Rustad neglected Northwest, while Eby makes sure communities benefit directly from growing mining industry

TERRACE – BC NDP leader David Eby spent the day in Terrace, where he shared his plan to grow BC’s critical minerals sector and create economic benefits in the Northwest and across BC.

“Northwest BC has the critical minerals that are in high demand worldwide, giving us a huge advantage in the global movement to a clean economy,” said Eby. “Our plan will get mining projects moving that grow BC’s economy, create good jobs across the Northwest, and benefit communities directly.”

Critical minerals, such as copper, nickel and silver, are essential components for electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, electrical transmission lines and batteries, making them essential in the clean economy. There are currently 16 new or expanded critical mineral mines proposed in BC - and we'll fast-track priority projects to grow the economy and create jobs.

David Eby’s plan will continue to deliver major critical mineral projects and support Northwest communities through the Resource Benefits Alliance, which represents 21 local governments, including Terrace.

The Resource Benefits Alliance represents 21 local governments, including Terrace. With David Eby and the BC NDP, the RBA will receive $250 million over five years to support infrastructure in the region.

“For too long, communities across BC’s Northwest saw the impacts of resource projects–like more wear and tear on roads and highways, increased demand on local services–but they weren’t seeing enough of the benefits,” said Eby. “We took action to change that. We’re investing money directly back into infrastructure communities like Terrace and Vanderhoof while building up the economy.”

David Eby and the BC NDP’s plan to support more critical mineral projects and grow the economy:

• Guaranteeing permit review timelines for priority critical mineral projects while maintaining BC’s world-leading standards for environmental protection and worker safety and commitment to First Nations partnerships.
• Providing dedicated support to advance projects to final investment through the new Critical Minerals Office, including coordination with the federal government to reduce duplication and supporting First Nations engagement.
• Helping workers keep up with the changing nature of mining in BC by establishing union-training programs focused on building the skilled workforce and trades people we need across the entire mining industry.
• Building out the electricity grid across the provinceand supporting mines to power up with clean energy, ensuring that BC’s mining industry continues to be the cleanest in the world.
• Upgrading key highway infrastructure in BC’s northwest needed to unlock investments in new critical mineral mines, create good jobs, and improve community access and safety.
• Ensuring that resource development provides lasting benefits to communities in the Northwest through the Resource Benefits Alliance and to First Nations through continued revenue-sharing and new equity ownership opportunities.

Mining is a foundational part of British Columbia’s economy and the BC NDP is supporting it to grow. Since 2017, employment in the mining sector has increased to 40,000 direct jobs, total private sector investment has doubled, and mineral production value has increased by 70%.