The B.C. government is dismissing a new promise by federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to fast-track Phase 2 of the enormous LNG Canada project near Kitimat, saying it’s nothing more than election rhetoric.

Energy Minister Adrian Dix said Ottawa has no role left in approving Phase 2 of LNG Canada, because the project received joint federal and provincial environmental permits in 2015.

“The decision as to whether LNG Canada proceeds with the second phase is largely a decision from them,” he said of the company. “That's a sort of a budgetary investment decision for them.”

Poilievre toured the $40 billion export terminal on Monday, which is 95 per cent complete and will export 14 million tonnes of natural gas overseas. He said doubling capacity with a second phase is critical to Canada’s economy, could create hundreds of new jobs, produce new revenue, and benefit the economy at a time of trade uncertainty with the United States.

Poilievre said he would not subject Phase 2 to the federal Liberal government’s oil and gas emissions cap, which could block the project if it proceeds with cheaper but higher-emission natural-gas powered turbines instead of electricity.

“The project will not go ahead if it cannot run on natural gas,” Poilievre said.........

© BIV