Importance of resource sector can not be ignored says John Winter

Recently John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce made a swing through the interior of BC. This was part of the message he delivered in his presentation to a number of chambers.

BC stands at a crossroads where decisions made now will impact the quality of life and standard of living for generations to come. These decisions are around the development and export of our abundant natural resources that are in demand around the world.

These projects have the potential to drive billions of dollars of investment in new capital projects. The Canadian government estimates that over $500 billion of new investments will occur across Canada over the next ten years in the mining, energy and forest sectors.These projects will provide jobs and opportunities for today’s workers and for their children.

But our ability to get to yes on these projects is being threatened by a vocal minority who are hijacking the public discourse.

In the past year, media coverage of elements of this issue has picked up considerably. On the face of it, this is a good thing; it’s through informed discussion that our politicians make choices that better reflect the will and the needs of Canadians. However, this dialogue is anything but balanced. The casual observer is overwhelmed by rhetoric and incomplete arguments that are stifling true debate.

Opponents of these projects are not telling British Columbians the whole story; we never hear that we have a history of being world leaders in the safe and responsible extraction of natural resources. That we are a province full of mines, natural gas wells and logging camps and we continue to be Supernatural and beautiful BC.

Opponents of these projects need to tell British Columbians why they feel that the well-paying jobs in these resource industries, that their parents have relied on, will not be available to future generations.

Opponents of these projects need to explain to us how government will be able to continue to fund the services British Columbians expect and demand without the revenue generated by these projects.

BC and Canada’s history is as a resource nation. The vibrancy of communities across the province and across the country rely on the extraction and sale of our abundant natural resources. Whether you service the industry as an accountant or an engineer, work for a small business that supplies the resource industry, work in a hotel or serve in a restaurant your livelihood is reliant on the jobs and services the resource sector provide all over the province. This is true of Vancouver as much as it is of Fort St John.

It’s time for a grown up conversation about the critical role resources have, do and will continue to play in the economic prosperity of communities around the province and across the country.