Stalled LNG Projects Haunt Northern BC Communities

Chris Sankey, a former councillor for Lax Kw'alaams Band, says stalled liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Northern British Columbia have caused more harm than lost revenue. The collapse of promised LNG development echoes earlier industrial shutdowns in the region, leaving behind empty storefronts and shrinking school enrolment.

Sankey, now a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and founder of the Blackfish Group of Companies, said businesses that scaled up to serve the anticipated LNG boom were left exposed once the opportunity disappeared. When the LNG opportunity went away, so did lots of companies, leaving behind debt and no customers.

The loss of local capacity and experience is difficult to replace, Sankey said. The impact of industrial flight extends beyond direct job losses, as skilled tradespeople often move with families who hold jobs in essential services like healthcare and education.