Thursday, July 17, 2025
ADVT 
National

Eby's bill to speed up B.C. projects risks alienating NDP supporters, expert says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 May, 2025 01:16 PM
  • Eby's bill to speed up B.C. projects risks alienating NDP supporters, expert says

A political scientist says B.C. Premier David Eby is "marching the province toward a confrontation" in which Speaker Raj Chouhan will have to cast a deciding vote to push through a bill to speed up certain infrastructure projects

Bill 15 proposes to accelerate some projects to counter U.S. tariffs, but has drawn opposition from First Nations, environmentalists and opposition parties, including the B.C. Greens, who said last week they won't support it.

UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest says it likely means Chouhan will have to break a tied vote on the bill, which doesn't fall under an agreement the New Democrats signed with the Greens in March to protect the government's slim government. 

While Eby faces an "outside chance" his government will fall, Prest says he expects the bill that was tabled on May 1 will pass.

But Prest says it would come at the cost of "burning a variety of bridges" with key groups that have historically supported New Democrats, including First Nations. 

Eby has acknowledged opposition from First Nations and others, but says the government will address their concerns through regulations, and that it won't change the constitutional obligation the province has to consult with First Nations.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

MORE National ARTICLES

Bruce Fanjoy, retired businessman, says he defeated Poilievre by listening to voters

Bruce Fanjoy, retired businessman, says he defeated Poilievre by listening to voters
Bruce Fanjoy says he achieved something unexpected in Monday's election — the defeat of a high-profile Conservative leader in his own riding — simply by showing up on doorsteps and paying attention to what voters in Carleton were telling him.

Bruce Fanjoy, retired businessman, says he defeated Poilievre by listening to voters

Advocate fears mental health stigma after Vancouver festival tragedy

Advocate fears mental health stigma after Vancouver festival tragedy
A British Columbia advocate says people with mental illness and those who work with them are afraid of the consequences that could come in reaction to the festivaltragedy that killed 11 people in Vancouver on Saturday.

Advocate fears mental health stigma after Vancouver festival tragedy

Vancouver artist who was mother of two identified among Vancouver festival victims

Vancouver artist who was mother of two identified among Vancouver festival victims
Family members and friends of those killed in a vehicle attack at a Vancouver festival are coming forward to tell the stories of their loved ones. A 30-year-old man faces a series ofsecond-degree murder charges over the attack that killed 11 people at the Lapu Lapu Day festival. 

Vancouver artist who was mother of two identified among Vancouver festival victims

Indigenous chiefs call for Alberta Premier Smith to stop stoking separatism talk

Indigenous chiefs call for Alberta Premier Smith to stop stoking separatism talk
Two First Nations chiefs are accusing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of "attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis" and are calling on her to stop stoking the fires of separatism.

Indigenous chiefs call for Alberta Premier Smith to stop stoking separatism talk

Ontario, Prairies blocked Liberals from an election-night majority blowout

Ontario, Prairies blocked Liberals from an election-night majority blowout
The Liberals rose from the ashes under Prime Minister Mark Carney in a stunning reversal of fortunes this year, but the party's failure to sweep many of the ridings it sought Monday night denied it a resounding majority mandate.

Ontario, Prairies blocked Liberals from an election-night majority blowout

'Just destroyed': Three members of family from Colombia died in B.C. attack, says son

'Just destroyed': Three members of family from Colombia died in B.C. attack, says son
Alejandro Samper was getting ready for work on Saturday night when he received a call from his sister's fiancé about a "terrible accident," and he rushed to the scene of the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver. 

'Just destroyed': Three members of family from Colombia died in B.C. attack, says son