Political Capital with Rob Shaw

Premier David Eby passes his major housing reforms into law - what does this mean for his government? The legislative session ends, and we look at how the parties and leaders performed. Plus, a look at a new fundraising campaign by BC United to raise money for its Brand Awareness Fund, and what that says about how the party's renaming process has gone. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Alli...

A major week in BC climate politics as the opposition BC United and Conservative parties table their climate plans, and the NDP seeks to backstop their position by considering new affordability measures. Plus, the government expands the speculation tax, using new branding to cover up any criticism along the way. In audio extras this week: UBCM calls on government to withdraw a homelessness bill. A...

The NDP government brings in long-awaited rules for drivers at Uber, Skip the Dishes and other gig economy roles - do they hit the mark? A new anti-racism hotline is set to go live three years after it was first promised. And a look-ahead to the BC NDP convention, one year before the election. Plus, Mike Farnworth suspends the Surrey police board, so is it clear sailing for a municipal force now?...

Premier David Eby's government continues its rapid pace of housing legislation, with a new bill to allow condo tours around transit hubs. The BC Greens lose their deputy leader over his social media activity and the BC Conservatives hold a rally calling for Dr. Bonnie Henry to be fired and unvaccinated healthcare workers to be rehired. Plus, in our audio extras, we discuss the political pros and c...

Premier David Eby tables huge reforms to the housing sector, BC's chief coroner wants to expand the provincial safe supply to reduce overdose deaths, and political parties jockey for positions on reforming the carbon tax. Plus, as an audio extra, we discuss former Premier John Horgan's appointment as Canada's ambassador to Germany. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades of Mash Strategies, Jeff F...

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has left BC in a bind over changes to the carbon tax. The BC NDP debates (and then dismisses) Opposition amendments to its short-term rental legislation. And as a podcast audio extra, we discuss what topics are haunting BC politicians as we approach spooky Halloween. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver. Brought to you by Uber Canad...

Oct 20, 2023 - Does BC's new legislation to crack down on short-term rentals hit the mark, and how has the NDP government handled the issue? Does a new bill changing the Police Act bring to an end the long-running Surrey policing dispute? And why is the province so slow, and so absent, in helping the Village of Lytton rebuild after almost two and a half years? Plus it's the one-year mark to the ne...

The City of Surrey is taking the provincial government to court to try and stop its ordered transition to a municipal police force, continuing a long-running political drama. And the BC Conservatives make waves at the legislature on the issues of SOGI and book banning, raising all sorts of questions about what it means for the province's political dynamics. Plus, in audio extras, we discuss new le...

BC moves back to mandatory masks, the province unveils new housing targets for municipalities, and we look ahead to the fall session of the legislature resuming. Plus, in a podcast audio extra, we examine new polling numbers that once again show surging BC Conservatives and whether voters care about BC's three-year plan to run deficits without balancing the budget. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff...

Premier David Eby boots an MLA out of caucus, and appears to draw a line in the sand on MLA behaviour - what does it mean for how MLAs treat their staff? Three of BC's parties join forces to denounce the anti-SOGI protests, but the BC Conservatives promise to end SOGI to court the protest votes. Plus, it's UBCM week so we dive into the issues and effectiveness of this year's local government lobby...

Premier David Eby launches a review into BC's Review Board, after a man accused in a Chinatown triple-stabbing had been granted an unescorted day pass from a forensic facility. Plus, BC United's new crime plan promises to end decriminalization, but the NDP government offers up tweaks to protect playgrounds from open drug use instead. And, a huge defection from BC United to the BC Conservatives cha...

BC is on track for its worst summer ever for wildfires and drought, what does that mean for political priorities and the issue of climate change in the next election? Plus, the panel prepares for a six-week summer break by offering up predictions for what will keep politicians busy. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver. Political Capital will return Sept. 15, 20...

Why did BC United's vote collapse in the recent byelections and what does it mean for the fate of the Opposition party? Plus, a look at Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West's pointed comments about decriminalization and open drug use on city streets, as his municipality becomes the latest to pass a strengthened bylaw against drug use in public places. In our podcast audio extra, we discuss the problems...

The messy policing situation at Surrey gets even messier, with the mayor calling the solicitor general a misogynist, so now what does the government do? The CEO of the Royal BC Museum resigns, citing government's shifting direction - is this good or bad for the future of the museum? And BC Hydro botches its electricity forecasts, which may or may not be a positive for Premier David Eby's climate p...

June 15, 2023: The candidates from BC's major political parties debate the issues on the minds of voters in the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection. Host Rob Shaw moderates a Q&A and debate on issues like West Shore growth, transportation gridlock, healthcare, affordability and housing. BC Green candidate Camille Currie, BC United candidate Elena Lawson, BC Conservative candidate Mike Harris and...

BC's health minister unveils a plan to fix Surrey Memorial Hospital, health officials debate expanding provincial drug policy to address the worsening overdose crisis and it's Political Capital's 100th episode anniversary! Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver ---- plus special guests!

June 2, 2023 - The BC government has put out its list of 10 'naughty' municipalities it intends to pressure to speed up housing approvals, but what does it actually mean for affordability? Alberta's election wraps up, and are there any lessons for BC's parties on how the campaign went? Plus, a look at BC's newly-called byelections, as well as the solicitor general's latest warnings on Surrey polic...

Doctors are sounding public alarm bells in an unprecedented fashion about the state of BC's hospitals, what should the public make of this and how should the government be responding? Premier David Eby heads out on his first international trade mission, but is it just a glorified travel junket? And BC United launches a new advertising campaign on its rebranding, how did it land? Our panel breaks i...

Ottawa delivers the bail reform on prolific offenders that B.C. wanted, so is this a win for the David Eby administration and what will it mean for the ongoing debate about public safety, vandalism and street disorder? Health Minister Adrian Dix announces he will start sending people to the United States for cancer treatment, what does this say about the state of our healthcare system? Plus, a loo...

The long-awaited forensic audit into BC Housing lands at the legislature, creating a flurry of political finger-pointing, but what does it mean for the premier's political fortunes? The tourism minister pushes the Royal BC Museum to re-open the shuttered Old Town exhibit, does she have the right read on the public mood? And we look at the end of the spring session of the legislature, including a f...

The BC NDP government unveils its new jobs plan, to align the post-secondary sector with in-demand labour shortages - but is it enough and why didn't it look at a wider shift for provinces and universities? Plus, a Vancouver van selling clean drugs sparks another round of decriminalization debate. A look at the NDP's candidate for the upcoming Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. And a Green proposal to crea...

The BC government (sort of) makes a decision on Surrey's police controversy, but was it the right move? And the province find itself in a jam on Surrey schools as well, with the board threatening to stack portables on top of one another due to a lack of funding. Plus, new figures from BC's Prosecution Service highlight the complexities of the so-called catch and release justice system. Host Rob Sh...

The BC government brings its first hammer down on housing with new legislation, is this the future of the government direction on housing? Plus, cities begin pushing to ban open drug use in public spaces, kickstarting a heated debate about decriminalization. Also, we look at new political fundraising numbers, the premier's comments on a possible hostile takeover of BC mining giant TECK Resources,...

The BC Liberals officially make the switch to BC United, how does it land and what are the pros and cons of such a risky move? The premier fumbles into a PR disaster in Nanaimo on the issue of crime, what happened? Plus, a look at new Angus Reid polling that shows resilient NDP support. And in a podcast extra, we examine the new candidates and dynamics of the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection. Jeff...

What does BC think of the latest federal budget - not much, it turns out, as Ottawa fails to deliver on several fronts. A wave of disturbing violence on BC streets raises the temperature on crime. Plus, a look at the issue of foreign interference in provincial and federal politics. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Kareem Allam, Jeff Ferrier and Allie Blades.