Thoughts on BC Politics and More

John Rustad’s long-sought resignation Thursday as BC Conservative leader marks the end of one of the strangest chapters in modern British Columbia politics, defined less by coherent conservative renewal than by the chaotic narrowing of a party’s purpose ... Rustad, you will remember, was booted from the BC United Party three years ago and inherited a fringe vehicle—the largely idled BC Conservatives—that suddenly found itself with oxygen, polling strength and real strategic opportunity ...  ... he leaves behind a movement that squandered its opening, exhausted its relevance and cost the province something it has not had in more than a decade: a credible, modern, centre-right alternative capable of challenging government on the issues that matter most ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

Reducing what’s been referred to as ­administrative bloat in health authorities to ­better focus on front-line resources was an election ­promise of Premier David Eby. Island Health says it has eliminated or not posted 91 non-contract job postings and reduced its non-contract workforce by 174 employees as a result of a province-wide review of administrative roles in health authorities. Health Minister Josie Osborne says the 10-month review has resulted in 1,100 positions being eliminated, closed or left vacant across the province, and there is now a plan to consolidate some services across all six health authorities. Starting in 2026-27, the job cuts are expected to save more than $60 million annually ... CLICK HERE for the full story

 In the Weekly Wrap, Sean Speer, our editor-at-large, analyses for Hub subscribers the big stories shaping politics, policy, and the economy in the week that was ... CLICK HERE to access this Hub article

Consequences of the recent annual meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders in Gyeongju, South Korea, are already radiating outward — and Ottawa would be wise to take heed. The headline out of Gyeongju was the conclusion of U.S.–South Korea tariff talks. But this was not a standard trade deal. It was a grand bargain. In exchange for a US$350-billion package of industrial investments, including money targeted specifically to shipbuilding, Seoul secured a cut in tariffs on automobile exports to the U.S. and more favourable treatment for its semiconductor sector. The real breakthrough, however, was on the security side: U.S. President Donald Trump publicly supported South Korea’s plan to build and operate nuclear-powered submarines. Despite earlier reports that the submarines would be built at a shipyard in Philadelphia, South Korean officials say the subs are to be built locally with U.S. co-operation in gaining access to nuclear fuel. This deal has implications for two...

“British Columbians deserve laws that are clear, democratic, and workable, and reconciliation must be built through real engagement and practical outcomes, not legal ambiguity" ~~ Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, Deputy Critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation A BC Court of Appeal ruling has confirmed that courts can enforce key parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. It also found that the province’s online mineral claim registration system was inconsistent with UNDRIP because it allowed automatic staking without first requiring consultation and cooperation with affected Indigenous peoples. The case was brought by the Gitxaala Nation and Ehattesaht First Nation, challenging the online system on the basis that it excluded First Nations and undermined the Crown’s duty to consult. In a two to one decision, the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s conclusion and said the judge “erred in adopting an unduly narrow approach,” ...

“What’s in a name?” 13-year-old Juliet Capulet memorably says in Act II, Scene II of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . “That which we call a rose,” she continues, “by any other name would smell as sweet.” This brilliant adage has been written and spoken on innumerable occasions since the Bard’s play first premiered in 1597. I’m certainly guilty of having used it in a column or two. Well, that number just reached three. It’s almost impossible not to think of this proverb while watching the party name change battle in Alberta play itself out. This political tug-of-war started during the summer and may be finally heading into its final act. The story begins with Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair. Both of them were United Conservative Party (UCP) MLAs up until this year. Sinclair, who was first elected in 2023, was kicked out of the UCP caucus in March when he refused to support Premier Danielle Smith’s budget. Guthrie, who served as minister of energy and minister of infra...

Eight years before landmark Cowichan legal decision, lawyers debated alerting private property owners From the outset of its landmark claim for Aboriginal title, the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Nation claimed its beef was not with private property owners. In May 2017, lawyers for the Quw'utsun, the federal Crown, B.C and Richmond spent two days in a Victoria courtroom debating the merits of notifying more than 100 Richmond landowners about the legal battle that would see a judge grant Aboriginal title over their land eight years later ... CLICK HERE for the full story

This morning the Tyee had a news story headlined, " Expect Things to Get Even Worse for the BC Conservatives .  Rustad’s gone. Next a divisive, unpredictable leader race." Now let's be serious ... the Tyee is never going to have much positive to say about ANY conservative party ... whether the federal Conservatives, or the provincial Conservative Party of BC -- which is why I believe this story simply panders to the left side of the political spectrum that they tend to target with their stories. Do I believe there will be candidates, letting their names stand, that will be divisive? I'd be a fool not to. That said, I believe there will be a range of candidates who will in fact be able to resonate with members and supporters that make up the membership of the BC Conservatives.  I also believe that in the mix of candidates will be individuals who will be able to rise above petty, narrow, and conflict-ridden politics that can at times completely derail doing what actuall...

John Rustad’s gone, but the Conservative Party of BC’s problems are far from over. In fact, the coming leadership contest could make things much worse ... ... the Conservative leadership race could be explosively divisive. The members don’t just disagree on policy. In many cases they think the other side is evil or crazy. And there is a high chance that the battles will be fought over right-wing populist issues like trans rights and sexual orientation and gender identity education in schools, rather than things like housing costs, health-care waits and the collapse of the province’s forest industry ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The Conservative Caucus of BC is entering a new era of focused, united leadership under Trevor Halford, MLA for Surrey–White Rock , who has stepped into the role of Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of BC and Leader of the Official Opposition . Halford thanked MLA John Rustad for his tremendous leadership and stewardship of the Conservative Caucus of BC, noting that Rustad took the party from not having elected an MLA since 1975 to coming within one seat of forming government. “John has worked tirelessly to champion common-sense government and built a movement that we can now take forward to defeat the NDP. Our entire caucus is grateful for the sacrifices he has made for this team and for this province.” Halford says the Conservative Caucus of BC is focused, disciplined, and ready to provide the stability and accountability that British Columbians desperately need after a fall session defined by government turmoil and worsening crises. “This government’s agenda was defined by d...

A woman hoping to launch a recall petition to oust Alberta Premier Danielle Smith from her seat in the legislature says her campaign has been officially approved. Heather Van Snick says she has received a letter from Elections Alberta saying she will be getting the go-ahead to start the petition drive against Smith. She provided a copy of that letter to Global News. However, Van Snick cannot begin collecting signatures yet because Smith still has seven days to file a response before the three-month petition campaign can formally begin ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

When I began this journey, our party had not elected an MLA to the British Columbia Legislature since 1975. We started with very little, but we built a movement grounded in common sense, hard work, and love of this province. Together, we came within one seat of forming government. That progress belongs to every MLA, every volunteer, every donor, and every British Columbian who believed we could do better. I am proud of what we have built and proud of the team of Conservative MLAs who now represent communities across British Columbia. We have been a strong voice for safe streets, affordable living, private property, resource jobs, and respect for the people who build this province. That work matters more than ever, because the NDP is laying waste to B.C.’s economy and the livelihoods of working families. This was brought into sharp relief just this week with the loss of 350 jobs at the Crofton Pulp mill. People who work hard and play by the rules deserve a government that has their back...

The following is taken from the Hansard Blues, Legislative Assembly Draft Report of Debates, the Honourable Raj Chouhan, Speaker Wednesday afternoon, December 3 rd , 2025   Ward Stamer: I’d first like to start by acknowledging the devastating news of the Crofton pulp mill’s announcement to shut down, and how hard it must be on the workers and residents in Crofton and the surrounding areas. I was in Barriere in 2003 when our large sawmill was destroyed. That was a wildfire. This is a five-alarm dumpster fire. The Crofton Mill has operated for almost 70 years through thick and thin, good times and bad. And now it’s closing on this Forest Minister’s watch. And no, this wasn’t Trump’s tariffs or his fault. The Crofton Mill has minimal market sales in the United States. The Forest Minister, in his own words, has said: “Gut-wrenching. Lives disrupted. No fault of their own. Painful. Unfair moment. Deserve better.” They sure do. They sure do. We also hear: “We’re working on it. It’...