It might not amount to a full religious or political conversion, but it’s good to see B.C. Premier David Eby recognizing a little light on the road of natural-resource development.
He told the B.C. Natural Resources Forum in Prince George that B.C.’s resources “need to be developed” and added: “Responsible, sustainable development of natural resources will be a core focus of our government, now and well into the future.”
He said his government had already begun to reduce permitting times for resource projects. “We’ve got more to do on that front. . . . Our government will work with you to eliminate unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic processes.”
Then came his promise to “to accelerate the expansion of our electricity grid by enabling the BC Energy Regulator to act as a one-window regulator for permits to support the North Coast Transmission Line and other projects.”
The first big project thus to be speeded up is the planned North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL) from Prince George to Terrace. The current 450-km power line cannot meet anticipated demand from LNG and other industrial users, as well as smaller businesses and homes.
Said Premier Eby: “We urgently need to expand our electricity system in the North to meet the needs of growing industries that want to use clean energy to sustain and expand their operations, creating jobs and economic benefits for First Nations and communities.”
CEO Chris O’Riley said BC Hydro is working with First Nations whose territory will be crossed by the line to determine the best route. Discussions are also underway on a co-ownership model for the line with those First Nations.
Adrian Dix, Eby’s minister of energy and climate solutions, added: “If the NCTL is not built, and built quickly, major critical minerals, future port expansions, and LNG, hydrogen and other important resource projects may not proceed.
“We need to move this vital project forward to realize B.C.’s resource-development potential and create jobs and investment opportunities, while achieving provincial climate targets.”
Eby was not quite as firm on resource development in his new mandate letters to key ministers, spelling out his expectations for them.
He told Dix in his letter that he is to “ensure continued expansion of our energy export programs,” expand global markets for B.C. products, and plan to support energy exporters, including BC Hydro, in the event of U.S. tariffs. But Eby didn’t specify whether those energy export programs include LNG projects.
All ministers were instructed that “our commitment to take action on climate change remains foundational and will be key to a healthy and prosperous BC for future generations.”
So, among other things, Dix is expected to help “dramatically accelerate permit approval for clean and low-carbon energy infrastructure” and “work with the federal government to cap emissions from the oil and gas sector.”
But Eby had already made it clear that resource development is apparently back in favour as BC prepares for the worst from Donald Trump as U.S. president.
“We are obviously, incredibly, fortunately, blessed with natural resources in this province. But it is not sufficient to have them. They need to be developed. . . .
“Big things are happening in this province. We have 60 major industrial projects, resource projects, in development across the province right now. . . . We will soon see the first shipment of LNG from the LNG Canada facility, the biggest private-sector investment in Canadian history.”
Eby hailed new investment in the Nisga’a Nation’s Ksi Lisims LNG project, and applauded the Haisla Nation’s Cedar LNG for planning “the lowest-carbon LNG in the world.”
“Projects like these are key to our success as a province as a whole. It’s everything from creating good-paying jobs to building strong communities across the province to paying for the services that we depend on, healthcare, the education system.
“And in order to strengthen our financial position over time, we need to do even more. . . . You can’t pour from an empty cup. In order to share the prosperity of this province, to lift everybody up . . . responsible, sustainable development of natural resources will be a core focus of our government, now and well into the future.”
A group of B.C. business leaders later announced, through Resource Works: “As leaders in British Columbia’s business and resource sector, we welcome Premier Eby’s commitment to strengthening B.C.’s economy through responsible resource development.
“His remarks at the BC Natural Resources Forum underscore the vital role resources play in our province’s prosperity—from the contributions they make to family-supporting jobs, to the revenue they generate for public services such as healthcare, to their support of reconciliation.
“The premier outlined a vision for cutting red tape, speeding up decision-making, and ensuring the government is no longer working at cross purposes to industry as a way to encourage this growth. We support the vision and urge the government to move swiftly from words to action.”
Those leaders included Crystal Smith, elected chief councillor of the Haisla Nation and chair of our First Nations Natural Gas Alliance: “The First Nations Natural Gas Alliance fully supports responsible resource development as a path to economic opportunity, reconciliation, and shared prosperity. By streamlining approvals and fostering investment, we can ensure that Indigenous communities are active partners and beneficiaries in building a stronger, more resilient economy for all.”
With Trump threatening a 25% tariff on imports from Canada on Feb. 1, Eby called Trump’s plans a “declaration of economic war.”
Eby said his government has calculated that a four-year trade war with the U.S. would cost the province $69 billion in lost GDP, and cost B.C. 124,000 fewer jobs by 2028, starting with an unemployment rate of 7.1 per cent next year. (It was 6.5% at the end of 2024.) “It is an attack on families in our province. It is an attack on Canadians.”
A preliminary assessment by this ministry of finance also suggests corporate profits in B.C. would decline $6.1 billion this year. And Eby’s promise of a $500 tax-rebate cheque to every working British Columbian is apparently on the chopping block if Trump indeed imposes 25% tariffs on Canadian products.
The Business Council of B.C. weighed in with a report that noted B.C. exported $30.4 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2023, representing 54 per cent of its total merchandise exports and seven per cent of GDP.
“Natural resources, including energy, forestry, metals, and agriculture and fishing products make up 69 per cent of B.C.’s exports to the U.S., highlighting their role as a cornerstone of the provincial economy. . . . Over 136,000 B.C. jobs are directly tied to U.S. demand for goods, emphasizing the profound impact of cross-border trade on livelihoods.”
- Video of Eby’s speech at Prince George: https://ow.ly/SZi950UIPKS
