PolitiCoast

The former CEOs of BC Housing and Atira, a leading social housing provider, were married and, according to a recent forensic investigation that led to numerous abuses of power as public funds were frequently directed to the favoured non-profit. Jen St Denis has been covering the story in depth for The Tyee and she speaks with Ian to help us understand the story and why it matters. Follow @JenStDen...

What's happening in Alberta? Scott's away this week so Dave Cournoyer of the Daveberta Substack and Podcast joins Ian to figure it out. Links Daveberta Substack and Daveberta.ca Follow   @Daveberta Daveberta Podcast Jason Markusoff on Take Back Alberta Jeremy Appel on Take Back Alberta Image credit: flickr/Kurayba CC-BY-SA

The BCNDP called debate on a bill that would force government lawyers into a union they don't want to join, and that doesn't want them. They're still ahead in fundraising though. And China allegedly threatened Michael Chong's family with further economic sanctions and no one told Michael. Links B.C. makes it easier to get money awarded through the courts | BC Gov News Bill 28 - Motor Vehicle Amend...

Links BC Greens want minimum 12-month wait for former politicians starting new jobs - Surrey Now-Leader Bill M 221 – 2023: Members' Conflict of Interest Amendment Act, 2023 BC Prosecution Service Releases Preliminary Bail Statistics Data showing frequent bail for accused repeat violent offenders reignites B.C. crime debate | Globalnews.ca No more fee-based physician program: B.C. Medical Services...

Pierre Poilievre, Elon Musk, Twitter and the CBC. It's been a relatively uneventful week. Links Bill 25 - Electoral Districts Act B.C. government using legislation to push through supportive housing project held up by lawsuit | CBC News B.C.’s credit rating downgraded after recent deficit-spending budget - The Globe and Mail Fairy Creek old-growth protesters celebrate as a slew of contempt charges...

Despite a name change, Kevin Falcon's party still faces some serious challenges. Links BC United new website (coming soon) B.C. Liberal Party officially becomes B.C. United | CBC News   2022 Annual Financial Reports Available | Elections BC BC Spotlight: Cost-of-living crisis persists, but NDP holds comfortable lead; BC United under Falcon yet to gain - Angus Reid Institute   Electoral Boundaries...

The BC Government has introduced legislation to protect cyclists on the road, allow strata owners to install EV chargers, to recognize the Haida Nation and to amend many more acts. The minimum wage is rising and John Horgan has a new position. But mostly we focus on the government's new housing strategy, which includes some questionable numbers and some old promises. We look at what's new. Links M...

New bills mark the second half of the spring sitting of the BC Legislature. The BC Conservatives have a new leader. And the federal government tables its dental care budget. Links Changes to Family Law Act will make it easier for separating couples | BC Gov News Safe money services protect people from money laundering | BC Gov News Public registry would end hidden ownership in private businesses |...

Everyone's still on spring break so the only real news to talk about is the evolving foreign influence scandal. This week: The Liberals lose a Toronto area MP. Links Petition seeking to recall ‘dictator’ B.C. Premier David Eby fails | Globalnews.ca PMO releases mandate for 'special rapporteur' tasked with probing foreign interference allegations Trudeau's chief of staff Katie Telford to testify at...

Links I'm committed to the fixed election date," says  @Dave_Eby Premiers’ Performance: Three premiers face re-election in 2023; others spring forward, a few fall back - Angus Reid Institute Governments grant environmental approval for $3B First Nation-owned Cedar LNG project | CBC News Provincial environmental assessment certificate granted for Cedar LNG | BC Gov News New energy action framework...

Ian speaks with Ottawa human rights and civil liberties lawyer Paul Champ about the final report of the Public Order Emergency Inquiry. Paul represented Ottawa citizens and businesses during the hearings. First, Ian mentions the latest bills presented in the BC Legislature. Links Amendments will fight disinformation, make elections more accessible | BC Gov News New legislation will help protect ag...

We talk Budget 2023 Links BC Budget 2023   CCPA-BC Analysis The Government of Canada and British Columbia Reach Agreement in Principle to Improve Health Services for Canadians Image credit: flickr/BCGovPhotos

Our interview on the Emergencies Act inquiry was delayed but we still talk about Melanie Mark's resignation as a MLA and a couple quick takes. Links Melanie Mark, 1st First Nations woman to serve in B.C. Legislature, resigns with blistering speech | CBC News Russian invasion: 55% of Canadians say Ukraine should fight on, half as many say it’s time to negotiate - Angus Reid Institute CSIS documents...

Oof the BC Leg is off to a slow start this year. We look at the bills before the legislature and the private members bills, including one that has an above average chance of becoming a law. Then we look at the loophole left by Strata changes in the fall, some new money for communities and protections for forests, and a court win for governments that want to take stuff from the Hell's Angels. The r...

Scott's away this week, so BC Today's Alec Lazenby steps in to discuss David Eby's first Throne Speech. Meanwhile Eby was away in Ottawa as the federal government put the final touches on its offer to rebalance healthcare spending. Links B.C. cabinet minister says her cancer has returned, but she's 'confident' she will be fine | CBC News Former B.C. premier John Horgan announces he’s stepping down...

Note: Apologies for the delayed release this week - a mix of technical and personal issues held back our release. A belated Happy Groundhog's Day! This week: D-Day comes in BC. New polling data is bad for the federal Liberals. And hybrid Parliament forever. Links B.C. takes action to save lives, build new connections of care with drug decriminalization What you need to know about the decriminaliza...

Another quiet week where we look at the privacy commissioner's report on FOI fees, who donated to David Eby's leadership campaign, the latest shenanigans in Alberta politics, rocket launches and tank charity. Links Investigation Report 23-01: Access application fee six-month review Eby fundraising data Former Victoria mayor appointed B.C.'s special adviser on housing | CBC News Alberta premier's o...

David Eby unveils another minor change that may one day help a few housing projects move forward. The BC Supreme Court finds the Climate Accountability Act doesn't require much accountability. LNG Canada is forgoing electricity in its new terminal. Health Canada says alcohol is bad for you and Ukraine wants tanks. Links B.C. adopts new housing permit strategy to get more homes built quickly New pe...

The BC government is spending money to help non-profits buy affordable rental housing and to expand the Crown Prosecution Service. Meanwhile Kevin Falcon wants a new bridge to the North Shore. In Ottawa it's buying season with a finalized deal for the F-35 fighter for us and a gift of surface to air missiles for Ukraine. Links B.C. plans $500M fund to keep older rental buildings with non-profits,...

2022 sure was a year. It looks like 2023 will be another year. And crypto is a scam. Links Episode 273 Province hits pause on electrical connections for cryptocurrency mining | BC Gov News B.C. housing minister calls on Ottawa to tie housing funding to immigrant arrivals | Globalnews.ca Canadians divided on Ottawa's plan to admit more immigrants: poll Poll (PDF)  Mendicino willing to talk about ch...

David Eby announces a two-year freeze on ICBC rates, years after criticizing the BC Liberals for similarly playing politics with the public insurer. And MLAs opt to forgo a planned cost of living increase. Also, we dig into a recent review of the province's pandemic operational performance, which was arguably less shining than the report tried to play off. Links Province requesting freeze to basic...

David Eby announced his new cabinet and it's full of faces new and old. What does it, and their associated mandate letters, tell us about the Eby show? Links New cabinet ready to take action on cost of living, health care, housing, climate | BC Gov News MLAs not in cabinet Katrina Chen exits B.C. cabinet, citing ‘long-standing trauma,’ gender-based violence - Surrey Now-Leader Mandate letters @Vau...

BC posts a large surplus in its fiscal update and rolls out some further efforts to solve the doctor crunch. Federally, the question of Chinese interference in our elections gets a bit murkier, as does the reasoning for taking all the guns. Links B.C. fiscal update’s $5.7B surplus dwarfs previous estimate | Globalnews.ca Rob Shaw: Why the BC NDP should consider an early election More international...

We cover Eby's multiple major announcements following his swearing in as premier. From public safety and policing to housing. Plus the shenanigans in the legislature during its hectic final week of sitting. Links Premier Eby takes action to keep people, communities safe | BC Gov News B.C. to table legislation increasing ease of government to seize individuals’ assets without being charged - The Gl...

The BC Liberals are officially going to change their name to BC United. And John Horgan offers to fix healthcare in his post-premier life. Links Vaughn Palmer: Party name change is an important win for Kevin Falcon As John Horgan exits, he offers to help broker a deal on health care funding Incoming B.C. premier David Eby says province will take over coordinating approach to Downtown Eastside Accu...