B.C. Premier David Eby navigates economic, environmental, and social hurdles while balancing party tensions and personal growth in a turbulent year.
A Year That Changed Him
Becoming a parent and leading a province share a strange similarity: both test patience, perspective, and resilience. For B.C. Premier David Eby, 2025 has been one of those years. “As a father and almost 50, I’ve matured in my view of issues and their complexity,” Eby reflected in a year-end interview with Black Press Media. The challenges facing British Columbia have pushed him into uncharted territory, requiring decisions that sometimes clash with his past as an activist lawyer.
New Challenges, Old Principles
The province has faced a perfect storm of issues. Beyond long-standing concerns like healthcare access, rising living costs, homelessness, and a growing deficit, unexpected hurdles emerged: trade tariffs, oil pipeline debates, and court rulings affecting Indigenous reconciliation. Eby’s government had to make difficult choices.
- The NDP, traditionally pro-labour, found itself on the other side of the province’s longest public service strike.
- Environmental commitments clashed with economic realities, leading Eby to support natural gas projects.
- Advocating for the vulnerable has shifted from keeping them out of jail to providing involuntary care to get people off the streets.
Despite these shifts, Eby maintains that his core values remain intact. Party members agreed, giving him 82.3% support in a November leadership review vote.
From Activist to Premier
Eby’s early career as a lawyer in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside was simpler in focus. He advocated for specific communities, like tenants facing landlord abuse or people mistreated by police. Now, he represents millions across B.C. “My constituency is the entire province,” he says, noting the weight of responsibility that comes with broader governance.
Political science lecturer Stewart Prest points out that the NDP, like many left-leaning governments, often receives less credit for economic growth and more blame for downturns. Eby inherited a budget surplus in 2022, yet the province now faces a projected $11.2 billion deficit—a pressure cooker scenario for any leader.
Coping with the Pressure
Even a premier needs downtime. Eby credits yoga for stress relief and counts former MLA Joy MacPhail, now chair of BC Ferries, as a trusted advisor. “We don’t always agree, but her insight is invaluable,” he says. Yet, 2025 has delivered multiple crises, including scrutiny over the government’s Chinese ferry purchase—a controversy tied to MacPhail’s role.
External Forces Shape B.C.’s Path
The year began with U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media threats of a trade war against Canada. Those posts triggered a chain reaction, influencing Eby’s push for legislation to strengthen the B.C. economy while offsetting the deficit. Yet these decisions drew criticism from First Nations leaders, who argued that consultation was insufficient.
Court rulings further complicated matters: the Cowichan Tribes decision redefined land rights, and the B.C. Court of Appeals invalidated parts of the Mineral Tenure Act under DRIPA. Eby defended his position, emphasizing that government—not courts—must carefully implement these laws.
Balancing Economy, Environment, and Politics
Energy debates continue to test Eby’s leadership. Alberta’s push for a northern oil pipeline conflicts with First Nations’ environmental concerns, while navigating party tensions and public expectations. Political communications expert David Black notes that Eby must reclaim narrative control, potentially by advocating for solutions like routing the pipeline closer to Vancouver.
Eby recognizes the challenge: “Government isn’t about home runs. These are serious issues, and change takes time.”
Looking Ahead
As 2026 approaches, Eby faces a delicate balancing act: supporting economic growth, respecting Indigenous rights, maintaining party unity, and responding to public frustration. While the road ahead will be complex, the premier’s year of trials has also been a year of personal and political growth. For Eby, navigating these challenges is about learning, adapting, and leading with steady resolve—even when curveballs keep coming.
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