British Columbia Premier David Eby has publicly supported the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline project, emphasizing its role in connecting B.C.’s natural gas resources to Asian markets. Speaking from South Korea during a recent trade mission, Eby highlighted strong buyer interest he encountered, reinforcing his view that B.C. has reliable customers for its liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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The premier’s comments underscore B.C.’s strategic push to diversify its trading partners and capitalize on global energy needs. This follows the recent “substantially started” designation for the PRGT pipeline, a key regulatory step allowing the project to advance under its existing environmental permit.
Eby’s Asia Mission and LNG Strategy
Premier Eby’s trade trip included stops in Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. The mission aimed to strengthen trade relationships and explore opportunities for B.C. businesses, particularly in light of potential shifts in U.S. trade policy under the Trump administration.
A key focus was engaging with energy stakeholders. In Malaysia, Eby met with Petronas, a major partner in the separate LNG Canada project. These discussions, Eby stated, confirmed the significant demand for B.C.’s energy resources in Asia. He articulated that LNG projects like those the PRGT pipeline could eventually serve are crucial for getting natural gas to overseas markets that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline Advances
The PRGT pipeline project received a significant boost on June 5, when the B.C. government’s environmental assessment office deemed it “substantially started.” This designation is critical, validating a permit certificate originally issued a decade ago and clearing a hurdle for the project to proceed.
Originally a TC Energy initiative, the PRGT pipeline was acquired in March 2024 by a partnership between the Nisg̱a’a Nation and Texas-based Western LNG. Premier Eby expressed no concern regarding the foreign ownership component of the new partnership, stating that B.C. welcomes investments that help diversify resource customers and potentially secure higher prices for provincial resources.
Premier David Eby and Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham on a trade mission in Asia
Eby specifically highlighted the Indigenous ownership aspect, noting the Nisg̱a’a Nation’s involvement in the pipeline and the proposed Ksi Lisims floating LNG export terminal planned for their territory near Prince Rupert. This, combined with the lower carbon intensity of B.C.’s natural gas compared to other sources available to Asian nations, positions the project favorably in the premier’s view. He summarized these benefits by saying the project “checks a lot of boxes for us.”
For more details on the pipeline’s regulatory status, read our previous report: PRGT pipeline gets go-ahead, deemed ‘substantially started’.
Contrasting Strategies: Gas vs. Oil
Premier Eby drew a clear distinction between B.C.’s focus on natural gas exports and Alberta’s emphasis on oil pipelines. Despite recent comments from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith suggesting she could sway B.C.’s stance on oil pipelines, Eby maintained his focus on viable, actively developing LNG projects.
Eby noted the current lack of concrete proposals, funding, or proponents for new oil pipelines to the B.C. coast. He indicated that while he seeks “common ground” with Premier Smith, any discussion about an oil pipeline would only occur if a viable project proposal emerges.
B.C. Ministers Pursue Tech Trade in Europe
Complementing the premier’s Asia visit, two B.C. ministers embarked on their own trade mission to Europe. Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Diana Gibson and Minister of State for Trade Rick Glumac are visiting England, France, and the Netherlands until June 14, also with a goal of trade diversification.
This European trip focuses heavily on the technology sector. Minister Gibson indicated that U.S. trade policies, beyond tariffs, are creating opportunities for B.C. companies, particularly those leading in health and clean energy technologies.
The ministers’ itinerary includes prominent tech events like London Tech Week, VivaTech in Paris, and the Green Tech agricultural technology conference in Amsterdam. In Paris, they are joined by over a dozen B.C. businesses, many specializing in artificial intelligence. The Amsterdam leg includes six B.C. agritech companies involved in areas like farm automation and data collection. Gibson stressed the importance of finding non-U.S. partners in the agritech sector to reduce reliance on American markets.
Outlook: Diversification and Resource Development
Premier Eby’s support for the PRGT pipeline signals B.C.’s commitment to developing its natural gas resources for export, primarily targeting growth markets in Asia. This strategy, coupled with ministerial efforts to build relationships in European tech sectors, highlights a multi-pronged approach to trade diversification.
The “substantially started” designation marks progress for the PRGT project, though significant development work remains. Future steps will involve detailed planning, environmental reviews, and construction phases, all subject to market conditions and regulatory oversight. The success of B.C.’s diversification efforts will depend on continued engagement in key international markets and the ability of provincial projects to attract necessary investment and partnerships. Readers interested in B.C.’s economic strategies can find more information in our related business coverage.
