Thoughts on BC Politics and More

As BC's softwood lumber industry, which is heavily dependent on US exports, faces a double whammy of tariffs, some say that mass timber construction in the province could be a way forward ... CLICK HERE for the  video news story

Last week, United States President Donald Trump paused the implementation of his 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports until April 2. Although he’s walked back from the cliff’s edge once again, we are still on the precipice of widespread economic disruption. As was the case on the eve of the pandemic, we are ill-prepared, our social safety net containing the same deficiencies now as then.   Despite the latest delay to across-the-board tariffs, levies on Canadian steel and aluminum products entering the U.S. are nevertheless scheduled to take effect on March 12, which will have significant impacts on a variety of industries and harm considerable numbers of workers on both sides of the border ... CLICK HERE for the full story

So, Canada has a new prime minister—almost, and sort of. Any day now, the Governor General will swear in Mark Carney as Canada’s twenty-fourth prime minister, but it’s a title he will hold with an asterisk until he meets the House of Commons and secures its confidence, either before or after an election. Uniquely in Canadian history, Carney has ascended directly to the highest office, skipping the usual requirement of an election. We have had prime ministers without seats in the House of Commons before, but never one with absolutely no parliamentary experience before becoming prime minister ... ... Carney begins on thin constitutional ice, without the confidence of the House of Commons and facing three hostile opposition parties. This is not normal, to say the least. We are in uncharted territory here. For guidance we must look to established constitutional conventions and the principles that animate them ... CLICK HERE for the full story

... With a new leader in place, Clark is now considering running as a federal Liberal in BC in the next election. “I really believe in this party,” said Clark. “I believe in Mark Carney, and I believe in what we need to do to grow our country’s economy and lessen our dependance on the United States. So I am seriously thinking about running in this election to support the Liberal Party ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader John Rustad is demanding that David Eby immediately scrap his punishing carbon tax after Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney announced plans to eliminate the federal carbon tax — and warns Eby not to try hiding the tax on the backs of businesses and workers through higher industry levies. “When even Mark Carney — the global champion of carbon pricing — admits the carbon tax is a failure and vows to get rid of it federally, it’s game over for David Eby’s tax on everything,” said Rustad. “The message is clear: British Columbians cannot afford it, and it’s time to axe the tax, period.” Rustad warned that if Eby continues with his carbon tax, B.C. will soon be the only province in Canada still crushed under skyrocketing gas prices, unaffordable groceries, and higher home heating bills — all thanks to Eby’s stubbornness and arrogance. “This tax makes life unaffordable. David Eby now faces a massive hole in his budget because his e...

... “If everybody was singing kumbaya, and all the same, you’re not a true party. You need to see the differences. You need to look at that as a strength.” By that weird measure, BC Conservatives have never looked “stronger” than they did this week. They’re so strong, they look ready to explode. Six days after his soothing words, he dropped the pretense Friday and kicked one of his biggest troublemakers out of the caucus ... CLICK HERE for the full story

British Columbia Premier David Eby says his province is “all in” on a united Team Canada approach to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s on and off tariffs on Canadians imports, including blocking or taxing electricity from his province headed south. “I think that it’s absolutely vital that the federal government work with premiers and bring us all along, if possible, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to send a strong message to the Americans,” Eby told CTV’s Question Period host Vassy Kapelos in an interview airing Sunday. “I’ll never put another premier’s resources on the table, but I can speak for British Columbia,” he also said, when asked for his stance on the issue, factoring that Saskatchewan and Alberta are staunchly opposed to the idea of using energy and natural resources as a bargaining tool ... CLICK HERE for the full story

K’ómoks First Nation members have overwhelmingly voted to accept a modern treaty with the B.C. and federal governments that has been in the making since 1994. The treaty ratification vote that concluded on Saturday night saw 81 per cent of votes in favour of ratification. K’ómoks also ratified its constitution, with 83 per cent of voters in favour ... CLICK HERE for the full story Check out this related story: L awsuit challenges 1940s amalgamation of Vancouver Island bands

We will analyze the leadership race results once the numbers are in, and the coming week should be fascinating as we see whether the new leader gains any momentum. But for now, let’s break down the past week’s federal polls and update the 338Canada federal projection ... CLICK HERE for the full story