PolitiCoast

New bills, new leaders and controversial trains. Links Bill 14 - Forests Statutes Amendment BC Timber Sales to increase fibre access, strengthen long-term forest outcomes, protect jobs Bill 15 - Environmental Assessment Amendment Amendments improve dispute resolution, transparency, process predictability Bill 16 - Misc Statutes Amendment Modernizing enforcement, housing, justice tools Modernizing bylaw enforcement on the University Endowment Lands Updating zero-emission vehicle targets, expanding charging network Readying B.C. to deliver more homes for people in communities Adding new tools to help target organized crime Bill 17 - Municipal Codes of Conduct Improving conduct standards for local governments Bill 18 - Municipal Parental Leave Introducing parental leave for local elected officials Premier Eby says changing DRIPA is 'non-negotiable' and will be pushed into law - Business in Vancouver B.C. tells First Nations it wants to suspend DRIPA Adam Olsen - Eby Sent the Wrong Signals on DRIPA Amendments | The Tyee How did B.C.’s historic Indigenous Rights law, DRIPA, become so controversial? | The Narwhal Annual Report - Declaration Act https://bsky.app/profile/sobittersosweet.bsky.social/post/3mik2qbpqic2z Report on Provincial Taxation Revenues: Speculation and Vacancy Tax Audit Reveals Major Problems in BC’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax | The Tyee Time to Kill the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, Say BC Conservatives | The Tyee Peter MacKay endorsement Independent MLA for Peace River North endorses Findlay in leadership race, could rejoin BC Conservatives – CJDC-TV Jason Kenney endorse Elliott Darrell Joins endorses Caroline Elliott Yuri Fulmer and Dallas Brodie announce “Unite the Right Accord” Rob Shaw: Questions linger over integrity of BC Conservative leadership race Avi Lewis elected Leader of NDP Reactions Naheed Nenshi Carla Beck David Eby Mark Carney How the NDP leadership vote broke down, ballot by ballot Vaughn Palmer: B.C. Conservatives challenge NDP to disavow Avi Lewis on LNG Farewell to one of Canada’s greatest social justice champions Conservatives and the Bloc opposing Alto Rail Polling from Abacus and AltNO

Who’s up, who’s down and who’s out of the BC Conservatives, the Strong and Free Elections Act and the Auditor General attacks the government once more Links BC Leadership Poll: Milobar and Elliott down to the wire B.C. MLA Hon Chan charged with assault and choking, kicked out of Conservative caucus | CBC News B.C. NDP government fires back after Greens accuse AI minister of conflict over investments | CBC News Green MLA Valeriote Disclosure Heritage conservation engagement leads to updated proposals to make the act work better for everyone Montreal-area byelection to use write-in ballots due to dozens of protest candidates | CBC News Ottawa proposes amendments to Elections Act to counter long-ballot protests - The Globe and Mail Liberal government targets deepfakes, foreign interference in major election law reforms | CBC News Government Bill (House of Commons) C-25 (45-1) - First Reading - Strong and Free Elections Act International Student Program Reforms - Canada.ca Auditor-General flags weaknesses in IRCC’s anti-fraud controls for international student program - The Globe and Mail Modernizing the Pay System - Canada.ca Replacing Phoenix pay system will cost at least $4.2-billion, Auditor-General report says - The Globe and Mail Recruiting for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Canada.ca RCMP failed to recruit enough officers to meet operational needs: auditor general | CBC News

Conservative leadership contestants drop out, CentreBC launches its own race and questions remain about Eby’s leadership and the fed NDP race comes to an end Links Harman Bhangu is out Bruce Banman is out Seven candidates still in B.C. Conservative leadership race after two MLAs drop out - Business in Vancouver Karin Kirkpatrick is out CentreBC Prepares for First AGM, Leadership Change, and Next Phase of Growth Leader’s Statement: Create thousands of jobs and connect our communities through passenger rail All aboard the train to Whistler or Campbell River? B.C. Green leader proposes province-wide rail network Mountain Valley Express Provincial Support for the Village of Lytton’s Wildfire Recovery - Office of the Auditor General B.C. BC’s Auditor General Offers Reasons for the Lack of Rebuilding in Lytton | The Tyee Premiers’ Performance: Eby falls to a new low in B.C., while Kinew continues his comfort atop the list - Angus Reid Institute From Collapse to Dominance « EKOS Politics Front-Runners Emerge in the NDP Leadership Race | The Tyee Avi Lewis stands by past activism as he's criticized for 'politics of subtraction' | CBC News NDP leadership hopeful rebuffed opponent’s offer of second-ballot support

Links: Protecting access to places of worship, schools BC Humanists: Religious bubble zone law threatens fundamental freedoms Professional Employees Association reaches deal with B.C. gov't after lengthy labour dispute | CBC News Idlout says she felt she was 'betraying' her constituents by staying with NDP Don Davies' Statement Posted to Twitter Carney calls byelections in Quebec riding of Terrebonne, 2 Toronto ridings | CBC News The Canadian government is deciding who’s a journalist now - The Hub Canadian government backtracks on using media subsidy criteria as accreditation Canada will 'never participate' in Iran offensive, Mark Carney says

David Eby kills time changes, the feds sign a deal with the Musqueam and Carney dithers on Iran and foreign interference Links Adopting permanent daylight saving time Most of B.C. to adopt daylight saving time permanently, Eby says - The Globe and Mail B.C. cities can set their own time zones, province says | CBC News B.C. teachers ratify new 4-year agreement with 3% annual wage boost | CBC News BC teachers ratify new four-year agreement šxʷq̓ʷal̕təl̕tən - A Rights Recognition Agreement Fact File: What the Musqueam agreements mean for private property owners in B.C. Rob Shaw: Eby’s Musqueam denial unravels after Ottawa insists B.C. was briefed Nine candidates make the cut in the race for the leadership of B.C. Conservatives | CBC https://x.com/Conservative_BC/status/2027849001853182033?s=20 Low Name Recognition for Leadership Hopefuls in British Columbia – Research Co. Improving complaint process for employers, workers New B.C. legislation cracks down on weapons, violence in supportive housing Strengthening health and safety in supportive housing Bill 11 Kelowna MLA wants to cut welfare to drug offenders until they go to rehab - Castanet.net Feb 28 Statement by Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anand on the situation in the Middle East Mar 3 Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the evolving situation in the Middle East Liberal MPs to hold call Friday as caucus raises concerns about Carney's shifting Iran position | CBC News Around 2,000 Canadians looking for help leaving Middle East as U.S., Israel move to 'next phase' of Iran war | CBC Attack on Iran: Little consensus among Canadians as half oppose, one-in-three support the US-Israeli strikes Canada could be called on to help defend Gulf states, says top military commander | CBC News Carney signs deals worth billions in diplomatic breakthrough with India's Modi | CBC News Canada, India sign ‘landmark’ energy deal as CSIS says foreign interference concerns unchanged Carney won't say if there's Indian interference in Canada after cutting deals with Modi | CBC News

The BC Conservative race tightens up with candidates dropping out and MLA endorsements racking up. The NDP are under fire for policy changes. The federal government might be fine with some light foreign interference. And the Conservatives get an amendment to the budget. Links Steve Kooner out Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare ends bid for BC Conservative leadership BC Conservative leadership race: Peter Milobar gets caucus endorsements | Vancouver Sun Federal Tories move to limit use of party data in B.C. Conservative leadership race - The Globe and Mail Kelowna MLA's bill to repeal BC Human Rights Code quickly voted down - Castanet.net Streamlining government’s response to organized crime Improving digital service delivery with FOIPPA amendments Vaughn Palmer: NDP set to weaken B.C.'s FOI law and keep public in the dark B.C. policy change on billing could limit health-care access - Business in Vancouver $10-a-day daycare program paused in order to stabilize, B.C. government says | Globalnews.ca B.C.'s $10-a-day child-care program pauses controversial funding model, but service remains out of reach for many B.C. premier says Senate committee wants to gut bill that could close loopholes for extortion suspects | CBC News Where is Canada's immigration minister? Community groups are asking | CBC News Canadian police warn Sikh activist of threat to life as Carney announces India visit | Globalnews.ca Minister says there's 'a lot more work to do' with India after Canadian official says it's no longer a threat | CBC News PM urged to clarify whether he believes India still carrying out interference in Canada - The Globe and Mail Poilievre targets Trump, urges Canada to focus on what it can control in major speech | CBC News Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on ‘regulatory sandboxes’ Liberals' omnibus budget bill passes final hurdle in the House of Commons | CBC News

A new provincial budget, an NDP debate, and a few more seats change hands federally. Links BC Budget Vaughn Palmer: NDP quietly abolishes watchdog on civil service appointments Reinforcing B.C.’s leadership in interprovincial trade New legislation will allow people to renew, replace driver’s licence online New legislation will strengthen oversight of international education John Rustad bows out Harman Bhangu is in Pallas Data poll Supreme Court invalidates result from spring federal election in Terrebonne riding MP Matt Jeneroux leaves Conservatives to join Liberals, citing 'national unity crisis' | CBC News Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomy Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy

A sombre reflection takes the place of the throne speech as BC prepares for budget 2026 and Carney may or may not be gearing up for an election.LinksTumbler Ridge PAC GoFundMe for victims’ familyThrone speech pays tribute to the people of Tumbler RidgeEby says 2,000 public service jobs cut and counting as B.C. faces $11.2B deficit | CBC NewsSupporting children, youth with disabilities with new programs, more fundingLeader’s Statement: BC Greens Will Not Renew CARGACarney, Ford discussed idea of an early federal election to secure majority, sources say - The Globe and MailConservatives, Liberals in behind-the-scenes negotiations as PM downplays election talk | CBC NewsConservatives propose helping Liberals pass BIA if they remove sections allowing ministers to 'ignore certain laws and regulations' - iPoliticsCanada discreetly puts money down on 14 additional F-35s | CBC News

More and more and more names for the BC Con leadership, while Poilievre survives his vote. And an AI consultation summary delivered to us by AI.LinksSteve Kooner for BC Conservative LeaderAbbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman to run for Conservative leadershipBruce BanmanJohn Rustad considering a run for leadership2025 Fourth Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BCBC Conservative leader candidate eyes 10-lane George Massey bridge project revival | UrbanizedBC Greens Announce the Resignation of Deputy Leader Dr. Lisa GundersonConservative leadership vote 2026 results: Poilievre easily passes leadership test, receives 87.4 per cent supportThe Conservative Party is overhauling its policy playbook. Here's what's changing | CBC NewsBail-reform bill moves to Senate after co-operation deal with Conservatives - The Globe and MailAt portrait unveiling, Harper says Canadians must make sacrifices to preserve independence - The Globe and MailStephen Harper nude painting sold to Vancouver man for $20K | CBC NewsWeekly Writ 2/5: Conservatives and Liberals set fundraising records in 2025Avi Lewis has wide lead in NDP leadership fundraisingNew federal grocery rebate will cost $12.4 billion, PBO estimates | CBC NewsGovernment tables bill giving Build Canada Homes power to acquisition land | CBC NewsHow one defection to Mark Carney’s Liberals set off a political earthquake at Queen’s ParkWhen it comes to Ontario, I'm all in. - Nate Erskine-Smith Eric Lombardi, More Neighbours Toronto founder considering a runAn Illusion of Consensus: What the Government Isn’t Saying About the Results of its AI Consultation - Michael Geist

The BC Conservative leadership race heats up as the federal NDP membership deadline passes (and one more candidate is rejected). David Eby tries some firey rhetoric, while Carney upsets Quebec with his. And camping is getting more expensive.LinksDarrell Jones is inJones on grocery pricesKerry-Lynne Findlay is inYuri Fulmer goes after Caroline Elliott’s Liberal donationsPost by @davidebybc.bsky.social - “Treason”B.C. premier says Alberta separatists seeking assistance from U.S. is 'treason' | CBC NewsB.C. attorney general warns against doing deals with ICE, amid pending Pattison saleB.C. extortion wave is ‘terror attack in slow motion’: EbyWestern provinces and territories sign pact to develop critical minerals strategy | CBC NewsB.C. Premier basks in mining expansions as sector proves to be important ally for NDP government - The Globe and MailCamping fees updated to further invest in parks and recreationPrime Minister Carney announces new measures to make groceries and other essentials more affordable for CanadiansCarney stands by Plains of Abraham speech that rankled Quebec’s political classCarney cancels news conference appearance last minute after Quebec City cabinet retreat | CBCFormer B.C. chief electoral officer tapped to head Foreign Influence Transparency Registry - The Globe and MailPoilievre courts delegates as he faces a must-win leadership review vote | CBC NewsNDP blocks Yves Engler’s wife, Bianca Mugyenyi, from leadership race - The Globe and Mail

British Columbia is delaying changes to the Heritage Conservation Act pending further consultations. Extortion may or may not be a crisis in Surrey. The BC Conservatives will pick their leader by May 30. Mark Carney gets praise for his Davos speech as he inks a new deal with China.Image credit: World Economic ForumLinksB.C. postponing changes to heritage act to increase consultation, says minister - Richmond NewsHeritage Conservation Act changes further delayed over concerns it could halt developmentEby says head of extortion task force needs to demonstrate urgency or step aside - BC | Globalnews.caB.C. anti-extortion chief sorry for disputing blackmail ‘crisis’ after criticism from Premier - The Globe and Mailhttps://globalnews.ca/news/11572311/extortion-suspects-claim-refugee-status-cbsa/Trudeau’s use of Emergencies Act to clear convoy protests unjustified, appeal court rules - The Globe and MailLEADERSHIP Rules 2026 | Conservative Party of British Columbia Darrell Jones announcesMark Carney earned a rare standing ovation in Davos. Read the full text of his speech here'The old order is not coming back,' Carney says in provocative speech at Davos | CBC NewsPoilievre calls Carney’s Davos speech ‘well-crafted,’ but says action must follow | CBC NewsResponse From The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition, to the Prime Minister’s Speech in Davos - Conservative Party of CanadaTrump says he's withdrawing invitation for Carney to join his Gaza 'Board of Peace' | CBC NewsPrime Minister Carney forges new strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China focused on energy, agri-food, and tradeFederal government asked court to set aside Ottawa’s shutdown order for TikTok Canada

LinksFormer B.C. Liberal minister Iain Black enters B.C. Conservative leadership race | Maple Ridge NewsReconciliation critic Caroline Elliott seeks to head BC Conservatives | Vancouver Sun'I'm in': Caroline Elliott confirms run for B.C. Conservative leadership - Richmond News2025 BC Green Party Leadership Contestant Financing Reports Available | Elections BCMinister’s statement on status of the decriminalization pilot programDecriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C. (reports) - Province of British ColumbiaB.C. officially ends decriminalization pilot project after concerns about public drug useWhat Canada failed to learn from drug decriminalization in Portugal - Canadian AffairsCarney's 1st day in China secures agreement on energy — but no tariff breakthrough yet | CBC NewsB.C. and feds sign lumber understanding with China, as province looks beyond U.S. | CBC NewsSlim Majority of Canadians (54%) Support Stronger Trade Ties with China | IpsosTwo Liberal MPs cut Taiwan trip short ahead of Carney’s China visit - The Globe and MailCanada not considering a ban on X over deepfake controversy, AI minister saysMusk’s Grok Is Abusing Women and Children. Our Government Needs to Act | The TyeeWhy Canada’s reaction to the Grok scandal is so muted in the midst of a global outcryX ‘acting to comply with UK law’ after outcry over sexualised images | Grok AI | The GuardianNDP leadership candidate apologizes for using AI to respond to Reddit questions | CBC Newsr/ndp on Reddit: I’m Rob Ashton, union leader and candidate for Leader of the NDP — AMAI'm Tony McQuail and an NDP Leadership Candidate, AMA! : r/CanadaPolitics

We made predictions for 2025. They... weren't great. So let's make more for 2026, as difficult as that seems.Plus, OneBC fully imploded and kinda repaired itself over our break. We recap that and other political stories from the holidays.LinksEby's approval ratingAaron Gunn outKelowna MLA Gavin Dew won't run for B.C. Conservative leadership, citing familyB.C. Conservative Party forms committee to select new leader | CBC NewsHarman Bhangu says he will 'most likely' run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives – Energeticcity.caKamloops MLA Milobar considering run at B.C. Conservative leadership - CastanetKamloops.netB.C. Conservatives should welcome more people, Yuri Fulmer says, as he enters leadership race - The Globe and MailFormer grocery executive Darrell Jones considers run for B.C. Conservative leadership - Vancouver Is AwesomeWest Kootenay advocate ready to lead B.C. Conservative Party | Castlegar NewsOneBC ousts MLA Dallas Brodie as leader — but she says she's fighting back | CBC NewsBREAKDOWN: The very public implosion of OneBCWho Is Othman Mekhloufi, the Far-Right Poster Behind OneBC’s Strife? | The TyeeDallas Brodie back in control of OneBC as a party of one after almost 10 days of negotiations - Victoria Times ColonistChrystia Freeland to step down as MP on Friday | CBC NewsPilot phase of Liberal gun buyback program collects 25 firearms | CBC News

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.LinksRookie MP Aaron Gunn considers bid to lead BC Conservatives - The Globe and MailKerry-Lynne FindlayChristy Clark cryptic postsFormer B.C. premier says Conservatives cannot be 'kooky' if they want to govern - Victoria Times Colonist Sturko hasn’t ruled out B.C. Conservative return, bid for party leadership | Goldstream News GazetteEby says DRIPA law could be amended after First Nations win appeal in mining case - Victoria Times ColonistB.C.'s Indigenous rights law is legally enforceable, rules courtEby accuses courts of jeopardizing B.C. economy, resource projects - The Globe and MailOntario MP Michael Ma crosses floor to Liberals, putting party one seat short of majority - The Globe and MailNDP rejects Yves Engler as leadership candidate - The Globe and MailFull correspondence via Yves EnglerCanada overhauls Criminal Code to protect victims and keep kids safe from predatorsWhat is in Bill C-16, Ottawa’s legislation that seeks to toughen gender-based violence laws? - The Globe and MailOpinion | Mark Carney is quietly giving sweeping new powers to his ministersCanada Post commits to free postage for people who are blind as legislation changes