BC Greens sound alarm over BC NDP's controversial Bill 7

The BC Greens have made it clear they will not simply go ahead and help the BC NDP pass their controversial tariff response legislation.

Interim leader Jeremy Valeriote said "more clarity" was needed, citing concerns over the "vague wording" of Bill 7 that "could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency."

"There’s no need for secrecy," he said in a statement, per the Squamish Chief. "Decisions should be made openly, not behind closed doors, and the legislature should receive regular reporting on what decisions are being made."

Valeriote acknowledged the "urgency of the situation," but said that his party would nonetheless "closely scrutinize this bill" and "propose substantive amendments to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair economic outcomes."

"We'll be pushing for more clarity in committee discussions," he added, "and expect ministers to explain why they need these powers and what they plan to do with them."

The bill was introduced on March 13, right before the legislature closed for spring break.

During a press conference that day, Eby addressed concerns regarding the powers it would give him.

"It's crucial that whatever the emergency is that the president incurs on us in an effort to damage us that we're able to respond quickly to minimize the damage," he said. "This is not everyday legislation ... This is in an emergency situation where we need legislative authority, we need government authority to do something quickly to minimize damage to the economy, to people."

In the days since, the bill has received a fair amount of backlash — and not just from conservatives.

That being said, the BC Conservatives have been leading the charge against the proposed legislation, deeming it "the most undemocratic, power-grabbing legislation in BC history."

"This isn't just legislation," the party warned. "It's a direct attack on our democracy and on your freedom."