The BC government finds itself reeling on three fronts: A CleanBC grant scandal involving alleged conflicts of interest with a private company administering carbon tax grants, as well as a growing chorus of nurses and patients upset about rampant drug use in hospitals, and the ongoing drama involving the Surrey police issue. Plus, a conversation ab…

April 5, 2024 - Can BC continue to defend the carbon tax in the face of a political onslaught by federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who is touring the province criticizing Premier David Eby? Is BC's decriminalization pilot project contributing to rising open drug use inside BC hospitals? And BC's Conservative party is seeing continued po…

March 15, 2024 - The BC government is going after social media companies and the trucking industry, while extending a helping hand to the wine and forestry sectors. Our panel breaks it all down. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Carlie Pochynok. Brought to you by Uber Canada.CHEK Podcasts által

March 8, 2024 - The stunning resignation of Selina Robinson from the BC NDP caucus leads to questions about antisemitism inside the party and what Premier David Eby should have done, and should do now, to address the issues. Plus, a look at the fascinating race to replace the retiring George Heyman as the NDP candidate for Vancouver-Little Mountain…

March 1, 2024 - Can the NDP government ever fulfill its $10-a-day child care promise? More communities ask for exemptions from the new short-term rental law Plus, is the new flipping tax good policy or politics (or both)? And, BC United questions why 'manhole' covers are being renamed by the province to remove gendered language. Host Rob Shaw is jo…

The BC NDP drops its re-election budget, but there's not a lot of shiny goodies for voters -- what's going on and what does it mean for the governing party in an election year? The prime minister visits BC to boost the BC Builds program. And in an audio extra, the NDP pauses changes to the Land Act. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Fer…

Government-built rental apartments or a rent-to-own plan? That's just one of the main differences we discuss this week on the show as the BC NDP and BC United square off on housing policy. Plus, a lookahead to the megaweek in BC politics next week, with a throne speech and budget. And as an audio podcast extra, a discussion about the public backlas…

Post-Secondary Minister Selina Robinson was removed from cabinet by Premier David Eby this week after hateful comments about Palestine -- how did the premier handle it, what will the ramifications be for the NDP and what does it mean for BC politics? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Jeff Ferrier and Allie Blades. Brought to you by Uber Ca…

February 2, 2024 - BC is facing criticism for a lack of communication on sweeping changes to BC's Land Act. BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau switches ridings. And BC United launches a new advertising campaign, amidst new polling numbers that show BC Conservatives surging. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver.…

January 26, 2024 - Premier David Eby and B.C.'s chief coroner disagree over what to do to curb a record number of deaths caused by toxic drugs. Plus, the premier forecasts legislation to sue social media companies for harm. Ottawa brings in a new international student cap that will have big ramifications for B.C.'s colleges and universities. And, a…

Premier David Eby shuffles out his children's minister, but why did it take so long and what happens now? Plus, it's natural resources week, and both the premier and BC United leader Kevin Falcon propose plans for forestry and mining, to varying degrees of success. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver. Brought to…

Premier David Eby criticizes the BC Supreme Court on its injunction against his drug use restriction law, but what does the NDP's shifting position on decriminalization amount to? A new poll shows public confidence has collapsed in government health care, is this an opening for other parties during an election year? Plus, in our podcast extra this …

Our last show of 2023 sees the panel dust off the crystal ball and look ahead to 2024 - where are BC's political parties right now, what do they need to be doing to start the year, when will candidates announce, will the premier shuffle his cabinet and what should we look for in the February provincial budget? All of this, as we start counting down…

As a busy 2023 comes to a close, the Pod Squad takes a look at the top BC political stories of the year. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.CHEK Podcasts által

The BC government unveils new economic modelling that shows a potential price drop for housing due to its new laws, but is that realistic? And another poll shows a split between the BC United and Conservative parties, leading to speculation of merger talks. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.…

Premier David Eby passes his major housing reforms into law - what does this mean for his government? The legislative session ends, and we look at how the parties and leaders performed. Plus, a look at a new fundraising campaign by BC United to raise money for its Brand Awareness Fund, and what that says about how the party's renaming process has g…

A major week in BC climate politics as the opposition BC United and Conservative parties table their climate plans, and the NDP seeks to backstop their position by considering new affordability measures. Plus, the government expands the speculation tax, using new branding to cover up any criticism along the way. In audio extras this week: UBCM call…

The NDP government brings in long-awaited rules for drivers at Uber, Skip the Dishes and other gig economy roles - do they hit the mark? A new anti-racism hotline is set to go live three years after it was first promised. And a look-ahead to the BC NDP convention, one year before the election. Plus, Mike Farnworth suspends the Surrey police board, …

Premier David Eby's government continues its rapid pace of housing legislation, with a new bill to allow condo tours around transit hubs. The BC Greens lose their deputy leader over his social media activity and the BC Conservatives hold a rally calling for Dr. Bonnie Henry to be fired and unvaccinated healthcare workers to be rehired. Plus, in our…

Premier David Eby tables huge reforms to the housing sector, BC's chief coroner wants to expand the provincial safe supply to reduce overdose deaths, and political parties jockey for positions on reforming the carbon tax. Plus, as an audio extra, we discuss former Premier John Horgan's appointment as Canada's ambassador to Germany. Host Rob Shaw is…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has left BC in a bind over changes to the carbon tax. The BC NDP debates (and then dismisses) Opposition amendments to its short-term rental legislation. And as a podcast audio extra, we discuss what topics are haunting BC politicians as we approach spooky Halloween. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blade…

Oct 20, 2023 - Does BC's new legislation to crack down on short-term rentals hit the mark, and how has the NDP government handled the issue? Does a new bill changing the Police Act bring to an end the long-running Surrey policing dispute? And why is the province so slow, and so absent, in helping the Village of Lytton rebuild after almost two and a…

The City of Surrey is taking the provincial government to court to try and stop its ordered transition to a municipal police force, continuing a long-running political drama. And the BC Conservatives make waves at the legislature on the issues of SOGI and book banning, raising all sorts of questions about what it means for the province's political …

BC moves back to mandatory masks, the province unveils new housing targets for municipalities, and we look ahead to the fall session of the legislature resuming. Plus, in a podcast audio extra, we examine new polling numbers that once again show surging BC Conservatives and whether voters care about BC's three-year plan to run deficits without bala…

Premier David Eby boots an MLA out of caucus, and appears to draw a line in the sand on MLA behaviour - what does it mean for how MLAs treat their staff? Three of BC's parties join forces to denounce the anti-SOGI protests, but the BC Conservatives promise to end SOGI to court the protest votes. Plus, it's UBCM week so we dive into the issues and e…

Premier David Eby launches a review into BC's Review Board, after a man accused in a Chinatown triple-stabbing had been granted an unescorted day pass from a forensic facility. Plus, BC United's new crime plan promises to end decriminalization, but the NDP government offers up tweaks to protect playgrounds from open drug use instead. And, a huge de…

BC is on track for its worst summer ever for wildfires and drought, what does that mean for political priorities and the issue of climate change in the next election? Plus, the panel prepares for a six-week summer break by offering up predictions for what will keep politicians busy. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian …

Why did BC United's vote collapse in the recent byelections and what does it mean for the fate of the Opposition party? Plus, a look at Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West's pointed comments about decriminalization and open drug use on city streets, as his municipality becomes the latest to pass a strengthened bylaw against drug use in public places. In…

The messy policing situation at Surrey gets even messier, with the mayor calling the solicitor general a misogynist, so now what does the government do? The CEO of the Royal BC Museum resigns, citing government's shifting direction - is this good or bad for the future of the museum? And BC Hydro botches its electricity forecasts, which may or may n…

June 15, 2023: The candidates from BC's major political parties debate the issues on the minds of voters in the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection. Host Rob Shaw moderates a Q&A and debate on issues like West Shore growth, transportation gridlock, healthcare, affordability and housing. BC Green candidate Camille Currie, BC United candidate Elena Laws…

BC's health minister unveils a plan to fix Surrey Memorial Hospital, health officials debate expanding provincial drug policy to address the worsening overdose crisis and it's Political Capital's 100th episode anniversary! Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver ---- plus special guests!…

June 2, 2023 - The BC government has put out its list of 10 'naughty' municipalities it intends to pressure to speed up housing approvals, but what does it actually mean for affordability? Alberta's election wraps up, and are there any lessons for BC's parties on how the campaign went? Plus, a look at BC's newly-called byelections, as well as the s…

Doctors are sounding public alarm bells in an unprecedented fashion about the state of BC's hospitals, what should the public make of this and how should the government be responding? Premier David Eby heads out on his first international trade mission, but is it just a glorified travel junket? And BC United launches a new advertising campaign on i…

Ottawa delivers the bail reform on prolific offenders that B.C. wanted, so is this a win for the David Eby administration and what will it mean for the ongoing debate about public safety, vandalism and street disorder? Health Minister Adrian Dix announces he will start sending people to the United States for cancer treatment, what does this say abo…

The long-awaited forensic audit into BC Housing lands at the legislature, creating a flurry of political finger-pointing, but what does it mean for the premier's political fortunes? The tourism minister pushes the Royal BC Museum to re-open the shuttered Old Town exhibit, does she have the right read on the public mood? And we look at the end of th…

The BC NDP government unveils its new jobs plan, to align the post-secondary sector with in-demand labour shortages - but is it enough and why didn't it look at a wider shift for provinces and universities? Plus, a Vancouver van selling clean drugs sparks another round of decriminalization debate. A look at the NDP's candidate for the upcoming Vanc…

The BC government (sort of) makes a decision on Surrey's police controversy, but was it the right move? And the province find itself in a jam on Surrey schools as well, with the board threatening to stack portables on top of one another due to a lack of funding. Plus, new figures from BC's Prosecution Service highlight the complexities of the so-ca…

The BC government brings its first hammer down on housing with new legislation, is this the future of the government direction on housing? Plus, cities begin pushing to ban open drug use in public spaces, kickstarting a heated debate about decriminalization. Also, we look at new political fundraising numbers, the premier's comments on a possible ho…

The BC Liberals officially make the switch to BC United, how does it land and what are the pros and cons of such a risky move? The premier fumbles into a PR disaster in Nanaimo on the issue of crime, what happened? Plus, a look at new Angus Reid polling that shows resilient NDP support. And in a podcast extra, we examine the new candidates and dyna…

What does BC think of the latest federal budget - not much, it turns out, as Ottawa fails to deliver on several fronts. A wave of disturbing violence on BC streets raises the temperature on crime. Plus, a look at the issue of foreign interference in provincial and federal politics. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Kareem Allam, Jeff Ferrier and Allie Bla…

BC is wrapping up its massive surplus spending spree, but the premier still has a couple of billion of dollars left to spend within one week until the deadline. Should he spend it all, and if so on what? Plus, new polling suggests people feel worse off financially now than they did a year ago, so what does that mean for opposition parties? And a lo…

BC approves a new LNG plant in Kitimat, but starts to shut the door on new facilities with new rules and caps on the oil and gas sector -- is it the right move, and if so is it enough? Plus, the premier bails out TransLink, and a crime rally in Nanaimo showcases political divisions on law and order. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver and Jef…

The NDP government tables several bills around International Women's Day, including transparency on the gender pay gap and tools to crack down on non-consensual distribution of intimate images. Premier David Eby punts the issue of toxicity in the politics over to Speaker Raj Chouhan, as question period marks its 50th anniversary at the BC legislatu…

Premier David Eby's first budget spends big on the areas of housing, healthcare and addictions, but what does it mean and how does it all land? Our panel does a deep dive into the issues. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.CHEK Podcasts által

How can we begin to reform BC politics to make it less toxic, after Melanie Mark, BC's first Indigenous female cabinet minister, resigned by equating the legislature to a torture chamber and the way it functions to a political character assssination? We deep dive into the problems and solutions. Plus, the BC Greens propose a four-day work week pilo…

Former BC Liberal MLA John Rustad crossed the floor to join the BC Conservatives, giving the party its first MLA in a decade — what will the political ramifications be? The NDP match the BC Liberals on addictions treatment, which is good for the issue but how does it play politically? Plus a look at some dumb comments from backbenchers this week on…

Premier David Eby delivers his first speech from the throne, but did it accomplish what he was intending? Ottawa offers healthcare funding that falls short of what BC was looking for, so what does the premier do now? And we look back on the legacy and impact of former premier John Horgan as he announces his retirement as MLA. Host Rob Shaw is joine…

Premier David Eby visits the prime minister in Ottawa but doesn't emerge with any concrete promises, but does it matter? Another record year of overdose deaths prompts calls for change and political posturing from parties. Plus, a look ahead to Eby's first throne speech and the return of the legislature. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier and …

BC inches closer to a deal with Ottawa on healthcare, but it backs away from supporting an expansion to LNG Canada’s second phase due to climate concerns. The premier hires a new special advisor on housing, but it is a divisive choice. And a discussion about Surrey policing. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.…

Premier David Eby finishes a week-long focus on forestry and natural resources, but what did he say and how did it land? Plus, there's a new special advisor for healthcare in the premier's office, Dr. Penny Ballem, how will that change the dynamic of decision-making? Plus, a discussion about criticism surrounding a health colleges bill, and a healt…