American and Canadian truckers have joined forces in 2022 to oppose Canada’s vaccine mandates. The British Columbia Trucking Association has strongly opposed the provincial government’s Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, which grants the authority to impose tolls on U.S. commercial vehicles traveling to and from Alaska. Premier David Eby introduced the legislation to counteract economic threats from the United States. The bill would allow the government to regulate ferry pricing, impose new tolls or fees, and enforce payments related to ferry services in BC.
However, the trucking association president, Dave Earle, cautioned against implementing such tolls, warning of potential retaliatory measures from the U.S. that could harm BC’s economy. Premier David Eby defended the legislation as a necessary response to threats posed by former President Donald Trump.
The bill would impact about 10,000 commercial trucks traveling to Alaska annually, raising concerns about the impact on trade between British Columbia and Alaskan economies. The legislation aims to remove barriers to interprovincial trade, impose tolls on non-Canadian commercial vehicles, and direct public-sector bodies to prioritize Canadian goods and services. Already, British Columbia has taken steps to remove American products from liquor store shelves and prioritize Canadian goods and services in procurement.
The bill, if passed, will provide the province with tools to respond swiftly to trade tensions and promote local industries, but critics warn of potential consequences for the BC economy. The government hopes to avoid a damaging trade war with the United States through careful navigation of these economic challenges.
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Photo credit mustreadalaska.com
