Perspectives from a British Columbia Natural Gas Roundtable
British Columbia has a rare combination: abundant low-cost natural gas and a direct route to high-value Asian markets at a time when global demand is rising. At our December 2025 roundtable in Vancouver, participants focused on what that advantage could mean for energy reliability, affordability and economic growth.
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From Opportunity to Action:
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From Opportunity to Action: Tapping British Columbia’s Natural Gas Advantages captures these perspectives in a proceedings report from a Canada West Foundation–convened roundtable. Participants included leaders from government, business, Indigenous communities, labour organizations and financial institutions.
The report summarizes themes without attribution. It is intended to inform public policy discussion, not to present formal recommendations.
Throughout the discussion, participants kept circling back to a few practical questions: Can B.C. maintain affordability if policy assumes electrification is the default? Where are permitting and infrastructure bottlenecks slowing investment? What do meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities look like when projects move from consultation to ownership?
The report also includes a brief background on the sector and the policy environment to help readers place these perspectives in context.
Read the full report to learn more.
Acknowledgements
This roundtable and the related proceedings were supported by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and FortisBC. The Canada West Foundation thanks both organizations for their sponsorship.
The Canada West Foundation also thanks Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, for moderating the event, and The Honourable Tim Hodgson, minister of energy and natural resources, for joining the discussion.
Media contact
Melanie Ducharme
Director, Strategic Communications