BC politics

Melanie Mark speaks to the media after becoming the first First Nations woman to serve in the B.C. legislature, at a swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. Mark has resigned her ministerial portfolios to go on medical leave. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. cabinet minister Melanie Mark resigns and takes medical leave

Mark was the minister for tourism, arts, culture and sport

Melanie Mark speaks to the media after becoming the first First Nations woman to serve in the B.C. legislature, at a swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. Mark has resigned her ministerial portfolios to go on medical leave. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon is joined by Liberal critic Peter Milobar as they react to the budget speech during a press conference at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. Liberals could become BC United, vote to be held by end of the year

BC United top pick from over 2,000 names suggested since June

B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon is joined by Liberal critic Peter Milobar as they react to the budget speech during a press conference at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and Premier John Horgan meet students outside École Hammond Bay on Monday, Sept. 26. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

BC NDP retreats to central Vancouver Island as caucus shares summer stories

Horgan says team members will share what they’ve learned during meetings being held in Parksville

B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and Premier John Horgan meet students outside École Hammond Bay on Monday, Sept. 26. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon at this summer’s Northwest Regional Airshow in Terrace. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)

BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon makes northern B.C. pitch during Terrace visit

Falcon said northern communities are being “totally left out” by an “urban” NDP government

BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon at this summer’s Northwest Regional Airshow in Terrace. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)
Anjali Appadurai (Twitter photo)

B.C. climate activist Anjali Appadurai enters NDP leadership race

Appadurai is the only challenger to David Eby

Anjali Appadurai (Twitter photo)
B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on April 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Langley killings ‘senseless act of violence’: Farnworth

Solicitor general thanks emergency responders

B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on April 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will have exclusive timber harvesting rights to an estimated 217,312 hectares within the Nation’s territories east of Prince George (contributed photo).

217,000-hectare deal near Prince George creates B.C.’s largest First Nations woodland

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation license will see greater forest stewardship benefits and harvesting rights

The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will have exclusive timber harvesting rights to an estimated 217,312 hectares within the Nation’s territories east of Prince George (contributed photo).
CPA President Tom Stamatakis. (Tom Stamatakis/Twitter)

Police association president supports decriminalization but says it won’t curb crime in B.C.

CPA president says B.C. minister misrepresented police decriminalization stance

CPA President Tom Stamatakis. (Tom Stamatakis/Twitter)
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)

CAMERON: Horgan’s about-face and departure changes the political landscape

Newly elected BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon must think the planets are aligning in his favour

Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)
Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Craig James trial: Crown seeks prison time while defence says public shaming enough

Craig James was found guilty of fraud and breach of trust in May

Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C. in 2017. Currently, B.C.’s Select Standing Committee on Health is seeking public input on the crisis. Deadline to submit is Friday, Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Public input sought as committee examines B.C.’s toxic drug crisis

10-member committee includes NDP, Liberal and Green MLAs

Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C. in 2017. Currently, B.C.’s Select Standing Committee on Health is seeking public input on the crisis. Deadline to submit is Friday, Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Bruce Cameron

CAMERON: What’s in a name? The BC Liberal Party contemplates a name change

‘The name change effort may look trivial, but it is a crucial step on the road to potentially regaining power’

Bruce Cameron
Skeena MLA Ellis Ross. (Photo by Peter Versteege)

B.C. MLA says illicit drug decriminalization sends wrong message

Northwest MLA Ellis Ross wants a bigger conversation around the harm caused by illicit drugs

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross. (Photo by Peter Versteege)
Opposition B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon is sworn in during an oath ceremony and introduction to the house in the Hall of Honour at legislature in Victoria, Monday, May 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon sets sights on 2024 in party convention address

NDP: ‘Falcon is still working for the wealthy and well-connected and leaving everyone else behind’

Opposition B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon is sworn in during an oath ceremony and introduction to the house in the Hall of Honour at legislature in Victoria, Monday, May 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Kevin Falcon addresses the crowd after being elected leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party in Vancouver, on Saturday, February 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Liberals vote to begin name change consultations at Penticton convention

Change part of new leader Kevin Falcon’s plans ahead of 2024 election

Kevin Falcon addresses the crowd after being elected leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party in Vancouver, on Saturday, February 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Liquor servers in B.C. were paid a discounted minimum wage until June 2021. (Peace Arch News photo)

B.C. minimum wage going up to $15.65, highest among provinces

Rate tied to inflation, 2.8% increase based on 2021 prices

Liquor servers in B.C. were paid a discounted minimum wage until June 2021. (Peace Arch News photo)
Melanie Mark, MLA elect for Vancouver-Mt Pleasant, speaks with media after becoming the first First Nations woman to serve in the legislature as she looks up at family and friends during a swearing in ceremony at legislature on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

MARK: B.C.’s tourism industry paddles out of the pandemic storm, ready to welcome visitors

‘The recovery of the tourism industry is bringing a new challenge for operators in B.C.’

  • May 27, 2022
Melanie Mark, MLA elect for Vancouver-Mt Pleasant, speaks with media after becoming the first First Nations woman to serve in the legislature as she looks up at family and friends during a swearing in ceremony at legislature on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Premier John Horgan meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal officials in Vancouver for an announcement on hosting the 2025 Invictus Games, May 24, 2022. Horgan and other premiers have been calling for a larger federal share of health care funding. (B.C. government photo)

B.C., western premiers plead for federal help in health care crisis

July meeting in Victoria has to make progress, Horgan says

B.C. Premier John Horgan meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal officials in Vancouver for an announcement on hosting the 2025 Invictus Games, May 24, 2022. Horgan and other premiers have been calling for a larger federal share of health care funding. (B.C. government photo)
B.C.’s lung cancer screening program is available for people aged 55 to 74 who have smoked for 20 years or more. (Boaz Joseph/Black Press)

B.C. expanding lung cancer screening for earlier diagnosis

CT scans for older people who are long-time smokers

B.C.’s lung cancer screening program is available for people aged 55 to 74 who have smoked for 20 years or more. (Boaz Joseph/Black Press)
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)

CAMERON: Keeping the British in British Columbia?

Victoria Day marks the informal start of summer in Canada, but it’s also a celebration of our historic connection

  • May 24, 2022
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)