Line, a proposed high-voltage electricity corridor that would expand clean power capacity from the B.C. Interior toward Terrace and the North Coast. The federal government says the partnership is intended to help build a stronger and more sustainable economy, while supporting clean electricity, critical minerals, ports, trade infrastructure, and Indigenous economic participation. For Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Stewart, Smithers, the Hazeltons, and surrounding First Nations communities, this is not just another political announcement from Vancouver or Ottawa. It could shape the next decade of jobs, investment, industrial development, electricity demand, environmental debate, and Indigenous ownership across the Northwest. Why the Transmission Line Matters The North Coast Transmission Line is designed to bring more clean, reliable electricity into the North Coast region, where demand is rising from ports, mining, hydrogen, technology, liquefied natural gas, and other industrial projects. BC Hydro says the potential demand for electricity in the region is already greater than the capacity of the existing transmission system. The first two phases would add new 500-kilovolt transmission infrastructure from the Prince George area toward Terrace. Phase 1 proposes a new line from Williston Substation to Glenannan Substation, while Phase 2 would continue from Glenannan to Skeena Substation near Terrace. That makes Terrace a key point in the future power map of northern British Columbia. If completed, the line could help electrify major industrial activity that currently depends on diesel, natural gas, or limited grid access. Supporters say this could make Northwest B.C. more competitive for mines, LNG projects, port upgrades, and clean-energy investments while reducing emissions from industrial operations. A Major Bet on the Northwest Economy The agreement comes at a time when Northwest B.C. is facing both opportunity and pressure. The region has deep-water ports, critical mineral deposits, LNG proposals, forestry communities, Indigenous-led projects, and growing demand for infrastructure. But it also faces long-standing challenges: limited highway and rail redundancy, housing pressure, industrial uncertainty, high construction costs, and public concern over whether major projects actually benefit local residents. The North Coast Transmission Line is being promoted as the backbone of a new clean-energy corridor. Federal project information says several First Nations under the K’uul Power consortium have signed agreements that provide an option to acquire up to 50 percent equity in the project. That ownership model is important. Instead of First Nations only receiving impact benefits or short-term construction jobs, the structure could allow participating Nations to become long-term equity partners in the infrastructure itself. K’uul Power says its purpose is to support First Nations ownership and operation of renewable energy transmission and generation infrastructure in Northwest B.C. Early Work Already Moving The North Coast Transmission Line is not just an idea on paper. In November 2025, the Canada Infrastructure Bank announced a $139.5 million loan to BC Hydro to support early works for the project. That includes planning, engineering, fieldwork, procurement, First Nations consultation, stakeholder engagement, and enabling work to improve site access. That means the project has already moved into the preparation stage, even as the full buildout, financing, permitting, and final timelines remain under close public scrutiny. The B.C. Energy Regulator describes the project as BC Hydro’s proposal to build new 500 kV transmission lines and associated infrastructure from Prince George to Terrace through two phases. What This Could Mean for Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Stewart For Terrace, the project could mean years of construction activity, staging, road access work, contracting opportunities, and new pressure on housing and services. Terrace could also become a central hub for the regional power corridor because of the Skeena Substation connection. For Kitimat, more grid capacity could support industrial electrification and future LNG-related power demand. Cedar LNG, already positioned as an Indigenous-led floating LNG project, is one example of the type of industrial activity that depends heavily on reliable electricity. For Prince Rupert and Stewart, the bigger power picture is connected to port modernization, critical mineral exports, and future trade with Asia. The Northwest has some of the shortest marine routes from North America to Asian markets, but ports also need power, land, rail reliability, and industrial capacity to expand. For inland communities such as Smithers, Houston, Burns Lake, and the Hazeltons, the transmission corridor could bring construction traffic, contracts, employment, and debate over land use, environmental protection, and long-term community benefit. Not Everyone Sees It the Same Way While governments are presenting the agreement as a clean-growth breakthrough, the project will continue to face questions. Environmental groups and some residents have raised concerns that large amounts of public clean electricity could end up supporting LNG and other heavy industrial projects instead of being reserved for homes, small businesses, public transit, local manufacturing, and community-level decarbonization. There are also practical questions: Who pays? How much will ratepayers carry? How many jobs will be local? How will work camps be managed? Will housing prices rise? Will local contractors actually get work? How will wildlife, salmon watersheds, and culturally important areas be protected? Those questions matter because Northwest B.C. has seen major announcements before. Communities across the Skeena region know the difference between a press conference and a completed project. Northern Tanker Ban Remains One politically significant part of the Canada–B.C. agreement is that it maintains the northern oil tanker ban. That reduces the likelihood of a heavy-oil pipeline to B.C.’s north coast, even as the federal and provincial governments push electricity, mining, port, LNG, and clean-energy development. For the Skeena region, this means the future being promoted is not a traditional oil export corridor. It is a power, port, critical minerals, LNG, and clean electricity corridor. That distinction will likely define the next major debate in Northwest B.C. A Generational Opportunity — If Local Communities Are Not Left Behind The North Coast Transmission Line could become one of the most consequential infrastructure projects in northern British Columbia. It has the potential to unlock billions in investment, support Indigenous equity ownership, expand clean electricity, and position the Northwest as a stronger gateway to Pacific trade. But the success of this agreement will not be measured only in megawatts, export numbers, or political speeches. It will be measured in whether people in Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Stewart, Smithers, the Hazeltons, and surrounding First Nations communities see real benefits: good local jobs, affordable housing, safer roads, stronger public services, responsible environmental protection, and long-term economic stability. For Northwest B.C., the announcement on July 2 may be the beginning of a new chapter. The real test is whether that chapter is written with the region — not just about it. Read the full article

The result was a crushing defeat for the Royalists, with heavy casualties and the loss of much of their northern power base. Marston Moor effectively secured the north of England for Parliament and demonstrated the growing effectiveness of its military organization—particularly the emerging New Model Army leadership that would soon dominate the war.

Route 99 Special Suspended for Summer in Kitimat and Prince Rupert as School Year Ends By Skeena News BC Transit is suspending Route 99 Special in both Kitimat and Prince Rupert for the summer, a seasonal change that takes effect Sunday, June 28, 2026. The move is tied to the end of the school year. BC Transit says the Route 99 Special service will be discontinued for the summer and return in the fall. In Prince Rupert, the agency says the route will resume in September, while in Kitimat it says the service will return in the fall. At first glance, the change may appear routine. Route 99 Special is a school-year service designed mainly around student travel. But in smaller northern communities, even seasonal transit changes can have a wider impact on families, young people, workers, and residents who depend on public transportation. In Kitimat, Route 99 Special helps connect residential areas with Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School. In Prince Rupert, the route serves students travelling to Prince Rupert Middle School and Charles Hays Secondary School, while also passing through neighbourhoods and areas used by other riders during the school year. With the service paused, students and families will need to rely on regular transit routes, walking, biking, carpools, or parent drop-offs during the summer months. More Than a School Bus Route Although Route 99 Special is built around the school calendar, its suspension still matters because many young people continue moving around town during the summer. Students may need transportation to recreation centres, summer programs, libraries, sports activities, jobs, volunteer work, and community events. For families without reliable access to a vehicle, the loss of a direct school-year route can mean more planning, longer travel times, or reduced independence for youth. In Kitimat, students may need to adjust to routes such as Route 3 Kildala or other regular local services. In Prince Rupert, riders may need to use routes such as Seal Cove, Summit, Crestview or other conventional routes depending on where they live and where they are travelling. That change can be simple for experienced transit users, but more difficult for younger riders who are used to a direct route with familiar stops and school-focused timing. Parents May Feel the Summer Pressure For parents, the summer suspension can create extra scheduling pressure. During the school year, Route 99 Special provides a predictable travel option. Once it stops, parents may need to coordinate rides, adjust work schedules, arrange carpools, or teach children how to use regular transit routes safely. That burden can be heavier for working parents, single-parent households, families without a second vehicle, and lower-income households. The impact is not necessarily dramatic for every family, but it is real. In communities where distances, weather, hills, and limited route frequency can affect daily movement, a seasonal bus change can quickly become a family logistics issue. Workers and Other Riders May Also Notice the Change Route 99 Special is primarily a school service, but school routes often serve more than students. In Prince Rupert, the timing and stop pattern can also be useful for some workers and other riders moving through neighbourhoods in the morning or afternoon. When that extra service disappears for the summer, some riders may face longer waits, different transfer points, or less convenient arrival times. This is a common challenge in smaller transit systems. Routes are designed around limited fleets, limited driver availability, and local funding constraints. Removing school-year trips during summer helps transit systems focus on regular year-round routes, but it also reduces the number of choices available to riders. Why the Route Is Suspended BC Transit says the change reflects the end of the school year. In practical terms, school-special routes are often paused during summer because student demand drops sharply once classes end. For smaller northern systems, the summer break can also give operators more flexibility to manage driver schedules, vacations, vehicle maintenance, and fleet availability. That matters in communities where transit systems operate with limited buses and limited backup capacity. When one vehicle is out of service or staffing becomes tight, the pressure on the rest of the system can be significant. Seasonal suspension of school-focused service helps protect the core transit network during the summer, but it also shows how narrow the margin can be in smaller community transit systems. Riders Should Check Schedules Before Travelling BC Transit is advising riders to check local schedules and trip-planning information. For Kitimat riders, the latest schedules and fare information are available through the Kitimat BC Transit system. For Prince Rupert riders, BC Transit directs passengers to the Prince Rupert transit page for schedules, alerts and trip planning. The most important point for riders is simple: starting June 28, Route 99 Special should not be treated as an available summer travel option in either Kitimat or Prince Rupert. Families, students, workers and summer program participants should plan ahead and confirm which regular routes can replace their usual school-year trip. A Small Change With a Bigger Message The Route 99 suspension is not an emergency cut. It is a seasonal service change connected to the school calendar. But it still raises a broader issue for Northwest B.C.: public transit in smaller communities is essential, but often fragile. For students, seniors, workers, families and people without vehicles, transit is not just a convenience. It is a connection to school, work, healthcare, recreation and community life. As Kitimat and Prince Rupert continue to grow around industry, port activity, LNG development, tourism and regional services, reliable public transit will remain an important part of community planning. The summer suspension of Route 99 Special may be routine, but it is also a reminder that transportation access matters year-round — not only when school is in session. Read the full article

Route 99 Special Suspended for Summer in Kitimat and Prince Rupert as School Year Ends By Skeena News BC Transit is suspending Route 99 Special in both Kitimat and Prince Rupert for the summer, a seasonal change that takes effect Sunday, June 28, 2026. The move is tied to the end of the school year. BC Transit says the Route 99 Special service will be discontinued for the summer and return in the fall. In Prince Rupert, the agency says the route will resume in September, while in Kitimat it says the service will return in the fall. At first glance, the change may appear routine. Route 99 Special is a school-year service designed mainly around student travel. But in smaller northern communities, even seasonal transit changes can have a wider impact on families, young people, workers, and residents who depend on public transportation. In Kitimat, Route 99 Special helps connect residential areas with Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School. In Prince Rupert, the route serves students travelling to Prince Rupert Middle School and Charles Hays Secondary School, while also passing through neighbourhoods and areas used by other riders during the school year. With the service paused, students and families will need to rely on regular transit routes, walking, biking, carpools, or parent drop-offs during the summer months. More Than a School Bus Route Although Route 99 Special is built around the school calendar, its suspension still matters because many young people continue moving around town during the summer. Students may need transportation to recreation centres, summer programs, libraries, sports activities, jobs, volunteer work, and community events. For families without reliable access to a vehicle, the loss of a direct school-year route can mean more planning, longer travel times, or reduced independence for youth. In Kitimat, students may need to adjust to routes such as Route 3 Kildala or other regular local services. In Prince Rupert, riders may need to use routes such as Seal Cove, Summit, Crestview or other conventional routes depending on where they live and where they are travelling. That change can be simple for experienced transit users, but more difficult for younger riders who are used to a direct route with familiar stops and school-focused timing. Parents May Feel the Summer Pressure For parents, the summer suspension can create extra scheduling pressure. During the school year, Route 99 Special provides a predictable travel option. Once it stops, parents may need to coordinate rides, adjust work schedules, arrange carpools, or teach children how to use regular transit routes safely. That burden can be heavier for working parents, single-parent households, families without a second vehicle, and lower-income households. The impact is not necessarily dramatic for every family, but it is real. In communities where distances, weather, hills, and limited route frequency can affect daily movement, a seasonal bus change can quickly become a family logistics issue. Workers and Other Riders May Also Notice the Change Route 99 Special is primarily a school service, but school routes often serve more than students. In Prince Rupert, the timing and stop pattern can also be useful for some workers and other riders moving through neighbourhoods in the morning or afternoon. When that extra service disappears for the summer, some riders may face longer waits, different transfer points, or less convenient arrival times. This is a common challenge in smaller transit systems. Routes are designed around limited fleets, limited driver availability, and local funding constraints. Removing school-year trips during summer helps transit systems focus on regular year-round routes, but it also reduces the number of choices available to riders. Why the Route Is Suspended BC Transit says the change reflects the end of the school year. In practical terms, school-special routes are often paused during summer because student demand drops sharply once classes end. For smaller northern systems, the summer break can also give operators more flexibility to manage driver schedules, vacations, vehicle maintenance, and fleet availability. That matters in communities where transit systems operate with limited buses and limited backup capacity. When one vehicle is out of service or staffing becomes tight, the pressure on the rest of the system can be significant. Seasonal suspension of school-focused service helps protect the core transit network during the summer, but it also shows how narrow the margin can be in smaller community transit systems. Riders Should Check Schedules Before Travelling BC Transit is advising riders to check local schedules and trip-planning information. For Kitimat riders, the latest schedules and fare information are available through the Kitimat BC Transit system. For Prince Rupert riders, BC Transit directs passengers to the Prince Rupert transit page for schedules, alerts and trip planning. The most important point for riders is simple: starting June 28, Route 99 Special should not be treated as an available summer travel option in either Kitimat or Prince Rupert. Families, students, workers and summer program participants should plan ahead and confirm which regular routes can replace their usual school-year trip. A Small Change With a Bigger Message The Route 99 suspension is not an emergency cut. It is a seasonal service change connected to the school calendar. But it still raises a broader issue for Northwest B.C.: public transit in smaller communities is essential, but often fragile. For students, seniors, workers, families and people without vehicles, transit is not just a convenience. It is a connection to school, work, healthcare, recreation and community life. As Kitimat and Prince Rupert continue to grow around industry, port activity, LNG development, tourism and regional services, reliable public transit will remain an important part of community planning. The summer suspension of Route 99 Special may be routine, but it is also a reminder that transportation access matters year-round — not only when school is in session. Read the full article

Fire Ban Now in Effect Across Skeena-Stikine as B.C. Warns of Rising Wildfire Risk By Skeena News A fire ban is now in effect across parts of Northwest B.C. as provincial officials warn residents, travellers, businesses and rural property owners to prepare for a summer of rising wildfire and drought risk. The City of Terrace says Category 3 open fires and related equipment and activities have been prohibited since noon on Friday, June 12, across the Coast Mountain Fire District and the Skeena Stikine Forest District. Terrace follows the direction of the Northwest Fire Region, and the ban will remain in place until further notice. The BC Wildfire Service later confirmed that Category 3 open fires remain prohibited across the entire Northwest Fire Centre, while Category 2 open fire prohibitions are being expanded across the full Northwest Fire Centre effective noon on Friday, June 19. That includes the Nadina Forest District, Coast Mountain Forest District and Skeena Stikine Forest District. For people in Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Hazelton, Stewart, Houston, Burns Lake and surrounding rural areas, the message is clear: burning rules are tightening as B.C. heads into a hotter and drier part of the year. What Is Banned? A Category 3 open fire generally includes larger burns such as three or more piles of material, one or more piles larger than two metres high or three metres wide, windrows, or stubble and grass burning over an area greater than 0.2 hectares. Under the Northwest Fire Centre restrictions, the following are also prohibited across the region: - Category 2 open fires - Category 3 open fires - Fireworks - Binary exploding targets - Burn barrels and burn cages - Controlled air incinerators - Air curtain burners - Carbonizers The City of Terrace has noted that the June 12 Category 3 prohibition does not ban Category 1 campfires that are half a metre high by half a metre wide or smaller. BC Wildfire Service also says the latest Northwest Fire Centre restrictions do not include Category 1 campfires. However, residents should not assume a campfire is automatically allowed everywhere. Municipalities, First Nations, regional districts, campgrounds, recreation sites and parks may have their own rules. People should always check local restrictions before lighting any fire. Why This Matters Now B.C. officials are warning that the province is entering another summer where wildfire and drought risks could increase quickly. The provincial government says seasonal forecasts point to elevated wildfire and drought risk in parts of British Columbia this summer. Although much of the province saw a cooler and wetter start to June, the province says warmer-than-normal summer conditions are expected across much of B.C. That warning matters in Northwest B.C. because fire conditions can change fast. Even when Terrace or nearby communities receive rain, dry fuels, wind, lightning, heat and human activity can create dangerous conditions across nearby forests, highways, rural properties and backcountry areas. The B.C. government is urging people to stay informed, watch local fire danger ratings, follow fire bans and prepare emergency plans before a wildfire or evacuation alert occurs. Province Warns of Wildfire and Drought Pressure The provincial government says wildfire and drought risks are increasing as British Columbia moves into the summer season. Emergency officials are encouraging residents and visitors to create or refresh emergency plans, prepare grab-and-go bags, register for Emergency Support Services where appropriate, and stay alert for evacuation alerts and orders. The province also says B.C.’s overall snowpack was at 64 per cent of normal in the June 1 snowpack survey. Low snowpack, early snowmelt and warmer seasonal forecasts can increase drought pressure and water scarcity risks in parts of the province. For Northwest B.C., this means preparedness is not only about fire. It is also about water use, rural property safety, access roads, emergency communication and knowing what to do if smoke, fire or evacuation notices affect a community. What Residents Should Do Residents in Terrace and surrounding communities should take the fire ban seriously and treat this as the start of a higher-risk summer period. People should check current BC Wildfire Service restrictions before burning, avoid any prohibited open fire activity, never use fireworks or burn barrels during the prohibition, and report smoke or suspected wildfires immediately. Homeowners and rural property owners should also clear dry leaves, grass and debris from around buildings, move firewood and combustibles away from homes, clean gutters, check water access, and make sure vehicles and equipment are not creating sparks in dry grass. Anyone travelling in Northwest B.C. should know the local fire danger rating, monitor EmergencyInfoBC, check BC Wildfire Service updates, and be prepared to change travel plans if conditions worsen. Penalties Can Be Serious Violating a fire prohibition can lead to major penalties. People who break an open fire prohibition may receive a $1,150 ticket, face an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and face up to one year in jail. If a prohibited fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the consequences can be much more severe. A person may be fined up to $1 million, face up to three years in jail, and be ordered to pay firefighting and related costs. How to Report a Wildfire To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or dial *5555 from a cellphone. Residents can also use the BC Wildfire Service mobile app for current wildfire information, fire bans, maps and public updates. The Bottom Line The fire ban now in effect across Skeena-Stikine and surrounding Northwest B.C. districts is more than a routine seasonal restriction. It is a warning that wildfire risk is rising and that human-caused fires must be prevented before they put communities, homes, forests and emergency crews at risk. For Terrace and the wider Northwest, the safest approach is simple: check the rules, avoid risky burning, prepare early and report smoke fast. As B.C. moves deeper into summer, wildfire preparedness is no longer optional. It is a community responsibility. Read the full article

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