Other jurisdictions, including the U.S., jumped ahead of B.C. and then major energy companies dialed back spending when oil prices plummeted.

 

However, there are other LNG projects that continue to say they remain interested in B.C.

 

Among them are LNG Canada, Kitimat LNG and Woodfibre LNG.

 

The B.C. LNG Alliance, made up of companies with proposed projects in the province, issued a statement Tuesday noting that projects must be globally cost-competitive to move forward.

 

In the statement, Gillian Robinson, a spokeswoman for the advocacy group, said the alliance’s focus in the coming months is to work with the new B.C. government and federal government to ensure B.C. sees the benefits of an LNG export sector.

 

“We have a window of opportunity to develop B.C.’s LNG industry, but the next several years will be critical. We risk losing thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in benefits if B.C. does not have diversified access to markets,” said Robinson.

 

The president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association called Petronas’ decision “a tough blow” for B.C.’s construction industry.

 

“We are deeply disappointed that PNW will not go forward, as it means thousands of construction jobs will not materialize,” Chris Gardner said in a statement.

 

Gardner said the project would have created 4,500 construction jobs, 330 long-term operations positions and up to $1.3 billion annually in government revenue.

 

The B.C. Liberals said in a statement that Petronas’ decision was a result of the NDP’s “Closed for business agenda.”

 

The Liberals said that while Petronas said it had made the decision based on market conditions, John Horgan campaigned vigorously against the project.

 

“This attitude, as well as additional costs the NDP plan to impose on job creators with measures such as a higher, non-revenue neutral carbon tax, send a clear signal that under the NDP, British Columbia is not a friendly market to invest in,” the Liberals said.

 

Horgan has long expressed support for LNG development but has said he opposed Pacific NorthWest LNG because of the terminal’s proposed location on Lelu Island, which posed a threat to salmon populations.

 

Lake Babine Nation chief Wilf Adam said the LNG project’s cancellation leaves a bitter taste.

 

He said if the project had been planned for somewhere other than Lelu Island, there would have been more support and it may have proceeded successfully.

 

Lake Babine Nation, like other First Nations, was concerned about the effect the project would have on juvenile salmon habitat in the Skeena estuary, but would have benefited to the tune of $100 million over 25 years under signed government and company agreements.

 

Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green party — which struck a deal with the B.C. NDP to form a minority government — slammed the Liberals for their failure to deliver on LNG, which was a focus of the party’s 2013 election campaign.

 

“Rather than doing the hard work​ required to strengthen and secure the economic opportunities already available in other sectors, the B.C. Liberals recklessly went all in on a single industry,” he said. “They let opportunities for innovation and economic development in clean technology, the resource sector, and other major B.C. industries fall by the wayside.”

 

The environmental group Wilderness Committee called the cancellation of the project a “massive win” for communities on the Skeena River and the global climate.

 

“We’re absolutely thrilled that the Malaysian backers of this liquefied natural gas terminal have backed down from their reckless plan to jeopardize B.C.’s second largest salmon run and blow our provincial climate targets,” said Peter McCartney, climate campaigner for the Wilderness Committee.