Premier Christy Clark brought her campaign to the North Coast on Friday, including a stop at the Port Edward Community School.
After being toured around by students Nevaeh Rhyno-Boulet and Jonathon Sanderson-McKay and taking in a presentation by students on the use of the classroom Smart Boards, Clark turned her attention to provincial politics and the developments proposed for the region. In particular, Clark spoke of the need to develop LNG export facilities.
"LNG isn't only going to going to lead to growth in this community, it is going to create growth throughout the province," she said.
"This place is going to really start to shine.... This place, Port Edward, doesn't only have a future, this place is the future."
Clark said exporting LNG to Asia is needed because the U.S. is the only market being served by B.C., and with only one market there is only one price you can get for the product. And, she said, this election will play a huge role in determining the future of the industry and the province as a whole.
"[The LNG industry] will be a pipe dream if the NDP get elected because they will tax it out of existence or put a moratorium on even getting the resource out of the ground," she said, pointing to the school as a sign of prosperity associated with LNG development.
"These projects will need thousands of workers. When those thousands of workers come, families will come. When those families come, this school will fill... This is exactly what a strong economy can do to secure our future. It is also an example of what is at risk if the NDP is elected."
Currently, though, the Gitga'at and Gitxaala have expressed concerns about LNG projects being rushed through and leaving them out of the process. Clark said that she is committed to including those Nations.
"The reason First Nations need to be included is, yes it is a legal obligation, but also because it is the right moral thing to do," she said.
"This isn't just an opportunity for non-Aboriginals, this is an opportunity for all British Columbians and we need to ensure everyone is a part of it."
After Port Edward, Clark carried on to Prince Rupert to help open the campaign office of North Coast Liberal candidate Judy Fraser.