Thoughts on BC Politics and More

 . . . . “Public transportation is a serious impediment for thousands of residents living within the BC Interior,” wrote Hopfl in a letter to the Squamish - Lillooet Regional District (SLRD). “With the cessation of passenger rail service serving communities between North Vancouver to Prince George in 2002, not only is direct access to medical care, social opportunities in major centres and family visits not possible, but tourism has also declined.” Lillooet also lost its only public transportation link to Whistler earlier this year, when the Owl Bus formally ceased operations . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

A steady rise by the BC Conservatives in opinion polls is not a result of “brand confusion” with their federal namesake but rather a historic shift in political loyalties, Leader John Rustad says. The latest poll shows the BC Conservatives with 26 per cent support, second to the governing NDP at 44 per cent, and considerably ahead of the BC United Party, formerly the BC Liberal Party, at 17 per cent. The BC Conservatives are the current preference among voters in the Interior and the North, with 37 per cent, compared to 36 percent for the NDP, and just 15 percent for the BC United Party. “I think there’s a real appetite for change,” BC Conservative Leader John Rustad said ... CLICK HERE for the full story

An Ipsos survey conducted last week found a solid majority of British Columbians support the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. Sponsored by Resource Works, the survey found 60 per cent of British Columbians support the project, while only 29 per cent oppose it. The survey of more than 800 people from across the province conducted June 10 – 14 asked: “ Do you personally support or oppose the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, which involves building a second pipeline on the existing route between Alberta and Metro Vancouver? ” “ Most British Columbians continue to support this important pipeline project, after evaluating a lot of inflammatory claims. Even the opposition of the BC NDP and local politicians in Vancouver and Burnaby doesn’t seem to have mattered that much. In the end, it is plain to a significant majority that this is a beneficial project ,” said Stewart Muir, Executive Director of Resource Works. “ British Colu...