After U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff delay, the Province remains committed in preventing them.
Premier David Eby said he spoke to Indigenous leadership, agricultural task force, and the tariff and economic team, that regardless of uncertainty, they prepare to retaliate in the event of tariffs, strengthen the economy, and move projects ahead.
Eby spoke to reporters today (Wednesday) about the tariff threat.
“We need to be all hands on deck on this. We shouldn’t be divided at the provincial level, and at the federal level.”
“If there are things we can do to respond to the Americans, we should do it. If there are things we can do to strengthen our economy, and diversify our markets, we’re going to do it.”
Eby says there’s a federal meeting this week between Ministers responsible for internal trade in hopes to make significant movement on selling services and goods within the country, without difficulty.
He acknowledged the significant impacts tariffs would bring for provincial royalty revenues, tax revenues, demand for social services, as well as families facing higher food costs.
With the provincial budget fast approaching, Eby says there will be opportunities to revise down the road.
“The Finance Minister is doing her best to put a budget together in this environment, and if we have to, we’ll go back to the legislature to ensure programs are in place to respond, because this issue is evolving so quickly. It’s hard to predict exactly where it will go.”
The provincial budget will be released Tuesday, with the tariffs delayed to April 2nd.
Story by Zachary Barrowcliff, My PrinceGeorgeNowStaff
