Thursday January 22, 2026 | PRINCE GEORGE, BC [Remote from VICTORIA, BC]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
This year’s BC Natural Resources Forum comes at a significant time for the BC and national economy — a pivot point where most if not all industrial and manufacturing sectors are looking to diversify their production as well as their exports.
In particular, critical minerals and softwood lumber are a top priority for the BC NDP government in their economic shift driven within the Look West trade development and diversification plan.
A highlight of this year’s 23rd annual conference January 20 to 22 in Prince George, was the resource minister’s breakfast held this morning.
Environment, collaboration and investment:
Overall, the provincial cabinet ministers emphasized the natural resources sector challenges and opportunities in three key areas: environment, collaboration and investment. While of course delivering products to market and ultimately to consumers.
Six ministers:
Six BC Ministers delivered remarks on today’s panel (in order they first addressed questions):
Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix noted the urgency of the moment for the economy of BC and Canada, and that BC is meeting that urgency through action and results. He noted BC’s major projects, with more coming in the next six months. He highlighted the importance of electrification and the continued supply of natural gas as underpinning the success of industry and the province overall. He urged the sector to not be distracted but to focus on delivery. BC has the lowest emission LNG. He sees how companies are working with First Nations, calling that “an extraordinary story of success”. “If we’re going to compete int he economy we have to be there,” said Dix as a supporting statement or increased energy delivery (electricity and gas). “We set the table for it last year, we’re acting on it this year,” said Dix, noting another call for power to come. Dix concluded: “Let’s tell our story to the world, make the world a better place and make BC a more prosperous place.”
Environment and Parks Minister Tamara Davidson emphasized the importance of regulation and process, and how “working with First Nations is progressive certainty” in that First Nations are an active partner. Her ministry is there to be an advocate for the sector in other markets and to “pave the pathway for investments to be made in BC”. Her ministry is working on reducing duplication, giving the example of how some recent federal conditions were reduce from 35 to 10. She says that partnership with the federal government is key including for trade (exports and imports). She wants to see more projects built here in BC while still maintaining environmental protection and “building that key relationship with First Nations”. Partnership is key, for creative and innovative solutions to be brought to the table by industry and First Nations.
Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon highlighted the province’s Look West strategy as key to bringing “as much investments as possible” to BC, including through trade diversification and exploring investment opportunities. His ministry is there to be an industry advocate in other markets. Back from a recent trade mission to India, he saw how companies and investors in other countries look to BC for the expertise on how to invest in BC. Kahlon says that using AI will boost productivity — that high tech will have a footprint in BC that is unique to this provincial economy. BC will “succeed and win in the challenge we have ahead of us”. said Kahlon today. In his concluding remarks: “We want to attract investment for your companies, to share your opportunities.” He noted how the FIFA World Cup 2026 games coming to BC will bring people here to also discuss opportunities in mining and natural gas. “It’s important to have the right people in the room, to showcase the opportunity that we have ahead of us,” said Kahlon. Problems are also opportunities, he said.
Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill is working on water sustainability amendments and cutting down the wait time for water permits. She pointed out that 98% of activity is on Crown Land. She wants to see companies coming with a full working application — moving quickly through permitting process to get to their investments. Neill wants to make sure government is working for the sector, that good decisions are being made and that things get done.
Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar said forestry is a strategic economic asset and a solution for industry, government and First Nations. In 2026, he wants to see BC “do a better job talking about the power of forestry” including having a trade rep for BC in Washington DC. He says that the shift in forestry policy will be transformational. Parmar’s approach to stabilizing the opportunities in the forestry sector has at least four components: 1) Achieving a good standard of wood. 2) Making the sector more competitive by reducing costs and increasing certainty and reliability. 3) building out a sustainable working forest. 4) Activating a fundamental shift in forestry with a forest landscape schedule and a forest operational plan that will eventually eliminate the need for cutting permits. Parmar says trade diversification is key and that reducing sales to the US will be supplemented by selling BC softwood lumber to Japan, Korea, China, Saudi Arabia and north Africa among other locations. Overall, the natural resource sector is about protecting jobs by taking a worker-first approach, Parmar concluded.
Mining and Critical Minerals Minister Jagrup Brar says “mining is the real hope” That relies on seeing that the permitting process is in place, and that there is a skilled work force, an exceptional relationship with First Nations, and the highest environmental standards. He notes that BC produces over 20 different products in the mining sector. There is a commitment to the private sector to make progress. “Think about early engagement with all stakeholders,” is some key advice to investors and the private sector. This week Brar announced a permit for Mulligan Mine. he says that more permits are in the works — evidently with one to come every four months. Guidance for the sector includes that working together often uncovers duplication and reduces the time to produce results. “Investors want certainty without compromising environemntal or worker standards or reconciliation work with First Nations,” said Brar.
===== RELATED:
- Premier Eby highlights forestry, mining & reliable electricity as key to economic resilience (January 20, 2026)
- BC Natural Resources 2026 Forum at critical economic pivot point (January 14, 2026)
- NEWS SECTIONS: MINING & CRITICAL MINERALS | FORESTRY | 43rd BC PARLIAMENT | GOVERNMENT OF BC