New Cabinet Committee To Protect B.C.’S Economy From Tariff Threat

Premier David Eby has established a new cabinet committee to coordinate a plan to respond to ongoing tariff threats from the United States.

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, will chair the committee, which will act as a day-to-day war room, co-ordinating actions across government to fight back on behalf of British Columbians and grow the province’s economy.

Premier Eby says the proposed U.S. tariffs are a direct attack on B.C.’s families.

“This threat isn’t going away anytime soon – not while this president is in power. Every minister has an important role to play in fighting back. Minister Kahlon brings deep experience in government to the table and is uniquely positioned to co-ordinate this work across government ministries.”, said Eby.

The B.C. government says it has has stepped up with a three-point strategy to fight back:

• respond to U.S. tariffs with tough counter-actions and outreach to American decision-makers
• strengthen B.C.’s economy by expediting projects and supporting industry and workers
• and diversify trade markets for products so British Columbia is less reliant on U.S. markets and customers.

“We didn’t ask for this fight, but B.C. will not be bullied," Kahlon said. "My colleagues and I will work shoulder to shoulder with workers, business and community leaders to meet this moment.”

Members of the new cabinet committee are:

• Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs (chair)
• Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
• Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance
• Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions
• Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food
• Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
• Rick Glumac, Minister of State for Trade
• Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests
• Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals
• Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.