Victoria, B.C. – In response to escalating trade tensions with the United States, the B.C. government has introduced new legislation to strengthen its ability to respond swiftly to U.S. tariffs, protect local businesses, and foster a more self-reliant economy.
Premier David Eby took direct aim at former U.S. President Donald Trump, saying, “President Donald Trump doesn’t care about the devastating effect his chaotic actions are having on Canadian and American families alike. 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.”
The proposed Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act aims to provide the B.C. government with a set of emergency tools to counter the rapid and unpredictable nature of tariff threats. The legislation includes measures to expand interprovincial trade, reduce reliance on American vendors, and strengthen B.C.’s economic resilience.
If passed, the bill would allow the provincial cabinet to:
• Remove or amend barriers that impede interprovincial trade;
• Impose tolls and fees on non-Canadian commercial vehicles using provincial highways and public infrastructure;
• Direct public-sector organizations to exclude U.S. suppliers from procurement processes; and
• Temporarily cut regulatory red tape to enable quick responses to emerging economic threats.
Attorney General Niki Sharma emphasized the need for decisive action, stating, “People throughout our province and country are angry at this unprovoked, unjust attack from our closest international friend and ally. The Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act will help strengthen our local economy and our ties to other provinces and territories, uniting us under the Team Canada banner. We continue to hope for this rift with the U.S. to be healed, even as we use our full legal authority to protect the people and interests of British Columbia and Canada.”
The legislation comes amid heightened tensions between Canada and the United States, as Trump has floated aggressive policies that threaten Canadian industries, including tariffs on key exports. The B.C. government asserts that these measures will ensure the province is prepared to defend its economy and workers.