PolitiCoast: The BC Politics Podcast
Voluntary Underdog
We have polls! So many polls that all say the same thing.
We have policies! They’re… well maybe we’ll get something better.
We’re getting a pipeline (dammit, that’s not what I meant).
Links
BC Conservative Support Rallies Without Kerry-Lynne Findlay | Ipsos BC’s Wide-Open Election – Innovative Research Group B.C.: Conservatives 40%, NDP 39% as Housing Mandates Collide BC Election 2026: Dissatisfaction Is High, But Voters Remain Unsettled 338Canada British Columbia | Poll Analysis & Electoral Projections The Writ’s British Columbia Election Tracker British Columbia Election Projection | Poliwave Eby to turn more empty condos int...The Craziest Week in BC
In a wild week we have resignations, defections, defectors defecting again and an election call that may just backfire
Register to vote: https://elections.bc.ca/2026-provincial-election/register-to-vote/
Links
B.C. Premier David Eby pauses PST expansion, adds $90M tariff relief package Eby mum on snap election as Conservatives lose three more MLAs – The Globe and Mail OneBC ‘overwhelmed’ with candidates but fails to get party status before B.C. vote B.C.: NDP Leads Conservatives 41% to 36% as Election Begins Ballot Backlash: BC Conservatives open 8-point lead after snap election call, but electorate far from locked...Most improved premier
Sometimes a whole week of politics happens in a day and sometimes that day is the day after we record. Anyway, here’s our thoughts from Thursday night before three more Conservatives MLAs were dumped on the street and Peter Milobar inherited CentreBC.
Election speculation runs rampant, Conservatives spy on themselves, Mark Carney flirts with Europe and investors.
Links
BC’s Political Orphans: Unhappy with NDP, wary of alternatives, half say they have no party to gladly support – Angus Reid Institute Canada BC Conservative Support Scatters Under Kerry-Lynne Findlay | Ipsos David Eby taps campaign manage...Untitled Peter Milobar Project
The BC Conservatives go a full week without losing any MLAs as the new third party in the legislature begins to take shape. Carney makes deals and pitches relationships with Europe and Mike Morrice is set to become the next leader of the Green Party (unless the members choose none of the above).
Links
Abbotsford-Mission By-election Candidates Confirmed 5 former B.C. Conservative MLAs form new party MLA Teresa Wat to join other Conservative defectors in new party | Vancouver Sun Group seeks to resuscitate ‘mainstream’ BC United, calls on Falcon to quit as leader | CFJC Today Kamloops Unit...Either way, Eby wins
The exodus continues, from the BC Conservative caucus and the government’s revenue forecasts; and the Liberals expectedly sweep three byelections.
Links
B.C. legislator and Indigenous activist Joan Phillip dies
Byelection called for Abbotsford-Mission
Áʼa꞉líya Warbus becomes 7th MLA to exit B.C. Conservatives citing leadership concerns | CBC News
2 more B.C. Conservative MLAs quit caucus to sit as Independents | CBC News
B.C. MLA Ian Paton questioned by Mounties over allegation Conservatives offered him a job if he’d step down – The Globe and Mail
Summer of Discontent
The BC Conservative exodus begins and Carney finds his elbows.
Note: We recorded before the news of NDP MLA Joan Phillip’s death. Our condolences to her friends, family and community at this time.
Links
BC
Two MLAs who defected from B.C. Conservatives plan to form new party – The Globe and Mail https://bsky.app/profile/jasjohal.bsky.social/post/3mtwnngivkc2e Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird outlines her reasons for leaving Conservative caucus Brennan Day, Teresa Wat exit B.C. Conservatives, the latest to express concerns with Kerry-Lynne Findlay | CBC News...The Smallest Shuffle
Eby makes the smallest possible cabinet shuffle, the Findlay loses a MLA and the trade talk deadline was approaching as we recorded.
Episode Notes
Links
Premier announces three cabinet changes B.C. opposition finance critic Peter Milobar exits conservative party – The Globe and Mail B.C. Conservative president out as party transitions under new leadership | CBC News NDP officials, B.C. leaders get raises amid record deficit – Bowen Island Undercurrent Transparency issues raised over B.C. gov’t decision to remove public employee directory | CBC News BC Government Directory Manitoba Premier urges Carney to keep fi...Shuffling silver linings
Another NDP MLA faces down a cancer diagnosis, more MPs announce their resignations and the Greens kick of their leadership race.
Links
B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey announces she has cancer | Vancouver Sun Brenda Baily statement Premier announces three cabinet changes 1-time settlement ‘windfall’ means B.C.’s deficit last year was $3B less than expected | CBC News Liberal MP Shaun Chen to resign over health concerns – The Globe and Mail Liberal MP’s travel documents show claims he voted on bills while in China are false | CBC News Ontario Conservative MP Larry Brock set to resign...Saved by a shambolic opposition
What’s happening with the BC Conservatives and who will win the next round of federal byelections.
Links
Rob Shaw: BC Conservatives urged to stop using term ‘First Nations’
Findlay says ‘no directive’ to B.C. Conservatives on First Nations terminology | Victoria News
Executive director of BC Conservatives is out as Kerry-Lynne Findlay reshapes party leadership – The Globe and Mail
Jas Johal on Conservative talking points
Kerry-Lynne Findlay doesn’t deny she called Teresa Wat ‘CCP’ as B.C. Conservative leader faces more challenges
Jas Johal on MLAs refu...
Eby’s no Starmer
A familiar face returns, another is sticking around and one might need to find the door; and a bridge deal done
Links
Former B.C. Liberal MLA says centrist party is the answer for voters tired of ‘extremes’ | CBC News Is the province cutting SOGI funding in schools? The answer is complicated | CBC News Vancouver-Quilchena Recall Petition Unsuccessful | Elections BC Recall campaign against Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie fails: Elections B.C. | CBC News Province would consider selling B.C. Place to Whitecaps: Kahlon The pipeline, the politics, the fallout: who’s up, who’s down after Alberta...Principles of convenience
The BCNDP accept a floor crosser and Mark Carney appoints a Conservative to the Senate
David Eby Has Lost Touch
Eby and Carney face blowback over their plans to buy condos and the PM might be getting a new home. Links Scheduling note: we will be on hiatus for one to two weeks, starting next week.
Big Dam Power Plans
BC needs more power, so the government is considering dams at Site E and Bute Inlet. Plus Carney comes to town with a big cheque for housing, hospitals and transit. Links
Not a teflon premier
Is it time for the return of the BC Liberals? (No)
Oldest and craziest candidate wins
Kerry-Lynne Findlay is the new leader of the official opposition, we learn how much FIFA will cost and Carney goes in on AI and out on taxing Netflix and changing environmental assessment laws
Deftless handling
The legislature goes on summer break, which couldn't come soon enough.
Shades of blue
A deep dive on the state of the BC Conservative race and a bit more
A plan to plan for a country
Recall time and Carney plows ahead
One point trend
Pick your pollster, party fundraising, a legislative all-nighter, a new Governor General
White Cap-sizing Hospitals
Stormy seas in BC as the White Caps might leave, new hospitals are canceled. And in Ottawa Carney announces something called a sovereign wealth fund. Links:
The debasement party
Eby changes his DRIPA plans again, and Carney takes charge of committees
Political Misfortunes
Eby changes his DRIPA plans again, and Carney gets his majority
The cheque is in the mail
A late cheque is a bigger fine than election misinformation.
Just Trust Us Act
New bills, new leaders and controversial trains.
Strongish Freeish Elections
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
Step 3: Profit
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
Iran So Far Away
BC wants to put limits on protests, and Carney gets another floor crosser as he stumbles his way to yet another position on Iran. Jesse Woodward from CHLY guest cohosts. Links:
The emergence of Carneyism
David Eby kills time changes, the feds sign a deal with the Musqueam and Carney dithers on Iran and foreign interference
Least worst province
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.
Budgets are about not making choices
A new provincial budget, an NDP debate, and a few more seats change hands federally
Elbows somewhere
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.
Former and forever Conservative leaders
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.
Weird week with words
Shots fired in the BC Conservative race and Mark Carney tries to address affordability while offending Quebeckers
The speech heard round the world
BC pauses another act for more consultation, the Cons set their rules for their race and Carney gets attention in Davos
If I Go to China, I’m Going to See Some Sights
More BC Conservative leadership candidates enter, BC Green leadership candidates fundraising, Centre BC leadership drama and Carney goes to China Links
2026 is off to a start
A look back on our predictions, a few more for 2026 and catching up on the news.
John Horgan In His Own Words with Rod Mickleburgh
We speak with journalist Rod Mickleburgh about his new book
A second MP has left the Cons
The BC Conservative leadership race starts to take shape as another federal MP crosses the floor.
Professionally incapacitated
John Rustad's time as BC Conservative leader and Stephen Guillbeault is out of cabinet
Is there someone Carney forgot to ask?
Involuntary detentions, climate plans, electoral reform and pipeline politics
