Seating arrangements in Victoria’s legislative chamber may remain delicate, yet a story of opportunity and challenge is unfolding beyond the capital that deserves close attention. British Columbia stands at a crossroads, where the intersection of global demand and local abundance creates a moment of extraordinary potential.
Consider this: as the world races toward its clean energy future, demand for critical minerals is set to explode. We're looking at a 50-per-cent surge in copper needs, double the appetite for rare earths, and an astounding nine-fold increase in lithium demand by 2040. These aren't just numbers on a page – they represent the building blocks of our technological future.
What makes this particularly relevant to British Columbia? The answer lies beneath our feet and in our collective approach to prosperity. Recent polling from the B.C. Chamber of Commerce tells us that 74 per cent of British Columbians recognize that better natural resource utilization could brighten the economic prospects of future generations.
A level of support like this signals across-the-aisle backing that crosses partisan divides. From Vancouver to Vanderhoof, and Victoria to Fort St. John, this isn't just wishful thinking – it's pragmatic wisdom from a population that understands the connection between natural resources and quality of life.
Here's what many miss in the conversation about clean technology and innovation: every solar panel, every wind turbine, every electric vehicle battery begins with raw materials. These materials don't materialize from thin air – they must be responsibly extracted from the earth. British Columbia, blessed with abundant deposits of these critical minerals, stands ready to answer this call.
There's more to this story. As artificial intelligence reshapes our world, power-hungry data centres are driving energy demand to new heights. Energy consumption across Asia Pacific is expected to surge by 50 per cent in the next decade. British Columbia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) resources position us perfectly to meet this demand with cleaner-burning fuel that the world desperately seeks.
It’s not abstract economic concepts. We're talking about funding for schools, hospitals and the kind of family-supporting jobs that build strong communities. A top-of-mind benefit is how the recently completed Trans Mountain project is demonstrably the reason behind the shocking drop in Vancouver gasoline prices from $2.30 to $1.54 litre. With affordability the No. 1 ballot box issue, that is hardly trivial.
First Nations across the province are increasingly taking leadership roles in natural resource development, with over 500 economic and reconciliation agreements. To those in the know, resources aren’t part of a pick-and-shovel past: they are the irreplaceable foundation of material abundance for a new era built on innovation and mutual respect.
The challenge now isn't whether to develop these resources – it's how to do so while maintaining our commitment to shared prosperity. British Columbia has demonstrated that responsible resource development isn't just possible; it's our forte.
A new, province-wide campaign from Resource Works has just launched with the tagline Voters Have Spoken. The argument is that even in a hotly contested election, on some things everyone can agree.
The reality is stark but promising: British Columbia possesses the resources, the skilled workforce, and the stability needed to thrive in this new era. Windows of opportunity don't stay open indefinitely. Other jurisdictions are moving quickly to secure their place in the supply chains of tomorrow.
The choice before us isn't whether to develop our resources – it's whether we'll do so thoughtfully and purposefully, capturing the full value of a natural endowment envied around the world while maintaining our environmental and societal standards. British Columbians have spoken clearly: they want prosperity built on the foundation of responsible resource development.
The path to abundance is clear. The only question is whether we'll have the wisdom and courage to take it.
Stewart Muir is CEO of the Resource Works Society. Learn more about this new campaign at https://www.resourceworks.com/voters
