The province has put forward legislation to respond to further tariff threats and implementations in a timely manner.
This comes after Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma spoke to media today (Thursday), saying the Economic Stabilization Tariff Response Act would also help defend workers and businesses, and grow a self-reliant economy.
Eby explains how those responses would be more immediate.
“This is a significant piece of legislation in that it gives regulation making authority to government that does not require it to go through the Legislature immediately, and given the unique nature of these powers, it’s important that there are checks and balances in place.”
Sharma says government can not use authorities given by this bill to allow natural resource projects without permits or environmental assessments, and it can not use the authorities to side-step Indigenous consultation requirements.
“If there’s one thing that we’ve learned over the past few weeks, it’s that the current American administration is unpredictable.” says Sharma.
“We as a government need to be ready to respond, to protect British Columbians, our economy, the jobs that may be at stake, and alter our course quickly.”
Sharma adds that if the legislation is passed, it would only remain in place for two years, allowing them to carry out the work of longer term and permanent changes.
As well, the bill will allow cabinet to take action in different ways including:
- 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
- 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.
