David Eby’s cabinet meets for the 1st time with proposed tariff on the agenda

B.C. Premier David Eby’s cabinet met for the first time on Wednesday.

Last week, Eby made some significant shakeups to his cabinet following his narrow victory in October.

Eby said the new cabinet’s top priorities would be bringing down costs for families, strengthening health care, making communities safer and growing the economy so everyone feels the benefits.

3:10 Politicians, B.C. leaders react to Trump’s proposed tariff

The cabinet did discuss the potential impacts of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump‘s announcement that he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico.

“Obviously, this will be devastating to workers on both sides of the border, both in the United States and in Canada,” Eby said on Tuesday.

2:22 Premier David Eby’s new cabinet hold first meeting

“The impact on families will be profoundly significant.”

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On Wednesday, following the meeting, Eby said there needs to be a “Canada-first” and a “British Columbia-first” strategy and he will assemble business groups to ensure those needs are being met.

“These tariffs will hurt everyone,” he said. “They will hurt Americans as much as they hurt Canadians.”

1:59 B.C. Premier David Eby makes cabinet changes in response to key election issues

Eby, along with other premiers across the country, was also set to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday to discuss Trump’s announcement.

Speaking Tuesday, Trudeau called on political leaders to work together in a “Team Canada” approach in response to this threat.