YOUR PERSPECITVE: Prioritizing B.C.’s economy

In November, we launched Look West, our targeted plan to grow the economy and create good jobs for people in B.C. I know that people and businesses throughout the province are feeling challenged right now as global conflicts and uncertainty continue to impact resource supply chains worldwide.  

That’s why last week, Premier Eby announced 17 new priority projects in B.C., nearly doubling the list, to help create good, sustainable jobs while boosting British Columbia’s economy.  

As the Minister of Labour, having good-paying jobs available to British Columbians, including for people in my riding in New Westminster, is a top priority.

We are continuing to invest in the British Columbian economy to ensure that people within our province are still able to find good-paying jobs right here at home.  

These new priorities nearly double the 18 original projects announced as part of our Look West Strategy. In prioritizing these projects, we are speeding up permitting processes and opening more trades training seats to ensure that this growth will be felt by communities not only when projects are completed, but also while they are being built. Additional training seats will mean that more people throughout the province, especially those in rural communities, will be able to invest in their careers and personal growth, while also benefiting our province’s economy.  

As part of Look West, we are working to ensure that British Columbia and Canada take a leading role in global energy markets. For example, Cedar LNG, a $4.7 billion private sector project, will create nearly 500 construction and 100 long term operational jobs and is also the largest Indigenous-owned infrastructure project in Canada. Other projects, like the $4 billion expansion of the Enbridge pipeline networks will create 2,500 construction jobs, significant revenue for the province and will position B.C. as a leader in international natural gas markets.

Clean energy is our province’s superpower which is why we are building out our energy supply at a pace not seen in generations. We are streamlining 10 wind and solar projects, which will power communities and industrial developments throughout the province while creating 2,000 good quality jobs. And we are building the North Coast Transmission Line, which will deliver much-needed clean power to B.C.’s North, enabling energy and mining projects that will drive our economy forward.

Our Look West strategy is investing in British Columbia’s people and future. Just six months in, we have already made substantial progress and there is so much more to look forward to. At a time when every dollar counts, we are creating more jobs and more prosperity for British Columbians in every corner of our province.