North Coast Review: Some Northern BC politicians try to keep LNG prospects alive; while Green Party threatens to topple NDP Government over LNG position

Friday, January 19, 2018

Some Northern BC politicians try to keep LNG prospects alive; while Green Party threatens to topple NDP Government over LNG position

The 15th annual gathering of the BC Natural Resources Forum came to an end on Thursday in Prince George, having brought together a range of participants and interested observers involved in the province's resource sector.

Included in the gathering this week were a number of LNG officials and some Northern British Columbia politicians, all of whom contributed to the final day of the three day conference by making a fair bit of news in a number of areas.

And while a major backdrop to the convention this year is the reality of a string of cancelled projects primarily in the Prince Rupert region, those taking part in the three day conference have looked to keep a positive approach to the future of the industry in the province.

With some of the key government leaders of both the Northeast and Northwest joining forces, to deliver a letter to both Federal and Provincial government urging for them to support the province's LNG sector.

In addition to the call for action from the governments, the letter highlighted the opportunities that they believe will be brought to the province with advancement of the industry, it's infrastructure and terminal locations.

In attendance from the Northwest this week were Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth and Kevin Stewart the First Councillor of the Haisla Nation, with both Northwest representatives urging both levels of senior government to help move forward the prospect of LNG development and with it the potential construction for a pair of LNG terminals in the Kitimat region.

Northern Mayors, Haisla Councillor pitch BC LNG
Northern Mayors make pitch for LNG support
Show of Force in Support of LNG
LNG advocates rally for support
Mayors of Fort St. John and Dawson Creek among many calling on Government to support B.C. LNG industry

Leaders from Northwest and Northeast British Columbia joined forces
in Prince George this week, delivering a letter to both Federal and Provincial
officials seeking for quick attention to LNG issues in both regions
(photo from BC Natural Resources Forum twitter feed)

Also making for a well received presentation to the conference was Skeena MLA Ellis Ross who delivered one of the keynote addresses of the three days, with the Liberal MLA touching on many themes related to LNG development and the opportunities he believes it holds for residents of the Northwest.

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross's observations on LNG development
in British Columbia were well received by the delegates
to the BC Natural Resources Forum(photo from BC Natural Resources Forum twitter feed)

Despite the fact that at one time the Prince Rupert region was considered a hot location for potential LNG terminal development, there does not appear to have been any government representation from the North Coast at this years meeting.

Indicative perhaps of the retreating tide for this area and any LNG ambitions that once were in play, not to mention marking for some fading print when it comes to the City's LNG Go Plan blue print.

That was the once highly touted document that we haven't heard much about of late from City Hall, particularly as the ambitious large scale projects for the region fall by the wayside one after the other.

While we don't appear to have had any municipal or regional representative, the North Coast did gain some exposure at this years Natural Resources event, with Ken Veldman from the Port of Prince Rupert taking part in a panel discussion related to international trade.

Also taking some time to take in the conference was Premier John Horgan, who seemed to provide some cautious hope for those looking for positive signs from the NDP on LNG, when he noted for the audience at the forum that "our LNG market potential is starting to be straightened out" ...

The Premier telegraphed the more optimistic view of the province's LNG industry just ahead of his first large scale foreign trip, which will see Mr. Horgan depart for China on Saturday, as he and BC government officials head off for a string of discussions as part of a ten day trade mission.

Mr. Horgan's comments have seemingly sent an alarm bell off over at the Green Party headquarters, with the Greens leader Andrew Weaver making a bit of noise to suggest that if the NDP continue on with their current path when it comes to LNG, then the Greens may make a move to bring down the new Horgan government, something which would send us all back to the polls.

Mr. Weaver first offered up his talking point on the them through his twitter feed on January 17th.