BC politics

Spectra Energy natural gas processing plant near Fort Nelson B.C. (Spectra Energy photo)

B.C. to phase out oil and gas drilling credits, raise provincial revenue

New system aims to cut emissions, restore environment

Spectra Energy natural gas processing plant near Fort Nelson B.C. (Spectra Energy photo)
Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. A special prosecutor says British Columbia’s former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in "glaring and egregious" ways during closing arguments. James’s defence is expected to present its case Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Former B.C. legislature clerk guilty on one count of fraud, breach of trust

Craig James not guilty of fraud or breach of trust in relation to retirement benefit, woodsplitter

Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. A special prosecutor says British Columbia’s former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in "glaring and egregious" ways during closing arguments. James’s defence is expected to present its case Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier John Horgan takes questions in the legislature on the replacement of the Royal B.C. Museum, May 18, 2022. (Hansard TV)

Hospitals, schools or a new Royal B.C. Museum, opposition asks

We’re doing all of those, Premier John Horgan says

B.C. Premier John Horgan takes questions in the legislature on the replacement of the Royal B.C. Museum, May 18, 2022. (Hansard TV)
Indigenous artifacts are a major part of the Royal B.C. Museum collection, which is to be stored while a new building is built. (Royal B.C. Museum photo)

B.C. Liberals call for ‘vanity museum’ project to be scrapped

Falcon says spend on temporary gasoline tax instead

Indigenous artifacts are a major part of the Royal B.C. Museum collection, which is to be stored while a new building is built. (Royal B.C. Museum photo)
B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon signs MLA book after taking the oath of office from clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd (left), as his wife Jessica and daughters Rose and Josephine watch, at the B.C. legislature, May 16, 2022. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

Kevin Falcon promises ‘bold solutions’ to B.C.’s affordability problems

Veteran MLA returns to legislature as opposition leader

B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon signs MLA book after taking the oath of office from clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd (left), as his wife Jessica and daughters Rose and Josephine watch, at the B.C. legislature, May 16, 2022. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon addresses supporters after winning a byelection for a seat in the legislature in the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena on Saturday, April 30, 2022. A swearing-in ceremony is set for this afternoon in Victoria as B.C.'s new Liberal leader enters the legislature as Leader of the Opposition. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon to be officially sworn-in, take seat in legislature

Falcon will be sworn in and sign his oath of office in a brief ceremony at 12:45 p.m.

B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon addresses supporters after winning a byelection for a seat in the legislature in the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena on Saturday, April 30, 2022. A swearing-in ceremony is set for this afternoon in Victoria as B.C.'s new Liberal leader enters the legislature as Leader of the Opposition. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Emerson and Amelia Nelson are seen in a handout photo. Their mother hopes the siblings and other children with ADHD get support through B.C.’s new service “hubs” for neurodiverse children. But Jaymie Nelson is concerned about possible wait lists and staffing issues in the new system, set to be launched next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Rochelle Hepworth

B.C. to launch ‘circle of care’ for neurodiverse kids but parents have many questions

40 family connections centres, or hubs, are slated to be opened across the province

Emerson and Amelia Nelson are seen in a handout photo. Their mother hopes the siblings and other children with ADHD get support through B.C.’s new service “hubs” for neurodiverse children. But Jaymie Nelson is concerned about possible wait lists and staffing issues in the new system, set to be launched next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Rochelle Hepworth
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix takes questions in the legislature, Oct. 5, 2021. (Hansard TV)

B.C. doctor shortage sparks dispute over nurse practitioners

Dix says lack of family doctor access a long-term problem

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix takes questions in the legislature, Oct. 5, 2021. (Hansard TV)
Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac surprises his guest in his introduction of her in the B.C. legislature May 11, 2022. (Hansard TV)

MLA pops question just before B.C. legislature question period

‘I had an idea’ the answer would be yes, but still nervous

Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac surprises his guest in his introduction of her in the B.C. legislature May 11, 2022. (Hansard TV)
B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin (B.C. government photo)

Coastal GasLink doesn’t need Wet’suwet’en deal, B.C. minister says

Hereditary chief continues protests as pipeline moves ahead

B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin (B.C. government photo)
Parkland Fuels’ Burnaby B.C. refinery on Burrard Inlet is expanding its biodeisel production, with the majority of the cost covered by rebates it has earned for meeting B.C.’s clean fuel standard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canola oil diesel expansion fuelled by B.C. climate tax credits

Parkland Fuels to build $600m processing project

Parkland Fuels’ Burnaby B.C. refinery on Burrard Inlet is expanding its biodeisel production, with the majority of the cost covered by rebates it has earned for meeting B.C.’s clean fuel standard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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: Going green in B.C.

‘… the transition to zero-emission transportation will require more than impressive innovations’

  • May 9, 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)
Construction of the Farrell Creek bridge at the Site C dam on the Peace River, March 21, 2022. Site C has been under construction for seven years with union and non-union crews working together. (B.C. Hydro photo)

Opposition probes rising costs, union raids for B.C. construction

NDP restricts public works to selected building trades unions

Construction of the Farrell Creek bridge at the Site C dam on the Peace River, March 21, 2022. Site C has been under construction for seven years with union and non-union crews working together. (B.C. Hydro photo)
Trevor Halford, Liberal MLA for Surrey-White Rock, and opposition critic for education, children, family development and childcare, said he isn’t about to be intimidated out of asking tough questions in the Legislature on behalf of constituents. (File photo)

No response from B.C. MLA to autism advocacy group’s apology demand

Surrey-White Rock MLA’s comments on autism funding were mocked in B.C. Legislature

Trevor Halford, Liberal MLA for Surrey-White Rock, and opposition critic for education, children, family development and childcare, said he isn’t about to be intimidated out of asking tough questions in the Legislature on behalf of constituents. (File photo)
B.C. Liberal MLA Todd Stone speaks to reporters at his legislature office, May 5, 2022. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)

B.C. Liberals say 4-month study too long for downtown crime

Chronic offender prosecutors suggested by Crown counsel

B.C. Liberal MLA Todd Stone speaks to reporters at his legislature office, May 5, 2022. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)
Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Attorney General David Eby listen as B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth describes what police are saying about chronic offenders. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

B.C. appoints experts to deal with chronic repeat offenders

Some mentally ill, some ‘career criminals,’ mayor says

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Attorney General David Eby listen as B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth describes what police are saying about chronic offenders. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
B.C. Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon gives a statement and answers questions from reporters during an media availability at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. Opposition leader Kevin Falcon to target NDP on crime, health, affordability

BC Liberal leader enters legislature with a clear priority list of targets

B.C. Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon gives a statement and answers questions from reporters during an media availability at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Attorney General David Eby. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. minister flags ‘creative’ plan for repeat offenders after being called soft on crime

David Eby and Mike Farnworth are expected to announce the details of crime plan Thursday

B.C. Attorney General David Eby. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Lydia Hwitsum, Chief of the Cowichan Tribes, is a member of the political executive of B.C.’s First Nations Summit. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. to collect data on ‘invisible’ racism in provincial services

Annual reports on experience with health care, justice system

Lydia Hwitsum, Chief of the Cowichan Tribes, is a member of the political executive of B.C.’s First Nations Summit. (B.C. government photo)
Kevin Falcon addresses the crowd after being elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in Vancouver, on Saturday, February 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kevin Falcon takes Vancouver by-election for seat in B.C. legislature

Vows ‘root and branch’ remake, new name for B.C. Liberal Party

Kevin Falcon addresses the crowd after being elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in Vancouver, on Saturday, February 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck