More than mines, energy for Mungall
New minister will hear many opinions about projects like Site C and Prosperity
Fourth in a series of interviews with members of B.C.’s new cabinet ministers
Michelle Mungall is a rural MLA from the Kootenays who has experience in social issues. She now takes on a ministry that encompasses economic, First Nation and environmental issues across a vast land base in B.C.
Mungall, a three-term MLA from Nelson-Creston and former Nelson city councillor, takes on a tough portfolio as major industrial projects involved in mining and energy are high-profile and often controversial. In her first week in office, Pacific NorthWest LNG cancelled its $11.4-billion project, citing poor global markets.
The project was one of several leading proposed liquefied natural gas projects — none of which have been built — promoted by the former B.C. Liberal government. The Pacific NorthWest LNG project was opposed by environmentalists and some First Nations and scientists.
Another potential controversy is brewing over Taseko’s proposed $1.1-billion Prosperity gold and copper mine in the Interior, twice rejected by the federal government and opposed by the Tsilhqot’in Nation.
The company was granted an extensive drilling permit in early July, in the dying days of the B.C. Liberal government.
Q: What is the first priority for you?
A: One of the immediate issues is Site C (the hydroelectric power project already under construction) and having the B.C. Utilities Commission do a review. I began working on that the next day after being sworn in and we’ll be able to provide information to the public in short order. There are also some longer-term issues, for example, around opportunities in the renewable sector, which is very exciting.
Q: How might the renewable industry be fostered? Over the last decade it has waxed and waned in terms of bioenergy, building the technology side, and on things such as run-ofthe river projects. Where might the NDP go on that front?
A: It’s early days. All I can tell you is I am very much looking forward to working with the sector and seeing what kind of roadmap to the future we can be building together.
Q: After the Mount Polley tailing dam collapse in 2014 there are questions that continue about safety and oversight of the mining sector. Do you have a plan that will be implemented?
A: One of the things we committed to British Columbians to do is to establish a mining jobs task force to ensure we have the sustainability of existing mines. Making sure that we are protecting jobs — and not losing jobs — to the instability of commodity prices. But also we want to make sure our mines are robust and they are sustainable, so we will be looking get that started in the near future.
Q: More oversight can mean more staffing. Will more staffing be needed?
A: It’s early days. And I am just digging into the beginning of all of this. Definitely, though, we have a strong commitment to ensuring that British Columbians’ interests are first and foremost and we are working for them every single day.
Q: Fracking has been a safety and environmental concern. Is there any plan to take a look at the issue that might provide more assurance to the public about practices in British Columbia? (Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, uses water and chemicals injected below the surface under high pressure to crack rocks to release natural gas).
A: Yes. We want to put together a scientific panel specifically to look at water and the water issues involved in fracking. I think what I have heard from British Columbians — people in my riding and all across the province — is that science needs to be leading the decision here, and not just politics. So, I am looking forward to seeing what that science comes back and tells us.
Q: How do you see your role, given that the ministry deals with a large land base, in implementing the United Nations mandate for full and informed consent from First Nations (on developing natural resources)?
A: As you see from our mandate letters (from Premier John Horgan), these reflect the commitments we made to British Columbians during the election. ... We want to ensure we have a strong process and clear way of implementing the United Nations declaration for Indigenous peoples. We want to be working in the spirit of reconciliation. We are at the beginning of all of that. And we are going to be working through that and I am very much excited at what the future holds when it comes to building our partnerships with First Nations.
Q: There has been some criticism over time of the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission because they are seen both as a developer of the resource but also the regulator — and there could be some conflict there. Is there any thought to taking a look at the commission to see if its mandate is the proper one or whether there is some other model that should be looked at in terms of oversight?
A: I’ll have to get back on that one. You are a bit ahead of me in terms of where I am at in my process.