B.C. introduces new permitting laws to accelerate clean energy, hospital, and school projects-but faces pushback from First Nations and industry leaders.
B.C. Pushes for Faster Project Approvals with New Legislation
British Columbia is aiming to break through bureaucratic gridlock with two new bills designed to accelerate the approval of clean energy projects, hospitals, and schools. Premier David Eby and Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma unveiled Bill 14 (Renewable Energy Projects Streamlined Permitting Act) and Bill 15 (Infrastructure Projects Act), promising that these changes will cut red tape and deliver much-needed infrastructure faster.
The Case for Speed: Delays Cost Communities
Eby argues that drawn-out approval processes have slowed economic growth and delayed vital community services. He cited a recent example where a school was delayed for six months due to municipal planning holdups, declaring, “They don’t want a huge amount of process debating whether or not it’s a good thing to build a school. They just want a school.”
Indigenous Leaders Warn of Legal Battles
However, not everyone is on board. Some First Nations leaders and organizations, including the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, warn that Bill 15 could undermine Indigenous rights to consultation and lead to more court challenges. Jody Wilson-Raybould, former federal attorney general and We Wai Kai Nation member, predicts “more lawsuits, more uncertainty, and poorer economic and environmental outcomes.”
Industry and Municipalities: Mixed Reactions
Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward welcomes the move, saying municipalities have long called for action on infrastructure delays. Yet he acknowledges that while Indigenous consultation is important, prolonged processes can stall essential projects like schools and hospitals.
Industry voices are more skeptical. Chris Gardner, CEO of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, argues the reforms don’t go far enough for sectors like LNG and mining, and blames years of NDP “red tape” for the current bottlenecks. Jairo Yunis of the Business Council of B.C. says the bills send a “strong signal,” but the real test will be whether they deliver faster, more predictable results.
What’s Changing Under the New Bills?
- Bill 14: Creates a new, streamlined review process for renewable energy projects, overseen by the energy regulator.
- Bill 15: Allows the province to group projects for faster procurement and delivery, especially for smaller school districts, and expedites environmental assessments for select projects.
- Exclusions: Low-barrier housing and safe injection sites will still require the standard approval process.
Balancing Speed with Rights and Oversight
Opposition leaders and environmental advocates caution against sacrificing oversight for speed. Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar warns the bills could give the government unchecked power to bypass meaningful review, while Green Party interim leader Jeremy Valeriote calls for a careful balance between efficiency, environmental standards, and Indigenous rights.
Bottom Line:
B.C.’s new permitting laws promise to cut delays and deliver critical infrastructure faster-but the path forward is fraught with legal, ethical, and practical challenges. Will these reforms spark a new era of clean energy and community building, or ignite even more controversy? The clock is ticking as the province races to pass the bills before the end of May.
