Wednesday November 19, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 7:25 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Legislation to fast-track construction of the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL) passed third reading in the BC Legislature this evening.
The BC NDP says Bill 31, the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, achieved passage despite attempts by the official opposition — the BC Conservatives — to block the project.
The BC NDP points out that Bill 31 allows First Nations partners to have an equity stake and accelerates the project, putting it on track to begin construction in summer 2026.
BC Greens also against:
The BC Greens (who have an agreement to align with the NDP on key shared issues) also voted against the bill.
“The Premier and Minister have made it clear that the North Coast Transmission Line is being advanced primarily as a public subsidy for LNG projects, rather than as a long-term investment in BC’s clean energy future,” said BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote in a statement this evening. Valeriote is a geological engineer.
Federal shadow:
The bill passed third reading in the shadow of federal-level news today that the Prime Minister may be discussing a northwest pipeline with Alberta’s Premier and government.
That comes despite BC’s Premier steadfast support for the federal-level tanker ban which is intended to protect the BC west coast ecosystem — including his assurance of maintaining the tanker ban during the BC NDP convention.
Part of the Look West strategy:
The North Coast Transmission Line is an essential component of David Eby’s Look West jobs strategy.
Look West was announced earlier this week by Premier Eby at the BC Legislature.
Conservative opposition:
Earlier this session, the BC NDP point out that the BC Conservatives tried and failed to delay the project by six months (see BC Conservatives news release, October 28, 2025).
BC Conservative Leader John Rustad has said he’s against the project: “With regards to the northwest transmission line, the power line from the northeast and northwest, I do oppose it,” as stated by Rustad back in May of this year.
Role of the NCTL:
The NCTL will bring electricity to the Northwest as part of supporting projects that will generate 10,000 new jobs and $10 billion in GDP, such as:
- Red Chris Mine expansion: 500 permanent jobs
- Cedar LNG: 500 jobs during construction, 100 permanent jobs
- Ksi Lisims LNG: 800 jobs during construction, 250 permanent jobs
- Eskay Creek: 800 construction jobs, 400 permanent jobs
- Galore Creek: 4,500 construction jobs, 1,200 permanent jobs
Energy Minister:
“The North Coast Transmission Line is a nation-building project that is urgently needed to deliver clean energy to unlock 10,000 jobs as part of the Look West jobs strategy,” says Energy and Climate Solutions Mnister Adrian Dix in a BC NDP caucus statement this evening.
“The BC Conservatives have tried and failed to block this essential component of our jobs plan. We’re going to get this built as fast as possible to accelerate other projects and create thousands of good-paying jobs for British Columbians.”
Economic Growth Minister:
“Our Look West jobs strategy will make BC the economic engine of Canada and create good-paying jobs across our province,” says Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon.
“It’s incredibly disappointing to see the BC Conservatives opposing that plan,” said Kahlon this evening in a BC NDP caucus statement.
“We can’t afford to go backwards to a BC Conservative government that blocks progress and refuses to make the investments needed to build a brighter future for British Columbians,” saod Kahlon.
===== RELATED:
- Look West economic growth plan launched in BC (November 17, 2025)
- BC Premier Eby comments on first ministers meeting ahead of federal budget vote (November 17, 2025)
- BC NDP delegates deliver 82.3% support for Premier David Eby (November 16, 2025)
- Trades training boost to support BC’s growing economy (November 16, 2025)
- Carney’s second set of nation-building major projects (November 14, 2025)
- Federal Budget 2025: investment for economic development & productivity (November 4, 2025)
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