Thoughts on BC Politics and More

It was a brutal year for most of BC’s colleges and universities, and the financial pressures that have sideswiped their budgets are only expected to intensify in 2026. The BC government now says 20 of the province’s 25 post-secondary institutions are forecasting at least one deficit over the next three years, worsening an already dire situation of layoffs and course cancellations ... ... That’s a sobering assessment from the minister in charge, and it comes years after the first warning signs appeared ... CLICK HERE for the full story  

The AMS, GSS and other student associations from across B.C. reproached yesterday’s announcement from the province of a post-secondary education review. UBC, however, says it welcomes the opportunity to engage with the province. The review comes after a provincial post-secondary funding review was quietly shelved , and the federal government’s recently passed budget included plans to further cut the number of new international students across Canada by nearly 50 per cent. “Public post-secondary institutions in BC are facing significant financial pressures, largely due to factors such as unilateral federal reductions to study permits for international students, global inflation and declining domestic enrolment,” the province’s press release says.  In response, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills launched this review to “establish a clear path forward to stabilize institutions in the short term and to build a foundation for long-term financial susta...

In 2011, then-B.C. premier Christy Clark set a goal for the province’s post-secondary schools: she wanted international student enrollment to grow by 50 per cent. International students, Clark said at the time, contributed to the province’s communities. They filled growing job vacancies. And, many observers add, they brought tuition dollars that replaced declining provincial funding at public universities and colleges. For well over a decade, Clark’s ambitious goal more or less reflected provincial and federal government policy. But now, both the federal and provincial governments are slamming the brakes . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Education Savings Week is now underway in British Columbia, and continues through to November 22nd. QUESTION:   Did you know almost 80% of job openings in British Columbia over the next decade will require some form of post-secondary education? Families can open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and the Government of British Columbia will deposit $1,200 into the RESP for their children. No additional money is needed to receive the $1,200 BC Training and Education Savings Grant. Families can ask their local financial institution if they are one of the 56 official promoters of the grant, and are urged to not be part of the 40% who leave this grant unclaimed.

Despite the protests and the cries of doom, there is no credible, objective evidence to indicate that average Canadians have been poorly served by their federal government.   Some people earning high levels of passive income are grousing but it’s hard for the average person to feel too sorry about the tax bill on the investment income of somebody with a seven-figure bank balance.   Even at that, the tax rate for passive income of this sort is relatively low by international standards in developed countries. Unemployment?   At or near record lows.   BC’s unemployment rate dipped under 5% last month.   In this region we will have to address some of the issue related to the forest industry, but every economy will have some sectors in peaks and some sectors in valleys from time to time.   Interest rates?   Also, near record lows with low inflation. Federal Debt?    Relative to the size of our economy, Ca...

The current federal election campaign has a lot to offer; mostly manure of varied consistency, aroma and flavour. There is a noticeable lack of debate and information on issues that really matter to people who will be voting.       The NDP and Green Party are particularly nauseous. Neither has any hope of governing. Instead, one or both hope to prop up a minority government in return for acceptance of some wild policy positions they have taken. That is cynical and revolting. Neither party can attract more than a low (currently 13.6% and 7%) portion of electors, but they hope to jam their policies down our throats as part of a minority government. Their intent is to disrupt our political system in a quest for unearned power.       Jagmeet Singh shot the NDP in its foot, possibly fatally, by anno...