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Look West Update: Billions of dollars of investment, tens of thousands of new jobs

Press Release

April 29, 2026

VICTORIA

Summary

  • $88 billion in proposed major projects on track to move forward over next three years
  • Nearly doubling the initial list of major projects that will support the economy
  • Proposed projects represent significant long-term provincial revenue to support public services
  • Province on track to meet 10-year goal to secure $200 billion in private-sector investment

Eighty-eight billion dollars worth of proposed major project investments are estimated to create tens of thousands of jobs in B.C. communities over the next three years, demonstrating the progress the Province is making to grow B.C.’s economy through the Look West strategy.

To continue accelerating economic growth, the Government of B.C. is adding 17 new major projects to the list of priority projects, nearly double the previous number, as another step toward becoming a more independent economy that’s less reliant on a single trading partner.

“At a time when countries around the world are looking for responsibly developed resources and stable trading partners, this is British Columbia’s moment,” said Premier David Eby. “Through our Look West plan, we’re leveraging our strengths here to get major projects built, create good jobs, and invest in skills training so people can step into these opportunities and earn bigger paycheques. This is how we create long-term prosperity to support the public services that make us all better off.”

Look West was launched in November 2025 as a targeted plan designed to deliver major projects, strengthen B.C.’s and Canada’s economic security in the face of economic threats, and create good jobs and opportunities for people to train for careers in the skilled trades.

It includes a goal to secure $200 billion in investment by 2035 for major projects in B.C., and a commitment of $241 million over three years to double trades training funding and permanently strengthen and expand B.C.’s trades training system.

“The global uncertainty from U.S. tariffs and the war in Iran are having real impacts on people and businesses, but we’re not backing down or waiting,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Forty per cent of the federal government’s priority major projects are right here in B.C., and we believe there should be more. That’s why we’ll be submitting this new list of projects to the Government of Canada, so we can keep working together to grow a strong, national economy that can stand on its own.”

Generating new revenue

By speeding up permitting while also recognizing the importance of Indigenous engagement and strong environmental stewardship, major mines and energy projects are moving faster and will provide new opportunities and good jobs for people, and significant revenue to the Province that will help pay for the schools, hospitals, police and transportation infrastructure that people in B.C. rely on.

This includes the Phase 2 expansion of the Blackwater gold and silver mine, a $1.44-billion investment, which is anticipated to create 1,500 construction jobs and an additional 300 operational jobs, bringing total employment to 1,200 permanent operations positions, and could generate an estimated $2 billion in mineral tax over the multi-decade life of the mine.

This is one of the projects that is now included in the Province’s list of priority major projects to support their progress.

Powering the economy with clean energy

Clean energy is B.C.’s superpower and the Province is taking action to boost electricity supply needed to power communities and major industrial developments throughout the province.

The Province has passed regulations to make the BC Energy Regulator the primary regulator for renewable energy projects, including wind and solar power, as well as major transmission infrastructure such as BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL). The immediate benefit of this change will be streamlined and expedited permitting for BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power projects. These 10 wind and solar projects represent approximately $6 billion in private-sector investment. Combined, the clean-energy projects are expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs annually during construction and will generate nearly 5,000 GWh per year, boosting B.C.’s electricity supply by 8% – enough energy to power approximately 500,000 homes.

One of these projects is the sniwt iʔ k̓ʷul̓mntn Wind Project, which is majority owned by the Upper Nicola Band and being developed in partnership with Elemental Energy. This 94-megawatt wind farm will be located between Merritt and Kelowna. The project is targeting construction in spring 2027. Once operational, the project will produce enough clean electricity to power approximately 25,000 average homes each year.

In 2025, the Province and BC Hydro launched a second call for power, which is targeting an additional 5,000 GWh annually. Projects resulting from the 2025 call will be announced this spring.

B.C.’s North is experiencing historic growth, and to ensure that enough clean energy is available to power new mines, energy projects and communities in northwestern B.C., the Province has taken action to support the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL).

Through the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, the Province has created legislative tools to advance the project and enable First Nations ownership participation, while related regulatory actions are designed to help major industrial customers connect and move toward final investment decisions.

Building the NCTL is a cornerstone of government’s co-ordinated strategy to meet the rising demand for clean electricity and to power economic growth, jobs, climate action and reconciliation throughout British Columbia. Construction on the NCTL is expected to begin this summer.

Reaching new markets

As global conflicts and uncertainty continue to impact resource supply chains worldwide, moving natural gas projects forward quicker is critical to ensuring Canada plays a leading role in global energy markets.

Cedar LNG, a $4.7-billion private-sector investment and the largest Indigenous majority-owned infrastructure project in Canada, is well underway. It will create as many as 500 construction jobs and 100 long-term operational jobs and is expected to be complete in 2028.

The Government of Canada also recently approved the Sunrise expansion program, a $4-billion expansion of Enbridge’s pipeline network. This will allow more natural gas to reach international markets from B.C. while creating 2,500 jobs during construction and significant revenue for the Province.

In addition, approximately $50 billion worth of final investment decisions are expected this year or early next year, including Phase 2 of LNG Canada, which would be the largest private-sector investment in Canada’s history, as well as the Ksi Lisims LNG and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission projects, a partnership between the Nisga’a Nation, Western LNG and Rockies LNG.

Getting critical minerals to the world

An all-of-government approach is underway to speed up approvals, reduce duplication, remove barriers and simplify processes so projects can move more quickly from proposal to construction.

As part of that work, several priority projects have received permitting needed to proceed, including the Eskay Creek mine, the Copper Mountain mine’s New Ingerbelle expansion and Mount Milligan mine’s 2035 extension.

The Province is also developing an expedited major projects environmental assessment process to help get priority projects reviewed and built quicker.

Since Look West was launched, five major mines have been permitted:

  • Quintette coal mine – $500 million
  • Highland Valley Copper extension – $2.25 billion
  • Mount Milligan mine extension – $400 million
  • Eskay Creek mine – $713 million
  • Copper Mountain mine expansion – $290 million

Since the 18 priority major projects were announced, Eskay Creek and the Mount Milligan and Highland Valley Copper mine extensions have all been approved by the Province.

Accomplishing Look West goals

Since launching Look West, the Province has advanced the strategic plan’s short-term goals, including prioritizing major projects, speeding up permitting, supporting clean and low-carbon energy infrastructure, strengthening interprovincial trade, creating a new $400-million B.C. Strategic Investment Fund, and growing innovation and defence-related opportunities in B.C.

Six months since it was launched, Look West is delivering real results: bringing investment certainty, accelerating construction, and creating good-paying jobs in communities throughout British Columbia while strengthening Canada’s long-term economic security.

Quotes:

Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions –

“With over $50 billion worth of final investment decisions expected this year or early next year, B.C. is well-positioned to be the energy engine of Canada. We have the projects, we have the resources and we have the skilled workers to get these developments online and shipping products quickly. It’s clear that when the world is looking for energy they are looking west to B.C. to fill their demands.”

Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals –

“With record investment numbers last year, more than 1,000 global mining and exploration companies headquartered in B.C., and growing interest from the world’s top producers like Anglo and Teck, our province is leading the future of responsible resource development. Through Look West, we are turning that momentum into action, delivering permits for priority projects, accelerating critical minerals development and reinforcing British Columbia’s position as a globally competitive, trusted destination for investment, jobs and meaningful reconciliation.”

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills –

“These major projects are being built by skilled tradespeople and will drive our economy for generations. Our government is putting British Columbians first by investing an additional $241 million into trades training over three years, opening up to 5,000 new trades training seats in the next year, so British Columbians across our province can build these projects and secure good-paying jobs right here at home. This investment builds on the $3.2 billion we invest every year to strengthen our public post-secondary sector, which directly supports Look West priority careers.”

Brynn Bourke, executive director, BC Building Trades –

“The Province understands that people are the critical factor in unlocking our province’s prosperity. The government is investing in people through transformational investments in apprenticeship training. Those dollars will ensure that people are not only entering the skilled trades, but also obtaining their Red Seal and securing jobs. We’re working closely to align workforce development training with the labour demands these major projects are forecasting.”

Chief Daniel Manuel, Upper Nicola Band –

“Upper Nicola Band looks forward to advancing the sniwt iʔ k̓ʷul̓mntn Wind Project. This important initiative will provide economic benefits, employment and training opportunities, energy security and most importantly recognition of syilx traditional laws and practices and of our enduring connection to our tmxwulaxw, while providing opportunities for meaningful reconciliation during this period of geopolitical instability.”

Jamie Houssian, principal, Elemental Energy –

“We are privileged to be partnered with Upper Nicola Band to deliver the sniwt iʔ k̓ʷul̓mntnin Wind Project as a priority clean-energy project in B.C.’s Look West strategy. Since the award of the 2024 BC Hydro Call for Power contracts in December 2024, we have worked with urgency to seek regulatory approvals and advance construction planning so we can deliver on important project benefits, including new clean-energy jobs, the electrification of B.C.’s communities and industries, and enabling our First Nation partner to advance their economic reconciliation goals.”

Quick Facts:

  • Since 2017, B.C. has been an economic leader in Canada with the most GDP growth of large provinces, the highest capital investment growth per capita, the highest real median income growth, and the highest wage growth.
  • According to Statistics Canada, B.C. has added more than 10,000 construction jobs in the past year and has the fastest retail sales growth in Canada.
  • From December 2024 until December 2025, B.C. had the second-highest growth in active businesses in the country.
  • In 2025, B.C.’s mining exploration sector saw $751 million in investment, a 36% increase from 2024 and the highest ever in the province.
  • By the end of this decade, British Columbia is expected to export 19.4 million tonnes of LNG per year, making B.C. the sixth-largest exporting jurisdiction globally based on current export volumes.
  • Once operational, additional LNG projects in the 2030s could increase that to 47.9 million tonnes annually, making B.C. the fourth-largest LNG exporter in the world.

Learn More:

Two backgrounders follow.

Contact:

Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth
Media Relations
250-883-2068

BACKGROUNDER 1

Look West: Overview and progress update

In November 2025, the B.C. government launched Look West, a strategic plan to deliver major projects faster, expand skills training and grow key sectors to strengthen B.C.’s economy, creating good jobs and opportunities for people and businesses, and benefiting all of Canada.

The strategy sets a 10-year vision to strengthen B.C.’s economy, including continuing work to speed up permitting and diversify key sectors, so B.C.’s economy is less reliant on the United States.

Look West is focused on three core priorities:

  • training up and growing B.C.’s skilled workforce to deliver major projects and create new jobs and opportunities for people
  • delivering major nation-building projects that generate good jobs and economic growth quicker
  • delivering sector action plans to diversify and balance B.C.’s economy, from critical minerals, tech and life sciences to defence-related industries, marine and aerospace

The strategy is driving substantial investment and job creation, with a proposed investment of more than $89 billion in major projects generating tens of thousands of jobs in the next three years. This progress supports the province’s economic growth and public-service funding while advancing toward a $200-billion private-sector investment goal.

  • Major projects and job creation: More than $89 billion in projects are proposed or underway, including Cedar LNG, which is in a peak year for construction and expected to create up to 500 construction and 100 operational jobs, contributing significant revenue for public infrastructure.
  • Look West strategy objectives: Launched in November 2025, Look West aims to deliver major projects, strengthen economic security and expand skilled-trades training with $283 million in funding to double apprenticeship seats by 2028-29.
  • Government actions to accelerate growth: Efforts include speeding up project approvals, reducing barriers and expediting environmental assessments, with key mining projects receiving permits and legislative support for clean-energy transmission lines.
  • Investment and economic security: Final investment decisions have been made on major mining projects generating thousands of jobs and substantial provincial revenue, alongside initiatives to boost B.C.’s role in Canada’s defence economy with more than $67 million in funding.

In less than six months, B.C. has made significant progress on Look West priorities.

Strengthening our workforce

  • Investing in skilled trades training: B.C. is doubling funding to $214 million per year by 2028-29. This is the first major increase in skilled trades training in nearly 20 years, and it will ensure people in B.C. have the skills needed to build major projects in the province.
  • Creating more opportunities for skills training: B.C. will provide $12 million over three years to enhance the employer training grant, which provides funding for employers to invest in their workers. This will allow workers to access essential skills training, preparing them to be more adaptable and successful in a changing labour market.
  • Supporting highly qualified professionals: Budget 2026 includes $30 million to train highly qualified professionals by adding specialized streams to existing programs, including engineering, geology, computer science, biology and aerospace.
  • Strengthening health care: B.C. is attracting more health-care professionals and connecting more people to doctors. As of February 2026, B.C. has the most doctors per capita in Canada and hired more than 500 heath-care professionals from the United States. It is all part of the Province’s efforts to strengthen B.C.’s public health-care system, so people get health services when needed, closer to home.
  • Protecting our future workforce: The Province introduced legislation in February 2026 to strengthen oversight of B.C.’s international education sector, ensuring better protection for international students and holding bad actors accountable.

Delivering major projects quicker:

  • Speeding up permitting, creating good jobs: The permitting process for the Eskay Creek mine took nine months from application submission to decision, more than 40% faster than previous processes. The combined environmental assessment/permit amendment process for the Mt. Milligan mine expansion took 10 months from submission to decision, more than 60% faster than previous processes.
  • Record exploration spending and streamlined processes: In 2025, B.C. saw a record-breaking $751 million in exploration spending, with a 35% increase in exploration permits issued in 2025 compared to 2024, and a 35% reduction in major mining application timelines due to co-ordinated environmental assessment and permitting processes.
  • New permitting timelines and innovation support: Starting in April 2026, fixed permitting timelines and escalation processes will provide more certainty and stability for mineral exploration. Investment in B.C. critical minerals projects could represent an opportunity worth as much as $44 billion by 2040.
  • Supporting innovation in critical minerals: B.C. businesses now have new opportunities to test, deploy and scale cutting-edge technology that can support the continued growth of B.C.’s mining and critical minerals sector at the provincewide mining and critical minerals testbed.
  • Working together with First Nations and reaching historic milestones: The reopening of Eskay Creek gold-silver mine marks the first regulatory process completed under a Section 7 agreement negotiated under the Declaration Act, where the Province and Tahltan Nation each made decisions enabling the project to proceed. The mine is expected to generate $1.19 billion in provincial revenue.
  • Bringing good, local jobs: Mining provides more than 40,000 family-supporting jobs in B.C. Expansions at Mt. Milligan and Copper Mountain will create or sustain a total of more than 1,370 jobs, and Eskay Creek reopening will add approximately 1,000 construction and 770 operational jobs. The Eskay Creek mine and Mount Milligan expansion are also part of the initial 18 projects prioritized by the Province in 2025.
  • Powering North Coast growth with clean energy: BC Hydro has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ksi Lisims LNG, a key step toward securing a major customer for the North Coast Transmission Line. Ksi Lisims LNG, one of the projects identified as a federal priority along with Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline, is expected to attract nearly $30 billion in investment, create thousands of skilled jobs and strengthen Canada’s position in the global LNG market.

Diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors

  • Powering AI growth with clean energy: Supporting a balanced development of artificial intelligence and data-centre projects in British Columbia, the Province and BC Hydro have launched a competitive process for clean power in high-demand sectors.
  • Supporting breakthroughs in innovation:
    • B.C. is investing more than $30 million through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund to strengthen world-class high-performance computing infrastructure at Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria. This includes the renewal of SFU’s Cedar National Host Site, one of Canada’s most powerful academic supercomputers, and UVic’s Arbutus National Host Site, the country’s largest research cloud, enabling cutting edge AI, quantum, and data intensive research across Canada.
    • Partnering with UBC, B.C. is creating the UBC Catalyst Ventures Fund, a $40-million investment fund to help grow B.C. companies rooted in UBC innovation and create more good jobs in the province. Discoveries by UBC researchers have formed the basis of more than 280 spinoff companies and licensed discoveries have led to products, services and treatments that have generated an estimated $13 billion in sales across multiple sectors.
    • Since fall 2025, Integrated Marketplace has established three new testbeds focused on:
      • forestry innovation and emergency management
      • mining and critical minerals
      • marine and coastal.

That brings the total to seven testbeds provincewide. Supported by $41.5 million in provincial funding and $11.7 million in federal support, the Integrated Marketplace enables B.C. companies to test, deploy and scale innovations while reducing adoption risk for industry partners, advancing the Province’s Look West strategy and building a more self-reliant economy.

  • Growing tourism sector: The 2026 Tourism Sector Action Plan aims to double revenues to $46 billion by 2036 and boost economic growth. The new Adventure Tourism Hub is improving British Columbia’s permitting process, making it easier for businesses to seek land-tenure permits for popular tourism activities like heliskiing, cat skiing, heli-assisted guiding activities, commercial snowmobiling and snowmobile-assisted activities.
  • Diversifying markets and building economic resilience: Building partnerships with India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and bringing good jobs to B.C. in the mining, technology and clean-energy sectors.
  • Strengthening interprovincial trade, improving affordability: The Province introduced a new law to let products and services approved in other provinces be sold or used in B.C., cutting red tape and lowering costs for businesses. The law makes it easier for companies to grow and attracts more investment to the province, all while improving choice and affordability for people.
  • Backing bid for global defence-bank headquarters: Backing a private-sector bid for the international headquarters of the new Defence, Security and Resiliency Bank (DSRB) to be located in Vancouver. The bank focuses on financing projects for NATO members and allies. If successful, it would create 3,500 high-paying jobs and position B.C. as a leader in the global security sector.
  • Boosting clean technology, enhancing port operations: B.C. is supporting three domestic companies to test dual-use technologies that make our ports safer, cleaner and more competitive while strengthening Canada’s sovereignty and defence capabilities. The three dual-use technology projects are worth more than $1.7 million.
  • Bringing good manufacturing jobs to B.C.: Supporting B.C.-based businesses to grow local manufacturing capacity and create good jobs. Investing $2 million in Jewel Welding Fabrication and Coatings to expand its production of piping, strengthen local supply chains, creating about 45 jobs.
  • Strengthening domestic biomanufacturing capacity: In December 2025, B.C. announced $33 million in provincial funding to support research equipment and infrastructure at Canada’s Immuno Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), a national initiative led by UBC, to enable 100-day start-to-finish drug development for future pandemics and urgent health challenges. The investment strengthens domestic biomanufacturing capacity, economic resilience and high-skill job creation in the province’s life-sciences sector.

Contact:

Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth
Media Relations
250-883-2068

BACKGROUNDER 2

Province adds more priority projects

To continue growing B.C.’s economy through major natural resource projects, B.C. has added the following major projects to its list of priority projects to support their progress:

  • Red Mountain mine
  • Fording River coal operations – extension
  • Greenhills operations – Cougar 8/9
  • Copper Mountain – New Ingerbelle extension
  • Baptiste nickel mine
  • New Polaris mine
  • Trail smelter operations
  • Yellowhead Copper project
  • Blackwater mine, Phase 2 expansion
  • Enbridge T-South expansion (Sunrise)
  • KSM mine
  • Ksi Lisims LNG and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission
  • LNG Canada, Phase 2
  • Woodfibre LNG
  • FortisBC Tilbury LNG, Phase 2
  • Pembina NGL pipeline, Birch to Taylor expansion
  • Pembina NGL pipeline, Taylor to Gordondale expansion

Contact:

Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth
Media Relations
250-883-2068

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