Eby threatens early election if North Coast Transmission Line bill fails

Premier David Eby has raised the stakes on his government’s latest energy bill, warning that a defeat in the legislature could trigger an early trip to the polls.

“This is non-negotiable for us. This bill must pass,” Eby said Tuesday. “I would stake our government on it. The last thing I want is an election, but we’ll be prepared if it’s necessary.”

At issue is Bill 31, legislation to fast-track the North Coast Transmission Line, a proposed power corridor running from Prince George to Terrace that would double the region’s electricity transmission capacity. The project is intended to support critical mineral mining, LNG terminals, and future industrial electrification across northern British Columbia.

Political showdown

The warning came one day after the B.C. Conservatives attempted to delay the bill with a hoist motion, a procedural tactic that would have postponed debate for at least six months. The motion failed — but the political message was clear.

Eby accused the Conservatives of endangering billions of dollars in potential investment and thousands of jobs.

“This is the economic future of the province,” Eby said, calling the motion a “reckless stunt.”

With a one-seat NDP majority, the premier’s threat carries weight. The government relies on support from the two B.C. Green MLAs in confidence votes — though new Green leader Emily Lowan has signalled she wants to renegotiate the 2017 confidence-and-supply agreement.

Greens and Conservatives push back

The B.C. Greens say they support the parts of the bill allowing for Indigenous co-ownership of the transmission line but oppose what they describe as “a public subsidy for resource extraction.”

Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote voted for the bill’s second reading to allow further debate and amendment, but warned that his party could still withdraw support.

“If the premier wants to call an election, I think it will be for reasons other than Bill 31,” Valeriote said. “He’s welcome to use that as an excuse if he wants.”

Meanwhile, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad questioned whether the province even has the electrical capacity to support the project, arguing the legislation is unnecessary for construction to proceed.

When asked about Eby’s election warning, Rustad responded:

“Let’s dance.”

Next steps

House Leader Mike Farnworth confirmed the government is considering designating the bill a confidence motion — meaning a defeat would automatically trigger the government’s collapse and an election call.

The NDP government maintains that the transmission line is crucial to meet rising electricity demand from industrial projects and data-driven sectors, such as AI and clean energy, while ensuring B.C. remains competitive in the global shift toward electrification.

If passed, Bill 31 would mark one of the province’s largest infrastructure undertakings in decades. If it fails, it could instead mark the start of a provincial election campaign months ahead of schedule.