BC suspends Tesla rebates

VANCOUVER — B.C. is ramping up its response to the trade war with the United States, with BC Hydro banning Tesla products from its electric vehicle rebate program and the government tabling legislation to combat the tariff threats. BC Hydro says on its website that the change would cover Tesla chargers, batteries and inverters and […]

BC budget’s first $10B deficit

VICTORIA — Here are some highlights of B.C.’s budget, delivered by Finance Minister Brenda Bailey on the same day that U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada were enacted, setting off a North American trade war. A record deficit, again The budget forecasts the province’s first $10-billion deficit, with the gap between revenue and expenditure predicted […]

‘Deep cuts’ in budget unlikely

VICTORIA — One day before delivering her first budget, B.C.’s finance minister said she knows that everyone is wondering how it can be done in the face of unprecedented tariffs from the United States. It is not time to make “deep cuts,” Brenda Bailey told reporters on Monday, but a time to plan for uncertainty […]

Province loving local push

VANCOUVER — B.C. Premier David Eby said it has been “absolutely inspirational” to see people step up across the province and Canada to support homegrown businesses in response to the tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump. Eby made the comment during a visit to a Save-On-Foods location in Vancouver, where he highlighted efforts to […]

BC fortifies consumer laws

VICTORIA — The B.C. government is making changes to its consumer protection laws to stop predatory sales and protect people from unfair business practices. The amendments to the law were introduced in the legislature on Tuesday that would ban direct sales on high-cost items such as air conditioners and furnaces, as well as give a […]

Rustad wants retaliatory tax

VICTORIA — B.C. Opposition Leader John Rustad is proposing a “carbon tax” on U.S. thermal coal that is shipped out of B.C. ports to use as leverage against threats of American tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. Rustad says such a tax would be a “tool to fight back” on softwood tariffs and duties proposed by […]

BC looks to go local

B.C. is launching a task force focused on growing the agriculture and food processing industries after years of struggle due to climate, labour concerns and now the threat of tariffs from the United States. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says the task force will provide recommendations to government in the next 10 months on topics such […]

$10M for BC fruit growers

VANCOUVER — B.C. has launched a $10 million fund to help tree fruit farmers facing proposed U.S. tariffs on the heels of years of devastatingly low crop yields. A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture says the money will be handed out as one-time payments to farmers and can be used to help with needs […]

Mine fast tracking no guarantee

VICTORIA — The mining industry is applauding the B.C. government’s decision to fast-track permits for several projects amid the ongoing U.S. tariff threat, but research suggests economic factors have been behind long delays for many other proposals. Simon Fraser University associate professor Rosemary Collard says research shows that regulatory fast tracking of mining projects is […]

Eby says BC looking elsewhere

B.C. companies are in the process of redirecting critical minerals and energy products to markets outside the United States, Premier David Eby said, as the reality of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs sets in. Eby said he had spoken with the leaders of B.C. mining and refining firms, who indicated they are redirecting products to […]