Conservative Leader John Rustad is calling for immediate measures to protect British Columbia’s resource industries and workers from what he describes as “foreign interference” by American-funded environmental activists.
In a statement released Monday, Feb. 24, Rustad proposed new legislation to prevent environmental groups based in BC from receiving financial support from American donors who campaign against local resource industries.
He accused these groups of “wreaking havoc” on the economy, threatening jobs in sectors like forestry, mining, and oil and gas.
“For too long, David Eby has idly watched as American-funded environmental activists have attacked our economy, undermining the livelihoods of hard-working loggers, miners, and oil and gas workers,” Rustad said in the statement. “It’s time we cut them off from their supply of American dollars.”
Rustad also criticized the provincial government for allowing activists to waste law enforcement resources and violate court injunctions. He claimed their actions have led to costly litigation and stymied the progress of BC industries.
The opposition leader is calling for additional measures, including applying BC’s carbon tax to coal shipments from the U.S. states of Montana and Wyoming that pass through B.C. ports. Currently, coal mined in BC is taxed, but U.S.-mined coal does not face the same burden.
“We need to hit the Americans where it hurts,” Rustad said. “Until the unfair and unwarranted American duties on our softwood lumber are removed, we must take action.”
Rustad also proposed holding the carbon tax revenue in escrow until a softwood lumber agreement is reached between Canada and the U.S.
In addition to these proposals, Rustad has previously outlined a 10-point plan to eliminate trade barriers between Canadian provinces and promote economic growth.
As part of that plan, Rustad advocates for a Canada-Wide Free Trade Agreement, the removal of the carbon tax and increased support for natural gas exploration, LNG port expansion and mining projects.
“Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has already offered to eliminate trade barriers with any province that will do the same,” Rustad said. “Ontario Premier Doug Ford has taken him up on it. I urge Premier David Eby to follow suit and let’s get Canada’s economy firing on all cylinders.”
