B.C. Premier David Eby campaigns on $100 billion in pending major projects
Eby announced the snap election Tuesday with a "Build B.C. Strong" platform tied to large-scale investments including FortisBC's Tilbury LNG expansion.
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B.C. Premier David Eby called a snap election Tuesday and rolled out "Build B.C. Strong" as his key campaign platform, pointing to pending investment decisions on projects worth $100 billion as the centrepiece of his economic diversification strategy.
The centrepiece is FortisBC's Tilbury LNG expansion, a potential $3.5 billion investment that has received environmental approval from both Victoria and Ottawa. If it proceeds, the expansion promises to create more than 1,000 jobs in the Lower Mainland during construction and add $1.7 billion to B.C.'s gross domestic product.
Eby framed the election call in proximity to the environmental green-light, invoking what he called the need to "build a firebreak" against U.S. President Donald Trump's "economic attack" and break from "our dependence on the United States."
Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the Tilbury expansion, if FortisBC decides to proceed, would have "the potential to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits for B.C., and jobs for British Columbians." Dix pointed to it as an example of the NDP government's "Look West" strategy for "jobs and prosperity."
Another major pending decision is LNG Canada's Phase 2 expansion in Kitimat, which Eby said would be worth $28 billion to B.C.'s treasury over its lifetime. "That is money that we don't have to go to British Columbians to ask for in taxes for health care and education," Eby said.
Poll numbers, however, suggest economic concerns pose a challenge for his campaign. Angus Reid Institute polling shows 50 per cent of British Columbians want change in government. Shachi Kurl, president of Angus Reid, said voters were "souring on the NDP and on the Eby government" over "real or perceived" economic problems. "B.C. is in a bad place economically right now. And definitely Eby and the NDP are wearing some of that, wearing the perception of that and the reality of it," Kurl said.
B.C. has experienced downgrades to its credit rating, and Bay Street has signalled that debt markets are concerned about the province's finances. According to Kurl, the government hasn't acted to turn around these concerns, and polling suggests economic issues will be a weak point for Eby's party in the campaign.
With 50 per cent of voters wanting change, what does Eby need to happen between now and October 24 to move those numbers?
Will the Tilbury LNG expansion and Phase 2 in Kitimat actually proceed, or is the timeline uncertain beyond the election?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What is the value of FortisBC's Tilbury LNG expansion project?
FortisBC's Tilbury LNG expansion is a potential $3.5 billion investment that has received environmental approval from both Victoria and Ottawa.
How many jobs would the Tilbury LNG expansion create during construction?
The Tilbury LNG expansion promises to create more than 1,000 jobs in the Lower Mainland during construction.
What is LNG Canada's Phase 2 expansion project worth to B.C.?
LNG Canada's Phase 2 expansion in Kitimat would be worth $28 billion to B.C.'s treasury over its lifetime.
What percentage of British Columbians want a change in government?
According to Angus Reid Institute polling, 50 per cent of British Columbians want change in government.
