Vaughn Palmer: Premiers past and present deserve a cut of the credit for LNG projects

VICTORIA — NDP Leader David Eby was wearing his premier’s hat Tuesday to mark the best day of an election campaign that has so far not gone as well as he hoped.

“What a day for B.C., what a day for our country,” said Eby, as he celebrated the green-lighting of Phase 2 multi-billion LNG Canada project.

“This is a very big deal indeed,” he declared — and who could disagree?

Not Lorne Doerkson. “I am so thrilled that the federal government has pushed through on this,” said the B.C. Conservative leader, while acknowledging, “David Eby will certainly enjoy a moment here.”

Not former B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark. “I’m thrilled it’s happening,” said Clark, who got the ball rolling on LNG development in B.C. 15 years ago.

Not Prime Minister Mark Carney, who landed the $33 billion investment just one year after he’d sent Phase 2 for review to his major projects office.

“Twelve months from referral to final investment decision is the pace that this pivotal moment in Canada’s history demands,” Carney told the Vancouver audience on Tuesday. “We’re a country of high standards, but high standards don’t require slow decisions.”

Eby lost no time basking in Carney’s reflected glow on a day of mutual back slapping.

“There was a step change in the approach of the federal government to this project when this prime minister came on board,” the NDP leader testified. “Mark, I want to thank you for referring us to the major projects office.”

Then there was Chief Counsellor Maureen Nyce of the Haisla Nation, speaking on behalf of the five Indigenous nations that have acquired a $1 billion ownership stake in the second phase of LNG Canada.

“I would like to thank LNG Canada and the joint venture partners for recognizing our place as rightful owners and decision makers on what takes place in our territory. That was not always possible,” said Nyce, speaking on the eve of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“It affirms we are moving in the right direction and showcasing our long-standing belief that when Indigenous communities lead, the whole country can thrive,” she continued.

“Let us carry forward everything that got us here today. That is how we will honour the work of the people that came before us and how we will deliver the best project possible for our people and for all who stand to benefit from it for generations to come.”

One of the day’s most telling comments came from Shell CEO Wael Sawan, underscoring why his company and four international partners in LNG Canada were giving the nod to final investment decision in Phase 2.

“Recent global events have shown that reliable, diverse sources of energy cannot be taken for granted,” said Sawan. “LNG Canada has already demonstrated its strategic value by supporting customers in Asia when supplies from the Middle East were disrupted.”