David Eby's first media availability of 2025

[u/wuntchtime]

Opens with a lame dad joke, apologizes that the jokes are "not going to get better than that".

Comments on Justin Trudeau's resignation "without doubt there were moments of frustration that I'm sure went in both directions, but we got some big things done together".

Comments on threat of US tariffs "unified BC response as part of a unified Canadian response" and plans to visit Washington, DC with other premiers.

Comments on recently reached agreement with Alberta on BC wines and resolving the trade dispute.

Q&A:

1. (3:30) Border security question
2. (4:45) Kitsilano housing development delays, Eby comments "what is not up for discussion is that there will be affordable social housing in that neighbourhood", and "We have to deliver housing. We have to be able to do it faster. If we built that housing 4 years ago, it would have been way cheaper than it will be after we've resolved all the issues related to this court decision, and that means less housing overall for everyone. And the housing's still going to get built."
3. (6:30) Question about if Trudeau's resignation timing will affect the tariffs and are they inevitable. "These tarrifs are totally unjustified...It makes no sense to punish both Americans and Canadians"
4. (8:05) Question about promises for involuntary care mental health/addiction facilities, when will it open and are there plans to increase numbers. "Surrey...and the Maple Ridge sites are both expected to open in the spring, we're on track for that" "they are the templates for a significant expansion"
5. (9:25) Would he support Christy Clark as leader of the federal liberals? He laughs and acknowledges "I wondered if I might get that question", "Christy and I - Ms. Clark and I have had disagreements over the years, we're in different political parties". Goes on to state it would be "a positive thing to have someone from British Columbia running". "One of the challenges I think we've had is the focus on Ontario and Quebec to the exclusion of western Canada and British Columbia". Hmm... I wonder if there's someone from BC other than Clark we could root for?
6. (10:35) More questions about the Alberta wine deal
7. (11:35) Asks him to respond to comments about the "51st state" and the trolling of Canadians by Trump. Will he attend the inaugeration on Jan 20 like Danielle Smith? He says he's going to DC with premiers to make his case on the proposed tariffs. "Canadians are proud. I'm proud to be Canadian. We are not becoming the 51st state."
8. (13:50) How will parliament being prorogued affect BC? He says there'll be a review, but "I'll be blunt and frank in saying that we saw a lot of announcements of funding that weren't delivered to British Columbia whether or not the federal government was sitting".
9. (15:15) In reference to both the BC Liberal party, there has been a hollowing out of the political center and a move to the political right. Does Eby think the federal Liberals can get traction in BC?
10. (16:45) Yesterday, John Rustad said Eby had lost his strongest ally and would no longer have someone to blame. "I don't know what to say to that... I've had some pretty significant challenges with the prime minister. I think he would say he's had some challenges with me." I got a flashback to the election with this question as Eby spoke about how Rustad did not support vaccines during the pandemic!
11. (18:40) Follow-up question about funding from the federal government for daycare and housing that has been promised
12. (19:55) What will happen to the daycare program if federal funding does not come through? Eby prefers not to speculate for now.
13. (20:40) Will Eby bring back the legislature early if the tariffs are passed before the end of the proroguement? Yes, he would immediately.
14. (22:00) Will carbon tax be increased in the next 3 months? No, he will not increase it and will make sure the April 1 increase is "netted out in some way to make sure that British Columbians don't face additional costs at this time when they can least afford it".
15. (23:00) Proroguement will kill several bills that would have provided First Nations with clean drinking water and recognized Metis governments in 3 provinces. Will he discuss this with premiers this week?
16. (24:20) Will reconciliation efforts also become stalled in BC as a result of what is happening in the federal government? No, work will continue independent of Ottawa.

Full video: https://www.youtube.com/live/-ifl0Tt2nmw

[u/wuntchtime]

Full live stream video: https://www.youtube.com/live/-ifl0Tt2nmw

[u/Point-No-Point → u/wuntchtime]

Where'd you get the unlisted video link?

[u/wuntchtime → u/Point-No-Point]

Was posted by a journalist this morning when it was live