9.36°C Vancouver
Ads

Mar 20, 2025 4:53 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. Greens want answers about New Democrats' emergency powers legislation

Share On
b-c-greens-want-answers-about-new-democrats-emergency-powers-legislation
There’s no need for secrecy," Valeriote said. "Decisions should be made openly, not behind closed doors, and the legislature should receive regular reporting on what decisions are being made."(Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia's Green Party says the NDP government needs to "explain why" its proposal for broad-reaching emergency cabinet powers is needed before its two members support the legislation.

Interim Leader Jeremy Valeriote said in a statement that while he understands the "urgency of the situation" given the ongoing trade strife with the United States, the proposed Bill 7 in its current form has "vague wording" and "could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency."

"There’s no need for secrecy," Valeriote said. "Decisions should be made openly, not behind closed doors, and the legislature should receive regular reporting on what decisions are being made."

The bill was tabled last week and would give B.C.'s cabinet sweeping powers to make regulations that address challenges or anticipated challenges from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction, or for a purpose "supporting the economy of British Columbia and Canada" without requiring a debate in the legislature.

Premier David Eby said it is needed to respond to what he called the "human-caused disaster" of tariffs and other threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Valeriote said the Greens will "closely scrutinize this bill," and the party is expected to "propose substantive amendments to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair economic outcomes" in the legislation.

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

Eby has said the legislation would give the province the capability to be "nimble" in response to constantly changing tariffs and threats coming from the Trump White House.

"In the face of escalating attacks on our sovereignty that have included threatening to erase the Canada-U. S. border and taking our water, we are not backing down," Eby said in a statement when the bill was introduced last week.

"We are arming ourselves with the tools we need to respond swiftly, break down trade barriers within Canada and strengthen our economy."

The Opposition B.C. Conservative Party has been vocal in its objections to the legislation, with several of its members taking to social media to call it "autocratic" and "undemocratic."

Transportation Critic and Langley-Abbotsford legislative member Harman Bhangu said his office has been "flooded" with emails and phone calls from constituents expressing concern about the cabinet powers the legislation would grant if passed.

"This is really scary," Bhangu said. "It's a blatant power grab, and it should really, really concern a lot of people because this could really undermine local municipalities (and) a lot of other provincial jurisdictions, where it gives them the sweeping power to come in and do whatever they want."


Latest news

india-suspends-its-top-cricket-tournament-the-ipl-for-a-week-amid-military-tensions-with-pakistan
IndiaMay 09, 2025

India suspends its top cricket tournament, the IPL, for a week amid military tensions with Pakistan

India’s biggest domestic cricket tournament was suspended for one week on Friday following the escalating military tensions with Pakistan. The Indian Premier League, which attracts top players from around the world, was halted with immediate effect, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said. The decision comes aftera night of artillery exchangesbetween Indian and Pakistani soldiers across their frontier in Kashmir, amid a growingmilitary standoffthat erupted following an attack on tourists in the India-controlled portion of the disputed region. The IPL is the most popular cricket tourna
alberta-surpasses-300-measles-cases-as-doctors-warn-of-exponential-increases
AlbertaMay 09, 2025

Alberta surpasses 300 measles cases as doctors warn of exponential increases

More than 300 people in Alberta have fallen ill from measles since March and a group of doctors are warning the virus could grow exponentially in the coming weeks. The Alberta government is reporting 16 new measles cases to bring the province's total count to 313. The rising number has prompted the association representing Alberta doctors to warn of an outbreak that could quickly reach the thousands. Dr. James Talbot, Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, says cases are likely much higher than reported and that for every 1,000 cases, one to three people will likely die.
trump-administration-steps-up-efforts-to-reduce-india-pakistan-tensions
IndiaMay 08, 2025

Trump administration steps up efforts to reduce India-Pakistan tensions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke Thursday with the prime minister of Pakistan and India's foreign minister as the Trump administration stepped up efforts to prevent the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals from going to war. In separate calls with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio ``emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation,'' the State Department said Rubio also ``expressed U.S. support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,'' according to readout
ontario-reports-almost-200-new-measles-cases-as-virus-spreads-across-canada
CanadaMay 08, 2025

Ontario reports almost 200 new measles cases as virus spreads across Canada

Health officials say measles infected 197 more people in Ontario over the last week as the highly contagious disease emerged in new parts of the country. That brings the province’s tally of probable and confirmed cases to 1,440 since an outbreak began in October. Public Health Ontario’s measles report says there have been 101 hospitalizations, including 75 children. Eight patients have been in intensive care. Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories each reported measles cases earlier this week, marking their first since this outbreak began. Alberta reported yesterday that its overall case co
surrey-mayor-asks-carney-for-a-surrey-mp-in-cabinet
BCMay 08, 2025

Surrey mayor asks Carney for a Surrey MP in cabinet

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has asked Premier Mark Carney to give the MP from Surrey a seat in his cabinet. She said that Surrey is about to become the first city in BC to reach a population of 1 million and it also borders the United States, so given the city’s development needs, we believe that Surrey should have a strong voice in the federal cabinet. The mayor said that I believe this will be an important step to support and ensure the continued growth of Surrey. She said that the city is growing by an average of 28 residents per day.
ADS
Ads

Related News

ADS
Ads