BC needs LNG industry to afford existing government services throne speech – Vancouver Sun
The Clark government cast the industry as “a chance — not a windfall” that will help B.C. “maintain the same world-class services we rely on”
VICTORIA — B.C. must develop a new liquefied natural gas industry to help pay for core government services, Premier Christy Clark said Monday just hours after another company threatened to walk away from its multibillion-dollar LNG proposal.
Clark’s speech from the throne, read at the legislature, skipped any mention of her past election promises for a $1-trillion economic windfall from LNG that would fill a $100-billion prosperity fund, wipe out B.C.’s $60-billion debt and create as many as 100,000 jobs.
Instead, she recast LNG as “a chance — not a windfall” that will help B.C. “maintain the same world-class services we rely on.”
“The core services this government provides need to be protected,” said Lt.-Gov. Judy Guichon, reading the speech composed by the government.
“And the inescapable truth is that they can only be protected if we can afford them. The opportunity afforded by LNG is more than a chance to make a smart investment.”
The throne speech also said a B.C. LNG industry focused on Asian markets is essential to replace a natural gas export market in the United States that has dried up “and is never coming back.”
The speech also highlighted how a slow global economy and aging population has made it challenging to afford B.C.’s current publicly funded government services
