British Columbia Minute: Issue 60

British Columbia Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of British Columbia politics.

📅 This Week In British Columbia: 📅

• Premier David Eby will lead a trade mission to Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia from June 1st to June 10th. The goal is to strengthen existing trade relationships and find new markets for BC’s natural resources. Eby said the trip supports a joint federal-provincial effort to reduce reliance on US trade. A major focus is energy exports, particularly to Asian countries also impacted by US tariffs. Business leaders support the effort but stress that BC must improve permitting and competitiveness at home. Japan and South Korea are already major export destinations for BC, behind China and the US. Eby will not visit China however, and the seafood industry believes that the recent changes won’t significantly help producers recover from the impact of Chinese tariffs. In March, China applied a 25% tariff on Canadian seafood like geoduck, lobster, and shrimp as a response to Canada’s tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminum, and electric vehicles.
  
  
• Closer to home, First Nations leaders in British Columbia are demanding that the provincial government immediately withdraw two fast-track infrastructure bills. Bills 14 and 15 aim to speed up renewable energy and construction projects in response to US tariffs. Indigenous leaders say the government failed to properly consult them and warn the legislation undermines reconciliation. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma admitted consultation was lacking and promised future engagement. Critics argue the bills give too much power to the Cabinet and bypass Indigenous rights. Conservative and Green MLAs have also called for the bills to be scrapped. Premier David Eby has so far refused. Protests are expected at the legislature.
  
  
• The Splatsin First Nation is blocking construction at the R.W. Bruhn Bridge replacement site in Sicamous, protesting their exclusion from the project despite being in their traditional territory. They allege that the contractors have sidelined Indigenous workers and businesses, breaking agreements meant to ensure meaningful participation. The Splatsin Development Corporation claims they were promised two years of involvement but have only received about three months of work, with issues such as the removal of Indigenous-operated trucks and job insecurity due to sudden schedule changes. The protest involves blocking the bridge site with dump trucks, but allows traffic to detour. The provincial Ministry of Transportation says it is working with all parties to resolve the dispute. Splatsin and neighbouring Secwépemc communities argue this exclusion reflects a broader pattern of contractors undermining Indigenous participation frameworks, and are calling on the government to enforce its commitments to reconciliation and fair opportunities.
  
  
• BC Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko was unexpectedly questioned by the RCMP after publicly releasing leaked Ministry of Health slides that revealed widespread diversion and trafficking of prescribed opioids, including kickbacks at some pharmacies. The leak prompted the government to roll back parts of the safer supply program, requiring patients to consume opioids under pharmacist supervision. Sturko views the leak as a necessary step that forced action, but warns the investigation into the whistleblower could discourage others from coming forward with important information. Premier David Eby said he was unaware of the police investigation and supports whistleblower protections, while the Public Safety Minister defended the police director’s authority to launch the probe. Although Sturko was interviewed, she is not under investigation, but the controversy has sparked criticism from opposition leaders who accuse the government of trying to silence dissent. The RCMP continues to focus on investigating the pharmacies involved in drug diversion.
  
  
• The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is expressing concern over the creation of the new Provincial Forest Advisory Council. COFI is questioning the new Council’s unclear mandate and purpose, given that the province already has multiple working groups, as well as reports, reviews, and initiatives that have yet to be fully implemented. COFI also highlighted that the Council lacks direct representation from the companies that manage the forestry sector on a daily basis, raising doubts about how well it will address industry realities. The provincial government says the Council was established as part of an agreement with BC’s Green Party members, aiming to provide balanced recommendations that support both forest ecosystem health and the forestry sector.
  
  
• Support for the owners of an ostrich farm in Edgewood is growing after a federal court upheld the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) order to cull nearly 400 birds due to an outbreak of avian flu late last year. The outbreak killed 69 birds, but the remaining birds have shown no signs of illness for months, and the owners say they have achieved herd immunity. The ostriches are also part of an international research program on avian flu antibodies. Still, the CFIA insists the cull is necessary to prevent disease spread. Many supporters have since camped at the farm to prevent the cull from proceeding. The Regional District of Central Kootenay recently voted not to accept the bird carcasses until further testing is done, a demand echoed by the farm owners and their supporters. The CFIA has not yet disclosed when the cull will happen.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Parks Canada closed part of Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park so the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation could hold a private ceremony for a grey whale carcass that washed ashore. Closing public land exclusively for one group threatens equal access for all Canadians. This sets a dangerous precedent of restricting public spaces based on cultural identity. 

If you believe that everyone should have equal rights to enjoy our national parks and beaches, stand up now by signing the petition to demand the government defend equal access for all.

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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