By the time this column is printed, Canada may well have elected a new prime minister. As I have noted previously in this space, B.C. Premier Christy Clark has remained scrupulously above the fray of the federal election campaign. Frankly Clark would be fine with the Harper government surviving for another term, but she would probably be just at ease with the federal Liberals returning to power.
In either scenario, Clark will find a friendly colleague in Ottawa to support her ambitious plans to expand liquified natural gas (LNG) exports in this province. In fact, even during the last week of the federal election campaign, Clark appeared content as chief booster and campaigner for LNG, speaking at the third annual convention of the industry and sympathetic politicians here in Vancouver.
Despite a glut of supply that has led to a crash in the price of gas and growing local protests against specific LNG projects, Premier Clark remains stubbornly optimistic about the prospects for the industry in B.C.
She told the conference, “It’s true. I am an optimist. I’m also a hard worker, because I know that optimism doesn’t get you anywhere unless you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and get the work done.”
In fact, LNG opponents and skeptics have called Clark much than optimistic. She was elected in 2013 after touting gas exports as a panacea for B.C., promising many tens of billions of dollars for the public purse. But it was a mirage. Even the most optimistic B.C. government projects today make the rhetoric of 2012-2013 look like pure hyperbole.
In addition to the worsening conditions in the global market, here in B.C. there are significant issues with First Nations opposition to LNG. However on this front Clark’s optimism is not without reason, as her government has managed to bring a number of First Nations onside.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark is focused on LNG. | Photo courtesy of Government of British Columbia
As the Canadian Press reported, “Hours after Clark’s speech, the Squamish Nation announced it had granted its own legally binding environmental certificate for the Woodfibre LNG project on Howe Sound, about 60 kilometres north of Vancouver. Chief Ian Campbell called the agreement ‘historic,’ as the band had issued 25 conditions as part of a unique independent assessment. Woodfibre LNG has agreed to comply with the 13 conditions that apply to it, while negotiations continue with Fortis B.C. and the province.”
This is indeed significant, and the news of this latest agreement must have come as a disappoint, if not a surprise, to the many protesters who had gathered outside the Vancouver conference to protest the industry. Much of the moral (and in many ways legal) authority of opposition to oil and gas pipelines in B.C. comes the opposition of so many First Nations. That’s undoubtedly what has stalled if not yet completely defeated Enbridge’s plans for the Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline .
Clark, the B.C. government and its friends in industry have obviously learned some lessons from the Northern Gateway debacle, as they have now adjusted their talking points to include reference to First Nations’ historic grievances.
In reference to the Squamish, Clark told the conference, “First Nations in this country, as in many others, have been left out of the economic mainstream for way too long. The LNG opportunity truly does represent a chance to redress historical wrongs, to change the course of post-colonial history and make sure that First Nations are fully included in economic growth.”
This line or argument shows precisely the nature and priorities of the B.C. government. It’s simply all about LNG. There is no debate about whether these projects should happen; it’s all about how the spoils will be distributed, if and when they finally arrive.
One of the biggest contradictions of this approach will soon be highlighted, as we near the beginning of the most important United Nations climate summit in the history of the planet. In just over one month, world leaders will convene in Paris to try and finalize a new binding international agreement on reducing emissions of gases that contribute to climate change.
Christy Clark struck a special advisory committee earlier this year to look at B.C.’s climate priorities. But the committee’s points of reference specifically include instructions to consider emissions reductions in the context of implementing the government’s LNG plans.
Asking someone to come up with a plan to reduce carbon emissions while massive expanding a major fossil fuel industry is a bit like asking someone to come up with a plan for a diet that has to include three super-sized meals a day from McDonald’s. It’s impossible. Sadly this means that whomever the prime minister is come time for the Paris climate summit, B.C.’s premier won’t likely have much of anything positive to contribute, except more emissions and more LNG pipe dreams.
