Eby assembles new tariff cabinet committee to ‘protect B.C.’ economy
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Posted January 29, 2025 12:37 pm.
Last Updated January 29, 2025 2:08 pm.
As the country inches closer to the reality of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods entering the United States, B.C. Premier David Eby is pulling together a new cabinet committee.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Office of the Premier shared that the new committee will be tasked with co-ordinating the “whole-of-government” approach to protect the province’s workers, businesses, and economy.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!The premier’s office explained that Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Ravi Kahlon will chair the committee that will “act as a day-to-day war room, co-ordinating actions across government to fight back on behalf of British Columbians and grow the province’s economy.”
“The proposed U.S. tariffs are a direct attack on B.C.’s families,” Eby said. “This threat isn’t going away anytime soon – not while this president is in power. Every minister has an important role to play in fighting back. Minister Kahlon brings deep experience in government to the table and is uniquely positioned to co-ordinate this work across government ministries.”
The new committee comes after the premier announced a three-point strategy last week to respond to the proposed tariffs. That includes the province responding to U.S. tariffs with “tough counter-actions and outreach to American decision-makers”; strengthening B.C.’s economy by expediting projects and supporting industry and workers; and diversifying trade markets for products so British Columbia is less reliant on U.S. markets and customers.
“For our province, the tariffs mean potentially the loss of tens of billions of dollars; more than 100,000 jobs. It is a big deal for British Columbia,” Eby said on Jan. 21.
Kahlon shared on Wednesday that the province didn’t ask for “this fight, but B.C. will not be bullied.”
“My colleagues and I will work shoulder to shoulder with workers, business, and community leaders to meet this moment,” he stated.
The other cabinet ministers involved in the committee are:
- Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
- Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance
- Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions
- Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food
- Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
- Rick Glumac, Minister of State for Trade
- Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests
- Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals
- Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks
B.C.’s relationship to U.S. already ‘fundamentally changed’: Kahlon
Speaking in Vancouver Wednesday afternoon, Kahlon says he’s up to the task of leading the committee but still hopes he won’t have to.
“I’m certainly hoping that we don’t see tariffs on Saturday. This is not something that anybody in British Columbia or in Canada wants,” said Kahlon.
He says, regardless, B.C.’s relationship with the U.S. has “fundamentally changed.”
“We cannot live four years with threats constantly coming from a Trump administration. That’s why the premier has struck this committee. He’s given us direction to look to strengthen our local economies; Identify ways for us to be able to produce our food locally; Find ways to make sure we can keep lights on; Diversify our products. We have to walk away from this, making our economy stronger and less reliant on the U.S. That’s the work we’ll be doing.
With the U.S. as B.C.’s current closest and most substantial trading partner, Kahlon says the province will be looking to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and South American countries to strengthen relationships.
“It also will mean we’re going to have to produce more food. It’s going to mean we have to produce more products; only that’s going to help our local economies.”
When asked about Trump’s much-repeated idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, Kahlon showed only mild reserve.
“Quite frankly — excuse my language — but ‘F’ that idea.”
Kahlon says the provincial government will “certainly” support people and businesses affected by the tariffs but says it’s too soon to tell what measures will need to be taken.
When asked what his message is to concerned British Columbians and business owners, he doubled down on Eby’s war room sentiment.
“So the message to people is we’re ready. We’re going to respond as a country. We’re united. We’re not fighting amongst each other. There’s something about a crisis like this that brings people together. Yes, we squabble over issues. Yes, we debate issues, and sometimes we don’t agree. But when it comes to Canada and our love for this country, that’s enough to unite everyone to make sure that we’re responding in a strong way.”
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