A group representing 55,000 small and medium-sized businesses in B.C. is calling for clearer direction from the province amid ongoing uncertainty over U.S. tariffs.
The Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC) said a “lack of communication” from the provincial government has left business owners in the dark as they grapple with the economic impacts of the trade dispute.
BIABC vice-president Patricia Barnes said her group is concerned about the silence.
“[Business owners] want clarity—they want to know how we’re going to move ahead,” she said.
Barnes said business owners recognize the challenges of the moment and are calling not for stability guarantees, but for “a clear plan, transparent communication and collaboration.”
BIABC submitted recommendations to the B.C. jobs ministry in February on how to strengthen the local economy. The group followed up with a formal letter to B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon a month ago requesting an update on the province’s strategy. He was serving as housing minister at the time the February letter was sent before being moved into the jobs portfolio last month.
BIABC said it has yet to receive a response.
“I think that's where it's kind of frustrating,” Barnes said.
“We are looking at what businesses on the street are facing, and we’d like to be part of that discussion.”
In an interview with BIV last week, Kahlon said the government has begun preliminary work on an updated economic strategy aimed at reflecting current conditions and identifying new opportunities for growth.
He said the province hopes to release the strategy in October.
In a recent statement to BIV, Kahlon said the province has already responded to the tariffs through measures such as passing Bill 7 to ease interprovincial trade, leading trade missions in Asia and Europe, and informing and supporting local businesses through programs such as the Trade Accelerator, Export Navigator and community outreach sessions.
He said his ministry welcomes input from business owners, who can share their challenges and solutions through the government’s Ease of Doing Business platform.
“We welcome feedback from BIABC as we gather information and plan the next steps,” he said.
Alongside its request for consultation and a strategy update, BIABC called for a public update on the cabinet committee chaired by Kahlon—including its mandate, timeline and stakeholder representation.
The group also wants to see the province expand the Buy BC program, improve local procurement, and increase small businesses’ access to capital and markets—adding that it can provide valuable input on these efforts.
In addition, BIABC urged the province to eliminate the sunset clause in Bill 7, formally known as the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act.
The clause will repeal the bill by May 28, 2027, so the exceptional powers given to the B.C. government to respond quickly to tariff-related economic issues are not permanent.
But Barnes said it creates uncertainty for businesses looking to restructure, shift their strategy or build new partnerships.
“It leaves people wondering what will happen in three years and whether the legislation will be renewed,” she said.
