PG Conference and Civic Centre

By Cheryl Jahn

Natural Resources Forum

23rd annual Natural Resources Forum launches

Jan 19, 2026 | 3:45 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — It will be the largest Natural Resources Forum in its 23 years.

“So this year’s theme is ‘Building Momentum and Advancing BC’s Resource Future.’ We have an advisory committee lead by industry that really defines that theme,” explains President & CEO of C3 Alliance, Sarah Weber. “What is that real opportunity for BC and Western Canada in the next three to five years? And we’ve got some incredible leaders coming this week to talk about it.”

Premier David Eby will be the keynote speaker tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, and there will be sessions throughout the course of the week. And given the political landscape provincially, federally and internationally will make for some interesting discussions during this year’s event.

“There are going to be a number of topics that are going to be front and centre,” speculates the MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie Kiel Giddens, who feels the questions around reconciliation will be a hot button issue. “Companies are doing the right thing, trying to work with First Nations. But government has created a lot of uncertainty in the process.”

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But these are interesting times on the geopolitical stage, with Prime Minister Mark Carney recently returning from China, having inked a trade deal coupled with the events developing over U.S. intentions with respect to Greenland.

“Where are B.C. and Canada actually going?” questions Giddens. “And where do natural resources actually fit? This is a time we need to be developing our natural resources. And that is going to be a major discussion.”

And with the trade booths going into place and the break out rooms ready to go, the 23rd annual Natural Resources Forum is set to take the city and region by storm.