BC Conservatives Win Big, Pledge to Double Natural Gas Output by 2032
British Columbia’s incoming Conservative government has pledged to double natural gas production by 2032, a target that could reshape LNG-related field work. Reuters reports, via BOE Report, that the party won 64 of 93 seats.
Market Impact
Provisional results showed on Sunday that the Conservatives ended nine years of New Democrat rule. The New Democrats took 27 seats. It is the first Conservative provincial win since 1928. The outgoing government had voiced opposition to new oil pipelines and backed a ban on tankers along the province’s northern coast.
The Conservatives promised to double gas production by 2032 and more than triple it by 2035. They also pledged to end emissions limits and replace the province’s carbon tax framework. They plan to court energy providers that left BC’s LNG sector after 2018, including ExxonMobil, Chevron and Woodside.
Incoming premier Lorne Doerkson said in his victory speech, “I believe in energy… We will cut red tape like it’s never been cut before.” He promised to “supercharge” the province, which will host a business summit in Vancouver next year. Polls showed voters were focused mainly on cost of living, healthcare and the trade war with the US.
What It Means for Subcontractors
Project stage: This is a policy signal, not a project award. The source names no specific projects, contracts, permits or timelines beyond the 2032 and 2035 production targets.
- Get prequalified this quarter. Before Dec. 31, 2026, confirm your safety, quality and insurance prequalification status with the prime contractors tied to BC gas work, including LNG Canada, Ksi Lisims and other operators with active or planned BC gas projects. Ask each procurement or subcontract manager which registration portal they use and when it next refreshes.
- Size your capacity for a long ramp. Doubling output by 2032 is six years out, and tripling by 2035 is nine. Gas of that volume implies more gathering, pipeline and compression work. Civil, pipefitting, welding, HDD, mechanical and E&I contractors should check now whether crews and equipment could support a multi-year BC build.
- Watch the returning-investor list. The Conservatives plan to approach ExxonMobil, Chevron and Woodside. If any of them re-enters BC LNG, expect FEED work first and subcontract packages later. Track company announcements and the Vancouver business summit next year for early signals.
- Follow permitting changes. Doerkson’s “red tape” pledge and the planned end of emissions limits point to faster approvals. Watch for provincial announcements after the transition to government. Faster permitting could pull bid dates forward, so bid-ready estimating teams matter more.
- Price in policy risk. The carbon tax framework is to be replaced, and the source gives no details. Hold off on long-lead equipment commitments for BC work until the replacement is clear.
- Keep US work in the mix. The source says voters worried about the ongoing trade war with the US. Cross-border contractors with Alberta or BC crews should keep their pipeline of US work active while BC policy details emerge.
