Eby backs off on anti-tariff U.S. ads after meeting with feds

British Columbia’s NDP government has abandoned its plans to run anti-tariff ads in the U.S., which would have highlighted American tariffs on Canadian goods, after meeting with the federal government

Source: Facebook (David Eby)

British Columbia’s NDP government has abandoned its plans to run anti-tariff ads in the U.S., which would have highlighted American tariffs on Canadian goods, after meeting with the federal government.

Eby confirmed the ads wouldn’t be aired alongside federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc while speaking with reporters in Vancouver after a forestry summit between the provincial and federal governments.

The admission came in response to a question from CityNews reporter Monika Gul, who had directed her query to LeBlanc. Gul asked whether Ottawa was concerned about B.C. moving ahead with an anti-tariff advertising campaign after Ontario’s similar effort prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend trade talks with Canada.

Rather than allow LeBlanc to answer, Eby stepped in.

“Um, I’ll start this one,” the premier interjected. “We did have a conversation about the advertisements today.”

Eby said LeBlanc had stressed the importance of an “integrated approach” between Ottawa and the provinces on trade messaging.

“That means that going forward, we’re going to ensure our communications are in line,” the premier added, stopping short of admitting the ad was pulled directly because of his meeting with LeBlanc.

“You’ve just answered it, thank you,” LeBlanc said, cutting off further response even though Gul’s original question had been directed to him.

The shelved B.C. campaign was intended to highlight what Eby has described as “50-per-cent combined duties and tariffs” on Canadian softwood lumber entering the United States — higher, he claims, than those facing Russian fibre products.

Its cancellation follows controversy surrounding a separate Ontario ad campaign, spearheaded by Premier Doug Ford, that aired a clip of Ronald Reagan’s 1987 speech promoting free trade. That advertisement drew criticism from Trump and led to the U.S. halting trade negotiations with Canada.