PolitiCoast Podcast: Recent Episodes
Leg-in-Boot Media
A familiar face returns, another is sticking around and one might need to find the door; and a bridge deal done
Links
- Former B.C. Liberal MLA says centrist party is the answer for voters tired of ‘extremes’ | CBC News
- Is the province cutting SOGI funding in schools? The answer is complicated | CBC News
- Vancouver-Quilchena Recall Petition Unsuccessful | Elections BC
- Recall campaign against Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie fails: Elections B.C. | CBC News
- Province would consider selling B.C. Place to Whitecaps: Kahlon
- The pipeline, the politics, the fallout: who’s up, who’s down after Alberta to B.C. project announcement – Angus Reid Institute
- Carney slammed over lack of Gordie Howe bridge opening deal details | CBC News
- Gordie Howe Bridge deal released as Conservatives accuse Carney of lying
- Proposed Agreement in Principle | Gordie Howe International Bridge
- 9 premiers to allow wineries, distilleries, breweries to sell directly to consumers across provinces | CBC News
A floor crosser, a Conservative party shakeup, and Eby inks a pipeline deal as Ontario burns.
Links
- Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee joins the BC NDP – Castanet.net
- JONESIE: We need to talk about MLA Amelia Boultbee | iNFOnews.ca
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay Announces Shadow Cabinet | Conservative Party of British Columbia
- Veteran mediator Vince Ready to step in to try to end B.C. nurses’ dispute
- B.C. government may have no choice but to spend more to settle with nurses, experts say
- Minister’s statement on Squamish to 100 Mile rail corridor
- U.S. company believes it can provide rail service between Squamish and 100 Mile House as CN pulls out | CBC News
- North Coast oil tanker ban being upheld, Port of Vancouver expanding in multibillion-dollar B.C.-Ottawa deal | CBC News
- Canada and British Columbia strike new cooperative prosperity partnership to build a stronger, more sustainable economy
- Alberta will provide oilsands producers with incentives to fill proposed West Coast pipeline
- Alberta-Ontario pipeline proposal faces criticism over costs, need and lack of Indigenous consultation | CBC News
- Federal government refers Port of Vancouver strategy to Major Projects Office | CBC News
- Backgrounder: Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy – Canada.ca
- Conservatives lose another MP as Carney appoints Martel to the Senate
- Carney appoints one of his top advisers and a Conservative MP to Senate | CBC News
- Carney may name more Conservative senators to beef up ranks, says Liberal Senate representative
- NDP Leader Avi Lewis rules out running in upcoming byelections | CBC News
- Conservative Party had $85M in revenue but ended 2025 with a $14M deficit | CBC News
- The Conservative flogging will continue until morale improves – The Hill Times
- LILLEY: Does Pierre Poilievre actually want to be prime minister?
- Conservative infighting
Eby and Carney face blowback over their plans to buy condos and the PM might be getting a new home.
Links
- Highway linking Vancouver to Prince Rupert proposed by construction company | CBC News
- The Long Quest to Merge Victoria and Saanich Hits a Roadblock | The Tyee
- Critics blast government plan to ‘bail out’ sagging condo sector in B.C. | CBC News
- Carney-Eby housing deal met with mixed reactions and desire for more detail
- Premier Eby on B.C. condo purchase proposal: ‘We don’t have to do it’
- Carney announcing decision on future of 24 Sussex in coming weeks: sources | CBC News
- Carney to announce fundraising campaign, design competition to restore 24 Sussex: source | CBC News
- Feds push to have 3 northern projects fast-tracked under Building Canada Act | CBC News
- Federal plan aims to boost nuclear sector with up to 10 new reactors, expand international footprint – The Globe and Mail
- Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada
Scheduling note: we will be on hiatus for one to two weeks, starting next week.
BC needs more power, so the government is considering dams at Site E and Bute Inlet. Plus Carney comes to town with a big cheque for housing, hospitals and transit.
Links
- Province ‘seriously’ considering 4th hydro dam in northeast B.C., plus one on Sunshine Coast: minister | CBC News
- B.C. Hydro cancels plan to phase out gas-powered generation as electricity gap looms
- Province nixes deal with contractor on George Massey Tunnel replacement | CBC News
- Massey Tunnel replacement could cost as much as $11 billion, local official says
- Adviser makes recommendations to help the district increase its housing supply
- Canada and British Columbia forge new partnership to accelerate homebuilding, lower costs, and build new local infrastructure
- Ottawa, B.C. to spend $3.2-billion to cut homebuilding fees and convert unsold condos – The Globe and Mail
- Ottawa should ‘indefinitely exclude’ people with mental illness from MAID: committee report
- Committee Report (PDF)
- Conservatives blast Liberals for trying to ‘ram’ controversial lawful access bill through House | CBC News
- MPs break for summer after passing motion to advance several bills – The Globe and Mail
- Opposition parties up in arms as Liberals use majority to speed up legislation before summer | CBC News
- Liberals tout 21 bills passing House of Commons this year as MPs break for summer | CBC News
- Public Safety Minister makes changes to lawful access bill – The Globe and Mail
Polls aren’t good for David Eby, centrists think it’s time for a return, Carney wants to ban kids from social media and the Greens kick off their leadership race.
Links
- Surging Conservatives Tie New Democrats in British Columbia – Research Co.
- BC Conservatives Take Narrow Lead as Housing Costs, Health Care, and the Economy Shape Voter Priorities
- Premiers’ Performance: Eby, Smith, and Ford each tumble to new lows approval – Angus Reid Institute
- B.C. centrists seek to revive provincial Liberal brand in wake of Conservative leadership race – The Globe and Mail
- Vaughn Palmer: Activist Chris Delaney joins Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s Conservative team
- New drivers in B.C. can now take first knowledge test online
- B.C. knowledge test for learner drivers moved to online and at home – The Globe and Mail
- Premier David Eby re-commits promise to end ‘no pet’ rental clauses | Surrey Now-Leader
- B.C. restaurants can buy alcohol from private liquor stores – Business in Vancouver
- Ottawa planning social media ban for users under 16 – The Globe and Mail
- Ottawa moves to restrict social media for kids under 16 | CBC News
- C-34 (45-1) – LEGISinfo – Parliament of Canada
- Quebec would withdraw from high-speed rail project if PQ forms next government, party leader says | CBC News
- Green Party of Canada begins search for Elizabeth May’s replacement | CBC News
- Leadership Race 2026 – Green Party Of Canada
Kerry-Lynne Findlay is the new leader of the official opposition, we learn how much FIFA will cost and Carney goes in on AI and out on taxing Netflix and changing environmental assessment laws.
Links
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected new leader of B.C. Conservatives | CBC
- https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-30-Conservative-Party-of-BC-Leadership-Results.pdf
- B.C. MLA Jordan Kealy charged with sexual assault in Fort St. John | CBC News
- Province, Vancouver, PavCo update cost projections for FIFA World Cup 2026
- Costs to host FIFA World Cup 2026 in BC $685M to $729M – Business in Vancouver
- FIFA releases thousands of Vancouver hotel rooms ahead of 2026 World Cup, but prices may not drop | CBC News
- Prime Minister Carney launches AI for All: Canada’s new national artificial intelligence strategy
- Overview of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All
- AI for All, Details to Follow: Government Releases a Big-Spending AI Strategy That Is Still Short on the Specifics That Matter – Michael Geist
- Carney government presses pause on new environmental-assessment legislation – The Globe and Mail
- After ‘feedback from thousands,’ Carney government slows down sweeping environmental changes | CBC News
- Government of Canada announces immediate support to strengthen Canadian culture and ensure Canadian content remains affordable – Canada.ca
The legislature goes on summer break but not before the government concedes its case against the fired Victoria School Trustees or the Yaletown overdose prevention site. Canada makes a deal to sell LNG to Germany, and Guilebeault calls it quits eventually.
Note: If we said something about age limits for FHSAs, we didn’t. You heard wrong.
Links
- End of spring session
- Shannon breaks down bill 9’s passage
- Who voted for K’omoks treaty
- Firefighter’s health act
- Opposition MLA’s bill set to make dashcams mandatory for commercial trucks in B.C. | CBC News
- M-245
- Minister’s statement on School District 61 judicial review
- SD 61 trustees reinstated, Province concedes court case
- Overdose prevention site in Vancouver’s Yaletown not reopening: minister | CBC News
- Minister’s statement on life-saving services in downtown Vancouver
- Canada reaches ‘milestone’ deal to sell LNG from Ksi Lisims project to Germany | CBC
- Steven Guilbeault, who quit over climate policy, says return under different PM possible
- 14 Liberal MPs pen letter to Carney raising concerns over environmental backslide | CBC News
- Ottawa plans amendments to lawful-access bill amid backlash – The Globe and Mail
- Liberals to amend police data interception bill following searing criticism | CBC News
- Carney says House of Commons won’t weigh in on Alberta’s referendum question | CBC News
- Stephane Dion on the Clarity Act
- Avi Lewis on separation
We were going to talk about more things and then we spent 45 minutes on the BC Conservative leadership race, so enjoy the deep dive. Plus Carney gives Alberta a pipeline and they still plan to hold a referendum on whether to hold a separation referendum.
Links
- 2026 Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership election – Wikipedia
- Iain Black
- Caroline Elliott
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay
- Yuri Fulmer
- Peter Milobar
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay facing federal election probe – Business in Vancouver
- B.C. names Site C dam after late premier John Horgan | CBC News
- Carney, Smith reach energy agreement that could see pipeline construction start in 2027 | CBC News
- Carney says the world is facing an ‘energy crisis’ and Canada must help solve it | CBC News
- Alberta government adds separation-related question to fall referendum
The first recall campaign kicks off, nurses vote to strike and Carney launches discussion papers.
Links
- OneBC’s Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie to face recall petition | CBC News
- Past petitions
- Recall Dallas Brodie
- Recall Tara Armstrong
- B.C. nurses union votes for strike action in landslide – The Globe and Mail
- BC Conservatives revoke Boultbee’s party membership | News | pentictonherald.ca
- Ottawa begins consultations on strategy to double Canada’s grid capacity by 2050 – The Globe and Mail
- Powering Canada Strong: A National Strategy for an Electrified Canadian Economy
- Ottawa proposes suite of measures to streamline project approvals, complete review process within 1 year | CBC News
- Carney government planning changes to speed approvals for pipelines, resource projects | CBC News
- Ottawa suggests letting cabinet green-light pipelines before technical assessments happen – The Globe and Mail
- Althia Raj: Carney government proposal targets extinction protections for endangered killer whales off B.C. coast
- Getting Major Projects Built in Canada – Discussion Paper on Proposed Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy Reforms
- Carney government signals it’s open to selling Canadian ports
- Discussion paper: Strengthening One Canadian Economy through trade and transportation
- Carney says selling public assets like airports could fund infrastructure – National | Globalnews.ca
- Signal warns it would pull out of Canada if made to comply with lawful access bill – The Globe and Mail
- Facing mounting backlash, Anandasangaree says U.S. tech companies are ‘misinterpreting’ his lawful access bill | CBC News
- Canadian Armed Forces to put away the big guns, end avalanche management in Rogers Pass | CBC News
Pick your pollster, party fundraising, a legislative all-nighter, a new Governor General
Links
BC Politics: Still-leaderless BC Conservatives open 10-point lead over NDP amid DRIPA uncertainty
B.C. Politics: NDP Holds Narrow Lead as Housing, Health Care, and Deficit Concerns Keep Pressure on Government, Leger Poll
2026 First Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
B.C. premier calls allegations that cabinet minister was target of investigation false – The Globe and Mail
Politicians were up all night debating B.C.’s Bill 9. Why does it matter so much? | CBC News
Minister’s statement about amendments to Bill 9
Supporting students in Tumbler Ridge with new secondary school
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School will be demolished and rebuilt after mass shooting, province says | CBC News
Louise Arbour to be installed Canada’s next governor general June 8 | CBC News
Canada and Europe should get ‘creative’ in forging closer ties, EU ambassador says | CBC News
‘I would be very pleased’: PM Carney invited to address European Parliament
Canada to be first non-European nation at EPC summit as Carney seeks allies
Pension funds should invest more in Canada, Senate finance committee chair says – The Globe and Mail
Eby changes his DRIPA plans again, and Carney takes charge of committees
Links
- B.C. premier says MLA Joan Phillip is ‘very ill,’ asks for prayers – BC | Globalnews.ca
- B.C. government pulls back on DRIPA suspension again amid First Nations opposition | CBC News
- Rob Shaw: Eby ‘in full panic mode’ after latest DRIPA reversal
- Vaughn Palmer: B.C. Premier David Eby has learned he is not in charge
- First Nations file new claims against B.C. government, cite court ruling making UNDRIP enforceable in law
- Wei Wai Kum, Nine Allied Tribes and Lax Kw’alaams Band Stand Together to Call BC MLAs to Pause Treaty Bills Ahead of Legislative Debate
- Why Wei Wai Kum First Nation wants a pause on the K’ómoks Treaty | CBC News
- Overlapping claims are behind protests from First Nations against two treaties – Castanet.net
- B.C. faces surge in electricity demand, looks to dust off big dam plans – The Globe and Mail
- ‘Six-figure cars’: Big budgets for B.C. government vehicles stirs heated debate
- Rob Shaw: BC NDP defends vehicle perks while asking everyone else to tighten belts
- WASTE: B.C. government bills taxpayers for high-end vehicle leases
- Ottawa favours southern route for new Alberta-B.C. pipeline, sources say – The Globe and Mail
- Alberta pipeline could receive federal financing through Indigenous loan guarantee program: energy minister | CBC News
- New Canada-U.S. advisory council includes former premiers, ex-Conservative leader
- Prime Minister Carney announces new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations – Press release with full list
- Washington demanding ‘entry fee’ from Ottawa before trade talks: sources | CBC News
- Carney says lifting U.S. liquor ban depends on Trump ending assault on steel, autos, lumber | CBC News
- Prime minister should be required to divest assets, says committee | CBC News
- https://www.ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/451/ETHI/Reports/RP14024943/451_ETHI_Rpt5_PDF/451_ETHI_Rpt5-e.pdf
- Liberals move to take control of House committees now that they’ve secured majority
- MPs approve new federal budget watchdog over Conservative, Bloc opposition – National | Globalnews.ca
- Federal bill aims to enable ‘homegrown’ space launches | CBC News
Eby changes his DRIPA plans again, and Carney gets his majority
Links
- NDP government to pause DRIPA amendments amid caucus divisions | CBC News
- Vaughn Palmer: B.C. premier upset courts accepted his use of the word ‘must’
- The problem with DRIPA isn’t the courts. It’s the Premier. – Khelsilem
- B.C. tables legislation to ratify Kitselas First Nation Treaty as neighbouring nation calls for pause | CBC News
- B.C. to implement K’ómoks treaty despite opposition from neighbouring First Nation | CBC News
- Number of candidates running for leader of B.C. Conservatives has shrunk to 5
- B.C. Conservative MLA’s bill on firefighter health passes | CBC News
- Mark Carney enters his majority era | CBC News
- Conservative MPs publicly back Poilievre as leader even after recent stumbles | CBC News
- House governing body reinstates NDP parliamentary funding
- Liberal party adopts motion to restrict kids from social media
- ‘Our goal is AI for all,’ Carney says in Liberal convention speech | CBC.ca
- Ottawa ‘very seriously’ considering age restrictions for social media, AI chatbots | CBC News
Sorry that we were late on this one, we both completely blanked for a couple days there
Elections BC slaps BC United with a fine for election disinformation over the ‘Fire John Rustad’ campaign from August 2024. The BC Conservatives slap Peter Milobar with a fine for a late deposit. And the NDP kills George Anderson’s private members bill but does take some steps toward allowing more housing. Federally, Marilyn Gladu embraces the red and the finance minister continues Canada’s oldest tradition.
Links
- Elections BC Letter to BC United
- BC United was secretly behind website calling for Rustad to be fired: Elections BC
- Rustad says ‘dirty trick’ by B.C. United may have cost Conservatives election victory | CBC News
- B.C. Conservative leadership candidate fined for day-late payment of $40K fee
- Peter Milobar response to fine
- Elections BC Annual reports
- Minister’s statement on private member’s bill M216
- B.C. orders West Vancouver to build more homes
- Premier hints at approval of Kelowna’s bid for early opt-out of short-term rental restrictions – Castanet.net
- Former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals | CBC News
- Carney says Liberal values are unchanged after socially conservative MP Marilyn Gladu joins party – The Globe and Mail
- Marilyn Gladu says she’s pro-choice, anti conversion therapy as Liberals embrace former Conservative | CBC News
- Floor-crossers support core Liberal values, Carney says | CBC News
- ‘Throw them out’ of Parliament: Poilievre in favour of recall petition for floor-crossers | CBC News
- Up to 40 Conservative MPs fear Pierre Poilievre will cost them their seats, insiders say + rumours of 10 more crossers
- Pierre Poilievre’s communications director Katy Merrifield resigns
- How rare is it for a prime minister to attract 5 floor-crossers in 5 months? | CBC News
- ‘No risk’ of potential conflict with Champagne’s partner working for Alto: ethics commissioner
New bills, new leaders and controversial trains.
Links
Bill 14 – Forests Statutes Amendment BC Timber Sales to increase fibre access, strengthen long-term forest outcomes, protect jobs
Bill 15 – Environmental Assessment Amendment Amendments improve dispute resolution, transparency, process predictability
Bill 16 – Misc Statutes Amendment Modernizing enforcement, housing, justice tools
- Modernizing bylaw enforcement on the University Endowment Lands
- Updating zero-emission vehicle targets, expanding charging network
- Readying B.C. to deliver more homes for people in communities
- Adding new tools to help target organized crime
Bill 17 – Municipal Codes of Conduct Improving conduct standards for local governments
Bill 18 – Municipal Parental Leave Introducing parental leave for local elected officials
Premier Eby says changing DRIPA is ‘non-negotiable’ and will be pushed into law – Business in Vancouver
B.C. tells First Nations it wants to suspend DRIPA
Adam Olsen – Eby Sent the Wrong Signals on DRIPA Amendments | The Tyee
How did B.C.’s historic Indigenous Rights law, DRIPA, become so controversial? | The Narwhal
Annual Report – Declaration Act
https://bsky.app/profile/sobittersosweet.bsky.social/post/3mik2qbpqic2z
Report on Provincial Taxation Revenues: Speculation and Vacancy Tax
Audit Reveals Major Problems in BC’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax | The Tyee
Time to Kill the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, Say BC Conservatives | The Tyee
Peter MacKay endorsement
Independent MLA for Peace River North endorses Findlay in leadership race, could rejoin BC Conservatives – CJDC-TV
Jason Kenney endorse Elliott
Darrell Joins endorses Caroline Elliott
Yuri Fulmer and Dallas Brodie announce “Unite the Right Accord”
Rob Shaw: Questions linger over integrity of BC Conservative leadership race
Avi Lewis elected Leader of NDP
Reactions
- Naheed Nenshi
- Carla Beck
- David Eby
- Mark Carney
How the NDP leadership vote broke down, ballot by ballot
Vaughn Palmer: B.C. Conservatives challenge NDP to disavow Avi Lewis on LNG
Farewell to one of Canada’s greatest social justice champions
Conservatives and the Bloc opposing Alto Rail
Polling from Abacus and AltNO
Who’s up, who’s down and who’s out of the BC Conservatives, the Strong and Free Elections Act and the Auditor General attacks the government once more
Links
- BC Leadership Poll: Milobar and Elliott down to the wire
- B.C. MLA Hon Chan charged with assault and choking, kicked out of Conservative caucus | CBC News
- B.C. NDP government fires back after Greens accuse AI minister of conflict over investments | CBC News
- Green MLA Valeriote Disclosure
- Heritage conservation engagement leads to updated proposals to make the act work better for everyone
- Montreal-area byelection to use write-in ballots due to dozens of protest candidates | CBC News
- Ottawa proposes amendments to Elections Act to counter long-ballot protests – The Globe and Mail Liberal government targets deepfakes, foreign interference in major election law reforms | CBC News
- Government Bill (House of Commons) C-25 (45-1) – First Reading – Strong and Free Elections Act
- International Student Program Reforms – Canada.ca
- Auditor-General flags weaknesses in IRCC’s anti-fraud controls for international student program – The Globe and Mail
- Modernizing the Pay System – Canada.ca
- Replacing Phoenix pay system will cost at least $4.2-billion, Auditor-General report says – The Globe and Mail
- Recruiting for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Canada.ca
- RCMP failed to recruit enough officers to meet operational needs: auditor general | CBC News
Conservative leadership contestants drop out, CentreBC launches its own race and questions remain about Eby’s leadership and the fed NDP race comes to an end
Links
Harman Bhangu is out
Bruce Banman is out
Seven candidates still in B.C. Conservative leadership race after two MLAs drop out – Business in Vancouver
Karin Kirkpatrick is out
CentreBC Prepares for First AGM, Leadership Change, and Next Phase of Growth
Leader’s Statement: Create thousands of jobs and connect our communities through passenger rail
All aboard the train to Whistler or Campbell River? B.C. Green leader proposes province-wide rail network
Mountain Valley Express
Provincial Support for the Village of Lytton’s Wildfire Recovery – Office of the Auditor General B.C.
BC’s Auditor General Offers Reasons for the Lack of Rebuilding in Lytton | The Tyee
Premiers’ Performance: Eby falls to a new low in B.C., while Kinew continues his comfort atop the list – Angus Reid Institute
From Collapse to Dominance « EKOS Politics
Front-Runners Emerge in the NDP Leadership Race | The Tyee
Avi Lewis stands by past activism as he’s criticized for ‘politics of subtraction’ | CBC News
NDP leadership hopeful rebuffed opponent’s offer of second-ballot support
BC wants to put limits on protests, and Carney gets another floor crosser as he stumbles his way to yet another position on Iran. Jesse Woodward from CHLY guest cohosts.
Links:
- Protecting access to places of worship, schools
- BC Humanists: Religious bubble zone law threatens fundamental freedoms
- Professional Employees Association reaches deal with B.C. gov’t after lengthy labour dispute | CBC News
- Idlout says she felt she was ‘betraying’ her constituents by staying with NDP
- Don Davies’ Statement Posted to Twitter
- Carney calls byelections in Quebec riding of Terrebonne, 2 Toronto ridings | CBC News
- The Canadian government is deciding who’s a journalist now – The Hub
- Canadian government backtracks on using media subsidy criteria as accreditation
- Canada will ‘never participate’ in Iran offensive, Mark Carney says
David Eby kills time changes, the feds sign a deal with the Musqueam and Carney dithers on Iran and foreign interference
Links
- Adopting permanent daylight saving time
- Most of B.C. to adopt daylight saving time permanently, Eby says – The Globe and Mail
- B.C. cities can set their own time zones, province says | CBC News
- B.C. teachers ratify new 4-year agreement with 3% annual wage boost | CBC News
- BC teachers ratify new four-year agreement
- šxʷq̓ʷal̕təl̕tən – A Rights Recognition Agreement
- Fact File: What the Musqueam agreements mean for private property owners in B.C.
- Rob Shaw: Eby’s Musqueam denial unravels after Ottawa insists B.C. was briefed
- Nine candidates make the cut in the race for the leadership of B.C. Conservatives | CBC
- https://x.com/Conservative_BC/status/2027849001853182033?s=20
- Low Name Recognition for Leadership Hopefuls in British Columbia – Research Co.
- Improving complaint process for employers, workers
- New B.C. legislation cracks down on weapons, violence in supportive housing
- Strengthening health and safety in supportive housing
- Bill 11
- Kelowna MLA wants to cut welfare to drug offenders until they go to rehab – Castanet.net
- Feb 28 Statement by Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anand on the situation in the Middle East
- Mar 3 Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the evolving situation in the Middle East
- Liberal MPs to hold call Friday as caucus raises concerns about Carney’s shifting Iran position | CBC News
- Around 2,000 Canadians looking for help leaving Middle East as U.S., Israel move to ‘next phase’ of Iran war | CBC
- Attack on Iran: Little consensus among Canadians as half oppose, one-in-three support the US-Israeli strikes
- Canada could be called on to help defend Gulf states, says top military commander | CBC News
- Carney signs deals worth billions in diplomatic breakthrough with India’s Modi | CBC News
- Canada, India sign ‘landmark’ energy deal as CSIS says foreign interference concerns unchanged
- Carney won’t say if there’s Indian interference in Canada after cutting deals with Modi | CBC News
The BC Conservative race tightens up with candidates dropping out and MLA endorsements racking up. The NDP are under fire for policy changes. The federal government might be fine with some light foreign interference. And the Conservatives get an amendment to the budget.
Links
- Steve Kooner out
- Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare ends bid for BC Conservative leadership
- BC Conservative leadership race: Peter Milobar gets caucus endorsements | Vancouver Sun
- Federal Tories move to limit use of party data in B.C. Conservative leadership race – The Globe and Mail
- Kelowna MLA’s bill to repeal BC Human Rights Code quickly voted down – Castanet.net
- Streamlining government’s response to organized crime
- Improving digital service delivery with FOIPPA amendments
- Vaughn Palmer: NDP set to weaken B.C.’s FOI law and keep public in the dark
- B.C. policy change on billing could limit health-care access – Business in Vancouver
- $10-a-day daycare program paused in order to stabilize, B.C. government says | Globalnews.ca
- B.C.’s $10-a-day child-care program pauses controversial funding model, but service remains out of reach for many
- B.C. premier says Senate committee wants to gut bill that could close loopholes for extortion suspects | CBC News
- Where is Canada’s immigration minister? Community groups are asking | CBC News
- Canadian police warn Sikh activist of threat to life as Carney announces India visit | Globalnews.ca
- Minister says there’s ‘a lot more work to do’ with India after Canadian official says it’s no longer a threat | CBC News
- PM urged to clarify whether he believes India still carrying out interference in Canada – The Globe and Mail
- Poilievre targets Trump, urges Canada to focus on what it can control in major speech | CBC News
- Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on ‘regulatory sandboxes’
- Liberals’ omnibus budget bill passes final hurdle in the House of Commons | CBC News
A new provincial budget, an NDP debate, and a few more seats change hands federally.
Links
- BC Budget
- Vaughn Palmer: NDP quietly abolishes watchdog on civil service appointments
- Reinforcing B.C.’s leadership in interprovincial trade
- New legislation will allow people to renew, replace driver’s licence online
- New legislation will strengthen oversight of international education
- John Rustad bows out
- Harman Bhangu is in
- Pallas Data poll
- Supreme Court invalidates result from spring federal election in Terrebonne riding
- MP Matt Jeneroux leaves Conservatives to join Liberals, citing ‘national unity crisis’ | CBC News
- Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomy
- Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy
A sombre reflection takes the place of the throne speech as BC prepares for budget 2026 and Carney may or may not be gearing up for an election.
Links
- Tumbler Ridge PAC GoFundMe for victims’ family
- Throne speech pays tribute to the people of Tumbler Ridge
- Eby says 2,000 public service jobs cut and counting as B.C. faces $11.2B deficit | CBC News
- Supporting children, youth with disabilities with new programs, more funding
- Leader’s Statement: BC Greens Will Not Renew CARGA
- Carney, Ford discussed idea of an early federal election to secure majority, sources say – The Globe and Mail
- Conservatives, Liberals in behind-the-scenes negotiations as PM downplays election talk | CBC News
- Conservatives propose helping Liberals pass BIA if they remove sections allowing ministers to ‘ignore certain laws and regulations’ – iPolitics
- Canada discreetly puts money down on 14 additional F-35s | CBC News
More and more and more names for the BC Con leadership, while Poilievre survives his vote. And an AI consultation summary delivered to us by AI.
Links
- Steve Kooner for BC Conservative Leader
- Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman to run for Conservative leadership
- Bruce Banman
- John Rustad considering a run for leadership
- 2025 Fourth Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- BC Conservative leader candidate eyes 10-lane George Massey bridge project revival | Urbanized
- BC Greens Announce the Resignation of Deputy Leader Dr. Lisa Gunderson
- Conservative leadership vote 2026 results: Poilievre easily passes leadership test, receives 87.4 per cent support
- The Conservative Party is overhauling its policy playbook. Here’s what’s changing | CBC News
- Bail-reform bill moves to Senate after co-operation deal with Conservatives – The Globe and Mail
- At portrait unveiling, Harper says Canadians must make sacrifices to preserve independence – The Globe and Mail
- Stephen Harper nude painting sold to Vancouver man for $20K | CBC News
- Weekly Writ 2/5: Conservatives and Liberals set fundraising records in 2025
- Avi Lewis has wide lead in NDP leadership fundraising
- New federal grocery rebate will cost $12.4 billion, PBO estimates | CBC News
- Government tables bill giving Build Canada Homes power to acquisition land | CBC News
- How one defection to Mark Carney’s Liberals set off a political earthquake at Queen’s Park
- When it comes to Ontario, I’m all in. – Nate Erskine-Smith
- Eric Lombardi, More Neighbours Toronto founder considering a run
- An Illusion of Consensus: What the Government Isn’t Saying About the Results of its AI Consultation – Michael Geist
The BC Conservative leadership race heats up as the federal NDP membership deadline passes (and one more candidate is rejected). David Eby tries some firey rhetoric, while Carney upsets Quebec with his. And camping is getting more expensive.
Links
- Darrell Jones is in
- Jones on grocery prices
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay is in
- Yuri Fulmer goes after Caroline Elliott’s Liberal donations
- Post by @davidebybc.bsky.social – “Treason”
- B.C. premier says Alberta separatists seeking assistance from U.S. is ‘treason’ | CBC News
- B.C. attorney general warns against doing deals with ICE, amid pending Pattison sale
- B.C. extortion wave is ‘terror attack in slow motion’: Eby
- Western provinces and territories sign pact to develop critical minerals strategy | CBC News
- B.C. Premier basks in mining expansions as sector proves to be important ally for NDP government – The Globe and Mail
- Camping fees updated to further invest in parks and recreation
- Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to make groceries and other essentials more affordable for Canadians
- Carney stands by Plains of Abraham speech that rankled Quebec’s political class
- Carney cancels news conference appearance last minute after Quebec City cabinet retreat | CBC
- Former B.C. chief electoral officer tapped to head Foreign Influence Transparency Registry – The Globe and Mail
- Poilievre courts delegates as he faces a must-win leadership review vote | CBC News
- NDP blocks Yves Engler’s wife, Bianca Mugyenyi, from leadership race – The Globe and Mail
British Columbia is delaying changes to the Heritage Conservation Act pending further consultations. Extortion may or may not be a crisis in Surrey. The BC Conservatives will pick their leader by May 30. Mark Carney gets praise for his Davos speech as he inks a new deal with China.
Image credit: World Economic Forum
Links
- B.C. postponing changes to heritage act to increase consultation, says minister – Richmond News
- Heritage Conservation Act changes further delayed over concerns it could halt development
- Eby says head of extortion task force needs to demonstrate urgency or step aside – BC | Globalnews.ca
- B.C. anti-extortion chief sorry for disputing blackmail ‘crisis’ after criticism from Premier – The Globe and Mail
- https://globalnews.ca/news/11572311/extortion-suspects-claim-refugee-status-cbsa/
- Trudeau’s use of Emergencies Act to clear convoy protests unjustified, appeal court rules – The Globe and Mail
- LEADERSHIP Rules 2026 | Conservative Party of British Columbia
- Darrell Jones announces
- Mark Carney earned a rare standing ovation in Davos. Read the full text of his speech here
- ‘The old order is not coming back,’ Carney says in provocative speech at Davos | CBC News
- Poilievre calls Carney’s Davos speech ‘well-crafted,’ but says action must follow | CBC News
- Response From The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition, to the Prime Minister’s Speech in Davos – Conservative Party of Canada
- Trump says he’s withdrawing invitation for Carney to join his Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ | CBC News
- Prime Minister Carney forges new strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China focused on energy, agri-food, and trade
- Federal government asked court to set aside Ottawa’s shutdown order for TikTok Canada
More BC Conservative leadership candidates enter, BC Green leadership candidates fundraising, Centre BC leadership drama and Carney goes to China
Links
- Former B.C. Liberal minister Iain Black enters B.C. Conservative leadership race | Maple Ridge News
- Reconciliation critic Caroline Elliott seeks to head BC Conservatives | Vancouver Sun
- ‘I’m in’: Caroline Elliott confirms run for B.C. Conservative leadership – Richmond News
- 2025 BC Green Party Leadership Contestant Financing Reports Available | Elections BC
- Minister’s statement on status of the decriminalization pilot program
- Decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C. (reports) – Province of British Columbia
- B.C. officially ends decriminalization pilot project after concerns about public drug use
- What Canada failed to learn from drug decriminalization in Portugal – Canadian Affairs
- Carney’s 1st day in China secures agreement on energy — but no tariff breakthrough yet | CBC News
- B.C. and feds sign lumber understanding with China, as province looks beyond U.S. | CBC News
- Slim Majority of Canadians (54%) Support Stronger Trade Ties with China | Ipsos
- Two Liberal MPs cut Taiwan trip short ahead of Carney’s China visit – The Globe and Mail
- Canada not considering a ban on X over deepfake controversy, AI minister says
- Musk’s Grok Is Abusing Women and Children. Our Government Needs to Act | The Tyee
- Why Canada’s reaction to the Grok scandal is so muted in the midst of a global outcry
- X ‘acting to comply with UK law’ after outcry over sexualised images | Grok AI | The Guardian
- NDP leadership candidate apologizes for using AI to respond to Reddit questions | CBC News
- r/ndp on Reddit: I’m Rob Ashton, union leader and candidate for Leader of the NDP — AMA
- I’m Tony McQuail and an NDP Leadership Candidate, AMA! : r/CanadaPolitics
We made predictions for 2025. They… weren’t great. So let’s make more for 2026, as difficult as that seems.
Plus, OneBC fully imploded and kinda repaired itself over our break. We recap that and other political stories from the holidays.
Links
- Eby’s approval rating
- Aaron Gunn out
- Kelowna MLA Gavin Dew won’t run for B.C. Conservative leadership, citing family
- B.C. Conservative Party forms committee to select new leader | CBC News
- Harman Bhangu says he will ‘most likely’ run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives – Energeticcity.ca
- Kamloops MLA Milobar considering run at B.C. Conservative leadership – CastanetKamloops.net
- B.C. Conservatives should welcome more people, Yuri Fulmer says, as he enters leadership race – The Globe and Mail
- Former grocery executive Darrell Jones considers run for B.C. Conservative leadership – Vancouver Is Awesome
- West Kootenay advocate ready to lead B.C. Conservative Party | Castlegar News
- OneBC ousts MLA Dallas Brodie as leader — but she says she’s fighting back | CBC News
- BREAKDOWN: The very public implosion of OneBC
- Who Is Othman Mekhloufi, the Far-Right Poster Behind OneBC’s Strife? | The Tyee
- Dallas Brodie back in control of OneBC as a party of one after almost 10 days of negotiations – Victoria Times Colonist
- Chrystia Freeland to step down as MP on Friday | CBC News
- Pilot phase of Liberal gun buyback program collects 25 firearms | CBC News
Who’s in/who’s out in the BC Conservative race. Eby promises to amend DRIPA as Conservatives call for a repeal. Federally, another MP crosses from the Liberals to the Conservatives, making Elizabeth May the kingmaker (for now). Yves Engler is rejected from the NDP leadership, Carney pitches ‘constitutional’ mandatory minimums as he snuck superpowered ministers into his budget bill.
Links
Rookie MP Aaron Gunn considers bid to lead BC Conservatives – The Globe and Mail
Kerry-Lynne Findlay
Christy Clark cryptic posts
Former B.C. premier says Conservatives cannot be ‘kooky’ if they want to govern – Victoria Times Colonist
Sturko hasn’t ruled out B.C. Conservative return, bid for party leadership | Goldstream News Gazette
Eby says DRIPA law could be amended after First Nations win appeal in mining case – Victoria Times Colonist
B.C.’s Indigenous rights law is legally enforceable, rules court
Eby accuses courts of jeopardizing B.C. economy, resource projects – The Globe and Mail
Ontario MP Michael Ma crosses floor to Liberals, putting party one seat short of majority – The Globe and Mail
NDP rejects Yves Engler as leadership candidate – The Globe and Mail
Full correspondence via Yves EnglerCanada overhauls Criminal Code to protect victims and keep kids safe from predators
What is in Bill C-16, Ottawa’s legislation that seeks to toughen gender-based violence laws? – The Globe and Mail
Opinion | Mark Carney is quietly giving sweeping new powers to his ministers
Canada Post commits to free postage for people who are blind as legislation changes
John Rustad refuses to accept his firing before resigning to his fate. The Canada-Alberta pipeline MOU leaves BC and Coastal First Nations with little but the public is surprisingly warm to the idea. Stephen Guillbeault isn’t as he leaves cabinet, while his replacement is already stirring up controversy in Quebec.
Links
-
John Rustad officially steps down as leader of B.C. Conservatives | Vancouver Sun
-
Rob Shaw: Behind the morning of manoeuvres that unravelled Rustad’s leadership
- Brad Zubyk out as opposition leader Chief of Staff
- Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding
- Rob Shaw: Ottawa’s messaging for B.C. pipeline gets even more confusing
- National Backing High for Alberta–B.C. Pipeline, But B.C. Approval Remains Elusive
- B.C. premier open to new pipeline if tanker ban remains in place
- A Big Energy Deal with a Small Political Impact: What Canadians Really Think of the Canada–Alberta MOU
- Guilbeault resigns from cabinet over Carney’s energy deal with Alberta
- 2 top climate advisers quit saying Carney government is ignoring its experts | CBC News
- NDP leadership hopefuls say Guilbeault not welcome in their party after quitting cabinet
- Carney brings Trudeau-era minister back into cabinet, adds responsibilities to 2 others | CBC News
- Legault calls Miller a ‘disgrace to all Quebecers’ for his comments on French language | CBC News
- How a pipeline deal in Alberta somehow led to a language controversy in Quebec | CBC News
BC talks big for a small bill on the Mental Health Act. Drug users challenge their conviction. The legislature may take another crack at electoral reform. CleanBC is working but needs help as Carney and Smith come to a pipeline agreement.
Links
- Province taking action to strengthen involuntary care, better support patients
- B.C. says Mental Health Act changes intended to help nurses, but critics concerned | CBC News
- Canada’s Drug Laws Face Challenge from Founders of Vancouver Compassion Club
- Rob Shaw: B.C. abandons compassion club it funded as founders face drug convictions
- A human rights-based approach to the toxic drug crisis
- Premier appoints new parliamentary secretaries for armed forces, primary care
- Democratic and Electoral Reform Committee Report
- CleanBC independent review
- B.C. LNG push threatens electricity supply: CleanBC review – Business in Vancouver
- Carney’s expected green light for oil pipeline causes unease in caucus and cabinet: sources | CBC News
- Carney and Smith to unveil energy deal in Calgary Thursday, source says – The Globe and Mail
David Eby gets a respectable 82% at his convention. More BC Conservative riding associations call out Rustad’s leadership, with one opting to cease operations. BC releases new economic targets while scrapping its EV goals. Pipeline politics renewed. And federally the Budget passes thanks to everyone but the Bloc.
Links
- David Eby and BC NDP focused on working together and fighting for people at 2025 Convention
- Esquimalt-Colwood B.C. Conservatives end riding association – Victoria Times Colonist
- More riding associations call out Rustad
- Rustad in trouble
- Revolt within B.C. Conservatives swells against leader John Rustad | Nanaimo News Bulletin
- Procedural twist becoming common in B.C. legislature over provocative private member’s bill
- Elenore Sturko wants legislative amendment to change Interpretation Act | Surrey Now-Leader
- Delivering prosperity, good jobs for B.C., Canada
- Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada – Province of British Columbia
- Kirk LaPointe: The fault lines in B.C.’s ‘Go West’ economic plan – Victoria Times Colonist
- Provinces sign agreement to drop interprovincial trade barriers on goods except food, alcohol | CBC News
- Lifting trade barriers, making it easier to buy Canadian
- B.C. brings in measures to support EV adoption, auto sector, while awaiting federal decision
- B.C. backs proposal to increase capacity for Trans Mountain pipeline – The Globe and Mail
- Ottawa, Alberta close to deal that includes oil pipeline to B.C. coast, sources say – The Globe and Mail
- B.C Conservatives talking with Alberta on pipeline: Rustad
- Minority Liberals narrowly survive high-stakes confidence vote, fending off holiday election
- How the Conservatives helped pass Carney’s budget, avoiding an election | CBC News
- Freeland expected to work out of U.K. for new role as Rhodes Trust CEO – The Globe and Mail
- Chrystia Freeland tasked with tapping Canadian businesses to help rebuild Ukraine
David Eby hopes to keep his job at the BCNDP convention, Mark Carney unveils the next set of major projects and Yves Engler finally attempts to join the NDP leadership race.
Links
BC
Rob Shaw: Eby working to shore up support ahead of leadership review
Rob Shaw: BC NDP policy buffet features everything from free transit to ICBC pet insurance
Canada
Carney unveils major projects he wants fast-tracked, including new mines, LNG and hydro development | CBC News?
Projects referred to the MPO – Major Projects Office – Canada.ca
Major Projects Office: Second tranche of projects under consideration – Canada.ca
Prime Minister Carney announces second tranche of nation-building projects referred to the Major Projects Office
Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks | Ottawa Citizen
Top soldier has second thoughts about public servants in reserves | Ottawa Citizen
Carney government reduces savings targets for some departments, agencies | Politics | thecanadianpressnews.ca
Left-wing activist Yves Engler applies to join NDP leadership race – The Globe and Mail
Third quarter fundraising numbers aren’t enough to save John Rustad or the ostriches. While David Eby puts his elbows firmly down in the trade war. Federally, the Budget lands with a thud but the opposition parties helped it pass its first confidence tests.
Links
- 2025 Third Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- Letter from BC Conservative volunteers
- Hundreds of ostriches at B.C. farm to be killed after top court dismisses appeal to stop cull | CBC
- Marksmen complete cull at B.C. ostrich farm, CFIA says | CBC News
- B.C. won’t run ads targeting U.S. homeowners after Ontario backlash – The Globe and Mail
- Rob Shaw: Eby’s tariff task force ends in a shrug
- Budget 2025 – Canada.ca
- We Expected Little in the Federal Budget on Housing. We Got Less Than Expected.
- Budget will scrap program to plant two billion trees, source says – The Globe and Mail
- NDP says abstention is an option on budget vote – The Globe and Mail
- NDP, Bloc will vote with government on first budget confidence vote
- Liberal budget clears second confidence hurdle as MPs head into break week | CBC News
- MP Chris d’Entremont crosses floor to Liberals – The Globe and Mail
- Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux denies coercion played a role in his resignation | CBC News
- Poilievre’s Conservatives struggling to stay united, source says, as Carney government survives a second budget vote
- Financial Returns of Registered Political Parties for the Third Quarter of 2025 Now Online
- Party supporters ‘tapped out’ as post-election donation dip deepens with Grits and Tories deadlocked at $4M range in third quarter – The Hill Times
BC’s strike ends with agreement, Alberta’s with animosity. David Eby threatens an election and Mark Carney mulls the inevitability of one.
Links
- Striking B.C. public service workers announce tentative deal with province | CBC News
- BCGEU says tentative agreement reached in historic strike | Globalnews.ca
- How an all-night mediation session sealed the tentative deal between BCGEU and province
- https://x.com/katiederosayyj/status/1983639248860541068?t=P7O51eDI34UB3ZAcuceebw&s=19
- B.C. premier prepared to call early election if bill for North Coast Transmission Line voted down | CBC News
- ‘No real recovery’ for John Rustad amid dwindling support: Poll | Vancouver Sun
- https://leger360.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Media-Release-BC-Gov-Report-Card-Oct-2025.pdf
- Four psychiatrists in Vernon Jubilee Hospital tender resignation – Castanet.net
- B.C. Greens want to tie rent increases to units, not tenants – but face uphill battle | CBC News
- ‘Right now, we don’t have the votes’ to pass federal budget, says Liberal House leader | CBC News
- Conservative, NDP caucuses weighing a budget vote that could trigger an election: sources | CBC News
- Bloc Québécois candidate who lost by 1 vote loses bid to have result cancelled | CBC News
- MPs urge Carney government to release special agency governing documents | CBC News
- Carney saw Reagan anti-tariff ad before it aired, Ford says – The Globe and Mail
- Premier Eby says B.C.’s anti-tariff ads, aimed at Americans, will go ahead | Vancouver Sun
- Is it time Canada had its own space launch capability? The military thinks so
- ‘Forever Canadian’ petition surpasses goal
- ‘General strike if necessary’: Alberta unions declare intent to bring down UCP government | Globalnews.ca
- CBA Alberta Statement on the Use of the Notwithstanding Clause
John Rustad loses a caucus member and seemingly loses his senses. He refuses to resign as leader, even as his baord calls for his ouster. New bills come forward in the legislature and House of Commons touching on powerlines, employment standards and crime. But Pierre Poilievre is also facing rumours of dissension. All while Carney ties to position his upcoming budget.
Links
B.C. Conservative leader faces backlash over handling of MLA’s departure | CBC News
John Rustad hunkers down, again, as party board tries to force him out | Vancouver Sun
BC Conservative board letter
B.C. MLA’s bill to prohibit land acknowledgements in schools fails 1st reading | CBC News
CentreBC News Release – Northern Pipeline – FINAL – 251023.pdf
CentreBC Backgrounder – Northern Pipeline – FINAL – 251023.pdf
Five conditions secure coastal protection and economic benefits for all British Columbians
New legislation powers economy with clean energy, North Coast Transmission Line
New B.C. legislation promises power line to unlock northern development – The Globe and Mail
British Columbia proposes new power rules for AI, data centres
Job-protected medical leave lets workers return to work after serious illness
Education minister ordered to hand over documents related to termination of Greater Victoria School Board trustees
Liberals table crime bill to restrict access to bail, impose tougher sentences
C-14 (45-1) – LEGISinfo – Parliament of Canada
‘Pressure will mount in the coming days’ for Pierre Poilievre as signs of discontent emerge within the party following his RCMP claims
Poilievre backpedals on RCMP comments after days of pushback – The Globe and Mail
I’m a former senior aide to Stephen Harper. Pierre Poilievre is dismantling the principled, trustworthy Conservative Party we tried to build
Carney government ‘worried’ its budget won’t pass, triggering a federal election
It will take ‘sacrifices’ and ‘some time’ to transform economy, Mark Carney says in pre-budget address to country
Mass resignations rock Kamloops hospital as a new medical school opens. Strikes continue, with BC’s ramping up as CUPW slows down. Federal parties position themselves ahead of the budget, trade is rocky and Canadians want to put nuclear reactors on the moon.
Links
- Seven OB/GYNs at Kamloops hospital resign, citing unsafe workloads, lack of support – The Globe and Mail
- Applications open, permanent location secured for new SFU medical school
- B.C. government’s professional workers to expand strike after talks break down – Victoria Times Colonist
- BCGEU strike: Restaurant wishes they could purchase alcohol from private store next door | Globalnews.ca
- BC General Employees’ Union BCGEU escalates job action across the province
- You can expect to see some mail in your mailboxes again, but not on a regular schedule
- Opposition parties are pitching their own ideas ahead of Carney’s first budget | CBC News
- Demandes budgétaires du Bloc Québécois : Les moyens pour prendre soin de notre monde
- Conservatives Announce Youth Jobs Plan, Urge Liberals to Act in Upcoming Budget
- Automatic tax filing, affordability measures coming in budget, Carney previews
- Carney hints at easing corporate tax burden in budget – The Globe and Mail
- The Government’s New Budgeting Approach – PBO’s Initial Assessment
- Anand ties India trade talks with restoring Canada’s full cohort of diplomats
- Ottawa threatens Stellantis with legal action over Brampton plant reversal | CBC News
- ‘Now is the time to talk’: Carney rules out hitting the U.S. with retaliatory tariffs | CBC News
- Canada eyes putting nuclear reactors on the moon | CBC News
A bevy of bills get introduced in the BC Legislature, Rustad’s caucus troubles continue and Carney changes his signature legislation.
Links
- In John Rustad’s hunt for a leak, B.C. Conservative MLAs have their phones searched | CBC News
- The NDP sets a trap. The B.C. Conservatives walk right into it | Vancouver Sun
- B.C. bill that would have stopped puberty blockers defeated
- White House talks ‘successful, positive, substantive,’ but no relief on steel just yet, says LeBlanc | CBC
- Canada has been working for years to prepare for Golden Dome, Air Force general says – The Globe and Mail
- Billionaire Chip Wilson fined $600 for unauthorized election sign targeting B.C. NDP | CBC News
- Elections BC Notice of Fine
- Fall federal budgets to become the norm, Champagne says – The Globe and MailLiberals in closed-door talks to boost NDP funding, claim it’s not related to upcoming budget vote
- Aspiring NDP leader who has raised thousands may be breaking party rules, official says
- Yves Engler Fires Back at NDP CEO
- Canadian residency, language provisions added to bill on citizenship by descent
- Conservatives want to end birthright citizenship for children of temporary residents
- Public Safety Minister set to table new version of strong borders bill after slew of criticism – The Globe and Mail
- Understanding Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, Bill C-12
BC Legislature Bills:
- Bill 17 – Intimate images Stronger protections coming for people affected by intimate-image abuse
- Bill 18 – Sexual violence policy Stronger measures will address sexual violence at post-secondary schools
- Bill 19 – School Amendment (childcare) Province to remove barriers, make way for more child care at schools
- Bill 20 – Construction prompt payment New legislation will ensure prompt payment in B.C.’s construction industry
- Bill 21 – AG Statute amendments (2) Introduction of attorney general statutes amendment act (No. 2), 2025
- Bill 22 – Statutes Act
- Bill 23 – Regulations Act New legislation makes online versions of B.C. laws official (and 22)
- Bill 24 – Vaping damages New law will hold vape manufacturers accountable for public health costs
- Rob Shaw: B.C. introduces bill to sue vaping companies for health harms
- Bill 25 – Housing amendments Introduction of housing and municipal affairs statutes amendment act, 2025
- Bill 26 – Vancouver Charter Amendments Vancouver residents will have say on park board’s future – Can save for Cambie report
- Bill 27 – Misc Statutes (2) New meeting rules will strengthen Indigenous, local government relations and Introduction of miscellaneous statutes amendment act (No. 2), 2025
- Bill 28 – Business Practices & Consumer Protection Amendment Stronger tools coming to protect people from credit fraud
- Bill 29 – Child, Family & Community Service Amendment Safety planning updated to better support children, families
The BC Legislature returns on Monday and the NDP aren’t giving us much to be excited about. However, the BC Conservative meltdowns continue with a high profile firing. Alberta is pushing through a pipeline that no one is really asking for, Carney faces budget vote challenges. What constitutes terrorism in the government’s eyes? Apparently Irish rappers and Indian gangs. And the NDP race has some candidates now.
Links
- NDP house leader says B.C. gov’t plans to pass 18 bills during fall session | CBC News
- Rustad Fires Lindsay Shepherd for Residential School Comments | The Tyee
- Rob Shaw: Local shipyards could have built some BC Ferries ships rather than China, says leaked report
- Alberta to draw up proposal for new oil pipeline to B.C. coast by May – The Globe and Mail
- David Eby response
- Blanchet says upcoming budget has ‘no legitimacy,’ Bloc unlikely to support it
- Davies meets with Carney as he calls on the Liberals to tackle ‘job crisis’ in upcoming budget – iPolitics
- Is Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap still banned from entering Canada? Were they ever? It’s unclear | CBC News
- Canada lists India’s Bishnoi Gang as terrorist entity – The Globe and Mail
- Ottawa launches Defence Investment Agency to streamline procurement – The Globe and Mail
- World’s first AI minister will eliminate corruption, says Albania’s PM
- ‘Eat the rich’: Rob Ashton joins race to lead federal NDP
- Edmonton MP Heather McPherson enters NDP leadership race | CBC News
- NDP leadership candidate McPherson stands by ‘purity test’ remarks after criticism from fellow MP
- Heather McPherson
- Avi Lewis for NDP Leader
- Rob Ashton
- Tanille Johnston
- Yves Engler for NDP Leader
- Tony McQuail Green Progressive 2026
- Current leadership contestants – Elections Canada *
When it comes to leadership numbers, 70% is bad if you’re John Rustad but 60% is great if you’re Emily Lowan. Mark Carney is under fire for the gun buypack, recognition of Palestine and changes to Canada Post.
Links
John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review with 71% support | CBC News
‘No chains’: Elenore Sturko speaks out after ousting from B.C. Conservative caucus | CBC News
Inside the BC Conservative Crisis | The Tyee
Emily Lowan Elected Leader of the BC Green Party
BC Greens elect Emily Lowan as new party leader
Opposition leaders offer very different visions for B.C. at UBCM | CBC News
OneBC interim leader in favour of defunding non-profits to incentivize recovery focus – Castanet.net
Supreme Court of Canada grants stay on ostrich cull
Ostrich farmers hope for ‘miracle’ as CFIA moves to cull flock over avian flu
Public safety minister’s ‘misguided’ comments in leaked audio undermined the Liberals’ gun buyback program, critics charge
Carney government cancels plan to send buyback rifles to Ukraine after ‘extremely limited interest’
Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine
Feds to launch review of Canada Post as Crown corp. continues to face financial hurdles
Liberal government frees Canada Post to end home delivery, close some post offices | CBC News
Canada Post workers on nationwide strike after government demands reforms | CBC News
Photo credit: BC Green Party
Does foreign interference include the afterlife? Because dead people are signing up for the BC Conservatives, which really isn’t helping their reputation. Also Eby goes to Ottawa as our deficit climbs higher and higher. And in Ottawa, Carney shakes up our foreign affairs approach, launches a public sector builder and promises a new budget. But nothing ever changes with the Green Party of Canada.
Links
Rob Shaw: Phantom BC Conservatives cast shadow over Rustad’s leadership review – Business in Vancouver
Allegations of fake sign-ups, ballot stuffing cloud B.C. Conservative leadership review | CBC News
BC Conservatives treasurer resigns
B.C. economy in strong position to weather global trade uncertainty
B.C. budget deficit jumps to $11.6B, upward trend now expected to continue – Greater Victoria News
Eby travels to Ottawa to lobby Carney for B.C. major projects funding
Carney, Sheinbaum sign deal to deepen economic ties
Mark Carney set to shake things up with diplomatic appointments, staff moves
Former justice minister David Lametti to leave Prime Minister’s Office: sources | CBC News
Freeland to serve as Canada’s special representative for Ukraine, exit cabinet – The Globe and Mail
Build Canada Homes
Prime Minister Carney launches Build Canada Homes to supercharge homebuilding across the country
Carney allots $13-billion to build affordable housing under Build Canada Homes – The Globe and Mail
Carney government to table first budget on Nov. 4 | CBC News
May asks to stay on as Green leader after saying she would step aside – National | Globalnews.ca
Who’s afraid of foreign interference? Apparently the BC Green Party. Plus Mark Carney launches a tariff response and picks his first major projects.
Links
- Verification woes cloud B.C. Green party’s leadership race – Business in Vancouver
- All eligible party members will be able to vote in leadership race: B.C. Greens – Mission City Record
- Kelowna conservative strategist behind AI news site targeting John Rustad | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan’s News Source
- Prime Minister Carney launches new measures to protect, build, and transform Canadian strategic industries
- Carney unveils billions in funding, Buy Canadian policy to combat Trump’s tariffs | CBC News
- Canada delaying plan to force automakers to hit EVs sales targets | CBC News
- Prime Minister Carney launches new measures to protect, build, and transform Canadian strategic industries
- Saskatchewan premier set to return from China trip this week
- Prime Minister Carney announces first projects to be reviewed by the new Major Projects Office
- Alberta premier says province is being heard by Carney
- Exclusive: Canada may drop oil emissions cap as part of new climate plan, sources say | Reuters
- Border security bill, budget could put Liberal minority government on the defensive this fall – iPolitics
- Conservatives will introduce a bail reform bill this fall, Poilievre says – The Globe and Mail
- Carney will introduce legislation next month to tighten bail system – The Globe and Mail
Ian’s back from vacation – and there’s politics to talk about. BCGEU goes on strike, Poilievre and Eby take aim at the temporary foreign worker program, Poilievre wants stand your ground laws, Carney opens his Major Project Offices and the NDP launch their leadership race.
Links
- BCGEU says its members will begin walking picket lines Tuesday
- As BCGEU strike drags on, teachers’ union negotiations simmer in background | Globalnews.ca
- B.C. schools at funding ‘crunch point’ as districts cut millions from budgets | CBC News
- Poilievre calls on Liberals to scrap the temporary foreign worker program
- Ottawa must cancel or significantly reform temporary foreign worker program, says Eby
- Bryan Breguet v John Rustad on TFWs
- Youth unemployment is now at level seen ‘during a recession,’ report shows – National | Globalnews.ca
- Poilievre calls for more legal protection for Canadians defending homes from intruders | CBC News
- Prime Minister Carney launches new Major Projects Office to fast-track nation-building projects
- Internal PMO polls show huge support for major hydro, road, port projects – National | Globalnews.ca
- Project 2025 architect Kevin Roberts no longer attending cabinet forum – iPolitics
- Finance Minister announces 100-day plan to fix CRA service delays – The Globe and Mail
- NDP Leadership 2026 « Canada’s NDP
- Huron County farmer files application papers to lead federal NDP
- Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis prepare NDP leadership bids
Ben Woodfinden, former Communications Director for Pierre Poilievre comes on the pod to discuss the 2025 election and the state of Canadian conservativism.
Links
- Ben Woodfinden’s Website
- Ben Woodfinden’s Twitter/X
- Ben Woodfinden’s Substack
We interview the candidates to lead the BC Green Party Emily Lowan, Adam Bremner-Akins and Jonathan Kerr. Find out why they are running and what is their vision for the BC Green Party and the Province.
Links
Official Campaign Websites:
Emily Lowan
Adam Bremner-Akins
Jonathan Kerr
Referenced polls:
British Columbians Back Mandatory Voting and Spring Ballots – Research Co
Ryan Clayton joins the pod to discuss the BC Green Party leadership race and couple consequential court decisions.
Links
- Ryan’s Substack
- B.C. to appeal landmark Aboriginal title ruling over Fraser River land in Metro Vancouver | CBC News
- Major land claims ruling says B.C. Indigenous group has claim to a portion of city and port lands – The Globe and Mail
- Canada’s voting system is constitutional, Ontario Court of Appeal rules | CBC News
David Moscrop joins the pod to discuss 100 days of Carney. What does the three and a third months since the election tell us about what kind of PM Mark Carney is and what does it mean for the future of Canada.
Links
- Carney suggests he’s considering rescinding Online News Act | National Post
- Write-in ballots to be used in Alberta byelection due to record number of candidates | CBC News
- David Moscrop’s Substack
A mining rescue operation, ultimatums for Oak Bay & West Van, an even bigger ballot and First Ministers meet.
Links
- Rescue operation underway for 3 miners trapped underground at northern B.C. mine | CBC News
- Underground mine where workers trapped was on BC fast-track list | Canada’s National Observer: Climate News
- Update (after recording): Rescued workers being reunited with families after 60 hours trapped in B.C. mine | CBC News
- Directives issued to get more homes built in Oak Bay, West Vancouver
- Drug body members quit after decision reversal on funding for treatment of girl with rare disease
- Data reveals dramatic spike in patients leaving B.C. emergency rooms without receiving care | CBC News
- MP wants passenger rail in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region as CN Rail pulls out | CBC News
- More than 100 candidates — most in Canadian history — to run against Poilievre in byelection | CBC News
- Poilievre calls for law to block long ballot protests that ‘abuse’ democracy
- Poilievre, Conservative MPs criticize Crown ahead of Freedom Convoy leaders’ sentencing | CBC News
- Toronto has 6 months to meet terms of housing agreement with Ottawa, minister says | CBC News
- Premiers push for more power over immigration as Ford takes aim at federal minister – The Globe and Mail
- After 2 days of trade talks, premiers wrap summit talking crime and health care | CBC News
A cabine shuffle, a drug decision flip-flop and Poilievre’s struggle for relevancy.
Links
- Updated cabinet sworn in to meet the needs of British Columbians in a changing world
- B.C. cuts Metro Vancouver developers a break from soaring fees, backstopped by $250 million in federal cash
- B.C. quietly expands scope of Bill 14 to include all future wind and solar – Terrace Standard
- B.C. improves HOV-lane access for EV drivers
- Health minister upholds decision to deny rare-disease funds for B.C. girl – The Globe and Mail
- B.C.’s premiere responds to experts on treatment for Langford’s Charleigh Pollock
- Rob Shaw – drug coverage restored
- Ontario Progressive Conservatives schedule convention for same time as Poilievre’s leadership review – The Globe and Mail
- Poilievre adviser Jenni Byrne staying on, Conservatives confirm amid speculation of ouster – The Globe and Mail
- Poilievre calls for ‘very hard caps’ on immigration to better integrate newcomers | CBC News
- Poilievre slams Carney over investment disclosure, says PM needs to sell assets | CBC News
- Money for nothing? Feds’ failure to condemn Toronto’s breach of housing deal ‘concerning,’ say critics – iPolitics
- Toronto sixplex policy ‘disappointing,’ Federal Housing Minister says – The Globe and Mail
The BC Greens are actually having a leadership race with (at least) three candidates. FIFA is disrupting the courts and future community events may need risk assessments. BC’s urgent infrastructure act is going to a year-long consultation process while the feds eye projects for their act. Carney caves on digital services taxes and Trump threatens tariffs anyway. The Battle River-Crowfoot byelection has been called and so has the federal NDP leadership race.
Links
BC Green Party Leadership Race 2025: A New Era
Comox councillor steps forward as leadership candidate for B.C. Greens | Vancouver Sun
Adam Bremner-Akins
These are not normal times. Here in B.C., one-third of us can’t afford our bills. Rent and grocery prices are sky-high. Home-ownership and… | Instagram
All criminal trials in four B.C. courts to be rescheduled during FIFA World Cup
Report says all B.C. events should get risk review, in wake of Lapu-Lapu festival tragedy
REPORT OF THE STUDY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO COMMUNITY EVENTS SAFETY
Engagement begins to support implementation of Infrastructure Projects Act
Canada
Canada rescinds digital services tax to advance trade discussions with the United States | CBC News
Trump threatening 35% tariffs on Canadian goods across the board | CBC News
Carney’s cabinet asked to find ‘ambitious savings’ ahead of fall budget | CBC News
Carney says it’s ‘highly likely’ an oil pipeline makes project list | Calgary Herald
Carney government’s nation-building projects list expected to draw from these five areas, says source
Carney calls mid-August Alberta byelection, clearing Poilievre’s path to a new seat
Liberal Party of Canada announces Darcy Spady as Liberal candidate for Battle River—Crowfoot
Katherine Swampy
Green Party’s Douglas Gook Launches By-Election Campaign with Focus on Local Empowerment
NDP plans to launch six-month leadership race, choose leader in March 2026
- Heather McPherson
- Yves Engler for NDP Leader
- Tony McQuail
Ruling Liberals Comfortably Ahead in Canada’s Political Scene – Research Co.
The BC Conservatives didn’t mean to politicize “blackmail” accusations against their political rivals. The BCNDP and federal government face further criticism over the BC Ferries order. And (most) NATO allies commit to spending unseen amounts on military build-ups.
(Sorry for the re-upload)
Links
- Rustad wonders if he should have made ‘blackmail’ claim after Opposition caucus meets | CBC News
- Rustad says staff won’t give RCMP ‘blackmail’ statement as leadership vote begins – Richmond News
- Federal infrastructure bank provided $1-billion in loans for BC Ferries to buy Chinese-made ships – The Globe and Mail
- Tories call for hearing on $1-billion federal loan for BC Ferries’ purchase of Chinese vessels – The Globe and Mail
- FIFA World Cup hosting costs revealed by B.C. are up to $624 million | Vancouver Sun
- Senate passes controversial bill to fast-track major projects
- Bill C-5: Canadians support fast-tracking projects, but conflicted over individual elements of the legislation –
- Carney ready to dismiss top bureaucrats unable to meet his expectations, Liberal insiders say – The Globe and Mail
- The Hague Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government (2025), 25-Jun.
- Canada promises to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035 in pact with NATO leaders | CBC News
- NATO’s 5% benchmark would cost Canada $150B a year, Carney says | CBC News
- Canada signs deal deepening European defence and security partnership | CBC News
- Carney says Canada will meet new NATO spending target by developing critical minerals
- Ottawa considering military equipment production deal with Ukraine, Defence Minister says – The Globe and Mail
- NATO’s new villain: Spain – POLITICO
David Eby doesn’t have to like China building our new ferries, so long as they get built. John Rustad accuses former colleagues of trying to blackmail his staff. And the BC Greens still exist even if no one is officially running for their leadership.
Federally, Carney’s big infrastructure bill passes with Conservative support despite some pushback from the rest of the opposition and some Liberals. They also introduced a new old cybersecurity bill. At the G7, they announced money for Ukraine and talked up trade with the USA. The Coast Guard may, or may not, be armed, depending who you ask and on what day. Jagmeet Singh and Sikh Canadians face intimidation from India but that didn’t stop Carney from reinstating our high commissioner to India. Finally, Damien Kurek resigns, giving Pierre Poilievre a path back to the House of Commons in time for his leadership review in January.
Links
BC
- Premier David Eby rules out cancelling BC Ferries’ China-built ships contract
- B.C. Opposition Leader John Rustad accuses former Conservative MLAs of blackmail
- Eby calls for police investigation after BC Conservative ‘blackmail’ claims – Global News
- Weaving the fringes – by Ryan Clayton – Shot of Ry
- Adam Bremner-Akins
Canada
- Liberals to pass major projects bill this week with Conservative support
- MPs call out Carney’s sprint to push major projects bill through Commons | CBC News
- Liberal MP wants to see major projects bill amended, studied further – Business in Vancouver
- Government Bill (House of Commons) C-8 (45-1) – First Reading – An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts
- Senators amend error in cybersecurity bill that could have cancelled half of it | CBC News
- G7 Leaders’ Joint Statements – Kananaskis, Canada, 17 June 2025 – Consilium
- Carney’s office retracts claim U.S. wanted to water down language on Ukraine at G7 | CBC News
- Canada announces $4.3-billion in new Ukraine aid and sanctions on Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ – The Globe and Mail
- Carney and Trump commit to reaching trade deal within 30 days | CBC News
- Coast Guard union says crews in the dark about promised expanded ‘security mandate’
- Military vice-chief says there are no plans to arm Coast Guard vessels
- ‘It’s unacceptable’: Brother of Jagmeet Singh says Canadians warned about risk to their life deserve protection
- Indian agent had Jagmeet Singh under close surveillance | Globalnews.ca
- Canada ‘must remain vigilant’ about Indian foreign interference, CSIS report cautions | CBC News
- Canada, India agree to re-establish high commissioners after G7 meeting | CBC News
- Poilievre to face leadership review in January – The Globe and Mail
- Kurek looks to leave mark on Canada with bill to add a new national symbol
The independent Conservative MLAs start a new party, but only some of them. Plus the NDP has ferry troubles again. Meanwhile in Ottawa, Carney takes a page from BC’s Bill 15 as questions pile up about what is his foreign policy.
Links
- B.C. Independent MLAs start new party to ‘combat the globalist assault’
- Kelowna MLA part of new BC political party
- OneBC – Party Website
- Kealy confirms no involvement with new party created by fellow ex-Conservatives
- Jordan Kealy tweet
- BC Privacy Office Forced to Obtain Court Order for FOI Request | The Tyee
- BC Ferries selects shipyard to construct four New Major Vessels
- Backlash mounts over BC Ferries’ deal with Chinese shipyard
- New federal legislation would cut internal trade barriers, advance ‘nation-building’ projects – The Globe and Mail
- Government of Canada introduces legislation to build One Canadian Economy
- Carney shows his hand on infrastructure and trade bill | Canada’s National Observer
- Canada’s new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces
- Carney to announce Canada’s defence spending will hit NATO’s target of 2% of GDP this fiscal year, sources say – The Globe and Mail
- Canada to join major European rearmament deal as early as June 23: sources | CBC News
- Canadian military personnel to get 20 per cent pay hike, defence minister says
- Saudi Crown Prince MBS will not attend G7 Summit in Canada | Reuters
- Carney defends inviting India’s Modi to G7 summit as Liberal MP calls it ‘a bad idea’ | CBC News
- Indian agent had Jagmeet Singh under close surveillance | Globalnews.ca
- India and Canada reach deal to share intelligence on terrorism, crime | Financial Post
Kelowna General Hospital’s pediatric ward is closed, which is very bad. Meanwhile our premier is in Asia while the other premiers met with Mark Carney.
In Ottawa, the Throne Speech passes quietly in the night despite the NDP’s pledge to vote against. And the Liberals introduce their first bills, including a major border and security state overhaul bill.
Links
- Pediatric unit at Kelowna hospital to close for at least 6 weeks amid doctor shortage | CBC News
- Kelowna General Hospital doctors warn of ‘collapse’ of primary maternity care coverage | CBC News
- B.C. health officials were warned of problems nine months before Kelowna hospital pediatric ward closure
- B.C. premier on trade mission says Japanese companies expressing interest in LNG, critical minerals | CBC News
- Pipeline policy divides B.C., Alberta as premiers meet with Carney in Saskatoon | Globalnews.ca
- Premiers express optimism after pitching major projects to Carney | CBC News
- First Ministers’ statement on building a strong Canadian economy and advancing major projects
- Ontario signs deals with Saskatchewan, P.E.I. and Alberta to reduce trade barriers | CBC News
- Throne speech motion rewrite should remind Liberals of the perils of minority government – iPolitics
- Throne speech adopted without a vote in House of Commons
- Government of Canada strengthens border security
- Government Bill (House of Commons) C-2 (45-1) – First Reading – Strong Borders Act – Parliament of Canada
- Migrant Rights Network Condemns Bill C-2’s Anti-Refugee & Mass Deportation Provisions
- Privacy At Risk: Government Buries Lawful Access Provisions in New Border Bill – Michael Geist
- Border security bill would give law enforcement access to internet subscriber information without a warrant – The Globe and Mail
- From increased police power to stricter immigration, here’s what’s in the new border bill – The Globe and Mail
- Canada introduces proposed citizenship by descent legislation
- Government Bill (House of Commons) C-4 (45-1) – First Reading – Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act – Parliament of Canada
- House unanimously adopts Liberals’ promised income tax cut | CBC News
The BC Legislature wraps up its spring sitting with a couple rare private members bills passing, as well as the NDP’s two controversial infrastructure bills. Federally, King Charles himself delivered Mark Carney’s first Throne Speech but did so without the crown.
Links
- Spring legislative session focuses on standing strong for B.C., growing economy
- B.C. MLAs banned from holding municipal office after bill passes | CBC News
- MLAs who are now less employed
- B.C. Conservative MLA’s private member’s bill on perinatal, postnatal mental health care passes | CBC.ca
- B.C. NDP government narrowly passes controversial bills to fast-track projects | CBC News
- B.C. gravel truckers’ union suing Conservative MLA over alleged defamation
- Elections B.C. says 2024 election ‘free and fair’ but marred by ‘false narratives’ | CBC News
- 2024 Provincial Election Report Available
- Throne Speech: Building Canada Strong: A bold, ambitious plan for our future
- Ottawa planning ‘up-front’ approval for projects deemed in the national interest | CBC News
- Carney says Canada is looking to join major European military buildup by July 1 | CBC News
BC hires then fires a DTES czar, Carney releases the mandate letter to rule them all and Danielle Smith plays with fire.
Links
- B.C. scraps controversial appointment of Downtown Eastside ‘czar’ | CBC News
- Liberals will table a budget this fall, Prime Minister Mark Carney says | CBC News
- Mandate Letter | Prime Minister of Canada
- Canada wants to join Golden Dome missile-defence program, Trump says | CBC News
- Prime Minister Carney pressed on housing prices
- Housing Policy Is Mark Carney’s Mission: Impossible
- Alberta separatist group releases proposed referendum question, plans to push for vote this year
- What if Alberta did vote to leave? – by Stewart Prest
- Opinion: It’s time for a centralization movement in Canada – Emmett Macfarlane
- Jen Gerson: Danielle Smith is destroying my kitchen
Remember that leaked safe supply presentation? The Director of Policing Services does as the RCMP questions BC Conservative MLA Elanore Sturko over the leak, while Solicitor General Garry Begg flubbs questions about the appropriateness of such investigations. BC is also considering ways to fund Translink but congestion pricing is already off the table. And are the BC Greens having a leadership race if no one joins it?
Federally, Mark Carney unveils his cabinet, or “ministry”, with a mix of ministers and secretaries of state. And a few ministers are already off to a not great start. They won’t be having a budget though and we may be seeing a byelection in Terrebonne as well.
Links
- Solicitor General official orders investigation of safe supply whistleblower – Northern Beat
- B.C. minister’s performance in key portfolio leaves much to be desired | Vancouver Sun
- B.C. minister clarifies position on police investigation into leaked document
- Rob Shaw: B.C. considers vehicle levy to help fund Translink – Business in Vancouver
- BC Green Party Leadership Race 2025: A New Era
- Why is no one running to lead the BC Greens? – Shot of Ry
- Prime Minister announces new Ministry
- Guilbeault: ‘As far as I know’ no companies want to build east-west pipeline | CBC.ca
- Canada’s new housing minister doesn’t think prices need to come down
- New housing minister’s comments on home prices raise eyebrows
- New housing minister’s comments on maintaining price of homes are politically, mathematically off-base: experts – iPolitics
- Congrats to the new cabinet – Nate Erskine-Smitht
- Mark Carney signs something to promise us a tax cut
- Liberals aren’t planning to table a budget this year, finance minister says | CBC News
- Elections Canada says Terrebonne vote is final, despite ‘error’ with special ballot
- Bloc Québécois to challenge Terrebonne election result in court
- Bloc Québécois pushes for byelection in Terrebonne, after 5 more ballot issues declared in riding | CBC News
- Review of Special Ballot System – Elections Canada
Mr. Carney goes to Washington but first a look at David Eby’s infrastructure fast tracking stumbles and new interim leaders (kind of).
Links
- FNLC Questions Regressive, Conflated Infrastructure Projects Act; Alarmed by Province’s Backsliding on Reconciliation Efforts – UBCIC
- Far from cutting red tape, B.C. NDP fast-tracking law hands big overriding powers to cabinet
- Rob Shaw: NDP’s infrastructure fix risks derailing Indigenous reconciliation
- B.C. government appoints former chief justice to review festival safety measures | CBC News
- B.C. premier steps over a line in condemnation of Lapu Lapu Day driver | Vancouver Sun
- BC: Conservatives Lead NDP, 47% to 45%
- 2025 First Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- Province takes energy action to electrify economy, increase resilience
- King Charles III to open Parliament at end of May, Carney says – National | Globalnews.ca
- Conservatives signal they are willing to back Carney’s Liberals on some legislation | CBC News
- Conservative Damien Kurek says he’ll step aside for Poilievre — but by law he has to wait | CBC News
- Mark Carney says he would quickly call byelection for Pierre Poilievre
- Longest ballot group takes aim at byelection where Poilievre plans to run
- Conservatives choose Andrew Scheer as interim Opposition leader | CBC News
- NDP choose Vancouver MP Don Davies as interim leader | Globalnews.ca
- Leah Gazan’s Tweet: Great finding out through the news…. Go “team” NDP
- Mark Carney tells Donald Trump ‘Canada is not for sale’ in a high-stakes Oval Office meeting
- Over 800 special ballots ‘mistakenly’ kept in B.C. riding: Elections Canada | Vancouver Sun
- Issue with some special ballots in Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam – Elections Canada
The results are in. We break down the election results and why the LPC and CPC each have reasons for happiness and disappointment. Plus the NDP’s disastrous night.
You can donate to support the victims and survivors of the Lapu-Lapu attack at: Filipino BC – United Way Fundraiser
Public invited to sign condolence books for victims of Lapu-Lapu Festival attack
Links
- Elections Canada: Election Night Results – National
- Canada federal election 2025 live results | CBC News
- An emotional Singh steps down with NDP set to lose party status | CBC News
- ‘That number is arbitrary’: NDP to fight for official party status despite only 7 seats
- B.C.’s NDP premier says he’s not interested in Jagmeet Singh’s job
- Pedneault’s Resignation Letter
- Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault resigns
- Green Party’s Elizabeth May open to running for House Speaker, joining Carney cabinet
- Doug Ford shrugs off attacks by Pierre Poilievre’s Tories: ‘I’m done with all this stuff’
- ‘It’s an unmitigated disaster’: Conservative insiders debate Pierre Poilievre’s future as leader after election defeat
- Poilievre is making calls to shore up support as Conservatives take stock of election results | CBC News
- Mark Carney to install new cabinet, recall Parliament early to cut taxes and open U.S. trade talks – The Globe and Mail
- ‘I lost my legal right to vote’: Booths closed early — or didn’t open at all — in some Nunavik villages | CBC News
- B.C. Premier Eby says province will overhaul Mental Health Act after Lapu-Lapu Day festival attack – The Globe and Mail
- B.C. Premier promises public inquiry into vehicle attack if suspect’s criminal trial fails to answer questions – The Globe and Mail
- B.C. streamlines permitting for renewable-energy projects
- New legislation will deliver key infrastructure faster, strengthen economy
It’s the final days of the election and a breakdown of the party platforms.
Platforms
Liberals – Canada Strong | Liberal Party of Canada
Conservatives – Canada First. For a Change
NDP – Made for People. Built for Canada.
Green – Plans – Green Party Of Canada
Bloc – Plateforme politique -2025- | Bloc Québécois
Links
Green Party going to court after being dropped from election debates
Estimate of Turnout at Advance Polls Now Available – Elections Canada
Cost Estimates – 45th General Election
Conservatives, Liberals called out over lack of ‘prudence’ in platforms
Conservatives update platform to include omitted ‘anti-woke’ promise | CBC News
Poilievre may lose his Ottawa-area riding as Liberals poised to sweep the region – The Globe and Mail
Ontario raises questions over future of $10-a-day child-care deal | Globalnews.ca
Tensions with N.S. premier simmered as Poilievre made his sole stop in the province | CBC News
There was a debate but more importantly we had plenty of debates about the debate given the kerfuffle that was this entire affair. The Conservatives bring up invoking the notwithstanding clause again and the BCNDP consider making it easier to drive.
Links
- Debates commission defends inviting Greens despite party’s candidate shortage | CBC News
- Green Party dropped from leaders’ debates for not running enough candidates | CBC News
- Post-debate press scrum scrapped at last minute over lack of ‘proper environment’ – The Globe and Mail
- Right-wing media including Rebel News dominate post-debate news conferences | Radio-Canada.ca
- Federal debates chief says he was unaware Rebel News had registered as advocacy group
- Time changed for French-language leaders’ debate due to Montreal Canadiens game | CBC News
- Conservatives are limiting media access to Poilievre. Is it helping or hurting him? | CBC News
- Journalist appears to be pushed by Conservative staffer
- WATCH Election 2025: English-Language Federal Leaders’ Debate
- Liberal operatives planted ‘stop the steal’ buttons at conservative conference | CBC News
- Carney apologizes for fake Trump-style buttons, Liberal staffers ‘reassigned’
- Ed Fast back’s Mike de Jong
- Poilievre says he’ll use notwithstanding clause to ensure multiple-murderers die in prison | CBC News
- Poilievre Will Restore Consecutive Sentences For Mass Murderers – Conservative Party of Canada
- Graduated licensing changes improve accessibility, safety
- Sick notes restriction will leave more time for patient care
- Rob Shaw: Gutted org chart signals deeper B.C. health ministry upheaval
It’s like Christmas for political nerds as we have annual reports from Elections BC and tons of policy coming fast from the parties. Plus allegations China and India are meddling in our politics (again).
Linka
2024 Annual Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
Demoractic reform committee
Premier directs government to cancel American contracts wherever viable
Province, mayors pledge stable, expanded transit services in Metro Vancouver
Election interference watchdog detects Beijing effort to influence Chinese Canadians on Carney – The Globe and Mail
Carney says he had never heard of pro-Beijing group despite photos with its leaders – The Globe and Mail
The Exchange
The Modi ‘friends’ who helped finance Poilievre’s leadership campaign | Globalnews.ca
Policy
Liberals
- Mark Carney’s Liberals to protect Canada’s national identity by strengthening CBC/Radio-Canada
- Mark Carney’s Liberals to cover costs of apprenticeship training for skilled trades workers
- Mark Carney’s Liberals to deliver urgent support to protect Canadian retirees in this global crisis
- Mark Carney’s Liberals to protect Canada’s Nature, Biodiversity, and Water
- Mark Carney’s Liberals to make Canada the world’s leading energy superpower
- Mark Carney’s Liberals release plan to fight crime, protect Canadians, and build safer communities
Cons
- Conservatives Will End Carney’s Crime Wave
- Poilievre to Crack Down on Liberal Violent Crime Wave with ‘Three-Strikes-And-You’re-Out’ Law – Conservative Party of Canada
- Poilievre Announces Plan To Cut Taxes By $100,000 Per Home – Conservative Party of Canada
- Conservatives Will Crack Down on Tax Cheats
- Poilievre Will Bring in ‘One and Done’ Approvals, Accelerate Ten Specific Resource Projects – Conservative Party of Canada
- Poilievre To Cut Red Tape by 25%, Bring in Two-for-One Law – Conservative Party of Canada
- Poilievre will Make Recovery a Reality for 50,000 Canadians – Conservative Party of Canada
NDP
- NDP Unveils Plan to Stop Corporate Tax Dodgers Like Carney’s Brookfield
- Singh pledges federal action to give every Canadian access to a family doctor by 2030 « Canada’s NDP
- Singh: Universal healthcare isn’t complete until pharmacare is delivered « Canada’s NDP
- Singh: NDP Will Build 3 Million Homes by 2030—and Make Housing Affordable Again
- NDP to end landlord money grabs and bring in national rent control
Greens
- Green Party of Canada Unveils Bold Plan to Expand Universal Public Healthcare
- Green Party Launches Foreign Policy Plan to Strengthen Canada’s Sovereignty and Global Role
The carbon tax is gone. The dictator clauses of Bill 7 are gone. BC gets a credit downgrade. And we have a new political party on the scene!
In the federal election, the Liberals drop candidates (some after some delay) and the Conservatives drop more. The Cons wheels come off and policies abound.
Links
Gas prices tumble across B.C. after carbon tax lifted in late-night legislative session | CBC News
David Eby walks back key portion of proposed B.C. tariff response legislation following backlash | CBC News
Rob Shaw: Fixes to Eby’s controversial tariff bill don’t go far enough, say business leaders
Double blow as S&P and Moody’s downgrade B.C.’s credit rating again, citing deficit
Ex-BC United MLA who ran as independent registers new ‘Centre BC’ provincial party | Globalnews.ca
Liberal candidate Paul Chiang withdraws from race after suggesting people claim China’s bounty on Conservative | CBC News
Liberals drop Calgary Confederation candidate
Liberals drop Edmonton candidate who praised Hamas, Hezbollah in video | National Post
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/conservatives-drop-fourth-candidate-in-just-two-days-over-alleged-social-media-activity/
Ejected Conservative candidate in B.C. defended Chinese government
Aaron Gunn and calls to fire him
Independent MP Han Dong won’t seek re-election in suburban Toronto riding | CBC News
Tory MP Rempel Garner defends Conservative campaign plan amid pressure for Poilievre to pivot
Policies
Liberal
- Agrifood plan
- Housing
Con
- Reduce taxes on alcohol
- National energy corridor
- Supporting Newfoundland & Labrador in doubling oil & gas production
- Poilievre To Axe GST on Canadian-Made Cars, Create ‘Keep Canadians Working Fund’ – Conservative Party of Canada
- Poilievre Announces Canada First Reinvestment Tax Cut
- Poilievre Commits to Tax Fairness for Travelling Trades Workers – Conservative Party of Canada
NDP
- Singh to First-Time Buyers: We’ll Help you Buy a Home—Not Investors and Speculators « Canada’s NDP
- Home retrofits and industrial/border carbon pricing
- Victory bonds
Greens
- Green Party will create a National Civil Defence Corps to Strengthen Canada’s Resilience
If you watched the first week of the federal election campaign, you might now realize we’re in an unprecedented trade war with the largest economy in the world.
Links
- Federal election campaign begins, with leaders pitching themselves as best option amid trade tensions – The Globe and Mail
- Canada election: Cancelled debate steals the campaign show from taxes and housing | CBC
- Elections Canada
- Redrawn ridings could give Conservatives an advantage, say pollsters
- Nepean’s Mark Carney surprise further disrupts the local race | CBC News
- Former B.C. cabinet minister Mike de Jong set to run in federal election as an independent – The Globe and Mail
- Randy Boissonnault announced he will not run in upcoming election
- Liberal MP Sean Fraser changes mind, will seek re-election | CBC News
- Trevor Tombe: Duelling tax cuts from the Liberals and Conservatives improve family budgets—but do little for the economy – The Hub
- Poilievre pledges $14B annual income tax cut, saving average worker $900 a year | CBC News
- Liberals launch 2025 campaign with middle-class tax cut
- Poilievre To Cut Income Tax By 15% For The Average Canadian – Conservative Party of Canada
- NDP announces plan to cut taxes for working and middle-class families, not millionaires and billionaires
- Greens Propose a $40,000 Tax-Free Income Threshold, Delivering Up to $3,675 in Direct Tax Relief for Millions
Liberals
- No cap gains increase Mark Carney: “My government is cancelling the capital gains tax hike. We’re going to incentivize builders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses right here in Canada and create more good-paying jobs. It’s time to build the strongest economy in the G7.” — Bluesky
- National energy corridor: Carney and premiers have agreed to develop national energy, trade corridor, PM says
- Liberals release plan to rebuild, reinvest, and rearm the Canadian Armed Forces
- Liberals to protect Canadian auto workers and stand up against tariffs
- Mark Carney pitches $2B fund to help auto sector navigate Trump’s tariffs
Conservatives
- Poilievre Will Axe The Tolls For Islanders – Conservative Party of Canada
- Poilievre To Axe GST On New Homes Under $1.3 Million – Conservative Party of Canada
- Poilievre Announces ‘Canada First TFSA Top Up’ to Bring Home Investment
- Lower Taxes, Secure Retirement for Our Seniors – Conservative Party of Canada
- Pierre Poilievre says he’d support Liberal pharmacare, dental-care programs — but questions remain over who would be covered
NDP
- WORKERS FOR CANADA « Canada’s NDP
- The NDP will unlock public land to build more homes people can afford
CSIS alleges India organized support for Poilievre’s 2022 Conservative leadership bid – The Globe and Mail
Canada’s ‘old relationship’ with U.S. ‘is over’ amid Trump tariffs: Carney – National | Globalnews.ca
The BC Government continues to face backlash over its tariff response bill. Who knew unlimited power for the executive would be controversial? Plus the province ends subsidies for Tesla products, the carbon tax and its secondary-suite loan program. Federally, now-Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to call an election hours before the House of Commons is scheduled to resume. The Liberals have largely turned their fortunes around and are attracting all kinds of star candidates. The Conservatives, meanwhile, are on the defensive and the NDP are talking defense.
Links
- The BC NDP should reconsider Bill 7 – Stewart Prest
- Greens want amendments to NDP broad powers to respond to Trump tariffs | Vancouver Sun
- Electric vehicle charger rebate program for single-family homes
- Tesla products now excluded from B.C. Hydro rebates in response to U.S. tariffs | CBC News
- End of consumer carbon tax leaves $1.5-billion hole in B.C. budget
- Provincial secondary-suite pilot program update
- Carney will ask Governor General to dissolve Parliament Sunday and call election, sources say | CBC News
- Liberals lagging other parties in candidates as election call could be days away | CBC News
- Former journalist Evan Solomon to run for the federal Liberals in next election
- Canadian journalist sacked in scandal involving art sale to Mark Carney (history)
- Amarjeet Sohi
- Not Chandra Arya
- Poilievre, Singh call on Carney to publicly disclose assets, possible conflicts
- ‘He got defensive,’ Canadians are weighing in after Mark Carney pushed back against journalist for question on conflicts of interest – NOW Toronto
- Conservatives say there will be no media seats on Poilievre’s election campaign
- Insiders say Pierre Poilievre called Doug Ford for ‘advice’ — but the premier said he’ll be ‘staying out’ of the election
- Poilievre says he’ll repeal carbon price law including for big industrial emitters – Business in Vancouver
- Carney orders review of F-35 fighter jet purchase from U.S.’s Lockheed Martin
- NDP will build jets in Canada, invest in Canada’s North and Arctic sovereignty
Canada has a new Prime Minister! Plus Andrew Reeve, former Press Secretary and Deputy Director of Communications for BC’s Official Opposition joins the pod to discuss the shrinking BC Conservative Caucus and whether the “Free Enterprise Coalition” has a future in BC.
Links
- 3 former B.C. Conservative MLAs, who will sit as Independents, say party has been captured by ‘woke liberals’ | CBC News
- Three B.C. Conservative rebels will sit as Independents as they ‘explore’ new party – The Globe and Mail
- New tools allow B.C. to rapidly respond to U.S. tariffs
- B.C. government introduces legislation giving itself sweeping powers to deal with U.S. trade threats | CBC News
- Premier’s statement on removing all U.S. alcohol from BCLIQUOR stores
- B.C. looks to attract U.S. doctors and nurses with pitch to fast-track credentials and planned recruitment campaign – The Globe and Mail
- B.C.’s Official Opposition introduces bill to prevent future time changes | CBC News
- B.C. will remove consumer carbon tax as promised once federal barrier is down, Eby says – Victoria Times Colonist
- Liberals pay tribute to Justin Trudeau as Mark Carney wins – The Globe and Mail
- Mark Carney faces immediate tests in U.S. relations as election looms – The Globe and Mail
- Mark Carney meets with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, says transition to power will be ‘quick’ – The Globe and Mail
- Duclos out of cabinet and key carbon tax defender losing environment portfolio: sources | CBC News
- New submarine deal from South Korea, as Canada-U.S. relations sour | Ottawa Citizen
Listen, we were mad at John Horgan for years for continually making big announcements on Fridays after we’d recorded. So now it’s our turn to be mad at John Rustad and the BC Conservatives for their caucus implosion that happened after we recorded this latest episode. But we still had lots to talk about with David Eby’s first budget since the election, the BC Conservative AGM and the state of the ongoing tariff trade war with the USA.
Links
- BC Budget
- History on Olympic Village school announcements
- Premier announces new measures to defend B.C. from Trump tariffs
- John Rustad Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act
- Judy Toor Perinatal and Postnatal Mental Health Strategy Act
- The BC Conservative AGM Was Rowdy. But Rustad Flexed Power | The Tyee
- Tories reject former B.C. cabinet minister Mike de Jong as federal election candidate | CBC News
- Anita Huberman rejected from Tory nomination in Surrey Centre – Peace Arch News
- Trump delays tariffs on some goods from Canada, Mexico for 1 month – National | Globalnews.ca
- Ottawa agrees with provinces to act fast to topple internal trade barriers – The Globe and Mail
- Trudeau announces $37B in child care deals with 11 provinces and territories | CBC News
- Ottawa announces locations for first three Arctic military hubs
- Liberals face challenge of securing the vote while keeping leadership race accessible | CBC News
- Mark Carney says he’s begun the process of renouncing Irish, U.K. citizenship | CBC News
Photo: Flickr/BCGovPhotos
A rough week for the Conservatives as Rustad struggles to keep his cantankerous caucus under control. Meanwhile, the NDP face criticism over a land deal signed before the election but only announced recently. Federally, the Liberals kick Ruby Dhalla out of the race as the remaining four candidates square off in French and English while releasing their full platforms.
Links
- BC Conservative backs lawyer in Law Society residential school row | Vancouver Sun
- Conservative Surrey MLA defends Pink Shirt Day social media post – The Chilliwack Progress
- B.C. Conservatives deny rift after 5 MLAs vote against anti-Trump motion – Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News
- John Rustad acknowledges divisions in B.C. Conservative party: ‘As a family, you have these issues’
- Rustad’s motion for non-confidence vote against BC NDP fails | CityNews
- Stronger consumer protections coming for people in B.C.
- shíshálh Nation, B.C. renew landmark reconciliation agreement
- B.C. government defends withholding details of shíshálh Nation deal | Vancouver Sun
- Voting for the new Liberal leader has begun. Here’s how the process works | CBC News
- Ruby Dhalla kicked out of Liberal leadership race after ‘extremely serious’ violations: party | CBC News
- Ruby Dhalla statement
- Mark Carney’s French under scrutiny after Liberal leadership debate | CBC News
- Fortifying Canada against Donald Trump dominates final Liberal leadership debate
- Poll shows Freeland a close second on first ballot in Liberal leadership race
- Prosperity For All Canadians | Frank Baylis for Liberal Leader
- Carnet It’s time to build.
- Carney Make Housing More Affordable
- Carnet Economic Pillars for Change
- Platform – Karina Gould
- A Comprehensive Plan for Climate Action | Chrystia Freeland
- Transport Minister Anita Anand to reverse course and seek re-election: sources | CBC News
The BC Legislature returns with a Speech from the Throne that’s big on war rhetoric but thin on substance. The first two bills are introduced as a poll shows the NDP with a healthy lead. At the same time, the NDP introduced changes to address pharmacy kickbacks and opioid diversion allegations. Federally, we (Ontario & Quebec) are getting high speed rail (maybe, eventually) and the CBC will be reformed and funded (maybe, eventually). We also have some fundraising numbers for the federal Liberal leadership race and policy from Mark Carney and the also-rans. And it looks like Ruby Dhalla is out (made official after recording). Finally, introducing:
Links
- BC Throne Speech
- Bill extending acting conflict of interest commissioner term.
- Bill expanding 3 provincial parks, renaming 2
- Pallas British Columbia Poll: NDP 49, Conservative 41, Green 8
- Government provides update on pharmacy investigations, prescribed alternatives
- B.C. to change fee structure for addiction medication after pharmacies accused of kickback scheme – The Globe and Mail
- Canada is getting high-speed rail
- Federal government moving ahead with high-speed rail in Toronto-Quebec City corridor
- NDP warns privatizing high-speed rail from Toronto to Quebec could kill passenger trains in rest of Canada | CBC News
- The Future of CBC/Radio-Canada
- Federal vote intention tightens to near-tie as Liberals and New Democrats rally around Carney – Angus Reid
- Liberal fundraising data
- Carney leads in fundraising as Freeland says numbers don’t ‘tell the whole story’ | CBC News
- Liberal Party questions leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla over possible interference from India – The Globe and Mail
- Mark Carney to boost construction of new homes
- Mark Carney government will spend less and invest more
- A Real Plan to End the Housing Crisis | Chrystia Freeland
- Doctors & Nurses | Chrystia Freeland
- Energy | Chrystia Freeland
- Made in Canada Innovation – Helping Entrepreneurs Get Ahead – Karina Gould
- Climate Strategy | Frank Baylis for Liberal Leader
- Green Party of Canada Unveils First Rebrand in Over 25 Years
The premiers go to Washington to speak to the assistant to the President. BC cancels the NDP’s signature $1000 rebate as unions come to the table. Federally, we have a fentanyl czar, new Conservative branding, policy from the NDP and from the Liberal leadership contenders.
Links
- White House official says he ‘never agreed’ Canada won’t be 51st state in meeting with premiers | CBC News
- B.C. cancels $1,000 grocery rebate, pauses hiring over tariff threats | Vancouver Sun
- Unions and BC Government Gear Up for Tough Negotiations | The Tyee
- Canada’s fentanyl czar lays out his goal: Stop the drug from crossing U.S. northern border | CBC News
- ‘Canada First rally’ expected to be major rebranding of Conservative campaign, say senior Tories – The Hill Times
- Poilievre’s pivot: Conservatives conducting internal surveys to adapt message | Radio-Canada.ca
- Canada opposition head says he will slash foreign aid to build Arctic base | Reuters
- Poilievre’s Part I of “Canada First Plan” To Take Back Control Of Arctic
- Premier responds to federal Conservatives’ platform | Government of Nunavut
- Canada spends roughly $16B on foreign aid
- Singh announces cash rebates on Canadian electric vehicles, 100% tariffs on Musk’s Teslas « Canada’s NDP
- Frank Baylis: Approve 2 new natural gas pipelines from Alberta
- Frank Baylis: Will recognize the state of Palestine
- Modernizing our Social Safety Net – Karina Gould
- A Plan to Help You Save Money | Chrystia Freeland
- Freeland targeted by ‘malicious’ WeChat campaign with alleged ties to China: Threat task force | CBC News
- Liberal party denies Ruby Dhalla translator for French debate
- Carney says he may call early election if he becomes prime minister – The Globe and Mail
- 2 more Trudeau cabinet ministers won’t seek re-election | CBC News
Canada and BC respond to the tariff threat, which gets delayed another month. Pharmacies under investigation. BC United refuses to die. Liberal leadership candidates pitch policies, Conservatives consider communication changes and fundraising numbers.
Links
- Premier announces immediate response, vows to defend B.C. against Trump tariffs
- B.C. fast-tracking 18 resource projects to reduce reliance on United States | CBC News
- Looming U.S. tariffs layer a threat on top of B.C.’s economic malaise | Vancouver Sun (maybe?)
- New legislation will accelerate B.C. renewable energy projects
- Minister’s statement on Richmond supportive housing
- Special investigation finds some 60 pharmacies accused in kickback scheme, say B.C. Health Ministry documents – The Globe and Mail
- B.C. investigating ‘significant’ diversion prescribed opioids | Globalnews.ca
- Donations flowed to BC United long after it suspended election campaign
- Former BC United MLA calls for Kevin Falcon to resign – North Shore News
- Gould calls out ‘very, very high’ Liberal leadership fee ahead of fundraising deadline | CBC News
Liberal Leadership policies
Carney
- Carbon tax plan
Freeland
- Smaller cabinet & PMO
- Tackling foreign interference (seulement en francais)
- Defence spending
- Jobs & growth
Gould
- summary
- Affordability
- Housing
Dhalla
- Life sentences for possession of schedule one drugs
- End the carbon tax
- Cut taxes & red tape, increase efficiency and create jobs
Baylis
- invest in universities, business incubators and accelerators
- Liberal Leadership Hopeful Frank Baylis Shares Policy Ideas – February 6, 2025 | Headline Politics | CPAC.ca
- Frank Baylis on X: “Today, I stood before Canadians to share a bold plan to reform our government and reinvigorate our democracy. Our system is stuck—gridlocked by party control, career politicians, and inefficiency. It doesn’t have to be this way. My plan is to modernize government, ensuring our https://t.co/ND4ZWN8GVB” / X
Poilievre’s pivot: Conservatives conducting internal surveys to adapt message | CBC News
Conservative fundraising for 2024 nearly doubles Liberal, NDP total
The BC Greens kick off a long leadership race, the federal Liberals race narrows and the foreign interference commission reports. Plus: Election spending reports, tariff threats, advisors for Oak Bay, West Van and the Victoria School Board.
Links
- Sonia Furstenau stepping down as B.C. Green Party leader | CBC News
- 2024 Provincial General Election Financing Reports Available
- Coquitlam MLA is fined $500 for not filing election paperwork
- Elections BC suspends probe into Conservative claims of vote violations
- New cabinet committee will protect B.C.’s economy from tariff threat
- B.C. appoints advisers for West Vancouver and Oak Bay, slams progress on housing targets
- Official trustee appointed to replace School District 61 board of education
- New Lieutenant Governor takes office
- Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia | Prime Minister of Canada
- Liberal Party of Canada announces nearly 400,000 Registered Liberals ahead of leadership vote
- Liberal Party approves 6 candidates to run in leadership race | CBC News
- So very close… – Campaign Life Coalition
- MP Jaime Battiste drops out of Liberal Party leadership race | CBC News
- Pedneault plans return as Green Party co-leader after 6-month pause | CBC News
- Foreign Interference Commission Final Report
- No evidence of ‘traitors’: Takeaways from the foreign interference inquiry’s final report
- Pierre Poilievre will no longer receive security briefing from top spy agency
Image: BlueSky/Richard Zussman
Links
- 7 Liberal leadership candidates say they’ve submitted nomination papers as deadline passes | CBC News
- Karina Gould pitches policies as she officially enters race for Liberal leadership
- ‘Canadians have lost trust in our party,’ Liberal leadership hopeful says while taking a swipe at Trudeau | CBC NewsThe Next Generation of the Liberal Party of Canada – Karina Gould
- Liberal leadership launches: Freeland pledges tariff fight, Gould pitches carbon tax freeze – National | Globalnews.ca
- Freeland would scrap capital gains tax changes if elected Liberal leader: source | CBC News
- Party Renewal Plan | Leadership Campaign
- Trump reiterates Feb. 1 tariff deadline, muddying timeline for trade action – POLITICO
- Trump tells World Economic Forum U.S. doesn’t need Canadian oil, gas, autos or lumber
- If Trump tariffs Canada, Trudeau backs ‘dollar-for-dollar’ matching response – National | Globalnews.ca
- Ford tells LCBO to clear U.S. booze from shelves if Trump imposes tariffs | Globalnews.ca
- B.C. could stop buying U.S. alcohol in response to Trump tariffs, premier says | Globalnews.ca
- Ottawa has done nothing to actually seize millions from Russian oligarch | CBC News
- Canada’s immigration department cutting 3,300 jobs, prompting concerns over backlogs and processing times
- Short-term rental registry will deliver more homes, ensure hosts follow rules
- Final report of foreign interference inquiry to be made public next Tuesday
- Doug Ford planning to call Ontario election next Wednesday: source | CBC News
Official Websites of the Candidates (other than Ruby Dhalla, who does not appear to have one)
- Karina Gould,
- Chrystia Freeland,
- Mark Carney,
- Jaime Battiste,
- Chandra Arya,
- Frank Baylis
- Michael Clark (maybe)
Candidates drop left, right and centre (mostly the latter two) from the leadership race. Now only Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland remain as everyone seems to take their sweet time. Well, there are a few others expressing interest but TBD if they make the cutoff. And this all comes as the provincial and federal governments find strategize to manage the incoming Trump administration’s tariff threats.
Links
- Mark Carney
- Freeland to announce Liberal leadership bid within the next week
- Liberal leadership race: Field of candidates narrows in the race to replace Justin Trudeau
- Cape Breton MP Jaime Battiste seeks to launch Liberal leadership campaign | CBC News
- Jaime Battiste letter of interest
- Trudeau won’t remove Liberal candidate for racist, sexist social media posts | CBC News
- ‘EI kind of folks’: Cape Breton MP criticized for comment about Atlantic Canadians
- Christy Clark out
- Field of contenders for Liberal leadership narrows as MPs throw support to Freeland and Carney – The Globe and Mail
- François-Philippe Champagne out
- Steven MacKinnon becomes latest cabinet minister to decline run for Liberal leadership – The Globe and Mail
- Anita Anand out
- Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland would scrap consumer carbon tax if elected Liberal leader, sources say
- Liberals prefer Mark Carney over Chrystia Freeland as next leader, poll suggests
- Federal Politics: Liberal Party Leadership – Leger
- Endorsement tracker: Sorbara, Chatel, Weiler, Chahal and Morrissey throw their support behind Carney | iPolitics
- 2025 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election Endorsements – Wikipedia
- Liberal Party of Canada announces Leadership Expense Rules
- Ford says Canada must come first as Smith breaks with premiers on Trump retaliation | CBC News
- Prime Minister to hold Cabinet retreat focused on defending Canadian interests and strengthening Canada-U.S. relations
- B.C. provides economic assessment of Trump’s tariff threat
- $1,000 grocery rebate cheques may be on chopping block – Victoria Times Colonist
- Economic growth, protecting public services key focus of cabinet mandate
- Executive Council and Parliamentary Secretaries of B.C. – Province of British Columbia
The race is on to potentially be the shortest serving Prime Minister in Canadian history after Justin Trudeau announced his intention to resign following an abbreviated Liberal leadership race and a prorogation of Parliament. Meanwhile, the BC Conservatives are literally relitigating the last BC election.
Links
- Read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation speech in full | CBC News
- Trudeau says abandoning electoral reform is his biggest regret. Here’s how it happened | CBC News
- NDP source says voters can expect an ‘unfiltered’ Singh in election campaign | CBC News
- CRA to continue with capital tax changes despite prorogation: finance department
- Liberal Party of Canada announces date of leadership vote
- Liberals say no changes coming for leadership race, despite risk of foreign interference | CBC News
- Charles Tupper – Wikipedia
- Businessman and former Grit MP Baylis first out of the gate to announce bid for Liberal leadership – The Hill Times
- Chandra Arya – For Prime Minister of Canada
- https://x.com/aryacanada/status/1877369746963968081
- Liberal backbencher vows to dump the monarchy if elected leader | CBC News
- Christy Clark preparing to announce bid for Liberal leadership: ‘we’re ready to go’
- Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney poised to enter Liberal leadership race – The Globe and Mail
- Steve MacKinnon maybe https://x.com/gray_mackenzie/status/1877024375200735495
- Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc won’t run for Liberal Party leader – The Globe and Mail
- His Letter: https://x.com/DLeBlancNB/status/1877008016723071041?s=19
- Ottawa preparing response to threatened U.S. tariffs as Donald Trump ramps up attacks on Canada
- Doug Ford pitches energy alliance with the U.S. to avert trade war with Donald Trump
- Carbon tax ‘needs to be re-examined’ now that Trudeau’s done, say Liberal MPs
- B.C. Conservatives call for review of 2024 election, claiming ‘irregularities’ in voting | CBC News
- Conservative candidate plans to ask court to overturn result in Surrey-Guildford
Img credit: Prime Minister’s Office
We’re back to score our 2024 predictions, make some for 2025 and catch up on the latest federal political drama.
Links
Prime Minister announces changes to the Ministry
Former Liberal cabinet minister Marco Mendicino not seeking re-election | CBC News
Quebec Liberal caucus wants Trudeau to resign: sources | CBC News
Atlantic Liberal caucus calls for Trudeau to step down as leader | CBC News
Ontario Liberal MPs want Justin Trudeau to step down: sources | CBC News
Calgary Liberal MP George Chahal calls for Trudeau to step down, and for party to prepare for leadership race | CBC News
Jagmeet Singh’s letter to Canadians « Canada’s NDP
Conservatives to move non-confidence motion against Liberal government in the new year | CBC News
Pierre Poilievre writes to Mary Simon
The Federal Liberals’ New Year’s Eve Nightmare: Party vote intent sinks to 16%, Trudeau approval at all-time low – Angus Reid
Government of Canada announces extension of 2024 charitable donations to February 28, 2025
Opinion | The joke is over for the leader of the Rhinoceros Party of Canada
A bombshell resignation by Chrystia Freeland has turbocharged the likelihood we’re witnessing the final days of Justin Trudeau’s Prime Ministership. Plus the BC NDP and Greens sign a new confidence and supply agreement. We also get a peak at the province and country’s finances. And another byelection goes badly for the Liberals.
Links
- Sean Fraser to leave federal cabinet as PMO pushes to add Mark Carney | CBC News
- Trudeau says he won’t quit but will reflect on events in wake of Freeland’s resignation – The Globe and Mail
- Chrystia Freeland’s letter
- Dominic LeBlanc sworn in as finance minister in wake of Chrystia Freeland’s exit – The Globe and Mail
- ‘Why would I box myself in?’: Singh on why he won’t commit to helping bring Trudeau’s gov’t down, yet
- Premier’s statement on agreement with BC Greens
- Agreement in Principle [pdf]
- Fairy Creek closer to permanent protection | The Narwhal
- BC fiscal update
- B.C.’s projected deficit grows again to $9.4 billion in latest fiscal update | CBC News
- 2024 Fall Economic Statement: “Reducing Everyday Costs and Raising Wages”
- First Nations leaders blast feds for attributing deficit overrun to Indigenous legal claims | CBC News
- Election Night Results – Electoral Districts
Tensions in the BC Conservative caucus spills out into public view. Plus a round up of BC politics stories and the latest from Ottawa on the GST holiday and the long delayed fiscal update.
Links
- Rift in B.C. Conservative caucus deepens as MLA defies party leader | CBC News
- BC Conservative MLA accused of being a Manchurian candidate, Rustad defends free speech amongst caucus
- Canadian premiers urge strong response to Trump tariff threat, minister says | Reuters
- Eby says ‘nothing’s off the table’ in responding to Trump’s tariff threats
- Premier David Eby vows accountability after Small Business BC bankruptcy
- Small Business BC files for bankruptcy
- B.C. announces 9 new wind projects to power equivalent of 500,000 homes | CBC News
- Wind energy in B.C. now exempt from environmental assessment | The Narwhal
- Trudeau’s office at odds with Finance Minister Freeland over GST holiday, $250 cheques, sources say – The Globe and Mail
- Trudeau makes fresh bid to recruit Mark Carney amid tensions with Freeland – The Globe and Mail
- GST holiday would cost Ottawa $2.7-billion if provinces with HST asked for compensation, PBO says – The Globe and Mail
- The GST/HST holiday begins Saturday | CBC News
- 2024 Fall Economic Statement: Making it easier for homeowners to build secondary suites – Canada.ca
- Freeland doesn’t commit to meeting her own deficit target in fall economic statement – Lacombe Express
Health issues for NDP MLAs and MPs. Polling suggests the GST holiday lands with a thud. Foreign interference in the Conservative Party. Trudeau meets with Trump and looks at further immigration and gun control reforms.
Links
- Children and Family Development Minister Grace Lore steps down to undergo cancer treatment | CBC News
- NDP MP Randall Garrison to step down due to health reasons – The Globe and Mail
- Canadian Politics: December 2024 – Leger
- Agents of Indian government interfered in Patrick Brown’s Conservative leadership campaign: sources | CBC News
- Patrick Brown says Indian diplomat made an ‘angry’ call to his Conservative campaign chair | CBC News
- So how did Trudeau and Trump’s dinner meeting go? Here’s what we know | CBC News
- Canada promised helicopters, more border security in a bid to get Trump to walk back tariff plan – The Globe and Mail
- Poilievre calls for asylum seeker cap, border plan as U.S. tariff threat looms
- Provinces support defense spending call
- Ottawa plans clamp down on foreign jobs-for-sale scam, and asylum reforms – The Globe and Mail
- Immigration minister says private refugee sponsorship pause an ‘unfortunate reality’ – The Globe and Mail
- Canada pulls refugee welcome mat, launches ads warning asylum claims hard | Reuters
- Liberal government adds hundreds of firearm models to list of banned weapons | CBC News
- Trudeau government adds hundreds more assault-style weapons to its gun ban
David Eby’s new cabinet is sworn in. John Rustad bestows opposition roles. But the legislature won’t meet till February. Federally, we have a GST holiday and $250 gift from Trudeau, if Singh will agree to the terms. And Trump threatens Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs on everything.
Links
- New Chief of staff
- New cabinet ready to deliver on the priorities of British Columbians
- All NDP MLAs receive a new title, and all but one get a raise
- BC Conservative shadow cabinet revealed | Radio NL – Kamloops News
- New Abbotsford West MLA remains on school board
- Van Popta to juggle duties as MLA, and Langley Township councillor
- Dropped candidate Damon Scrase now caucus comms staffer
- B.C. legislature won’t sit until February, as fall sitting scrapped | Globalnews.ca
- Boissonnault out of cabinet after shifting claims about Indigenous heritage | CBC News
- Liberal candidate in B.C. byelection seeks Métis membership after identity questioned
- Government tables legislation to put more money in your pocket – Canada.ca
- Trudeau government to send $250 cheques to most people, slash GST on some goods | CBC News
- Liberals table GST holiday legislation, putting $250 rebate on backburner
- Trudeau holiday relief package in peril? NDP want changes, as House stalemate persists
- Freeland says the two-month GST holiday is meant to tackle the ‘vibecession’
- Rob Shaw: B.C. facing calls to match GST exemption with PST holiday break
- Quebec, New Brunswick, PEI raise concerns about compensation for lost tax revenue after Trudeau’s GST cut – The Globe and Mail
- 2 premiers ask Ottawa to cover provincial cost of proposed tax holiday | CBC News
- Trudeau meets with the premiers as Trump ramps up his threats against Canada | CBC News
- Trump, Sheinbaum discuss migration in Mexico amid tariff threat
- Nova Scotia PCs secure supermajority government with re-election win | CBC News
- Impact of the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan on Canada’s Housing Gap
- Elections chief proposes rule changes to discourage ‘longest ballot’ protests | CBC News
We remember John Horgan, look back at the final judicial recount results and preview an upcoming federal byelection. Plus labour strife for Trudeau, Singh promises to cut the GST on essentials, Liberal & Conservative bickering over housing grants and a cap on oil & gas emissions.
Links
- Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies following battle with cancer | Globalnews.ca
- Surrey-Guildford Judicial Recount Complete | Elections BC
- Kelowna Centre Judicial Recount Complete | Elections BC
- Prince George-Mackenzie Judicial Recount Complete | Elections BC
- Prime Minister announces by-election in Cloverdale—Langley City
- B.C. ports lockout: Union says it will challenge Ottawa’s intervention | Vancouver Sun
- Canada Post workers give 72-hour notice to strike as company warns of financial impact | CBC News
- Canada Post to launch chequing and savings account with Koho – BNN Bloomberg
- Singh’s NDP commits to lower monthly costs by taking the taxes off life’s essentials
- Conservative MPs frustrated after Poilievre bars them from promoting housing fund: sources | CBC News
- Ottawa to require oil, gas companies to cut carbon emissions by one-third – National | Globalnews.ca
- ‘I’m pissed’: Alberta premier, oil and gas industry slam Ottawa’s new emissions cap | Globalnews.ca
- Oil and gas sector greenhouse gas pollution cap – Canada.ca
Image credit: flickr BC Gov Photos
Elections BC is under scrutiny after announcing a missed ballot box and a number of ballots. Not enough to make a difference (as confirmed by the judicial recounts that concluded post-recording). A shakeup in the Premier’s Office. Fundraising shows the Conservatives overtook the NDP in Q3 fundraising.
Federally, Trudeau pivots to address a second Trump presidency and bans TikTok from employing Canadians.
Links
- Statement from the Chief Electoral Officer: Judicial Recount of One Ballot Box in Prince George-Mackenzie, Corrections to Results Reported at Final Count | Elections BC
- Premier pitches all-party election committee after ‘human error’ in B.C. vote count | Globalnews.ca
- Eby, Elections BC promise review after officials nearly left 1,000 ballots uncounted – The Globe and Mail
- Judicial recounts underway in tightly contested B.C. election ridings | CBC News
- Chief of staff to transition out of role, supporting new leadership transition
- Premier’s new cabinet will be sworn in Nov. 18
- 2024 Third Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- Prime Minister re-establishes the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations
- As PBO says NATO target plan is off, here’s why it matters to the military – National | Globalnews.ca
- The Fiscal Implications of Meeting the NATO Military Spending Target
- Government of Canada orders the wind up of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act
- Trudeau government bans TikTok from operating in Canada — but Canadians can still use it | CBC News
- List of 900 alleged Nazi war criminals won’t be released by Ottawa – The Globe and Mail
- Trump is back. It won’t help Trudeau. | Canada’s National Observer
Pending two judicial recounts, the NDP clinched Surrey-Guildford in the closest BC election in recent history. Now all eyes turn to who will be speaker and how functional a one seat majority really is. New Brunswick proves the strength of anti-incumbency vibes, while Saskatchewan proves the polls can still fail. Trudeau fights off an internal coup and dissatisfaction from the Bloc.
Links
- Feds spent nearly $2M to produce podcasts: documents | Toronto Sun
- David Eby and BC NDP set to form majority government in B.C.
- Who will be speaker of the legislature amid razor-thin BC NDP majority government? – BC | Globalnews.ca
- The counting still isn’t done in B.C.’s election. Here’s what happens next | CBC News
- B.C. will keep its commitment to scrap consumer carbon tax, provide involuntary care: Eby | Globalnews.ca
- BC Conservative Leader John Rustad to speak following final election results
- Liberals win majority in N.B., Holt becomes first female premier
- NDP picks up 4 new projected seats, Sask. Party gets 1, after early mail-in vote count | CBC News
- Trudeau hits date set by Liberal MPs to respond to caucus letter – National | Globalnews.ca
- Some Liberal MPs issue a deadline to Trudeau: make up your mind to stay or go by Oct. 28 | CBC News
- Bloc Québécois drops support of minority Liberal government, but NDP quiet on its future plans – The Globe and Mail
- Singh won’t bring down government
- More than half of Canadians unaware of Parliament gridlock: poll – National | Globalnews.ca
- Poilievre pledges to remove GST from purchase of new homes sold for under $1M | CBC News
- Federal government going ahead with high-speed rail between Quebec City and Toronto | CBC News
- How high-speed rail would change Ontario and Quebec — if it actually happens | CBC News
- 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan – Canada.ca
Well, we’re waiting on the results again. Ian and Scott break down what we know so far, what went right and more what went wrong with each campaign.
Links
- Preliminary Results | Elections BC
- Update on Recounts, Final Count | Elections BC
- Meet the Extreme, Far-Right BC Conservative Candidates Who Are Now Legislators Following BC’s Wild Election
- BC’s Legislature Hits Gender Parity | The Tyee
and the stuff we didn’t really have time for
- Susan Holt leads Liberals to majority, Blaine Higgs loses seat | CBC News
- Early voting starts in provincial election – SwiftCurrentOnline.com
- Saskatchewan polling
- Mainstreet predictions re Saskatchewan
- Some Liberal MPs issue a deadline to Trudeau: make up your mind to stay or go by Oct. 28 | CBC News
- Voting to topple the government not out of the question, says Liberal MP Ken McDonald | CBC News
- Foreign interference hearing closes with partisan jabs and policy points | CBC News
- Trudeau accuses India of supporting violent crimes in Canada | CBC News
- Trudeau tells inquiry some Conservative parliamentarians are involved in foreign interference | CBC News
- New immigration plan aims to stabilize population growth, housing market: minister | CBC News
- Government of Canada reduces immigration
Record-setting advance voting but who knows what that means for final turnout. The NDP last-ditch lawsuit flops. BC United rises from the dead, the Conservatives have a platform – and so do the Greens. Go vote on Saturday if you haven’t yet.
Links
- Advance vote numbers
- Judge denies NDP hearing to force Conservative Party to use ‘B.C.’ | Vancouver Sun
- BC United hosts a party
- BC Conservative platform
- BC Conservative costing document
- Draft education policy mix up
- Chip Wilson: B.C. NDP is killing ‘incentive’ by giving voters handouts | Vancouver Sun
- David Eby responds to Chip Wilson’s criticisms: John Rustad would ‘side with’ billionaires
- 2024 BC Green Party Platform – Putting People First
- Karin Kirkpatrick endorsements
- RCMP investigate ‘disturbing’ vandalism of NDP candidate’s sign | CBC News
The big televised debate has come and we break down how it went, who did well (Furstenau) and who did bad (Rustad). Following that, we’ve had another dump of opposition research, almost entirely targeted South Surrey Conservative candidate Brent Chapman. It hasn’t moved the polls yet, but maybe things are shifting (if we squint)? And a roundup of announcements that do not include a costed Conservative platform (just a few more days, they promise).
Links
- Go to Elections BC and find out where to vote!
- Jen St Denis gets shut down by BC Conservatives
- Conservatives censor reporter questions
- Opinion: In the B.C. leaders’ debate, Rustad failed to reverse the NDP’s momentum – The Globe and Mail (Gary Mason)
- Rob Shaw: Rustad’s cadaverous debate performance may be enough to stall surging Conservatives (Rob Shaw)
- John Rustad failed to deliver in leaders’ debate, faces uphill battle | Vancouver Sun (Vaughan Palmer)
- Rustad changes story on fatal overdose coroner had no record of | CBC News
- Jas Johal oppo dump on Brent Chapman
- Brent Chapman is sorry
- BC Conservative Candidate Called For ‘Boycott’ of Air Canada to Stop Airlifts Rescuing Syrian Refugees
- BC Conservative Candidate’s Campaign Shared Graphic Comparing Public Health Policies to Nazi Holocaust (this one came out after recording
- BC Conservatives Under Fire Over Spokesperson Known for Insults, Slurs and Online Abuse
- Kareem Allam joins the BCNDP
- Mark Marissen on the NDP
- Diamond Isinger votes NDP
- Gordon Campbell: In this election, your vote will make a difference – Victoria Times Colonist
- Mario Canseco: British Columbians rank B.C.’s best and worst premiers – Business in Vancouver
- Second anti-Eby sign defaced outside billionaire Chip Wilson’s mansion | CTV News
- John Rustad throws Chip Wilson under the bus
- Mark Ruffalo praises the Greens
- Hundreds of B.C. ‘where to vote’ cards sent out with wrong address, Elections BC says
- BC NDP trying to get ‘BC’ added to Conservative – Victoria Times Colonist
NDP announcements
- Emphasizing the education plan with mental health counsellors in every school and EAs in every K-3 class
- Public safety announcement
Conservative announcements
- Tech – Announcement /backgrounder
- Ferries – Announcement / Backgrounder
- Overdose and Mental Health – Announcement / Backgrounder 1 / Backgrounder
- Public Safety – Announcement / Backgrounder
Green announcements
- Expanding ‘The Village’ model of transition housing
The leaders faced off on a CKNW radio debate, which reminds everyone how much we all hate debates. The NDP release their platform. The Conservatives released a platform worth of policies. And the Greens also released a platform (but we ran out of time). Something probably happened in Ottawa too but this is an election-focused episode.
Links
B.C. election radio debate: Party leaders spar over housing, crime, climate change and more | Globalnews.ca
An Action Plan for You | BC NDP Platform
final_final_final
BC Cons announcements
- Housing (backgrounder)
- Agriculture (backgrounder)
- Reconciliation (backgrounder)
- Electricity (backgrounder)
- Economy (backgrounder)
- Transportation (backgrounder)
- Childcare (backgrounder)
- Investigate North Vancouver wastewater treatment plant
- End ICBC monopoly
- No tax on tips
- Unban plastic straws
Moosehide Campaign calls on Rustad to stop wearing orange square
2024 BC Green Party Platform – Putting People First
BC Greens – Poverty and childcare plan
BC Greens – Forestry plan
Fresh off the premier’s meeting, David Eby is angry at Ottawa and making amends with premiers like Danielle Smith. The BC Conservatives pitch privatization to patch over the problems in our primary care system. Federally, Seamus O’Regan steps down as Labour Minister, another minister is under the ethics spotlight and the grocery stores agree to a code of conduct.
Links
Trudeau outlines details of $30B, 10-year fund for public transit | CBC News
Rob Shaw: Eby confronts federal policies with long to-do list for premiers meeting
Rob Shaw: Eby’s frustrations flourish as federal outreach proves fruitless
B.C.-Alberta wine war eases as premiers reach deal | CBC News
B.C. backing legal challenge of equalization formula, may launch its own lawsuit | CBC News
Equalization Program – Canada.ca
Confederational Fairness: As premiers meet, which provinces say they get more, or less, out of federation? – Angus Reid
Patients First: John Rustad Announces Bold New Plan to Put Patients First in British Columbia’s Healthcare System – Conservative Party of BC
‘We had a good run’: High-profile Liberal minister quitting cabinet, not running in next election
Trudeau cabinet to meet Friday as speculation around a shuffle swirls
Trudeau holds meeting with Mark Carney to join government, sources say – The Globe and Mail
In ethics hearing about Liberal minister, business exec admits he lied to a reporter
All major grocery retailers agree to sign on to industry-developed code of conduct | CBC News
What is the grocery code of conduct? | CBC News
Grocery Code of Conduct
All data points to BC’s election shaping up to be a tighter than expected two-way race, even as more prominent BCNDP MLAs choose to retire. Dr Bonnie Henry makes a stronger call for expanded safer supply and no one wants to listen. Meanwhile Lytton remains in ruins. Federally, Trudeau mulls a Carney-Freeland swap, while others recommend an electoral reform hail Mary. Also, the Federal Greens make the news, for bad reasons and Trudeau commits us to somehow, eventually reach the NATO 2% GDP defence spending guidelines.
Links
Rob Shaw: BC United mum on fundraising figures as NDP, Conservatives hit record highs
Conservative funding brag
BC United fundraising
Mainstreet British Columbia, July 2024
BC NDP Leads BC Tories by 2, while United falls to 9%
Michael Lee out and Jamie Stein in
Candidate nomination standings
Bruce Ralston retired
Harry Bains retires
Rob Fleming retires
Terry Yung rumours
Mullen mulling run in provincial election – theBreaker
Read the PHO report
B.C. rejects bid to expand ‘safer supply’ program to include non-prescribed alternatives to fentanyl
3 years and a record $239M in recovery funding later, Lytton still hasn’t rebuilt | CBC News
Prime Minister urges Mark Carney to join government – The Globe and Mail
Trudeau says he’s trying to recruit Carney, but did not say if it’s to replace Freeland as finance minister – The Globe and Mail
Could a policy Justin Trudeau rejected give the Liberals the bump they need? | TVO Today
Deputy leader ends bid to co-lead federal Green Party after internal debate
Trudeau says Canada can meet NATO’s military spending benchmark by 2032 | CBC News
Canada launching process to acquire up to 12 conventionally-powered submarines
Canada, U.S. and Finland form pact to build icebreakers for Arctic | CBC News
Seven-year veteran Green MLA Adam Olsen announced his retirement from provincial politics. The ombudsperson found “systemic mismanagement” in the hiring of temporary contracts within the public service. Trudeau lost a byelection that the Liberals have held since 1993. And Harjit Sajjan is under fire for possibly muddling the already botched Afghanistan evacuation.
Links
- BC Green MLA Adam Olsen Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2024, Will Serve as BC Green Party Campaign Chair
- B.C. Ombudsperson finds ‘systemic mismanagement’ in hiring at public service agency
- Ombudsperson report calls on BC government to address systemic mismanagement in temporary assignment hirings
- Election Night Results Toronto-St Paul’s
- Toronto-St. Paul’s Byelection: A Swing Big Enough to Wipe Out 55 Liberal Seats in Ontario – David Colletto and Eric Grenier
- Liberal MPs say Trudeau needs to meet with caucus after surprise byelection loss | CBC News
- Meet the 1st federal candidate in Canadian history to lose an election with zero votes | CBC News
- Canada takes step toward boosting tariff regime on Chinese EVs by announcing consultation | CBC News
- Sajjan instructed special forces to rescue Afghan Sikhs during fall of Kabul – The Globe and Mail
More candidates jump ship on BC United. Private money is funding attack ads. Open net salmon farming is being shut down…in five years. And the latest in foreign interference.
Links
- Eby’s baby countdown brings B.C. election campaigning forward – Coast Reporter
- BC United will fix affordability by unleashing economic prosperity
- BC United candidate Puneet Sandhar bows out
- BC United drops Chris Moore
- The Conservative Party of BC Welcomes Chris Moore to the Team
- Linda Hepner Nominated in Surrey-Serpentine River – Conservative Party of BC
- Mike Morden Nominated in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows – Conservative Party of BC
- It’s Open Season for Secretly Funded Political Attack Ads | The Tyee
- Secretive group target B.C. NDP rivals with attack ads | Vancouver Sun
- Feds delay closure of B.C.’s open-net salmon farms until 2029 | CBC News
- Judge allows MP’s lawsuit against Global News to proceed
- Quote from the judgement
- NDP leader says Han Dong shouldn’t be allowed back into Liberal caucus | CBC News
- Foreign interference commission to study NSICOP allegations
BC United suffers another embarassment, as do the BC Greens. Meanwhile, Eby takes on the federal government over immigration funding (we recorded before he criticized equalization payments too). Federally, Elizabeth May and Jagmeet Singh read the unredacted NSICOP report on foreign interference and have diametrically opposed takes on it – presumably one of them is correct.
Links
B.C. United missteps divide Muslim community, strategist claims | CBC News
https://x.com/JasJohalBC/status/1800569776793874450 First Falcon statement
https://x.com/richardzussman/status/1800687998260142149 Falcon statement
Sonia Furstenau noir (reupload)
B.C. premier frustrated with Quebec immigration funding | CBC News
Marc Miller defends $750M in immigration funding for Quebec, says B.C. premier was ‘confused’ | CBC News
NDP’s Jagmeet Singh says report shows ‘a number of MPs’ have helped foreign states
Elizabeth May Shares Her Review of NSICOP Report – June 11, 2024 | Headline Politics | CPAC.ca
Jagmeet Singh Reacts After Reading NSICOP Report – June 13, 2024 | Headline Politics | CPAC.ca
Liberals support push to have public inquiry probe claims that parliamentarians helped foreign states | CBC News
Liberals refuse to say if current Cabinet ministers named in foreign interference report | Watch News Videos Online
Poilievre is the sole party leader forgoing access to classified report on foreign interference – The Globe and Mail
Poilievre says Tories will vote against capital gains tax hike, calls it a ‘job killer’ | CBC News
Two more MLAs and a candidate cross from BC United to BC Conservatives. And we look at some of their positions as BCU seeks relevancy and BC Conservatives chase the reactionary vote.
Federally, a new redacted report says various politicians have wittingly colluded with foreign governments. And the Auditor General criticizes the frequency of McKinsey contracts.
Links
B.C. United caucus chair Lorne Doerkson defects to Conservatives
BC United unveils historic fish and wildlife management plan
Rob Shaw: MLA Elenore Sturko defects to Conservatives in stunning blow to BC United
Conservatives announce floor crossing
Coquitlam-Maillardville BC United candidate rejoins conservatives
Turns out they should have listened to their vetting committee
BC United releases ‘United to Fix Child Care’ plan to address the NDP child care crisis
B.C. Conservatives envision sweeping changes to schools, housing, climate and Indigenous policies if elected – The Globe and Mail
Haida Gwaii agreement poll
Murray Rankin retires
Government won’t commit to releasing names of MPs who allegedly conspired with foreign actors | CBC News
Opposition challenges Liberals to name parliamentarians allegedly colluding with foreign powers – The Globe and Mail
Special Report on Foreign Interference in Canada’s Democratic Processes and Institutions
Liberals blocking access to 1,000-plus documents, says intel-oversight panel reviewing foreign interference
What the ‘inadvertent error’ in the PBO’s carbon tax analysis means, in as plain English as possible | CBC News
The carbon pricing debate is somehow getting worse | CBC News
Federal government flouted rules when awarding McKinsey contracts: AG report | CBC News
2024 Reports 5 to 7 of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada
United Conservative drama, a boring group of leaders, federal opposition jockeying and mandatory service is a bad idea.
Links
BC United posts their L’s
Anonymous Website Calls for BC United’s Kevin Falcon to Resign – CTV News
Resign Kevin.ca
A New Leader Would Not Make BC United More Competitive – Research Co
BC NDP maintains double-digit lead ahead of expected campaign; Rustad & Falcon lack appeal, trust on top issues – Angus Reid
Rob Shaw: BC Conservatives lose Courtenay-Comox candidate over social media posts
Jas Johal calls out conservative candidates
Ready set… – Ryan Clayton
Trudeau says housing needs to retain its value – The Globe and Mail
Bloc tables bill that would make it impossible for judges to throw out delayed violent crime cases
Private Member’s Bill C-392 (44-1) – First Reading – An Act to amend the Criminal Code to address the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Jordan
The list of crimes
Foreign interference bill
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
Newfoundland and Labrador launching court case against federal equalization program
Tasha Kheiriddin: Young people are taught to hate Canada. Mandatory service could fix that
Don’t laugh at the UK: Mandatory service for young Canadians might be just what we need
Is the solution to the what ails Canada reforming the constitution? Stewart Prest joins to discuss. Plus a bit of the latest pre-election BC horserace.
Links
- NDP First, Conservatives Rise, United Plummets in British Columbia – Research Co.
- Blast radius: Satisfaction with provincial governments crashes after years of COVID-19, cost of living crisis – Angus Reid Institute
- There’s only one way to fix Canada. Everyone will hate it
- Justin Trudeau’s Last Stand | The Walrus
- Canada is careening towards a constitutional crisis in the Senate – The Hub
Will they? Won’t they? Within 48 hours we went from the chance of BC United and BC Conservatives merging, to Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West taking over to it all crumbling apart. And this all took place against the final week of the BC Legislature’s sittings before the fall’s election. So we naturally have a number of MLAs retiring.
We also learned this week that the CRA is seemingly more interested in collecting taxes from renters than from the many delinquents in the real estate sector.
Links
Gordon Campbell urged to broker BC United-Conservative merger – The Orca
Former B.C. premiers join in calls for a right-of-centre party merger
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West considering leading merged BC United-Conservative party | Globalnews.ca
https://x.com/bradwestpoco/status/1790977293998756065
https://x.com/johnrustad4bc/status/1790969336691347583
https://x.com/richardzussman/status/1791174944627528132
Rustad quashes BC Conservative, United party merger rumours
BC United, BC Conservative merger shot down by Kevin Falcon
https://x.com/JasJohalBC/status/1790428285597614422
BC NDP leads by 6 over the BC Conservatives as the gap closes from 18 to 6-points – Abacus Data
Pallas British Columbia Poll: Conservatives 38, NDP 37, BC United 13, Green 9
Retiring incumbents
https://twitter.com/richardzussman/status/1791176479109451797?t=35_zsExFcMotLruBOW76SA&s=19
Taking action to help people the focus of final legislative session | BC Gov News
https://twitter.com/RobShaw_BC/status/1790122604453376047
https://twitter.com/RobShaw_BC/status/1790123146743284014
https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/data%20-%20ldp/Pages/42nd5th/1st_read/m222-1.htm
Joint statement: B.C.’s new online action table sets stage to help keep more people safe | BC Gov News
State actor blamed for cyberattack on B.C. government systems | CBC News
B.C. real estate: CRA audits uncover $1.3 billion in unpaid taxes | Vancouver Sun
https://twitter.com/jackhauen/status/1790796594561900633
https://twitter.com/jackhauen/status/1791240880843571568
Ottawa getting ready to ditch costly, error-prone Phoenix pay system | CBC News
CRTC delays implementing online streaming act until end of 2025 – The Globe and Mail
Trudeau government cuts budget of Information Commissioner – The Globe and Mail
Note: Apologies for the delay on this week’s episode. We completely blanked on uploading it over the weekend.
David Eby distributes ICBC earnings in advance of the election. Only Victoria is set to meet its housing targets. Our province’s IT is under cyber attack. And we have the interim report of the foreign interference inquiry.
Links
- ICBC announces $110 rebate to drivers, basic rates remain unchanged | BC Gov News
- B.C. municipalities fall short of province’s housing targets | Vancouver Sun
- B.C. government hit by ’sophisticated cybersecurity incidents’ | Vancouver Sun
- Initial report of the foreign interference public inquiry
- Five takeaways from the foreign-interference commission’s report – The Globe and Mail
- Former journalist drops out of Conservative nomination race, claims the process has been ‘corrupted’ | CBC News
- Sabrina Maddeaux allegations
- Conservative Party Response
- Government pitches foreign influence registry, new powers for CSIS in attempt to curb foreign interference | CBC News
- Foreign Agents Registration Act – Wikipedia
- Police make arrests in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar | CBC News
- What is the Bishnoi gang and how could it be linked to Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing? | CBC News
- India says Canada yet to provide evidence of its involvement in the killing of a Surrey Sikh leader Nijjar
Ottawa struggles with whether or not to have people give guns to the post office and here in BC Eby asks the Feds to roll back decriminalization in public places.
Links
- 2024 First Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- Bill banning transgender athletes from publicly-funded sports quashed in B.C. | Globalnews.ca
- B.C. moves to ban drug use in public spaces, taking more steps to keep people safe
- Federal addictions minister says B.C public decriminalization reversal under review | CBC News
- Addictions Minister says drug criminalization decision ‘urgent’, B.C. says feds have all they need – The Globe and Mail
- BC’s Auditor General Will Investigate Wildfire Recovery in Lytton | The Tyee
- Lytton: 840 days, tens of millions spent on archeology, no homes built – Northern Beat
- Province provides updates for FIFA World Cup 26 | BC Gov News
- B.C.’s FIFA costs double
- The Trans Mountain pipeline was worth every penny of its $34 billion price tag – The Hub
- FBI tells parliamentarians they were targets of Chinese hackers in 2021 – The Globe and Mail
- Capital gains tax changes not included in Freeland’s proposed budget legislation
- Singh says NDP will support budget, won’t say what guarantees he received from Liberals | CBC News
- Ottawa plans to launch controversial firearms buyback program during election year | CBC News
- Poilievre hints to police he would use notwithstanding clause to change laws | CBC News
- Notwithstanding Clause: Majority see increased use problematic, would pursue abolition
The sue all the companies bill gets paused. BC’s poverty reduction minister bemoans the lacklustre Disability Benefit without critically analyzing her government’s own ability to end poverty for disabled people. The province adds more cities to the housing naughty list.
Federally, the NDP are stomping their feet. And Saskatchewan, Bombardier and Honda get special treatment from Trudeau.
Links
- Joint statement on Bill 12: B.C. to convene online safety action table | BC Gov News
- B.C. online harms bill on hold after deal with social media firms | CBC News
- BC Pans New Federal Disability Benefit | The Tyee
- More priority communities selected to deliver more homes | BC Gov News
- Singh says NDP still hasn’t decided whether to support Liberals’ new budget | CBC News
- Singh noncommittal on keeping scheduled increases to Liberals’ carbon price in place
- Trudeau says Saskatchewan to get carbon rebates despite province not paying levies
- Bombardier gets federal exemption from sanctions on Russian titanium | CBC News
- Honda to invest $15B to build 4 new EV plants in Ontario | CBC News
The Federal Budget is out. We break down what is in it and what it means for BC and Canada.
Re-upload. Apologies, an incorrect version with an old episode’s audio went out.
Links
- Former B.C. minister Mike de Jong seeks federal Tory nomination | CBC News
- Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
- Matt Gurney: What happens when Trudeau can’t blame the premiers, NIMBYs or disinfo?
- Why raising capital gains taxes makes sense—yes, really – The Hub
- Justin Trudeau’s Last Stand | The Walrus
A kickback scandal, more bills, fundraising data, defence policy and the foreign interference inquiry.
Links
Vaughn Palmer: B.C. NDP forced to admit its opponents got it right on kickback allegations
Investigation launched into CleanBC grant program kickback allegations | Vancouver Sun
What you need to know about the B.C. clean energy grant controversy | CBC News
Proposed changes to Vancouver Charter will help build more homes faster
New legislation ensures B.C. benefits from clean, affordable electricity | BC Gov News
B.C. acts to protect kids, school staff from disruptive protests | BC Gov News
New legislation aims to remove systemic barriers for Indigenous, racialized people | BC Gov News
New legislation recognizes work of First Nations post-secondary institutes | BC Gov News
B.C. strengthens Indigenous jurisdiction in child, family services | BC Gov News
More options coming for people needing legal help | BC Gov News
B.C. builders can now use mass timber in taller buildings | BC Gov News
2023 Annual Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
The Green’s excuse
Canada pledges billions in new defence spending, but doesn’t reach NATO’s 2% commitment | CBC News
Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence summary
Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence full text
Don’t Count on Us: Canada’s Military Unreadiness – War on the Rocks
Trudeau casts doubt on CSIS intelligence about Chinese interference in 2019, 2021 elections – The Globe and Mail
PMO, top ministers and senior officials received 34 briefings on foreign interference since 2018, CSIS says – The Globe and Mail
Liberal Party member warned MP Dong of CSIS surveillance, national security source says – The Globe and Mail
Federal officials asked Facebook to take down false allegations about Trudeau in 2019 campaign, inquiry hears – The Globe and Mail
Han Dong says international students voted en masse in his 2019 Liberal nomination
Political parties kept in dark about Chinese foreign interference in 2019 and 2021 elections – The Globe and Mail
Jagmeet Singh was warned about potential threat against his life, inquiry hears
Former Conservative leader alleges Chinese interference may have played a part in his ouster | CBC News
CSIS report on Liberal nomination race recalled after meeting with PM’s top security adviser | CBC News
NDP backs Conservative demand for ’emergency meeting’ between PM and premiers on carbon pricing | CBC News
Spring break is over and the BC Legislature returns with a raft of major bills: Housing, renter protections, a flipping tax, First Nations land ownership and Police Act reforms. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau is doing a major pre-budget tour, possibly violating parliamentary privilege, to promote housing programs to mirror BC’s recent changes. And NDP MPs jump ship.
Links
Christine Boyle wins Vancouver-Little Mountain BCNDP nomination
Gwen O’Mahony Nominated in Nanaimo-Lantzville – Conservative Party of BC
More protections for renters, parents, landlords, families | BC Gov News
New zoning, amenities, tenant protections support people, create livable communities | BC Gov News
Flipping tax means more homes for families, not speculators | BC Gov News
New legislation will eliminate discriminatory barriers for First Nations | BC Gov News
New legislation paves the way for police reform | BC Gov News
Mandatory devices limit speed for commercial trucks in B.C. | BC Gov News
Growing communities and building more homes, faster | Prime Minister of Canada
- Ford doubles down on refusal to allow fourplexes provincewide | CBC News
- ‘A significant overreach’: Canada housing plan draws provincial pushback
Unlocking housing construction and launching Canada Builds
Protecting and expanding affordable housing
Breaking NIMBYism: Many Canadians Open to Gentle Density – Abacus Data
More $10-a-day child care spaces
A National School Food Program to set kids up for success | Prime Minister of Canada
3 NDP MPs announce they will leave politics | CBC News
(From January): As 10 Grit MPs decide not to run again, more expected to bow out ahead of likely ‘most difficult election for Liberals since 2015’ – The Hill Times
Trudeau wants rent to count toward credits scores, meanwhile Health Minster Dix is frustrated at his own ministry for the inability to keep ERs open full time.
Links
- ‘I’m frustrated, too,’ health minister Adrian Dix says of Prince Rupert ER closures
- BC denies Prince George’s request to opt out of short term rental bans
- Some strata hotels, motels to be exempt from B.C.’s short-term legislation | CBC News
- Parksville property owners get exemption from short-term rental rules | Vancouver Sun
- Risk of ‘tremendous mischief’ by BC government on legal system, lawyers claim
- B.C. Crown sought detention at bail hearings for accused ‘violent’ offenders 28% of the time, data shows
- Province strengthens flood defences, protecting people, communities | BC Gov News
- Historic water bomber destined for wildfire aviation exhibit | BC Gov News
- Trudeau proposes new reforms for renters amid housing crunch – National | Globalnews.ca
- Federal government promising a ‘renters’ bill of rights’ in upcoming budget | CBC News
- Canada Revenue Agency says 232 employees fired to date for collecting CERB during pandemic – The Globe and Mail
- Billions in ineligible COVID-19 benefits at risk of going uncollected: Auditor-General report warns – The Globe and Mail
David Eby is winning the latest polls but we take a look down memory lane to another NDP leader who looked destined to win. Maybe he can maintain his lead by going after the federal Conservative leader who’s spending his days screaming Axe the Tax like he’s an even earlier BCNDP leader. Meanwhile, the federal Liberals & NDP mark two years since signing their supply and confidence agreement by checking off the list of election reforms they’d promised.
Links
B.C. Spotlight: In the face of heavy criticism on key issues, BC NDP still top choice ahead of October election – Angus Reid Institute
Premiers’ Performance: In election year, half approve of Moe and Eby, Higgs has steep hill to climb – Angus Reid Institute
Mainstreet poll (Twitter) Mainstreet British Columbia, March 2024
Mainstreet Poll – British Columbia, March 2024
IF THIS MAN KICKED A DOG, HE’D STILL WIN THE ELECTION – PressReader
B.C. Premier David Eby, Pierre Poilievre continue war of words on carbon tax
Poilievre motion fails on carbon price increase; confidence threat remains – National | Globalnews.ca
Poilievre-led attempt to bring down Trudeau minority over carbon tax fails – CTV News
Liberals introduce legislation amending Elections Act as part of agreement with NDP | CBC News
Government Bill (House of Commons) C-65 (44-1) – First Reading – Electoral Participation Act – Parliament of Canada
Delivering for Canadians Now | Prime Minister of Canada (SACA agreement)
The BC Legislature is on break for two weeks, so we look back at the bills the government has passed and introduced so far. Then in Ottawa, things aren’t going great as we’re losing count of how many civil servants are moonlighting as government contractors.
Links
- Progress of Bills this session
- B.C. takes action to hold companies accountable for hurting people | BC Gov News
- Rob Shaw: BC ready to get tough on tech titans with sweeping legislation
- Commercial truck drivers to face higher penalties for hitting overpasses | BC Gov News
- Introduction of Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act | BC Gov News
- Transit-oriented area manual updated for local governments, development sector | BC Gov News
- GC Strategies partner pleads ignorance while being questioned by MPs looking into ArriveCan | CBC News
- Auditor general’s office discovers three of its own employees earning side money off undisclosed government contracts
- DND and military personnel OK to have side contracts with federal government
- Gen. Wayne Eyre’s speech advocating for openness on defence issues is now secret
- Senior business leaders support proposal asking pension funds to invest more in Canada – The Globe and Mail
- Finance ministers signal desire for Canada’s pension funds to invest more at home as CEOs lobby for change – The Globe and Mail
- Pension funds are Canada’s ‘crown jewels.’ Should they invest more at home? – National | Globalnews.ca
- 2023 Canadian Pension Climate Report Card — Shift – Protect Your Pension and the Planet
Selina Robinson leaves the NDP, a nomination battle in Little Mountain and should local governments have more say in immigration?
Links
Ex-minister Selina Robinson quits B.C. NDP, citing antisemitism in caucus – Victoria Times Colonist
Full text of Selina Robinson’s resignation letter to B.C. NDP caucus | National Post
Eby defends NDP against Robinson’s antisemitism allegations
BC United public service allegations about
B.C. NDP nomination battle brewing between former and current Vancouver city councillors
Changes aim to help people out of poverty | BC Gov News
Court upholds injunction against B.C. law restricting public drug use
More small towns in Canada will be able to choose which immigrants can settle, minister says – The Globe and Mail
Public servant’s company received more than $200M in government contracts since 2015 | CBC News
Ottawa suspends ArriveCan firm’s security status for some federal contracts – National | Globalnews.ca
Conservatives riding high after a lopsided victory in Durham federal byelection | CBC News
The Online Harms Bill, the PharmaCare Bill and more news from federal politics.
Links
- Brian Mulroney, former prime minister who reshaped Canada, has died
- Government Bill (House of Commons) C-63 (44-1) – First Reading – Online Harms Act – Parliament of Canada
- Long-awaited online harms bill proposes higher sentences for spreading hate online | CBC News
- Online harms against minors and other victims must be criminalized, not regulated: Poilievre
- My First Take on the Online Harms Act: Worst of 2021 Plan Now Gone But Digital Safety Commission Regulatory Power a Huge Concern – Michael Geist
- Why the Criminal Code and Human Rights Act Provisions Should Be Removed from the Online Harms Act – Michael Geist
- Online Harms Bill C-63 is a positive step forward | OpenMedia
- CCLA Urges Substantial Amendments to the Online Harms Act
- Facebook whistleblower calls Canada’s online harms bill ‘one of the best proposed today’
- Online harms: Liberals seek to create digital safety commission, new ombudsperson
- Government Bill (House of Commons) C-64 (44-1) – First Reading – Pharmacare Act
- Ottawa unveils national pharmacare plan that covers diabetes, contraception to start | CBC News
- DND suspends contracts with ArriveCan contractor after learning CEO is a DND employee
- House passes motion calling on Trudeau to recoup ArriveCan funds
- Trudeau signs $3-billion security deal for Ukraine on 2nd anniversary of Russian invasion | CBC News
- As allies scramble to supply Ukraine, Canada still has no deal to ramp up munitions production | CBC News
A mini-cabinet shakeup preceded another near substance-less Speech from the Throne. We also got Eby’s pre-election budget but you wouldn’t know that an election was coming up given how otherwise unremarkable it also was. But most controversially, the government shelved its planned amendments to the Land Act that were starting to attract significant criticism given the mishandling of the consultations and rising misinformation.
Links
- New ministers appointed for Citizens’ Services; Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills | BC Gov News
- 2024 Speech from the Throne
- Throne speech lays out vision of a stronger B.C. that works better for people
- BC Budget
- Budget PDF
- Budget 2024: Taking action for people, families in B.C. | BC Gov News
- BC Builds will deliver thousands more homes with Canada contribution
- Background: BC one of last 3 provinces to cover IVF
- Minister’s statement on proposed Land Act amendments | BC Gov News
- B.C. NDP backs away from Land Act, blames opposition, critics | Vancouver Sun
- Land Act: Are the BC United embracing regressive policy of denial of First Nations rights and title? – Adam Olsen. MLA for Saanich North and the Islands
- FNLC Deeply Frustrated with Opposition to Land Act Amendments – UBCIC
- Kevin Falcon announces Public Land legislation to ensure transparency and public interest – BC United Caucus
BC Builds is officially announced and we’re underwhelmed. But not as underwhelmed as we are at BC United’s attempt at delivering its own housing plan. Plus Mike de Jong retires, ArriveCan is a mess and telling people you don’t want to fund roads might be the right policy but it’s definitely going to get people upset.
Links
- BC Builds will deliver more lower-cost, middle-income rental homes faster
- HousingHub Program Overview | BC Housing
- Homes for BC – Map of Building Projects Across BC
- New affordable rental homes coming to Gibsons | BC Gov News – 2022
- Respite centre, 89 new affordable homes coming to North Vancouver | BC Housing News – 2023
- BC United releases United to Fix Housing, Kevin Falcon’s sweeping new plan to fix NDP housing crisis
- Current property transfer tax first time buyer exemption
- Mike de Jong announces he won’t seek re-election
- 2024 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada
- Total cost of ArriveCan ‘impossible to determine’ due to poor record-keeping, AG report finds | CBC News
- RCMP studying ArriveCan report after meeting with top auditor – The Globe and Mail
- ‘Scary’ secret report prompts MPs to suspend ArriveCAN hearings – National | Globalnews.ca
- Feds will stop investing in ‘large’ road projects, environment minister says | CBC News
Selina Robinson is out as Minister of Post-Secondary Education. David Eby has strong words for Bell’s layoffs (but maybe little action). And a Throne Speech and Budget are coming up. Federally, Pierre Poilievre seems eager to shore up his right flank.
This is Vancolour’s Mo Amir fills in for Scott this week.
Links
- Find Mo: This is Vancolour | Twitter @vancolour | TikTok @vancolour
- Selina Robinson quits cabinet post following ‘crappy piece of land’ comments
- Selina Robinson’s resignation not a ‘joint decision’ with Eby: source | Vancouver Sun
- Premier David Eby must not overlook British Columbia context of Minister Selina Robinson’s hurtful comments – Adam Olsen. MLA for Saanich North and the Islands
- Rob Shaw: Score-settling on the minds of some as Selina Robinson turfed from cabinet
- Vaughn Palmer: Math didn’t work for Selina Robinson to stay in cabinet | Vancouver Sun
- B.C.’s Organized Jewish Community Profoundly Disappointed by Premier Eby’s Removal Of MLA Selina Robinson From Cabinet – CIJA
- Letter from the Rabbinical Association of Vancouver
- FPSE Statement on Resignation of Selina Robinson | After Selina Robinson met with UBC president, Gaza statement disappeared ⋆ The Breach
- Selina Robinson’s constituency office vandalized after stepping down over Palestine comment
- David Eby’s media comments
- Pic: flickr/bcgovphotos
Stewart Prest joins Ian this week to discuss the challenges faced by BC United and the emergence of the BC Conservatives as the voice of the right in British Columbia. They analyze the fundraising numbers and polling data, highlighting the struggles of BC United and the BC Greens. The conversation also covers the cabinet shakeup and the challenges faced by ministers in the BC NDP government. The hosts discuss the importance of transparency and the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision on access to cabinet mandate letters.
Links
- BC United starts media blitz as poll shows official Opposition party in 3rd place | Globalnews.ca
- 2023 Fourth Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- Conservatives Second, BC NDP Stays Ahead in British Columbia – Research Co.
- Sonia Furstenau to run in Victoria-Beacon Hill against Grace Lore
- BC United MLA Ellis Ross to announce bid for federal Conservatives | True North
- B.C. launches concrete actions to keep kids safe, healthy | BC Gov News
- Eby drops children’s minister Mitzi Dean from job; Grace Lore appointed as replacement | CBC News
- FPSE Calls for Immediate Resignation of the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
- College instructors group calls on B.C. minister to resign for criticizing pro-Hamas teacher
- Selina Robinson apologizes after inaccurate Israel comments | CityNews Vancouver
- SCC backs Ontario government’s position that mandate letters need not be disclosed to media | Canadian Lawyer
- Ontario (Attorney General) v. Ontario (Information and Privacy Commissioner) – SCC Cases
Ian speaks with Alex Usher about the current state of post-secondary education in Canada, with a focus on international students and the recent announcement of a cap on international student permits. They cover the number of international students in Canada, the financial challenges faced by post-secondary institutions, the power of the Minister of Immigration, private institutions and diploma mills, the student program as a workforce, changes in the post-graduate work program, the two-year cap on international student permits, the impact on the housing market, funding shortfalls in post-secondary education, and the provincial response and future actions.
Takeaways
- The number of international students in Canada has been steadily increasing, with approximately half a million enrolled in public post-secondary institutions.
- Post-secondary institutions have relied on international student fees as a source of unregulated income to compensate for the lack of government funding.
- The Minister of Immigration has significant power in the international student permit system, which has become a key source of revenue for post-secondary institutions.
- There are concerns about private institutions operating as diploma mills and the lack of quality control in private vocational programs.
- The student program has been used as a pathway to residency and citizenship, but there are debates about its impact on the workforce and the need for better alignment with labor market needs.
- The recent announcement of a two-year cap on international student permits aims to address the strain on housing markets and the need to reassess the distribution of permits among institutions.
- The funding shortfalls in post-secondary education have contributed to the reliance on international student fees, and provinces need to address these issues to ensure sustainable funding for institutions.
Links
- Follow @AlexUsherHESA
- Alex Usher’s blog on the changes
- Rob Shaw’s piece on BC’s reaction to the changes
Ian speaks with independent journalist Dustin Godfrey about drug policy in BC, including the recent injunction against Bill 34.
They explore the decriminalization pilot project and the subsequent introduction of Bill 34, which restricts public consumption of illegal substances. They also touch on the negative impacts of criminalization, the provincial government’s approach to decriminalization, the restrictions on drug use in public spaces, and the impact on vulnerable and marginalized communities. The conversation also discusses the Harm Reduction Nurses Association’s constitutional challenge to Bill 34 and the recent injunction ruling. The path forward includes the need for safe consumption sites and addressing the housing crisis.
Takeaways
- Decriminalization aims to reduce stigma and harm associated with drug use, but the restrictions on drug use in public spaces can push drug users into more dangerous situations.
- The Harm Reduction Nurses Association’s constitutional challenge and injunction highlight the potential harms of Bill 34 and the need for a comprehensive approach to the toxic drug crisis.
- Addressing the housing crisis and providing safe consumption sites are crucial steps in ensuring the safety and well-being of drug users.
- The court’s acceptance of arguments for decriminalization and safe supply demonstrates a growing recognition of the need for harm reduction strategies.
Links
- Follow @dustbobgod
- Read The Bind
- Advocates win injunction – The Tyee
- The ruling
- Background on BC decriminalization pilot
We recap our 2023 predictions, make some for 2024 and catch lightning to power through what we missed
Links
- 2023 predictions episode
- In Ukraine, a war of incremental gains as counteroffensive stalls
- Delivery of Canada’s F-35 fighter jets could be delayed — extra costs possible
- Catching lightning
BC
- Regulations, policy manuals issued to help deliver more homes for people faster | BC Gov News
- Advocates Win Injunction Blocking BC’s Drug Decriminalization Rollbacks | The Tyee
- Update from BC Coroners Service about increasing deaths from unregulated drugs | BC Gov News
- Disappointed and blindsided, Lisa Lapointe leaves as BC chief coroner | Vancouver Sun
- Chohan Carriers still running Alberta trucks in B.C. despite suspension | Vancouver Sun
- B.C.’s infamous fast ferries are on Facebook Marketplace, and if they aren’t bought they’ll be destroyed | CBC News
- Behind the beans: BC’s second unexplained wealth order targets money laundering beneficiary – PolitiCoast
Canada
- Ottawa launches dental care program
- Canada lays out road map for electric vehicle key 2035 targets | Globalnews.ca
- Canada’s finance minister, Honda met on potential EV project
- Canada to limit study permits for international students, raise financial requirement
- Revised requirements to better protect international students – Canada.ca
- Canada has new requirements for international students hoping to come study. Here’s what you need to know | CBC News
- Trudeau says unfinished business, threat to progressive agenda drive him to run again
- PM’s plane broke down in Jamaica during family vacation, requiring 2nd aircraft – National | Globalnews.ca
- Conservatives call for ethics probe into Justin Trudeau’s free Jamaican holiday stay | CBC News
- House Speaker Greg Fergus set to keep his job despite video controversy – National | Globalnews.ca
- Andrew Scheer broke Parliament’s rules by filming partisan video in his office | CBC News
- Statement on the passing of Ed Broadbent
Following a productive session on housing, the BC Legislature has risen with the NDP rushing the final bills through with time allocation. We also have an update on the provinces finances and greenhouse gas emissions. Federally, Google agrees to pay the news but it’s not enough to save the Liberals polling numbers.
See you in January!
Links
- 2023 Third Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- B.C.’s strong fiscal foundation supports people through global challenges
- Climate Change Accountability Report – Province of British Columbia
- B.C. premier, attorney general under fire for comments on justice system | CTV News
- B.C. residents face first Canadian unexplained wealth order – Vancouver Is Awesome
- Coastal Renaissance no longer expected to return to service in December
- Ottawa agrees to $100-million deal with Google to keep news on platform – The Globe and Mail
- What we know so far about Google’s $100M media fund | CBC News
- Torstar critical of Liberal online news compensation deal with Google
- Liberals and NDP tied in ballot support, Conservatives 19 points ahead: Nanos
- NDP open to waiving end-of-year deadline for pharmacare legislation – The Globe and Mail
- Canadian navy in critical state, could fail to meet readiness commitments: commander | CBC News
One bill introduced and one delayed in the legislature. Outside, BC United and BC Conservatives battle over who would tear up the province’s climate policies faster. Federally, Chrystia Freeland tries to save the Liberals skin with a fiscal update likely to appease no one.
Links
- Katrina Chen announces her retirement
- Reaha Arora throws hat in the ring
- Legislative changes will bring fairness to app-based gig workers | BC Gov News
- Sheltering provisions to be delayed
- BCCLA Bill 45 open letter
- UBCM asks the Province to withdraw Bill 45
- Kevin Falcon vows to tear up CleanBC plan – Economy, Law & Politics | Business in Vancouver
- Hidden B.C. government report reveals CleanBC will kill 200,000 jobs, cut services and make British Columbians poorer
- Conservative Party of BC’s Climate Policy – Planning for BC to Adapt and Prosper
- Speculation tax expanding to new communities to deliver more homes for people | BC Gov News
- B.C. expanding speculation tax to Kamloops, Parksville, 11 other municipalities | Globalnews.ca
- 2023 Fall Economic Statement
- The new Canadian Mortgage Charter explained | CBC News
New rules for gig workers and new standardized multiplex designs are coming, eventually. In the meantime, we dig into the response to the BCNDP’s housing bills from BC United, BC Greens and the BC Conservatives. Plus some national news.
Links
- Bowinn Ma announces her baby
- Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to begin parental leave | BC Gov News
- Fairness coming for gig workers | BC Gov News
- New standardized designs will help build more homes quicker | BC Gov News
- BC’s housing crisis is solvable – BC Green Party
- Trudeau, Eby announce E-One Moli battery plant in B.C. | CTV News
- The Federal Court just overturned Ottawa’s single-use plastic ban – National | Globalnews.ca
- Social-media creators, podcasts won’t be regulated under Liberal online streaming law
- NDP rejects first draft of Liberal pharmacare legislation as deadline looms
Two more housing bills from the province look to overhaul development fees and put towers by transit. But it might still not be enough housing. The province is also defining a “reasonably available alternative shelter” and the BC Greens’ deputy leader is out for liking bad tweets. Federally, the premiers want money, the opposition parties fail to expand the carbon tax and we keep giving money to consultants, sometimes for doing nothing at all.
Links
- Legislation introduced to streamline delivery of homes, services, infrastructure | BC Gov News
- Legislation introduced to deliver more homes near transit hubs | BC Gov News
- Estimated map of transit-oriented zoning changes (c/o Josh Messmer, also image credit)
- CMHC housing meeds estimate
- Availability of shelter provisions, other miscellaneous statute amendments introduced | BC Gov News
- Rob Shaw: Provincial law aims to make it easier for municipalities to clear homeless encampments – The Orca
- BC Greens fire deputy for liking ‘hateful’ social media post about Bonnie Henry – Victoria Times Colonist
- Dr Gandhi apology
- B.C. NDP snap 2020 election not unconstitutional: court – Vancouver Is Awesome
- Premiers focus on affordability, housing, strategic infrastructure, and health
- Liberals, Bloc Québécois strike down Poilievre’s pitch to exempt all home heating from carbon tax | CBC News
- NDP’s Singh calls out ‘climate delay Liberals, and climate deny Conservatives’ as home heating motion defeated
- Ottawa paid nearly $670,000 for KPMG’s advice on cutting consultant costs – The Globe and Mail
- Canada’s public health agency lost $150 million on an unfulfilled contract last year. It won’t say why
The housing bill is finally here and we’re getting four units by right, we’re getting legal secondary suites, we’re getting pre-zoned community plans and we’re ending the public hearing. The toxic drug crisis continues, however, with the core recommendations of a Death Panel review being rejected before they’d even finished presenting them. Federally the carbon tax continues to fall apart and it’s starting to have ramifications in BC politics. And Mr Horgan goes to Berlin.
Links
- More small-scale, multi-unit homes coming to B.C., zoning barriers removed | BC Gov News
- BC Coroners Service death review panel urges expanded access to safer supply | BC Gov News
- BC will not implement Coroners Service toxic drug death recommendation | CityNews Vancouver
- BCU calls for investigation into DULF
- Kevin Falcon unveils BC United policies to combat cost-of-living crisis
- NDP to back Conservative motion calling for carbon price off all heat sources
- Trudeau appoints former B.C. premier John Horgan as Canada’s ambassador to Germany | CBC News
We’ve reached episode 350!
In BC, the LG granted royal assent to the government’s bills to push through the Surrey Police, its reforms to short term rental laws and our new official fossil is the elasmosaur. We also have new bills to tackle foreign credential barriers, speed up ZEV targets and support Indigenous K-12 education. The government also announced a critical minterals committee that won’t look for uranium and they continue to dodge questions as to what’s taking so long to rebuild Lytton.
Federally, Trudeau announces a pause on the carbon tax for heating oil while also making heat pumps free for lower income households looking to get off the fuel. And the Auditor General dropped five reports indicting the bureaucracy.
Links
- B.C.’s new official fossil emblem enriches cultural identity | BC Gov News
- New credential legislation will get more people working in chosen fields quicker | BC Gov News
- B.C. making it easier to buy zero-emission vehicles | BC Gov News
- Province makes systemic change to improve outcomes for K-12 Indigenous students | BC Gov News
- Province strikes critical minerals committee – Resources & Agriculture | Business in Vancouver
- URANIUM AND THORIUM OCCURRENCES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA (1990)
- About Uranium
- Lytton: 840 days, tens of millions spent on archeology, no homes built – Northern Beat
- Vaughn Palmer: Auditor general probing years-long delays in rebuilding Lytton
- Delivering support for Canadians on energy bills | Prime Minister of Canada
- Background Why oil and gas heating bans for new homes are a growing trend | CBC News
- Ministers’ statement on federal carbon tax announcement | BC Gov News
- 2023 Reports 5 to 9 of the Auditor General of Canada
- Immigrating to Canada? The system is backlogged and at times unfair, a new report confirms
Links
- Legislation introduced to rein in short-term rentals, deliver more homes for people | BC Gov News
- Progress of Bills
- Freeland considering action on short-term rentals after B.C. announces crackdown
- Legislation improves process for changes to police of jurisdiction | BC Gov News
- B.C. to roll out new legislation amid Surrey police saga
- B.C. to require flush toilets on construction sites with more than 25 workers | Globalnews.ca
- Merritt mayor plans to cut payments to province as city hospital’s ER closes for 16th time this year | CBC News
- Patients will get better emergency care in Merritt, Oliver, Salmon Arm | BC Gov News
- Case in Brief: Reference re Impact Assessment Act
- Supreme Court rules federal environmental impact law is unconstitutional – The Globe and Mail
- Elizabeth May: Good Riddance to the Impact Assessment Act | The Tyee
- Documents reveal RCMP stance on Trudeau in SNC-Lavalin
- NDP delegates unanimously support pharmacare redline in their deal with Liberals | CTV News
- ‘This is garbage’: NDP split on their deal with Liberals, seek harder line from Singh
- Cost Estimate of a Single-payer Universal Drug Plan
In a week where a tragedy that is begetting more tragedies dominated headlines, we find some of the BC and Canadian news that may have slipped through the cracks before drawing lines on the complex realm of responses Canadians have had to the attacks by Hamas and Israeli response. Content note for the latter half of the show (though we largely avoid getting into the more gruesome details).
Links
- BC signs health care deal with Ottawa | CityNews Vancouver
- First reforms to B.C. Police Act delayed to spring 2024 – Nelson Star
- New voices appointed to BC Housing’s board to help deliver more homes | BC Gov News
- Major Canadian grocers won’t confirm discounts, price freezes feds promised last week
- Ottawa should accommodate Google’s C-18 concerns, urges group representing Canada’s major publishers – The Globe and Mail
- Liberals extend amnesty order for ‘assault-style’ firearms until after next election
- Disinvitation from École Polytechnique group sent Trudeau government into damage control mode: emails
- SCOOP: The government tried to spin us about Israel, and we have proof
- Melanie Joly: Evacuations of Canadians in Israel to start by end of week – The Globe and Mail
- First Canadian evacuation plane, privately organized, flies out of Israel
- As a deadline passes, Canadian diplomats remain in India | CBC News
- Trudeau condemns ‘glorification of violence’ in protests after Hamas attacked Israel | Reuters
- The worst week (so far) – CANADALAND Short Cuts
- Eyeless in Gaza – by Jeremy Appel – The Orchard
- The end of the long dash: CBC stops broadcasting official time signal
Sparks fly as the BC Conservatives take their place as the fourth party in the BC legislature, Parliament has a new speaker and the CRTC is going to regulate podcasts.
Links
BC
- B.C. bringing in ban on drug use in public spaces | CTV News
- Proposed B.C. law makes drug use illegal in almost all public spaces | Vancouver Sun
- Rob Shaw: Conservative leader Rustad’s presence stands to alter B.C.’s political dynamics – The Orca
- BC United to tackle housing affordability by blocking skyrocketing building fees
- B.C. minister outlines housing plans, including support for ‘missing middle’ | CBC News
- BC Ferries to be fined for missed sailings due to crew shortages | Globalnews.ca
- Province plans to penalize B.C. Ferries for missed ‘core service’ sailings | CBC News
- B.C. invests in affordability of safe, reliable coastal ferry service | BC Gov News
- BC Ferries has more senior managers than vessels in its fleet | Globalnews.ca
Canada
- Greg Fergus replaces Rota as Speaker, 1st Black Canadian to hold job | Globalnews.ca
- Trudeau ‘looking carefully’ at releasing names of ex-Nazis in Canada | CBC News
- India tells Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country, an official says
- CRTC takes major step forward to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework
- Podcast registry or online censorship scheme? The CRTC has started rolling out new streaming rules – The Hub
- Canadians can expect to ‘soon’ see grocery price freezes, matching to address high costs
The BC Government releases the first batch of housing targets to disappointing reviews, David Eby isn’t happy that CSIS is reading the newspaper to him, and the Speaker of the House of Commons resigns for inviting a nazi.
Links
- Targets released for 10 municipalities to deliver more homes for people | BC Gov News
- BC government orders City of Vancouver to add 29,000 homes over five years
- Boom goes the dynamite…and conversions – Statistics Canada
- Bill 43 – 2022: Housing Supply Act
- BC NDP First, Tight Race for Second Place in British Columbia – Research Co.
- B.C. premier says Ottawa has promised changes are coming to Canada’s espionage law | CBC News
- Anthony Rota resigns as Speaker of the House after Nazi fiasco
- Poland’s education minister says he’s ‘taken steps’ to extradite Yaroslav Hunka | CBC News
- Liberals try to strike Hunka recognition from official record. What that means – National | Globalnews.ca
- Liberal government called on to release still-secret documents on Nazi war criminals living in Canada
- Trudeau apologizes after a Nazi veteran was praised by parliamentarians at Zelenskyy event | CBC News
- Canada extending $650-million in additional aid for Ukraine – The Globe and Mail
- MPs hope Zelenskyy’s visit counters creeping fatigue over cost of war support | CBC News
- Feds postpone housing funding for 2 of B.C.’s biggest cities amid concern over development fees | CBC News
- Feds unlock another $20 billion for low-cost rental construction financing: Freeland | Politics | thecanadianpressnews.ca
Protests across Canada over SOGI education policies, Adam Walker is out of the BCNDP caucus and BC United is going to fight fires better. Federally, Trudeau accuses India of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey and a new progressive conservative political party. Finally, Ontario backs down on the greenbelt redevelopment and Alberta eyes half the value of the Canadian Pension Plan.
Links
- Rob Shaw: With ousted MLA Adam Walker, Eby draws a new line in the sand – The Orca
- BC United unveils bold wildfire policy reforms
- Trudeau accuses India in killing of Sikh leader on Canadian soil – The Globe and Mail
- What we know about the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar – The Globe and Mail
- Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar? Slain B.C. Sikh leader at heart of diplomatic crisis
- Canada gets muted allied support after alleging India may have been involved in killing of Canadian
- India suspends visa services in Canada as diplomatic fight grows | CBC News
- Premier’s statement about India and the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar | BC Gov News
- Canada has Indian diplomats’ communications in bombshell murder probe: sources | CBC News
- From Centre Ice Conservatives to Canadian Future, a new federal party takes shape
- Our Canadian Future
- Let’s get to work! – Centre Ice Canadians
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Greenbelt lands won’t be developed after all – The Globe and Mail
- Alberta to explore leaving CPP as report lays claim to $334B, more than half of fund | CBC News
- The Alberta Pension Advantage? A Quantitative Analysis of a Separate Provincial Plan
Summer is done and politics is happening again. From Bruce Banman joining the BC Conservatives to the BCNDP amending the province’s decriminalization pilot, to federal Liberal housing policies. There’s a lot to talk about this week.
Links
Obituary: Serge Plotnikoff – Castlegar News
BC
- Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman leaving BC United to join Conservatives | Globalnews.ca
- BC Provincial, August 2023 Public – Mainstreet Research
- Mainstreet poll
- United for a Safer B.C.
- B.C. to ban drug possession near playgrounds for duration of decriminalization pilot project | CBC News
- Mental Health and Addictions Care
- It’s been more than 6 months of drug decriminalization in B.C. What’s changed? | Globalnews.ca
- BCUC Chair fired
- New chair, CEO appointed to BC Utilities Commission | BC Gov News
- Lil’wat, N’Quatqua, Province reach agreement on Joffre Lakes access | BC Gov News
FEDERAL
- Canada needs another 3.5M housing units built by 2030: CMHC | CTV News
- Trudeau announces $74M to help London, Ont., build 2,000 new homes | CBC News
- Liberal press releases (thread)
- Letter to Jyoti Gondek
- Could the Missing Middle Solve the Housing Crisis? | The Walrus
- Trudeau removes GST from rentals
- Enhanced GST Rental Rebate to build more apartments for renters – Canada.ca
- Trudeau announces new measures to deal with housing, grocery prices | CBC News
- Poilievre releases housing plan he says would ‘build homes, not bureaucracy’ | CBC News
- Conservative Convention
- Hannah Hodson out
- Conservatives love supplements
- Singh to prioritize ‘lowering prices for Canadians’ bill, Poilievre pushing ‘building homes, not bureaucracy’ bill
With the summer over BC United tries to land a blow on education, and the federal government finally calls an inquiry into foreign interference.
Links* Rob Shaw: All these kids are a headache for an NDP government atop education shortages – The Orca * BC United’s student-first policies challenge NDP’s failing grade on education * Rob Shaw: A star Green Party candidate is parachuted into a riding that can’t be won – Economy, Law & Politics | Business in Vancouver * Quebec appeal court judge Marie-Josée Hogue to lead foreign-interference inquiry – The Globe and Mail * Terms of Reference – Hogue Inquiry * Foreign-interference inquiry’s short timeline, broad mandate raise concerns – The Globe and Mail * A 4% Link Tax: Why the Government’s Draft Bill C-18 Regulations Just Increased the Chances of No News on Meta and Google in Canada – Michael Geist * CBC stands to get largest share of cash from Online News Act, experts say – The Globe and Mail * Feds award $15 million contract to Sun Life to lay groundwork for dental care program * New Conservative Party of Canada Logo
David Eby dukes it out with the Bank of Canada while Canadian Conservatives stir up a culture war.
Links
- Zussman tweet: Eby sends letter to Bank of Canada
- B.C. Premier Eby writes to Bank of Canada governor, urging him to halt rate hikes – Burnaby Now
- Public Accounts confirms investing in people builds stronger B.C.
- Rob Shaw: With NDP Premier David Eby’s blessing, ministerial staff now make more than an MLA – The Orca
- No emergency text alerts? Questions surround lack of fire warnings in Shuswap
- Why BC First Nations sought to close Joffre Lakes park from the public | Vancouver Sun
- NDP looks to take advantage of Liberals’ polling slump by pushing for policy wins: sources | CBC News
- Meta’s news ban fails to dent Facebook usage – The Globe and Mail
- Integrity of immigration system at risk as international student numbers balloon, minister says | CBC News
- StatsCan to change how it counts non-permanent residents | CBC News
- A million more non-permanent residents live in Canada than official figures say, ministers told – The Globe and Mail
- Canadian government admits new passports susceptible to curling (similarly could cut)
- Vast majority say schools should inform parents if children wish to change their pronouns, are split over issue of parental consent – Angus Reid Institute
- Poilievre says schools should leave LGBTQ issues to parents | CBC News
- Canadian gov’t issues update on implementing Emergencies Act inquiry calls for change
- Statement on the Appointment of an Interim Commissioner
Temperatures are rising, metaphorically and literally, both in BC and federally
Segment 1 Eby trial by fire
- Minister’s statement on West Kelowna travel, accommodation restrictions | BC Gov News
- B.C. premier encourages community co-operation after wildfire tension in Shuswap | CBC News
- Critical flow of supplies must be maintained in North Shuswap – BC United Caucus
- B.C. fire crews pulled out as protest tried to ’overwhelm’ RCMP | Vancouver Sun
- Convoy protest highlights the different levels of disagreement in Shuswap wildfire | CBC News
- John Rustad reaction
Segment 2 Cabinet retreat with time to spare
- Trudeau wraps retreat with message to millennials, no new housing plans
- What Canadians know about and think of Pierre Poilievre – Abacus Data
- Can the Liberals win again if they lose Millennials?
- A tale of unpopular leaders: Trudeau and Poilievre both disliked by voters, except their own
- Housing blame poll
- Ottawa considering a cap on international students to ease housing pressure, says Fraser | CBC News
Quick takes
- B.C. housing minister prepared to ‘go it alone’ on Vancouver’s $1B SRO strategy
- With high heat incoming, fewer than 400 of B.C.’s free air conditioners have been installed | Globalnews.ca
- Feds in talks with sitting judges about leading public inquiry into foreign interference: LeBlanc | CBC News
- Elizabeth May frustrated by lack of detail in top secret documents on foreign interference | CBC News
In the final weeks of summer the Conservatives launch a major rebranding campaign for Pierre Poilievre while Ottawa continues to grapple with tech regulation and taxes. Links
Another round of political party financing data, Alberta pauses renewables, Trudeau argues about housing but is getting trees planted
The Boys In Short Pants join to discuss the big federal cabinet shuffle and dissect what the Johnston Report says about the inner workings of government. Links
Derrick O'Keefe breaks down how BC continues to facilitate a growing thermal coal export industry
Strikes at the ports and on Fraser Valley transit, ongoing C-18 fallout and subsidies for EV batteries
Almost entirely unsurprising byelection results, media deathwatch and a growing population
Byelections come, byelections go. Parliament rises with ample rumours. The Royal BC Museum is hiring, again, and Taylor Swift will be hearing from one MP.
A potpourri episode on housing, social media, the federal budget, David Johnston and wildfires
BC releases its housing naughty list, by-elections have been called, Alberta election results and a potpourri of David Johnston stories
David Johnston’s first report on foreign interference in Canadian democracy is out and it’s landed with a thud. But first what’s up in BC politics.
Links
- Revised legislation aims to protect B.C.’s natural environment | BC Gov News
- Rebates make new e-bike purchases more affordable | BC Gov News
- Harry Lali endorses BC United
- First Report – The Right Honourable David Johnston, Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference – Democratic Institutions – Canada.ca
- Matt Gurney: The Johnston report is one of the most depressing things I’ve ever read
- Jagmeet Singh on Twitter: “Nothing short of an independent public inquiry on foreign interference is good enough. I’m deeply disappointed in the rapporteur’s report. We’ll be taking these concerns directly to the PM and use all our tools in Parliament to get answers for Canadians.” / Twitter
- Pierre Poilievre calls on David Johnston to resign, refuses request to review foreign interference intelligence
- I Met with David Johnston for his Report – here’s what happened
The former CEOs of BC Housing and Atira, a leading social housing provider, were married and, according to a recent forensic investigation that led to numerous abuses of power as public funds were frequently directed to the favoured non-profit. Jen St Denis has been covering the story in depth for The Tyee and she speaks with Ian to help us understand the story and why it matters.
- Follow @JenStDen on Twitter and @JenStDenis on Instagram
- Read all of Jen’s work on The Tyee
- A timeline of Tyee reporting on BC Housing concerns
- Inside a troubled BC Housing-Atira deal: Altered minutes, duelling appraisals
- Atira audit will include for-profit arm linked to problem SROs
Photo via flickr/BCGovPhotos
What’s happening in Alberta? Scott’s away this week so Dave Cournoyer of the Daveberta Substack and Podcast joins Ian to figure it out.
Links
- Daveberta Substack and Daveberta.ca
- Follow @Daveberta
- Daveberta Podcast
- Jason Markusoff on Take Back Alberta
- Jeremy Appel on Take Back Alberta
Image credit: flickr/Kurayba CC-BY-SA
The BCNDP called debate on a bill that would force government lawyers into a union they don’t want to join, and that doesn’t want them. They’re still ahead in fundraising though. And China allegedly threatened Michael Chong’s family with further economic sanctions and no one told Michael.
Links
- B.C. makes it easier to get money awarded through the courts | BC Gov News
- Bill 28 – Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (no 2)
- Vaughn Palmer: BC NDP in for a showdown with government lawyers attempting to unionize
- 2023 First Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- China views Canada as a ‘high priority’ for interference: CSIS report – The Globe and Mail
- Conservative MP Michael Chong says feds did not brief him on alleged threats to his family in China | National Post
- Canada summons China’s ambassador as it considers expelling diplomats over targeting of MP – The Globe and Mail
- Chong says CSIS report on China targeting MPs was sent to PM’s adviser | CBC News
- Union representing CRA workers reaches deal with Ottawa, ending two-week strike – The Globe and Mail
Cooling off periods proposed for politicians, C-11 streams across the finish line and the PSAC strike continues.
Links
- BC Greens want minimum 12-month wait for former politicians starting new jobs – Surrey Now-Leader
- Bill M 221 – 2023: Members’ Conflict of Interest Amendment Act, 2023
- BC Prosecution Service Releases Preliminary Bail Statistics
- Data showing frequent bail for accused repeat violent offenders reignites B.C. crime debate | Globalnews.ca
- No more fee-based physician program: B.C. Medical Services Commission reaches deal with Telus Health
- Liberals’ online streaming Bill C-11 passes Parliament
- The Bill C-11 Compromise That Never Came – Michael Geist
- What you need to know about Bill C-11 and the Online Streaming Act – The Globe and Mail
- C-11 (44-1) – LEGISinfo – Parliament of Canada
- Canadians split on PSAC strike — but most aren’t paying attention: poll – National | Globalnews.ca
- Whatever pay raise federal public servants get, layoffs could be next | CBC News
Pierre Poilievre, Elon Musk, Twitter and the CBC. It’s been a relatively uneventful week.
Links
- Bill 25 – Electoral Districts Act
- B.C. government using legislation to push through supportive housing project held up by lawsuit | CBC News
- B.C.’s credit rating downgraded after recent deficit-spending budget – The Globe and Mail
- Fairy Creek old-growth protesters celebrate as a slew of contempt charges are withdrawn | CBC News
- Poilievre on CBC
- Brodie Fenlon: I run CBC News. Elon Musk’s Twitter changes had to be called out
- Why we have paused our CBC News Twitter accounts
- Is Pierre Poilievre deliberately muddying the waters on the CBC’s Twitter label?
- After tens of thousands of federal workers walk off the job, Trudeau calls for more negotiations | CBC News
- Interim ethics commissioner Martine Richard resigns – The Globe and Mail
- Trudeau family vacationed with wealthy friends who donated to Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation | CBC News
Despite a name change, Kevin Falcon’s party still faces some serious challenges.
- Links
- BC United new website (coming soon)
- B.C. Liberal Party officially becomes B.C. United | CBC News
- 2022 Annual Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
- BC Spotlight: Cost-of-living crisis persists, but NDP holds comfortable lead; BC United under Falcon yet to gain – Angus Reid Institute
- Electoral Boundaries Commission seeks 6 new B.C. ridings, revisions to 72 others | CBC News
- Final Report – 2022 British Columbia Electoral Boundaries Commission
- Ontario’s election watchdog wants opinion polls banned in run-up to voting day | CBC News
- Request to remove newspaper article among Ottawa’s queries to social-media giants
The BC Government has introduced legislation to protect cyclists on the road, allow strata owners to install EV chargers, to recognize the Haida Nation and to amend many more acts. The minimum wage is rising and John Horgan has a new position.
But mostly we focus on the government’s new housing strategy, which includes some questionable numbers and some old promises. We look at what’s new.
Links
- Motor Vehicle Act changes will improve road safety | BC Gov News
- Introduction of Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2023 | BC Gov News
- Province makes it easier for stratas to greenlight EV charging stations | BC Gov News
- Bill 18 – Haida Nation Recognition Act
- Minimum wage increases to $16.75 per hour on June 1 | BC Gov News
- Former B.C. premier John Horgan joins board of coal business – The Globe and Mail
- New action plan delivers more homes for people, faster | BC Gov News
- Homes for People
- Rob Shaw: David Eby’s housing boasts deserve a reality check – Commentary | Business in Vancouver
- David Johnston given broad powers to probe foreign interference in Canada’s elections – The Globe and Mail
- MP Han Dong serves Global News with libel notice, demands retraction and apology
- 30 per cent of Defence Department procurement positions vacant: internal report
- Evaluation of Acquisition Project Management (Agile Acquisition, Innovation and GBA Plus) – Canada.ca
- ‘It is glorious,’ says astronaut Jeremy Hansen, announced as 1st Canadian to orbit the moon | CBC News
New bills mark the second half of the spring sitting of the BC Legislature. The BC Conservatives have a new leader. And the federal government tables its dental care budget.
Links
- Changes to Family Law Act will make it easier for separating couples | BC Gov News
- Safe money services protect people from money laundering | BC Gov News
- Public registry would end hidden ownership in private businesses | BC Gov News
- Unexplained wealth orders crack down on organized crime | BC Gov News
- B.C. to restrict sales of diabetes drug Ozempic to non-Canadians as demand soars amid weight-loss claims | CBC News
- MLA Rustad Launches Conservative Leadership Bid and Attacks ‘Woke’ BC Liberals | The Tyee
- Budget 2023 — A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future
- Quebec wants to opt out of dental care
- Mass Casualty Commission final report
- N.S. mass shooting report condemns RCMP failures, calls for dramatic reforms | CBC News
- Opposition cries foul after minister’s in-law appointed interim ethics commissioner | CBC News
Everyone’s still on spring break so the only real news to talk about is the evolving foreign influence scandal. This week: The Liberals lose a Toronto area MP.
Links
- Petition seeking to recall ‘dictator’ B.C. Premier David Eby fails | Globalnews.ca
- PMO releases mandate for ‘special rapporteur’ tasked with probing foreign interference allegations
- Trudeau’s chief of staff Katie Telford to testify at committee probing Chinese government interference | CBC News
- House passes motion calling for a public inquiry into foreign interference amid latest Han Dong allegations | CBC News
- Liberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two Michaels: sources – National | Globalnews.ca
- Trudeau government decided CSIS transcript of MP Han Dong provided no ‘actionable evidence’ – The Globe and Mail
- Fire Gatekeepers. Build Homes. Fast. – Conservative Party of Canada
Cedar LNG project is given environmental approval by the BC Government, sections of the Island Rail Corridor are return to indigenous nations and the latest on the calls for an inquiry into election interference.
Episode NotesLinks
- I’m committed to the fixed election date,” says @Dave_Eby
- Premiers’ Performance: Three premiers face re-election in 2023; others spring forward, a few fall back – Angus Reid Institute
- Governments grant environmental approval for $3B First Nation-owned Cedar LNG project | CBC News
- Provincial environmental assessment certificate granted for Cedar LNG | BC Gov News
- New energy action framework to cap emissions, electrify the clean economy | BC Gov News
- Canada, B.C. announce Island Rail Corridor lands being returned to First Nation – Victoria News
- Saga of Vancouver Island rail corridor highlights B.C.’s difficulty in creating regional transit | CBC News
- Businesses given more time to make outdoor patios permanent | BC Gov News
- Trudeau names former GG David Johnston as new independent special rapporteur
- Opposition leaders dismiss David Johnston appointment as special rapporteur
- Liberals block opposition efforts to call PM’s chief of staff over Beijing election interference – The Globe and Mail
- China’s Vancouver consulate interfered in 2022 municipal election, according to CSIS – The Globe and Mail
Ian speaks with Ottawa human rights and civil liberties lawyer Paul Champ about the final report of the Public Order Emergency Inquiry. Paul represented Ottawa citizens and businesses during the hearings.
First, Ian mentions the latest bills presented in the BC Legislature.
Links
- Amendments will fight disinformation, make elections more accessible | BC Gov News
- New legislation will help protect against sharing of intimate images without consent | BC Gov News
- Legislation will help close B.C.’s gender pay gap | BC Gov News
- New legislation will reduce barriers for people | BC Gov News
- Province introduces changes to Vital Statistics Act | BC Gov News
- Study Finds “Crisis Pregnancy Centres” mislead and manipulate – British Columbia Humanist Association
- Final Report | Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC)
- Paul Champ | Ottawa Human Rights, Employment & Labour Law Lawyer
- @PaulChampLaw
We talk Budget 2023
Links
- BC Budget 2023
- CCPA-BC Analysis
- The Government of Canada and British Columbia Reach Agreement in Principle to Improve Health Services for Canadians
Image credit: flickr/BCGovPhotos
Our interview on the Emergencies Act inquiry was delayed but we still talk about Melanie Mark’s resignation as a MLA and a couple quick takes.
Links
- Melanie Mark, 1st First Nations woman to serve in B.C. Legislature, resigns with blistering speech | CBC News
- Russian invasion: 55% of Canadians say Ukraine should fight on, half as many say it’s time to negotiate – Angus Reid Institute
- CSIS documents reveal Chinese strategy to influence Canada’s 2021 election – The Globe and Mail
- Leaks alleging China interfered in 2021 election have ‘inaccuracies,’ Trudeau says | CBC News
Photo credit: flickr/BCGovPhotos
Oof the BC Leg is off to a slow start this year. We look at the bills before the legislature and the private members bills, including one that has an above average chance of becoming a law.
Then we look at the loophole left by Strata changes in the fall, some new money for communities and protections for forests, and a court win for governments that want to take stuff from the Hell’s Angels.
The real news of the week was John Rustad joining the Conservatives and RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki saying so long.
We’ll talk about the Emergencies Act Inquiry next week.
Links
- Bills
- BC official fossil possible
- BC housing: Pregnant woman’s age restriction challenges | CityNews Vancouver
- Jill Atkey tweet
- Strata corporations across B.C. look at 55+ restriction in wake of new rental legislation – Mission City Record
- B.C. building stronger communities with $1-billion Growing Communities Fund | BC Gov News
- B.C. introduces new measures on old growth, innovation, forest stewardship | BC Gov News
- B.C. expands old-growth logging deferral to 2.1 million hectares, promises greater First Nations collaboration | CBC News
- B.C. Premier Eby and federal ministers discuss bilateral health agreements – The Globe and Mail
- Premiers agree to accept Ottawa’s health care funding proposal – The Globe and Mail
- B.C. Court of Appeal orders seizure of 3 Hells Angels clubhouses | CBC News
- BC Conservative gloating
- Ex-B.C. Liberal MLA John Rustad crosses floor to join B.C. Conservatives | CBC News
- Our Platform – Conservative Party of BC
- A New Brand & Website!
- RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announces her retirement just days ahead of ‘Freedom Convoy’ report
- Emergencies Act inquiry to release final report tomorrow | CBC News
Scott’s away this week, so BC Today’s Alec Lazenby steps in to discuss David Eby’s first Throne Speech. Meanwhile Eby was away in Ottawa as the federal government put the final touches on its offer to rebalance healthcare spending.
Links
- B.C. cabinet minister says her cancer has returned, but she’s ‘confident’ she will be fine | CBC News
- Former B.C. premier John Horgan announces he’s stepping down as MLA | Globalnews.ca
- B.C. throne speech outlines plans to build a stronger, more secure future
- Throne Speech Text
- 2022 Q4 Financial Reports
- Trudeau pitches 10-year health-care deal with $46B in new spending | CBC News
- Subscribe to BC Today
- Follow @LazenbyAlec
Image credit: Flickr/bcgovphotos
Note: Apologies for the delayed release this week – a mix of technical and personal issues held back our release.
A belated Happy Groundhog’s Day!
This week: D-Day comes in BC. New polling data is bad for the federal Liberals. And hybrid Parliament forever.
Links
B.C. takes action to save lives, build new connections of care with drug decriminalization
What you need to know about the decriminalization of possessing illicit drugs in B.C. | CBC News
Pierre Poilievre on Twitter: “After 8 years of Justin Trudeau & the BC NDP, we see near record overdose deaths. You can’t fight the facts
Toxic-drug supply claims nearly 2,300 lives in 2022: BC Coroners Service
Better is Possible—A True System of Care – BC Liberal Party
Julian Somers: Addiction, homelessness and evidence to build back better | Vancouver Sun
Petition seeks to recall B.C. Premier David Eby, calling him a ‘dictator’ | Globalnews.ca
Eby petition text
Allegations of Elections Act violations
Peace River North recall attempt
Recall petition to be issued against MLA Dan Davies – Prince George Daily News
Peace River North recall petition text
UPDATE: Local separatist group looking to part from Canada
Abacus Data | Conservatives open up an 8-point lead over the Liberals as 70%+ Canadians don’t think the Liberal government is focused enough on the cost of living, healthcare or housing.
Canadian universities conducting joint research with Chinese military scientists – The Globe and Mail
Ottawa vows to curb Canadian university research with Chinese military scientists – The Globe and Mail
Post-secondary institutions have no choice but to rely on China for funds
Hybrid Parliament should be here to stay, say MPs in new report
PROC: Hybrid Parliament Report
Federal Green leader urges Mike Schreiner to think twice about Liberal offer | Globalnews.ca
Another quiet week where we look at the privacy commissioner’s report on FOI fees, who donated to David Eby’s leadership campaign, the latest shenanigans in Alberta politics, rocket launches and tank charity.
Links
- Investigation Report 23-01: Access application fee six-month review
- Eby fundraising data
- Former Victoria mayor appointed B.C.’s special adviser on housing | CBC News
- Alberta premier’s office contacted Crown prosecution about Coutts cases: sources | CBC News
- Premier pressured justice minister’s office to get rid of COVID charges, sources say | CBC News
- Defamatory CBC article: Statement from Premier Smith
- Alberta’s Danielle Smith demands CBC retract ‘defamatory article’ and apologize | The Star
- Here Are the Strangest Quotes From a Report By the Man Leading Danielle Smith’s Review of Alberta’s ‘Pandemic Response’
- Ethics of AI: Video from the Alberta Party raises concerns
- Canada unveils goal to support domestic rocket launches | Reuters
- Canada donating four Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine – The Globe and Mail
Photo Credit: flickr/bcgovphotos
David Eby unveils another minor change that may one day help a few housing projects move forward. The BC Supreme Court finds the Climate Accountability Act doesn’t require much accountability. LNG Canada is forgoing electricity in its new terminal. Health Canada says alcohol is bad for you and Ukraine wants tanks.
Links
- B.C. adopts new housing permit strategy to get more homes built quickly
- New permitting strategy will help build homes faster | BC Gov News
- BC not legally required to provide ‘quantitative data’ on meeting GHG targets, court rules
- Electricity constraints force Canada’s first LNG terminal to delay renewable shift – The Globe and Mail
- It’s time to put cancer warning labels on alcohol, experts say | CBC News
- Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health | Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction [report]
- Canada announces it will donate 200 armoured vehicles to Ukraine | CBC News
- Ukraine plans to ask Canada for Leopard battle tanks, Zelensky’s adviser says – The Globe and Mail
- Justin Trudeau won’t commit to tanks for Ukraine | The Star
The BC government is spending money to help non-profits buy affordable rental housing and to expand the Crown Prosecution Service. Meanwhile Kevin Falcon wants a new bridge to the North Shore. In Ottawa it’s buying season with a finalized deal for the F-35 fighter for us and a gift of surface to air missiles for Ukraine.
Links
- B.C. plans $500M fund to keep older rental buildings with non-profits, not developers | CBC News
- New fund will protect thousands of renters in B.C. | BC Gov News
- B.C. launches Crown prosecutor hiring drive to help address repeat violent offending | CBC News
- Building a new North Shore bridge a ‘huge priority’ for BC Liberal leader
- ‘Freedom fighter’ launches petition to recall ‘dictator’ Premier David Eby
- Recall Petition to be Issued in Vancouver-Point Grey Electoral District | Elections BC
- Canada finalizes $19-billion purchase of F-35 fighter jets – The Globe and Mail
- Canada to purchase U.S. missile defence system for Ukraine | CBC News
- Canada buys Ukraine $400M air-defence system; Canadian Army still waits for such equipment
- Trudeau wants Alberta to spend budget surplus on carbon capture incentives | CBC News
2022 sure was a year. It looks like 2023 will be another year. And crypto is a scam.
Links
- Episode 273
- Province hits pause on electrical connections for cryptocurrency mining | BC Gov News
- B.C. housing minister calls on Ottawa to tie housing funding to immigrant arrivals | Globalnews.ca
- Canadians divided on Ottawa’s plan to admit more immigrants: poll Poll (PDF)
- Mendicino willing to talk about changing CSIS’s legal authority after Emergencies Act hearings | CBC News
- Canada extends copyright protection another 20 years to meet new trade obligation
David Eby announces a two-year freeze on ICBC rates, years after criticizing the BC Liberals for similarly playing politics with the public insurer. And MLAs opt to forgo a planned cost of living increase.
Also, we dig into a recent review of the province’s pandemic operational performance, which was arguably less shining than the report tried to play off.
Links
Province requesting freeze to basic ICBC rates for 2 years
British Columbia MLAs will no longer get raises after significant backlash | Globalnews.ca
Most BC residents think pandemic was not managed well: independent review – Capital Daily
Liberal government seeking delay to expanding medically assisted dying program
No more drink garnishes, meal choices on government planes after $100k catering bill: officials
Petition e-4215 – Petitions
David Eby announced his new cabinet and it’s full of faces new and old. What does it, and their associated mandate letters, tell us about the Eby show?
Links
- New cabinet ready to take action on cost of living, health care, housing, climate | BC Gov News
- MLAs not in cabinet
- Katrina Chen exits B.C. cabinet, citing ‘long-standing trauma,’ gender-based violence – Surrey Now-Leader
- Mandate letters
- @VaughnPalmer: New government organization chart lists four deputy ministers and two associate deputy ministers in the office of premier David Eby. Not including new special adviser on Indigenous matters.
- Kevin Falcon announces Official Opposition Shadow Ministers – BC Liberal Caucus
- Premiers’ Performance: Smith divides Albertans, Ford ranks among lowest in leader approval – Angus Reid Institute
Photo source: BCGovPhotos
BC posts a large surplus in its fiscal update and rolls out some further efforts to solve the doctor crunch. Federally, the question of Chinese interference in our elections gets a bit murkier, as does the reasoning for taking all the guns.
Links
- B.C. fiscal update’s $5.7B surplus dwarfs previous estimate | Globalnews.ca
- Rob Shaw: Why the BC NDP should consider an early election
- More internationally educated family doctors on the way | BC Gov News
- New SFU medical school moves forward to train family doctors of tomorrow | BC Gov News
- Minister’s statement on actions taken by Medical Services Commission | BC Gov News
- B.C. medical services agency takes Telus Health to court, alleges two-tier medical service | Vancouver Sun
- A New FOI Fee was Supposed to Speed Responses. It Hasn’t | The Tyee
- Liberals say they’re not trying to ban hunting rifles. Here’s why that’s a lie
- C-21 (44-1) – LEGISinfo – Parliament of Canada
- ‘No evidence at the time’ of foreign interference in 2019 federal election, Lucki says | CBC News
- No reports of Chinese interference in Canadian election, chief electoral officer says
Photo credit: bcgovphotos
Shannon Waters joins us to talk about the launch of David Eby's campaign for leader and to reflect on her time reporting for BC Today.
Is anyone going to run for BC NDP leader, and by extension Premier or is David Eby on track for a coronation. And the premiers undertake the time honoured Canadian tradition of asking Ottawa for more money. Stewart Prest returns to fill in for Ian.
Is anyone going to run for BC NDP leader, and by extension Premier or is David Eby on track for a coronation. And the premiers undertake the time honoured Canadian tradition of asking Ottawa for more money. Stewart Prest returns to fill in for Ian. Links Nathan Cullen, Melanie Mark and Bowinn Ma announce they aren’t running Patrick Brown […]
OpenMedia’s Campaigns Director Matt Hatfield joins us to discuss Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act and we look at the NDP’s about face on the Royal BC Museum project. Links BC Premier John Horgan cancels $800-million museum project – The Globe and Mail Province stops museum plan, will consult public on museum’s future | BC […]
The Money Laundering Inquiry is done but does anyone care? And a roundup of a bunch of national and other stories.
The BC Liberals consider a name change, the federal Conservatives talk membership numbers and reports covering heat deaths, freedom of information and elections.
Live reactions to Ontario’s election results, you can have drugs, you can’t have guns and the Legislature wraps for the spring.
Queen's Park Today's Allison Smith joins us to talk about the Ontario election and then we look at the business case for the Royal BC Museum
Byelections in BC, the first face off of federal Conservative leadership candidates and the abortion debate ripples through Canada.
The Special Committee On Reforming The Police Act recommends creating a new provincial police service and what to do about the shortage of family doctors. Links Transforming Policing and Community Safety in British Columbia [pdf] BC should ditch RCMP and form its own police force, committee says | CBC News Minister’s statement on Police Act report […]
A byelection is called for Vancouver-Quilchena and Conservative Leadership candidates release housing and childcare plans Links Segment 1 2022 Vancouver-Quilchena By-election Candidate nomination closes for Vancouver-Quilchena by-election Segment 2 Conservative Party of Canada announces dates for its leadership debates Jean Charest Announces Flexible Family Friendly Policies Does Pierre Poilievre have a point blaming city hall […]
A Housing Budget, bits and bobs in British Columbia news and a chat with Bowinn and Boyle of the People’s Pod
It's come down to this: Dave Barrett vs WAC Bennett. Plus COVID restrictions are easing, the Conservative race is heating up and dissecting a tweet.
Canada and BC find ways to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Conservatives release the rules for their third leadership since we started recording.
Ongoing protests trigger the federal Emergencies Act for the first time. BC has a new economic plan and a new COVID restart plan.
Kevin Falcon wins the BC Liberal leadership, everyone missed the provincial Throne Speech and Ottawa is under siege.
The BC Liberals are set to choose their leader as the federal Conservatives depose theirs. Also our interview with Stan Sipos.
The fairy creek injunction returns, Erin O'Toole struggles and the wood splitter has its day in court
Ian returns to the podcast and we (belatedly) review our predictions for 2021 and look ahead to the year ahead. Plus a round up of the news.
Ian returns to the podcast and we (belatedly) review our predictions for 2021 and look ahead to the year ahead. Plus a round up of the news. Vote in the Greatest BC Premier Bracket Links John Horgan announces he has completed his cancer treatment 2021 Prediction Episode (Ep 221: 2021 is off to a helluva […]
Our interview with BC Liberal leadership candidate Val Litwin & a round up of the week’s stories in BC and Federal politics. Links Val Litwin’s website BC Liberals launch review of new memberships ahead of leadership vote | Vancouver Sun Jas Johal’s thread British Columbians Ponder Who Can Deliver Affordable Housing – Research Co. Record […]
Stewart Prest returns to discuss the evolving pandemic, how BC is adapting to omicron and why is it so hard for governments to articulate what the covid response goals are. Links All travellers will once again need a molecular COVID-19 test before arriving in Canada | CBC News Province strengthens COVID-19 measures for safer holiday […]
The House of Commons is back with a predictable throne speech and the BC legislature wraps up with predictable time allocation.
How did our politicians react to the floods ravaging BC and the latest legislation introduced at the end of the session
Aaron Gunn is officially wants to be in the race for leader of the BC Liberals but other contestants are divided over whether he should get the green light.
Trudeau goes to Tofino, Annamie Paul calls it quits, the BC Leg is back and Toronto loses at the Supreme Court.
David Moscrop returns to discuss the start of the 44th Canadian Election and the policy promises made in the first week.
The election is (almost) underway with a scheduled start and the NDP releasing their platform. And we check in on the Greatest Premier Bracket
We kick off the greatest premier bracket looking at 14 (of 16) of the first non-partisan premiers of BC.
With a rumoured federal election only days or weeks away, we break down each party's goals, challenges, and what we want to see from them.
We reflect on the terrible discovery in Kamloops and check out the new forestry intentions paper.
The end is nigh for safe BC Liberal seats in Northern BC and the BCNDP's paid sick leave policy seems like too little, too late.
NACI muddies the vaccination waters and partisan allegations tarnish the reputation of a rehab clinic.
We compare and contrast the new federal and provincial budgets and rant once more about the (non) response to COVID-19.
MLAs are back in the legislature for a new throne speech and new bills and Erin O’Toole comes around on the carbon tax
Our interview with BC Liberal Leadership hopeful Gavin Dew and a crossover with Unbound
Circuit breakers, emergency brakes and no brakes as provinces deal with spiking covid cases, which is all us young people’s fault.
Shannon Waters returns to recap the most recent session of the legislature and then we look the Supreme Court of Canada’s finding that the federal carbon tax is constitutional.
Housing Minister David Eby overrules Penticton City Council to keep a supportive housing project open. And Bill C-7 becomes law, expanding Canada’s medical assistance in dying regime.
It’s been a bad week and a half of headlines for Erin O’Toole’s Conservatives. Their upcoming convention presents the chance to turn things around or create further headaches for the new leader.
John Horgan moves ahead with a dam and unleashes the legislative floodwaters with a raft of new bills.
We respond to some feedback on our alleged anti-Green bias and a roundup of smaller stories from the past week.
The Liberals introduce new gun control and justice reform bills and China continues to befuddle Canadian foreign policy.
A potpourri episode of a random assortment of news from decriminalization to COVID to the Green Party and much, much more.
The latest fundraising data shows where BC’s political parties stand and continued vaccine rollout difficulties.
The governor general resigns and the conservatives remove former leadership candidate Derek Sloan from caucus.
An interview with Justin Ling about his book Missing from the Village and the latest federal cabinet shuffle.
How did our 2020 predictions fare, what do we see for 2021 and what happened in a recent case about BC's COVID restrictions
The hosts of Cambie Report and PolitiCoast team up to bring you a special year-in-review of the federal, provincial and local politics news from 2020.
A replay of our interview with Rob Shaw & Richard Zussman about their book A Matter of Confidence from April 2018
Scott talks to BC Today’s Shannon Waters for a recap of the BC legislature’s short session and then we look at the latest federal & provincial climate plans
The NDP presents a short Throne Speech for a short session and COVID-19 vaccines start rolling out next week.
Stewart Prest returns to discuss John Horgan's plans for a new cabinet and throne speech and Dr Henry's new order mandating masks be worn in public.
A look at the final results of the 2020 BC Election and the latest COVID-19 lockdown in the lower mainland.
We look at what the US election results might mean for BC and Canada, and what to expect when we finally finish counting our own votes here in BC.
ResearchCo pollster Mario Canseco joins us to review the results of the 2020 BC Election.
The campaign comes to an end, predictions, races to watch and how Parliament narrowly avoided dragging us into another election.
Laurie Throness is out as the (almost) cap to an event week in the election. We look at how that happened, the controversy with fellow BC Liberal Jane Thronthwaite and each party's performance in the leader's debate.
Stewart Prest joins us to talk the latest policies from BC's parties, including the NDP's platform. Then we get into the results of the federal Green leadership race.
Over a week into the election, the candidate deadline is today and the biggest promise so far is a PST holiday.
A look at the first few days of the BC election campaign and the goodies included in the federal Speech from the Throne.
Sonia Furstenau narrowly wins the BC Green leadership contest, the province rolls out its $1.5B recovery package and election speculation goes to 11.
Our interview with BC Green leadership candidate Cam Brewer and the latest nomination and back to school news.
The latest updates on the BC Back-to-School plan and Erin O'Toole wins the Conservative Party of Canada leadership.
An interview with the Century Initiative, federal cabinet shuffle and prorogation and a look at the Conservative leadership race.
Shannon Waters recaps the summer hybrid legislature sitting and high school teacher Sonia Milbradt joins to talk school restart.
We look at the state of scientific integrity in BC with Evidence for Democracy's Tej Heer and touch on the latest political fundraising numbers.
Ian and Scott celebrate 200 episodes with Jillian P Stead and Stewart Prest by talking about political strategy & political science during a pandemic.
The latest numbers and regulatory changes to stop a COVID-19 second wave and the latest in the ongoing WE scandal.
We speak to BC Green leadership hopeful Kim Darwin about her ambitions to lead the party.
WEgate continues, Bill Morneau gives us a peak at the country’s books, the BC Police Act review committee and Wexit sentiments.
Shannon Waters recaps what it's like being back in the Leg and a student grant program given to WE lands Trudeau in hot water.
Alain Therrien doesn’t think the RCMP is racist so Jagmeet Singh got kicked out of the House. Plus a roundup of news including three court losses for governments.
Stephanie Allen joins us to talk about Black history in BC, racism past and present, police brutality and possible paths forward.
Pharmacist Sasha Maleki joins us to talk science and pharmaceutical politics during COVID-19. Plus the latest on Canada-China relations, long-term care, Andrew Weaver's meltdown and the return to the legislature.
A peek at ICBC's books, how BC's current and future job prospects look and the memorandum of understanding between Canada, BC and the Wet'suwet'en.
BC's Restart Plan is out, a deep dive on the new assault weapons ban and further controversy over the tentative Wet'suwet'en deal.
A look at the various plans to reopen Canada and a study into freight and commuter rail on Vancouver Island.
Translink is bleeding money, outbreaks at meat packing plants prompt calls for paid sick leave and an interview on air pollution and COVID-19.
How fair are Andrew Wilkinson's criticisms of the BC Government's response to COVID-19?
David Moscrop, political scientist and Washington Post columnist, returns to discuss how we make political decisions in a time of crisis, whether our institutions are up to the task, and what comes after. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to […]
Dr Rob Tarzwell joins us to talk about the science and mental health implications of the COVID-19 response
We're joined by Kevin Milligan to talk about the economics of the COVID-19 aid packages and Stewart Prest to talk about the political science of the crisis.
A tentative agreement on Wet'suwet'en rights & title and our interview with Sonia Furstenau, BC Green leadership candidate.
Alberta wins a carbon tax ruling but loses out on Teck Frontier Oil Sands. Canadians are souring on protests over the Coastal GasLink pipeline, while the pipeline faces some regulatory challenges. Plus changes to MAID.
Budget 2020, BC's city economic strategy and continuing debates over the Coastal GasLink pipeline
Solidarity protests with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs erupt across British Columbia and Canada. The Government was able to present its Speech from the Throne, which largely stayed the course the NDP has been plotting.
The BC Government announces an overhaul of ICBC, bringing in no fault insurance and setting up a showdown with the trial lawyers. Yoga troubles reveal an off balance MacKay campaign.
Sonia Furstenau joins the race for leader of the BC Greens and other bcpoli stories, an interview with AccessBC for free birth control and does the next Conservative leader needs to be bilingual
A BCpoli roundup, changes to the assisted dying law, the last steps to passing USMCA and the latest in the Conservative leadership race.
A deep dive on income taxes with Kevin Milligan, Andrew Weaver quits the Greens and BC's loss at the Supreme Court.
Continued fights over the Coastal GasLink LNG pipeline, a look at the US-Iran tensions and the latest in the Conservative leadership race
Stewart Prest joins us to look back and look ahead at the big shifts in politics over the past decade and the one before us.
Trudeau's first minority speech from the Throne, how the BC Liberals turned a blind eye to the foreign detention of one of their own and the premier's meeting.
A look at the BC NDP's convention and end of the 2019 legislative session; how the federal Conservative and NDP leadership teams are shaping up; and why Victoria's AggregateIQ is attracting international attention.
The bills the BC NDP are rushing to get passed before the end of the year and Trudeau's new cabinet.
The BC Liberals early platform and a look at the expanding number of groups in the Senate.
We're joined by comedian Katie-Ellen Humphries to (once again) recap the 2019 federal election. Recorded Live at the Vancouver Podcast Festival.
"The West" doesn't actually include the westernmost part of the country. But what does the Alberta-Saskatchewan alienation mean for BC's place in confederation?
The results are in and the Trudeau Liberals were returned with a Strong, Stable Minority Government ™ . Ian returns from parental leave to break down the results with Scott. Plus a bunch of stuff is happening in BC.
In our final pre-election episode, we break down platforms of the four main national parties. The Cambie Report’s Matthew Naylor returns to discuss the highlights and lowlights of the platforms and what they tell us about the state of Canadian politics. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC […]
Call the Question’s Maria Dobrinskaya returns to discuss the Legislature’s busy first week and what effect the debate will have on the election. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to the episode for your code for an […]
On this addendum to Episode 158 Scott breaks down the two big news stories that broke after recording Ep 158, the resignation of Minister of Citizen Services Jinny Sim and the Conservative Party dropping their candidate in Burnaby-North Seymour. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign […]
BC Today’s Shannon Waters returns to discuss the Legislature’s return, why loggers and small towns are mad at the government, and what to make of the federal election campaign at the halfway mark. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial […]
Erin Rennie returns to the podcast to discuss the Climate Strike and the lastest in the federal election.
The blackface scandal enveloping the Liberal reelection campaign and the latest in the Woodchipper Saga.
BC Today’s Shannon Waters guests to discuss the start of the federal election and the latest news from the BC government. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to the episode for your code for an exclusive subscription […]
Stewart Prest joins Scott to break down the BC Utility Commission’s inquiry report on gas prices and kerfuffle between the NDP and the Green Party over 14-ish former New Brunswick NDP candidates. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and […]
Ian and Scott go through the latest pre-election news before Ian takes off on parental leave. But before that they also answer listener questions in an extended AMA lightning round. Links Segment 1: This awful election Liberals waffle on election debate participation Scheer emerges to talk about how he’s not going to go after gay […]
The Call the Question hosts join us to talk about climate change as a partisan issue, the ethics committee and whether politicians can change their mind.
A damning report reignites the SNC Lavalin scandal and a deeper look at BC MLA donations.
Nicola Spurling and Zoe Ferry join us to break down the halfway mark of the Horgan government and a look ahead to the federal election.
Speed cameras, moving the federal election to accommodate a Jewish holiday and calls to crackdown on conversion therapy.
There really is a business case for a Vancouver to Seattle and Portland high speed train.
It turns out Horgan and Kenney can find lots to agree on when neither are facing the voters soon.
The world is burning but don't worry, the Liberals have approved the TMX pipeline and the Conservatives have A Real Plan and the NDP have a platform.
Shannon Waters explains the latest accusations against Speaker Darryl Plecas and the Court of Appeal's decision on the TMX reference question.
A public inquiry into money laundering, McLachlin reports on misconduct in the legislature and Jinny Sims faces FOI allegations.
The Greens win Nanaimo-Ladysmith and the federal government drops charges against Mark Norman.
Shannon Waters returns to recap the latest from the BC Legislature and the results of the PEI election.
Thanks to SFU Public Square for allowing us to share the audio from their recent debate. Here’s their information: Is Social Media Destroying Democracy? A Debate on Social Media in the Age of Disinformation Democracy, the fundamental idea that an individual can express their personal choices through a vote, hangs in the balance. There’s no denying […]
Trudeau threatens to sue Scheer for saying mean things and smart people debate whether social media is destroying democracy.
The BC NDP lose its first vote and 2 MPs are expelled from the Liberals over the SNC scandal.
Ridehailing is coming to BC... eventually. LNG is really coming though. And SNC continues to engulf the PMO.
Recorded over beers at Big Rock Urban, we talk to friend of the pod, David Moscrop, about his new book Too Dumb For Democracy. We also look at the federal budget and the litany of news around the SNC Lavalin affair. Plus our usual quick takes. And let us know if we should record more […]
The BC Government is looking to make it easier for the government to take your stuff. We talk to the BCCLA’s Counsel (Policy) Meghan McDermott about why that is bad. Plus, another week of updates to the SNC Lavalin affair. And quick takes on Brexit and BC politics. Sorry for the repost/lack of shownotes. We […]
Scott reacts to Trudeau’s morning press conference. Sorry for the repost. We had to repost a few updates following some updates with our server.
Yes, more SNC Lavalin drama as former PMO Principal Secretary Gerald Butts speaks his truth to the Justice Committee and PCO Clerk Michael Wernick returns for round two. Then, we welcome back friend of the pod and lawyer Micah to break down the recent BC Court of Appeal ruling vindicating his prediction that the Park […]
Jody Wilson-Raybould's explosive testimony and the results of three federal byelections
BC's parties have more data than money these days and the PMO is in hot water for allegations it went to bat for SNC Lavalin.
Darryl Plecas dropped his laundry list of concerns that led to the dismissal of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms last November and it’s all anyone in bcpoli is talking about, so it’s basically all we’re going to talk about. Links The Report and various exhibits Quick takesat 48m37s Jason Kenney claimed to live in his mom’s […]
Karen Wang is out as the Liberal candidate in the Burnaby South byelection following comments on WeChat but she’s still mulling a comeback. Trudeau also used the past week to mix up his cabinet. And Brexit continues to be a mess. In our quick takes we tackle the speculation tax, new forestry approaches and the […]
Ian spoke to Too Close to Call's Bryan Breguet about what the polls got wrong about the PR referendum results.
The study on the George Massey Tunnel replacement has come back with a report recommending further study. But first, Ian speaks to BC Green Party House Leader Sonia Furstenau about her parties’ successes in 2018 and what she’s looking forward to working on in 2019. We’ll have one more episode next week to wrap up […]
The scandal over the dismissal of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms continues this week, while the legislature also closes out with the NDP rushing through a number of bills in two days. Political scientist Stewart Prest (@stewartprest) subs for Scott this week. Links Letter from Lenz & James to house leaders Liberals call for emergency LAMC […]
BC Today’s Shannon Waters joins us again to talk about the first week back in the legislature this fall, the province’s big LNG announcement and USMCA. We’re moderating a proportional representation debate! Hosted by the Canadian Club at the Terminal City Club on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 between 12:00-2:00 PM. Get tickets online before October 19. Learn […]
The Conservatives gain a new MP through a surprise floor crossing from the Liberals. BC is going to have one single cannabis store open on October 17 but you'll have to drive to Kamloops to visit it. But first, we respond to feedback around Doug Ford's decision to invoke the notwithstanding clause (and why it's off the table again).
Maxime Bernier’s launched his new party: The People’s Party of Canada and everyone’s already made the requisite PP jokes. Meanwhile in Ontario a court ruling invalidated Doug Ford’s attempt to halve the size of Toronto’s City Council, so naturally he is invoking the Notwithstanding Clause to overrule the courts. And one former BC premier decided […]
We check in on Canada’s desperate attempts to save NAFTA and how BC’s paper industry narrowly avoided massive US tariffs. Check out our partner! Links/Notes Segment 1: Putting the No in North American Free Trade Agreement There’s plenty of coverage of NAFTA out there and it’s changing constantly. Here are just a couple links we […]
In this episode, we talk to our resident legal analyst Micah Goldberg (@micahgoldberg) about BC’s lawsuit against big pharma, the Federal Court of Appeal’s ruling crushing the TransMountain pipeline expansion and the Sasquatch case. Then we look at what happened at the federal Conservative convention and we talk about how partisan we should be when […]
BC Today’s Shannon Waters joins us for our 100th episode live show! We talk about what the legislature’s been up to over the summer and what’s coming up this fall. Then we get into Maxime Bernier’s decision to split from the Conservative Party of Canada to launch a new party. Then we have quick(ish) takes […]
Next week, join us at The Belmont in Vancouver for our episode 100 live show at 7pm on August 23. RSVP on Eventbrite Fires, statues and Conservatives – with political scientist @StewartPrest. BC is on fire, again. We break down whether this is the new normal and how we can derive some hope for better […]
We talk about David Moscrop’s (@David_Moscrop) upcoming book: Are we too dumb for democracy?, Jagmeet Singh’s decision to run in Burnaby South and the war of words between Saudi Arabia and Canada. Plus our usual quick takes. This episode went long so we’ve cut parts down for our main feed. Sign up for our Patreon […]
Fair Vote Canada’s Keith Poore (@KeithPoore) joins us to break down the upcoming proportional representation referendum, and what MMP and Rural Urban Proportional Representation are. Check out our partner! BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to the episode for your code for […]
Canada’s premiers meet in New Brunswick, but did they accomplish anything? And a shooting in Toronto prompts a national outcry for gun reform. Plus quick takes on pipelines, Site C and more. Check out our partner! BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen […]
Ian’s back from vacation so we have a full show to catch up on everything bcpoli. First, we talk all things salmon with BC Green MLA Adam Olsen. Then catching up on BC politics we look at Greyhound’s decision to pull out of Western Canada, the BC government’s labour infrastructure deal and kicking the ridesharing […]
We spoke with Sean Graham, the creator of dual member proportional, one of the systems on the upcoming BC electoral reform referendum ballot. Find out more about DMP and follow @Sean_Gra Check out our partner! BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to the […]
We spoke to Patrick Meehan about a report he wrote for the Alliance of BC Students detailing a simple solution to student housing and how it’s resulting in thousands of new spaces for next to no cost to the government. Read the report here.
BC’s casinos are being used to launder money by the millions. Ian speaks to BC’s Attorney General David Eby about the shocking details in the Dirty Money report by Peter German. Plus we look at the latest updates in the upcoming campaign for the PR referendum. Check out our partner! BC Today is the daily newsletter […]
We dive into the MSP Task Force report with Lindsay Tedds and play part of an interview with The Docket’s Michael Spratt and BC Humanist Association pro-bono counsel Wes McMillan on the Supreme Court of Canada’s TWU decision. Plus a litany of quick takes from a surprisingly busy week. Check out our partner! BC Today is […]
MLA Leonard Krog announces a run for Mayor of Nanaimo but will only resign his seat if he wins. Maxime Bernier gets kicked out of Andrew Scheer’s shadow cabinet for continuing to question supply management. And Ian speaks with the Out of Left Field crew about why the NDP can’t seem to win elections (listen […]
A grab-bag of bcpoli news including pipelines, electoral reform and more. Plus we end with our first reactions to the Ontario election results as they broke. Check out our partner! BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to the episode for your code […]
Canada and the USA go to war over steel, maple syrup and toilet paper. Meanwhile details emerge about BC’s fall electoral referendum and we check in on the state of the Ontario election with TVO’s John Michael McGrath. Check out our partner! BC Today is a brand new daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign […]
The Government of Canada announced it will drop $4.5 billion to buy the Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline, will provide a loan to restart construction immediately and will fund the project to completion if it has to before selling it off. It’s a big deal so we brought you an emergency podcast.
Rachel Notley uses the Western Premiers Meeting to try again to make the case for the Transmountain Pipeline while BC files suit against her Bill 12. Kinder Morgan also won two more lawsuits while they face another. Then, we turn our attention to the first year of Andrew Scheer’s leadership over the Conservative Party of […]
The BC NDP are in hot water for deleted emails by senior staff and cabinet ministers. And the federal government looks to indemnify the Kinder Morgan pipeline from BC judicial actions. Check out our partner! BC Today is a brand new daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and […]
Jillian P Stead (@JillianPStead), of the new podcast Majority of BC, joins us to look back at the year since the fateful 2017 BC election. Check out our partner! BC Today is a brand new daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to the episode for your […]
The rich are in revolt and some are calling for UBC to censor economist Tom Davidoff. So we brought Tom back to walk us through the school tax and how he’s coping. Plus we look at David Eby’s decision to cancel a town hall and Mike Harcourt’s decision to interject himself into the debate. So […]
The Government has filed its reference question with the BC Court of Appeal and dropped its new cannabis legislation. One question that we’re still waiting for is the electoral reform referendum, and it’s sounding like we’ll have to wait until the fall for it. Check out our partner! BC Today is a brand new daily newsletter […]
The Supreme Court of Canada has returned its ruling in the Comeau beer case, so we invited Micah back on the show to help us break it down. That leads us into the constitutional questions that surround the Kinder Morgan TransMountain pipeline. Finally we get into the latest pipeline politics. Find Ian Cromwell on Facebook and […]
The Kinder Morgan TransMountain pipeline debate finally exploded. Kinder Morgan announced a pause on all non-essential construction and will cancel the project by May 31st if it doesn’t extract guarantees from the federal and provincial governments. Naturally, everyone responded calmly and rationally – just kidding! Then, we take a diversion from pipelines to talk with […]
Rob Shaw and Richard Zussman are authors of the new bestseller A Matter of Confidence, which tells the stories behind the headlines from the end of the Gordon Campbell era through to the inauguration of John Horgan. Find out more about the book and where you can buy it at www.matterofconfidence.com. Follow @robshaw_vansun and @richardzussman Check out […]
Carole James announces updates to the speculation tax that will see fewer people charged less tax but it will raise the same amount of money. Then we dive into Nanaimo politics with Jesse Woodward to find out why a city councillor was charged with assault and a city manager was charged with uttering threats. Finally, […]
The BC NDP announced a wave of new LNG subsidies to try to do what the Clark Liberals couldn’t: Make LNG work in BC. Then BC has a connection to the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica data breach. Plus quick takes on polls and new gun laws (and more). We didn’t obsessively monitor Twitter enough this week so […]
Note: This is the first episode of Cambie Report, the new Vancouver Politics podcast featuring Ian from PolitiCoast, and Patrick and Matthew from Pod Keep Our Land. Enjoy the first episode and if you like it, leave a review on iTunes and subscribe at CambieReport.ca In the first full episode of Cambie Report, Ian Bushfield […]
John Horgan’s NDP effectively killed Vancouver’s chance to be a part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Was it an epic save or an own goal? Then we follow up last week’s conversation with a look at the results of the Ontario PC leadership contest. It was a mess and Doug Ford won. Check out […]
John Michael McGrath of TVO’s The Agenda on Politics joins us to break down what the heck has been going on in Ontario politics for the past couple weeks as we careen toward the Ontario PC Leadership race this weekend. Then BC Today’s Shannon Waters talks about what it’s like covering the BC Legislature and […]
We heard you liked our last episode on the BC budget so we followed it up with even more budget takes! We start with more followup reactions to the BC Budget before diving into the federal government’s Equality + Growth 2018 Budget. Plus a few quick takes and we close off with our picks for […]
Hi everyone, Scott de Lange Boom here with a special announcement. I will be running for Vancouver City Council and will be seeking the NPA’s nomination. I wanted to give our loyal listeners the news first. It is because of our listeners and patreon supporters that this show has been so successful and exceeded both […]
Ian’s note: The title for this episode was meant as a (weak) joke about the BC NDP’s Childcare plan (it puts babies first, get it?), and not in anyway an attempt to undermine the credibility of Finance Minister Carole James or any women in politics. I’m sorry for this shortsightedness and will continue to try […]
The BC NDP’s spring Throne Speech aimed to quell anxiety over unaffordable housing but how much substance did it contain? The BC Liberals won the Kelowna West byelection in one of the least exciting races to date. And Micah calls in to give us the update on how the Aquarium won its case against the […]
A BC politics heavy podcast this week: The BC Liberals have a new leader but how much is he just like the old leaders? Alberta stops importing BC wines after BC puts a moratorium on diluted bitumen shipments, prompting Scott to have an aneurysm. We check in on how these two stories will play in […]
Ian flies solo for this week’s short edition. First he talks with Ranil Prasad about the Vancouver Youth Parliament, then some follow up on more political fallout from allegations harassment across Canada. Finally, some quick takes and a look at the #bestofbcpoli. This week’s music: Once you know by Michael Averill Links Secret Life of Canada […]
Pod Keep Our Land’s Erin Rennie joins us to talk about the spate of political resignations this week following different sexual misconduct allegations. Leaders of the Progressive Conservative parties in Ontario and Nova Scotia stepped down, as did Liberal federal cabinet minister Kent Hehr. But first, we check in on the state of the BC […]
UBC economics prof Kevin Milligan takes our questions on the minimum wage debates. Plus a potpourri of topics from spending in the Vancouver byelection to the latest survey of British Columbians thoughts on Site C and proportional representation to the ongoing War of Plates between Alberta and Saskatchewan. And we close off with our picks […]
Mayor Gregor Robertson announces he will not be seeking reelection this year, so this means more municipal coverage in 2018. Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer is probably hoping Senator Lynn Beyak would take an early retirement from the Senate as she continues to cause problems for him, even after being ejected from caucus for […]
Star Wars is known for its giant space battles and galactic storylines. In this holiday special, Ian & Scott are joined by Joe Fulgham to break down the politics and the military strategy & tactics of the Star Wars Universe. From the Galactic Republic and Clone Wars of the prequels to the Empire and Rebellion […]
PolitiCoast celebrates the end of 2017 with a look back at the year that was and some predictions for 2018. Along with some comments on the recent CMHC/Statistics Canada housing data, Conservatives facing nomination battles and Trudeau’s hot water over his last Christmas trip. Note: Our recorder filled up around the start of the #bcpoli […]
A mega-episode for a mega-project! First we talk about the approval of the Site C dam with Dan Woynillowicz, the policy director for Clean Energy Canada. Then we’re joined by PolitiCoast legal commentator Micah to talk about the Comeau “free the beer” case at the Supreme Court of Canada. Plus our usual roundup of quick […]
Byelection fever strikes BC as we preview Monday’s federal byelection in South Surrey-White Rock and the newly announced provincial byelection in Kelowna West. Then we look back at John Horgan and the BC NDP’s first term in office with friend of the pod David Moscrop. Plus our usual round of quick takes on fighter jets, […]
Ian’s back in Ottawa this week so we have a double-crossover episode! First up, apologies to the LGBTQ community and the new Supreme Court of Canada pick with Michael Spratt & Emilie Taman of The Docket. Then Bill Morneau death watch and secret votes on derelict vessels with The Boys in Short pants. Find The […]
From the federal and municipal governments we get housing plans upon housing plans, but how do they stack up? Then, we chat with Justin McElroy about how he decided to pit all Canadian TV against one another and whether Kids in the Hall or Mr Dressup will be crowned the best we can provide as […]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released his report card on how he thinks he’s doing. Prof Lindsay Tedds joins us again to dive into the MSP Task Force and we come back to the TPP and Peacekeeping. Buy tickets to CANADALAND Commons live show taping for Friday, November 17 at 6:30 PM. Check out our Twitter […]
Unparliamentary language is threatening our democracy in BC but thankfully Darryl Plecas is there to save us from such profanity. Plus, what does peacekeeping even mean anymore, particularly in light of Ukraine’s request that the UN intervene on their behalf against Russia. And the conversation about supply management we know you’ve been dying to hear. […]
Stephen Carter, former co-host of The Strategists podcast and president of QED Marketing Inc, joins us in Vancouver to rant about Alberta politics.
The BC Utilities Commission has delivered its verdict on the state of the Site C Dam. Why Vancouver needs electoral reform with Keith Poore of 123Vancouver and our interview with newly minted councillor Hector Bremner. Find the full interviews on our Patreon Congrats Lindsay Tedds (our premier sponsor) on your appointment as chair of the […]
Bill Morneau has a bit of good news this week as he announces smaller than projected deficits, which means the Liberals can continue spending on new and expanded programs. Then we speak to former Alberta Education Minister David King about his new petition for a referendum to end the separate Catholic school system in that […]
The results of the Vancouver byelection are in and not even 11% of Vancouverites bothered to vote. Nevertheless, Ian and Scott can surely overanalyze these results to tell you who wins in 2018. Then we get into the BC NDP and Greens battle over ridesharing and whether it will ever happen in this province. And […]
We finally get around to talking about the Liberal’s small business tax changes and then we look at how BC casinos are being used for money laundering by organized crime. Links Vancouver byelection Voting details Abundant Housing Vancouver questionnaire Vancouver Tenant’s Union questionnaire City of Vancouver Renter’s Advisory Committee: Hector Bremner (NPA), Judy Graves (OneCity), […]
Our extended take on Thursday night’s Housing & Homelessness Forum as part of the Vancouver council byelection. Then we look at Jagmeet Singh’s win in the NDP leadership race and the BC NDP’s first steps to an electoral reform referendum. Plus a roundup of quicktakes from provincial and federal politics. It rained briefly in the […]
We recorded the October 5, 2017 West End Housing & Homelessness Forum as part of the coverage of the 2017 Vancouver Byelection. The debate was moderated by UBC Economist (and past guest of the show) Tom Davidoff and Law Professor Margot Young. It was hosted by West End Seniors’ Network, Watson Goepel LLP, Metro Vancouver Alliance […]
We have candidates but we don’t have an agreed hashtag yet, so can we really call it a leadership race? In any case, Scott phones this one in (literally from Kingston) in a shorter episode looking at the initial state of the BC Liberal leadership race and a roundup of usual quick-takes. Remember to check […]
Big corporate money is out and big government money is in for BC politics. But is John Horgan’s allowance for political parties a good or bad thing? Ian & Scott debate it out. Then Ian speaks with BC Civil Liberties Association Executive Director Josh Paterson about efforts to reform BC’s justice system. And our usual […]
Our Deep Dive look at the NDP leadership race. Make sure to go back to Episode 45 for our interview with Niki Ashton and the clip on Patreon from the Burnaby JagMeet & Greet. Links NDP Leadership page including videos Charlie Angus Niki Ashton Guy Caron Jagmeet Singh iPolitics/Mainstreet poll on race ($)
The BC NDP has released its budget update, so we brought back Prof Lindsay Tedds to bring a tax-economics eye to the discussion. Plus our usual quicktakes. Links The budget update @LindsayTedds Campaign finance bill coming next week Parks commissioner wants to ban balloons Vision calls out NPA candidate’s hypocrisy on development
The Legislature is back in session and we’ve already seen sparks fly – within the BC Liberal party! Plus we check in on the state of the Vancouver byelections with a who’s who of the candidates in the race. Thanks to University of Victoria’s School of Public Administration for coming on board as our first […]
Our live show turned into an extended edition! In the first forty minutes, we talk to political scientist David Moscrop about the ongoing John A MacDonald naming controversies and the NDP leadership race. In the remainder of the show, we welcome the crew of Pod Keep Our Land to talk about the BC Liberals leadership […]
Evan Balgord, freelance journalist for CANADALAND and Torontoist, joins us to talk right wing extremism and anti-Muslim bigotry in BC and across Canada. Then we catch up on a smorgasbord of stories from BC and federal politics. Don’t forget to join us next week for our Ep 50 Live Show! Yagger’s Downtown Vancouver at 7pm […]
Ian and Scott are back together to catch up on all things BC and Canadian politics. Then they discuss the upcoming anti-racist march in Vancouver with two of the organizers of the rally. The interview starts at 34:08. Find details for the rally on Facebook. Also: We have a special live episode coming up for […]
Ian’s in Ottawa this week so we have a special episode with two interviews. First, Ian spoke with Evidence for Democracy Executive Director Katie Gibbs about the politics of science in Canada. Then, we have a clip from the latest episode of The Docket, where Ian discusses the Trinity Western University case before the Supreme […]
We spoke with University of Victoria professor Lindsay Tedds about all things taxes and economics and then a quick listen to some of the highlight policies from Jean Swanson’s candidacy announcement for Vancouver City Council. @LindsayTedds @teamjean2017
Christy Clark has announced she’s resigning as leader of the BC Liberals – and she did it while we were editing our most recent podcast! So Ian & Scott are back to look forward to what this means for the future of the BC Liberal Party and the state of politics in the province.
BC’s new government is ten days old, how are they doing? Then we sat down for an interview with NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton to discuss her bid. Finally, we give quick takes on Vancouver & Burnaby housing stories, the ongoing Alberta United Conservative Party going ons and Trump’s decision to ban trans people from […]
BC has a new government and another new cabinet. How did our predictions stack up and how has John Horgan handled his first few days as the first NDP premier in BC in 16 years? Then, we sat down with UBC economics Professor Tom Davidoff to talk all things housing, including how he got 50 […]
Ryan joins us again on this episode to take a look at Canada’s new governor general, the role itself and some of the history behind it. Then we look at who might make the cut in the first BC NDP cabinet in 16 years and our usual quick takes. Correction: In the second segment Ryan mistakenly […]
The dust is finally settling after the 2017 BC election and the next NDP government is starting to take shape. Trudeau is in hot water over a $10.5 million apology to Omar Khadr, but did he have any other choice? And what’s going on in the NDP leadership race? Links Segment 1: Meggs in line […]
Christy Clark lost the confidence of the legislature and the Lieutenant Governor has asked John Horgan to be the next premier of BC. We recorded this episode literally as it was happening and are getting it out as quick as possible. We also spoke with Stephen Carter from (what was) The Strategists’ podcast about what’s […]
BC has a speaker and a Throne Speech but those ideas sound awfully familiar… Brendan Dawe joins us to talk about Abundant Housing Vancouver. And Micah Goldberg joins us to talk through the Vancouver Aquarium’s lawsuit against the Vancouver Park’s Board. Find the full, uncut interviews at patreon.com/politicoast Apologies for the dicey audio quality at times, […]
Yes, we have to talk about the BC election again. Christy Clark announced her cabinet and rumours are flying whether there’s trouble in the GreeNDP paradise. Then we invite Micah back for thoughts on the retirement of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Beverley McLachlin and we look at Vancouver City Council’s decision […]
We sat down with political scientist David Moscrop for this episode to talk about the ongoing BC stalemate, his work an experiences as a pundit and Canada’s new foreign policy. Follow Dave on Twitter at @David_Moscrop or find more links at his website. Apologies for the bit of popping on Dave’s mic. Links Segment 1: Who […]
With the growth we’ve had since launching in October, and particularly following the historic 2017 BC election, we think it’s time to see what we can really do with this podcast. That’s why we’re launching a Patreon page to ask you to help us build this show into all that it can be. Don’t worry, […]
We finally know the results of the 2017 BC election but we still don’t know who will be able to win the Green Party’s support and form a stable government. Then, we look at the recent dust up between the Vancouver Park’s Board and the Vancouver Aquarium. Should we free the whales? Plus our usual […]
There’s still lots to talk about in BC politics this week. Who will be Andrew Weaver’s dance partner in the coming months? What’s the state of the Conservative and NDP leadership races? And what does pollster Mario Canseco think about the state of BC politics? Segment 1: Let’s make a deal The Greens want official […]
Because we love you (or at least the sound of our own voices), here’s a bonus episode this week! Here we feature some of Scott Gilmore’s “New Conservatives” dinner party, thoughts of some of the people there and our hot take after. Then we take a quick look at the Comey firing.
And we thought we wouldn’t have a lot to talk about after the election! Here’s the first of our special double-header this week. In this part we do our first of what’s probably going to become an ongoing series deconstructing what just happened in the BC election. Plus we throw in our quick takes on […]
The second half of our election night live show! We still didn’t know who won as of 11 PM – the Liberals and NDP were tied at 42 with the Greens holding the 3-seat balance of power (exactly Scott’s projections) – but we recorded some thoughts and took some listener questions. Thanks to everyone who […]
The first rough cut from our election night live podcast! Minimal editing so forgive any background noise. Thanks to Yagger’s Downtown for hosting us!
Special announcement! We have a live election night party coming up at Yagger’s in downtown Vancouver on May 9 at 7 PM. RSVP on Facebook. It’s our final pre-election show! We sit down with Bryan Breguet of www.tooclosetocall.ca to talk polls, election models and predicting the outcome of Tuesday’s election. Then we dive further into […]
Special announcement! We have a live election night party coming up at Yagger’s in downtown Vancouver on May 9 at 7 PM. RSVP on Facebook. Christy Clark, Andrew Weaver and John Horgan squared off in the televised debate. Who won and who lost? The Greens have released their full platform, how much does it cost […]
The first head-to-head-to-head debate of the 2017 BC Election happened yesterday and we’re here to break down who won, who lost, who hulked out and who politely raised his hand. Then, we touch on housing policy in Ontario and the surprise call for a UK election. In our last segment, we have an interview with […]
A special midweek election bonus episode for you. Ian & Scott sat down on Sunday evening with the leaders of Your Political Party and the BC Libertarians. Then Ian sat down in Victoria with University of Victoria economist Lindsay Tedds to break down the economics of the platforms that have been released to date. Links […]
The BC Liberals and BC NDP have released their platforms but will they hold the weight of their supporters’ ambitions? The federal Liberals have released their draft cannabis act but is it more than a lot of hot smoke? And a clip from our interview with BC Greens Communications Coordinator Ryan Clayton. Make sure to […]
The BC Ombudsperson released a report into the BC Government’s decision to fire eight key Ministry of Health employees in 2012. Will this scandal stick to Teflon Christy Clark? Next, the provinces have finally agreed a free trade agreement with the federal government. Will Canada finally be a free market oasis? Then we take a look at the […]
The Vancouver Housing Reset Report, the BC Greens have some policy and a New Conservative Dinner Party. Segment 1 – Hitting the housing reset button Vision Vancouver has released a new report that looks at the housing crisis and how to fix it. We take a look at how it holds up and question some of […]
The Trudeau Liberal’s 2017 budget is out. Did they manage to find enough red ink to get it printed in time? Next, the Conservative leadership race is embroiled in another scandal as over 1300 inappropriately signed up members are struck from the party’s list. Then a quick dive into Alberta politics as we catch up […]
The Trudeau Liberals are proposing some changes to the way the House of Commons functions. Ian & Scott look at whether these will improve civility or stifle opposition. Then, Christy Clark’s bill to solve BC’s fundraising scandals is out and it’s somewhat underwhelming. What really was the point of this? And we look at the […]
A massive story this week in The Globe and Mail demonstrates that BC does actually have at least one campaign finance law – and it may have been broken in BC. What will this mean for the BC Liberals and will they fix it next week? Then, we delve into a series of stories about […]
And they’re off! Three candidates are in and two to three more are expected. We take a look at who’s in the race to succeed Tom Mulcair and lead the federal NDP. As part of that discussion, we get into the rules of the race, what Guy Caron’s Basic Income idea is all about and […]
Fourteen enter but only one will emerge victorious. Who has what it takes and who’s an also ran? Ian and Scott take a deep dive into the Conservative Party of Canada’s leadership race and whether it’s worth joining the party just to block Kevin O’Leary and Kellie Leitch from becoming leader. Links Find out how […]
It’s an election year so that means the BC Liberal’s budget is all about tax cuts and spending increases. Who wins and who loses and what will the opposition do? Next, we look at the sad state of the BC Conservative Party and wonder how a party can survive on 45 Twitter followers. And in […]
The final throne speech before the BC election has come out but we’re left wonder, are the BC Liberals just running on cruise control? With nearly every Conservative leadership candidate tripping over themselves to be the most opposed to denouncing Islamophobia, we delve into whether the Conservatives are courting the dark forces by stoking debate […]
Why are BC’s political parties so incompetent? Christy Clark spent much of the week claiming the NDP hacked her website when really, the BC Liberals probably just didn’t update their WordPress plugins. Meanwhile, Micah comes back to discuss the return of the Court Challenges Program (sorry for the audio quality Micah!) and we discuss what […]
Our first segment: Ding dong, electoral reform is dead. We all sort of expected a long, slow process, but Trudeau seems to have given it a compassionate assisted death (which is legal now). Will this egregious promise breaking bite the Liberals? Was there possibly a more unceremonious way they could have killed this? In our […]
What has the first week of Trump’s presidency meant for Canada? Did the government’s MyDemocracy.ca survey find anything useful? It’s time for another edition of PolitiCoast! Links Tieleman on Clark vs Trump Ipsos Conservative Party leadership poll MyDemocracy.ca report FairVote Canada response to report Internal trade deal to be announced BC Supreme Court refuses to hear […]
Sick of President Trump already? Let’s talk about who everyone’s calling Canada’s Trump instead: Kevin O’Leary! Yes, he’s finally entered the Conservative Party leadership race, but will he get eaten in the shark tank? Next, a real newspaper – The New York Times even – noticed BC politics. Will their expose on BC’s “Kafkaesque” fundraising […]
Trudeau shuffles his cabinet to to get burned by the Washington dumpster fire. The Prime Minister’s ethics are questioned after revelations of a secret vacation with a family friend, the Aga Khan who also runs a nonprofit receiving government funding. The Prime Minister’s flight to the island on Khan-Air likely broke the Conflict of Interest […]
Ian and Scott share their thoughts on events of 2016 and what they will be watching for in 2017. Topics discussed include: Trump Brexit Rise of the Alt Right Trudeau’s First Year Federal Leadership Races BC 2017 Election For the final segment of the year, podcast recommendations: Canada: CBC The House Macleans On The Hill […]
Fundraising scandals continue to plague the Trudeau Liberals, particularly as new controversy surrounds the Trudeau Foundation. Next, Micah calls in to add a legal take on BC NDP leader John Horgan’s claim that the federal government would have to invoke the notwithstanding clause to force the Kinder Morgan Pipeline through. Then we take another look […]
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley comes to BC to win support for the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion. The Trudeau Liberals launch MyDemocracy.ca, yet another tool to consult Canadians on electoral reform, this time to wide ridicule on social media. Then Ian & Scott discuss cash for access controversies and the dark side of Alberta politics. Links: […]
The honeymoon might be over for Justin Trudeau as his government announces its approval of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline and the wheels come off the electoral reform bus. He’s also attracted controversy for a glowing eulogy for Cuban President Fidel Castro. Meanwhile, BC posts a bigger than expected budget surplus while Ontario’s Auditor […]
Justin Trudeau kills the coal industry. The Globe and Mail exposes how many farms in Agricultural Land Reserve are being used for mansions and hotels. Trudeau bought some new fighter jets, Charlie Angus mulls an NDP leadership bid, Vancouver mayors announce the start of the first phase of transit expansion and the BC government puts […]
Vancouver has introduced its empty home tax, but is it a solution in search of a problem? Former Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge thinks it’s a supply problem and BC NDP leader thinks dumping cash into co-op housing is the solution. Meanwhile, the Trudeau Government seems to be continuing to find ways to walk […]
A bonus long weekend episode with a focus just on BC & Canada! Ian and Scott discuss the Conservative Party Leadership Debate, the BCTF vs BC Government Supreme Court of Canada verdict, PEI’s electoral reform vote and the new spill response plan for the west coast. Additional links: Five things you need to know on […]
Scott and Ian share their thoughts on the recent US Election and the implications for BC and Canada. Warning there is a lot of swearing. The Data Behind Trump’s Win – The Globe and Mail 2016 US Election Results by state 2012 US Election Results by state BC/CAN-USA Trade info [pdf] The left vs. a carbon […]
The Trudeau government has doubled down on deficits in its latest fiscal update. Ian & Scott look into what’s in the document and what it means. Next, it’s been a year since Trudeau took office. What have they accomplished and what is the state of Canada’s opposition parties? Finally, in the quick takes, we look […]
Ian and Scott sit down with Jackie from Leadnow to discuss electoral reform in the first of our monthly Deep Dive episodes where we examine a single topic in detail. We examine the current reform efforts in Canada, the systems under consideration and other tweaks for how Canadians vote. The Liberals promised in their 2015 […]
Did the Canada-Europe trade just get torpedoed by an obscure region of Belgium? Wallonia is being blamed by Canada’s Minister on International Trade for making agreement on the CETA deal impossible. With the Conservatives throwing mad shade, what will the Liberals do on the trade file? Also, Michael Chong presents his democratic reform proposals, which […]
Ian & Scott are joined by Micah to discuss all things politics, both in BC and across the Canada. In this episode they discuss the firing of the Vancouver School Board, reactions to the third US presidential debate, the Supreme Court of Canada appointment, new BC leadership candidates for the federal Conservatives and NDP, Trudeau’s […]
Ian & Scott delve into a post second presidential debate review even as the Trump campaign meltdown shows no signs of abating. They also respond to some of the feedback on carbon pricing, the state of the Conservative Party of Canada’s leadership race, Uber’s lobbying the BC government, Trudeau’s Bombardier Bailout, the Tsawwassen Mills chaos, […]
Ian and Scott delve into the Trudeau government’s announcement that there will be a price on carbon. How did the provinces react and what does it mean for BC? Plus: What can you learn from a nomination meeting? What’s the point in having a politics podcast if the legislature isn’t sitting? What’s going on at […]
In the first episode of PolitiCoast, Scott and Ian discuss the motivations for the podcast, the approval of the Pacific Northwest LNG project and the latest in the Vancouver housing story and efforts to regulate a solution. In their quick takes they discuss the fallout from the first US presidential debate, the Green Party of […]
Ian and Scott are joined by Trevor for a special teaser episode of PolitiCoast. Tonight’s commentary is focused solely on the first US Presidential Debate. Which Trump showed up? Did Hillary have the stamina? And why are we still talking about NAFTA in 2016? Check back later this week for the first official episode of […]