NEW: Housing Minister
@KahlonRav
has notified West Vancouver that the municipality has 30 days to change its bylaws to allow small-scale, multi-unit housing or else the province will change it for them.
#bcpoli
It is with bittersweet news that I share that today is my last day with
@BCTodayOfficial
. On Monday, I will start a new role as the
@VancouverSun
's legislative reporter, working alongside the dean of the press gallery
@VaughnPalmer
.
#bcpoli
#BREAKING
:
@AnjaliApp
's newly released climate plan includes promises of a "Green Job Guarantee" program, legislative targets of a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions below 2007 levels by 2030, free public transit, and a moratorium on all new fossil fuel project permits.
#Breaking
Former BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay has been found guilty of conflict of interest in the Crown Corporation's relations with Atira run by his wife Janice Abbott. Premier
@Dave_Eby
said he had tried to get Ramsay removed prior to his firing of the previous board last July
The BC Conservatives continue on their march to court the social conservative vote by asking a book to be banned for sexually explicit content, saying it is available to 11 year-olds when really it is only recommended for those in Grade 11 and older.
#bcpoli
Pleased to announce that today is my first day as the new reporter for
@BCTodayOfficial
. I am so excited for this wonderful opportunity and can't wait to get started. Please follow me for all the latest political news in BC.
#yyj
#BCpoli
Feeling for all my former colleagues at
@CapitalDailyVic
this morning. I have nothing else to say other than this sucks, and whether it's protecting the bottom line or overextending their business model, bad management is gutting this industry.
Pleased to announce that today is my first day as an intern for
@CapitalDailyVic
. Excited to get started! I will mainly be working on their newsletter however there are also several exciting projects in the works I will be working on so stay tuned.
#yyj
#Victoria
The bravery that
@KatrinaCBurnaby
showed in speaking out is a sign of true leadership, and I wish her nothing but the best for her and her son. Nobody should have to go through what she did, but sadly it happens way too often all around the world. Society needs to change.
Excited to announce that my profile of
@AnjaliApp
, my first feature for
@BCTodayOfficial
, is now online. You can find it on the Politics Today website at .
Thinking of everyone in Jasper, the Venables Valley and elsewhere across B.C., Alberta and the rest of Canada who have lost homes or are facing evacuation orders. Especially feel for all the Jasper evacuees who reached safety in B.C. only to be turned away.
BREAKING: Liberal Leader
@KevinFalcon
has unveiled his plan for mental health and addictions which comes out to $995 million in funding over three years, including $450 million for treatment and $350 million for mental health support, and $525 million in capital funding.
District of Wells and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality have been granted extensions past the June 30 deadline while the Township of Langley had its request for an extension denied.
Premier
@Dave_Eby
gives a passionate response to BC Conservative Leader
@JohnRustad4BC
's question about SOGI. Accuses Rustad of bringing the culture war to BC, says "shame on him" and asks him to "pick another question."
#bcpoli
NEW: BC United Leader
@KevinFalcon
is announcing he will increase the Basic Personal Exemption on provincial income tax from $11,980 to $50,000 if elected premier this fall.
#bcpoli
How are so many good journalists out of work and this fool is still on the air? Journalists don't smile on the misfortune of colleagues. Then again, should I really be using the word journalist here?
The crimewave was real, Beacon Hill was dangerous, VicPD was desperately trying to survive an emergency while politicians tried to strangle its budget, & Missing Middle will displace poor people while making others rich.
And sometimes — when we least expect — there is justice.
BREAKING: Green MLA
@AdamPOlsen
has announced he will not seek re-election in October. Says he made the decision after the last legislative session. He said all but two of his married years have been spent in elected life and he wants to spend more time with his family.
#bcpoli
Sad for all the journalists now unemployed because of incompetent management. I'm starting to think it's not us that don't understand how business works, like some would have us believe.
Crazy to think that a year ago today I was writing my thesis at
@uvic
, running the
@UVicHistory
undergraduate journal, and starting an internship with
@CapitalDailyVic
. Now I have my dream job working as a reporter after applying for
@BCTodayOfficial
not thinking I'd be hired.
For those thinking of taking a trip to the
#Okanagan
I'd recommend you reconsider. Just got back from Kamloops for a memorial service and have family there. My partner has family in Penticton. Not only are
#COVID19
cases rising but the smoke is such that day feels like night.
This is one of the most enjoyable radio segments I have listened to in a long time. It really shows how little most people care about politics, particularly the different political parties. Message to all is focus more on issues, less on brand.
#bcpoli
Today residents are arriving at the
#tinytown
village operated by
@ourplacesociety
at Royal Athletic Park. The site built by Aryze Developments will house 30 people. Half will be arriving today and the rest will arrive on Monday.
Nothing better than some single malt scotch to close out a couple of long weeks. Feels like the first time I can really truly decompress since before budget day.
I will never forget that at my first press conference after getting my job at
@BCTodayOfficial
,
@selinarobinson
went out of her way to introduce herself and welcome me to the leg. One of the nicest people I've met here. Keep up the
#Mamabear
energy and kick cancer's ass.
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe responds to my question about the VPD raids on DULF by saying the organization is working to reduce harm in its community every day, and sometimes that justifies taking measures that aren't strictly legal.
"If you see someone in a burning house, it is somewhat justified to smash a window."
BC's Chief Coroner Lisa LaPointe on the urgent need to address the toxic drug crisis through the need to ramp up safer supply, including the need to provide safer supply without a prescription
Thrilled to welcome Elena Lawson to our campaign! A dedicated advocate for Autism and families, Elena joins us to bring real change and stand up to the NDP's broken promises. Together, we're stronger!
#LangfordHighlands
#BCPoli
@mamaadvocate1
#makehistory
Celebrating my birthday with a busy day at the Legislature. Short-term rental legislation and policing transition reforms (hello Surrey) are both being tabled today. I'm sure reaction on both will be swift and QP will be as colorful as always.
#bcpoli
I have no words for how insulting and sexist this is.....and we wonder why more women don't go into politics and when they do, why they call the media out for harassment and discrimination. Do better.
The IJF is creating quite the B.C. bureau.
@bethanylindsay
,
@zakvescera
and
@ToriMarlan
are all amazing investigative reporters and I have long been an admirer of their work. I had the opportunity, however briefly, to work with Tori and it was incredible to see her in action.
The IJF now has 3 B.C. reporters, which is really exciting! People here deserves more dedicated investigative journalism.
I'll be working closely with
@zakvescera
and
@ToriMarlan
, who just wrote about conflict of interest concerns surrounding Ken Sim:
Eby got a standing ovation from everyone except the BC Conservatives as well as Ben Stewart, Tom Shypitka and Ellis Ross of BC United. Elenore Sturko and Karin Kikpatrick first to stand up for BC United.
Minister of State for Child Care
@GraceALore
has announced a further raise of $2 an hour for early childhood educators in partnership with the federal government. This is on top of the previous $4 an hour raise and will bring median wages for ECEs to $28 an hour.
#bcpoli
A significant majority of eligible employees at Overstory Media Group have voted to unionize with
@cwacanada1
.
We are taking this official step together, in solidarity, to make our workplaces and our roles within them strong, sustainable, and equitable.
Our statement:
Wow the inaccuracies in this article are shocking. Regardless of where you stand on safe supply and decrim, the toxic drug crisis started long before the pilot program.
Alexandra Wright was asked to move her candidacy to Vernon-Lumby and as an incentive was offered $20,000 in campaign funding for her new riding. She said no and three weeks later was removed for "poor performance" and replaced with Gavin Dew. My story below.
#bcpoli
NEW: Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is out with a new report recommending the province look at non-prescriber models of safe supply, the same recommendation that was put forward by former chief coroner Lisa Lapointe last fall and rejected by the province.
#bcpoli
Yesterday was my last day as an intern at
@CapitalDailyVic
. I want to thank
@jwsthomson
and the rest of the team for helping me grow over the last four months. I hope to work with you all again and in the meantime please keep providing Victoria with local journalism that matters.
A dying Nanaimo woman is being illegally evicted from her apartment by this landlord. He has turned off her heat & power, she has just weeks to live. “He’s complaining I have too many ambulances coming here,” Sharon Kowalchuk tells
@CHEK_News
#rentalcrisis
@KatrinaCBurnaby
She was the first minister I ever spoke to back when I was a reporter with the
@TheMartlet
. Besides being an amazingly nice person, her passion for child care and the struggles of single parents really shined through.
Plan would be a 3 year pilot with a tax break for businesses. Workers would get same pay and still only be required to work the same number of hours per day. Just three days off instead of two.
Since 2016, Atira has become BC Housing's largest housing provider and its funding has skyrocketed from $17 million in 2016 to $74.1 million in 2022. Surplus funding was unavailable for 2021 and 2022 but totalled $2.5 million in 2020.
City Councillor Sharmarke Dubow is now giving a speech. "I am here as a private citizen and as an elected official to stand with the land defenders," he says to the crowd.
Also included is an excess profits tax for oil and gas companies and a pause on logging in all 2.6 million hectares identified as the most at-risk old-growth forests by the Old Growth Strategic Review panel.
#bcpoli
Well.....that's my first session done as a member of the press gallery. What a wild ride. Thank you to everyone who put up with my constant questions and deer in the headlight expressions. Already looking forward to February.
#bcpoli
My heart goes out to all those affected by the tragic events in
#LynnValley
today. Growing up there I never imagined something like this would happen. Hoping the injuries aren't too serious and that everyone makes a full recovery. Stay safe everyone.
Moving downtown has made me realize the lack of walkability in Gordon Head. Sure, it's beautiful, but living close to Mount Doug meant a 20-minute walk to get groceries and no quick and easy access to pharmacies or other necessities. Now everything I need is within ten minutes.
NEW: Former BC Liberals leadership candidate
@gavindew
has announced he has joined
@JohnRustad4BC
's Conservatives and will be running for the party in Kelowna-Mission. The seat is recently vacant after the party dropped Alexandra Wright as it's candidate.
#bcpoli
New funding to Atira is being restricted and current funding has been paused. BC Housing's former CFO was fired and severance is in the process of being recovered.
First week of session as a reporter done. Despite the long and hectic days it was incredibly enjoyable. Thank you to all the members of the press gallery for such a warm welcome. Bit of a break next week but already looking forward to when session resumes.
#bcpoli
Excited to work with the amazing
@sobittersosweet
. Her experience and past record with
@BCTodayOfficial
will be invaluable to creating an even better product for our subscribers.
#bcpoli
.
.
@uvic
puts out a public notice this morning warning of staff and program cuts due to $13m budget shortfall. People freak out. The Premier
@Dave_Eby
urges school not to panic. Then UVic goes dead quiet and refuses interviews.
What a brilliant strategy from UVic senior leadership.
BC United Leader
@KevinFalcon
addressing the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce today. Says "only in government can you see worsening results every year and there's no accountability mechanism." Says this is why the election in October is so important.
#bcpoli
At 12:30 pm today, BC's Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
@s_malcolmson
will be providing a response to Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe's final report on overdose deaths in BC for 2021. I will be live-tweeting for
@CapitalDailyVic
.
"I know there's a perception of me as a bit of a lefty but I've invited you here to this dairy facility today to reassure you I have nothing against the 1%" - Premier
@Dave_Eby
.
#bcpoli
I know this is a bit late but earlier this summer I got to serve as the Housing and Overdose Reporter for
@TheMartlet
. This was made possible by the
#CanadaSummerJobs
program and I would like to thank the wonderful
@katekorte
for her advice and support throughout the two months.
The report found request for proposal processes were not followed in several cases where Atira was granted operating contracts including for Burn's Block and the Buchan Hotel totalling $2.3 million in annual operating subsidies.
Was great listening to
@ManishaKrishnan
talk about the myth of objectivity today at
#NASH83
. I walked away with a more nuanced view of the rules around objectivity in Canadian newsrooms as well as the ways in which the media landscape needs to change.
Premier
@Dave_Eby
answers a question about polling by first mentioning the fixed election date in October but then saying "we're six months out from the next election." Six months from now is May.
#bcpoli
NEW: Green Leader
@SoniaFurstenau
has announced she will be running in Victoria—Beacon Hill instead of Cowichan Valley in the upcoming provincial election where she is expected to challenge new Children and Family Development Minister
@GraceALore
.
#bcpoli
Or you can be like me and sit at a pub drowning your exhaustion in a pint and checking your phone, bored out of your goddamn mind until, eventually, something happens at which time you wish you could inject caffeine directly into your veins.
#bcpoli
After speaking to 10 local candidates for
@TheMartlet
I feel like I have to tip my hat off to all journalists covering the federal election. 36 days is not a lot of time to educate voters on the key issues, parties,and candidates yet there is a lot of excellent work being done.
Eby said there is no indication money was improperly given to either Ramsay or Abbott and acknowledged their work over several decades helping "the poor and vulnerable" find affordable housing. Said there must be operational reviews and audits of Atira and government appointment.
Public Safety Minister
@mikefarnworthbc
has introduced Bill 36, which will require municipalities to complete a policing transition once started and legislates that the Surrey Police Service will become the police of jurisdiction in the municipality.
"I want to say congratulations to Brad West. Not sure how that's going to work. Is he going to email his questions to the member and then read them out to me?” - Premier
@Dave_Eby
to
@KevinFalcon
last night during premier's estimates.
#bcpoli
If you want the best info on healthcare in BC please follow my former colleague
@brish_ti
with
@CapitalDailyVic
. She gets to the bottom of what is going on better than anyone else.
#Update
on Victoria's pilot Peer Assisted Care Team (peer and mental health workers responding to calls instead of police): It's expected to launch next month.
Some new timeline and operational info from
@CMHABC
+ background:
@CapitalDailyVic
#yyj
Minister
@BrendaBaileyBC
responds by saying "I would have been quite shocked if he'd not found an opportunity to milk this event. He's skimmed it right off the top and put it in his whole speech and I'm not just trying to butter him up. We could do this until the cows come home."
Every time I listen to Carol Todd speak about her daughter Amanda, I am reminded of how horrible people can be. The scale of the challenge is enormous, but we need to find a way to make the internet a safer place, particularly for children and youth.
Hudson House, in the heart of downtown Victoria, is a fantastic new building with great amenities and design. With affordable apartments it’s the perfect place to call home for young couples, students, and families. A great example of how we are getting more homes built, faster!
The NDP have ejected
@AdamWalkerBC
from caucus and his parliamentary secretary position after an internal investigation of a "human resources complaint" found misconduct on Walker's part.
#bcpoli
@BCGreens
are calling on the province to increase supports for renters including increases to the thresholds of both the Rental Assistance Program and the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. Are also requesting a limit on rent increases between tenancies of 3.5%.
#bcpoli
@Conservative_BC
Leader
@JohnRustad4BC
has released his party's new healthcare platform, which includes a wait-time guarantee that will use public funds to pay for private services in order to reduce wait times. These private services will be free of charge for patients.
#bcpoli
My latest for
@CapitalDailyVic
and the last piece written during my internship. So happy to be able to collaborate with the wonderful
@brish_ti
and delve into the complicated world of police and mental health.
A new report is calling for changes to the way police respond to mental health emergencies.
In our latest, we delve into the report, the criticisms of the current system, and what’s being proposed instead:
Conservative Leader
@JohnRustad4BC
has introduced a bill in the legislature that would place restrictions on transgender women competing in women's sport. Division has been called in the house on whether to grant the bill first reading.
#bcpoli
The upside of slow break weeks from the legislature is that I get to hang out with a very good boy while I work. Downside, said good boy gets to question my priorities by doing things like putting his monkey on my lap or keyboard, knowing he has me wrapped around his paw.
The
@BCGreens
have announced BC Health Care Matters founder
@CCurrieadvocate
will run for the party in Esquimalt—Colwood. Currie ran for the party in last summer's Langford—Juan de Fuca byelection finishing third with just under 18 per cent of the vote.
#bcpoli
Hello everyone. Today is the deadline for pitches for
@TheMartlet
's Indigenous-focused issue. No experience is necessary and contributors will be paid. This issue will be entirely composed of work by Indigenous authors and designers. Please share with anyone who is interested.
CALL FOR PITCHES for our collaboration with
@UVICNSU
- Indigenous-focussed issue. This is a paid opportunity for Indigenous writers, no experience necessary.
We are accepting culture, news, opinions, features, or lifestyle/sports pitches!
The most popular premier in B.C.'s history
@johnhorgan
has officially announced he will be stepping away from the legislature in March, and, ever the Irishman, remarking that "St. Patricks Day seems good." Wouldn't rule out an appointment if the PM comes calling.