David Eby

Premier David Eby is aware that legislation fast-tracking energy and infrastructure projects has caused a “significant amount of anxiety” among B.C.’s Indigenous communities, but promises projects will not go through on Crown land without First Nations consent. The premier gave a keynote address on Thursday, June 19, during the Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference at Nanaimo’s Vancouver Island Conference Centre. “I don’t believe practically in British Columbia in the year 2025 that we can fast-track without full Indigenous co-operation and support on the project, because we made commitments under the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People that we passed,” Eby said. …Also during his address, the premier applauded Nak’azdli Development Corporation’s Deadwood Innovations, which turns traditionally low-value timber into premium high-quality lumber products, and credited project partners on B.C. Hydro’s “call for power” procurement process for clean and renewable energy.