Premier questions federal funding as B.C. projects dominate ‘nation-building’ list

VICTORIA, B.C. — B.C. Premier David Eby is criticizing a lack of federal funds after two provincial projects made Prime Minister Mark Carney’s latest “nation-building” list. 

Eby was noticeably absent from Carney’s announcement on Thursday that the North Coast Transmission Line and the Ksi Lisims LNG project will get fast-tracked by the Major Projects Office. 

At a separate conference later the same morning, Eby responded to the news with a mix of humour and frustration. 

Welcoming the growing number of B.C. projects getting attention from Ottawa, Eby questioned the value of $140 million in new federal funding directed toward a $6-billion transmission line. 

B.C. shouldn’t foot the bill alone for projects that significantly contribute and diversify the national economy, he said, noting the grid expansion will generate an estimated 10,000 jobs and $10 billion in revenue for the province’s GDP, and Ksi Lisims LNG will draw large private sector investments. 

“B.C. taxpayers cannot single-handedly fund the prosperity of the entire nation,” said Eby. 

“We’re going to be making very explicit asks for [federal] financial support for these projects.” 

The premier has been openly lobbying the federal government for funding for provincial projects for months, including a dedicated trip to Ottawa in September to push that agenda.

The federal government has contributed $2 billion for Ontario’s Darlington Nuclear Project, also on Carney’s major project list, Eby noted, adding he didn’t begrudge the contribution to the project. 

Carney’s initial round of nation-building projects also include B.C.’s Red Chris copper and gold mine and Phase 2 of the existing LNG Canada project in Kitimat. 

Nearly half the projects on the federal list are located in B.C., Eby said, noting the province is “happy” to grow the federal economy, but needs to “see some of those federal tax dollars coming back to our province.” 

Despite all the B.C. projects being approved and underway, Eby said the Major Projects Office has an important role to play in “fast-tracking” proposals. 

“The most important thing about putting these projects on these lists is that it sends a signal to the federal bureaucracy: this is a priority. You need to work with British Columbia on these things,” he said. 

Federal support can be leveraged to resolve issues with First Nations opposed to the projects, as well as assist with financing, enable local communities to participate and expand access to global markets. 

There’s “no question” the province will be doing some important work with the federal government to speed the projects, and he’s “looking forward to getting a good hearing” about further financial investments from Ottawa, Eby said. 

“[The projects] have been on the federal government’s major project list for about 20 minutes. I’m deeply disappointed they have not been fully funded already,” Eby joked. 

“I’ll give the prime minister 48 hours before the very strongly worded letters go out.”