Political Capital with Rob Shaw

BC is wrapping up its massive surplus spending spree, but the premier still has a couple of billion of dollars left to spend within one week until the deadline. Should he spend it all, and if so on what? Plus, new polling suggests people feel worse off financially now than they did a year ago, so what does that mean for opposition parties? And a look at what BC is hoping for in next week's federal...

BC approves a new LNG plant in Kitimat, but starts to shut the door on new facilities with new rules and caps on the oil and gas sector -- is it the right move, and if so is it enough? Plus, the premier bails out TransLink, and a crime rally in Nanaimo showcases political divisions on law and order. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver and Jeff Ferrier.

The NDP government tables several bills around International Women's Day, including transparency on the gender pay gap and tools to crack down on non-consensual distribution of intimate images. Premier David Eby punts the issue of toxicity in the politics over to Speaker Raj Chouhan, as question period marks its 50th anniversary at the BC legislature. Plus, a discussion on the shifting BC Liberal...

Premier David Eby's first budget spends big on the areas of housing, healthcare and addictions, but what does it mean and how does it all land? Our panel does a deep dive into the issues. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.

How can we begin to reform BC politics to make it less toxic, after Melanie Mark, BC's first Indigenous female cabinet minister, resigned by equating the legislature to a torture chamber and the way it functions to a political character assssination? We deep dive into the problems and solutions. Plus, the BC Greens propose a four-day work week pilot program. The NDP wrestles with what to do about...

Former BC Liberal MLA John Rustad crossed the floor to join the BC Conservatives, giving the party its first MLA in a decade — what will the political ramifications be? The NDP match the BC Liberals on addictions treatment, which is good for the issue but how does it play politically? Plus a look at some dumb comments from backbenchers this week on safe-injection sites and the Holocaust. Host Rob...

Premier David Eby delivers his first speech from the throne, but did it accomplish what he was intending? Ottawa offers healthcare funding that falls short of what BC was looking for, so what does the premier do now? And we look back on the legacy and impact of former premier John Horgan as he announces his retirement as MLA. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Kareem Allam.

Premier David Eby visits the prime minister in Ottawa but doesn't emerge with any concrete promises, but does it matter? Another record year of overdose deaths prompts calls for change and political posturing from parties. Plus, a look ahead to Eby's first throne speech and the return of the legislature. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier and Allie Blades.

BC inches closer to a deal with Ottawa on healthcare, but it backs away from supporting an expansion to LNG Canada’s second phase due to climate concerns. The premier hires a new special advisor on housing, but it is a divisive choice. And a discussion about Surrey policing. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.

Premier David Eby finishes a week-long focus on forestry and natural resources, but what did he say and how did it land? Plus, there's a new special advisor for healthcare in the premier's office, Dr. Penny Ballem, how will that change the dynamic of decision-making? Plus, a discussion about criticism surrounding a health colleges bill, and a healthy dose of praise for minister Selina Robinson for...

Premier David Eby reaches the half-way point of his 100-day action plan in office, how has he done and is he where he wants to be so early in his premiership? Plus, we offer up both reasonable, and wild, predictions for the coming year in BC politics — some will definitely surprise you! Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jillian Oliver and Jeff Ferrier.

What a year it's been! The panel discusses the highs, lows, and surprises of 2022. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.

The new premier unveiled his new cabinet, and our panel digs in to what were the surprises, positives and negatives. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.

The panel breaks down Premier David Eby's new healthcare announcements, plus we all speculate on who might be in and out of his new cabinet. Then the man himself comes on the show to discuss his priorities, goals and key issues in a wide-ranging interview. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.

Did new Premier David Eby hit the high bar of expectations by unleashing a flurry of announcements on housing, crime and affordability during his first week in office? How did those files land, what does it mean for BC's political landscape and what happens next? Our panel breaks it down. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver and Jeff Ferrier.

BC signs a new deal with family doctors, but will it be enough to actually get the million British Columbians who don't have a doctor paired up with a physician? An all-party committee of MLAs releases a report into the overdose crisis, but will it change anything? And John Horgan spends his last week as premier in the legislature. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Jillian Oliver and Allie...

David Eby has set a date to formally become BC's 37th premier, but the Nov. 18 timeline raises the question: What's taking so long? Plus, we look at Eby's transition team, new senior staff, and 100-day plan for his premiership. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jeff Ferrier and former BC Green strategist Sarah Miller.

The BC NDP disqualifies leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai, awarding the position and premiership to David Eby. But boy, was it a messy process. Our panel breaks down the DQ report, decision and fallout. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver. Recorded Oct 21, 2022

Oct 14, 2022 -Are the BC Greens behind a takeover of the BC NDP during the leadership race, by encouraging members to take out dual memberships with the NDP to vote for environmental candidate Anjali Appadurai? The NDP think so, but our panel breaks down how that argument fails. Plus, two BC cabinet ministers head to Ottawa to appeal for help on prolific offenders and drum up allies to put pressur...

The BC legislature returned for the fall session, and the last one under Premier John Horgan, but it didn't go well for the NDP government in the first week on the major issues involving health care and crime. What can the government do to flip things around and what's with the growing disconnect between reality and rhetoric in the house? Also, Speaker Raj Chouhan gets the legislature a cat... jus...

A long-awaited expert report into street disorder and prolific offenders contains sweeping recommendations, so why is the BC NDP so focused on playing petty political games on the issue? Premier John Horgan's final public approval poll shows an extraordinary five-year run of popularity. Plus, a look at the latest developments in the BC NDP leadership race and the question of why candidate David Eb...

Premier John Horgan faces a public backlash over his decision to create a half-holiday for the funeral of Queen Elizbaeth, why did he make this decision and what could have been done differently? The Union of BC Municipalities wraps up its annual meeting with the province on the ropes over rural healthcare, and other issues. Plus, BC NDP leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai faces a new set of con...

Premier John Horgan unveils his long-awaited affordability package, to help British Columbians combat rising inflation and interest rates -- but it's targeted to a small group of people, and is it enough? Also, the government inks a tentative deal with the BCGEU, but not all members are happy at the compromises made. Plus, we take a look at allegations facing BC NDP leadership candidate Anjali App...

BC appears to have inked tentative deals with major unions, and solved the ongoing strike - what does that mean for labour peace in the province? The government closes the books on last year's budget with a stunning fiscal turnaround, but does being left with a surplus during a time of crises put the NDP in the best position politically? Rural mayors band together to push for healthcare improvemen...

The coronation of David Eby as BC NDP leader and premier hits a snag with the entry of climate activist Anajali Appadurai into the race - what does this mean and how has it changed the dynamic? Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad is ejected from the BC Liberal caucus and immediately endorses a BC Conservative in the Surrey South byelection, but will that make a difference in the race? And, should the BC...