British Columbia expands business support package to counter U.S. tariff pressure

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BC expands business support

Highlights

British Columbia announced a C$90 million expansion to support manufacturing, rural economic diversification, and broader BuyBC promotion beyond agriculture amid U.S. tariff pressures.
The funding package prioritizes applications from the forestry sector and forest-dependent communities, expediting support to offset the negative impact of U.S. tariffs on B.C.'s forest industry.
New and expanded programs, including Export Navigator and Trade Accelerator, encourage B.C. firms to diversify export markets and drive adoption of technology, infrastructure, and commercial innovation.

Funding package targets manufacturing, technology and rural investment

As reported by BC Gov News, the province is adding C$30 million to the renewed BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, C$30 million to the Integrated Marketplace initiative, C$15 million to the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program and C$15 million to expand the BuyBC program beyond agriculture.

The government says the measures are designed to help businesses invest in equipment, technology and infrastructure, strengthen supply chains, commercialize new products and secure sales in markets outside the U.S. The package is also intended to support firms that have traditionally depended on the U.S. as their primary export destination.

Premier David Eby says the province is expanding programs with an established track record so businesses can find new customers, add jobs and build a more self-reliant economy. Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham says the broader BuyBC push is meant to increase promotion of made-in-B.C. goods internationally after the branding program's earlier focus on food and beverage products.

Forestry priority and broader diversification strategy

The province says applications from the forestry sector and forest-reliant communities will be prioritized and expedited, reflecting the outsized effect of U.S. tariffs on B.C.'s forest industry. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the response is intended to support workers by encouraging more domestic production and wider international sales.

The provincial package builds on federal support already available to B.C. businesses, including regional development funding through agencies such as PacifiCan, the Canada Strong Diversification Fund, liquidity support from the Business Development Bank of Canada and worker assistance such as enhanced Employment Insurance and retraining measures.

British Columbia also says businesses can seek no-cost help through the Export Navigator and Trade Accelerator programs, along with one-on-one consultations from provincial business advisers. The new measures are part of the province's Look West strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on the U.S. by accelerating projects, diversifying markets and expanding sectors including technology, aerospace, marine, AI and quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.

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