BC politics

Premier David Eby Tuesday, here seen announcing BC Builds, last month announced nearly 2,000 new rental units in Metro Vancouver to be built through 17 projects receiving funding through Community Housing Fund.

B.C. economist calls 2,000 new rental units in Metro Van a ‘good start’

But Marc Lee of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives questions scale, pace of building

Premier David Eby Tuesday, here seen announcing BC Builds, last month announced nearly 2,000 new rental units in Metro Vancouver to be built through 17 projects receiving funding through Community Housing Fund.
(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. sparks new public EV charging stations in rural corners of province

More than 500 new stations to help fill ‘geographic gaps’ in B.C.’s charging network

(Black Press Media file photo)
Auditor-General Michael Pickup found “significant deficiencies” in the implementation of two “integral” policies designed to reduce the harms caused by B.C.’s illicit drug toxicity, including at least 14,000 deaths since 2016. (Screencap)

‘Significant deficiencies’ in programs to curb toxic drug deaths: B.C auditor

Overdose prevention services, prescribed safe supply not properly implemented

Auditor-General Michael Pickup found “significant deficiencies” in the implementation of two “integral” policies designed to reduce the harms caused by B.C.’s illicit drug toxicity, including at least 14,000 deaths since 2016. (Screencap)
The record-setting wildfires across western Canada including British Columbia did not just destroy millions of hectares of forest but also contributed to the on-going shrinkage of glaciers across western Canada. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service) (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Metro Vancouver)

B.C.’s wildfires helped feed glacier meltdown across western Canada: report

World Meteorological Organization report also confirms 2023 as the hottest year on record

The record-setting wildfires across western Canada including British Columbia did not just destroy millions of hectares of forest but also contributed to the on-going shrinkage of glaciers across western Canada. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service) (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Metro Vancouver)
A new Angus Reid survey finds Premier David Eby and the BC-NDP with a double-digit lead in the polls over the Conservative Party of BC and BC United. Surveyed would-be voters also think that New Democrats are the best to handle top issues like housing affordability compared to the other parties. But the survey also finds what it calls “potentially concerning” findings for governing Democrats. At least seven in ten think government is doing a poor job on most issues facing the province. (Screencap)

B.C. NDP still leading Conservatives, BC United by double-digit margin

Seven months from the next election, poll also finds 51 per cent want change in government

A new Angus Reid survey finds Premier David Eby and the BC-NDP with a double-digit lead in the polls over the Conservative Party of BC and BC United. Surveyed would-be voters also think that New Democrats are the best to handle top issues like housing affordability compared to the other parties. But the survey also finds what it calls “potentially concerning” findings for governing Democrats. At least seven in ten think government is doing a poor job on most issues facing the province. (Screencap)
Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis listens as Werner Stump, vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association speaks Monday (March 18) in Delta, where Alexis joined Premier David Eby in announcing $80 million for a program to help ranchers and farmers improve access to water. (Screencap)

B.C. farmers get up to $80 million to tap into improved water supplies

But low snowpack douses optimism about 2024 with water scarcity challenging ranchers and farmers

Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis listens as Werner Stump, vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association speaks Monday (March 18) in Delta, where Alexis joined Premier David Eby in announcing $80 million for a program to help ranchers and farmers improve access to water. (Screencap)
BC Place Stadium will host seven games including two games featuring Canada’s Men’s National Soccer Team when FIFA’s Men’s World Cup, comes to North America. But the Canadian Taxpayers Federation fears growing costs and accused government of lacking transparency. Tourism Minister Lana Popham promised to release a “full package” of information, which is government is able to share. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)

Taxpayer group fears financial own-goal by B.C. hosting FIFA World Cup

Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on B.C. to release its FIFA contract

BC Place Stadium will host seven games including two games featuring Canada’s Men’s National Soccer Team when FIFA’s Men’s World Cup, comes to North America. But the Canadian Taxpayers Federation fears growing costs and accused government of lacking transparency. Tourism Minister Lana Popham promised to release a “full package” of information, which is government is able to share. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)
Keerit Jutla, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, here seen in Smithers, wants to be part of technical working group struck by the province as reforms of the Mineral Tenure Act continue. Energy Minister Josie Osborne says AME will participate in the reform process, but not as a member of that technical group involving government and First Nations organizations. (Photo courtesy of Smithers Exploration Group)

B.C.’s mineral explorers want more input into mineral act reform

Association for Mineral Exploration in BC wants to join working group revising Mineral Tenure Act

Keerit Jutla, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, here seen in Smithers, wants to be part of technical working group struck by the province as reforms of the Mineral Tenure Act continue. Energy Minister Josie Osborne says AME will participate in the reform process, but not as a member of that technical group involving government and First Nations organizations. (Photo courtesy of Smithers Exploration Group)
Lisa Marie Barron, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP, and Jagmeet Singh, federal NDP party leader, recently visited Nanaimo’s Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. Singh said B.C. is an example of what can be achieved elsewhere in Canada. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Feds paying close attention to B.C. policies as a national reference point

Housing, climate and social programs under national scrutiny as an inspiration or a warning

Lisa Marie Barron, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP, and Jagmeet Singh, federal NDP party leader, recently visited Nanaimo’s Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. Singh said B.C. is an example of what can be achieved elsewhere in Canada. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
B.C. is the second-best province in Canada, when it comes to EV ownership, but that status comes with a price. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

The more you drive your EV, the more you save, UBC study finds

But study also warns against treating EVs as ‘be-and-end-all’ solution to greenhouse emissions

B.C. is the second-best province in Canada, when it comes to EV ownership, but that status comes with a price. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Todd Schierling, president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, holds up a personal protective gear at a news conference in Victoria. His organization has praised a private member’s bill from BC Green House Leader Adam Olsen that would phase out ‘forever chemicals’ found in personal protective gear and foam. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

BC Greens table law to douse ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting gear

BC Green Adam Olsen says uniform provincial standards especially important for rural departments

Todd Schierling, president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, holds up a personal protective gear at a news conference in Victoria. His organization has praised a private member’s bill from BC Green House Leader Adam Olsen that would phase out ‘forever chemicals’ found in personal protective gear and foam. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma speak at the B.C. legislature on March 14, 2024, to discuss a new proposed law that would allow the province to take major companies to court if their actions harm British Columbians at a population level. (Wolf Depner/Black Press Media)

Legislation to allow B.C. to sue social media giants, others for ‘hurting people’

Bill paves path for B.C. to sue distributors of ‘harmful content’ including social media companies

Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma speak at the B.C. legislature on March 14, 2024, to discuss a new proposed law that would allow the province to take major companies to court if their actions harm British Columbians at a population level. (Wolf Depner/Black Press Media)
B.C. fruit and grape growers will receive up to $70 million in provincial money to re-plant crops damaged by January’s cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. fruit and grape growers get $70M to replant damaged crops

Premier David Eby announced the money Wednesday via stream to wine industry conference in Penticton

B.C. fruit and grape growers will receive up to $70 million in provincial money to re-plant crops damaged by January’s cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jens Wieting, senior forest and climate campaigner with the Sierra Club of BC, says B.C. budget could help B.C. make progress on the environment, but he also expressed concern about B.C.’s on-going support for liquified natural gas. (Black Press Media file photo)

Watchdogs critical of B.C.’s continued support of LNG ‘carbon bomb’

Environmental groups concerned LNG policies outweigh progress in other areas

Jens Wieting, senior forest and climate campaigner with the Sierra Club of BC, says B.C. budget could help B.C. make progress on the environment, but he also expressed concern about B.C.’s on-going support for liquified natural gas. (Black Press Media file photo)
A new reports says B.C.’s forestry sector finds itself in a “deepening” and “never-ending” crisis but the decline of the industry is “neither inevitable nor acceptable” in calling on governmen to focus on preserving jobs in the sector through a broader strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Decline of B.C.’s forestry ‘neither inevitable nor acceptable’: union report

Premier Eby says criticism ‘stings a little’ but promises to work with forestry workers

A new reports says B.C.’s forestry sector finds itself in a “deepening” and “never-ending” crisis but the decline of the industry is “neither inevitable nor acceptable” in calling on governmen to focus on preserving jobs in the sector through a broader strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Premier David Eby met with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland Monday afternoon prior to next month’s federal budget. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Deputy PM Freeland brings promise of ‘housing, housing, housing’ to B.C.

Freeland, who is also finance minister, met with Premier David Eby Monday in Victoria

Premier David Eby met with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland Monday afternoon prior to next month’s federal budget. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey, here seen announcing Canada’s first vehicle-to-grid pilot project in Surrey on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, says new employment figures show that the provincial economy is holding steady. (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)

B.C.’s unemployment drops, but opposition fears loss of private-sector jobs

Credit rating agency raises concerns about B.C.’s financial trajectory, but maintains AA credit rating.

Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey, here seen announcing Canada’s first vehicle-to-grid pilot project in Surrey on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, says new employment figures show that the provincial economy is holding steady. (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)
Premier David Eby promises to work with Jewish leaders to “root” out B.C.’s “serious problem with rising anti-Semitism” (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Premier Eby says B.C. has a ‘serious problem with rising anti-Semitism’

Following a meeting with Jewish leaders, Eby promises to work with them in rooting out anti-Semitism

Premier David Eby promises to work with Jewish leaders to “root” out B.C.’s “serious problem with rising anti-Semitism” (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Environment Minister George Heyman says anti-Semitism has not been part of his experience as a member of the NDP caucus in disagreeing with his former cabinet Selina Robinson, who left the NDP caucus, over claims that the party is not doing enough to combat anti-Semitism. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Jewish B.C. cabinet minister says anti-Semitism not part of his ‘experience’

Environment Minister George Heyman disagrees with former cabinet colleague Selina Robinson

Environment Minister George Heyman says anti-Semitism has not been part of his experience as a member of the NDP caucus in disagreeing with his former cabinet Selina Robinson, who left the NDP caucus, over claims that the party is not doing enough to combat anti-Semitism. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in summer 2023, British Columbians can trust provincial safeguards as B.C. tries to reclaim affordable housing units from five investors. But the political opposition says they should have never been able to purchase those units. (Black Press Media file photo)

Legal dispute casting doubt over B.C. affordable housing program

Case involving 5 investors shows safeguards in place, housing minister says, opposition disagrees

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in summer 2023, British Columbians can trust provincial safeguards as B.C. tries to reclaim affordable housing units from five investors. But the political opposition says they should have never been able to purchase those units. (Black Press Media file photo)