BC NDP will keep working with the Prime Minister to build more independent Canadian economy

VANCOUVER – Speaking at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade leaders’ forum, David Eby announced new commitments to support B.C. shipbuilders, manufacturers and food producers adapt and grow in uncertain times. The commitments include permanent funding for the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, and working with the federal government to build Canada’s first new major shipyard in a generation, right here in British Columbia.

“At this existential moment for our country and our province, we can’t afford to walk away from what’s working. The private sector is making major new investments, our exports to markets outside of the U.S. are growing, and wages are higher than anywhere else in Canada,” said David Eby, BC NDP leader. “The last thing we need is deep cuts that undermine our ability to grow, halt critical infrastructure, and weaken the public services businesses rely on to attract talent. We need to build on our progress and keep working with the Prime Minister, not put it at risk with cuts and chaos.”

Eby noted that the BC NDP secured the largest private-sector investment in Canadian history with the final green light for LNG Canada’s expanded project. Across B.C., 41 major projects representing an estimated $130 billion in investment are in development, over half of which have already made positive final investment decisions, creating more than 50,000 construction and long-term jobs. All of these projects currently have First Nations as partners, supporters, or investors.

Exports from B.C. to markets outside the United States are up 16 per cent over the last year. Eby acknowledged that many businesses are still feeling pressure from the trade war and need more support to survive and thrive. To leverage B.C.’s strengths, a re-elected BC NDP government will:

• Work with the federal government to build a new B.C. shipyard, in partnership with shipbuilders and labour, creating thousands of jobs across BC, supporting national defence and helping expand BC’s shipbuilding industry so that we can build the next generation of B.C. Ferries. BC has up to $250 million available through the Strategic Investment Fund to leverage private sector investments and federal funding through the Canada-BC Shared Prosperity Agreement reached with Prime Minister Carney.
• Make the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund permanent, with $60 million in annual funding, including dedicated support to help tariff-impacted forestry mills modernize, protect jobs and reach new markets.
• Expand food processing opportunities on eligible land in the Agricultural Land Reserve that is not well suited for primary food production, while protecting prime farmland, to create local jobs and process more B.C. food here at home.