It was almost as if I went to sleep in British Columbia and woke up in Ontario or Quebec.
There was Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing $10 Billion in federal spending for port improvements, $3.5 Billion for a new transmission line, $3 Billion for a tunnel project, $500 million for a mine expansion, etc. etc. … $20 Billion in all for just one province.
British Columbia!
Seemed like a dream … but it was not.
“We have to be ambitious and build sustainably and inclusively. British Columbia is Canada’s gateway to the world’s fastest growing markets,” said Carney.
“We need to move faster, we need to build bigger, and we need to work together.” (Read the full story here: https://vancouversun.com/news/ottawa-to-provide-up-to-3-billion-for-massey-tunnel-replacement-maintain-north-coast-tanker-ban-as-part-of-new-agreement-with-bc?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Sunrise%20Newsletter%20VS%202026-07-03&utm_term=VS_Sunrise).
It was enough to make even the often dour Eby smile!
Me too.
For decades, I had made a career of challenging (and often upsetting) federal politicians, including five Prime Ministers, by demanding they tell British Columbians why they were announcing BILLIONS for projects in central Canada, but only millions … sometimes nothing … for similar projects in BC?
We all knew the answer: Ontario and Quebec offered five times the seats (and votes) in Parliament. As Liberal strategist Sen. Keith Davey reportedly said in a candid moment: “Screw the West; we’ll take the rest.”
But here was Carney, a Prime Minister making serious amends (or at least promising them) and acknowledging BC’s importance to Canada’s economic future growth … and at least a fairer federal share of tax dollars to meet our needs as well.
““This agreement is about building B.C.’s future – not just for this year, but for generations to come. It means more good jobs for workers and more opportunities to train for better pay, all while protecting the beautiful places that make our province so remarkable,” said Eby.
“This deal will deliver faster commutes as we build critical infrastructure, less pollution as we power growth with clean electricity, and the kind of shared prosperity that funds strong public services.” (More details here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026PREM0046-000779).
The agreement also clears the way for construction of a new Alberta oil pipeline through BC to the southwest coast (Delta?), while maintaining the tanker ban along the northwest coast.
No doubt about it: Eby had scored big for BC.
The question remains, however, how will that affect the Premier’s personal political fortunes?
Eby’s popularity dropped another six points, down to 31% in an Angus Reid poll just weeks ago.
Surely, the BC-federal announcements should help? And be bad news for the BC Conservatives and their new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay?
But I’m not sure.
Just this weekend, Emergency services at three BC hospitals (Clearwater, 100 Mile House, Merritt) were closed AGAIN for 12 to 24 hours … at least one reportedly for the third time in a week.
British Columbians can still expect to wait up to four weeks just to see a surgeon in urgent cases and up to 10 months for non-urgent cases …. much longer for the actual surgery!!
On Canada Day a man arrested in connection with a stranger attack at Kits Beach was released back into the community after less than 48 hours in custody.
The victim was struck on the head with a large piece of wood.
““She is down on her knees in pain,” her husband told Global News. “He goes to swing again to finish the job. I jump between him.”
Out of jail in less than 48 hours … BC’s Court system, case after case, year after year, at work … or in the view of many voters, actually not!
Work BC reports the province’s unemployment rate in May was 6.8% … UP from 6.3% the same month last year.
And then there’s DRIPA …. say no more!!
Carney came through; Eby scored big for BC … and time will tell if, or how much, their announcements, handshakes and smiles will swing the political pendulum in BC.
Harv Oberfeld
(Follow @harveyoberfeld on “X” for FREE First Alerts to new postings on this Blog.)
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