PolitiCoast

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...

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...

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 aft...

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 |...

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 rac...

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 New...

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...

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 Estimate of Turnout at Advance Polls Now Available – Elections Canada Cost Estimates - 45th General Election Conservatives, Liberals called out over lack of 'p...

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 runni...

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, e...

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 Ne...

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 Redra...

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 largel...

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...

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...

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 la...

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 ref...

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...

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...

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 $...

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 News The Next Generation of the Liberal Party of Canada – Karina Gould Liberal leadership launche...

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 threa...

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 sa...

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...

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 Mar...