B.C. Premier David Eby travelled to Ottawa on Wednesday to push the federal government on bail reform, major projects and softwood lumber aid, amongst other files.
Eby took with him Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon, and Forests Minister Ravi Parmar. The trio were set for a working dinner with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday evening, before Carney left for a trip to Mexico.
B.C.’s agenda includes pushing Ottawa for bail reform that includes changes to intimate partner violence, after an ex-husband of a Kelowna woman was charged with killing her in broad daylight just hours after being released from jail earlier this summer.
Carney has said bail reform is on his agenda for fall legislation, but B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma has asked for more specific and targeted reforms for his government’s consideration.
The issue of immigration is also expected to come up, following Eby’s controversial comments last week to align with federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in suggesting the temporary foreign worker program be cancelled due to straining housing, healthcare and youth employment.
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Carney has said immigration reforms are on the table, but not the cancellation of the temporary foreign worker program.
Eby told reporters Tuesday he also intends to push Ottawa for support on more major projects, despite two projects — LNG Canada Phase 2 and the Red Chris mine expansion — making Carney’s fast-track list last week.
“Making sure that resources flow to British Columbia, at least on a per capita basis that reflects our population size, that we get our fair share from Ottawa, that is exactly the message that I’m bringing to Ottawa,” he said.
“The other message is not just that we need a fair share of Ottawa resources, because we are supporting provinces that are getting massive equalization payments from Ottawa that we don’t get, we need support from Ottawa to be able to continue to support those other provinces.
“But the other component is, if you want to build a new Canadian economy, if you want to build an economy that is less dependent on the United States, you have to look west. You have to look to British Columbia.”
Eby said he has 10 major projects ready for Ottawa’s approval, worth billions of dollars. The revenue would help the B.C. government grow the economy, said the premier, and address a record $11.6 billion deficit projection this year.
B.C. would like federal support for 11 mining projects in the northwest, an expanded electricity line to the northwest, the Cedar LNG project with the Haisla Nation, as well as a new spate of wind power projects for BC Hydro.
The province is also seeking support from Ottawa on dredging Burrard Inlet for expanded oil tankers, upgrading the Port of Vancouver and replacing the aging Massey Tunnel.
