B.C.’s economy is continuing to be challenged by the ongoing issues caused by U.S.-imposed tariffs, the finance minister says, but a B.C. business advocate warns of the province’s deteriorating credit rating.

Brenda Bailey, B.C.’s finance minster, spoke at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) conference in Victoria on Sept. 23, during which she highlighted the issues the economy faces, fresh off projecting an $11.6 billion deficit for the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year.

“Global trade conflicts and high costs have created challenges for all governments and to the people in our province,” Bailey said.

“Despite that, B.C.’s economy is steady. Our diverse economy is better than some of our colleagues economies to go through these headwinds.”

“There’s no doubt that tariffs are

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