CANADA’S ENERGY CITIZENS -- People are working hard in resource jobs that are driving the economy in British Columbia through the COVID-19 pandemic

From Fort St. John to the Lower Mainland, people are working hard in resource jobs that are driving the economy in British Columbia through the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s not enough, without more investment in the province, our long-term recovery will stall.

Recently, several reports have come out confirming just how essential resource projects are to economic recovery and providing ideas for how the government can stand up for Canadian jobs while reducing global emissions.

Task Force for Real Jobs, Real Recovery

The Task Force for Real Jobs, Real Recovery released a new report that shows the significant role the resource economy can play in our nation’s recovery and provides several wide ranging recommendations on how government can encourage capital investment while creating a low-emissions future that doesn’t sacrifice quality jobs.

The report is based on extensive research and input from a 36-member coalition of industry, business, labour and Indigenous groups from mining, construction, forestry, chemistry, transportation, oil and gas and Indigenous economic development. The sector remains at the forefront of creating meaningful, well-paying employment that supports families and communities across Canada and provides much-needed economic opportunities for remote, northern and Indigenous communities.

The report points to an empowered natural resource sector as an essential engine to drive Canada’s economic recovery from COVID-19 in the short term and rebuild our global competitiveness in the medium and long term. (CLICK HERE for the report).

BC’s low Carbon Advantage

Last week, the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) released a report which unfortunately, shows that B.C. is the only jurisdiction with a carbon tax that doesn't offer exporters in mining, energy and forestry some sort of scheme to offset that tax.

This means that businesses and jobs are incentivized to move elsewhere. When projects leave B.C. they often go to countries with lower environmental standards where they generate more emissions, meaning that B.C. loses jobs and a chance to lower global emissions. In short, exporting British Columbia’s natural resources is a way for us to take meaningful climate action.

CLICK HERE, to read the report

How Far We’ve Come: Indigenous engagement with the Canadian energy economy

A major study released in August 2020 by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) indicates the Canadian natural gas and oil industry has made tremendous progress in building positive relationships with Indigenous communities.

This is the first paper in a planned series from MLI that will examine the front lines of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada.

The report notes that Canada’s natural resource sector has emerged as one of the front lines of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada, providing the nation and Indigenous peoples with a new and evolving model of Indigenous-corporate engagement and a pathway to prosperity that is unique in Canadian history.

BC Resource Coalition

Our very own Allie Blades joined Clint Chappell from the BC Resource Coalition for a Facebook live last week to discuss women in industry. Allie shed some light on the fantastic work being done by major projects across the province and her role as an advocate for the oil and natural gas sector in BC. You can watch the video here.

Allie Blades & Jack Middleton

Advisors, BC Citizen Engagement & Outreach
Canada's Energy Citizens