BC politics

(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Conservative Leader Poilievre elaborates on controversial Kelowna tent city tweet

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke with Capital News about homelessness in Kelowna

 

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

 

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.

 

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. 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)
Premier John Horgan answers questions during a news conference in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, Friday, March 11, 2022. Politicians and media members met each other face-to-face at the British Columbia legislature after more than two years of COVID-19 protocols that had limited interactions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Politicians, media return to hallway habits at B.C. legislature after COVID-19 rules

Media back in the building providing a hallway guantlet and looking for stories

Premier John Horgan answers questions during a news conference in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, Friday, March 11, 2022. Politicians and media members met each other face-to-face at the British Columbia legislature after more than two years of COVID-19 protocols that had limited interactions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. The British Columbia government says it has developed “a new approach to litigation” as part of its process to implement its 2019 legislation adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. prioritizing negotiation over litigation for Indigenous rights

Policy in line with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples legislation

David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. The British Columbia government says it has developed “a new approach to litigation” as part of its process to implement its 2019 legislation adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. The provincial government is expanding legal aid in British Columbia as part of its 2022 budget.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. allocates more than $8 million to boost legal-aid services

Funding follows recent analysis of the province’s legal-aid system

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. The provincial government is expanding legal aid in British Columbia as part of its 2022 budget.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Vancouver Police Board has successfully appealed a City of Vancouver decision that cut millions from the 2021 police budget, and the timing means the pinch of the ruling won’t hit taxpayers until next year. People opposed to public health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 are given a police escort as they march after the B.C. Grand Freedom Rally, in Vancouver, on Saturday, February 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver to restore $5.7M withheld from 2021 police budget, but tax hike looms

Province ordered the city to restore $5.7 million to the department’s 2021 budget

The Vancouver Police Board has successfully appealed a City of Vancouver decision that cut millions from the 2021 police budget, and the timing means the pinch of the ruling won’t hit taxpayers until next year. People opposed to public health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 are given a police escort as they march after the B.C. Grand Freedom Rally, in Vancouver, on Saturday, February 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Samantha Masyk gases up in Alberta, where the provincial government is cutting gas taxes to offset rising prices at the pump. PAUL COWLEY/Advocate staff
Samantha Masyk gases up in Alberta, where the provincial government is cutting gas taxes to offset rising prices at the pump. PAUL COWLEY/Advocate staff

‘No simple solution’ to gas prices; B.C. has no tax reduction plans: Farnworth

Farnworth says prices that have risen to over $2 a litre are driven by events outside B.C. control

Samantha Masyk gases up in Alberta, where the provincial government is cutting gas taxes to offset rising prices at the pump. PAUL COWLEY/Advocate staff
Samantha Masyk gases up in Alberta, where the provincial government is cutting gas taxes to offset rising prices at the pump. PAUL COWLEY/Advocate staff
British Columbia Premier John Horgan poses for a portrait after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Premier not concerned about impacts to B.C. after Canada raises tariffs for Russia

‘We’re not, at this point, concerned that there will be significant costs to British Columbians’

British Columbia Premier John Horgan poses for a portrait after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Craig James, former clerk of the British Columbia legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. Former Speaker of the legislature, Bill Barisoff is testifying at the trial of James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to allegations that he used his position for personal gain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Glaring and egregious’: Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case

Fraud, breach of trust case against former clerk of the legislative assembly Craig James wrapping up

Craig James, former clerk of the British Columbia legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. Former Speaker of the legislature, Bill Barisoff is testifying at the trial of James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to allegations that he used his position for personal gain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier John Horgan looks on as Finance Minister Selina Robinson delivers the budget speech in the legislature in Victoria on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

British Columbia cabinet ministers in line for 10 per cent pay hike: Opposition

Horgan’s annual salary is about $211,000 a year, while cabinet ministers are paid about $167,000

B.C. Premier John Horgan looks on as Finance Minister Selina Robinson delivers the budget speech in the legislature in Victoria on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Wildland firefighter Katie Devaney carries an axe and hose as she works to extinguish hot spots remaining from a controlled burn the B.C. Wildfire Service conducted to help contain the White Rock Lake wildfire on Okanagan Indian Band land, northwest of Vernon on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. A fire ecologist says new provincial funding to expand the BC Wildfire Service to a year-round endeavour is a welcome step toward preventing and mitigating disasters, while some others in the field say the funds could be better spent elsewhere. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Budget funding for BC Wildfire Service garners mixed reaction from experts

B.C. budget includes $145 million over three years to move to a more proactive wildfire response

Wildland firefighter Katie Devaney carries an axe and hose as she works to extinguish hot spots remaining from a controlled burn the B.C. Wildfire Service conducted to help contain the White Rock Lake wildfire on Okanagan Indian Band land, northwest of Vernon on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. A fire ecologist says new provincial funding to expand the BC Wildfire Service to a year-round endeavour is a welcome step toward preventing and mitigating disasters, while some others in the field say the funds could be better spent elsewhere. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Premier John Horgan talks to media about the recent flooding in the province at the legislature during a press conference in Victoria, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Politicians are back at the British Columbia legislature today where the New Democrat government will deliver a throne speech outlining its political agenda for the coming months. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. NDP sets out political agenda with throne speech; Opposition has new leader

Premier John Horgan will unveil the government’s long-range economic development plan next week

Premier John Horgan talks to media about the recent flooding in the province at the legislature during a press conference in Victoria, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Politicians are back at the British Columbia legislature today where the New Democrat government will deliver a throne speech outlining its political agenda for the coming months. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Craig James, the former clerk of the B.C. legislature, makes a statement to the media in Vancouver on Monday November 26, 2018. James's trial on charges of fraud and breach of trust began Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

Spending a ‘marked departure’ from former B.C. legislature clerk’s duties, Crown says

Wood splitter, cushion, beekeeping book among items under microscope in Craig James trial

Craig James, the former clerk of the B.C. legislature, makes a statement to the media in Vancouver on Monday November 26, 2018. James's trial on charges of fraud and breach of trust began Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms
Classrooms will soon be busy as children across B.C. go back to school, again with pandemic procedures in place. (Black Press Media files)

Back to school: Children with special needs are being put in harm’s way, says Autism BC

‘How can my child on the spectrum be safe if the protocols are not in place,’ asks worried parent

Classrooms will soon be busy as children across B.C. go back to school, again with pandemic procedures in place. (Black Press Media files)
NDP Leader John Horgan, right to left, Green leader Sonia Furstenau and Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson prepare for a debate at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, October 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Horgan attempts to clarify ‘I don’t see colour’ debate answer with Twitter post

A day after the debate, Horgan revised his answer on Twitter, admitting it could have upset people

NDP Leader John Horgan, right to left, Green leader Sonia Furstenau and Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson prepare for a debate at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, October 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau responds to questions during a campaign stop in Squamish, B.C., on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. A provincial election will be held in British Columbia on October 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Greens’ Furstenau fires at NDP, Liberals on pandemic recovery, sales tax promise

She also criticized the NDP economic recovery plan, arguing it abandons the tourism industry

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau responds to questions during a campaign stop in Squamish, B.C., on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. A provincial election will be held in British Columbia on October 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck