PolitiCoast

We speak with journalist Rod Mickleburgh about his new book

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...

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...

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 con...

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 202...

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-tracke...

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...

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:/...

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 leade...

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 l...

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 Gold...

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 c...

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 Insid...

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. L...

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 targetin...

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 si...

Links Ben Woodfinden's Website Ben Woodfinden's Twitter/X Ben Woodfinden's Substack

Links Official Campaign Websites: Emily Lowan Adam Bremner-Akins Jonathan Kerr   Referenced polls: British Columbians Back Mandatory Voting and Spring Ballots – Research Co

 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

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 ho...

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-lan...

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 byelectio...

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 Rusta...

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....