BC NDP promises new support for small businesses affected by U.S. trade war

BC NDP Leader David Eby says small businesses affected by U.S. tariffs will be eligible for interest-free loans to help them through U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada. Eby spoke Wednesday morning, Oct. 7, at Buy N Save South Indian Grocery Store in Newton, Surrey, as party leaders continued provincial tours ahead of the Oct. 24 B.C. election.

Eby said global inflation and the effects of the trade war are adding to household costs for essentials such as gas and groceries. He said the pressures may be even greater for businesses, which face rising costs, while delivery drivers are paying much more for diesel. He acknowledged that the disruption might be temporary, but said it has persisted and businesses need support.

He said qualifying small and medium-sized businesses in B.C. that have been hurt by tariffs and face elevated costs could receive interest-free loans of up to $1 million for up to 72 months. The loans are intended to help businesses get through the period and emerge stronger. The account did not give an application timeline or detailed eligibility criteria.

Eby also said the BC NDP would introduce a tax credit for businesses that give a young person their first job and expand support for businesses seeking export markets outside the United States. He described small businesses as playing a “crucial role” in communities by often providing young people with their first jobs. Eby said young people are worried about employment and young British Columbians are disproportionately affected by the impact of tariffs on businesses. He put the promised refundable tax credit at about $5,000 for businesses employing a young person in B.C., saying it would help small businesses hire and give young people a first job and work experience.

Eby said the province is working to improve small and medium-sized businesses’ access to global markets. If elected, his government would continue developing a market navigator program.

The NDP leader also raised what he called a “secret letter” written by Conservative Party of B.C. Leader Lorne Doerkson about car insurance. Eby said he had learned the previous day of a secret deal between Doerkson, private insurance companies and personal injury lawyers. Eby alleged that Doerkson put in writing and signed a commitment to replace the current car insurance system with the former system, under which insurance money went toward lawyers on both sides suing each other in court. He said the current no-fault “enhanced care” system, introduced by the provincial NDP government in 2021, directs money to care for British Columbians.

Eby claimed that returning to the former system would double car insurance costs and said that was why the deal was secret. He said Doerkson denied making promises when questioned the previous day, but Eby said he had the letter, dated Sept. 29, with Doerkson’s signature. The claims about the letter and the effect on insurance costs were Eby’s statements at the news conference.

Surrey was a battleground in the 2024 provincial election, with several close races. Eby said the city remains important to the election and its outcome. He called Surrey the province’s fastest-growing city and said its growth and significant effect on the provincial economy make it crucial to B.C.’s future. He said provincial discussions about health care and affordability are relevant to Surrey, where many people commute some distance to work or school and many homes and businesses have multiple vehicles. He argued that a deal to raise car insurance rates would therefore matter to the city.

Asked whether he could guarantee the provincial deficit would not exceed $14 billion when the next budget is tabled, particularly given campaign promises, Eby answered yes. He said every campaign commitment was fully costed and that the BC NDP would provide a full list with costs and funding plans. He said a new tax bracket for people earning $1 million or more a year would help pay for the commitments.

Eby said asking higher earners to pay somewhat more would support young people, the health-care system and other work. He questioned how Doerkson would fund his promises, saying the Conservative leader did not take follow-up questions from media and had not explained his commitments. Eby cited $100 million for the police component of Doerkson’s announcement the previous day and asked where the money would come from. Eby said the BC NDP would provide transparency to the public.

Before the news conference ended, Eby answered further questions about taxes, the arrest of a U.S. man in connection with the Tumbler Ridge shooting, and the logistics of holding a provincial election at the same time as a municipal election. The account did not provide details of those answers.