WATCH: BC NDP pledges to double critical mineral exports, expand Port of Prince Rupert

BC NDP leader David Eby is pledging to double British Columbia’s production and export of critical minerals within five years, and further expand the Port of Prince Rupert.

Eby announced the commitments Monday as part of his party’s plan to create jobs, expand trade, and reduce BC’s economic dependence on the United States.

“BC has an abundance of critical minerals other countries need. Getting them to world markets means less dependence on the US while creating family-supporting jobs and the prosperity needed to strengthen health care and public services," he said.

Under the plan, a re-elected BC NDP government would accelerate approvals for major mines by running environmental assessments and permitting concurrently, which the party says could cut timelines by more than 60%.

The party is also promising to fast-track the North Coast Transmission Line, expand BC’s smelting and refining capacity, and set fixed permitting timelines for mineral exploration.

The transmission line is already under construction and is expected to more than double electricity capacity in northwestern BC. The province has said projects enabled by the line could support about 9,700 direct full-time jobs and nearly $10 billion in annual GDP.

Eby is also pledging to build the line using Canadian steel and develop a skilled, union-led workforce for new mining projects.

The BC NDP says it would strengthen mine inspection and enforcement powers and ensure full-time worker representation on health and safety committees.

Eby also committed to working with the Prince Rupert Port Authority, industry partners and the federal government to continue expanding the port and its marine, rail and trucking connections.

The party says the expansion would open new trade opportunities for sectors including forestry and agriculture, while helping BC reach markets outside the United States.

A re-elected BC NDP government, Eby said, would also provide $5 million to the Prince Rupert Port Authority to support expanded cruise operations and the local tourism economy.

Eby framed the mining and port commitments as part of a broader push to diversify BC’s economy and reduce its reliance on the United States for trade.

WATCH: BC Conservatives unveil ‘Energy Superpower Plan’ to double LNG production by 2032

“We won’t let regulatory reviews become bureaucratic black holes that kill good projects,” Doerkson declared.

Sitka MediaJarryd Jäger

Meanwhile in Vancouver, BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson made an economic announcement of his own. He unveiled the "BC Energy Superpower Plan," the party's strategy to ensure British Columbia gets the most out of its natural resources and becomes less reliant on the United States.

"It sets one clear, ambitious, and achievable goal," Doerkson said. "We will double LNG production in BC by 2032, and we will triple it by 2035."

He explained that this would be achieved via "cutting red tape, faster permitting, [and] faster approvals," all while "uphold[ing] the highest environmental standards in the world."

"We won't let regulatory reviews become bureaucratic black holes that kill good projects through attrition," Doerkson declared. "If a project is good for BC, it is going to get a 'yes' — in fact it's going to get a very quick 'yes'."