PolitiCoast
PolitiCoast is the BC politics podcast. We cover British Columbia, Canadian and sometimes international politics from a West Coast lens. PolitiCoast was launched in October 2016 by Ian Bushfield & Scott de Lange Boom.
Responsible government is a thing of the past
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 âdictatorâ B.C. Premier David Eby fails | Globalnews.caPMO releases mandate for 'special rapporteur' tasked with probing foreign interference allegationsTrudeau's chief of staff Katie Telford to testify at committee probing Chinese government interference | CBC NewsHouse passes motion calling for a public inquiry into foreign interference amid latest Han Dong allegations | CBC NewsLiberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two...Resources, Reconciliation and Rapporteur
Links
I'm committed to the fixed election date," says @Dave_EbyPremiersâ Performance: Three premiers face re-election in 2023; others spring forward, a few fall back - Angus Reid InstituteGovernments grant environmental approval for $3B First Nation-owned Cedar LNG project | CBC NewsProvincial environmental assessment certificate granted for Cedar LNG | BC Gov NewsNew energy action framework to cap emissions, electrify the clean economy | BC Gov NewsCanada, B.C. announce Island Rail Corridor lands being returned to First Nation - Victoria NewsSaga of Vancouver Island rail corridor highlights B.C.'s difficulty in creating regional transit | CBC NewsBusinesses given more time to mak...Reluctantly reasonable ft Paul Champ
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 NewsNew legislation will help protect against sharing of intimate images without consent | BC Gov NewsLegislation will help close B.C.âs gender pay gap | BC Gov NewsNew legislation will reduce barriers for people | BC Gov NewsProvince introduces changes to Vital Statistics Ac...Budget day with Alex Hemingway
We talk Budget 2023
Links
BC Budget 2023Â CCPA-BC AnalysisThe Government of Canada and British Columbia Reach Agreement in Principle to Improve Health Services for CanadiansImage credit: flickr/BCGovPhotos
Escaping the torture chamber
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 NewsRussian invasion: 55% of Canadians say Ukraine should fight on, half as many say itâs time to negotiate - Angus Reid InstituteCSIS documents reveal Chinese strategy to influence Canadaâs 2021 election - The Globe and MailLeaks alleging China interfered in 2021 election have 'inaccuracies,' Trudeau says | CBC News Photo credit: flickr/BCGovPhotos
Halfway to being a real party
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 real news of the week was John Rustad joining the Conservatives and RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki saying so long.
<...Throne away from home
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 NewsFormer B.C. premier John Horgan announces heâs stepping down as MLA | Globalnews.caB.C. throne speech outlines plans to build a stronger, more secure futureThrone Speech Text2022 Q4 Financial ReportsTrudeau pitches 10-year health-care deal with $46B in ne...D-Day arrives
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 decriminalization of possessing illicit drugs in B.C. | CBC News
Pierre Poilievre on Twitter: "After 8 years of Justin Trudeau & the...
Ep 311: The cost of coronation
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 reviewEby fundraising dataFormer Victoria mayor appointed B.C.'s special adviser on housing | CBC NewsAlberta premier's office contacted Crown prosecution about Coutts cases: sources | CBC NewsPremier pressured justice minister's office to get rid of COVID charges, sources say | CBC NewsDefamatory CBC article: Statement from Premier Smith  Albertaâs Danielle Smith demands CBC retract âdefamatory articleâ and apologiz...Canada Dry
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 quicklyNew permitting strategy will help build homes faster | BC Gov NewsBC not legally required to provide 'quantitative data' on meeting GHG targets, court rulesElectricity constraints force Canadaâs first LNG terminal to de...Bridging the political divide
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, not developers | CBC NewsNew fund will protect thousands of renters in B.C. | BC Gov NewsB.C. launches Crown prosecutor hiring drive to help address repeat violent...2022: The freest of years
2022 sure was a year. It looks like 2023 will be another year. And crypto is a scam.
Links
Episode 273Province hits pause on electrical connections for cryptocurrency mining | BC Gov NewsB.C. housing minister calls on Ottawa to tie housing funding to immigrant arrivals | Globalnews.caCanadians divided on Ottawa's plan to admit more immigrants: poll Poll (PDF)Â Mendicino willing to talk about changing CSIS's legal authority after Emergencies Act hearings | CBC NewsCanada extends copyright protection another 20 years to meet new trade obligationWinter freeze
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 ICBC rates for 2 years
British Columbia MLAs will no longer get raises after significant backlash | Globalnews.ca
Most BC residents think pandemic was not...
Cabinetry refinishing
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 NewsMLAs not in cabinetKatrina Chen exits B.C. cabinet, citing âlong-standing trauma,â gender-based violence - Surrey Now-LeaderMandate letters@VaughnPalmer: New government organization chart lists four deputy ministers and two associate deputy ministers in the office of premier David Eby. Not including new special adviser on Indigenous matters.Kevin Falcon announces Official Oppo...Dammit Jim, I'm the premier, not a doctor
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 updateâs $5.7B surplus dwarfs previous estimate | Globalnews.caRob Shaw: Why the BC NDP should consider an early electionMore internationally educated family doctors on the way | BC Gov NewsNew SFU medical school moves forward to train family doctors of tomorrow | BC Gov NewsMinisterâs statement on actions taken by Medical Serv...Eby gets tough
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 NewsB.C. to table legislation increasing ease of government to seize individualsâ assets without being charged - The Globe and MailVaughn Palmer: David Eby faced pushback from prosecutors on pushing harder against bailB.C. bail policy change raises Charter concerns - The Globe and MailProvince invests in specialized, rural police services | BC Go...If you have to tell people you are united, youâre probably not
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 FalconAs John Horgan exits, he offers to help broker a deal on health care fundingIncoming B.C. premier David Eby says province will take over coordinating approach to Downtown EastsideAccused of a 'betrayal' of voters, Tory defends request for expanded 'strong mayor' powers | CBC NewsHouse of Commons committee will probe Chinaâs alleged interference in 2019 election - National | Globalnews.caMPs pr...China influence
A quiet week in BC politics so instead we look to federal politics, where accusations are out that Trudeau received a report in January of this year that China attempted to meddle in our 2019 election. Then we look at Ontario again where Doug Ford and CUPE have backed down from the brink.
Links
A Third of British Columbians Willing to Change Provinceâs Name â Research Co.Canadian intelligence warned PM Trudeau that China covertly funded 2019 election candidates: Sources - National | Globalnews.caChina taking âaggressiveâ steps to gut Canadaâs democracy, warns TrudeauOttawa vows to tackle foreign interferen...Notwithstanding a strike
We round up the latest in BC politics: Eby's (delayed) swearing in, fundraising numbers, labour peace, doctor deals, Olympic denial and what's happening in the House (with one week of sitting left).
Then we deep dive into the legitimacy of the notwithstanding clause following Doug Ford's usage to strip education workers of their right to strike in Ontario (they're off the job anyway though).
And in quick takes, the federal fall fiscal update and new immigration targets.
Links
New B.C. premier Eby to be sworn in Nov. 18, with Liberals and Greens...Eby Sunomono
Ian and Scott are back from hiatus to discuss how the BCNDP leadership race went down.
Links
Eby 'frustrated' by raceOriginal CHEK News storyCull ReportAnjali Appadurai responseDavid Eby 100 days prioritiesEpisode art via Seabus Memes
This is not episode 300
After 299 episodes plus a bunch of bonus and emergency podcasts, we're taking a hiatus until at least Labour Day or possibly till the BC municipal elections are done. You can keep following Ian at the Cambie Report or @ibushfield and Scott @Scott_dLB - or chat with us in the Patron Slack.
Ep 299: BC Yesterday
Shannon Waters (@sobittersosweet) joins us to talk about the launch of David Eby's campaign for leader and to reflect on her time reporting for BC Today (@BCTodayOfficial).
Links
BC NDP Leadership 2022BC NDP launches leadership contest to elect successor to Premier John HorganSelect Standing Committee on Health: Public ConsultationCritics slam 'propagandists' withholding B.C. pandemic polling dataB.C. enhances consumer protection for homebuyers | BC Gov NewsIan Mulgrew: ICBC dumpster-fire fix ruled unconstitutional â again | Vancouver SunBanner image via flickr/bcgovphotos
Ep 298: Uncooperative Federalism
Links
Nathan Cullen, Melanie Mark and Bowinn Ma announce they arenât runningPatrick Brown endorses Jean Charest to lead Conservative Party - The Globe and MailGreen Party spokesperson criticizes potential candidate ahead of leadership race | The StarPremiers gather in Victoria to present united demand for more health-care cash | CBC NewsPremiers close 2-day summit, call on feds to stop negotiating health funding through the media | CBC NewsCouncil of the Federation Health communique [PDF]Council of the Federations Other items communique [PDF]Rob Shaw's Tweet highlighting Small Modular ReactorsClarification from BC's Energy MinistryMandatory random COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated air tr...Ep 297: Eby and Skippy or bust
Lots of people are not running in leadership races these days.
Links
Shannon Waters leaves BC TodaySegment 1
Ravi Kahlon bows out of BC NDP leadership race before it starts, says Eby should take overRavi's tweetBob D'Eith endorses EbyKatrina Chen also endorses EbyAdrian Dix outBowinn Ma threadSegment 2
Statement by Ian Brodie, Chair, Leadership Election Organizing Committee - Conservative Party of CanadaBrown statementBrown hires HeinenBrown says Conservative establishment, Poilievre campaign worked to oust him from leadership race | CBC NewsConservative whistleblower says she discussed third-party payment with Patrick Brown | CBC NewsQuick...
Ep 296: Canada Day Potpourri
What's happening in BC and Canadian politics that isn't the BC NDP leadership race.
Approximately 675K eligible to vote in Conservative leadership race: partyBrown considering a run in Brampton mayoral race if rival Poilievre looks likely to win Tory leadership | CBC NewsGreen leadership rules so restrictive, Elizabeth May would struggle, says Sask. Green leader | CBC NewsVacancies pile up in the Senate with Trudeau slow to appoint new members | CBC NewsWhether PM has constitutional duty to fill Senate vacancies is moot: ruling | CBC NewsSupercluster program gets political renewal â and new name â from Innovation Minister Champagne - The Globe and Mail...Emergency Pod: Horgan Quits
John Horgan is set to retire as premier.
Photo credit: flickr/bcgovphotos
Ep 295: OpenMedia for an Open Internet
OpenMedia's Campaigns Director Matt Hatfield joins us to discuss Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act and we look at the NDP's about face on the Royal BC Museum project.
Links
BC Premier John Horgan cancels $800-million museum project - The Globe and MailProvince stops museum plan, will consult public on museum's future | BC Gov NewsWhat's wrong with Bill C-11? An FAQ | OpenMediaOpenMedia's C-11 MP Contact tool Brown campaign manager joins Rempel Garner for possible UCP leadership bidMichelle Rempel Garner will not run for UCP leadership | CBC NewsI just made a big decision - Michelle Rempel Garner's S...Ep 294: Lots of fault to go around
The Money Laundering Inquiry is done but does anyone care? And a roundup of a bunch of national and other stories.
Links
Cullen Commission ReportsLong-awaited report on money laundering in BC to be released today | CBC NewsIan Mulgrew: Cullen commission report on B.C. money laundering 'an enormous opportunity missed'BCCLA Reacts: Civil Liberties Group Disappointed by Cullen Commission Report into Money LaunderingMĂ©lanie Joly's office knew that senior official would be at Russian embassy party - The Globe and MailBill Blair says police did not ask for Emergencies Act | CTV NewsHeritage minister says online-streaming bill's progress...Ep 293: The numbers don't add up
The BC Liberals consider a name change, the federal Conservatives talk membership numbers and reports covering heat deaths, freedom of information and elections.
Segment 1: A record breaking race
Conservative leadership: More than 600,000 may vote in race | CTV News
Conservative leadership hopeful Pierre Poilievre tables bill to ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Brown says he won't run for the Conservatives if Poilievre wins the leadership
5 of 6 Conservative leadership candidates open to another debate
Segment 2: Damning reports round up
Report: Extreme Heat and Human Mortality: A Review of...
Ep 292: Drugs not guns
Live reactions to Ontarioâs election results, you can have drugs, you canât have guns and the Legislature wraps for the spring.
Ontario Election Results 2022Independent Bobbi Ann Brady leading in Haldimand-Norfolk | CTV Kitchener  Top Doug Ford Adviser Sent Premier's Office Backchannel Message About Meeting With Russian GovernmentBC receives exemption to decriminalize possession of some illegal drugs for personal useBC to decriminalize possession of small amounts of 'hard' drugs such as cocaine, fentanyl and heroin - The Globe and MailExemption from Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: Personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs in British Columb...Ep 291: Wagged by Doug
Ontario goes to the polls next week. The election has been pretty boring - like most pandemic elections - and it looks like Doug Ford is set to cruise to re-election with another majority government. Queen's Park Today and Wag the Doug's Allison Smith joins us from Toronto to break down how we got here.
Then the business case for the Royal BC Museum redevelopment is out. We react to the parts that weren't redacted.
Links
Find Allison Smith @QueensParkToday (and subscribe!)Confidential NDP memo insists they have the momentum to stop Doug FordBusiness...Ep 290: It belongs in a museum
The Government of BC has announced plans to rebuild the Royal BC Museum - or more like plans to release plans. But it's going to cost $800 million. And Conservatives are in chaos as Jason Kenney's career comes to an untimely end, Ed Fast loses his critique portfolio and the BC Conservatives were subject of a possibly hostile takeover by Aaron Gunn supporters.
Links
Segment 1
Historic investment to build modern, new RBCM, safeguard collection | BC Gov NewsMinister's statement on Royal BC Museum business case | BC Gov NewsBC Liberals promise to scrap Royal BC Museum project...Ep 289: Sad Trombone
The only winner of this week's Conservative Party leadership debate were people who didn't watch it.
The Conservatives' Edmonton debate: Yikes - Paul Wells'That's bull****': David Dodge fires back at Poilievre's criticism of the Bank of Canada | Financial PostPatrick Brown would push for no-fly zone over Ukraine | True NorthPatrick Brown under fire for comments about Israeli-Palestinian conflict | National PostQuick takes
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes unannounced trip to Ukraine - The Globe and MailAdvisory panel calls for Liberals' online hate law to cover Airbnb, video gamesThe Government's commitment to address online safety - Canada...Ep 288: What Conservatives don't really want to debate
Byelections in BC, the first face off of federal Conservative leadership candidates and the abortion debate ripples through Canada.
Segment 1: BC horse races
2022 Vancouver-Quilchena By-electionFace of Surrey RCMP taking run at Surrey South seat for BC LiberalsQ1 2022 Interim Financial Reports - Elections BCSegment 2: Conservative crossfire
Six verified candidates vying to lead the Conservative Party of CanadaConservative leadership debate at Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference â May 5, 2022Rejected Conservative leadership hopeful demands to be let back into race as party defends vetting processGrenier - CPC leadership fundraisingGrenier - CPC leadership fundraising contQ1 2022 Interim Financial Re...Ep 287: A BC Police
Links
Transforming Policing and Community Safety in British Columbia [pdf]BC should ditch RCMP and form its own police force, committee says | CBC News Minister's statement on Police Act report | BC Gov NewsAlmost a million BC residents have no family doctor. Many blame the province's fee-for-service system | CBC NewsBC Greens Family Doctor Petition'All the trends paint a dire picture': BC facing looming shortage of family physicians - Healthy DebateEditorial: These factors have brought family-doctor system to brink of collapsePandemic stalls BC's plan to integrate foreign-trained doctors into health care system | CBC NewsMLA Cadieux urges action on pay equity d...Ep 286 Scotts for Scott
The latest Conservative leadership promises and a roundup of assorted news.
Links
At least 8 Conservatives now officially in the race to lead party | CBC NewsPoilievre Will Fire Gatekeepers And Build Homes (backgrounder)Charest promises to permit more private health services as Poilievre attacks his record | CBC NewsCharest commits to ending lockdowns by revitalizing Canada's healthcare systemScott Will End Supply Management, Lower Grocery Bills'If you show up, I win': Inside Patrick Brown's drive for Conservative leadershipConservative Leadership Candidate Leslyn Lewis Claims Bill Gates is Behind a Plot Against CanadaPremiers, mayors, head of CBC all banned from visiting...Ep 285: Contesting Quilchena
Links
Segment 1
2022 Vancouver-Quilchena By-electionCandidate nomination closes for Vancouver-Quilchena by-electionÂSegment 2
Conservative Party of Canada announces dates for its leadership debatesJean Charest Announces Flexible Family Friendly Policies  Does Pierre Poilievre have a point blaming city hall for Vancouver's soaring property prices? | CBC NewsYIMBY: A Plan to Build More Homes for Canadians - Scott Aitchison for Conservative Party LeaderQuick takes
Liberal government tables legislation to force online giants to compensate news outlets | CBC NewsEnvironment group sues BC government alleging its climate plan fails to adequately address emission targets | Vancouver SunVancouver officially in the run...Ep 284: The fiscal house
The federal budget is out but do the housing measures live up to the hype (no). There's also lost happening in BC and we chat with  Bowinn Ma and Christine Boyle about their news podcast.
Links
Segment 1: Budget
Budget 2022Liberal government tables legislation to force online giants to compensate news outletsSegment 2: BC Roundup
Province to increase housing, services near transit hubs | BC Gov News Single-step certification will protect right to join a union | BC Gov News Public service bargaining hits impasse over wage proposals - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) Annual Fina...Ep 283: Plans upon plans
We talk plans: UNDRIP, Emissions Reductions and to buy fighter jets.
Â
Links
Segment 1
A New Path ForwardHistoric action plan guides UNDRIP implementation in BC | BC Gov NewsBC reveals 89-point action plan to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples | CBC NewsSegment 2
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy - Canada.caDr Sara Hastings-Simon reactionEmissions Reduction Plan charts ambitious but achievable path to meet Canada's climate goals (Clean Energy Canada)Initial response on Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan - The Canadian Climate InstituteA watershed moment for Canadian climate policy - The C...Ep 282: No surprises
A possibly historic supply and confidence deal between the federal Liberals and NDP.
Then the latest from the chaos that is Alberta politics.
Segment 1: SACA
Delivering for Canadians Now « Canada's NDPCost estimate of a federal dental care program for uninsured CanadiansProvincial and Territorial Coverage for Children's Dental Services â The Health of Canada's Children and YouthFederal Cost of a National Pharmacare ProgramPossibly bromance'Power grab': Opposition parties lambaste Liberals, NDP for deal keeping Trudeau in power until 2025 | National PostWhat federal parties can learn from confidence and supply in BC - Politics TodaySegment 2: Kooks
Bra...
