Eby Defends Minister's LNG Expansion Dissent

British Columbia Premier David Eby has defended his cabinet minister's dissent on the expansion of a liquefied natural gas plant in her riding. Kelly Greene, the minister of emergency management and climate readiness, posted a statement criticizing plans for the Tilbury LNG project due to safety concerns.

Eby said he helped Greene write the statement, citing the government's 'big tent' approach that allows ministers to express differing opinions on policy decisions.

The province had announced an order-in-council exempting the Phase 1B Tilbury expansion from obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Utilities Commission Act. The decision is expected to save time, allowing for investments and creating 1,100 jobs during construction and $260 million in tax revenues.

While the government touts the expansion as a way to meet rising demand at the Port of Vancouver and improve access to LNG fuelling for vessels traveling the coast and across the Pacific, Greene's statement highlighted her concerns about possible safety incidents at the site near her riding.