With the ongoing tariff threats, BC is at its most consequential time since World War Two.
That warning is from yesterday’s speech from the throne, which outlined the provincial government’s plan to defend residents from the impacts of US tariffs.
It was delivered by BC’s new Lieutenant Governor, Wendy Cocchia, who says in its first four weeks the Trump administration has taken Canada on a rollercoaster ride.
“We must be prepared for this to continue for the next four years,” said Cocchia.
“In the face of an unprecedented and unjustified threat to our economy, British Columbians are joining with all Canadians to fight back. We’ve come together to support each other and stand up for our country, we are saying with one united voice, we will never be the 51st state, not now, not ever.”
“The historic bond between Canada and the United States has been strained in profound ways. Trust has been broken and will not easily be repaired. One thing has been made clear, we will not leave our future success to the whims of unpredictable forces from beyond our borders or leave people here to fend for themselves.”
Cocchia says a tariff war would be devastating to families on both sides of the border.
“Tariffs on top of softwood lumber duties would increase the price of homes for Americans,” said Cocchia.
“Attacks on our food exports would mean expensive groceries at the check-out for working US families.”
To make the economy more agile and durable, the province will start by executing a Made in BC plan today.
The plan would include speeding up permitting and regulatory approvals, training new tradespeople, and expanding electricity production.
Other initiatives include new trade missions to diversify where BC sells its products, introducing new laws to get energy and critical infrastructure built faster, focus on economic security through a new budget, and to be ready to fight back if necessary to prevent a trade war.
US Tariffs will be “issue of the session”: Eby
BC Premier David Eby says the ongoing threats of Tariffs from the United States will be “the issue of the session.”
“It’s essential for us to reorient government to that threat,” Eby told reporters following the Throne Speech.
“We were and have been preparing for lower interest rates, easing pressure on British Columbians, assisting businesses and reinvesting, expansion of our economy, continuing that work. Clearly, this is a different environment, we’re now facing a scenario where there are tariffs threatened that will put Canada’s and British Columbia’s economy on the back foot, and we need to make sure that we’re meeting the moment.”
Eby says these tariff threats are the primary concern for many British Columbian and Canadian families, a concern his government shares.
“The reason though, why we need to have that strong economy, the reason we need to respond is to ensure that we have the resources to deliver the services that British Columbians are looking for,” he said.
“Whether it’s health care, education, new schools, but in order to do that work, we need to have that strong economy, and there is a major, major threat on our horizon that is already manifesting, just through the uncertainty the President has created here. That’s our focus, that’s where we’ll stay focused and we’re going to deliver for British Columbians on that.”
He added the response to the tariff threats is an evolving response, and one that will likely have to shift again.
“It’s reasonable to expect it might shift again, this is a rapidly moving file, we don’t know all of the plans of the President or what he’s planning to announce next. We’re moving as quickly as the speed of government allows to respond to that,” he said.
Eby added the Throne Speech included announcements for legislation to speed up major public and private projects, as well as a commitment to join with other provinces to remove trade barriers preventing them from trading with each other.
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