Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare held a rally at Spirit Square to talk to residents about the provincial government's Bill 7 and gather signatures for a petition opposing it.
Bill 7, announced by Premier David Eby on March 13, gives cabinet specific powers to knock down interprovincial trade barriers, direct procurement of government organizations to minimize the dependence on U.S. goods and impose a system of tolls, fees and charges using B.C. infrastructure including roads, bridges, ferries and ferry terminals that fall under provincial legislation.
The controversial part of the bill Clare was rallying against is section four, which gives the government's cabinet the ability to change most of the province's legislation without getting approval from the legislature.
On a snowy day at Spirit Square, Clare spoke to a group of Quesnel residents about his concerns.
"This bill was introduced ostensibly to lower inter-provincial trade barriers and to allow the government to provide what they call a 'nimble response' to the American tariff situation as if they needed to react quickly to every tweet made by the American president," Clare said. On the surface, he noted, the bill has good intentions but called section four a power grab by the government. "It provides for centralized control in the executive branch and it's a clear attempt to circumvent the proper role of the provincial legislature and its loyal opposition."
Clare, whose background in teaching history at the College of New Caledonia, talked about how the right of oppositions and responsible government goes back to the Magna Carta.
A day after Clare's rally, the provincial government announced they would be reviewing parts of the bill. In a press conference on March 28 Eby acknowledged that his government did not get the balance right when it comes to legislative oversight and accountability. The legislation as currently written requires cabinet to report out to the legislature, but only after it has taken any actions.
The Observer asked to speak with someone from the provincial government about the bill and Clare's concerns, the government sent a transcript of Eby's speech from the press conference.
"We do need the ability to respond quickly and we will work with those key stakeholders that we committed to work with at the beginning of this process to get it right and ensure that they are comfortable with these provisions going forward," Eby said. "We have also heard from a number of people, a number of key stakeholders, including our tariff and economic response committee, Indigenous leaders, trade organizations (that) we didn't get the balance right, that I didn't get the balance right in terms of the ability to move quickly and (with) necessary safeguards."
After the changes were announced, Clare said it doesn't change his opinions on the bill very much.
"He said he's going to re-tool part four, on what that means, I'm not really sure. It's certainly clear that the pressure that our caucus and public has been putting upon Eby has made a difference so I really appreciate everybody who's been sending in letters," Clare said. "I think the whole bill needs to go and we need to look more seriously at John Rustad's bill on removing interprovincial trade barriers."
Clare will still be collecting signatures for a petition opposing the bill.
-With files from Wolf Depner
