B.C. premier wants to bring in more U.S. immigrants, denounces talk of western separatism

B.C. Premier David Eby says he wants to be able to bring in more immigrants from the United States to help bolster the local economy.

He also revealed he will be meeting with Mark Carney in person next week, denounced the idea that western separatism could be an outcome of the current federal election campaign and called out a B.C. Conservative MLA accused of posting a graphic suggesting Western Canada could become a "protectorate" of the United States.

"We're not Guam," Eby said, referring to the U.S. island territory. "We are a proud, amazing province. We are a proud, amazing country." 

Eby made the comments while speaking to reporters Thursday, responding to yesterday's tariff announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump, which largely spared Canada.

The premier was asked a question about S&P and Moody's downgrading British Columbia's credit rating on April 2, citing the province's ballooning deficit.

Eby placed some of the blame on the chaotic economic situation brought on by Trump, and also said the province's fiscal growth is being hampered by cuts to the provincial nominee program, which allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals with specific skills, education, and work experience to be offered a path to permanent residency.

In January, the federal government cut B.C.'s program by about half as part of a broader effort to stabilize population growth amidst a housing crisis.

Eby said this cut comes at a time when American entrepreneurs, medical professionals, researchers and workers are expressing higher levels of interest in coming to Canada, and he would welcome their contributions to British Columbia.

Earlier this week, a physician recruiter told CBC News that since Trump's election there has been a "floodgate" of medical professionals enquiring about relocating to Canada.

Other immigration agencies have reported similar upticks in interest from people living in the United States.

"They have skills that we desperately need [and] we're unable to offer them a space," he said.

Eby also acknowledged that the downgrade was primarily based on the province's ballooning deficit, saying his government "has committed to protect front-line services" while reviewing administrative spending in an effort to "return to a balanced budget."

S&P Global Ratings is cutting the province's long-term issuer credit rating to A+ from AA, while Moody's Ratings downgraded its baseline assessment to AA2 from AA1.

In a news release, Moody's said the downgrade reflected "a structural deterioration in British Columbia's credit profile" and it predicted this year's deficit would soar to $14.3 billion.