Premier Eby touts B.C.’s overseas trade potential at natural resources forum

The first day of the B.C. Natural Resources Forum got underway Tuesday in Prince George with a speech from Premier David Eby.

Just days after returning from a six-day trade mission to India, B.C. Premier David Eby delivered the keynote address Tuesday night in Prince George, capping off day one of the B.C. Natural Resources Forum.

“Natural resource development is the key to how we will create wealth that makes everybody better off in this province,” Eby said during his nearly 30-minute address to a crowd of about 1,600 people.

The three-day forum brings together industry, Indigenous and government leaders to discuss the present and future of B.C.’s resource sector.

Eby opened his speech by addressing the struggling forestry industry, which has faced mill closures and hundreds of job losses across the province.

“The forest sector, without doubt, has been the hardest hit sector,” Eby said, pointing to tariffs as a major factor behind declining demand.

“In many cases, it’s cheaper to bring timber from Russia into the United States than it is from British Columbia,” added Eby.

Eby also acknowledged ongoing challenges with the province’s permitting system, saying reforms are long overdue.

The tone of the speech shifted to optimism when the premier spoke about his recent trip to India, saying government and industry leaders there expressed strong interest in B.C.’s resources, including wood products, propane and liquefied natural gas.

“Our government is leaning into this opportunity,” Eby said.

B.C.’s official Opposition is also in attendance at the forum. B.C. Conservative interim leader Trevor Halford criticized the province’s approach to major resource projects, arguing regulatory delays continue to slow development.

“Whether it’s a lack of permits that we’re seeing being processed by this government, lack of clarity when it comes to property rights,” Halford said. “There’s a lot of frustration in that room. And I don’t think the premier trying to do a victory lap really quelled some of the angst that we’re seeing up here in Prince George.”

Earlier Tuesday, the B.C. government and the Nisga’a Nation moved forward with the next phase of the Ksi Lisims floating LNG terminal near Prince Rupert. Nisga’a Nation president Eva Clayton described the project as a significant opportunity.

“It’s a moment for the Indigenous people to help Canada grow strong,” Clayton said.

Eby is expected to make additional resource related announcements as the forum continues through Wednesday.