Premier David Eby has emerged as a prominent voice on national issues, particularly in pushing back against Alberta’s secessionist talk and warning against what he calls political “extortion.” He casts himself as a principled defender of Canadian unity and democratic norms. Yet this outward focus masks pressing economic problems closer to home: British Columbia’s fiscal health is deteriorating, raising questions about the credibility of his national messaging.
The province has faced multiple credit rating downgrades, signaling that financial markets are losing confidence in its fiscal management. These ratings are not politically motivated—they reflect independent assessments of persistent budget deficits, rising debt, and limited plans for long-term fiscal balance. The implications are stark: higher borrowing costs and diminished investor confidence at a time when economic stability is critical.
Despite these warning signs, Premier Eby has emphasized national debates over Alberta’s separatist rhetoric—an issue that is largely symbolic but politically visible. While speaking out on secession may bolster his national profile, it does little to address the economic pressures British Columbians experience: job insecurity, delayed investment, and rising living costs.
The province also lacks a pipeline of truly shovel-ready projects that could sustain employment during economic slowdowns. Although the government frequently announces accelerated initiatives, particularly in the resource sector, many projects are stalled by regulatory hurdles, financing uncertainty, or unresolved legal frameworks. Simply put, projects not yet under construction cannot create jobs, regardless of announcements.
This gap between rhetoric and execution carries real consequences. When governments promise growth without delivering, trust erodes, business decisions are delayed, and capital moves elsewhere. British Columbia cannot rely on press releases alone to sustain its economy.
A major source of investor uncertainty lies in property rights, particularly under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). While reconciliation is essential, the way DRIPA has been implemented has created ambiguity around land tenure, mineral claims, and development approvals. Recent court rulings have amplified these concerns, suggesting that long-established property and resource rights could be reshaped by evolving consultation obligations. Although the government maintains that property rights remain intact, investors increasingly behave as if they are uncertain. In economic terms, perception can matter as much as law.
Some critics argue that Premier Eby is advancing regulatory and legal changes while political opposition in the province remains fragmented, framing his moves in moral and national-unity language to reduce scrutiny. Alberta’s secessionist rhetoric conveniently positions him as a statesman, deflecting attention from domestic economic challenges.
The risk of this approach is strategic complacency. British Columbia cannot assume its economic appeal is permanent. Capital and skilled workers are mobile, and provinces compete on predictability, competence, and economic stability. When fiscal discipline falters, projects stall, and property rights appear negotiable, investment does not wait—it moves elsewhere.
National unity cannot be sustained through speeches alone; it requires strong provincial economies that provide opportunity and confidence. British Columbia must lead by example rather than relying on contrasts with Alberta’s fringe politics to mask its own economic struggles.
Premier Eby faces a clear choice: continue focusing outward and building a national profile, or turn inward to restore fiscal credibility, deliver real projects, and clarify property rights in a way that balances reconciliation with economic certainty.
British Columbians do not need grandstanding—they need tangible results. Until those results arrive, lectures on national unity risk ringing hollow.
