Prime Minister Mark Carney declared British Columbia central to his 'build Canada' agenda during a breakfast fireside chat with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on Wednesday, just before a high-stakes meeting with Premier David Eby. The event, held at a Vancouver hotel, drew an audience of about 700 executives and business leaders, with YVR CEO Tamara Vrooman calling it 'the hottest ticket in town, next to the resale of FIFA.'
Carney's Reassuring Message
Carney sought to ease tensions over pipeline politics, emphasizing that B.C. is in a 'position of strength' in Canada's energy transition. He highlighted that more than one-third of the 22 projects and strategies being fast-tracked under his nation-building approach come from British Columbia. 'To some degree, the vision for B.C., yes, there’s the obvious areas — energy, critical minerals, tech,' Carney said during the fireside chat with Board of Trade CEO Bridgitte Anderson. 'But it’s also where B.C. wants to take it.'
Carney added, 'What we’re trying to accomplish ... is we don’t want to hear what people are against, we want to hear what you’re for. And if you’re for something, let’s give full credit to B.C.' He promised to double Canada's non-U.S. trade within a decade, boosting electricity generation and expanding shipments through the Port of Vancouver.
Addressing Pipeline Tensions
The meeting with Eby was seen as a potential showdown over Alberta's ambitions for a new bitumen pipeline to the West Coast, which Eby had criticized as jumping the queue and 'rewarding bad behaviour' of Alberta's separatist movement. Carney acknowledged opposition in B.C. and among First Nations but stressed that advancing the pipeline 'requires that British Columbians should share substantial economic and financial benefits,' along with Indigenous consultation and economic benefits.
Eby's Diplomatic Response
Eby struck a diplomatic tone before the meeting, declaring, 'There is no doubt in my mind that the Prime Minister is a friend to British Columbia.' He said the goal was to cement an agreement to negotiate B.C.'s priorities in the national strategy, adding that B.C. 'can really deliver for all Canadians.' However, Eby emphasized that 'an important part of friendship is telling each other the truth, and part of the truth for British Columbia is that the development work ... has to go hand in hand with environmental protection for the next generation.' He specifically mentioned upholding the North Coast moratorium on oil tanker traffic through sensitive waters.
Looking Ahead
Eby expressed hope for 'a fair share for British Columbia of federal investment that the Prime Minister has committed to for this country, and a fair share of enthusiasm for the projects that we’re bringing forward.' The meeting concluded with both leaders pledging continued collaboration.
