A comprehensive support package will fill the gap and help B.C. businesses affected by U.S. tariffs produce and sell more of their products locally as well as overseas, the Province said on Friday. This action will protect and create good jobs for British Columbians.
“President [Donald] Trump’s unfair trade war is an attack on B.C. workers, businesses and communities – especially in our forest sector,” said Premier David Eby. “But we won’t let decisions made in Washington determine our future. That’s why we’re enhancing proven programs to help B.C. businesses find new customers, create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant economy.”
The support package provides new funding to existing, successful provincial programs:
* An additional $30 million for a renewed BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund will help businesses invest in new equipment, technology and infrastructure to boost productivity, develop new products, strengthen local supply chains and reach new markets. This will also help businesses hire more people, protect existing jobs and become more resilient to trade disruptions.
* An additional $30 million for the Integrated Marketplace initiative will help B.C. technology companies commercialize innovations, secure first sales and bring new technologies to market.
* An additional $15 million for the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program will support regional economic infrastructure that helps attract investment and create jobs.
* $15 million will expand the BuyBC program beyond agriculture, and help get more B.C. products into non-U.S. markets through increased international advertising and campaigns.
“The success of BuyBC shows the power of choosing local, and when people buy B.C. food and beverage products, they support our local farmers, processors and communities, while strengthening the province’s economy and food supply,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “We’re building on that momentum by expanding the BuyBC brand to include other made-in-B.C. products and increasing promotion in markets beyond the United States, creating new opportunities for B.C. businesses to grow and reach customers around the world.”
These measures, at a combined $90 million, are specifically targeted to support businesses, and the people who depend on them, that have traditionally relied on exports to the U.S. as their primary market.
With the biggest impact from U.S. tariffs being placed on B.C.’s forest sector, this support package includes a commitment that funding applications from the forestry sector and forest-reliant communities will be prioritized and expedited for review.
“Donald Trump took aim at our forestry workers when he announced his slate of tariffs,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Now, my highest priority is to stand up and fight back against this economic attack to ensure our workers are never targeted like this again. This announcement means building more in B.C. It means selling more internationally, and it means putting money into the pockets of forestry workers. This is how we win against the United States.”
These new measures build on supports provided through the Government of Canada, which businesses in B.C. are already accessing. These include:
* funding for regional development agencies, such as PacifiCan, to help small and medium enterprises facing tariff-related pressures
* the Canada Strong Diversification Fund for business diversification and productivity investments
* support for the Business Development Bank of Canada to provide liquidity support to tariff-affected businesses
* worker and employer supports, including enhanced Employment Insurance and retraining measures
“B.C. has some of the most innovative businesses in the world, and right now they are being attacked by President Trump,” said Adrian Dix, acting Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “We have seen years of success through the programs we are supporting today, with thousands of good jobs being created, and we’re confident that, in tandem with federal supports, they will help us build a stronger British Columbian and Canadian economy.”
In addition to new funding, the Province has a suite of existing programming to support businesses to grow, reach new customers and create jobs. This includes no-cost access to the Export Navigator and Trade Accelerator programs.
To ensure businesses understand the right program for them, the Province provides free one-on-one consultations with business advisers who are trained specifically to help entrepreneurs through starting and growing a business, including advice on what government programs are available to them.
To access this guidance, business owners are encouraged to reach out to the Province’s advisery services at 1-855-698-2157 or Business.Advisors@gov.bc.ca
Learn More:
* For more information about the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund:
* For more information about the Rural Economic and Diversification Program:
* For more information about the Integrated Marketplace program (delivered by Innovate BC): https://www.innovatebc.ca/programs/integrated-marketplace
* For more information about the BuyBC program: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/
