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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

BRAD ZUBYK -- The opposition, to these two NDP Bills, is not an academic or legislative exercise that will dissipate just because a vote has taken place


While much has been made of First Nations opposition to Bill 14 and Bill 15, it is important to remember that major business groups including the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) and the BC Chamber of Commerce), the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) – BC's major municipal organization, along with most environmental organizations, also opposed them.  

This is a coalition of forces previously unimaginable in opposition the power grab by Premier David Eby’s BC NDP government.

The real question is why should we care?
 
The NDP had just enough votes to get it passed, it’s law, and so everyone should just go home and settle down.

And therein lies the problem ...

The NDP argues that these Bills are necessary to give the government flexibility to meet potential tariff threats from the US.

Despite other jurisdictions not seeking these kinds of powers, and the tariff threat seemingly on the decline, let's for the sake of argument say the NDP truly needed the powers provided to them in Bill 14 (The Renewable Energy Projects Act) and 15 (The Infrastructure Projects Act).

The opposition, to these two NDP Bills, is not an academic or legislative exercise that will dissipate just because a vote has taken place.

We have already seen Eby's damage control trade mission to Asia impacted as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) withdrew their participation. And we already know there are likely to be court challenges coming soon.

But what about the potential for increased disobedience?

We have already seen some examples of individual First Nations shutting down provincial parks and temporarily blockading a bridge. What happens if others join? What happens if environmental groups or citizens join?

Court challenges, refusal to participate in government initiatives, and the illegal closure of parks and transportation infrastructure, are not going to decrease the foreseeable instability ahead on the horizon, nor will it lead to more stability.

Eby's unprecedented power grabs will lead to the exact opposite outcome he claims to be seeking. For anyone following his time in the top job, this will come as little surprise.


Brad Zubyk is Chief of Staff for John Rustad, leader of the Conservative Party of BC
 

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