BC United Critic for Attorney General and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Michael Lee, MLA for Vancouver-Langara, on Monday in a statement regarding the Official Opposition’s call to pause Bill 12, the Public Health Accountability and Cost Recovery Act, said: “Bill 12’s broad expansion of liability, potential constitutional conflicts, and vague details demand that we pause and reassess this legislation.”

He added: “Such a step is vital to avoid serious legal and economic consequences for local businesses, which could weaken investor confidence and reduce affordability for British Columbians.

“Recent statements from more than 24 business associations, including the B.C. Business Council, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, have underscored the severe negative impacts of Bill 12 and emphasized the NDP government’s neglect of the substantial challenges confronting British Columbian businesses.

“This bill, as it currently stands, threatens to impose unknown and unquantifiable legal risks and liabilities on our businesses without their input, evidenced by the widespread concerns over the overly broad and unspecified provisions of Bill 12. It marks a departure from the principles of transparent and informed governance and continues a concerning pattern of overreach under Premier David Eby.

“In a clear example of hypocrisy and lack of accountability, Bill 12 includes exemptions for all government actions, even those related to the population-level harms arising from the NDP’s so-called ‘safe supply’ program. This double standard further diminishes public trust and highlights the urgent need for a pause in the legislation’s progression.

“This NDP bill exemplifies performative legislation at its worst — failing to effectively address the real and shared concerns of specific wrongdoing and harms, while simultaneously undermining economic growth and affordability. The NDP government must specify the precise harms that Bill 12 aims to mitigate and address these issues with a focused, targeted approach.

“BC United calls for a comprehensive review and genuine engagement with stakeholders to ensure the legislation is targeted, clear, and supports both public health and economic growth. We are committed to fostering a business environment in B.C. that thrives in conjunction with robust public health measures, without sacrificing one for the other.”