BC Political Discussion: Election 2024 & 43rd Parliament

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bc-fiscal-update-deficit-116-billion-carbon-tax



We desperately need to open the province up. All resources should be extract and no lands should be sacred. Extract goal and lumber. Screw the environment for a bit and let's forego any emissions targets.

Cut social spending and cease all the failed pet projects. NGO's and non-profits receiving any share of government money should be audited with inefficient ones being left to fend for themselves.

There was maybe a time where you could aim at taxing the rich but it's simply ineffective at this point.

Yes, no, within reason, no, absolutely not, yes and no, still worth it.

[seamusmcduff]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bc-fiscal-update-deficit-116-billion-carbon-tax



We desperately need to open the province up. All resources should be extract and no lands should be sacred. Extract goal and lumber. Screw the environment for a bit and let's forego any emissions targets.

Cut social spending and cease all the failed pet projects. NGO's and non-profits receiving any share of government money should be audited with inefficient ones being left to fend for themselves.

There was maybe a time where you could aim at taxing the rich but it's simply ineffective at this point.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

We desperately need to open the province up. All resources should be extract and no lands should be sacred. Extract goal and lumber. Screw the environment for a bit and let's forego any emissions targets.

Cut social spending and cease all the failed pet projects. NGO's and non-profits receiving any share of government money should be audited with inefficient ones being left to fend for themselves.

There was maybe a time where you could aim at taxing the rich but it's simply ineffective at this point.

Recessions come and go, but you can't rebuild a legacy without significant effort. Part of this recession is the need to rebuild that legacy from the last time we tried exactly what you said.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

non-profits receiving any share of government money should be audited

Audited statements is generally a stipulation for funding.

[whatnext]

How did I miss that the BC Cons booted Elenore Sturko out of caucus? The biblethumpers and preppers from the Interior don't seem to get that nobody in the metropolitan regions wants their whacko version of conservatism. Countdown to this party implodes.

British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad said he decided to kick out high-profile MLA Elenore Sturko after learning that he had won the leadership review with just over 70 per cent of the vote.

“I needed to make sure as a caucus, we are going to be united in terms of what we need to do to defeat the NDP, ” he said, speaking to reporters Monday night in Victoria after having met with his caucus for just over two hours.

Elenore Sturko, the outspoken former public safety critic for the party, was kicked out of caucus earlier in the afternoon, saying Rustad accused her of plotting against his leadership, a charge she denies.

Rustad did not directly respond when asked about Sturko’s side of the story. “She worked hard, but unfortunately, we had to part ways, and I wish her well.”...

https://globalnews.ca/news/11445820/john-rustad-booted-elenore-sturko-bc-conservatives-party-unity/

[Sheba]

B.C. opening forest trade office in U.K., will run anti-tariff ads online

British Columbia's government said Monday that it is opening a "forest trade office" in London, U.K., in an effort to boost exports to Europe.

The announcement comes as U.S. fees, including duties and tariffs, on Canadian forest products reached 45 per cent earlier this month.

"I never want workers to be put in this position ever again. We can no longer trust the United States," Forests Minister Ravi Parmar told CBC's On The Coast. "And in the case of forestry, we are too reliant on the United States."

Crown Corporation Forestry Innovation Investment will open an office in the U.K. which will provide a stronger foothold for sales into Europe and eventually the Middle East and North Africa, according to the province.

...

The provincial government also said it will be running anti-tariff ads online targeted at American consumers and focused on the forest industry — despite Trump's apparent anger at similar ads from Ontario being aired during World Series games in the United States.

On Friday, after Trump announced an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canadian goods because of the ad, B.C. Premier David Eby posted a defence of the strategy on social media.


(Bluesky/David Eby/Government of B.C.)

"Americans need to hear how tariffs raise prices. We’re making ads to defend British Columbia and Canada’s forestry workers," he wrote in one post.

...

[whatnext]

I wonder who wants to get stuck leading this bunch?

Conservative caucus removes Rustad
By Charles Brockman

Posted December 3, 2025 12:37 pm. Last Updated December 3, 2025 1:42 pm.
The B.C. Conservative caucus has ousted John Rustad from his position as party leader Wednesday, a source confirmed.

The move follows a letter to the party’s president, which claimed 20 Conservative MLAs have “executed” statements, saying they’ve lost confidence in him and want him out after months of inter-party turmoil....

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/12/03/conservative-caucus-members-move-to-oust-rustad/

[whatnext]

After spending yesterday fighting the inevitable, Rustad resigns to day. I can't see this clown show party being in government for a long time. The MAGA element seems emboldened but what they're selling won't fly in urban and most suburban ridings (where it matters).

[djmk]

Apparently there are enough people in this province to elect an anti vaxer climate change denier as a MLA. Wild. I wonder if he will run again in the next election

[seamusmcduff]

And from what I've gathered, he's not extreme enough for about half the party, which is the scary part. Time will tell if the more moderate or extreme side of the party wins out, but history shows that it's usually the extreme parts that have the dedication and passion to take power.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by djmk

Apparently there are enough people in this province to elect an anti vaxer climate change denier as a MLA. Wild. I wonder if he will run again in the next election

I think Vancouverites are very out of touch when it comes to broad BC provincial politics. If you strictly listened to internet opinions you might come to the conclusion that the BCNDP has 100 seats in the 93 seat legislature, but they don't barely even have a majority. 43% of BC voters voted Conservative in 2024. So yes, there are enough people in the province to vote for anti vax and climate change denier MLAs.

I'm beginning to miss the BC Liberals.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by seamusmcduff

And from what I've gathered, he's not extreme enough for about half the party, which is the scary part. Time will tell if the more moderate or extreme side of the party wins out, but history shows that it's usually the extreme parts that have the dedication and passion to take power.

Maybe we could have a political version of “Darrell’s Deals”

Former grocery executive Darrell Jones considers run for B.C. Conservative leadership

By Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press
Posted December 15, 2025 12:01 pm.
Last Updated December 15, 2025 6:50 pm.
VICTORIA — A former grocery executive known for offering weekly deals says he is taking out a flyer on becoming the next leader of the Conservative Party of B.C.

Darrell Jones, former president of the Pattison Food Group and known for the Darrell’s Deals advertising campaign at Save-On-Foods, says he is “giving serious consideration” to running for the party’s leadership.…

… Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn says he is also “seriously considering” running for the leadership, while other potentials candidates include Conservative MLAs Gavin Dew, Harman Bhangu, Peter Milobar, and former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay..

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/12/15...ers-run-for-b-c-conservative-leadership/

[SpongeG]

One B.C. caucus split caused by alleged anti-Semitic staffer, Brodie says
Published 4:30 pm Monday, December 15, 2025 By Mark Page

When One B.C. executive director Paul Ratchford hired a new 22-year-old male staffer in the middle of last summer to do some tech-related work, then-party leader Dallas Brodie says she knew something was wrong. “There would be things that he would say when we were travelling in the van together, and I would hear conversations, and I didn’t like it,” she said. “I didn’t like the type of discussion that was going on, and it was way off side of any of the philosophies that I hold. And I started to find that concerning.” The staffer soon began attending policy meetings and participating in party events. But in public, he would wear a mask and mirrored sunglasses. He told Brodie this was because he didn’t want people to identify that he was working with her.

...

Read more at: https://theprogress.com/2025/12/15/one-b...lleged-anti-semitic-staffer-brodie-says/

Read more at: https://theprogress.com/2025/12/15/one-b...lleged-anti-semitic-staffer-brodie-says/

[whatnext]

Can the BC Conservative’s split into further whacky factions?

[whatnext]

A scathing critique of David Eby's financial management since becoming Premier:

Opinion: Eby may go down as worst fiscal manager in B.C. history
Exploding debt, structural deficits and weak growth have turned a balanced inheritance into a terrible fiscal outlook
Jock Finlayson & Ken Peacock
about 8 hours ago

The BC NDP government will soon bring down another budget, providing an updated look at the province’s finances and the state of our economy. At this point it’s a safe bet the picture won’t be flattering. The stunning deterioration in B.C.’s fiscal health during Premier David Eby’s tenure will not soon be reversed. Indeed, according to the Ministry of Finance, the aggregate provincial debt is set to more than double on Eby’s watch, soaring from $89 billion in 2022-23 to an estimated $213 billion by 2027-28. Many British Columbians may wonder about the benefits produced by this fast-climbing mountain of government debt...

... On present form, Eby bids fair to go down as the worst fiscal manager in B.C.’s history. He inherited a balanced budget and a moderate accumulated debt from his more prudent predecessor, John Horgan. Within a couple of years, his government’s reckless spending had pushed the operating deficit to record highs—now the biggest in the country relative to the size of the economy. At the same time, provincial capital spending was also ramped up, adding to the government’s borrowing binge. Once the envy of other provinces, B.C.’s credit rating has been downgraded multiple times since 2021, boosting annual debt-servicing costs and leaving policymakers with diminished scope to deal with future economic shocks....

https://www.biv.com/news/commentary/opin...96?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[WarrenC12]

"Jock Finlayson is a senior fellow of the Fraser Institute."

Hates the NDP? I'm shocked, SHOCKED.

I'm not super impressed with BC's financial situation, but there have been some bigger problems to solve recently.

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by whatnext

A scathing critique of David Eby's financial management since becoming Premier:

Opinion: Eby may go down as worst fiscal manager in B.C. history
Exploding debt, structural deficits and weak growth have turned a balanced inheritance into a terrible fiscal outlook
Jock Finlayson & Ken Peacock
about 8 hours ago

The BC NDP government will soon bring down another budget, providing an updated look at the province’s finances and the state of our economy. At this point it’s a safe bet the picture won’t be flattering. The stunning deterioration in B.C.’s fiscal health during Premier David Eby’s tenure will not soon be reversed. Indeed, according to the Ministry of Finance, the aggregate provincial debt is set to more than double on Eby’s watch, soaring from $89 billion in 2022-23 to an estimated $213 billion by 2027-28. Many British Columbians may wonder about the benefits produced by this fast-climbing mountain of government debt...

... On present form, Eby bids fair to go down as the worst fiscal manager in B.C.’s history. He inherited a balanced budget and a moderate accumulated debt from his more prudent predecessor, John Horgan. Within a couple of years, his government’s reckless spending had pushed the operating deficit to record highs—now the biggest in the country relative to the size of the economy. At the same time, provincial capital spending was also ramped up, adding to the government’s borrowing binge. Once the envy of other provinces, B.C.’s credit rating has been downgraded multiple times since 2021, boosting annual debt-servicing costs and leaving policymakers with diminished scope to deal with future economic shocks....

https://www.biv.com/news/commentary/opin...96?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

TINA
There is no alternative. Also the rise in debt is due to much needed infrastructure improvements that were delayed for decades due to the previous government

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

"Jock Finlayson is a senior fellow of the Fraser Institute."

Hates the NDP? I'm shocked, SHOCKED.

Breaking news: right-wing libertarian dislikes centre-left mixed-market incumbent. More at 11.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

TINA
There is no alternative. Also the rise in debt is due to much needed infrastructure improvements that were delayed for decades due to the previous government

True but a repayment scheme would be nice to be well-ironed

[whatnext]

NDP brings down their budget with a ballooning deficit:

B.C. budget projects record-breaking $9.6-billion deficit, rising to $13.3-billion next year
Justine Hunter
Victoria
Published 54 minutes ago
Updated 9 minutes ago
For Subscribers

British Columbia introduced a budget Tuesday with another record-high deficit, despite hiking personal income taxes, and pledged to face “serious fiscal pressures” gradually.

Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said the province will trim the size of the public service, mostly through attrition, and slow the completion of capital projects as part of its efforts to bring its spending into balance...

...The deficit for the fiscal year that ends in March is set to be a record-breaking $9.6-billion, but it will jump even higher to $13.3-billion in the budget year to come. That puts the province at risk of another credit downgrade, as the provincial debt to GDP – the key metric considered by bond rating agencies – rises to more than 30 per cent. That’s roughly double the rate since the NDP came to power in 2017...The province’s personal income tax rate will increase by 0.6 per cent on the first $50,000 of taxable income for 2026. Sixty per cent of British Columbians will pay more, while low-income earners will see the rate hikes offset by expanded tax credits.

Even more significant in the years to come will be the expansion of the 7-per-cent provincial sales tax, which will now apply to professional services such as accounting and architecture..

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-2026-bc-budget-deficit/