PREMIER John Horgan on Tuesday said the $40-billion investment by LNG Canada shows B.C.’s future can balance economic opportunity and job creation with forward-looking environmental action that meets the Province’s climate action goals, said Premier John Horgan.

“British Columbians want a future that brings opportunities for them and their kids in the communities they call home, while living up to our responsibilities to guarantee clean air, land and water for the generations that follow,” he said.

“Ours is a province of unlimited potential, and the responsibility of this generation of British Columbians is to make decisions that embrace and preserve that potential. Today’s decision by LNG Canada to invest in northern B.C. demonstrates that balancing our economic, environmental and reconciliation priorities is possible. It’s a balance that will benefit the people of B.C. as we build a cleaner economy.”

This project will see construction of a natural gas pipeline from northeast B.C. to Kitimat where a new terminal will process and ship LNG to Asian markets, generating $24 billion of direct investment in B.C.

This record investment was enabled by the B.C. government’s new LNG Framework, released in March 2018.  In line with the government’s approach to LNG, projects should:

• Guarantee a fair return for B.C.’s natural resources: This project is expected to generate about $23 billion in public revenue over 40 years – new funds available to invest in health care, schools, child care and other key public services.
• Guarantee jobs and training opportunities for British Columbians: This project will create up to 10,000 jobs during construction and up to 950 permanent jobs once operations are underway.
• Respect and make partners of First Nations: Project partners have reached agreements with elected First Nations at the project site and along the pipeline route.
• Protect B.C.’s air, land and water, including living up to the Province’s climate commitments: LNG Canada’s project, as announced today – the world’s cleanest in terms of greenhouse gas emissions – will be accommodated within the government’s legislated emissions reduction targets.

“Our priority is protecting B.C.’s unique environment for future generations,” Horgan said. “With the extraordinary steps LNG Canada is taking to build a state-of-the-art LNG processing plant and partner with First Nations, this project can be made real as we meet our climate protection goals and recognize Indigenous rights.”

The Province has committed that large natural gas development projects may proceed only if First Nations are consulted and treated as partners in projects within their territories.

Karen Ogen-Toews, First Nations LNG Alliance CEO, stated: “This is great news for the B.C. economy, for Canada, and for First Nations in B.C. Responsible LNG development means real benefits to Indigenous peoples and communities, long-term careers and reliable revenue to help First Nations close the economic gap between their members and other Canadians. LNG Canada has been a leader in dealing with First Nations. Our congratulations and thanks to their partners.”

“This is an unprecedented level of investment in British Columbia and we welcome the economic opportunities this project will provide for people and communities throughout the province,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “We look forward to expanding the principles of our LNG Framework as we continue to work with other industries in creating more opportunities for British Columbians, while making resource operations cleaner and more efficient.”