Recently, I was pleased to state ICBA’s support for the $5.4 billion Trans Mountain Expansion Project, in National Energy Board hearings held here in Vancouver. This major project is just one of many proposed right now which represent exceptional economic development opportunities for BC and Canada.

Energy infrastructure, mining and production facilities, port expansion, clean energy development… There are proponents eager to move ahead with all of these. But every single such project has its opponents, and they often see already long and complex review processes as prime opportunities to delay and derail.

There’s certainly a lot of that going on with respect to Trans Mountain. In fact, a casual observer of the hearings might have concluded that supporters like myself were in the minority. But recent polling from NRG Research Group proves that’s not the case. In fact, the results clearly indicate that British Columbians understand the importance of natural-resource and other types of major projects, and are confident we can pursue them in an environmentally responsible way.

These and other findings – along with consistent ones from a poll conducted last year for Resource Works – are outlined below. It’s also noteworthy that support for responsible resource and infrastructure development doesn’t breakdown on left-right lines – indicating the NDP is out of touch with its own supporters on this important issue.

With so many key advantages – abundance of resources, skilled workforce, leading-edge environmental management expertise, and a strategic position on global trade routes – there should be no better place to undertake major projects than in BC. If we can’t get them right here, where can that happen?

But if we want to get more projects to “yes”, we need to challenge the distorted image of BC as a hotbed of anti-development sentiment. We need to make it clear that sensible and responsible proposals, like Trans Mountain’s, will be supported.

We recently launched our “Get to Yes” campaign with precisely this objective in mind, and I’m very gratified that thousands of British Columbians have answered the call, by signing up for our campaign updates and taking steps in support of specific projects. If you’re part of the sometimes-too-silent majority and want to make your voice heard at this important time, join the campaign here.

Natural Resource Development: Support and Confidence

There is overwhelming support for responsible resource development in BC, and an almost equally strong belief that we can balance
resource development with environmental objectives. There’s also strong agreement that natural resource development is good for our province.
Sources: ICBA NRG Research Group Survey, Resource Works Ipsos Reid Survey

Beyond knowing it’s important now, there’s also strong agreement among British Columbians
that the importance of resource development to our economy is holding steady and will continue to do so.
Source: Resource Works, Ipsos Reid Survey

Natural resources: The ripple effect

What would happen if BC’s natural resources industries increased their production – from a baseline value of $21.4 billion – by 10%, as they have in some years in the past?

Source: The Importance of Natural Resources to the Economy of BC, 2014 (using 2010 baseline)

Overall support for responsible resource development comes in at 84% among British Columbians. But strong majorities also support a range of specific projects and sectors.

It’s important to note too that this support cuts across party lines. For example, 62% of NDP voters support expanding ports, and 60% support Site C – despite the NDP suggesting it will halt that particular project mid-construction.

Source: ICBA NRG Research Group Survey