BC to Fast-Track 18 Mining and Energy Projects Amid US Tariff Threat

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Jan. 7, 2025. The Canadian Press/Ethan Cairns

B.C. says it is looking to fast-track 18 critical mineral and energy projects amid the ongoing U.S. tariff threat.

Premier David Eby’s office said in a release the projects are worth $20 billion and could create up to 6,000 jobs in remote and rural communities.

The list of projects for quick approval includes those that have businesses cases developed, but still need permits or government approval. Among the list is four mines, three energy security projects, and 11 BC Hydro clean energy proposals that mostly involve wind power.

One of the projects is the Eskay Creek gold and silver mine, a proposed open-pit mine located approximately 85 kilometres northwest of Stewart, B.C. Another is the Red Chris gold and copper mine expansion, which is also in the northern part of the province. The Highland Valley Copper Mine southwest of Kamloops is also on the list.

Also being fast-tracked is the Cedar LNG project, which would see a floating liquefied natural gas facility developed in Kitimat to produce Canadian LNG for overseas markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 1 imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 percent tariffs on energy. Canada responded on the same day by announcing $155 billion in retaliatory tariffs.

After a second call with Trump on Feb. 3, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Trump had agreed to pause U.S. tariffs for 30 days after Canada promised additional measures to secure the border.

Premier Eby said that companies in B.C. have started looking to more global markets to move away from dependence on the United States amid uncertainty in the face of ongoing tariff threats.

”Major firms in British Columbia are in the process of redirecting their critical minerals, their energy products, to markets outside the United States to respond to the tariffs threats,” he said during a press conference on Feb. 3.

The premier said the province would support the companies’ move to diversify the economy.

Eby’s comments come as Federal Natural Resource Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is in Washington looking to promote an alliance between Canada and the United States on critical minerals.

“Canada’s vast deposits combined with U.S. processing can fuel both economies, create jobs, and secure the resources driving the next generation of technology and defence systems across North America and beyond,” he said in Feb. 3 social media post.

During a talk with the Atlantic Council on Feb. 4, Wilkinson also mentioned a number of areas in which Canada could cooperate with the United States to undercut China’s dominance, including jointly investing in a germanium project and in a rare earth minerals processing. He also suggested building a “complete North American nuclear fuel cycle” to reduce reliance on Russia, something he called “critically important” to deploy small modular reactors.

Impact of Tariffs

While Trump’s tariffs have been paused for now, a January preliminary assessment found that B.C. could lose $69 billion in economic activity between 2025 and 2028 if the United States introduced 25 percent tariffs.

It also estimated a loss of more than 120,000 jobs.

Premier Eby said he has created a trade and economic security task force to support the province’s tariff response.

The Canadian Press and Noe Chartier contributed to this article.