Monday February 3, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 3 pm | Updated 4:59 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
All 29 BC Crown Agencies and all Ministries and health authorities have been instructed by Premier David Eby to buy Canadian goods and services first.
Note the wording of that — it’s not an absolute requirement, but a setting of priority. If not Canadian, then perhaps from Europe or Asia. Additional costs will be involved, as the economies of scale made possible by US businesses would usually offer lower prices.
Higher costs will be passed onto taxpayers and/or consumers. Or fewer projects will be undertaken. Or projects will develop more slowly over time.

Response to tariff threat:
The directive to crown corporations and ministries is in response to the tariff crisis instigated by US President Donald Trump, that appears to be ongoing (e.g. a February 4 tariff start date has now been posted “for 30 days”).
“President Trump has essentially ripped up our Trade Agreement,” says BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, referring to CUSMA/NAFTA 2.0. “This means we don’t need to abide by it either,” she posted in social media today.
Opportunity to shift procurement:
Bailey says this is a huge opportunity for BC and Canadian providers who have’ like-for-like’ solutions and are seeking domestic procurement.
Current contracts and procurements that are currently underway must be respected but future procurement and contract renewals will be under this directive, it was outlined by Bailey today.
American companies that have branch offices in BC where Canadians are working will not be targeted, according to Bailey. “We want to send a message to the US, not compromise BC jobs,” she said in her note online.
Today Premier David Eby said in a 4:30 pm press conference that retaliatory tariffs will be suspended in BC for now. Also, that steps will be taken by the BC government to ensure that: “BC will take the steps that are necessary to support British Columbia families and businesses, that we’ll do so in a way that grows and diversifies our economy, and does not leave us in a position that we are in right now which is being far too dependent on the United States and we’re going to come out of this stronger.”
Silver lining:
“For example, we were looking at procuring Starlink for the “last mile” in our expansion of internet services to remote communities in BC. We will now be prioritizing a provider who is not trying to hurt British Columbian families with unjust and unfair tariffs,” Bailey stated.
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford announced cancellation of a $1 billion Starlink contract today.
However, it might be noted that a Canadian provider was not sought in the first place, by either BC or Ontario. Perhaps this wakeup call to shift to more holistic solutions is one silver lining in the tariff shakeup that Trump has unleashed on Canada.

Crown Corporations:
Here is a list of the 29 BC crown corporations. Note that BC Ferries is a former provincial Crown corporation, now operating as an independently managed, publicly owned Canadian company.
BC Crown corporations:
B
- BC Assessment Authority
- BC Cannabis Stores
- BC Games Society
- BC Housing Management Commission
- BC Hydro
- BC Liquor Distribution Branch
- BC Liquor Stores
- BC Rail
- BC Transit
- British Columbia Energy Regulator
- British Columbia Lottery Corporation
C
- Columbia Basin Trust
- Columbia Power Corporation
- Community Living British Columbia
- Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
- Template:British Columbia crown corporations
F
I
K
L
O
P
R
S
T
===== RELATED:
- US tariffs now postponed for about 30 days to March 2025 (February 3, 2025)
- Tariff theme: Premier Eby highlights critical minerals & Pacific shipping advantage (February 3, 2025)
- Tariff pushback: Ontario to drop Starlink deal, encourages inter-provincial & international free trade (February 3, 2025)
- American liquor still on many BC retail shelves (February 2, 2025)
- BC Premier David Eby on Feb 1 US tariff announcement (February 1, 2025)
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses Canadians about US tariffs (February 1, 2025)
- Feb 1 tariff announcement by US President Trump (February 1, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-USA | BUSINESS & ECONOMY