Political Capital with Rob Shaw

July 5, 2024 - BC's latest political donation numbers show some interesting trends amongst political parties. Plus a look at a sudden rush of NDP cabinet ministers retiring late in the electoral cycle. And in our audio podcast extras this week we look at summer tips for BC political parties, and the recent UK election results. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Jeff Ferrier and Allie Blade...

June 21, 2024 - BC NDP leader David Eby launched his re-election bid this week, how did it land and what themes/messaging did he use both for himself and his opponents? Plus, the BC United and Conservative parties court the business community. Who had the most effective pitch? Plus, in an audio extra, we discuss third-party election ads and how effective they are at this point in the election cycl...

June 14, 2024 The BC United party is hit by a candidate controversy involving Asad Gondal, the president of the BC Muslim Association, and the fallout affects party leader Kevin Falcon in a variety of ways. Plus, a look at Premier David Eby's sudden fight with Ottawa on equalization payments, on the eve of an election. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jillian Oliver and Jeff Ferrier. Broug...

June 7, 2024 - The panel breaks down the stunning news of BC United's Elenore Sturko defecting to the BC Conservative party - what it means for all political parties. Plus, a look at BC United's child care plan to supercharge the NDP's $10-a-day system with cash subsidies, and whether that is effective timing to turn the page for United. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Ji...

May 31, 2024 - BC Conservatives gain a BC United MLA, who crosses the floor and kickstarts a panic inside the United caucus. Also, the Conservatives lose a candidate in Courtenay due to social media posts and blame vetting, though the problem is actually judgement. And in an audio extra, a look at the latest Angus Reid poll. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Jeff Ferrier and Carlie Pochyn...

May 24, 2024 - BC's surging Conservative party has rejected a non-compete offer from BC United, what does it mean, who would have benefited and lost from such a deal, and more. The pod squad breaks it all down. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Jillian Oliver and Carlie Pochynok. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

May 10, 2024 - Premier David Eby offers up ICBC rebates but is it just a move to change the channel from negative performance? Plus, Ottawa grants B.C.’s re-criminalization request, does that put the issue to bed before an election? And Greens call on leaders to make clear their position on abortion rights. Plus audio podcast extras on cybersecurity and Canfor’s forestry layoffs. Host Rob Shaw is...

May 3, 2024 - BC's decriminalization request sparks a week of fiery national politics, so how does that filter back down to the provincial level and what are the implications? Plus, restrictions on short-term rentals kicked in this week, and are there any unintended consequences for government on the issue? And one of the most controversial projects in B.C.'s history, the Trans Mountain pipeline,...

April 26, 2024 - Premier David Eby backs down on decriminalization in the wake of weeks of negative stories about its unintended consequences, plus, the NDP government seeks safety improvements from social media companies by pausing a bill that would have allowed for more lawsuits. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

BC's police chiefs say they are largely powerless to respond to open drug use in many places, in the wake of decriminalization, once again raising questions about whether the decrim program is viable. Plus, a look at how BC is positioned in the wake of a federal budget that largely steals many of its housing ideas. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and a returning Jillian Olive...

The BC government finds itself reeling on three fronts: A CleanBC grant scandal involving alleged conflicts of interest with a private company administering carbon tax grants, as well as a growing chorus of nurses and patients upset about rampant drug use in hospitals, and the ongoing drama involving the Surrey police issue. Plus, a conversation about the latest BC political party fundraising numb...

April 5, 2024 - Can BC continue to defend the carbon tax in the face of a political onslaught by federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who is touring the province criticizing Premier David Eby? Is BC's decriminalization pilot project contributing to rising open drug use inside BC hospitals? And BC's Conservative party is seeing continued popularity, but facing candidate vetting problem gro...

March 15, 2024 - The BC government is going after social media companies and the trucking industry, while extending a helping hand to the wine and forestry sectors. Our panel breaks it all down. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Carlie Pochynok. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

March 8, 2024 - The stunning resignation of Selina Robinson from the BC NDP caucus leads to questions about antisemitism inside the party and what Premier David Eby should have done, and should do now, to address the issues. Plus, a look at the fascinating race to replace the retiring George Heyman as the NDP candidate for Vancouver-Little Mountain. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Fe...

March 1, 2024 - Can the NDP government ever fulfill its $10-a-day child care promise? More communities ask for exemptions from the new short-term rental law Plus, is the new flipping tax good policy or politics (or both)? And, BC United questions why 'manhole' covers are being renamed by the province to remove gendered language. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Carlie Pochynok and Jeff Ferrier. Brought...

The BC NDP drops its re-election budget, but there's not a lot of shiny goodies for voters -- what's going on and what does it mean for the governing party in an election year? The prime minister visits BC to boost the BC Builds program. And in an audio extra, the NDP pauses changes to the Land Act. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Khelsilem.

Government-built rental apartments or a rent-to-own plan? That's just one of the main differences we discuss this week on the show as the BC NDP and BC United square off on housing policy. Plus, a lookahead to the megaweek in BC politics next week, with a throne speech and budget. And as an audio podcast extra, a discussion about the public backlash and maneuvering on a supervised consumption site...

Post-Secondary Minister Selina Robinson was removed from cabinet by Premier David Eby this week after hateful comments about Palestine -- how did the premier handle it, what will the ramifications be for the NDP and what does it mean for BC politics? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Jeff Ferrier and Allie Blades. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

February 2, 2024 - BC is facing criticism for a lack of communication on sweeping changes to BC's Land Act. BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau switches ridings. And BC United launches a new advertising campaign, amidst new polling numbers that show BC Conservatives surging. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver.

January 26, 2024 - Premier David Eby and B.C.'s chief coroner disagree over what to do to curb a record number of deaths caused by toxic drugs. Plus, the premier forecasts legislation to sue social media companies for harm. Ottawa brings in a new international student cap that will have big ramifications for B.C.'s colleges and universities. And, a discussion about BC United MLA Ellis Ross's decis...

Premier David Eby shuffles out his children's minister, but why did it take so long and what happens now? Plus, it's natural resources week, and both the premier and BC United leader Kevin Falcon propose plans for forestry and mining, to varying degrees of success. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

Premier David Eby criticizes the BC Supreme Court on its injunction against his drug use restriction law, but what does the NDP's shifting position on decriminalization amount to? A new poll shows public confidence has collapsed in government health care, is this an opening for other parties during an election year? Plus, in our podcast extra this week, we discuss what the BC government should do...

Our last show of 2023 sees the panel dust off the crystal ball and look ahead to 2024 - where are BC's political parties right now, what do they need to be doing to start the year, when will candidates announce, will the premier shuffle his cabinet and what should we look for in the February provincial budget? All of this, as we start counting down the days to the Oct. 19, 2024 provincial election...

As a busy 2023 comes to a close, the Pod Squad takes a look at the top BC political stories of the year. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.

The BC government unveils new economic modelling that shows a potential price drop for housing due to its new laws, but is that realistic? And another poll shows a split between the BC United and Conservative parties, leading to speculation of merger talks. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.