British Columbia’s finance minister, Brenda Bailey, has expressed satisfaction with today’s federal budget, noting alignment with provincial priorities. However, Bailey has emphasized the importance of Ottawa’s commitment to supporting the forestry industry and the North Coast Transmission Line.
Bailey stressed the need for federal assistance for workers in the softwood lumber sector, currently facing significant duties and tariffs exceeding 45%. Following an emergency meeting on the matter between Premier David Eby and Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister overseeing Canada-U.S. trade, Bailey underscored the importance of continued support for the forestry sector comparable to that provided to Ontario’s automobile industry.
While acknowledging the federal budget’s positive focus on critical minerals, Bailey reiterated the need for backing for the North Coast Transmission Line, a crucial infrastructure project with a projected cost of $6 billion. This initiative aims to facilitate the electrification of LNG and mining ventures in northwestern B.C., bolstering economic development in the region.