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Eby changes his DRIPA plans again, and Carney gets his majority Links NDP government to pause DRIPA amendments amid caucus divisions | CBC News Vaughn Palmer: B.C. premier upset courts accepted his use of the word ‘must’ The problem with DRIPA isn’t the courts. It’s the Premier. – Khelsilem B.C. tables legislation to ratify Kitselas First Nation Treaty as neighbouring nation calls for pause | CBC News B.C. to implement K’ómoks treaty despite opposition from neighbouring First Nation | CBC News Number of candidates running for leader of B.C. Conservatives has shrunk to 5 B.C. Conservative MLA’s bill on firefighter health passes | CBC News   Mark Carney enters his majority era | CBC News Conservative MPs publicly back Poilievre as leader even after recent stumbles | CBC News House governing body reinstates NDP parliamentary funding Liberal party adopts motion to restrict kids from social media ‘Our goal is AI for all,’ Carney says in Liberal convention speech | CBC.ca Ottawa ‘very seriously’ considering age restrictions for social media, AI chatbots | CBC News Sorry that we were late on this one, we both completely blanked for a couple days there

Elections BC slaps BC United with a fine for election disinformation over the ‘Fire John Rustad’ campaign from August 2024. The BC Conservatives slap Peter Milobar with a fine for a late deposit. And the NDP kills George Anderson’s private members bill but does take some steps toward allowing more housing. Federally, Marilyn Gladu embraces the red and the finance minister continues Canada’s oldest tradition. Links Elections BC Letter to BC United BC United was secretly behind website calling for Rustad to be fired: Elections BC Rustad says ‘dirty trick’ by B.C. United may have cost Conservatives election victory | CBC News B.C. Conservative leadership candidate fined for day-late payment of $40K fee Peter Milobar response to fine Elections BC Annual reports Minister’s statement on private member’s bill M216 B.C. orders West Vancouver to build more homes Premier hints at approval of Kelowna’s bid for early opt-out of short-term rental restrictions – Castanet.net Former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals | CBC News Carney says Liberal values are unchanged after socially conservative MP Marilyn Gladu joins party – The Globe and Mail Marilyn Gladu says she’s pro-choice, anti conversion therapy as Liberals embrace former Conservative | CBC News Floor-crossers support core Liberal values, Carney says | CBC News ‘Throw them out’ of Parliament: Poilievre in favour of recall petition for floor-crossers | CBC News Up to 40 Conservative MPs fear Pierre Poilievre will cost them their seats, insiders say + rumours of 10 more crossers  Pierre Poilievre’s communications director Katy Merrifield resigns How rare is it for a prime minister to attract 5 floor-crossers in 5 months? | CBC News ‘No risk’ of potential conflict with Champagne’s partner working for Alto: ethics commissioner

New bills, new leaders and controversial trains. Links Bill 14 – Forests Statutes Amendment BC Timber Sales to increase fibre access, strengthen long-term forest outcomes, protect jobs Bill 15 – Environmental Assessment Amendment Amendments improve dispute resolution, transparency, process predictability Bill 16 – Misc Statutes Amendment Modernizing enforcement, housing, justice tools Modernizing bylaw enforcement on the University Endowment Lands Updating zero-emission vehicle targets, expanding charging network Readying B.C. to deliver more homes for people in communities Adding new tools to help target organized crime Bill 17 – Municipal Codes of Conduct Improving conduct standards for local governments Bill 18 – Municipal Parental Leave Introducing parental leave for local elected officials Premier Eby says changing DRIPA is ‘non-negotiable’ and will be pushed into law – Business in Vancouver B.C. tells First Nations it wants to suspend DRIPA Adam Olsen – Eby Sent the Wrong Signals on DRIPA Amendments | The Tyee How did B.C.’s historic Indigenous Rights law, DRIPA, become so controversial? | The Narwhal Annual Report – Declaration Act https://bsky.app/profile/sobittersosweet.bsky.social/post/3mik2qbpqic2z Report on Provincial Taxation Revenues: Speculation and Vacancy Tax Audit Reveals Major Problems in BC’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax | The Tyee Time to Kill the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, Say BC Conservatives | The Tyee Peter MacKay endorsement Independent MLA for Peace River North endorses Findlay in leadership race, could rejoin BC Conservatives – CJDC-TV Jason Kenney endorse Elliott Darrell Joins endorses Caroline Elliott Yuri Fulmer and Dallas Brodie announce “Unite the Right Accord” Rob Shaw: Questions linger over integrity of BC Conservative leadership race Avi Lewis elected Leader of NDP Reactions Naheed Nenshi Carla Beck David Eby Mark Carney How the NDP leadership vote broke down, ballot by ballot Vaughn Palmer: B.C. Conservatives challenge NDP to disavow Avi Lewis on LNG Farewell to one of Canada’s greatest social justice champions Conservatives and the Bloc opposing Alto Rail Polling from Abacus and AltNO

Who’s up, who’s down and who’s out of the BC Conservatives, the Strong and Free Elections Act and the Auditor General attacks the government once more Links BC Leadership Poll: Milobar and Elliott down to the wire B.C. MLA Hon Chan charged with assault and choking, kicked out of Conservative caucus | CBC News B.C. NDP government fires back after Greens accuse AI minister of conflict over investments | CBC News Green MLA Valeriote Disclosure Heritage conservation engagement leads to updated proposals to make the act work better for everyone Montreal-area byelection to use write-in ballots due to dozens of protest candidates | CBC News Ottawa proposes amendments to Elections Act to counter long-ballot protests – The Globe and Mail Liberal government targets deepfakes, foreign interference in major election law reforms | CBC News Government Bill (House of Commons) C-25 (45-1) – First Reading – Strong and Free Elections Act International Student Program Reforms – Canada.ca Auditor-General flags weaknesses in IRCC’s anti-fraud controls for international student program – The Globe and Mail Modernizing the Pay System – Canada.ca Replacing Phoenix pay system will cost at least $4.2-billion, Auditor-General report says – The Globe and Mail Recruiting for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Canada.ca RCMP failed to recruit enough officers to meet operational needs: auditor general | CBC News

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

BC wants to put limits on protests, and Carney gets another floor crosser as he stumbles his way to yet another position on Iran. Jesse Woodward from CHLY guest cohosts. Links:         Protecting access to places of worship, schools BC Humanists: Religious bubble zone law threatens fundamental freedoms Professional Employees Association reaches deal with B.C. gov’t after lengthy labour dispute | CBC News Idlout says she felt she was ‘betraying’ her constituents by staying with NDP Don Davies’ Statement Posted to Twitter  Carney calls byelections in Quebec riding of Terrebonne, 2 Toronto ridings | CBC News The Canadian government is deciding who’s a journalist now – The Hub Canadian government backtracks on using media subsidy criteria as accreditation Canada will ‘never participate’ in Iran offensive, Mark Carney says

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

The BC Conservative race tightens up with candidates dropping out and MLA endorsements racking up. The NDP are under fire for policy changes. The federal government might be fine with some light foreign interference. And the Conservatives get an amendment to the budget. Links Steve Kooner out Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare ends bid for BC Conservative leadership BC Conservative leadership race: Peter Milobar gets caucus endorsements | Vancouver Sun Federal Tories move to limit use of party data in B.C. Conservative leadership race – The Globe and Mail Kelowna MLA’s bill to repeal BC Human Rights Code quickly voted down – Castanet.net Streamlining government’s response to organized crime Improving digital service delivery with FOIPPA amendments Vaughn Palmer: NDP set to weaken B.C.’s FOI law and keep public in the dark   B.C. policy change on billing could limit health-care access – Business in Vancouver $10-a-day daycare program paused in order to stabilize, B.C. government says | Globalnews.ca B.C.’s $10-a-day child-care program pauses controversial funding model, but service remains out of reach for many B.C. premier says Senate committee wants to gut bill that could close loopholes for extortion suspects | CBC News Where is Canada’s immigration minister? Community groups are asking | CBC News Canadian police warn Sikh activist of threat to life as Carney announces India visit | Globalnews.ca Minister says there’s ‘a lot more work to do’ with India after Canadian official says it’s no longer a threat | CBC News PM urged to clarify whether he believes India still carrying out interference in Canada – The Globe and Mail Poilievre targets Trump, urges Canada to focus on what it can control in major speech | CBC News Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on ‘regulatory sandboxes’ Liberals’ omnibus budget bill passes final hurdle in the House of Commons | 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

A sombre reflection takes the place of the throne speech as BC prepares for budget 2026 and Carney may or may not be gearing up for an election. Links Tumbler Ridge PAC GoFundMe for victims’ family Throne speech pays tribute to the people of Tumbler Ridge Eby says 2,000 public service jobs cut and counting as B.C. faces $11.2B deficit | CBC News Supporting children, youth with disabilities with new programs, more funding Leader’s Statement: BC Greens Will Not Renew CARGA Carney, Ford discussed idea of an early federal election to secure majority, sources say – The Globe and Mail Conservatives, Liberals in behind-the-scenes negotiations as PM downplays election talk | CBC News Conservatives propose helping Liberals pass BIA if they remove sections allowing ministers to ‘ignore certain laws and regulations’ – iPolitics Canada discreetly puts money down on 14 additional F-35s | CBC News

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

The BC Conservative leadership race heats up as the federal NDP membership deadline passes (and one more candidate is rejected). David Eby tries some firey rhetoric, while Carney upsets Quebec with his. And camping is getting more expensive. Links Darrell Jones is in Jones on grocery prices Kerry-Lynne Findlay is in Yuri Fulmer goes after Caroline Elliott’s Liberal donations Post by @davidebybc.bsky.social – “Treason” B.C. premier says Alberta separatists seeking assistance from U.S. is ‘treason’ | CBC News B.C. attorney general warns against doing deals with ICE, amid pending Pattison sale B.C. extortion wave is ‘terror attack in slow motion’: Eby Western provinces and territories sign pact to develop critical minerals strategy | CBC News B.C. Premier basks in mining expansions as sector proves to be important ally for NDP government – The Globe and Mail Camping fees updated to further invest in parks and recreation Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to make groceries and other essentials more affordable for Canadians Carney stands by Plains of Abraham speech that rankled Quebec’s political class Carney cancels news conference appearance last minute after Quebec City cabinet retreat | CBC Former B.C. chief electoral officer tapped to head Foreign Influence Transparency Registry – The Globe and Mail Poilievre courts delegates as he faces a must-win leadership review vote | CBC News NDP blocks Yves Engler’s wife, Bianca Mugyenyi, from leadership race – The Globe and Mail

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

More BC Conservative leadership candidates enter, BC Green leadership candidates fundraising, Centre BC leadership drama and Carney goes to China Links Former B.C. Liberal minister Iain Black enters B.C. Conservative leadership race | Maple Ridge News Reconciliation critic Caroline Elliott seeks to head BC Conservatives | Vancouver Sun ‘I’m in’: Caroline Elliott confirms run for B.C. Conservative leadership – Richmond News 2025 BC Green Party Leadership Contestant Financing Reports Available | Elections BC Minister’s statement on status of the decriminalization pilot program Decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C. (reports) – Province of British Columbia B.C. officially ends decriminalization pilot project after concerns about public drug use What Canada failed to learn from drug decriminalization in Portugal – Canadian Affairs Carney’s 1st day in China secures agreement on energy — but no tariff breakthrough yet | CBC News B.C. and feds sign lumber understanding with China, as province looks beyond U.S. | CBC News Slim Majority of Canadians (54%) Support Stronger Trade Ties with China | Ipsos Two Liberal MPs cut Taiwan trip short ahead of Carney’s China visit – The Globe and Mail Canada not considering a ban on X over deepfake controversy, AI minister says Musk’s Grok Is Abusing Women and Children. Our Government Needs to Act | The Tyee Why Canada’s reaction to the Grok scandal is so muted in the midst of a global outcry X ‘acting to comply with UK law’ after outcry over sexualised images | Grok AI | The Guardian NDP leadership candidate apologizes for using AI to respond to Reddit questions | CBC News r/ndp on Reddit: I’m Rob Ashton, union leader and candidate for Leader of the NDP — AMA I’m Tony McQuail and an NDP Leadership Candidate, AMA! : r/CanadaPolitics

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