B.C., Ottawa sign multi-billion-dollar deal tying infrastructure funding to workforce training

British Columbia employers facing skilled labour shortages in construction, energy and trades will benefit from a new multi-billion dollar agreement between the province and the federal government.

The federal government will contribute up to $3 billion toward the cost of the Fraser River Tunnel Project. Ottawa has also committed support to the Red Chris mine expansion and the North Coast Transmission Line, which the province says will produce a $3.9-billion net benefit to rate payers.

The province says the agreement supports its existing Look West jobs and economic growth plan, under which more than $88 billion in proposed major projects are expected to reach a final investment decision over the next three years, according to the B.C. government.

The agreement additionally advances shared commitments to workforce training and child care, which the government said are intended to help ensure B.C. has the skilled workers needed to build infrastructure and take advantage of new economic opportunities. The release does not include specific dollar figures, timelines or delivery mechanisms for these commitments.

The agreement

Premier David Eby announced that B.C. had secured the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement with Prime Minister Mark Carney, establishing what the province describes as a new long-term partnership between the federal and provincial governments.

The agreement is built around B.C.'s position as Canada's Pacific gateway and its strengths in clean energy, natural resources, critical minerals and trade infrastructure, the government said. It confirms the North Coast tanker ban will be fully maintained without modification and ensures B.C. would be compensated for environmental risk if the federal government imposes a pipeline on the province.

The deal does not require the Government of B.C. to support any pipeline proposal from Alberta, according to the release. Canada and B.C. will continue separate discussions on federal support for port infrastructure and additional assistance for the forest and steel sectors amid ongoing U.S. tariffs.

Government figures provided to CBC show B.C. hired 414 health‑care professionals from the U.S. since launching a recruitment campaign one year ago. Between March 2025 and January 2026, 89 doctors, 42 nurse practitioners, 260 nurses and 23 allied health workers accepted jobs across the province, according to B.C.’s Ministry of Health.

Government reaction

Premier Eby said the recent agreement would deliver long-term benefits for workers and public services. "This agreement is about building B.C.'s future – not just for this year, but for generations to come. It means more good jobs for workers and more opportunities to train for better pay, all while protecting the beautiful places that make our province so remarkable," Eby said.

Eby also credited the federal government for recognizing the province's role in national economic growth, stating the deal would deliver "faster commutes as we build critical infrastructure, less pollution as we power growth with clean electricity, and the kind of shared prosperity that funds strong public services".

Prime Minister Carney characterized the agreement as an extension of B.C.'s existing capacity to deliver major projects. "British Columbians have always known how to build big and how to build well," Carney said, adding that the two governments were "building British Columbia strong to build Canada strong for all".

B.C. will need more than 1 million job openings between 2025 and 2035, according to data from the provincial government.