British Columbia Premier David Eby delivered a fiery message as Canada’s counter-tariffs against the United States took effect, condemning President Donald Trump’s insults, tariffs and threats to Canadian independence. Eby invoked the 25th anniversary of September 11, recalling Canada’s support for Americans after the attacks. He asked whether Canadians would again step up if the United States faced similar horrors, answering emphatically that they would. Eby said Canada is generous, loyal and compassionate, but warned that kindness should never be mistaken for weakness as tensions with Washington intensify.
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NewsTranscript
00:01It's really good to see all of you here today.
00:05Today is an important day for Canada.
00:07It's an important day for our country.
00:10This is the day that Canada's counter tariffs take effect against the United States to punch back at Trump's unfair
00:18trade war against our country.
00:19And I wanted to take a few moments to talk about an historic moment and what lessons we can draw
00:27from it for this moment that we face today.
00:32But it tells us about who we are as Canadians and how we can use those lessons.
00:36In just three days, we marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
00:42Now these horrific attacks represented a day of unimaginable tragedy for so many.
00:49Our closest friend and neighbour was under direct attack.
00:55And in that moment of fear and uncertainty, Canadians stepped forward.
01:02Now you've heard a lot about the response in Atlantic Canada.
01:05There's a whole musical about it, Come From Away.
01:08Very impressive.
01:10But I want you to know that here on the West Coast, British Columbians stepped up too.
01:15At YVR, 8500 diverted passengers, more than any other airport, found themselves stranded at YVR.
01:26Now before smartphones and instant messaging, they found out when they landed about what was going on.
01:35And in that moment, airport workers, volunteers stepped up at a moment's notice.
01:42People opened up their homes.
01:45In Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Squamish, Abbotsford and beyond.
01:51And they also opened up their hearts.
01:53They offered comfort, shelter and compassion to our friends when it was needed the most.
02:02Now here we are 25 years later.
02:06And as president, Donald Trump has hurled insults, unfair tariffs, and continues to threaten our independence as a country.
02:19And if after all of the president's bad behavior, after everything that he's done,
02:27if Americans ever had to face the same kind of horrors that they did on September 11th,
02:32would Canadians step up in the same way?
02:35Would we step up and assist?
02:38Well, you bet your ass we would.
02:40Absolutely we would.
02:43Because we know who we are as a country.
02:47We are generous.
02:49We are kind.
02:51We are loyal.
02:53And we are compassionate.
02:56And while our kindness is one of our greatest strengths,
02:59you should never, ever mistake that kindness for weakness.
03:11In this moment, our values are being tested again.
03:16Today, Canada's counter tariffs come into force.
03:21Nobody wanted this trade war.
03:24Canadians sure didn't start it.
03:27And working families on both sides of the border will be worse off because of it.
03:33But when our workers, our businesses, our economy is targeted,
03:39standing up for Canada is not a choice.
03:42It is our responsibility.
03:45And here in British Columbia, we have a plan.
03:49Our plan involves defending our people,
03:53ensuring that the public services that they depend on are protected,
03:59and that we defend our economy and our sovereignty.
04:03We are protecting jobs and standing up with workers and families who are hurt by these tariffs on our side
04:10of the border.
04:11My team is working closely with Mark Carney's government to support people through this uncertainty.
04:16And we will ensure that the small businesses in British Columbia are supported when they are hit by these unfair
04:24tariffs.
04:25And we'll keep looking for other ways to help.
04:28The road ahead is not easy.
04:31And while we'll continue building new opportunities,
04:34there is no getting around the fact that people will lose their jobs
04:39and businesses will close on both sides of the border.
04:44That is the unfortunate reality of Trump's trade war.
04:49And that's why today I'm asking British Columbians,
04:52we're all asking British Columbians, my colleagues and I,
04:55to do what we always do in moments when our neighbours are in distress.
05:01We have to look out for one another.
05:05We have to buy Canadian whenever we can.
05:09You know, this summer, after seeing the horrific wildfires in the interior,
05:14British Columbians stepped up and you bought wine from Summerland.
05:18People there needed our help and so many of you decided to buy BC.
05:21Thank you for that.
05:28And now in this moment, we're asking people to think carefully about where you spend your dollars.
05:34And that's why you'll soon see a refreshed campaign encouraging people to buy BC.
05:40Given the success of buy BC and its success in encouraging people to buy local,
05:44we're exploring ways to strengthen the program by expanding it to more products.
05:49Because buying local is about more than just the fruits and veggies in your shopping cart.
05:53It's choosing BC made cereal for your breakfast,
05:56bread that's baked here, BC brewed beer,
05:58and other BC made products that are made close to home.
06:02But it's also choosing a local accountant,
06:06an engineer or consultant when your business needs advice.
06:09It's supporting BC expertise and BC jobs.
06:13It's choosing BC built software when you need help managing your business.
06:18Because buying local isn't just about products, it's about services too.
06:23It's also choosing bikes and outdoor equipment and apparel designed and made by BC companies,
06:29the very best in the world.
06:32It's taking a vacation here in British Columbia,
06:36exploring our own province and supporting local communities along the way.
06:41And it's choosing BC materials and manufacturers to help build homes and schools and infrastructure,
06:47keeping investment here at home.
06:51In the middle of this economic war, a war that we did not start,
06:55we can and must be our own best customer.
06:59Every purchase is a choice.
07:01Every dollar we spend is a choice.
07:04And right now, our choices matter.
07:09As a reminder of who we are and what we stand for,
07:13BC will be unveiling new welcome signs at our border crossings.
07:16They carry a message that reflects the spirit of this moment.
07:20Welcome to BC Canada.
07:24Strong, proud, and never the 51st state.
07:28Sorry.
07:37This is a uniquely Canadian message.
07:40It's confident, good humor, and it's unmistakably clear.
07:45British Columbia is part of Canada, and Canada is not for sale.
07:58We also won't rule out additional countermeasures,
08:01on top of continuing our ban on US alcohol products on BC liquor store shelves.
08:06We will continue to stand up for British Columbia and British Columbians,
08:12and defend our economy against these unfair attacks.
08:15Most importantly, we're building for the future.
08:19Canada has been overly dependent on a single market for far too long.
08:23And that's why we're strengthening our trade connections across Canada,
08:28expanding our reach into the Asia Pacific and Europe,
08:31opening new opportunities around the world.
08:34We're creating new customers for Canadian products,
08:37building new partnerships.
08:39We will emerge from this challenge stronger than before.
08:43Because our Made in BC plan is working.
08:46Almost $90 billion in major projects are reaching final investment decision in the next few years.
08:53Since our re-election in government in 2024,
08:57every two months we've approved a new mine or a major mine expansion.
09:02With that comes thousands of good jobs,
09:05and the prosperity needed to strengthen the public services we all depend on.
09:12Standing up for Canada is not just about responding in a difficult moment.
09:15It's about building a stronger country because of it.
09:2225 years ago, when fear and uncertainty came to our doorstep,
09:27Canada answered with generosity and compassion.
09:31Those values have not changed.
09:34We are still the country that opens its doors when others are in need.
09:38We are still the country that stands by its friends.
09:41And we are still the country that stands up for itself on our own two feet.
09:49More than 160 years ago, during the gold rush,
09:54thousands arrived from California.
09:55And the expectation was that the border would eventually move north,
10:00with America taking over.
10:03Now, Sir James Douglas saw things differently.
10:06He believed that this place could prosper while remaining distinct
10:10with our own institutions, laws, and identity.
10:15And in making that decision, he laid the foundation
10:19for one of the most open and welcoming places in the world,
10:23British Columbia.
10:31The lesson is as true today as it was back then.
10:36Cooperation does not require submission.
10:40Friendship does not require surrender.
10:44We are welcoming and we're strong.
10:49We're generous and we're determined.
10:53We are kind and we are not weak.
10:58If there is any place prepared to meet the challenge of this moment,
11:02it's British Columbia.
11:02We have the resources, the people, the talent, the technology,
11:07and the ambition to succeed.
11:09Everything we need to build a stronger future is right here.
11:13History has shown that Canadians are at our best when we face challenges together.
11:17So let's meet this moment the way our previous generations did.
11:22United, confident, and determined.
11:25Proud of our province.
11:27Proud of our country.
11:29And ready to defend and build the Canada that our children deserve.
11:34Thank you very much.
11:42And with that, happy to take any questions from our friends in the media about this important day.
11:47I will do one question, one follow-up.
11:50We'll start with Wolf from the Canadian Press.
11:53Yeah, hi.
11:54Good afternoon, Premier.
11:55Thank you for taking my question.
11:56A nice Canadian tuxedo.
11:59Samudino, Jakob.
12:00Understood.
12:01Let's talk about the provincial finances.
12:04You promised additional support for businesses.
12:08You also promised, if I heard you correctly, to maintain the social services as they currently exist.
12:13But given the current financial state of the provincial budget, how likely is that?
12:21And can you also talk about the potential of not being able to fulfill that promise,
12:26given that almost 55% of our exports go to the United States, a country that is now actively not
12:34buying or making it more difficult to buy BC products.
12:37Can you sort of talk about how you plan to reconcile your promises with the current state of the financial
12:43budget?
12:44Sure, Wolf.
12:45Well, first of all, one of the things that we've seen with the United States is that their imports from
12:50Canada have actually gone up,
12:52including their imports from British Columbia, despite the efforts of the President.
12:57There's no question that the provincial finances are under strain.
13:00It's like family budgets are under strain at home, just like jurisdictions around the world.
13:05This is as much about how we buy and what we buy as it is about direct support.
13:13It's about being our own best customer, including when we're building the schools, hospitals and infrastructures that are under construction
13:19across the province right now.
13:20We're also working in close partnership with the federal government.
13:22It's pledged support for BC businesses.
13:26And one of the dominant concerns we've heard are from small businesses with receipts of under a million dollars a
13:31year.
13:32And we'll work closely with the federal government to make sure those businesses are supported as well.
13:36It'll be an all hands on deck approach.
13:38And we're going to ensure that our province is looked after, our people are looked after.
13:44Thank you, Premier.
13:45You talked about the potential of job losses.
13:48What, if any, concrete figures can you offer at this stage about the job losses?
13:55And what is your expectation as to when the province along with the rest of the country will be able
14:02to sort of pivot away from the United States?
14:05Can you attach any sort of a timeframe to that?
14:08Yeah, well, since May, I think we've added about 30,000 jobs.
14:13And from August to August, last year to this year, we're up about 20,000 jobs.
14:18So we're proud of that.
14:19In the face of Trump's tariffs, we're adding jobs in British Columbia.
14:23But we know that these counter tariffs are going to have an impact.
14:26They've had a huge impact in the forestry sector.
14:28Forest families are really hurting.
14:31We'll be working directly with the forest sector on these challenges.
14:35We're working on modeling with the federal government to identify the sectors that will be the most affected, both in
14:40our province and the federal government nationally.
14:42And that will assist us in deploying the supports that are needed to get businesses through this difficult period.
14:48We'll go to Rob from CTV.
14:51Hi, Premier.
14:52I'd like your jacket.
14:54I wanted to get your action in my first question to two things.
14:56One is just, you know, some provinces, for example, Alberta, have been less behind these counter tariffs.
15:03How solidly behind is BC?
15:06I think it's pretty evident.
15:07But how solidly behind this Team Canada approach are you in the province?
15:12And what is your reaction to things like the memes that the president tweeted over the weekend showing Prime Minister
15:19Kearney as a hockey player that he was slashing a stick at and calling governor in the map that encompassed
15:24all of North America's Canada?
15:27Thanks.
15:28British Columbia is all in on Team Canada.
15:31I've pledged our support to the Prime Minister's effort on a national level.
15:35We're busy working identifying additional countermeasures to ensure that our team has the best possible response with the least impact
15:44on British Columbians and the most impact on those who are coming after us, specifically the president.
15:52All I can say is that the president is clearly unhinged.
15:57Those memes are bizarre.
15:58They are disturbing.
16:00They are not befitting the leader of the world's largest economy, the world's largest army.
16:06It is bizarre.
16:08And it also tells me that as Canadians, if we want to have predictability, if we want to have stability,
16:17we need to have a diversified trade relationship around the world.
16:20We need to be our own best customers.
16:22And that's what today's message is all about.
16:28By way of follow-up, you know, they say all is fair in love and war.
16:30We're now at a trade war here.
16:32And I guess I'm just wondering your thoughts on you've said we're all in.
16:36Our lumber industry is getting hammered by this trade war.
16:39Alberta is pretty much unscathed so far.
16:42How important is it that we see potash and oil get used as potential weapons in this war?
16:47Because I know like the signs are good humor and it's good patriotism.
16:51But Donald Trump may not know about that.
16:53To get his attention, do we not need to use the things that he really, really is relying on like
16:57oil and potash and get Alberta on board?
16:59Yeah, Rob, I think if our strategy depends on convincing Donald Trump of anything, then that is a failed strategy.
17:07Our strategy is based on diversifying our trade relationships around the world,
17:11being less dependent on the United States, supporting each other better and finding that path forward.
17:18I always, around the table of the premiers at the Council of the Federation,
17:23I encourage all of my colleagues to step up and to commit fully to Team Canada in a coordinated effort.
17:31I speak for British Columbia's government.
17:34I'm honoured to do so. It's the honour of my life.
17:36And in doing so, I'm committing our government to be all in to support the federal government's efforts to strengthen
17:42Canada
17:42and to fight back against these unfair tariffs.
17:48And we'll go to Ben from Global News.
17:50Thank you, Premier. Hope you're not getting warm in that. We won't keep you for too long.
17:55At this point, what does a fair trade deal for BC and Canada look like to you?
18:00And how are you convinced that that's not what Mark Carney walked away from a few weeks ago?
18:07So there's a couple of components for me.
18:09One is that as Canadians, that we get to set our own agenda about who we trade with,
18:16about internal matters in our country, including issues of language and taxation,
18:21that we are a sovereign country. That is principle one.
18:24And that principle, I think, was under direct attack from the proposal that came from the Americans.
18:30The second component is a fairly straightforward one.
18:34It's that we get treated by the United States the way that we treat them.
18:40It's that expectation that the United States recognizes the benefit that they get from a strong relationship with Canada.
18:48It means things like our lumber has the same access to the U.S. market, at least, as Europe and
18:55Russia.
18:55Because right now, it's easier to get Russian lumber into the U.S. market and cheaper than it is to
19:02get British Columbia lumber into the U.S. market.
19:04And that is appalling.
19:07And so fair treatment, respect for Canada's sovereignty are the two components that I would be looking for.
19:14And I am convinced that the Prime Minister understands that at a deeply personal level as well.
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