BC politics

Premier David Eby says B.C. is happy to take all federal infrastructure money tied to more housing refused by other provinces, because the province has already done its homework to build more housing. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. ahead of curve as feds roll out big housing dollars with demands: Eby

Federal budget includes billions for infrastructure tied to more housing

Premier David Eby says B.C. is happy to take all federal infrastructure money tied to more housing refused by other provinces, because the province has already done its homework to build more housing. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth this week acknowledged that safe supply diversion is taking place, but denied that his government is interferring with RCMP communications. (Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. public safety minister Farnworth denies existence of ‘gag order’ to RCMP

Farnworth said it is up to RCMP how to communicate with public over issues like drugs

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth this week acknowledged that safe supply diversion is taking place, but denied that his government is interferring with RCMP communications. (Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)
Health Minister Adrian Dix officially launched the Hospital at Home program in Vancouver. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel)

‘There is no place like home’ Hospital at Home program expands to Vancouver

Health Minister says program already improving quality of care for eligible patients elsewhere

Health Minister Adrian Dix officially launched the Hospital at Home program in Vancouver. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel)
A private member’s bill is calling for more controls around fossil-fuel related advertisements. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C Greens, B.C. United table anti-greenwashing, suicide-prevention bills

Tabled bills face uncertain but likely unsuccessful future with NDP controlling legislative agenda

A private member’s bill is calling for more controls around fossil-fuel related advertisements. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Thirty-six health care workers received compensation through WorkSafeBC after being exposed to substances of various kinds, including drugs, in 2023, according to government figures. (SJ Objio - Unsplash)

Substance exposure put 36 health workers on WorkSafeBC compensation in 2023

Figure released as debate grows about the use of illicit substances in hospitals

Thirty-six health care workers received compensation through WorkSafeBC after being exposed to substances of various kinds, including drugs, in 2023, according to government figures. (SJ Objio - Unsplash)
Attorney-General Niki Sharma Thursday announced that government will be tabling the Anti-Racism Act to root out “systemic racism” and advance “racial equity” in provincial policies, programs and services. (Screencap)

New anti-racism legislation aims to hold B.C. accountable for systemic flaws

Attorney-General Niki Sharma says Anti-Racism Act will help eliminate systemic racism in government

Attorney-General Niki Sharma Thursday announced that government will be tabling the Anti-Racism Act to root out “systemic racism” and advance “racial equity” in provincial policies, programs and services. (Screencap)
An officer asks protesters to step off the road at an anti-SOGI 123 rally in Chilliwack on Oct. 10. There has been a surge of protests in the Fraser Valley recently. The provincial government Wednesday tabled legislation to create buffer zones around schools. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. to establish protest-free buffer zones around K-12 schools

Attorney-General Niki Sharma tabled promised legislation April 10

An officer asks protesters to step off the road at an anti-SOGI 123 rally in Chilliwack on Oct. 10. There has been a surge of protests in the Fraser Valley recently. The provincial government Wednesday tabled legislation to create buffer zones around schools. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Fundraising totals for 2023 show B.C. NDP with an edge over the opposition parties, having raised $4.52 million. That is more than than B.C. United ($2.9 million) and the Conservative Party of B.C. (just under $444,000 combined. B.C. Greens failed to file their paperwork in time, but unofficial figures show the party having raised almost $1.2 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

NDP well ahead of their B.C. opposition in collecting donations

Statements show party raised $4.52 million in 2023, while 2nd-placed B.C United raised $2.9 million

Fundraising totals for 2023 show B.C. NDP with an edge over the opposition parties, having raised $4.52 million. That is more than than B.C. United ($2.9 million) and the Conservative Party of B.C. (just under $444,000 combined. B.C. Greens failed to file their paperwork in time, but unofficial figures show the party having raised almost $1.2 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
B.C.’s Finance Minister Katrine Conroy, here seen during during budget lockup in Victoria in February, acknowledged Tuesday that two credit rating agencies downgraded B.C.’s credit rating, but said B.C. also faced what she called a “deficit of infrastructure” (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s credit rating takes 2 high-profile hits on the same day

First Standard and Poor’s, then Moody’s lower province’s credit score

B.C.’s Finance Minister Katrine Conroy, here seen during during budget lockup in Victoria in February, acknowledged Tuesday that two credit rating agencies downgraded B.C.’s credit rating, but said B.C. also faced what she called a “deficit of infrastructure” (Black Press Media file photo)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesday (April 9) announced changes to the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. Recipients will receive an immediate one-time top-off of $430 starting this month. Average SAFER payments will go up by $110 per month. Government also raised the eligibility threshold. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. offering one-time rental benefit for some low-income families, seniors

Low-income elderly renters will also see monthly subsidies increase by average of $110

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesday (April 9) announced changes to the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. Recipients will receive an immediate one-time top-off of $430 starting this month. Average SAFER payments will go up by $110 per month. Government also raised the eligibility threshold. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C. Nurses Union Adriane Gear, here seen in Vancouver in 2023 when she was still vice-president, says nurses support harm reduction, but also want to see more safety measures amidst reports of nurses being harmed by their consumption in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo) (Lauren Collins)

B.C.’s nurses support harm reduction, but call for additional safety measures

BC Nurses’ Union President Gear says ‘instances’ of illicit substance consumption happen around B.C.

B.C. Nurses Union Adriane Gear, here seen in Vancouver in 2023 when she was still vice-president, says nurses support harm reduction, but also want to see more safety measures amidst reports of nurses being harmed by their consumption in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo) (Lauren Collins)
A 2023 WorkSafeBC investigation of Vancouver Island hospitals including Victoria General Hospital found “several symptomatic worker exposures to illicit substances.” Health Minister Adrian Dix Monday announced a task force to help help create province-wide standards in response to rising reports of illicit substances being used in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo)

Health minister announces task force to deal with drug use in B.C. hospitals

BC United’s Elenore Sturko questions need for task force, calls for tougher enforcement

A 2023 WorkSafeBC investigation of Vancouver Island hospitals including Victoria General Hospital found “several symptomatic worker exposures to illicit substances.” Health Minister Adrian Dix Monday announced a task force to help help create province-wide standards in response to rising reports of illicit substances being used in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo)
Housing is the most important among decided voters, according to a new Leger poll that shows B.C. NDP with a “sustained, substantial lead” with 43 per cent and the Conservative Party of B.C. at 26 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)

NDP lead ‘sustained, substantial’ in B.C.’s ‘shifting political landscape’: poll

Premier David Eby’s party with 43 per cent, Conservative of B.C. with 26 per cent

Housing is the most important among decided voters, according to a new Leger poll that shows B.C. NDP with a “sustained, substantial lead” with 43 per cent and the Conservative Party of B.C. at 26 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)
The latest job numbers show B.C.’s unemployment up by 0.3 per cent to 5.5 per cent in March. The health care and social assistance sector added 10,300 people, but the information, culture and recreation, and accommodation and food services sectors lost a combined 11,000 jobs. The construction industry gained jobs, but only marginally in the face of high interest rates.

March job numbers offer “mixed bag” for B.C. as unemployment rose slightly

Health care, social assistance sector added more than 10,000 jobs, but other key sectors lost jobs

The latest job numbers show B.C.’s unemployment up by 0.3 per cent to 5.5 per cent in March. The health care and social assistance sector added 10,300 people, but the information, culture and recreation, and accommodation and food services sectors lost a combined 11,000 jobs. The construction industry gained jobs, but only marginally in the face of high interest rates.
Housing prices in Metro Vancouver have reached a ‘full-blown-crisis’ according to report from the Royal Bank of Canada and the CMHC expects new home construction to dip in 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. housing minister says province will surpass grim housing start forecasts

New RBC report also finds Metro Vancouver in ‘full-blown-crisis’

Housing prices in Metro Vancouver have reached a ‘full-blown-crisis’ according to report from the Royal Bank of Canada and the CMHC expects new home construction to dip in 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Premier David Eby Thursday (April 4) announced that Kamloops would host a fire training and education centre at Thompson River University, the first of its kind in North America. (Barbara Roden/Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal)

B.C. to open first-of-its-kind wildfire training, education centre in Kamloops

Eby says the centre was among recommendations from a task force after the 2023 wildfire season

Premier David Eby Thursday (April 4) announced that Kamloops would host a fire training and education centre at Thompson River University, the first of its kind in North America. (Barbara Roden/Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal)
Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad and House Leader Bruce Banman flank former NDP MLA Gwen O’Mahony during a news conference Wednesday. O’Mahony will be running in the newly riding of Nanaimo-Lantzville. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Former Fraser Valley NDP MLA to run for B.C. Conservatives in Nanaimo

Gwen O’Mahony was the MLA for Chilliwack-Hope for 2012 to 2013

Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad and House Leader Bruce Banman flank former NDP MLA Gwen O’Mahony during a news conference Wednesday. O’Mahony will be running in the newly riding of Nanaimo-Lantzville. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Chris O’Riley, B.C.’s Hydro president and chief executive officer, and Josie Osborne, B.C.’s energy, mines and low carbon innovation minister, formally announced B.C. Hydro’s first call of power in 15 years. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. Hydro calls for new energy sources for the first time in 15 years

But the call for the power comes amidst concerns about the long-term supply

Chris O’Riley, B.C.’s Hydro president and chief executive officer, and Josie Osborne, B.C.’s energy, mines and low carbon innovation minister, formally announced B.C. Hydro’s first call of power in 15 years. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Health Minister Adrian Dix Wednesday faced questions about a July 2023 Northern Health memo that says patients can use drugs while in their rooms and keep knives under four-inches. BC United cited the memo as evidence of the NDP having “created a free-for-all with open drug use” but Dix’s ministry says Northern Health “should have reconsidered how it phrased this memo” in noting the illegality of drug use in hospitals settings.

Leaked memo sparks heated debate about drug use in northern B.C. hospitals

Northern Health memo says ‘patients can use substances while in hospital in their rooms’

Health Minister Adrian Dix Wednesday faced questions about a July 2023 Northern Health memo that says patients can use drugs while in their rooms and keep knives under four-inches. BC United cited the memo as evidence of the NDP having “created a free-for-all with open drug use” but Dix’s ministry says Northern Health “should have reconsidered how it phrased this memo” in noting the illegality of drug use in hospitals settings.
Licensed child care facilities in B.C. will no longer be able to charge waitlist fees. The move, effective April 1, comes as government faces questions about the availability of availability of $10-a-day child care. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. drops waitlist fees for child care spaces

Effective April 1, the move comes as government faces pressure over $10-a-day child care promise

Licensed child care facilities in B.C. will no longer be able to charge waitlist fees. The move, effective April 1, comes as government faces questions about the availability of availability of $10-a-day child care. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)