Latest news with #DavidEby
CBC
3 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Indigenous leader pulls out of B.C. trade mission to Asia over Bills 14, 15
Social Sharing B.C. Premier David Eby said Saturday that he is confident that recent opposition from First Nations to infrastructure fast-track legislation will not affect his ability to attract investment from Asia. Eby's remarks came a day after B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee pulled out of the premier's trade mission to East Asia, citing continuing criticism from Indigenous leaders on the passing of Bills 14 and 15, two pieces of legislation aimed at speeding up certain infrastructure projects. Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, is aimed at fast-tracking public sector projects like schools and hospitals, as well as private projects, such as critical mineral mines, that are deemed provincially significant. Bill 14, the Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, will speed up clean energy projects across the province. Teegee and other First Nations leaders said the bills — which narrowly passed in legislature this week — have inflicted "profound damage" on the province's relationship with Indigenous communities. WATCH | Bill 15 faces backlash: Eby's mining announcement overshadowed by backlash to controversial Bill 15 6 days ago Duration 2:07 Premier David Eby has unveiled his plan to speed up mining development to boost B.C.'s economy. But as Katie DeRosa reports, the announcement was overshadowed by growing opposition to a controversial bill. "While the Premier seeks to strengthen B.C.'s economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region and promote investment in major natural resource projects, his government has simultaneously undermined the very rights and relationships that are foundations to sustainable economic development in First Nations territories," reads the statement from the B.C. Assembly of First Nations. In a separate statement, Teegee said the passing of the new bills is the direct reason he decided not to join the trade mission. "How can we participate in trade missions to promote resource development when this government has just rammed through legislation that tramples our rights and threatens our territories?" he said. "During uncertain times, it's imperative that First Nations actively shape economic relationships that impact our lands, peoples, and futures." But Eby said he has promised First Nations leaders that his government will ensure "strong Indigenous partnerships" and strong environmental protections despite the bills passing, as long as he is premier. The premier made his comments on the eve of his departure on a 10-day trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. "We do have to move faster," he said, citing opening of the Blackwater gold and silver mine Friday as an example of a project that can be completed faster than expected with First Nation partnership is involved. "This is a mine that ordinarily would take four or five years to build," Eby said. "It was completed in 18 months, including a significant transmission line 160-plus kilometres through some pretty challenging terrain, all of it completed in 22 months." Eby said that international investors need to understand that they must have "strong partnerships with Indigenous people [in B.C.]" and high environmental standards in order to see their projects move quickly in the province. "So what we're seeing is nations becoming full economic partners in the projects, proponents of the projects, as well as participating in the oversight to ensure land protection." Eby said the province will work hard to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Indigenous partnership, and Teegee's withdrawal from the trade mission is a clear sign that more work needs to be done on that front. "Words will not be sufficient," he said. The B.C. delegation to Asia comes amid a continued push to diversify the province's trading partners amid an ongoing trade war with the U.S. due to President Donald Trump's tariff threats. On Friday, Trump threatened to impose 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, posing a major threat to Ontario and Quebec's economies in particular. "The expertise that we have here, the market access and other pieces, mean that as the president ramps up his attack on core industries in Central Canada, it redoubles the importance of what we have to do here in British Columbia to support the national economy," Eby said.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Eby heads to Asia on trade mission as Indigenous leader pulls out due to Bills 14, 15
British Columbia Premier David Eby said Saturday that he is confident that recent Indigenous opposition to certain fast-tracking laws will not affect the province's ability to attract investment from Asian trade partners. Eby said that international investors need to realize that they would need 'strong partnerships with Indigenous people' and high environmental standards to have fast-moving projects in B.C. He cited recent provincial work with First Nations in the northwest that outlined not only the limitations but the opportunities available to partner countries — as long as Indigenous consent and environment stewardship are achieved. 'The work that we're doing with Nations, for example, in the northwest involves doing that land use planning, identifying those areas that are no go zones, but also identifying those areas for development where things can move faster,' Eby told reporters. 'So what we're seeing is Nations becoming full economic partners in the projects, proponents of the projects, as well as participating in the oversight to ensure land protection.' The premier made his comments on the eve of his departure on a 10-day trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. The remarks also came a day after BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee pulled out of the trade mission, citing continuing criticism from Indigenous leaders on the passing of Bills 14 and 15, two pieces of legislation aimed at speeding up certain projects. Teegee and other First Nations leaders said the bills — which narrowly passed in legislature this week — have inflicted 'profound damage' on the province's relationship with Indigenous communities. 'While the Premier seeks to strengthen B.C.'s economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region and promote investment in major natural resource projects, his government has simultaneously undermined the very rights and relationships that are foundations to sustainable economic development in First Nations territories,' the statement from the BC Assembly of First Nations. In a separate statement, Teegee said the bills passing was the direct cause of him pulling out of the trade mission. 'How can we participate in trade missions to promote resource development when this government has just rammed through legislation that tramples our rights and threatens our territories?' he said. 'During uncertain times, it's imperative that First Nations actively shape economic relationships that impact our lands, peoples, and futures.' But Eby said he has promised First Nations leaders that his government will ensure 'strong Indigenous partnerships' and strong environmental protections despite the bills passing, as long as he is premier. 'We do have to move faster,' he said, citing opening of the Blackwater gold and silver mine Friday as an example of a project that can be completed faster than expected with First Nation partnership is involved. 'This is a mine that ordinarily would take four or five years to build,' Eby said. 'It was completed in 18 months, including a significant transmission line 160-plus kilometres through some pretty challenging terrain, all of it completed in 22 months.' Eby said the province will work hard to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Indigenous partnership, and Teegee's withdrawal from the trade mission is a clear sign that more work on that front needs to be done. 'Words will not be sufficient,' he said. This report by Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press, was first published May 31, 2025.
CTV News
5 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers
A woman wipes tears during a memorial for the Filipino community's Lapu Lapu Day festival victims, in Vancouver, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns British Columbia is marking the start of this year's Filipino Heritage Month with a sombre tribute to the victims of April's deadly attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Premier David Eby issued a statement saying this year's celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in June is happening 'alongside deep sorrow, under the backdrop of the tragic attack' that killed 11 people and shook the community to its core. Eby says the province continues to grieve, but the support shown by different communities 'coming together to heal' demonstrates how 'strength in unity' has enriched B.C.'s cultural fabric. In a separate statement, New Democrat legislative member Mable Elmore — who is of Filipino descent — says her community is marking the heritage month to 'honour the memories of those lost after the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.' Elmore says while the community remains in mourning, she is confident that people are healing and will emerge stronger from the tragedy. The suspect in the attack, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, appeared in court on Friday via video as part of the process to determine if he is fit to stand trial. He is tentatively set to appear in court next on June 6. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025. The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
6 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers
British Columbia is marking the start of this year's Filipino Heritage Month with a sombre tribute to the victims of April's deadly attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Premier David Eby issued a statement saying this year's celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in June is happening 'alongside deep sorrow, under the backdrop of the tragic attack' that killed 11 people and shook the community to its core.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers
British Columbia is marking the start of this year's Filipino Heritage Month with a sombre tribute to the victims of April's deadly attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Premier David Eby issued a statement saying this year's celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in June is happening 'alongside deep sorrow, under the backdrop of the tragic attack' that killed 11 people and shook the community to its core. Eby says the province continues to grieve, but the support shown by different communities 'coming together to heal' demonstrates how 'strength in unity' has enriched B.C.'s cultural fabric. In a separate statement, New Democrat legislative member Mable Elmore — who is of Filipino descent — says her community is marking the heritage month to 'honour the memories of those lost after the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.' Elmore says while the community remains in mourning, she is confident that people are healing and will emerge stronger from the tragedy. The suspect in the attack, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, appeared in court on Friday via video as part of the process to determine if he is fit to stand trial. He is tentatively set to appear in court next on June 6. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025.
