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Canada ‘stands by its friends’ despite continued Trump attacks, David Eby says

Click to play video: 'David Eby recounts role British Columbians played in assisting stranded American passengers during 9/11'
David Eby recounts role British Columbians played in assisting stranded American passengers during 9/11
WATCH: At a press conference in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, Premier David Eby took a moment to highlight the role British Columbian residents played in helping stranded American passengers amid 9/11.

B.C. Premier David Eby slammed U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday afternoon as Canada’s counter-tariffs went into effect on billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. goods.

“In just three days, we mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks,” Eby said.

“Now, these horrific attacks represented a day of unimaginable tragedy for so many. Our closest friend and neighbour was under direct attack, and in that moment of fear and uncertainty, Canadians stepped forward.”

Eby said on that day, 8,500 passengers were diverted to Vancouver’s International Airport.

“Now, before smartphones and instant messaging, they found out when they landed about what was going on,” Eby added.

“And in that moment, airport workers, volunteers stepped up at a moment’s notice. People opened up their homes in Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Squamish, Abbotsford and beyond, and they also opened up their hearts.”

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Eby said now, 25 years later, Trump has “hurled insults, unfair tariffs and continues to threaten our independence as a country.”

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“And if, after all of the president’s bad behavior, after everything that he’s done, if Americans ever had to face the same kind of horrors that they did on Sep. 11, would Canadians step up in the same way?

“You bet your ass we would.”

Eby said the government will continue to work with Mark Carney’s government to make sure small businesses in the province are supported when they are hit by tariffs.

He urged everyone to buy local or buy Canadian and choose local businesses to fill jobs or product needs.

Eby said the government will soon be re-launching its Buy BC program to include more products.

“On top of continuing our ban on U.S. alcohol products on B.C. liquor store shelves, we will continue to stand up for British Columbia and British Columbians and defend our economy against these unfair attacks,” he added.

“Twenty-five years ago, when fear and uncertainty came to our doorstep, Canada answered with generosity and compassion. Those values have not changed. We are still the country that opens its doors when others are in need.

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“We are still the country that stands by its friends, and we are still the country that stands up for itself on our own two feet.”

Carney vowed to match Trump’s recently imposed 50 per cent tariffs “dollar-for-dollar,” and trade negotiations fell apart last month.

As the country pivots away from the United States, Carney is warning Canadians that “this won’t be easy, and I won’t pretend otherwise.” He added that the alternative would be far worse.

-with files from Ariel Rabinovitch

 

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