The East Village Business Improvement Association is keeping a close eye on the U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, gathering the latest info to keep our members and the local biz community in the loop. We’re here to support and always stay true to our commitment: shop local! It’s also important to note that it’s not always possible for our small shops to source everything Canadian. Supporting locally owned shops is as important as supporting locally made and grown goods.
Regardless of actions taken at the national level, we continue to strongly encourage and support the provincial government to seize this critical moment and implement changes that will not only strengthen our overall resilience but also champion and empower locally grown, made, and owned businesses. By investing in our local economy, we foster a sustainable future for our communities, creating more opportunities and ensuring long-term success for those who contribute to the fabric of our home.
Resources for businesses:
- BIABC EMBRACES ‘SHOP LOCAL’ AND ‘BUY CANADIAN’ BUT CAUTIONS AGAINST UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY HARM LOCAL BUSINESSES
- LOCO BC
- BDC
- Tariffs-How to get your business ready
Provincial
The incoming US tariffs are a betrayal of the bond between our countries and an attack on BC and Canadian families. We are standing up for BC’s workers and businesses: supporting the billions in national retaliatory tariffs from Ottawa and launching immediate BC counter-measures. Our first steps in response to the tariffs include:
1. Responding with tough counter-actions:
• Directing BC Liquor Distribution Branch to immediately stop buying American liquor from “red states” and remove top-selling “red-state” brands from the shelves of public liquor stores
• Directing the BC government and Crown corporations to buy Canadian goods and services first
2. Strengthening BC’s economy:
• Assessing private-sector projects with the goal of getting them approved as quickly as possible
• Issuing their permits faster
• These projects are expected to create 6,000 jobs in rural and remote communities
3. Diversifying our trade relationships:
• We already have new trade missions planned to strengthen relationships across the world
• Working together with governments across the country to knock down barriers within Canada
• Supporting the federal government in implementing actions to protect BC’s workers, businesses, economy, business, industry, labour, and First Nations leaders are all at the table with the government, supporting BC’s tariff response.
At this pivotal moment, we’re presented with a choice; to act or back down. To us, the choice is clear. We’re doing what it takes to protect BC jobs, wages, and the services we all rely on.
BC has the natural resources, geographic location, and trading partners to remain strong in the face of Donald Trump’s unjust tariff threats. We are ready to leverage these strengths to protect BC jobs, wages, and the services we all rely on.
BC has the natural resources, geographic location, and trading partners to remain strong despite Donald Trump’s unjust tariff threats. We are ready to leverage these strengths to protect BC jobs, wages, and the services we all rely on. BC has natural resources the world needs. Our trade is already more diversified than many places, and BC has two of North America’s busiest international ports. We will continue to strengthen our economy, diversify trade, and be ready to respond if required.
Learn more about our trade: BritishColumbia.ca
Federal
