PolitiCoast

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. Links Rookie MP Aaron Gunn considers bid to lead BC Conservatives – The Globe and Mail Kerry-Lynne Findlay Christy Clark cryptic posts Former 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 Gazette Eby says DRIPA law could be amended after First Nations win appeal in mining case – Victoria Times Colonist B.C.’s Indigenous rights law is legally enforceable, rules court Eby accuses courts of jeopardizing B.C. economy, resource projects – The Globe and Mail Ontario MP Michael Ma crosses floor to Liberals, putting party one seat short of majority – The Globe and Mail NDP rejects Yves Engler as leadership candidate – The Globe and Mail Full correspondence via Yves EnglerCanada overhauls Criminal Code to protect victims and keep kids safe from predators What is in Bill C-16, Ottawa's legislation that seeks to toughen gender-based violence laws? – The Globe and Mail Opinion | Mark Carney is quietly giving sweeping new powers to his ministers Canada Post commits to free postage for people who are blind as legislation changes  

John Rustad refuses to accept his firing before resigning to his fate. The Canada-Alberta pipeline MOU leaves BC and Coastal First Nations with little but the public is surprisingly warm to the idea. Stephen Guillbeault isn’t as he leaves cabinet, while his replacement is already stirring up controversy in Quebec. Links John Rustad officially steps down as leader of B.C. Conservatives | Vancouver Sun Rob Shaw: Behind the morning of manoeuvres that unravelled Rustad's leadership Brad Zubyk out as opposition leader Chief of Staff Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding Rob Shaw: Ottawa’s messaging for B.C. pipeline gets even more confusing National Backing High for Alberta–B.C. Pipeline, But B.C. Approval Remains Elusive B.C. premier open to new pipeline if tanker ban remains in place A Big Energy Deal with a Small Political Impact: What Canadians Really Think of the Canada–Alberta MOU Guilbeault resigns from cabinet over Carney's energy deal with Alberta 2 top climate advisers quit saying Carney government is ignoring its experts | CBC News NDP leadership hopefuls say Guilbeault not welcome in their party after quitting cabinet Carney brings Trudeau-era minister back into cabinet, adds responsibilities to 2 others | CBC News Legault calls Miller a ‘disgrace to all Quebecers’ for his comments on French language | CBC News How a pipeline deal in Alberta somehow led to a language controversy in Quebec | CBC News

BC talks big for a small bill on the Mental Health Act. Drug users challenge their conviction. The legislature may take another crack at electoral reform. CleanBC is working but needs help as Carney and Smith come to a pipeline agreement. Links Province taking action to strengthen involuntary care, better support patients B.C. says Mental Health Act changes intended to help nurses, but critics concerned | CBC News Canada's Drug Laws Face Challenge from Founders of Vancouver Compassion Club Rob Shaw: B.C. abandons compassion club it funded as founders face drug convictions A human rights-based approach to the toxic drug crisis Premier appoints new parliamentary secretaries for armed forces, primary care Democratic and Electoral Reform Committee Report CleanBC independent review B.C. LNG push threatens electricity supply: CleanBC review – Business in Vancouver Carney’s expected green light for oil pipeline causes unease in caucus and cabinet: sources | CBC News Carney and Smith to unveil energy deal in Calgary Thursday, source says – The Globe and Mail

David Eby and Mark Carney survive the week but John Rustad's a bit more bruised.

Mark Carney has more major projects for us.

Campaign finances, ostriches and the budget

Strikes ending, one way or another and threats of elections provincial and federal.

Conservatives in disarray

Doctors quit, strikes roll on, parties prep for the budget and Canada wants to nuke the moon

A bevy of bills get introduced in the BC Legislature, Rustad's caucus troubles continue and Carney changes his signature legislation. Links BC Legislature Bills: 

As the Legislature returns, the Conservative infighting continues. Alberta wants a pipeline and the federal NDP race has contestants.

John Rustad surives, kind of, Emily Lowan wins and Mark Carney takes on the post office

People are dying to vote in Rustad's leadership review.

Will the real BC Greens please stand up?

Politics is warming up with strikes, calls to end the temporary foreign worker program and a hint at coming major projects

Ben Woodfinden, former Communications Director for Pierre Poilievre comes on the pod to discuss the 2025 election and the state of Canadian conservativism. Links

We interview the candidates to lead the BC Green Party Emily Lowan, Adam Bremner-Akins and Jonathan Kerr. Find out why they are running and what is their vision for the BC Green Party and the Province. Links Official Campaign Websites: Emily Lowan Adam Bremner-Akins Jonathan Kerr Referenced polls: British Columbians Back Mandatory Voting and Spring […]

Ryan Clayton joins the pod to discuss the BC Green Party leadership race and couple consequential court decisions.  Links

David Moscrop joins the pod to discuss 100 days of Carney. What does the three and a third months since the election tell us about what kind of PM Mark Carney is and what does it mean for the future of Canada. Links

A mining rescue operation, ultimatums for Oak Bay & West Van, an even bigger ballot and First Ministers meet.

A cabine shuffle, a drug decision flip-flop and Poilievre's struggle for relevancy

BC Greens & fed NDP get their leadership races going, events will need risk assessments and tariffs are back on the menu

Non-political blackmail, political ferries and unprecedented NATO spending

BC Conservatives make blackmail accusations, the Liberals infrastructure bill moves ahead and the G7 concludes

The independent Conservative MLAs start a new party, but only some of them. Plus the NDP has ferry troubles again. Meanwhile in Ottawa, Carney takes a page from BC's Bill 15 as questions pile up about what is his foreign policy. Links

Procedural shenanigans and strong armed bills in the House of Commons

The BC Legislature rises for the summer, just as the House of Commons gets back underway

BC hires then fires a DTES czar, Carney releases the mandate letter to rule them all and Danielle Smith plays with fire

BC's opposition is under investigation and Mark Carney unveils his 'ministry.'

Mr. Carney goes to Washington but first a look at David Eby's infrastructure fast tracking stumbles and new interim leaders (kind of). Links

The results are in. We break down the election results and why the LPC and CPC each have reasons for happiness and disappointment. Plus the NDP's disastrous night. 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 […]

It's the final days of the election and a breakdown of the party platforms. 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 […]

The English leader's debate and a debate about the notwithstanding clause

Elections BC annual reports are out! And the federal election sees foreign interference allegations and ample policy.

BC repeals the carbon tax and parts of bill 7. Candidates get replaced and policy starts dropping.

The campaign is off to an uninspiring start but I guess we're guaranteed some tax cuts.

Bill 7 proves controversial and Mark Carney sets to trigger the election.

Canada has a new Prime Minister! Plus Andrew Reeve, former Press Secretary and Deputy Director of Communications for BC's Official Opposition joins the pod to discuss the shrinking BC Conservative Caucus and whether the “Free Enterprise Coalition” has a future in BC. Links

The BC Budget has already been forgotten amid the escalating trade war.

Rustad struggles to keep his cantankerous caucus under control and the four remaining contestants for our Prime Minister square off.

Eby's Throne Speech, another safe supply flip flop, high speed rail, CBC renewal and the Liberal race

The trade war claims the grocery rebate and candidates and parties pitch policy proposals.

Trade war delayed, BC United's corpse and liberal leadership policies

The BC Greens kick off a long leadership race, the federal Liberals race narrows and the foreign interference commission reports.

The nomination deadline for Liberal Leader has past. We break down who is in, and what they want to do. Plus a look at the upcoming fight over US tariffs. Links Official Websites of the Candidates (other than Ruby Dhalla, who does not appear to have one)

The nomination deadline for Liberal Leader has past. We break down who is in, what they want to do. Plus a look at the upcoming fight over US tariffs.

Then there were two (or maybe three and a couple others). The Liberal leadership takes shape.

Justin Trudeau announces his resignation and a prorogation.

A cabinet shuffle, Jagmeet Singh ups his threat and we look back at our predictions for 2024.

Freeland resigns with a blow to Trudeau. GreeNDP 2.0. And some fiscal updates no one cared about.