Ep. 582: Building for Growth
Guest: Susannah Pierce (past CEO of Shell Canada)
In early 2025, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade held a conference titled, “Building for Growth: Driving Investment in BC’s Future,” which had a stated goal of “promoting and championing private sector capital investment in our major projects across [British Columbia]’s economy” – projects that the Board of Trade states “account for over $230 billion in direct investment.”
The day-long event focused on three essential steps needed to send a signal to the world that BC is open for business and welcomes investment. The report generated from the findings of the event did send a message to both the provincial and federal governments: “ 1. Create a Fast and Competitive Permitting Process; 2. Accelerate Indigenous Participation in Collaboration with Business Community; 3. Develop Robust Industrial Policy that Attracts Investment These projects.”
With the introduction of Bill C-5 federally and Bills 14 and 15 provincially, both levels of government have taken steps to speed up the permitting process. Interestingly, the passage of those bills was done without consultation from First Nations – a move that was quickly downplayed as both levels of government reached out to First Nations leaders to work together.
The question remains: will new policies that attract investment be introduced and will those measures repair BC and Canada’s reputation as being an anti-resource development environment?
We invited Susannah Pierce, the past CEO of Shell Canada, who led the LNG Canada Phase I project from concept to implementation, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about BC’s ability to once again attract foreign direct investment to the province.
Want to learn more about our guest?
Check out their epsiodes on our partnered programs!
