March 28th – Market Update – Times Colonist

Thank you to the Victoria newspaper (Times Colonist) for continuing to express various submissions of complaint about Bill 7. Important to be informed.

“Wrong direction’: B.C. Chamber of Commerce latest group to decry tariff bill” Opinion: Times Colonist March 28, 2025


Times Colonist

Bill 7 would give the cabinet powers to react to challenges from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction, or for a purpose “supporting the economy of British Columbia and Canada” without requiring debate in the legislature.

Rational oversight needed for Eby

Proposed legislation in British Columbia to give the cabinet sweeping powers to respond to threats from foreign governments amid Canada’s tariff fight is “a step in the wrong direction for democratic institutions,” the president of the provincial chamber of commerce says.

Fiona Famulak becomes the latest to voice concerns over legislation tabled this month that the provincial government says it needs to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump.

In a letter to Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma released Wednesday, Famulak said the legislation known as Bill 7 lacks “guardrails” and allows the government to make nearly any change it wants to provincial laws “with the stroke of a pen.”

“As a nation, we universally decry the progression towards authoritarian rule through decree by the executive branch of the United States. There is no justification for taking similar steps here in British Columbia or Canada,” Famulak said.

“By not being accountable to the legislature, government is requiring that we move forward on faith and trust alone. This is neither sufficient nor acceptable.”

Famulak said the organization, which represents 36,000 businesses in the province, is concerned the legislation would allow government to remove or impose new conditions on existing licences or permits if it believes the action would support the economy, throwing business operations into flux.

The bill also includes sections that would give cabinet the power to implement charges on vehicles using B.C. infrastructure, allow the politicians to make directives about public-sector procurement, and eliminate provincial trade barriers by allowing goods produced, manufactured or grown elsewhere in Canada to be sold or used in B.C.

Ravi Kahlon, chair of B.C.’s cabinet committee on tariff response, said in a statement Thursday that they are hearing some concerns and questions about specific details of the bill and are talking to government partners now.

“We want to address any concerns and ensure B.C. is prepared to act with urgency to respond directly to Trump’s actions and protect B.C. businesses and jobs — as people expect us to do. This may mean additional guardrails,” his statement said.

Famulak said the chamber “wholeheartedly” endorses the removal of interprovincial trade barriers as part of the government’s response to the “unjustified and counterproductive tariffs.”

After praising the legislation’s focus on internal trade when it was released, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade issued a letter the next day calling for the separation of the internal trade section from the rest of the bill.

“The other parts of Bill 7 are truly unprecedented in scope, including the sweeping powers that would be conferred to the cabinet,” president Bridgitte Anderson said in her letter.

“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.”

When the bill was tabled, Eby said Trump is “unpredictable” and “erratic” and the province needs to be able to move quickly to minimize damage from his actions.

“When there’s an emergency, like a natural disaster, we have these authorities. This is a human-caused disaster,” he said.

The legislation comes with a 2027 sunset clause and requires that the government report on its actions.

Trump has placed and then paused 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods since he became president, and on Wednesday signed an order that would put a 25 per cent tariff on automobile imports to the United States starting next week.

On April 2 he is set to implement what he calls “reciprocal” tariffs by raising U.S. duties to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports.

B.C.’s government has said a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods and a similar response from Canada would cumulatively cost the province $69 billion in lost GDP if the trade war lasts the entire four years of the Trump presidency.

Concerns about the provincial legislation have also been raised by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, which called the bill an unprecedented attempt to concentrate power in the hands of the premier that must be stopped.

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said the bill “erodes the distinction between the legislative and executive branches of government in British Columbia, thereby putting pressure on the constitutional principle of the separation of powers.”

Politicians return to Victoria next week and the bill is expected to be a major test for Eby’s government, which holds a majority of only one seat.

The BC Green Party, which signed a confidence agreement with Eby’s New Democrats, said its representatives continue to meet with the government this week over Bill 7.

Interim Green Leader Jeremy Valeriote said in a statement last week that Bill 7 in its current form has “vague wording” and “could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2025.

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press

March 28th, 2025 – Market Update

Thank you to the Victoria newspaper (Times Colonist) for continuing to express various submissions regarding Bill 7. Important to be informed.

Premier David Eby walks back tariff bill after ‘anxiety’ from stakeholders – Eby says the legislation known as Bill 7 needs appropriate “safeguards” after a wave of criticism about potential overreach

Times Colonist – March 28, 2025

British Columbia Premier David Eby says his government is walking back a key portion of its controversial tariff response law, admitting the proposed legislation “didn’t get the balance right.”

He says the legislation known as Bill 7 needs appropriate “safeguards” after a wave of criticism about potential overreach.

Government to pull controversial provisions

Eby says the government has emergency powers for natural disasters, and this bill was designed to give the government emergency powers to respond to disasters “created” by U.S. President Donald Trump.

But he says a key portion of the law is being “pulled,” which would originally have given the cabinet sweeping powers to make regulations to addressed challenges “arising from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction.”

The premier says stakeholders expressed a higher level of “anxiety” than he and Attorney General Niki Sharma anticipated.

The reversal comes on the same day Prime Minster Mark Carney briefed premiers on his conversation with U.S. President Trump, and Eby expressed his skepticism about Trump’s intentions, saying he varies from being insulting to complementary to Canada, depending on the day.

“And I think that what we’re going to see over the next four years, and this isn’t a great insight, this is common sense to British Columbians and Canadians, is any number of versions of the president,” he says.

The premier says his government will also reconsider the section of Bill 7 that set a two-year expiry clause.

“I understand the objection that the 24-month horizon was too long for people. It’s a legitimate concern that’s been raised, and it’s one that we’re looking at addressing in terms of other safeguards we can put in place,” Eby told a news conference.

However, Eby says he still believes the government needs to be able to respond swiftly to further “economic attacks” from the United States.

The bill came under fire from legal circles, the Opposition B.C. Conservatives, the BC Green Party and the BC Chamber of Commerce, which wrote to Eby and Sharma earlier this week calling Bill 7 a “step in the wrong direction for democratic institutions.”

Interim BC Green Leader Jeremy Valeriote criticized the bill for its “vague wording,” warning it “could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency,” while the B.C. Conservatives called Bill 7 “the most undemocratic, power-grabbing legislation in history.”

“This bill would grant David Eby unprecedented powers to override provincial laws, regulations, and even personal privacy rights,” the B.C. Conservatives posted on X on March 20.

Party Leader John Rustad said the bill would give the “NDP government sweeping, almost unlimited powers with zero oversight.”

Sharma had previously defended the purpose of the legislation, saying it would allow the province to “move nimbly” in the face of Trump’s “random, erratic threats.”

“We need to make sure that we have ability to respond rapidly in a temporary way to protect our economy,” she said last week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2025.

Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press

March 25th – Market Update – Times Colonist

Below, are some letters to the editor responses to the recent Times Colonist newspaper editorial, warning of the serious impact of Bill 7. The Victoria newspaper is available throughout Vancouver Island, and is to be commended for bringing Bill 7 to our attention. See below:

“Opinion: Times Colonist March 25, 2025”


Times Colonist


With his financial record, don’t give more power

The recent letters and the editorial criticizing Premier David Eby’s attempt to grant himself dictatorial powers through Bill 7 are well justified.

Justin Trudeau tried the same thing early in the pandemic, but was forced to retreat by public outrage and solidarity of the opposition parties.

B.C. citizens need to apply similar pressure with their local MLAs.

The type of judgement that has seriously weakened B.C. by turning a $5-billion surplus into an $11-billion deficit in the past two years is not the kind of judgment that should ever be given unfettered power.

Dan Graham – North Cowichan

Rational oversight needed for Eby

With respect to the NDP government’s proposed Bill 7, it seems Premier David Eby is taking a leaf out of Donald Trump’s playbook by trying to use a declaration of emergency to give him and his cabinet dictatorial powers to bypass the legislature and enact any kind of policies and actions be they related to tariffs or other matters.

This is both unnecessary and undemocratic and is typical of the high-handed governing style of this government.

Further, on counter-tariff issues, I think it is dangerous to the country’s overall interest if provincial premiers start taking individual actions outside of a co-ordinated strategy led by the federal government.

This is why some kind of rational oversight is required.

Graham Williams – North Saanich

Alice in Wonderland has lessons for Eby

Re: “Provincial government’s Bill 7 is a disgraceful overreach,” editorial, March 21.

Premier David Eby has run amok with Bill 7.

As the Queen of Hearts was wont to say in Alice in Wonderland, “off with his (legislative) head.”

Sayonara, Mr. Eby.

Rick Lee – Victoria

Pass this legislation at your peril

Re: “Provincial government’s Bill 7 is a disgraceful overreach,” editorial, March 21.

I couldn’t agree more with the editorial. I have been an NDP voter but if this bill passes, not anymore.

I am tired of a political class that believes they know best and the citizens should just thank them for their superior brain power.

The opposition parties that garnered one less seat than the NDP will not be permitted to debate anything, but the government will consult with Indigenous peoples who represent about 5% of the population. This is not democracy, it is a power grab similar to the “executive authority” used by Donald Trump.

Wayne Cox – Saanichton

Stand up to our leaders, make them work for us

Re: “Provincial government’s Bill 7 is a disgraceful overreach,” editorial, March 21.

There is old adage that hard cases make for bad laws. The threat to Canada makes for a hard case but Bill 7, the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, is the epitome of a bad law. Not only is it unnecessary, its very existence does more harm than good.

Canadians have come together in unprecedented fashion to stand up to American threats and President Donald Trump’s insulting attacks. Canadian premiers have been tripping over themselves to get in front of the crowd.

Ontario’s Doug Ford bills himself as Captain Canada, threatening drastic retaliatory acts, then withdrawing them for lack of practicality, then threatening them again.

Alberta’s Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe are effectively threatening to sell out Canada by seceding from the federation if we don’t surrender our energy, potash and agriculture. And B.C.’s David Eby wants to go all Viktor Orbán and pull an end run around our democratic institutions.

Meanwhile, our newly minted prime minister is struggling to show the world a coordinated approach, bolstering the military, affirming alterative foreign alliances, and promoting trans-Canada trade but it’s a tough gig without a mandate and herding a room full of cats.

It’s time the 90 per cent of Canadians who want to save this country stand up to their leaders.

Force Eby to re-holster his Bill 7, Smith and Moe to start pulling in the right direction, and engage in a federal election to choose a national leader with the experience, skill and mandate to realign Canada’s economic, social, and international infrastructure so we can survive this bad case, united and strong.

Gerry Klein – Maple Bay

This bill would destroy our democratic system

Re: “Provincial government’s Bill 7 is a disgraceful overreach,” editorial, March 21.

Section 19 of Bill 7, the “Economic ­Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act” allows cabinet (read Premier David Eby, who has total control of cabinet) to “make a regulation under this Part for one or more of the following purposes: (c) supporting the economy of British Columbia and Canada.”

Of course, almost any regulation could be justified under such an undefined non-specific broad purpose. This government recently determined that it was “good for the economy” to take away vested land-use rights from people operating perfectly legal short-term rental businesses.

What might be next under this new law? Eliminating other established and lawful activities to react to U.S. demands, or appease the American president would be possible under Section 19.

We shake our heads in disbelief at how executive orders can be made in Washington with no input or involvement of their elected congress and senate.

How are Section 19 regulations any different? This ability to “un-make laws” previously duly enacted by our elected representatives in the legislature is nothing short of the destruction of our democratic system.

We do not react to a loss of control south of the border by allowing ourselves to lose control.

Bill 7 must be stopped.

Elgin Bulova – Victoria

March 24th – Market Update – Times Colonist

(Here is another opinion on Bill 7…this one from a former premier of B.C. Printed in today’s Times Colonist newspaper (Victoria’s paper, and available throughout B.C. There is also an online version).

March 24, 2025

 

“Opinion: B.C.’s Bill 7 an ‘unnecessary power grab,’ says former premier”

“To stand up to the U.S., we must first stand up for democracy and against autocracy at home,” writes former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell.”

We live in troubling times. People are frightened and feel vulnerable. Taking advantage of that David Eby’s Bill 7 tries to establish autocratic rule for the next two years in B.C. It’s the move of an aspiring autocrat. Now is the time for measured, thoughtful action. Taking away democratic rights weakens us and destabilizes our future.

Eby decries President Donald Trump’s actions while copying him. He wants to rule, not to serve, the people of B.C. He is trying to set aside democracy for more than half his term. His claim that this is necessary to address issues that may arise due to Trump’s tariffs is, put bluntly, nonsense.

This is the same premier who reneged on his commitment to call the legislature back right after the election. The election was Oct. 19, 2024. He did not call the legislature back until Feb. 17, 2025, well after President Trump declared his intentions regarding Canada. Eby delayed when it fit his political needs. Now, he introduces Bill 7 not to meet the province’s or Canada’s needs, but to serve his political wishes.

Mr. Eby says he wants to remove all trade barriers between provinces. Fine. Lead the way. Table legislation that removes all barriers B.C. imposes on other provinces. Get on with it. He does not need to usurp the democratic authority of the legislature to get that done immediately. Mr. Eby, take down those walls!

All people of B.C. deserve to be represented in these times. Any action should take place only with proper public scrutiny.

Democracy is messy. It can be frustrating, but it is a necessary check on autocratic power.

The best, and constitutionally correct, way to fight Trump’s action is not by suspending our democratic institutions, but rather by fully and carefully considering our response to U.S. actions in our constitutionally enshrined parliamentary system. There is no need or reason to give Eby the dictatorial power he seeks. We should exemplify how a properly functioning democracy makes policy decisions through its legislative assembly in accordance with the rule of law. Eby engages the legislature despite his proclivities to do the opposite.

Every MLA, from every party, has an obligation to uphold our democratic institutions. The legislature can and will act quickly when needed. With Bill 7, Mr. Eby takes away our rights and our elected representative’s responsibilities. We must hope that some New Democrats in his caucus remember they were elected as New Democrats, not New Autocrats. They should not acquiesce to the most autocratic bill ever tabled in B.C.’s legislature.

The legislature can be called back within 24 hours any time to properly debate, scrutinize and decide on any actions Mr. Eby dares propose. These are not, and should not be, personal decisions. Important decisions of this magnitude should be decisions where MLAs from every part of the province, from all parties, are included and held accountable.

All members of B.C.’s legislature are obligated to stand for Canadian democracy and due process, not to bow to autocracy.

We are Canadian. Our parliamentary principles and practises define our public institutions regardless of party. Canadian responsible government requires that the premier and his cabinet account to the legislature. That’s the critical democratic link between a premier and cabinet and the people of the province.

Mr. Eby’s Bill 7 is a power grab, pure and simple. It gives Eby the sole power to amend any law, change any regulation, change any tax, use your personal information and ignore the legislature for more than two years. No checks. No guardrails. No recourse. That is simply wrong for all of us regardless of political affiliation or what is decided in the U.S.

Mr. Eby’s Bill 7 undermines your rights and the governing principles of Canada.

We are smart enough, strong enough and creative enough to withstand powerful changes. But we will fail, if we follow Eby’s desire to undermine the democratic foundation upon which we stand.

MLAs should be against this unnecessary power grab. Even if the NDP MLAs cannot find a democratic conscience, then all opposition MLAs must.

To stand up to the U.S., we must first stand up for democracy and against autocracy at home.

Write, call, email or text your MLA. Tell them to stand for Canada and for our democratic values; tell them not to support this unconscionable power grab of the New Autocrats in Victoria.

As always, Stay tuned!!!

Market Update – Election Day to be April 28th

 

Vote – Election Day to be April 28th

Federal Uncertainty is Over… for now…

Salt Spring Island

So, finally, the federal uncertainty is over…Trudeau stepped down in January and prorogued parliament. This left a void at the federal level, at the very time the U.S. tariffs were initially being considered.

A new Liberal party leader (Mark Carney) was chosen on March 9th, and then he assumed the role of Prime Minister. Today, he has advised the Governor General that he is calling a federal election…Election Day to be April 28th.

The Conservatives, the NDP, the Bloc, and the Green Party will be fielding candidates and running in opposition to Liberal Party candidates.

Mark Carney had advised Justin Trudeau since 2020, and this bid to remain in power is being described by opposition parties as a fourth term for Liberal policies.

It’s important to vote on April 28th…everyone’s voice counts. Be involved, check out the candidates in your riding. It is not a time for apathy.

The real estate markets across Canada have been in “pause mode” in the past two months…markets do not like uncertainty. With a decision as to who will be in charge, at the federal level, and whether in a minority or majority position, is essential to unfolding developments for our more local real estate markets.

At this time, inventory here remains low, and prices remain relatively stable. A desire for rural lifestyles and a sense that a real estate purchase in unique areas is a preservation of capital decision (which is about our bottoming dollar value) also continue to drive activity in secondary home areas.

It will perhaps take until mid-May to see a specific market direction locally for 2025.

As always, Stay tuned!!!

March 23, 2025 – Times Colonist

The concern about Bill 7 has had a North Vancouver writer (Caroline Elliott) observe the following, in Victoria’s Times Colonist newspaper. The Times Colonist is available throughout Vancouver Island and has an online version, too. See her commentary below:

Bill 7 enables Eby’s cabinet to do whatever it deems necessary to “support the economy of B.C. and Canada,” which is so broad it could include anything at all. – Caroline Elliott

Premier David Eby’s proposed Bill 7 would effectively suspend the democratic process in British Columbia for the next two and a half years.

Ostensibly intended to address the impact of tariffs, this autocratic bill — the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act — is not only unnecessary, but represents just the latest in a troubling pattern of disregard for democratic process by this premier.

This time, however, he can be stopped.

Eby, who formed government with the slimmest of majorities, is no doubt motivated by the prospect of avoiding uncomfortably close votes in the legislature as he pursues his own agenda.

As veteran columnist Vaughn Palmer puts it, this far-reaching legislation “would allow the cabinet to override provincial laws, regulations, authorities and even the legislature itself.”

Its extraordinary reach led Palmer to observe that, “in 41 years of covering B.C. governments, I’ve not seen a legislation as arbitrary and far-reaching this side of the federal War Measures Act.”

Conveniently announced immediately before the house recessed for a two-week spring break, Bill 7 enables Eby’s cabinet to do whatever it deems necessary to “support the economy of B.C. and Canada,” which is so broad it could include anything at all.

As columnist Rob Shaw explains, Bill 7 empowers cabinet to “amend any law, overwrite any policy, change any regulation, levy any fee, or gather anyone’s personal data with simply the stroke of a pen.”

Eby’s argument that Bill 7 is required to address tariffs is misleading. There’s nothing stopping him from convening the legislature at any time to pass any initiatives required to address the impact of tariffs.

Indeed, such extraordinary measures have not been implemented in any other province, or at the national level, despite the fact that these jurisdictions face the same tariffs.

But Eby’s disregard for democratic principles is not new.

Last November, he was denounced for reversing his commitment to hold a fall sitting of the legislature after October’s election. By not calling the house back as soon as possible, Eby avoided testing the confidence of the legislature, a crucial step in demonstrating the democratic authority of his government.

This act, rightly deemed by experts to be “an erosion of democratic norms,” meant the NDP had about four months, until February, to rule essentially unopposed.

Eby was also criticized for introducing the 2023 budget more than three weeks later than normal, delaying important matters of debate in a session he had already shortened by several weeks. This followed the cancellation of a week’s sitting of the previous session. This curtailed debate on two significant and controversial housing bills. These bills were aggressively pushed through.

One of those housing bills, Bill 44, is seriously undemocratic. It overrides decisions made by elected local governments by mandating the elimination of single family zoning in communities across B.C., nullifying official community plans (developed by elected councils on the basis of extensive public consultation), and eliminating the ability of local governments to hold public hearing processes on these matters.

This pattern goes back to the outset of Eby’s premiership. Eby was installed as NDP leader and premier without a vote among the party membership after his team successfully pursued the disqualification of his only opponent.

Time and again, Eby has demonstrated an “ends justify the means” mentality that sees democratic norms as optional in the pursuit of his agenda.

While rallying against President Donald Trump, Eby has consistently copied his methods.

It’s not too late to stop him.

There are 47 NDP MLAs, 41 Conservatives, three independents, and two Greens in the legislature. With the Conservatives and Independents set to oppose Eby’s deeply flawed bill, all NDP MLAs and the two Greens should think hard about how they will vote.

Will they support Eby’s efforts to deny their own constituents their elected voice in the legislature? Or, will they find their democratic conscience and stand up against this authoritarian bill?

In the likely event that NDP MLAs succumb to pressure from the premier, the Greens can still prevent the bill from becoming law.

By voting with Independent and Conservative MLAs against Bill 7, the Greens could render a 46-46 tie in the legislature.

The 47th NDP MLA serves as Speaker, and Parliamentary convention holds that the Speaker only vote in the case of a tie, and that they cast their vote to protect the status quo (i.e., against such radical legislation).

Proposing amendments to the bill, as the Greens have said they’ll do, is not enough. A message needs to be sent, loud and clear, that our democracy is not negotiable.

Unless NDP and (or) Green MLAs find it in themselves to stop Eby’s overreach, or Eby reverses course due to public dissent, it seems likely this shameless circumvention of democratic process will pass.

Let’s not give up our democracy without a fight. Tell your friends, speak up, and reach out to your MLA.

Demand they vote against Eby’s heavy-handed attempt to deny you your democratic voice.”

Stay tuned!