Premier David Eby has stated he was completely unaware of a major potash producer's plans to build a billion-dollar export terminal, a project that has now been awarded to a port in Washington state instead of British Columbia.
A Missed Billion-Dollar Opportunity
In a recent television interview, Eby expressed frustration over the decision by Saskatchewan-based Nutrien Ltd. to select Longview, Washington, for a new $1 billion potash export facility. The premier claimed he had no prior knowledge that the company was considering West Coast port options, a process the company publicly announced six months earlier.
"I had no idea that this company would consider putting themselves in the hands of Donald Trump," Eby remarked on CTV's Question Period on Sunday, December 1, 2025. He placed blame on both Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and the federal Liberal government for not involving his administration in discussions.
Political Blame Game Erupts
The premier's comments have ignited a cross-provincial dispute. Eby accused Premier Moe of engaging with Alberta's Danielle Smith on other projects instead of collaborating with B.C. on the port decision. "I didn't hear from the federal government about the Nutrien decision," Eby added, emphasizing that issues like clogged rail lines and port access should have been discussed.
Scott Moe responded sharply on social media and in a radio interview, suggesting Eby should look inward. "When someone makes a decision not to invest in your area, you should look in the mirror, not blame others," Moe stated. He indicated that Eby's political stance, particularly his hostility toward oil pipelines, created a negative investment climate. Despite the criticism, Moe said he would support a joint effort to potentially reverse the decision, stating, "Certainly I want to see it in Canada."
Public Announcement Went Unnoticed
Contrary to the premier's claimed ignorance, Nutrien made its intentions clear in a news release on May 28, 2025. The company announced it was "reviewing options to increase West Coast port capacity" to strengthen supply chains and meet rising global potash demand. Major news outlets, including Reuters and The Globe and Mail, reported on the plan. The Globe even published a follow-up interview with Nutrien CEO Ken Seitz, who detailed plans for a terminal to ship up to six million tonnes of potash annually to markets in India, China, and Japan.
This incident raises significant questions about the British Columbia government's awareness of and proactive engagement with major industrial investors, especially given the province's stated priority to expand port capacity and bolster economic ties.
