BC politics

Melanie Mark, MLA elect for Vancouver-Mt Pleasant, speaks with media after becoming the first First Nations woman to serve in the legislature as she looks up at family and friends during a swearing in ceremony at legislature on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

MARK: B.C.’s tourism industry paddles out of the pandemic storm, ready to welcome visitors

‘The recovery of the tourism industry is bringing a new challenge for operators in B.C.’

  • May 27, 2022
Melanie Mark, MLA elect for Vancouver-Mt Pleasant, speaks with media after becoming the first First Nations woman to serve in the legislature as she looks up at family and friends during a swearing in ceremony at legislature on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Premier John Horgan meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal officials in Vancouver for an announcement on hosting the 2025 Invictus Games, May 24, 2022. Horgan and other premiers have been calling for a larger federal share of health care funding. (B.C. government photo)

B.C., western premiers plead for federal help in health care crisis

July meeting in Victoria has to make progress, Horgan says

B.C. Premier John Horgan meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal officials in Vancouver for an announcement on hosting the 2025 Invictus Games, May 24, 2022. Horgan and other premiers have been calling for a larger federal share of health care funding. (B.C. government photo)
B.C.’s lung cancer screening program is available for people aged 55 to 74 who have smoked for 20 years or more. (Boaz Joseph/Black Press)

B.C. expanding lung cancer screening for earlier diagnosis

CT scans for older people who are long-time smokers

B.C.’s lung cancer screening program is available for people aged 55 to 74 who have smoked for 20 years or more. (Boaz Joseph/Black Press)
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: Keeping the British in British Columbia?

Victoria Day marks the informal start of summer in Canada, but it’s also a celebration of our historic connection

  • May 24, 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)
The new Primary Care Centre in Chilliwack on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. primary care teams ‘chronically understaffed,’ opposition says

Urgent care clinics reach one million visits despite shortage

The new Primary Care Centre in Chilliwack on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)
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)
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)