The BC Conservatives have called on Premier David Eby to use the new powers granted to him via Bill 7 to block a multi-billion-dollar contract awarded to a Chinese company by BC Ferries.Under the legislation, the BC NDP have the ability to direct procurement by Crown Corporations and government-owned entities."David Eby spent weeks in the Legislature justifying Bill 7 as necessary to defend BC's economy from foreign tariffs and economic threats," Prince George–Mackenzie MLA Kiel Giddens said. "Now, faced with China's tariffs on Canadian goods and BC Ferries awarding shipbuilding contracts to China, the Premier says he's powerless. That's simply not true."Giddens went on to explain that Section 7 of the legislation "explicitly allows Cabinet to override existing procurement laws and issue binding directives.""The law is crystal clear," he declared. "Premier Eby has the power — right now — to stop BC Ferries from buying ferries from China. The question is: will he use it?".Giddens urged the BC NDP to stand up for BC workers, adding that, "if the premier won't use the powers he forced through the Legislature, it proves Bill 7 was nothing but political theatre.".Rustad says Eby 'abandoning Canadian workers' by awarding BC Ferries contract to Chinese company.The four new vessels will be built by China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards, a subsidiary of a "state-owned enterprise directly administered by the central government." The company has built numerous ships for a number of western countries over the years.While no Canadian companies bid on the project, the BC Conservatives have slammed the premier for missing a deadline that could have seen the four ships built in Norway, a country that is more aligned with Canadian values..Eby recently said he "wasn't pleased" when he heard the news, and would try to ensure the next round of ships are made in Canada.
