Premier John Horgan says he wants to keep LNG door open

NDP Premier John Horgan insists he supports "every corner" of the province despite criticism from some northern municipalities he is not championing the oil and gas industry of northern British Columbia.

Horgan'scomments came as the trade dispute with Alberta over the Kinder Morgan pipeline project entered its second week, and the day after a throne speech that made no mention of liquefied natural gas.

LNGwas acentral feature of the platform of the previous B.C. Liberal government.

In an interview with CBCDaybreak North host Carolina de Ryk, Horgansaid he is still working to open doors for selling energy overseas.

"We'll be providing energy from British Columbia to Japan," he said, in reference to the $475-million Ridley Export Terminalbeing constructed near Prince Rupert by AltaGasfor the purpose of exporting propaneto Japan.

Horgansaid on his recent trade mission to Asia,he spoke with Chinese, Japanese and Korean partners involved inthe proposedLNGCanada project inKitimat,led by Royal Dutch Shell.

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The premiersaid he reiterated the conditions for any new developments, which include participation or partnerships from First Nations and meeting climate objectives.

"Those conditions were well-known," he said. "We're welcoming private sector investment."

B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver has promised the NDP government will fall if it pursues what he describes as the "LNG folly."

Butmunicipal leaders in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Kitimat, along with the elected council of the Haisla Nationon the north coast, have demanded more support for the natural gas industry.

Weaver's party holds the balance of power in the legislature. Last July, the Greens and NDPformed an alliance, allowing the NDPto form a government.

• B.C. Green Party leader promises NDP government will fall if it pursues 'LNG folly'

Meanwhile, the B.C. Liberals spent much of the first day of the new legislative session's question period criticizing Horganover the dispute with Alberta.

Asked how he responded to criticism that he isn't looking out for the economic interests of workers inBritish Columbia, particularly those in the north, Horgan pointed to the government's decision to allow construction of the Site C dam near Fort St. John to proceed.

"That was a very controversial issue," he said. "We fully support every corner of the province."

Horgansaid he doesn't understand why AlbertaPremier Rachel Notleyhas decided to attack his position on Kinder Morgan.

"I'm disappointed," he said.

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To listen to the full interview, click on the audio titled "B.C. Premier John Horgan on LNG, Site C and his fight over pipelines with Alberta"

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