FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - B.C. premier-elect Lorne Doerkson points to Fort St. John’s oil and gas industry as a key part of his vision for the province’s economic future during his victory speech Saturday.
“So when I say that we are going to supercharge British Columbia, I want you to know where it happens. It happens in Fort St. John, where the gas comes out of the ground.”
Doerkson says his government would seek to attract investment to B.C. by cutting red tape, arguing businesses need certainty when deciding where to invest.
“We will welcome capital back to our province. You can plan around a no, but you can’t plan around a maybe.”
He plans to double natural gas production in B.C. by 2032 and triple it by 2035.
According to Doerkson, the expansion would create tens of thousands of jobs and generate at least $6 billion a year for hospitals and schools.
He calls for investment in ports, rail and power infrastructure to get resources to market and support new industrial facilities, saying projects should not have to wait years for a grid connection.
Doerkson also announced plans to host a business summit in Vancouver next year, promising it will be “the envy of the world.”