Canada, B.C. strike agreement to fast-track LNG, mining and trade projects

Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby signed the Canada–British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, which commits billions of dollars in federal funding for energy transmission, critical minerals, ports and transportation infrastructure while promising faster permitting for several major resource projects.

The agreement comes as Ottawa pushes provinces to advance large-scale projects that can reduce Canada's dependence on traditional export markets and strengthen domestic supply chains amid growing global economic uncertainty.

Among the largest commitments is $3.9 billion in federal support for the North Coast Transmission Line, an electricity project designed to supply power to northern communities and industrial developments.

Ottawa also pledged $500 million toward expanding the Red Chris copper mine in northwestern British Columbia, a project the federal government said would increase Canada's copper production by more than 15 per cent.

The two governments also agreed to work with project proponents, local communities and First Nations to accelerate approvals for LNG Canada Phase 2, Ksi Lisims LNG, Cedar LNG and Woodfibre LNG, projects viewed by Ottawa as key to expanding Canadian energy exports.

The agreement extends beyond energy production.

The federal government will invest in expanding the Port of Vancouver's Roberts Bank trade corridor, which Ottawa said could unlock more than $100 billion in additional trade capacity, while providing up to $3 billion for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel along Highway 99 to improve freight movement through Metro Vancouver.

Ottawa and Victoria also committed to strengthening the ports of Prince Rupert and Stewart as gateways for critical minerals and other exports.

The agreement includes environmental measures, including the creation of a national carbon credit framework, continued protection of the North Coast tanker ban, a $250-million initiative to protect whale habitat and additional investments under the Oceans Protection Plan.

Carney said the agreement would help make Canada's economy "more resilient, sustainable and independent" while creating thousands of jobs across British Columbia.

The federal government also announced more than $630 million for affordable child care in British Columbia and said the province would benefit from Ottawa's plan to recruit and certify up to 100,000 Red Seal trades workers under its Team Canada Strong initiative.

The agreement is the latest in a series of bilateral deals the Carney government has pursued with provinces to accelerate infrastructure and resource development as Canada looks to expand exports beyond the United States.