VICTORIA — The B.C. government's throne speech says the diverse provincial economy will act as a buffer against oil-price declines hurting other economies, but the previous bold forecasts of a liquefied natural gas bonanza for the province are muted.
Last month, Premier Christy Clark said B.C. remains on target for three LNG plants by 2020, but today's throne speech does include any estimates of future LNG plants.
Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon says in the throne speech that LNG remains a generational opportunity with the potential to create 100,000 jobs, but there is no longer an estimate of when the plants will be in place.
Guichon says B.C., with its growth in forestry, mining, tourism, agriculture, technology and natural gas sectors, is better protected against economic declines currently being faced by oil-dependent jurisdictions.
The lieutenant-governor says B.C. will join an exclusive club this month by delivering what will likely be the only balanced budget among Canada's provinces.
She also says the government plans to establish a Medal of Good Citizenship to recognize British Columbians who make extraordinary contributions.
