Thoughts on BC Politics and More

" There are no projects on the table at the present time ," Wilkinson said. The federal government has announced $33 million in spending for projects that will bolster Canada's supply chain in British Columbia and Alberta. Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Transport Minister Anita Anand said the investment was planned before Donald Trump declared his trade war with Canada, but that recent developments have made it more important than ever. Of the total amount, $10 million went to the Canadian National Railway Company, $6.2 million went to the NSD Development Corporation, $5.7 went to Battle River Railway NGC Inc., $3.5 million went to Quasar Platform Inc., $2.7 million went to IntermodeX Logistics Ltd., and $5 million went to Richardson International ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Energy Minister Josie Osborne may or may not survive the controversy over allegations about a kickback scheme in the independently-managed CleanBC grant program. The more important question is how BC’s carbon tax can weather the political storm that erupted this week ... ... there are serious questions about the integrity of programs that the tax funds. If they bear out, it could have implications far beyond embarrassment of the NDP ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Strained financial results at BC Hydro in the 2023-24 fiscal year aren’t giving Energy Minister Josie Osborne any pause on the $370-million affordability credit written into the province’s 2024-25 budget. Late Wednesday, BC Hydro released third-quarter financial results that showed $1 billion less revenue compared to the same period of its previous year in part because of drought conditions that left the utility short of power to meet domestic demand . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain speaking at announcement On Tuesday, Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain stated: “Getting shovels in the ground in Alberta and kicking off pipeline construction is a pivotal moment for Trans Mountain.” “We are proud of the Project we have designed and the innovative measures we are implementing that demonstrate the kind of rigour and detail that will go into every stage of this Project to mitigate risks, respect the rights of those directly affected and operate safely.” He continued. Trans Mountain officially re-started construction on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project back in August, with work underway at the Westridge Marine Terminal, Burnaby Terminal, and at pump stations in Alberta. That work includes site preparation activities, in-water construction of new shipping berths, foreshore extension work, and facility upgrades. BC Conservative leader Trevor Bolin According to Tran...