Eby backs down on Bill 7, vows to 'get the balance right' in revised legislation

David Eby has backed down on the controversial Bill 7, which would have given his government sweeping power to combat American aggression.

The premier admitted that he had failed to ensure adequate safeguards were in place, and vowed to "get the balance right" with revised legislation.

During a press conference on Friday, Eby explained that while the first three parts of the bill — which deal with interprovincial trade, vehicle tariffs, and contracts with American companies — will remain as is, part four will be removed.

It would have given his cabinet the ability to implement regulations, among other things, without legislative approval if they were deemed to be in the interest of British Columbia's economy and "foreign" threats.

"I didn't get the balance right in terms of the ability to move quickly and necessary safeguards," Eby said. "The level of anxiety and concerns I was hearing from key stakeholders ... it was pretty clear we needed to have another look at this."

He noted that while it is of utmost importance that his government is able to "act quickly" to respond to Trump, given the president's ability to act on a whim via executive orders, his intent is to "take the bill away to work with key stakeholders, find a version that addresses the safeguards that they would like to see, the engagement that they would like to see, but still addresses that ability to move very quickly to protect British Columbians."

The BC Conservatives were not convinced that enough had been done, and called on the BC NDP to do away Bill 7 altogether."

"He isn't scrapping Part 4," MLA Harman Bhangu wrote in a post on X.

"He's just retooling it to make it easier to hide sweeping powers in other parts of the bill. This bill gives the NDP the ability to amend laws, levy fees, change regulations, and collect personal data with any oversight. It's a blatant attempt to bypass proper checks and balances, concentrating power in the hands of the cabinet."

The BC Greens also expressed their concern.

"While we've pushed for and seen meaningful progress with Bill 7 — such as the repeal of Part 4 — it remains a work in progress," MLA and attorney general critic Rob Botterell said. "We have been critical of this bill, and have introduced a variety of amendments to the government. Still, we have serious concerns. In the past two weeks the BC Greens fought to strengthen democratic safeguards in Bill 7, ensuring that transparency, accountability, and proper checks and balances are in place."

He explained that the party has "proposed further amendments," including "legislative oversight," ... shortening the sunset clause to one year, removal of the exemptions regime, and narrowing of delegation powers."

Botterell said the BC Greens would only consider supporting the bill if the amendments were included.