Thoughts on BC Politics and More

The province’s economic strategy needs to look beyond shovels in the ground and confront deeper weakness in private-sector growth  The BC government’s economic development strategy is increasingly centred on facilitating a new wave of large projects—mainly in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. Such projects are important and offer the tantalizing prospect of kick-starting a struggling economy. Advancing more projects will generate good jobs, foster new business for local suppliers of “inputs” (like engineering, technical and financial services), and add billions to the economy. But on their own, a few big projects will not be sufficient to sustain a healthy pace of growth or materially move the dial on overall economic well-being ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The more I think about the Major Projects Office (MPO), the grumpier I get. I’m certainly all aboard with the notion that there are projects in the national interest that we should be trying to get done in an accelerated way. To whatever extent the MPO is able to accomplish that, good. Let’s all blow it a big kiss. Plus, with news emerging of an apparently upcoming announcement of a pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific, you can also start to see the political utility of the MPO. That pipeline is going to be really hard to get built given geographic realities, legal realities, and the political opposition in British Columbia. But Prime Minister Mark Carney signing himself up with a pipeline to the Pacific is going to help him in a big way to dampen unrest in Alberta. So like I said, I get it. But are we not kind of glossing over the fact that it’s also a pretty damning indictment of this country? A country that is working correctly does not need a Major Projects Office. The MPO is a con...

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says New Brunswickers shouldn’t get their hopes up about progress on the Sisson Mine. The proposed tungsten and molybdenum mine north of Fredericton, stalled for more than a decade, was one of the projects the Carney government sent to its Major Projects Office last week ... ... “The Liberals are saying the progress they've made is that they're taking the idea, putting it on a piece of paper and sending it to a new office for even more consideration. “It's time for the federal government to do one thing: get out of the way, grant the permit and let the project go forward”  ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The BC government announced its 10-year plan to grow the province’s economy and investments. The plan, called ‘Look West‘, aims to face the challenges brought on by the U.S. tariffs, according to the government, and strengthen the economy while speeding up and diversifying key sectors. “British Columbia can get big things done, which is why our province is vastly overrepresented in the list of major projects Ottawa is fast-tracking,” Premier David Eby said in a statement on Monday. “This plan sets big goals as we make BC the economic powerhouse of Canada to create great jobs and drive prosperity in every corner of the province”  ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Indigenous communities are increasingly becoming partners and owners in major natural resource projects across the country. Resource Works has been excited to be involved in that movement through our annual Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase, where we convene Indigenous experts to discuss Indigenous partnerships in major projects and across the Canadian economy. Under a proposed federal program, even more, Indigenous communities could become partners and even owners in major natural resource projects, from oil to natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Former Newfoundland Labrador Premier Brian Peckford It ain’t rocket science, but it is supremely important. The country’s reputation is at stake. Two projects: Frontier Teck Mine and Coastal Pipeline. The Frontier Mine ... has been through all the processes set up by governments. Ten years, a decade, and the proponent has spent a billion dollars. And it has been approved by the process the governments have set up ... non political. But now the Federal Government stupidly, rather than accept the non political approvals and provide the green light, hesitates, signals possible delay. So, what does this do? It gives all those who opposed the project new life, and puts into confusion legitimate processes for resource projects in this country, and gives investors reason to stay clear of Canada. The Coastal Gas Pipeline ... all approved and being built. Four unelected chiefs say no. All elected chiefs say yes. Proponent forced to court, and get an in...

Vancouver, BC ~~ March 12, 2019 A significant proportion of Canadians and British Columbians are in favour of resource development projects, a new Research Co. poll conducted on behalf of LNG Canada ... has found. In the online survey of representative samples, 79% of Canadians and 71% of British Columbians express support for resource development projects. In addition, 61% of respondents across the country and 51% of those located in the westernmost province agree they are “tired of nothing getting built” in Canada and BC—a proportion that rises to 67% in northern BC. Seven-in-ten Canadians (70%) believe the “national economy will suffer if we can’t build resource projects.” In British Columbia, 63% feel this way about the possible effect on the provincial economy, including 74% of those in northern BC. CLICK HERE for the full Research Co poll results story And now the thoughts and comments, on this poll, from Canada’s Energy Citizens : ...

BC Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin It seems that NDP Premier John Horgan also has his own members in the ‘ few at the top ’ club.   Yesterday in the BC governments Throne Speech, the NDP government of John Horgan, indicated they would be presenting a clear path forward for a government that is working to make life better for people . “ People deserve the opportunity to build a good life in the communities they call home, with housing and child care they can afford, quality public services, like health care and education, good jobs and a better future ,” said Premier John Horgan. “ For years, choices were made for the few at the top, while life became more difficult for everyone else. Our government is making different choices and working to build a better B.C. for everyone .” ‘ Those few at the top’ ? Well that’s an interesting choice of words for Horgan.   He has his own few at the top as well.   Those environmentali...