VICTORIA, B.C. — Statement from Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, on the recent announcement regarding Phase 1B of the Tilbury LNG Facility on the Fraser River in Delta:
“Today’s decision is another reminder that this BC NDP government is an LNG-dependent government. While Canadian wildfires make international headlines, and British Columbians evacuate their homes, our governments choose to deepen the pockets of the fossil fuel industry, while ignoring what’s in the best interest of British Columbians.
Instead of allowing an independent review to determine whether this project represents good value for British Columbians, the government has chosen to bypass review entirely—leaving ratepayers to shoulder the financial risk without an independent assessment of the project’s necessity or business case.
This decision exposes the contradiction within the BC NDP itself, as it undermines and obfuscates its environmental commitments; it isn’t just at odds with the BC Greens, it contradicts the viewpoints of Premier Eby’s own caucus.
Housing Minister Christine Boyle opposed Tilbury’s expansion as a Vancouver city councillor. Now, the government Minister Boyle is a part of continues pushing LNG expansion at every turn. It’s time for the BC NDP’s environmental caucus to stand up to their Premier and put a stop to this all-in LNG gamble.
Today’s announcement puts FortisBC ratepayers on the hook for up to $2.2 billion. At a time when global markets are increasingly warning of an LNG supply glut, the health impacts of LNG are not fully understood, and communities across the province are enduring the consequences of the climate emergency, this government is locking us into a crisis.
The LNG industry breaks the rules and gets away with it, and receives millions in government subsidies. Meanwhile, British Columbians take on the financial risk. This is textbook corporate welfare, and the BC NDP’s soft spot for LNG has never been clearer.
British Columbians deserve evidence-based decisions, not another politically motivated subsidy for an industry the NDP has surrendered to.”
British Columbians can make their voices heard on the environmental impacts of Phase 2 of this project until July 27. Click here.
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Ryan Hook
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BC Green Caucus
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