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B.C. budget uncertainty looms amid Trump tariff deadline

Click to play video: 'B.C. budget expected in March amidst possible trade tariffs'
B.C. budget expected in March amidst possible trade tariffs
The provincial government is set to release its annual budget next month. As Richard Zussman explains, the threat of possible tariffs coming from the U.S. makes it tough to know how much they can spend.

The B.C. government is expected to release its annual budget in March but there is some uncertainty due to the threat of trade tariffs from the United States.

The budget outlines everything from social programs to economic investment and building infrastructure

“It is very possible we could release a budget based on assumptions that a few days later is out of date,” B.C. Premier David Eby said on Tuesday.

Click to play video: '‘We see what the plan is here’: B.C. premier on difficulty budgeting as Trump’s tariffs still loom'
‘We see what the plan is here’: B.C. premier on difficulty budgeting as Trump’s tariffs still loom

B.C.’s budget is set to be unveiled on March 4.

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Following the 30-day tariff reprieve from the U.S., tariffs on B.C. goods heading into the United States could now come as March 5.

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“This is hanging over our head, this is deliberate,” Eby said. “Mr. Trump’s intention (is) to destroy Canada’s economy and drive us to become the 51st state. I find it reprehensible.”

Eby said on Tuesday that the province will be trying to salvage things by diversifying the economy, reducing inter-provincial trade barriers and expediting projects in the mineral and energy sectors.

Click to play video: 'Work will continue to strengthen the B.C. economy, despite tariff news'
Work will continue to strengthen the B.C. economy, despite tariff news

However, critics say the province is only moving now that it faces an economic crisis.

“It is going to be really difficult to make the case to invest in Canada when you have the domestic uncertainty and the uncertainty from the United States,” BC Conservative MLA for Kamloops Centre, Peter Milobar, said.

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