BCBC Statement on Bills 14 & 15

The B.C. government has introduced Bills 14 and 15, aimed at addressing approval delays for capital projects. Our preliminary assessment suggests these bills mark a shift in B.C.’s permitting strategy—one that emphasizes streamlining through prioritization.

There are some promising elements, including faster approvals for low-risk permits and real-time project tracking, which align with recommendations we’ve made previously. However, these changes fall short of providing the long-term solutions needed to truly fix delays in B.C.’s permitting regime.

While both bills send a strong signal that the province wants to accelerate economically impactful projects, the real test will be whether the new processes can deliver faster, more predictable outcomes. This will hinge on how the province navigates Indigenous consultation obligations, regulatory clarity, and transparency in project selection, which are areas that remain unaddressed and could derail the promise of faster infrastructure delivery.

We are actively engaging with our members to gather feedback and will be sharing those insights with the government as part of this ongoing process.