Legislation has been introduced to strengthen B.C.’s ability to respond quickly to threats of tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States, to grow a more self-reliant economy, and to defend workers and businesses.
“President Donald Trump doesn’t care about the devastating effect his chaotic actions are having on Canadian and American families alike,” said Premier David Eby. “In the face of escalating attacks on our sovereignty that have included threatening to erase the Canada-U.S. border and taking our water, we are not backing down. We are arming ourselves with the tools we need to respond swiftly, break down trade barriers within Canada and strengthen our economy.”
If passed, the economic stabilization (tariff response) act will enable the B.C. government to be nimble in its response, giving government time to develop more long-term responses, as the threat of tariffs evolves rapidly and unpredictably. A focus on expanding interprovincial trade and moving procurement away from American vendors will help encourage greater reliance on goods and services made in Canada and increase opportunities for people and businesses in B.C.
The act would give cabinet a strong set of targeted tools to fight back against Trump’s tariffs and counter the negative impact of tariffs on British Columbians and Canadians. If passed, the bill will allow cabinet to take action in the following ways:
- remove or amend barriers that impede interprovincial trade;
- impose tolls/fees on non-Canadian commercial vehicles using provincial public infrastructure such as highways;
- direct public-sector bodies to exclude U.S. suppliers when procuring goods and services; and
- temporarily make changes to cut red tape and regulations to take fast action to defend the B.C. economy from challenges brought on by continued threats.
The act provides temporary authority to cabinet and will automatically be repealed by 2027 at the latest. The legislation also includes guardrails. For example, it does not allow government to override permitting processes or First Nations consultation. If passed, most of the legislation would take effect upon royal assent.
