Eby, Sharma to Address Controversial Tariff Powers Bill Amid Growing Backlash

As political pressure mounts over Bill 7 — the B.C. NDP's sweeping new tariff response legislation — Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma are expected to speak in Vancouver this morning to address growing concerns.

The legislation, officially titled the Economic Stabilization Tariff Response Act, was introduced March 13 as a tool for B.C. to respond quickly to U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war. It includes provisions to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and toll trucks driving through B.C. to Alaska.

But the most contentious part of the bill is a clause that would grant cabinet the power to make economic decisions without seeking approval from the legislature — a move critics say would effectively sideline democratic oversight.

“It is the move of an autocrat, not someone who claims to be a New Democrat,” said former premier Gordon Campbell, who led B.C. from 2001 to 2011.
“People didn’t elect a dictator. This is not how a democracy works.”

Campbell said it’s “completely false” to claim the legislature can’t act quickly in emergencies, and accused Eby of adopting the very tactics the bill is intended to push back against.

“We have to recognize that this is a very manipulative bill, suggesting it’s the only way we can act,” he said.
“It’s ironic — Eby says he’s standing up to Trump, but he’s taking a page out of his political playbook.”

Greens call for changes, business groups withdraw support

Today’s announcement comes after Sharma met this week with B.C. Green MLAs Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, who say they’re open to helping address the trade war but are alarmed by the “vague wording” and lack of clear limits in the legislation.

“It could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency,” Valeriote said in a statement.

Business leaders who initially supported the bill have also changed course.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the B.C. Chamber of Commerce now say they’re concerned the bill overreaches and could damage business confidence.

“While it’s clear Trump’s trade war has spurred an economic emergency, it is not clear to us that the sweeping powers are required or justified,” wrote the Board of Trade in a public letter.

B.C. Chamber of Commerce president Fiona Famulak went further, saying the bill could “create uncertainty for businesses and British Columbians” and “undermine B.C.’s ability to stabilize and grow the economy.”

She said the broad nature of the legislation could derail progress on dismantling interprovincial trade barriers — one of the original goals the bill claims to address.

Legislation to be debated March 31

The bill is expected to return for debate when the legislature resumes on March 31.

Eby and Sharma are expected to clarify this morning whether they’ll be making amendments to the bill to address the growing backlash — or proceed with the powers as written.

While the NDP maintains that quick action is necessary in the face of unpredictable U.S. tariffs, critics warn that speed should not come at the cost of democratic transparency.

“We understand the urgency,” Valeriote said, “but good governance means clear rules, checks and balances — not blank cheques.”