Thursday November 23, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 12:55 pm]
Political analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The climate action file is a hot one in BC. Premier Eby has set up what’s being called a Town Hall to discuss “a stronger clean economy that works for everyone in British Columbia”. Livestream link to the Premier’s Clean Economy Town Hall Nov 23 – 12 noon.
The livestreamed event will be attended as well by Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, and Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation, and George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
Industry leaders are taking part. The opening comments were delivered by Merran Smith, President, New Economy Canada.
[ Journalism coverage in real time: ]
Premier David Eby’s comments:
- Wildfires, heat dome, huge body of evidence – straight up costs to government to responding to climate disasters that the climate crisis is real.
- Climate leadership – politically is a bit of a bummer. Challenging that the opposition parties are not aligning.
- British Columbians support strong climate action, including businesses.
- Massive challenges… grow economy and support developments and deliver on the promise that’s out there. “These are good challenges to have.”
- A time of affordability crisis: “Our strongest future is the one where the rest of the world is going including jobs.”
- Glad for businesses coming together for the discussion.
- We need a path to decarbonization.
- Build clean energy supply ahead of the coming demand (from industry – mining, forestry, oil and gas; major customers in urban areas; cryptocurrency farm; etc)
- Transformational shift of how electricity is seen in the province. Need to provide assurance to industry construction schedules.
- BC Hydro lines and facilities need to be approved through BC Utilities Commission.
- Manufacturing sector buildout is dependent on the post-secondary sector to provide trained workers. [Minister Brenda Bailey]
- Province wants First Nations ‘up front’ to be part of the process as project proponents.
- “The global energy transition presents enormous economic opportunity for First Nations, industry, and innovators. And right here in BC, we’re already leading the way.” [Minister Josie Obsorne, summary]
Forestry:
Comments by Premier Eby:
- Hard to think of an industry that is harder hit. Community futures and plans going up in smoke. It’s devastating, because forestry is a key part of our climate response.
- Wood products are inherently lower carbon than steel and concrete. Referenced the mass timber program (with opportunity for thousands of jobs in manufacturing, construction).
- Fireproofing, engineering, building standards – being worked on.
- FireSmart BC: Responding to and preventing fires: old trees, debris, around buildings (interface area between cities and forest). Have to move quickly to get economic value out of trees that have been fire-impacted.
- Old growth strategy… it’s a carbon sink that provides stability in times of significant drought (stores water in dry times).
- Land use strategy – stability of the industry – good high-quality family-supporting jobs in the forest industry.
- Mass timber already is de-carbonized [Minister Brenda Bailey]
‘Strange time’ globally:
Comments by Premier Eby:
- Seems like a lot of closed down. BC has always benefited by being an open province.
- Newfoundland to Europe, BC to Pacific countries … connections to develop hydrogen industry.
- Building and deepening relationships with various countries. Opened new offices in Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines. “So our companies can have a foothold.”
- “There’s a wealth of connections for businesses. BC is an export economy.” [Minister Brenda Bailey]
- “No debate” in countries like Japan and Korea; they’re ready to move forward. “Finding those countries that are heading in that direction has been a core part of our government’s work and we’re going to keep doing that.”
Premier’s responses to related media questions:
- Premier Eby says it’s disappointing that some political directions are working against a clean energy future in BC.
- Looking for big affordability measures for British Columbians. Every minister has been asked to look at their file to find areas of affordability. “I’ve asked ministers to redouble it. I expect them to hunt for those measures, in this budget and going forward.” Looking at hydro rates as part of that.
- Says the BC United Party is looking backward in terms of climate policy, and is under pressure from the BC Conservatives in bringing up the climate change debate.
- Cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector. No new LNG unless net zero by 2030. BC Government is “putting strong climate conditions on this industry and expect them to meet their goals”.
- Cryptocurrency farms use a lot of electricity but don’t produce any jobs.
Clean BC:
Through CleanBC, government is supporting the innovation and technology needed to meet global demand and establish B.C as a leading exporter of low carbon products and solutions.
Together with industry and partners we’re working to make low-carbon solutions affordable and widely available across all sectors to meet our climate goals and build new low-carbon economic opportunities.
“We want you to stay on course. The future is zero-carbon,” said Merran Smith today.
Livestream:
The event was held at the Empress Hotel in downtown Victoria.
Livestream link to the Premier’s Clean Economy Town Hall Nov 23 – 12 noon.