RUSS: Eby must approve Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project to safeguard BC economy amid Trump tariff threats

British Columbia's newly appointed environment minister Tamara Davidson has announced that in 2025, she will take time to deliberate on the future of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) project. Premier David Eby and the NDP government must see the big picture and seize the opportunity to push through its approval, which, as the leader of the government, he is fully capable of doing.Greenlighting PRGT would add a valuable piece of infrastructure for the province and help position BC as a leader in diversifying trade and exports away from the United States. While Canada’s trade will always be oriented towards the US, the threat of tariffs from Donald Trump is a sign that Canada should not be afraid to reach out to the Asia-Pacific.Economic shocks like Trump's tariffs are a symptom of leaning too heavily on continental integration, which, while an enormous benefit, has left Canada vulnerable to sudden disruptions. Among these shocks, Trump’s threatened 25 per cent tariffs would be historic if enacted, and there is no good reason not to treat that threat seriously.Therefore, David Eby must make the responsible, pragmatic decision to champion its approval and lean on his ministers to fall in line. Ministerial independence hardly exists in modern Canadian politics, and suggesting otherwise can only be fuelled by dishonesty or bad information.If Eby pushes through PRGT, he will not only strengthen BC but also build a legacy for himself as a politician who helped protect Canada’s economy. A completed PRGT is both strategic and necessary for securing Canadian economic sovereignty in this uncertain world.Stretching 750 kilometres, PRGT would transport natural gas from northeast BC to the West Coast to supply the Ksi Lisims LNG project. Owned by the Nisga'a Nation and Western LNG, Ksi Lisims is another model of Indigenous partnerships and economic reconciliation in the natural resource sector, and it will need feeders like PRGT to function.With an estimated cost of $5 billion, PRGT will create enormous wealth for the Nisga’a and its neighbours. In August, preliminary construction began on Nisga'a lands, clearing over 40 kilometres of right-of-way, building nine bridges, and improving existing access roads.Critics, however, argue that these efforts do not constitute a "substantial" start for the project, a requirement for maintaining PRGT’s environmental certificate. Minister Tamara Davidson’s decision will rely heavily on whether she agrees with the critics or decides that PRGT must restart its environmental review process.Another delay is the worst thing that could happen to BC in 2025.Canada relies heavily on the United States as its primary trading partner, but this is a double-edged sword. Having such free access to the world's largest, most powerful, and most dynamic economy is a blessing, but those benefits are predicated on goodwill and shared priorities between Ottawa and Washington.According to Statistics Canada, 77% of Canada’s exports go to the United States, leading to massive overexposure to measures like Trump's 25% tariffs. While it is likely that Canada can negotiate its way out of such tariffs, the threat underscores the urgency to diversify Canadian exports, especially to Europe and Asia.The lack of east-to-west infrastructure projects has hampered this diversification, including the failures of the Energy East and expanded Atlantic LNG projects and the cancellation of the Northern Gateway pipeline.BC has taken the lead in expanding Pacific trade with the completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion last spring, the near completion of Cedar LNG in Kitimat, and the ongoing construction of Woodfibre LNG in Squamish. PRGT and Ksi Lisims LNG will only enhance this trend.Natural gas is not a completely clean energy source, but it is cleaner than coal or crude oil and an important component of building energy security for Canada and its allies. Geopolitical tensions, especially with Russia, have destabilized global energy markets, and Canada can position itself as a reliable supplier of natural gas. PRGT is the link to help make that happen, opening doors to markets like Japan, South Korea, and India.Under Eby's government, projects like Cedar LNG were granted final approval on the condition that their facilities were fully electrified. As a result, Cedar LNG became not just an important energy project but also an example of technical innovation and economic reconciliation with First Nations.Holding PRGT and Ksi Lisims to the same standard, rather than delaying or denying the projects outright, will not help combat climate change. Consumers will simply buy their energy from less ethical suppliers, harming both the climate and the Canadian economy.By approving PRGT, David Eby can demonstrate his commitment to meaningful reconciliation and act as a steward of economic growth, the latter being a common criticism of his government. Choosing not to will alienate Indigenous stakeholders, business leaders, and resource workers in northern BC, who already demonstrated their frustration with the NDP government by voting out long-term incumbents in October’s provincial election.Canada needs an all-hands-on-deck approach to navigating the shifting global economy, and energy is a proven way to foster Canadian growth and make life more affordable for Canadians. The TMX project has lowered gas prices, reduced supply bottlenecks, expanded the reach of Canadian energy, and contributed more to quarterly growth than the entire province of BC.Premier Eby can be not only a leader for BC but for all of Canada, sending a powerful message about our economic future. He can start with PRGT.

RUSS: Eby must approve Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project to safeguard BC economy amid Trump tariff threats

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