Energy Security Cannot Be an Afterthought in British Columbia
British Columbia’s vulnerability to global energy price shocks did not happen overnight.
It is the result of years of missed opportunities to strengthen our local energy system, expand refining capacity, and ensure that British Columbians are not overly dependent on external supply.
In Question Period, I raised this issue directly with the Minister, because the impacts are being felt across the province, and especially in the North.
Question Period Exchange
“Driving is not optional in northern communities. When energy policy fails, families feel it immediately at the pump.”
Families, workers, and businesses are now paying the price.
When global markets shift, British Columbia has limited ability to respond. That lack of resilience translates directly into higher costs at the pump, increased pressure on household budgets, and added strain on industries that rely on fuel to operate.
In northern communities, this challenge is even more pronounced.
Driving is not optional. People rely on transportation for work, healthcare, and daily life. Higher fuel costs are not an inconvenience, they are a direct hit to affordability.
A Preventable Situation
This was not unavoidable.
There were clear opportunities to:
Expand refining capacity
Strengthen local fuel supply
Build a more resilient and self sufficient energy system
Those opportunities were not acted on.
As a result, British Columbia remains exposed to external pressures that it cannot control, while lacking the infrastructure needed to buffer those impacts.
The Role of Government
Energy security is not just about supply. It is about planning, foresight, and making decisions that protect people from volatility.
Government has a responsibility to ensure that the systems in place can withstand external shocks and continue to meet the needs of residents and businesses across the province.
That responsibility includes making long term investments and recognizing the realities faced by different regions, including the unique challenges in northern British Columbia.
Pushing for Answers and Action
In the Legislature, my role is to ask those questions and push for accountability.
British Columbians deserve to know why these opportunities were missed and what steps will be taken to address the situation moving forward.
More importantly, they deserve action.
I will continue to press for solutions that improve energy security, support affordability, and ensure that communities across British Columbia, including those in the North, are not left vulnerable to decisions that could have been made differently.