B.C. NDP government narrowly passes controversial bills to fast-track projects

The B.C. NDP government narrowly passed two controversial laws that will fast-track infrastructure and clean energy projects. 

Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, is aimed at fast-tracking public sector projects like schools and hospitals, as well as private projects, such as critical mineral mines, that are deemed provincially significant.

Bill 14, the Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, will speed up clean energy projects across the province.

The B.C. Conservatives, B.C. Greens and three Independent MLAs voted against the bills, while Speaker Raj Chouhan cast the tiebreaking vote in favour, allowing them to pass third reading on Wednesday. The bills are expected to receive royal assent Thursday.

WATCH | Bill 15 faces heavy opposition: 

Eby’s mining announcement overshadowed by backlash to controversial Bill 15

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Premier David Eby has unveiled his plan to speed up mining development to boost B.C.’s economy. But as Katie DeRosa reports, the announcement was overshadowed by growing opposition to a controversial bill.

Both bills have faced intense backlash from several First Nations leaders, environmental groups and the Union of B.C. Municipalities, who say they give the government the power to push through resource projects with limited consultation. 

"Bill 15 is not just legislation — it's a test of the province's integrity," Tsartlip Chief Don Tom told CBC News after the bills passed. "Either the government lives up to its reconciliation commitments, or it exposes them as empty words."

"This bill gives cabinet the authority to override permitting and environmental assessments for projects they deem a priority. There are no clear limits. No binding safeguards. No commitment to co-governance with rights holders."

Former NDP cabinet minister Melanie Mark, the first First Nations woman to serve in the B.C. Legislature, also came out against the bill, saying it violates First Nations rights. 

The B.C. Chamber of Commerce added its voice to the opposition over Bill 15 on Wednesday. 

In a letter to the premier, the chamber said because of the government's "troubling" failure to consult with Indigenous groups beforehand, there's a risk that any private project deemed "provincially significant" could face legal challenges.

WATCH | Bills meant to speed up energy projects: 

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B.C.'s premier and energy minister are putting out a new call for electricity. The move comes as BC Hydro tries to boost its capacity to help build and power massive new projects. But as Katie DeRosa reports, critics are worried the energy projects could be fast-tracked despite potential concerns from First Nations and environmental groups.

"From the business community's perspective, the decision has unintentionally heightened [instead of] diminished uncertainty," the letter said.

The chamber also shared concerns that the bill gives the government "substantial powers" to pick and choose which projects are deemed provincially significant, which opens those decisions up to "politicization."

It also criticized the province's decision to exclude pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities from the projects that could be deemed provincially significant, calling it "arbitrary and short-sighted."

Premier David Eby stood behind Bill 15, saying it's urgently needed to build the public infrastructure communities are demanding.

Eby said the legislation represents a "fork in the road between court and litigation and fighting, and between co-operation and shared prosperity."

LISTEN | First Nation chief says Bill 15 is overreach: 

All Points West7:43Tsartlip Chief says province’s Bill 15 is governmental overreach and diminishes partnerships with First Nations

Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom is raising his community’s concerns with the province’s new Infrastructure Projects Act (Bill 15), which could be used to fast track major projects from schools to pipelines. He spoke with guest host Kathryn Marlow.

Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma said the government needs to do more to clarify what projects can be deemed provincially significant. 

"There is work that we need to do in order to establish the minimum eligibility criteria for what could be deemed a provincially significant project," Ma told reporters Wednesday afternoon before the vote.

As for why the NDP couldn't pause the bill and bring it back in the fall after that work was done, Ma said the "urgency will be clear" to parents anxiously waiting for a school to be built in their neighbourhood or a teacher holding a class in a portable. 

When asked how the B.C. NDP would rebuild trust with First Nations who say they feel betrayed by the bills, Ma quoted Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, whose wife Joan Phillip is an NDP MLA. 

"He famously said 'reconciliation is not for wimps,' and talked about how the road to reconciliation is not a straight path and there will be bumps along the way," Ma said. "When there are rifts, we've got to work to come back together."

One First Nation, the Nisga'a Lisims Government (NLG) in northwest B.C., came out in support of the bills. 

"Given the economic uncertainty introduced by the new trade policies of the United States, NLG fully understands the need for British Columbia to move swiftly on these matters and is well placed to provide meaningful input in expedited circumstances," the nation wrote in a letter distributed by the premier's office.

The First Nation says it has been "advocating for a more efficient and effective regulatory regime for some time now" and has "valuable input based on our ongoing experiences through various regulatory processes" for three projects in its territory — the Ksi Lisims LNG project, the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline and the Nass Valley Regional Transmission Line.