As backlash has grown over the controversial Economic Stabilization Tariff Response Act ‘Bill 7‘, Premier David Eby announced today (Friday) that he will be “pulling Part 4 of Bill 7.”
It would have given the Premier’s office authorization to issue, make changes, and create new laws and regulations under the umbrella of supporting British Columbia’s economy, without addressing the Legislative Assembly.
When announced on March 3rd, Bill 7 received critical responses from the opposition, as well as former Premiers.
The Premier said this decision was made after meeting with “key stakeholders”, Indigenous Leaders, and the province’s economic response committee.
“I didn’t get the balance right. In terms of the ability to move quickly and with necessary safeguards. So with that in mind, we will be pulling Part 4 of Bill 7, to ensure we get the balance right.” Eby said.
The Premier said the boards and committees understood the intent of the section would allow quick and immediate response to the executive order from President Donald Trump.
However, the board said they want to see an increase of ability and oversight safeguards within the legislative assembly processes. The Premier even saying the board and himself “felt that 24 months was too long and uncomfortable.”
“The goal here is to respond to the fact that I didn’t get the balance right on this one, but we do need this authority. I understand that these are really significant authorities and that in order for people to feel comfortable with governments having them, they need to know that there is a corresponding oversight and ability for them to provide that feedback at critical times.”
Earlier today, Eby was apart of a call involving all the Premiers, Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs, Don LeBlanc.
He says the call gave them an opportunity to “weigh in” on the steps needed to move forward on the U.S tariffs and retaliatory tariffs, as well as the wish for the Prime Minster to pursue other international partnerships.
“We’re all working together to respond together as much as possible,” Eby said. “I think we’ve been successful so far, but we’ve got to keep going because the President is clear that his intent is to destroy specific industries in our country, and he won’t be stopped until he is stopped.”
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