Search

Search results

1. Cancelled LNG plan—government foot-dragging can kill potentially lucrative projects

   This week, Petronas, Malaysia’s state-owned oil company, cancelled plans for the Pacific Northwest LNG (liquified natural gas) project in British Columbia. The $36 billion project fell prey to what Petronas claims to be an “extremely ...

2. B.C.’s NDP government will likely raise taxes and increase government spending

   Yesterday, British Columbians finally found out who will govern the province. The NDP, led by John Horgan (pictured above) and supported by the Green Party, was given an opportunity by B.C.’s lieutenant-governor to form government. Which ...

3. B.C. throne speech acknowledges importance of housing supply on affordability

   In its recent speech to the throne, the B.C. government added a laundry list of measures that were not included in its election platform. Regardless of the motivations for this manoeuver, the speech included an important admission on ...

4. NDP-Green pact does not translate into First Nation veto power over energy projects in B.C.

   The recently-signed four-year “confidence and supply agreement” between the Green Party and NDP in British Columbia has the potential to allow indigenous communities in the province to scuttle major energy projects. In the context of ...

5. NDP-Green carbon tax hikes likely won’t be revenue neutral

   Given the recent agreement between NDP and Green Party, which may soon see the two parties form a coalition government in British Columbia, changes are likely coming to B.C.’s carbon tax. The tax may increase by $5 per tonne each year ...

6. Green/NDP pact poses further challenges to B.C. energy production

   Yesterday’s announcement that the British Columbia NDP and Green Party have signed an agreement to unite to form the next B.C. government raises some major red flags with regard to energy-related policies in the province. During the ...

7. B.C. election spawns uncertain future for resource and environmental policy

   Though the British Columbian election results are not yet final, there are some things we do know. With the growth of the Green Party, and the strong performance of the NDP, Premier Christy Clark will likely have to show greater ...

8. It takes three times longer to obtain building permits in Vancouver than in Burnaby

   The Fraser Institute’s latest study spotlights the difficulties homebuilders face at city halls across B.C.’s Lower Mainland. The study findings reinforce a recurring theme from almost three years of tracking this issue—there are huge ...

9. B.C. government floats two promising ideas to address affordability and transportation woes

   In recent weeks, the British Columbia government announced big changes in two critical areas for Metro Vancouverites—housing and transportation. The region is short on both homes and taxis (or substitutes such as ride-sharing). The ...

10. Uncertain land claims and regulations deterring mining investment in B.C.

    Like much of Canada, British Columbia has a relatively attractive geology, with the province ranking in the top 25 jurisdictions worldwide in the Fraser Institute’s recent mining survey. B.C.’s attractive geology will continue to present ...