Northern Beat Weekly 12
Energy policy dissonance, mounting costs of a pediatric unit closure, and the ongoing battle to protect our democracy
Hello there!
With Premier David Eby out glad-handing in Asia, BC politics took a turn for the contradictory this week. His government approved a somewhat-dormant LNG pipeline near Prince Rupert, while simultaneously railing against federal support for a new Alberta-to-BC oil pipeline. Energy Minister Adrian Dix insisted BC is more into geothermal vibes these days as part of a new energy call that came without money or timelines. Meanwhile in Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he’ll fast-track “national interest” infrastructure, but swore he won’t force anything on unwilling provinces like British Columbia.
Back at home, the government delayed a Kelowna complex care housing project for those suffering mental health and addictions issues, but the Rental Protection Fund is quietly doing the work of preserving affordable housing, one aging apartment block at a time. And Elections BC’s Anton Boegman stopped by the Northern Beat podcast to remind us that, unlike politicians, administrators of BC’s electoral system are at least still trying to earn your trust.
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- Rob Shaw
Northern Beat Roundup
[PODCAST]: BC’s chief electoral officer on election 2024
In a wide-ranging interview, BC’s Chief Electoral Officer Anton Boegman discusses the behind-the-scenes work that went into ensuring the 2024 provincial election. Boegman explains what’s changed in election rules, why voter trust remains critical, how Elections BC handles misinformation, and what the agency has learned from previous campaigns. It’s a rare look inside the non-partisan office that safeguards the province’s democracy. [Listen here]
King’s call for unity welcome as racial divisions deepen in BC
King Charles III made history when opening the federal Parliament with a speech from the throne, but he also helped shine light upon the ongoing conflicts with Indigenous nations and treaties, writes columnist Tom Fletcher. [Read more]
The Legislature
Pipeline politics, part 1,742
The seemingly never-ending debate over another oil pipeline from Alberta to BC’s coast ramped up again this week after Prime Minister Mark Carney and several premiers expressing support for the idea at the first ministers’ meeting in Saskatoon.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the first ministers’ gathering “the best meeting we’ve had in 10 years,” but missing from the “nation-building” major projects pitch session was BC’s Premier David Eby.
While premiers pitched major project ideas to the Prime Minister and announced MOUs breaking down interprovincial trade barriers, Eby was in Asia on a trade mission of undiscernable merit. Standing in for Eby in Saskatchewan at what might be the most important first ministers’ conference in a decade was BC’s deputy premier, Niki Sharma, who was left trying to argue that a new pipeline was a hypothetical idea not worth debating. Which might strike a bit confusing since her government is enthusiastically supporting conceptual wind and geothermal projects galore.
Sharma’s position was mostly ignored, with Carney expressing support for a “decarbonized” pipeline to Asian markets through BC, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pledging to find a private proponent. The week ended with Carney tabling legislation in Parliament to fast-track projects deemed in the national interest, while also claiming he would not force any projects on unwilling provinces.
It sets up a showdown with BC, where Eby and his government expressed opposition to an oil pipeline. “That idea doesn’t make sense to us,” said Energy Minister Adrian Dix, citing the delays and cost overruns of the now completed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX), which apparently make pipelines poor economic prospects. Left unsaid was how much the BC NDP contributed to the aforementioned TMX costs and delays by using “every tool in the toolbox” to oppose it.
Regardless, BC is now urging Ottawa to fully maximize the capacity of the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline before building another, which gives the impression it’s sorely underutilized and sounds much like what anti-fossil fuels activist and former federal energy minister, Steven Guilbeault, mis-stated recently about TMX running at 40 per cent capacity. Actually, the pipeline has been running at 80 per cent capacity for more than a year, spiking to 90 per cent in March 2025, according to the Vancouver Sun’s Vaughn Palmer.
New Prince Rupert LNG pipeline can proceed
More than 10 years after it was first approved, and following numerous changes, the BC government has ruled that the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, which will connect to a proposed floating LNG terminal in northwestern BC, can proceed. The province ruled that the pipeline, approved in 2014, has “substantially started” construction, meaning its permits do not expire and it does not have to restart the environmental process from the beginning. The pipeline was purchased in 2024 from TC Energy by the Nisga'a Nation and Western LNG as part of its proposed Ksi Lisims facility, north of Prince Rupert.
Gitanyow hereditary chiefs have opposed the project in the past, and blockaded roads. “This is not a government who believes in reconciliation and it could trigger a long, hot summer,” predicted Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip recently. The BC Greens also slammed the decision as short-sighted, saying the NDP government cannot continue to approve fossil fuel projects while claiming to make progress fighting climate change.
Natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities are facing renewed interest from investors and the federal government, as it seeks ways to get Canada’s natural resources to overseas markets in the wake of a bitter trade dispute with the United States.
Government delays Kelowna complex care promise
A pre-election promise by the NDP government to build a 40-unit complex care housing project in Kelowna, for those suffering addiction and mental health issues, has been delayed until 2028 — meaning government won’t complete it before the next election.
The BC NDP announced the project last year, presenting it as the showcase site for 240 similar units across the province and billing it as a solution to those who live with difficult mental health and addictions issues that may make them unsuitable for help in other facilities.
The City of Kelowna contributed $4 million in land, and said it was critical to helping out with street disorder, but says it has not yet even received a development application. Local Conservative MLA Gavin Dew called it: “Another NDP campaign promise delayed.”
BC seeks more energy projects
BC has already solicited 10 private companies with wind and solar power to sign contracts with BC Hydro, but the government this week announced it is also interested in what’s called “baseload” or “firm” capacity through more reliable sources. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said Hydro is on the hunt for private operators of things like geothermal and hydroelectric developments.
The province has in the past expressed scepticism about geothermal, which is largely unproven in BC on a large scale. It typically involves drilling deep wells to access reservoirs of hot water, which is turned into steam to spin a turbine.
“Geothermal is in a stronger position today than it was 10 years ago,” said Dix. And hydroelectric dams have proven extremely controversial, as evidenced by the construction of Site C in the northeast. Dix provided no price tag for the call on power, or a timeline. He said Hydro needs any and all available electrical power into the grid to help meet rising demand and the province’s goal to provide clean electricity options to industrial polluters. “We want to see what’s out there,” said Dix.
BC Rental Protection fund buys buildings
The NDP government’s Rental Protection Fund continues to gobble up old apartment buildings to save them from redevelopment, this time making acquisitions in Fort St. John, Kamloops, Penticton and Prince George. The quasi-government organization partnered with local community groups to acquire the buildings, which will preserve them as rentals.
Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield said the acquisition in his community, to save 14 homes, was as a result of a direct plea from a tenant. The city helped provide a pre-development grant, and is updating its permissive tax exemption policies to provide longer incentives for nonprofit housing, said Bloomfield. “Protecting existing below-market rentals is essential to keeping our residents in homes that they can afford,” he said.
The Rental Protection Fund was given $500 million in seed funding in 2023, to help partner with groups and leverage other funding sources to buy at-risk buildings. So far, it has helped purchase 1,600 units. “I know for governments around the world it’s always nice to stand in front of a shiny new building, because it’s exciting and new,” said Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. “But the cheapest way to have housing is to protect the existing housing that you have.”
Ellis Ross hits the federal arena
Former BC Liberal/United MLA Opposition energy critic Ellis Ross asked his first question in parliament as an MP this week. The newly appointed federal Conservative Opposition energy critic, Ross, who represents Skeena-Bulkley Valley, twice asked if the Prime Minister would scrap its oil and gas emissions cap, which Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer forecast would cause a $20.5-billion reduction in GDP and potential job loss of 54,000 full-time jobs.
The government says it’s a pollution cap, while critics call it a production cap that will hamstring future oil and gas production. Carney has given no indication the cap will be lifted and said during the election that Bill C-69, dubbed the ‘no new pipelines bill,’ will remain.
Both federal ministers who responded on the PM’s behalf skirted Ross’ question about the emissions cap.
“We will make Canada an energy superpower in both conventional and clean energy by cutting red tape, fast-tracking projects and approving projects within two years,” Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson told Ross. Julie Dabrusin, minister of environment and climate change, followed Hodgson’s response with this: “If Canada wants to be an energy superpower, the Prime Minister has stated that energy is going to be low-cost, low-risk and low-carbon. We are going to get projects built right across our country while making sure that we protect the environment.”
The verdict is out on how all those goals can be simultaneously achieved, but the premiers and prime minister gave a few clues about which major projects they want Carney to fast-track.
Rural Reads from Around the Web
Northern Health warns of ‘measles-like illness”
Health officials in northern BC say there are no actual confirmed cases of measles — but there is a possible “measles-like illness” circulating in local schools. The health authority is reminding people to get vaccinated against the highly-infection disease, which is spread via airborne droplets, and can lead to serious complications.
Measles is on the rise due to vaccine scepticism, with a baby dying in southwestern Ontario after contracting measles from its unvaccinated mother this week during an outbreak. [EnergeticCity.ca]
Kamloops council to consider liquor in parks
You may soon be able to have a drink in Kamloops’ Riverside Park, as part of a pilot program going before city council. More than a dozen other BC communities allow limited alcohol in public spaces. [CFJC]
Chetwynd General Hospital closes for entire weekend
Another week, another ER closure, this time in Chetwynd where “staffing challenges” are forcing a 48-hour diversion at the hospital ER. It’s part of a series of ongoing ER closures that have hit rural BC especially hard. [EnergeticCity.ca]
Kelowna hospital paediatric closure forces transfer of two child patients
The ongoing and controversial closure of Kelowna General Hospital’s pediatric department has forced at least two transfers of children to other hospitals, as the community continues to grapple with the fallout of the collapse of a key part of their hospital. [CFJC]
Bonus
Quote of the Week:
“I also wanted to make sure that the minister knows that next time you come to the Okanagan, you’re not allowed to wear a tie jacket. And so we usually cut them off every May 24 at the mayor’s office.” — Doug Maxwell, board member of Penticton and District Society for Community Living, to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon at a rental protection fund announcement in Penticton, June 4, 2025.
Closing
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Can you identify
Which building the rental protection fund has purchased
In Prince George and any
Others details like
Price,etc ?