B.C. Green leader calls Eby ‘greedy’ over early election threat
B.C. Green leader Emily Lowan says Premier David Eby’s threat, of an early election if Bill 31 to fast-track the North Coast Transmission Line fails, is a “cheap trick.”
VICTORIA, B.C. — B.C. Green leader Emily Lowan says Premier David Eby’s threat of an early election if a bill to fast-track a multibillion-dollar northern power line fails is a “cheap trick” that would leave British Columbians “incredibly disgruntled” if it eventuates.
Jeremy Valeriote, one of the Greens’ two MLAs, says Bill 31 will be among the “mix” of issues the party will consider when it comes to renewing an agreement that sees the Greens support the government on certain issues.
Lowan, speaking at a news conference, says the Greens will meet with New Democrats in December to evaluate their Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord.
The new Green leader calls Eby’s recent election threat over the fate of the North Coast Transmission Line “a bit of a farce” and says the premier is “greedy for an unnecessary majority” three years ahead of the next scheduled election.
The NDP already has a one-seat majority, and could be forced to call on Speaker Raj Chouhan to cast a tie-breaker on Bill 31, just as he did earlier this year on two other bills fast-tracking resource projects.
Bill 31 aims to speed up BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL), which will see hundreds of kilometres of new electrical infrastructure installed from Prince George to Terrace and up north to Aiyansh and Bob Quinn Lake.
Adrian Dix, minister of energy and climate solutions, previously said: “Our new allocation framework will prioritize vital growth in sectors like mining, natural gas and lowest-emission LNG, while ensuring our clean energy is directed to projects that deliver the greatest benefit to British Columbians.”
While Valeriote and fellow Green MLA Rob Botterell have voted for Bill 31 to get it to committee stage for additional review, they say they cannot support its current form.
The accord between the NDP and the Greens runs for four years, but is subject to annual review and renewal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 30th, 2025.
Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press
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