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TORONTO – The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) has written to British Columbia Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma to express concerns with proposed Bill 7 – the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act. The CCF calls on the government to reconsider provisions within this bill that it believes undermine the constitutional principles of democracy, responsible government, and the rule of law.

The CCF is particularly troubled by Part 4, which grants the cabinet the power to amend almost any law without legislative debate or votes. The provision effectively circumvents the democratic process, allowing the cabinet to act without oversight from the elected legislature.

“This bill appears to be an attempt to use the threat of economic crisis to justify a cynical power grab,” said Josh Dehaas, Counsel for the CCF. “While the CCF is sympathetic to the challenges presented by the U.S.-Canada trade dispute, this is not an excuse to disregard the checks and balances fundamental to our democracy.”

The CCF strongly encourages Premier Eby and Attorney General Sharma to reconsider this provision of the bill, and maintains the right to explore all legal avenues if it proceeds as written.

The letter is available in full here.