A commentary by a North Vancouver-based writer.

Premier David Eby’s proposed Bill 7 would effectively suspend the democratic process in British Columbia for the next two and a half years.

Ostensibly intended to address the impact of tariffs, this autocratic bill — the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act — is not only unnecessary, but represents just the latest in a troubling pattern of disregard for democratic process by this premier.

This time, however, he can be stopped.

Eby, who formed government with the slimmest of majorities, is no doubt motivated by the prospect of avoiding uncomfortably close votes in the legislature as he pursues his own agenda.

As veteran columnist Vaughn Palmer puts it, this far-reaching legislation “would allow the cabinet to override provincial laws, regulations, authorities and even the legislature itself.”

Its extraordinary reach led Palmer to observe that, “in 41 years of covering B.C. governments, I’ve not seen a legislation as arbitrary and far-reaching this side of the federal War Measures Act.”

Conveniently announced immediately before the house recessed for a two-week spring break, Bill 7 enables Eby’s cabinet to do whatever it deems necessary to “support the economy of B.C. and Canada,” which is so broad it could........

© Times Colonist