Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth (left), Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma announcing emergency legislation in Victoria on March 13. (Image Credit: Government of B.C/Flickr)

By Victor Kaisar

Bill 7

Kamloops MLAs speaking out against BC NDP’s proposed emergency powers legislation

Mar 22, 2025 | 3:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Opposition B.C. Conservatives are continuing to sound the alarm over the NDP’s Bill 7, saying it will give the government of David Eby broad-reaching emergency cabinet powers.

The bill, which was tabled in the legislature last Thursday (March 13), aims to gives cabinet the power to implement charges on vehicles using B.C. infrastructure, such as highways and ferries, while allowing the politicians to make directives about public-sector procurement.

It would eliminate provincial trade barriers in the province, allowing goods produced, manufactured or grown elsewhere in Canada to be sold or used in B.C.

Along with the specific changes, it would also give cabinet the power to make regulations “addressing challenges, or anticipated challenges” from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction or for a purpose “supporting the economy of British Columbia and Canada.”

Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar is among a number of elected officials who have been speaking out against the bill, saying if its passed, it will provide Eby’s cabinet sweeping powers without requiring a debate in the legislature.

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Cedar Baskets of the Secwépemc People

8h ago

Question of the Week

Will the U.S. economic threats influence how you vote in this federal election?

9h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Who's Your Choice?

Mar 23, 2025

“Massive concerns,” Milobar said, on CFJC Midday. “You’re hearing that more and more as people look into this, and certainly we have not seen any province across this country try to invoke these types of powers.”

“In fact, our understanding is even Winston Churchill didn’t invoke this level of powers over Britain while he was Prime Minister over World War II.”

While Eby says the new law is needed to allow his government to be “nimble” in its response to the escalating – and constantly changing – trade war with the United States, Milobar says it amounts to an unnecessary “power grab.”

“We didn’t see these types of measures and powers during COVID even,” Milobar added. “So when the Premier decides to say ‘well, this is just like an emergency deceleration like we do with the wildfires or things of that nature,’ its not.”

“They can make changes to literally almost any law on the books and literally not have to justify it, not have to defend it, not have it go through proper process within the Legislature.”

Attorney General Niki Sharma, who sponsored the bill, also said there are “guardrails” in place including a sunset clause that would repeal every action implemented by May 2027, and that details on government actions would come to the legislature through reports.

But Milobar also questioned the timing of the bill, saying it was tabled on the final day before the Legislature began the ongoing two-week spring break.

“We’ve been in session for four weeks. They refuse to bring us back early to debate this bill, and it won’t start getting debated until the next round of tariff theat is actually supposed to take effect beginning of April,” Milobar said. “So, if its really about trying to move urgently and being nimble, they’re not even being nimble with the bill itself.

“We are not trying to be obstructionist as opposition but government should not have a blank cheque, the Premier’s office especially, to rewrite whatever law they want and do it under the guise of tariff threat,” Milobar added.

While the BC NDP have the votes needed to pass Bill 7, owing to their one-seat majority in the 93-member Legislature, the BC Green Party is also speaking out about the legislation. It wants the NDP to explain why it needs broad-reaching emergency cabinet powers before its two members will decide whether they can support the legislation.

Interim Green Leader Jeremy Valeriote said while he understands the “urgency of the situation,” the proposed bill has “vague wording” that “could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency.”

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

Valeriote said the Greens will “closely scrutinize this bill,” and noted that 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.

The BC Legislature will resume sitting on March 31, with the spring session set to run until May 29.

– With files from The Canadian Press