Premier David Eby survived a leadership review at the B.C. NDP Convention in Victoria this Saturday.
Over 82 per cent of the 740 members who voted said “no” to holding a leadership review.
It marks a strong show of support for Eby’s leadership, especially coming soon after a bitter two-month-long strike by the B.C. General Employees Union.
Ahead of the vote, Eby used his keynote address to promote his government’s plan for B.C. to be the “economic engine” of Canada and sell delegates on some key initiatives, like the North Coast Transmission Line.
Members passed an early resolution in support of the B.C. government’s efforts to accelerate the transmission line, but not without opposition from several members who voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the LNG projects the transmission line is intended to support.
Annette Toth, president of the union MoveUP, which represents administrative workers at BC Hydro, spoke in favour of the project. She said it will bring more union jobs to B.C.’s north.
Eby told reporters it’s very rare for there to be 100 per cent consensus on any issue among members and he welcomes debate.
The transmission line also is among the projects the federal Major Projects Office is considering for fast-tracking.
The premier spoke in favour of a resolution Saturday to support the government exploring public equity stakes in certain projects. He said it would encourage more companies to invest in B.C. and allow taxpayers to benefit from those projects.
It’s not yet clear which projects the province has in mind, but Eby said Canada LNG and the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project are not among them.
The resolution had near unanimous support from delegates.
A call for the NDP government to defend the federal oil tanker ban on B.C.’s north coast also had broad support from members. North Coast Haida Gwaii MLA Tamara Davidson said the province needs to stand up to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Smith has said the tanker ban is a barrier to her proposed new pipeline project.
“It’s going to be devastating for our coastal communities, and it’s also going to replace an already thriving economy that we have here in British Columbia,” said Davidson.
Eby vowed in his speech to delegates the tanker ban isn’t going anywhere.
Eby faced criticism earlier this year for defending B.C. Ferries’ decision to contact a Chinese shipyard to build its four new major vessels, and the state of B.C. shipbuilding was at issue for convention delegates.
BC Building Trades CEO Brynn Bourke spoke in favour of a resolution calling on the province to ensure ferries are built in Canada. Bourke said Canadian shipbuilding is at an “inflection point,” after B.C. Ferries enlisted shipyards in Poland and China to build its latest vessels.
“Our yards had the people and the talent to do this work, but lacked the political will from governments to support a local shipbuilding industry,” said Bourke.
Rob Ashton, federal NDP leadership candidate and president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, delivered a rousing statement calling on members to support the resolution. He said federal changes are needed to require companies like B.C. Ferries build their vessels in Canada.
“We have people arguing that it’s too expensive,” said Ashton. “The alternative is we see more job losses. We see more homelessness.”
Eby told reporters his government is focused on shoring up B.C.’s shipbuilding industry, pointing to his announcement earlier this week about increased funding for skilled trades training in the province.
He said the recently announced federal investments in defence should also help increase the capacity of Canadian shipyards.
“Our goal is that the next round of ferries are built right here in British Columbia.”
Late B.C. NDP leader John Horgan loomed large over the gathering, which took place a little over one year after his death from cancer. The day’s events included a tribute to Horgan and a standing ovation from delegates.
