Lək̓ʔəŋən [LEKWUNGEN] TERRITORY / VICTORIA, B.C. — Emily Lowan, Leader of the BC Greens, released this statement on the U.S.-Canada Trade War:
“It was the right choice to not give in to Trump’s despotic demands. It is now the time to respond with swiftness and precision.
The BC Greens, alongside all British Columbians, are concerned about the profound effects these tariffs will have on the stability of our economy. This trade war urges a fundamental shift in our economic policy. B.C.’s economic development must be focused on the true nation-building project of a clean energy grid, rather than the false promise of projects which serve only to ship B.C.’s wealth to the United States.
The B.C. government has delivered billions of taxpayer dollars into the hands of U.S. resource corporations through heavily subsidizing LNG. Ksi Lisims LNG, touted by the government as a nation-building project, is owned by a Texas-based corporation, and has backers in Trump’s inner circle. This includes Steve Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone and Trump mega-donor, as well as Leon Black, former CEO of Apollo Global Management with close ties to the Trump administration.
Almost 90% of LNG export capacity being developed is majority owned by foreign enterprises. Meanwhile, due to a lack of renewable energy development, B.C. has been relying on coal-fired electricity, imported from the U.S. to keep the lights on.
British Columbia cannot meaningfully oppose U.S. aggression while subsidizing their fossil fuel industry. Genuine sovereignty comes with energy sovereignty, which can only be accomplished through massive investment into renewable energy.
A stable economy cannot be rocked by the choices of an ill-tempered bully. Sun and wind are immune to the whims of foreign powers. Publicly owned renewables will serve to build a reliable, affordable, sovereign economy that belongs to British Columbians.”
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