B.C.’s premier got a firsthand look Tuesday at Teck’s Trail operation, where the production of germanium is poised to be a potential bargaining chip in Canada’s trade war with the United States.
But neither David Eby nor the company provided much comment on what he saw.
Media weren’t invited on the tour and Eby wasn’t made available afterward.
Nor was any statement issued on his behalf.
The premier’s office said Eby and economic development minister Diana Gibson met workers, company representatives, and union members during a tour that focused on Teck’s critical mineral production.
The company said the visit gave provincial leaders a chance to learn more about Teck’s capabilities and importance in the North American supply chain.
Teck produces seven of 31 minerals that Canada considers critical.
In a January interview with BNN Bloomberg, federal natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson cited Teck’s germanium product as an example of something the United States needs, despite President Donald Trump’s claim to the contrary.
“The U.S. derives enormous economic value from Canada,” Wilkinson subsequently told Postmedia in a prepared statement. “On critical minerals alone, we provide significant amounts and have the opportunity to provide much more.”
According to Postmedia, in 2022, the U.S. imported half of its germanium from China, but since last December, China has banned American exports of the mineral.
The rest of the U.S. supply comes from Teck, whose germanium originates in zinc ore concentrate at its Red Dog mine in Alaska.
Germanium is used as a semiconductor in electronics including solar cells, LEDs, and fibre-optics.
In addition to their smelter tour, Eby and Gibson visited the Waneta Dam with local MLAs Steve Morissette and Brittny Anderson.
Eby also met with Trail mayor Colleen Jones.
“We talked about the urgent need for more housing in our community, especially supportive housing for people who need extra help,” Jones said in an email.
“I also brought up the lack of mental health and addiction services — which is a big concern, especially for our unhoused population.”
Jones said Eby committed to raising those issues with BC Housing.
She added that they discussed the stalled Unicorn Childcare Centre project, which was announced in 2021.
The city was to receive over $2.5 million in provincial funding to provide 65 new licensed childcare spaces in a new building in Tadanac.
However, the project never got off the ground.
Jones is trying to set up a meeting with government staff to continue the conversation.
Jones said she further told Eby about the “exciting potential” of redeveloping the old Eaton’s building site with new housing and storefronts to bring new economic activity to downtown.
She also raised the issue of community safety.
“I’ll continue to advocate for more police resources every chance I get,” she said.
