B.C. Premier to discuss tariffs and pipelines during annual summer summit

B.C. Premier David Eby appears in Vancouver, on Monday, May 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C Premier David Eby joined his counterparts in Ontario’s cottage county Monday for an annual summer summit, hosted this year by Premier Doug Ford.

The focus of the three-day summit is fighting U.S. President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs, set to kick in Aug. 1.

Eby said Monday that he wants to see softwood lumber front and centre in trade negotiations and is open to export quotas on Canadian lumber.

“If we could get a deal on this, it would support Americans, it would support Canadians and it would be a net win,” he told reporters.

“I’m a huge fan of the idea, I’ve been advocating for that with the prime minister. Let’s get a deal done, and I’m hopeful he’s been hearing that message.”

Monday’s events included a session with First Nations leaders who have pushed back on legislation designed to fast-track infrastructure and energy projects and are calling for more consultation.

The premiers emerged from the day’s meeting expressing support for including the prime minister in a follow-up meeting with First Nations leadership.

Another issue on deck is removing inter provincial trade barriers, something the provincial leaders seem to unanimously support.

More controversial are ongoing calls, particularly from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for more pipelines through B.C. Eby is on record as opposing the idea, but the Opposition says the province would benefit.

“British Columbia is in a unique position where we could be the nation builder, we could be opening up our ports, getting our natural gas out to international markets, getting our oil out to international markets and becoming that unifying factor of all of Canada,” said B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad.

Pipelines didn’t come up during the day’s meetings, but Ford said he expected they would during an evening barbecue at his family’s cottage.

“There’s going to be a great conversation around the dinner table tonight, and everyone lets their hair down,” he told reporters.

The premiers will be back at it Tuesday, along with the prime minister, plotting ways to strengthen Canada’s economy to respond to the latest tariff threats from Trump.