PolitiCoast: The BC Politics Podcast

Eby and Carney face blowback over their plans to buy condos and the PM might be getting a new home. Links Highway linking Vancouver to Prince Rupert proposed by construction company | CBC News The Long Quest to Merge Victoria and Saanich Hits a Roadblock | The Tyee Critics blast government plan to ‘bail out’ sagging condo sector in B.C. | CBC News Carney-Eby housing deal met with mixed reactions and desire for more detail Premier Eby on B.C. condo purchase proposal: ‘We don’t have to do it’ Carney announcing decision on future of 24 Sussex in coming weeks: sources | CBC News Carney to announce fundraising campaign, design competition to restore 24 Sussex: source | CBC News Feds push to have 3 northern projects fast-tracked under Building Canada Act | CBC News Federal plan aims to boost nuclear sector with up to 10 new reactors, expand international footprint – The Globe and Mail Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada Scheduling note: we will be on hiatus for one to two weeks, starting next week.

Polls aren’t good for David Eby, centrists think it’s time for a return, Carney wants to ban kids from social media and the Greens kick off their leadership race. Links Surging Conservatives Tie New Democrats in British Columbia – Research Co. BC Conservatives Take Narrow Lead as Housing Costs, Health Care, and the Economy Shape Voter Priorities Premiers’ Performance: Eby, Smith, and Ford each tumble to new lows approval – Angus Reid Institute B.C. centrists seek to revive provincial Liberal brand in wake of Conservative leadership race – The Globe and Mail Vaughn Palmer: Activist Chris Delaney joins Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s Conservative team New drivers in B.C. can now take first knowledge test online B.C. knowledge test for learner drivers moved to online and at home – The Globe and Mail Premier David Eby re-commits promise to end ‘no pet’ rental clauses | Surrey Now-Leader B.C. restaurants can buy alcohol from private liquor stores – Business in Vancouver Ottawa planning social media ban for users under 16 – The Globe and Mail Ottawa moves to restrict social media for kids under 16 | CBC News C-34 (45-1) – LEGISinfo – Parliament of Canada Quebec would withdraw from high-speed rail project if PQ forms next government, party leader says | CBC News Green Party of Canada begins search for Elizabeth May’s replacement | CBC News Leadership Race 2026 – Green Party Of Canada

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 Links Harman Bhangu is out Bruce Banman is out Seven candidates still in B.C. Conservative leadership race after two MLAs drop out – Business in Vancouver Karin Kirkpatrick is out CentreBC Prepares for First AGM, Leadership Change, and Next Phase of Growth Leader’s Statement: Create thousands of jobs and connect our communities through passenger rail All aboard the train to Whistler or Campbell River? B.C. Green leader proposes province-wide rail network Mountain Valley Express Provincial Support for the Village of Lytton’s Wildfire Recovery – Office of the Auditor General B.C. BC’s Auditor General Offers Reasons for the Lack of Rebuilding in Lytton | The Tyee Premiers’ Performance: Eby falls to a new low in B.C., while Kinew continues his comfort atop the list – Angus Reid Institute From Collapse to Dominance « EKOS Politics Front-Runners Emerge in the NDP Leadership Race | The Tyee Avi Lewis stands by past activism as he’s criticized for ‘politics of subtraction’ | CBC News NDP leadership hopeful rebuffed opponent’s offer of second-ballot support

David Eby kills time changes, the feds sign a deal with the Musqueam and Carney dithers on Iran and foreign interference Links Adopting permanent daylight saving time Most of B.C. to adopt daylight saving time permanently, Eby says – The Globe and Mail B.C. cities can set their own time zones, province says | CBC News B.C. teachers ratify new 4-year agreement with 3% annual wage boost | CBC News BC teachers ratify new four-year agreement šxʷq̓ʷal̕təl̕tən – A Rights Recognition Agreement Fact File: What the Musqueam agreements mean for private property owners in B.C. Rob Shaw: Eby’s Musqueam denial unravels after Ottawa insists B.C. was briefed Nine candidates make the cut in the race for the leadership of B.C. Conservatives | CBC https://x.com/Conservative_BC/status/2027849001853182033?s=20 Low Name Recognition for Leadership Hopefuls in British Columbia – Research Co. Improving complaint process for employers, workers New B.C. legislation cracks down on weapons, violence in supportive housing Strengthening health and safety in supportive housing Bill 11 Kelowna MLA wants to cut welfare to drug offenders until they go to rehab – Castanet.net Feb 28 Statement by Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anand on the situation in the Middle East Mar 3 Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the evolving situation in the Middle East Liberal MPs to hold call Friday as caucus raises concerns about Carney’s shifting Iran position | CBC News Around 2,000 Canadians looking for help leaving Middle East as U.S., Israel move to ‘next phase’ of Iran war | CBC Attack on Iran: Little consensus among Canadians as half oppose, one-in-three support the US-Israeli strikes Canada could be called on to help defend Gulf states, says top military commander | CBC News Carney signs deals worth billions in diplomatic breakthrough with India’s Modi | CBC News Canada, India sign ‘landmark’ energy deal as CSIS says foreign interference concerns unchanged Carney won’t say if there’s Indian interference in Canada after cutting deals with Modi | CBC News

A new provincial budget, an NDP debate, and a few more seats change hands federally. Links BC Budget Vaughn Palmer: NDP quietly abolishes watchdog on civil service appointments Reinforcing B.C.’s leadership in interprovincial trade New legislation will allow people to renew, replace driver’s licence online New legislation will strengthen oversight of international education John Rustad bows out Harman Bhangu is in Pallas Data poll Supreme Court invalidates result from spring federal election in Terrebonne riding MP Matt Jeneroux leaves Conservatives to join Liberals, citing ‘national unity crisis’ | CBC News Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomy Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy

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. Links Steve Kooner for BC Conservative Leader Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman to run for Conservative leadership Bruce Banman John Rustad considering a run for leadership 2025 Fourth Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC BC Conservative leader candidate eyes 10-lane George Massey bridge project revival | Urbanized BC Greens Announce the Resignation of Deputy Leader Dr. Lisa Gunderson Conservative leadership vote 2026 results: Poilievre easily passes leadership test, receives 87.4 per cent support The Conservative Party is overhauling its policy playbook. Here’s what’s changing | CBC News Bail-reform bill moves to Senate after co-operation deal with Conservatives – The Globe and Mail At portrait unveiling, Harper says Canadians must make sacrifices to preserve independence – The Globe and Mail Stephen Harper nude painting sold to Vancouver man for $20K | CBC News Weekly Writ 2/5: Conservatives and Liberals set fundraising records in 2025 Avi Lewis has wide lead in NDP leadership fundraising New federal grocery rebate will cost $12.4 billion, PBO estimates | CBC News Government tables bill giving Build Canada Homes power to acquisition land | CBC News How one defection to Mark Carney’s Liberals set off a political earthquake at Queen’s Park When it comes to Ontario, I’m all in. – Nate Erskine-Smith Eric Lombardi, More Neighbours Toronto founder considering a run An Illusion of Consensus: What the Government Isn’t Saying About the Results of its AI Consultation – Michael Geist

British Columbia is delaying changes to the Heritage Conservation Act pending further consultations. Extortion may or may not be a crisis in Surrey. The BC Conservatives will pick their leader by May 30. Mark Carney gets praise for his Davos speech as he inks a new deal with China. Image credit: World Economic Forum Links B.C. postponing changes to heritage act to increase consultation, says minister – Richmond News Heritage Conservation Act changes further delayed over concerns it could halt development Eby says head of extortion task force needs to demonstrate urgency or step aside – BC | Globalnews.ca B.C. anti-extortion chief sorry for disputing blackmail ‘crisis’ after criticism from Premier – The Globe and Mail https://globalnews.ca/news/11572311/extortion-suspects-claim-refugee-status-cbsa/ Trudeau’s use of Emergencies Act to clear convoy protests unjustified, appeal court rules – The Globe and Mail LEADERSHIP Rules 2026 | Conservative Party of British Columbia Darrell Jones announces Mark Carney earned a rare standing ovation in Davos. Read the full text of his speech here ‘The old order is not coming back,’ Carney says in provocative speech at Davos | CBC News Poilievre calls Carney’s Davos speech ‘well-crafted,’ but says action must follow | CBC News Response From The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition, to the Prime Minister’s Speech in Davos – Conservative Party of Canada Trump says he’s withdrawing invitation for Carney to join his Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ | CBC News Prime Minister Carney forges new strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China focused on energy, agri-food, and trade Federal government asked court to set aside Ottawa’s shutdown order for TikTok Canada

We made predictions for 2025. They… weren’t great. So let’s make more for 2026, as difficult as that seems. Plus, OneBC fully imploded and kinda repaired itself over our break. We recap that and other political stories from the holidays. Links Eby’s approval rating Aaron Gunn out Kelowna MLA Gavin Dew won’t run for B.C. Conservative leadership, citing family B.C. Conservative Party forms committee to select new leader | CBC News Harman Bhangu says he will ‘most likely’ run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives – Energeticcity.ca Kamloops MLA Milobar considering run at B.C. Conservative leadership – CastanetKamloops.net B.C. Conservatives should welcome more people, Yuri Fulmer says, as he enters leadership race – The Globe and Mail Former grocery executive Darrell Jones considers run for B.C. Conservative leadership – Vancouver Is Awesome West Kootenay advocate ready to lead B.C. Conservative Party | Castlegar News OneBC ousts MLA Dallas Brodie as leader — but she says she’s fighting back | CBC News BREAKDOWN: The very public implosion of OneBC Who Is Othman Mekhloufi, the Far-Right Poster Behind OneBC’s Strife? | The Tyee Dallas Brodie back in control of OneBC as a party of one after almost 10 days of negotiations – Victoria Times Colonist Chrystia Freeland to step down as MP on Friday | CBC News Pilot phase of Liberal gun buyback program collects 25 firearms | CBC News