Tuesday January 28, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Tariffs are still top of mind for BC Premier David Eby who called a same-day press conference to address the issue of the threat of U.S. tariffs.
This is the second time that Eby has held his media availability about tariffs outdoors at Canada Place with the Port of Vancouver in the background as a way of highlighting industry and trade.
It meant a few times pausing so as to not be drowned out by the noise from helicopters overhead.
“BC families will need support during this period,” said Eby. Cancelled orders may be happening. Businesses are seeing fewer orders. “They will need cash to stay open,” said Eby.
“It could be more significant than the 2008 recession,” said Eby. “There’s still time for the US president to work with us,” the premier said. “We’re going to fight for our country.”
There is likely going to be a recession provincially and probably also federally, said Eby today. He reiterated how the mandate letters of his ministers are all to prioritize austerity and to determine how British Columbians will be both served and protected.
“We’ll hope for the best but British Columbians should know that we are preparing for the worst,” Eby said today.
British Columbians are strong, touch and resilient. Canadians are the same. There’s no question we’re up against a super power,” said Eby about pending US tariffs on Canadian exports.
![us press secretary](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KarolineLeavitt-USPressSecretaryJan2825.jpg)
The tariffs are “still on the books” against Canada and Mexico to kick in February 1, as announced in the first announcing by the president’s new press secretary.
Trump has been linking the tariff threat to economic and trade concerns with Canada. He continues to suggest, chide and offer that Canada should become a “51st state”. That threat of takeover of a sovereign nation — a member of the G7 no less — apparently drew gasps from world leaders at last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos (Trump delivered his remarks virtually).
“If the president wishes to use the might of the United States to attack families in Canada with the aim of getting us to be the 51st state then he’s gonna do it.
That will only hurt American and also hurt Canadians. It makes absolutely no sense. These are unjustified tariffs and it may be that the only way for that message to be delivered is for Americans to actually feel the pain and the consequences of this, visited on them by Canadian retaliation against these tariffs.
Last week Eby said the US tariff threat is ‘bizarre”.
Border threat & federal responsibilities:
“The border is a federal government responsibility,” said Eby today.
Between the federal leadership race and the upcoming federal election, some consistency in the federal government response is still required across the country, said Eby, reiterating what he has conveyed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “There are core responsibilities that they cannot avoid, that we need them to do.”
That includes a responsible and responsive immigration system that can deal with both regular immigration and any surge in refugee seekers.
Eby wants to see readiness around the border: “Are they ready for deportation, are they making sure they’re prepared”.
![premiers, Toronto, Susan Holt, David Eby, Scott Moe](https://islandsocialtrends.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Eby-COF-Toronto-Dec1624-500px.jpg)
“And the premiers will do our part.” But Eby hopes that Ontario Premier Doug Ford continues to focus on his role as chair of the Council of the Federation while he embarks on a provincial (re-)election campaign.
Canada’s Premiers are still planning to visit Washington DC on February 12.
===== RELATED:
- BC Premier calls Trump tariff threat ‘bizarre’, announces BC task force (January 21, 2025)
- BC Premier Eby on Canada’s strategy around US tariffs (January 15, 2025)
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