RC119 JulyAugust 2025 - Magazine - Page 4
EDITOR’S NOTE
JULY/AUGUST2025
VOLUME 23, NUMBER 4
MAJOR HEADACHES
THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA narrowly passed Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, which
aims to fast-track major infrastructure projects deemed provincially signi昀椀cant, including
schools, hospitals and other core services people rely on, as well as projects delivered by the
private sector that are needed to drive economic growth.
The bill faced strong opposition from First Nations leaders, environmental groups, and
municipal o昀케cials, who argued that it grants excessive power to the government and limits
consultation on major projects.
Behind the legislation looms the ongoing trade war with the U.S. and Premier David Eby’s
pledge to reduce the province’s reliance on its southern neighbour by boosting economic
development.
“At a time of uncertainty caused by Donald Trump’s tari昀昀s, it’s more important than ever
that we create more good-paying jobs by delivering the critical infrastructure projects people
need – faster,” said Eby. “We are building a record number of new schools, hospitals and
major transportation projects across B.C., but too many others face unnecessary and costly
delays. This legislation is designed to speed up permitting and approvals to get shovels in
the ground more quickly on priority projects.”
To be designated as provincially signi昀椀cant, a project would need to create signi昀椀cant
economic, social or environmental bene昀椀ts for people in B.C. and signi昀椀cantly contribute to
provincial priorities such as food security, critical mineral supply, replacement of U.S. imports and disaster recovery. Criteria for the designation of projects of provincial signi昀椀cance
will be released in the coming weeks.
Critics rightly point out that while the legislation cuts red tape in order to build schools
and hospitals faster, permitting delays and red tape are also slowing down projects not included in the bill, such as roads, bridges, energy, homes and every other type of construction.
“This should have been an across-the-board 昀椀x, not a narrowly focused government workaround,” said Chris Gardner, CEO of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA).
While the aim of the legislation is admirable, its passage is disappointing, considering the
considerable pushback from Indigenous leaders, in particular, who fear Bill 15 is so broad it
will give the government carte blanche to steamroll over environmental protections and First
Nations rights.
“This legislation undermines our rights and title by granting the BC government unprecedented powers without proper consultation with First Nations,” said Regional Chief Terry
Teegee, BC Assembly of First Nations.
All three levels of government need to prioritize the building of critical public infrastructure, but it needs to be done in a manner that respects all stakeholders and in consultation
with Indigenous communities, especially when the project is on their lands. What shouldn’t
happen is a rush to push one project through over another, or the creation of band-aid legislation that leaves gaps in the process.
John Tenpenny is the
editor of ReNew Canada.
john@actualmedia.ca
EDITOR
John Tenpenny
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