Looking for Allies!

Who has the courage to stand against Premier David Eby's latest BC NDP Caucus loyalty test?

Premier David Eby made Bill 15: Infrastructure Projects Act, 2025, a matter of confidence. It is a cynical move that turns this deeply flawed legislation into a loyalty test for his BC NDP caucus.

The bill gives the Premier and his Minister sweeping discretion to override regulations, environmental assessments, and community planning. It centralizes power in the executive and bypasses the transparency and accountability mechanisms in place to protect public health and safety, Indigenous rights, and the land itself.

W̱JOȽEȽP Chief Don Tom calls the bill “draconian legislation”, warning it creates a “gold rush” for projects of so-called “provincial significance.”

Premier Eby claims “nothing in these bills can be interpreted to take away any Indigenous rights or obligations,” and promises the new powers won’t be used for pipelines or LNG development. But his assurances cannot be found in the bill itself. Bill 15 is enabling legislation, it is intentionally vague, lacking the specificity that would limit how it is used. The Premier is just making it up on the fly.

The concern is not just what this government might do, but what any future government could do with these sweeping powers.

By making this bill a measure of confidence, Premier Eby is not just asking his MLAs for support, he’s demanding their allegiance no matter the legitimate concerns, the lack of debate, or the Aboriginal rights being trampled.

Once the line is crossed, it is challenging to come back.

The three Indigenous members of the BC NDP caucus—Tamara Davidson, Joan Phillip, and Deb Toporowski—carry a unique and heavy burden in this debate. But will their caucus colleagues choose to carry any of the burden with them? Or will they stand back and let them to carry it alone?

It only takes one BC NDP Member to derail Premier Eby’s power grab. So, every MLA who believes in reconciliation, environmental protection, and democratic oversight must ask themselves, where do I stand?

Premier Eby has drawn a line. In a few weeks we’ll find out who has the courage to cross it?