Geoff Russ is a writer and columnist based in West Vancouver.David Eby has dropped a bombshell on British Columbia. If passed, the Economic Stabilization Act, Bill 7, would transform him into the most powerful premier in modern history. His cabinet would gain extraordinary, sweeping powers that legal scholars say would enable it to override nearly all existing provincial laws.Other aspects of Bill 7 would allow the NDP government to impose tolls on roads and remake the province's economy without debate or scrutiny in the legislature. To justify Bill 7, Eby suggested his government must be "nimble" when responding to Donald Trump's tariff policy and suggested renegotiation of Canada-US agreements.Most importantly, while Bill 7 is being justified as a means to protect and grow the BC economy, it would still exclude natural resource projects from being fast-tracked.This contradicts the purpose of the massive new powers of Bill 7, and adds to the threats posed to BC's very own LNG industry that are already emerging in Alaska. Hesitating to support the resource sector at this moment risks squandering an opportunity to strengthen the economy.Indigenous-led projects like Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims LNG have been continuously stalled by regulatory delays and environmental mandates. The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project, intended to feed Ksi Lisims LNG near Prince Rupert, is also bogged down in environmental and consultation delays.BC's competitive advantages like shorter shipping routes to Japan and lower-emitting facilities could secure a crucial export deal with a new partner amidst the US trade war, but these projects risk being outrun by Alaska's own $44 billion LNG push. Facing Trump's tariffs and the aforementioned moves by BC's northwest neighbour, Eby's mixed messaging and failure to streamline approvals risk surrendering BC's chance to lead in Asia's LNG market. Bill 7 could secure economic survival, but by excluding resources, it will underdeliver.The scope of Bill 7 is mind-boggling, and many have shared concern that this is a step in the wrong direction.Thompson Rivers University professor Mark Mancini wrote on X that the bill contains a "Henry VII" clause that would allow the cabinet to alter all provincial laws with regulation measures. This includes imposing fees on Alaska-bound American trucks, redirecting public procurement away from American sources, and dismantling interprovincial trade barriers.Every one of these actions has been justified as a way to counter Trump's economic warfare.Veteran legislative reporter Vaughn Palmer even went so far as to suggest that Bill 7 would be the most extreme legislation since the War Measures Act, last used in October 1970 when far-left, separatist terrorists in Quebec kidnapped politicians after a bombing campaign.Eby says Bill 7 is required to counter someone as unpredictable as Trump, who has publicly considered tearing up the Columbia River Treaty that dates back to 1961. His NDP government won a bare majority of 47 seats in the 93-seat legislature in last year's election. He does not have a mandate for these kinds of broad, quasi-autocratic powers.Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BC government didn't seek these kinds of powers. Eby seems set to press ahead with the legislation. He's dared the other parties to bring down the government in a confidence vote and trigger an election if they oppose it.Bill 7 could have been a response to a real economic crisis. Instead, its contradictions and overreach will only add fuel to the accusation that Eby is more interested in power rather than prosperity.Geoff Russ is a writer and columnist based in West Vancouver.
Geoff Russ is a writer and columnist based in West Vancouver.David Eby has dropped a bombshell on British Columbia. If passed, the Economic Stabilization Act, Bill 7, would transform him into the most powerful premier in modern history. His cabinet would gain extraordinary, sweeping powers that legal scholars say would enable it to override nearly all existing provincial laws.Other aspects of Bill 7 would allow the NDP government to impose tolls on roads and remake the province's economy without debate or scrutiny in the legislature. To justify Bill 7, Eby suggested his government must be "nimble" when responding to Donald Trump's tariff policy and suggested renegotiation of Canada-US agreements.Most importantly, while Bill 7 is being justified as a means to protect and grow the BC economy, it would still exclude natural resource projects from being fast-tracked.This contradicts the purpose of the massive new powers of Bill 7, and adds to the threats posed to BC's very own LNG industry that are already emerging in Alaska. Hesitating to support the resource sector at this moment risks squandering an opportunity to strengthen the economy.Indigenous-led projects like Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims LNG have been continuously stalled by regulatory delays and environmental mandates. The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project, intended to feed Ksi Lisims LNG near Prince Rupert, is also bogged down in environmental and consultation delays.BC's competitive advantages like shorter shipping routes to Japan and lower-emitting facilities could secure a crucial export deal with a new partner amidst the US trade war, but these projects risk being outrun by Alaska's own $44 billion LNG push. Facing Trump's tariffs and the aforementioned moves by BC's northwest neighbour, Eby's mixed messaging and failure to streamline approvals risk surrendering BC's chance to lead in Asia's LNG market. Bill 7 could secure economic survival, but by excluding resources, it will underdeliver.The scope of Bill 7 is mind-boggling, and many have shared concern that this is a step in the wrong direction.Thompson Rivers University professor Mark Mancini wrote on X that the bill contains a "Henry VII" clause that would allow the cabinet to alter all provincial laws with regulation measures. This includes imposing fees on Alaska-bound American trucks, redirecting public procurement away from American sources, and dismantling interprovincial trade barriers.Every one of these actions has been justified as a way to counter Trump's economic warfare.Veteran legislative reporter Vaughn Palmer even went so far as to suggest that Bill 7 would be the most extreme legislation since the War Measures Act, last used in October 1970 when far-left, separatist terrorists in Quebec kidnapped politicians after a bombing campaign.Eby says Bill 7 is required to counter someone as unpredictable as Trump, who has publicly considered tearing up the Columbia River Treaty that dates back to 1961. His NDP government won a bare majority of 47 seats in the 93-seat legislature in last year's election. He does not have a mandate for these kinds of broad, quasi-autocratic powers.Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BC government didn't seek these kinds of powers. Eby seems set to press ahead with the legislation. He's dared the other parties to bring down the government in a confidence vote and trigger an election if they oppose it.Bill 7 could have been a response to a real economic crisis. Instead, its contradictions and overreach will only add fuel to the accusation that Eby is more interested in power rather than prosperity.Geoff Russ is a writer and columnist based in West Vancouver.
