B.C. premier wants to bring in more U.S. immigrants, denounces talk of western separatism
B.C. Premier David Eby is looking to boost the local economy by bringing in more immigrants from the United States, especially those with skills in entrepreneurship, medicine, research, and other fields. He expressed his interest in welcoming these individuals to British Columbia during a recent press conference where he also addressed a number of other pressing issues.
Eby condemned the idea of western separatism, stating that British Columbia is a proud and amazing province that stands united with the rest of Canada. He also criticized a recent op-ed by former Reform Party leader Preston Manning, who suggested that a vote for Mark Carney’s Liberals could lead to Western secession.
The premier also responded to the recent credit downgrade of British Columbia by S&P and Moody’s, attributing the province’s ballooning deficit to the economic uncertainty caused by U.S. President Donald Trump. Eby highlighted the impact of cuts to the provincial nominee program, which has hindered the province’s ability to attract skilled immigrants.
In light of the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the United States, Eby emphasized the importance of addressing this issue on a national level. He expressed concerns about the future of the forestry industry in British Columbia and called for the federal government to prioritize the unique impacts of Trump’s actions on the province.
Eby revealed that he will be meeting with Mark Carney in person next week to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and potential areas of cooperation. While he acknowledged recent positive developments in the relationship between the two countries, he warned that Trump’s unpredictable behavior could easily disrupt any progress made.
Overall, Eby is committed to protecting front-line services while reviewing administrative spending to return to a balanced budget. He remains focused on addressing key issues facing British Columbia, including immigration, trade relations, and economic stability.
