Canadian Counter-Tariffs Set to Hit U.S. Goods After Labour Day

Canada plans to respond dollar-for-dollar against upcoming American tariffs starting the Tuesday following Labour Day, following the breakdown of bilateral trade negotiations. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late Friday that Canadian retaliatory tariffs will target imported steel, electronics, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and dairy products. The federal measures will also encompass goods currently subject to what Ottawa termed “unjustified Section 232 and 338 tariffs.”

Carney stated that federal negotiators spent over a year working in good faith toward a comprehensive deal to maintain tariff-free access for Canadian companies and reduce trade barriers in strategic sectors. However, Carney explained that Canada walked away because the American side “asked too much and offered too little,” while continually shifting its justifications to topics including fentanyl, tech taxes, aircraft certifications, bridge toll sharing, dairy policy, and provincial bans on U.S. alcohol.

B.C. Maintains Ban on U.S. Alcohol Sales

Speaking Saturday in Vancouver, B.C. Premier David Eby assured residents that the nation will stand firm despite the collapse of talks. Eby labeled the incoming 50-per-cent U.S. tariffs—originally signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 20 under three White House proclamations—as “inexplicable and indefensible.” Addressing local impacts, Eby confirmed that American alcohol products will remain off B.C. Liquor Store shelves. The province’s refusal to retail U.S. alcohol has served as a central point of contention for Washington since the initial tariff announcements.

Premier Questions U.S. Reliability in Trade Talks

Eby expressed doubt over calling the recent discussions a true negotiation, stating the current U.S. administration “cannot be trusted” and offering no assurance that any signed agreement would endure. Aligning with federal strategy, Eby emphasized that “no deal is better than a bad deal.” Outlet reporting from Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, Kelowna Capital News, Vernon Morning Star, and Penticton Western News also highlighted Premier Eby’s firm stance that U.S. alcohol will not return to B.C. Liquor Store shelves.

Fatal Emergency Landing Causes Collision

One person has died after a twin-engine plane executed an emergency landing on Foothills Boulevard in Prince George on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. roughly 1.5 kilometres north of North Nechako Road, near Highland Drive.

During the landing amidst busy afternoon traffic, the aircraft struck two vehicles. Other motorists attempted to dodge the incoming plane, with one vehicle ending up forced into a ditch. Debris from the crash, including the front fan of a turbofan engine, was scattered across the road, and part of a wing penetrated the windshield of a truck.

Investigation and Road Closures

Foothills Boulevard has been shut down in both directions between Highland Drive and North Nechako Road. Prince George RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Cooper stated that the thoroughfare will remain closed overnight and into Friday, prompting authorities to request that motorists utilize alternate routes.

The RCMP emphasized that members of the public must stay away from the site. Cpl. Cooper noted that curious onlookers have been creating a drain on valuable police resources, forcing officers to guard access points rather than assisting with the active investigation or responding to regular calls for service.

The Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation into the cause of the incident. RCMP noted that potential injuries to occupants of the struck vehicles or individuals on the aircraft remain unknown at this time.

Aircraft Details and Local Impact

The aircraft involved appears to be a 1980s Beechcraft King Air 200 registered under Sekani Air Ltd. A video shared on social media, recorded inside the aircraft prior to the crash, indicated that about eight individuals were onboard.

Nearby residents reported hearing the plane overhead immediately before the crash. Emergency responders, including Prince George Fire Rescue, arrived on scene shortly after 2:30 p.m. to manage the response.

Political shifts and executive resignations

The B.C. Conservative Party is undergoing significant structural changes under leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. According to political analyst Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at the University of British Columbia, Findlay is steering the party away from the big-tent approach seen under former leader John Rustad toward a sharper, more populist brand of politics.

As this strategy unfolds, the party’s leadership structure is experiencing a major overhaul. Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News reported that B.C. Conservative party president Aisha Estey resigned on Wednesday after five years at the helm. Following her exit to pursue new opportunities, former federal candidate Mauro Francis assumed the role of party president. Vice-president Sharon White also stepped down, with board member Pavneet Singh stepping into the position. These exits follow the late-July departure of executive director Angelo Isidorou, who was replaced by Elaine Allen, a former federal candidate with close ties to Findlay.

Friction over Independent MLAs

Internal debates regarding whether to readmit former members to the party caucus remain a major point of contention. Speculation grew following an August 7 dinner meeting between Findlay and Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie at Vancouver’s Arbutus Club. Brodie stated she has not been formally invited back to caucus, though she emphasized both agreed on avoiding a right-wing vote split in the province. Brodie clarified she will not resign her seat to create a by-election opportunity for Findlay, who currently lacks a seat in the legislature.

The possibility of reuniting with former members has raised concerns within the existing caucus. Multiple sources from summer meetings indicated that Findlay initially reassured MLAs in early July that Independent members would not be brought back, but she took a less definitive stance during a meeting on August 15. Other Independent MLAs under discussion include Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy. However, Kealy’s recent sexual assault charge appears to block his return, while Armstrong’s status remains unresolved. House Leader Sheldon Clare confirmed there is no formal plan to readmit Independents at this time, noting that final decisions rest with Findlay.

caucus departures and online disputes

The internal strain became public last week when Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar quit the party caucus to sit as an Independent. Meanwhile, opposing camps within the party have engaged in online conflict using anonymous social media accounts like The Findlay Files and BC War Room, sharing insider claims about party leadership and staff.

With house business scheduled to resume in early October, analysts expect these unresolved internal debates and the party’s sharper political focus to set the stage for intense debates in the legislature against the governing NDP.