BC politics

B.C. Lt. Governor Janet Austin (red jacket) enters the legislature to present the government’s throne speech, Feb. 8, 2022. (Hansard TV)

Skills development, spending promised in B.C.’s throne speech

Legislature session starts with list of past achievements

B.C. Lt. Governor Janet Austin (red jacket) enters the legislature to present the government’s throne speech, Feb. 8, 2022. (Hansard TV)
Premier John Horgan talks to media about the recent flooding in the province at the legislature during a press conference in Victoria, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Politicians are back at the British Columbia legislature today where the New Democrat government will deliver a throne speech outlining its political agenda for the coming months. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. NDP sets out political agenda with throne speech; Opposition has new leader

Premier John Horgan will unveil the government’s long-range economic development plan next week

Premier John Horgan talks to media about the recent flooding in the province at the legislature during a press conference in Victoria, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Politicians are back at the British Columbia legislature today where the New Democrat government will deliver a throne speech outlining its political agenda for the coming months. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Former B.C. premier Christy Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes at the Quesnel Rodeo, July 2016. After an era of urban leaders Clark and Gordon Campbell appealing to the heartlands, the B.C. Liberal Party is working to restore urban support lost to the NDP. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. Liberals saddle up for urban comeback with Kevin Falcon

Opposition critics reassigned for NDP throne speech Tuesday

Former B.C. premier Christy Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes at the Quesnel Rodeo, July 2016. After an era of urban leaders Clark and Gordon Campbell appealing to the heartlands, the B.C. Liberal Party is working to restore urban support lost to the NDP. (B.C. government photo)
Expected job openings in B.C. by region between 2021 and 2031. (B.C. government)

Immigrants, automation unable to fill B.C.’s expected labour gap

Retirement wave to drive 1M job openings from now to 2031

Expected job openings in B.C. by region between 2021 and 2031. (B.C. government)
Kevin Falcon addresses the crowd after being elected leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party in Vancouver on Saturday, February 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Falcon heads to Victoria pledging BC Liberal rebuild, looks for seat in legislature

Falcon held a seat in Surrey for three terms before deciding not to run in the 2013 election

Kevin Falcon addresses the crowd after being elected leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party in Vancouver on Saturday, February 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks after chairing premier’s meeting from Victoria, Feb. 4, 2022. (B.C. government video)

Provinces need $28 billion more a year for health care, premiers say

B.C.’s John Horgan chairs Council of the Federation meeting

B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks after chairing premier’s meeting from Victoria, Feb. 4, 2022. (B.C. government video)
Construction continues on the Site C dam on the Peace River, December 2021. (B.C. Hydro photo)

B.C. cabinet lifts agricultural land rules to mine gravel for Site C dam

Mine, road sites not farmed, to be returned to ALR by 2026

Construction continues on the Site C dam on the Peace River, December 2021. (B.C. Hydro photo)
Lantern decorations are hung on trees on the Olympic Green near the Olympic Tower at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing. Millions of people in China and beyond are celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

CAMERON: Is it time to get tough with China?

When the torch is lit in Beijing National Stadium February 4, marking…

  • Feb 1, 2022
Lantern decorations are hung on trees on the Olympic Green near the Olympic Tower at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing. Millions of people in China and beyond are celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Chips feed operation of Harmac pulp mill near Nanaimo. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)

5 B.C. pulp mills get provincial aid to replace natural gas use

$70M carbon tax fund also assists natural gas industry

Chips feed operation of Harmac pulp mill near Nanaimo. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)
Red Chris mine’s Canada-themed dump truck tray pays homage to the partnership of the three nations involved on the mine near Dease Lake in northwestern B.C. (Newcrest Mining photo)

B.C. mine laws must conform to UN rights, Indigenous group says

Unregulated placer mining, ‘jade fever’ relics of the gold rush

Red Chris mine’s Canada-themed dump truck tray pays homage to the partnership of the three nations involved on the mine near Dease Lake in northwestern B.C. (Newcrest Mining photo)
B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson leaves the stage after announcing he is stepping down as party leader, during a news conference in Burnaby, B.C., Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. A new leader will be chosen by British Columbia’s Liberals on Saturday after a months-long campaign that often focused on renewal and a new course for a party that has lost successive elections after 16 years in power. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

After reflecting on two election defeats, BC Liberals get ready to elect new leader

A new leader will be chosen by British Columbia’s Liberals on Saturday…

B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson leaves the stage after announcing he is stepping down as party leader, during a news conference in Burnaby, B.C., Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. A new leader will be chosen by British Columbia’s Liberals on Saturday after a months-long campaign that often focused on renewal and a new course for a party that has lost successive elections after 16 years in power. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE – Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Craig James makes a statement to the media in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday November 26, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

Cufflinks, shoes purchased abroad at centre of B.C. legislature clerk fraud trial: Crown

Craig James is facing 2 counts of fraud over $5,000 and 3 counts of breach of trust by a public officer

FILE – Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Craig James makes a statement to the media in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday November 26, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms
The B.C. environment ministry is developing a watershed security strategy to protect wetlands. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. seeks public input on new watershed protection strategy

Groundwater licence program has March 1 deadline

The B.C. environment ministry is developing a watershed security strategy to protect wetlands. (B.C. government photo)
Craig James, the former clerk of the B.C. legislature, makes a statement to the media in Vancouver on Monday November 26, 2018. James's trial on charges of fraud and breach of trust began Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

Spending a ‘marked departure’ from former B.C. legislature clerk’s duties, Crown says

Wood splitter, cushion, beekeeping book among items under microscope in Craig James trial

Craig James, the former clerk of the B.C. legislature, makes a statement to the media in Vancouver on Monday November 26, 2018. James's trial on charges of fraud and breach of trust began Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms
Craig James, the former clerk of the B.C. legislature, makes a statement to the media in Vancouver on Monday November 26, 2018. James’s trial on charges of fraud and breach of trust began Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

Breach of trust trial begins for former B.C. legislature clerk Craig James

James pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust

Craig James, the former clerk of the B.C. legislature, makes a statement to the media in Vancouver on Monday November 26, 2018. James’s trial on charges of fraud and breach of trust began Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms
Salmon return after restoration work on Hazeltine Creek to repair the damage from the 2014 breach of Mount Polley Mine’s tailings dam. Imperial Metals is working to restart Mount Polley and Huckleberry mine near Houston as world demand for copper is expected to rise with electrification. (Gabriel Holmes/Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C., Washington pitch in to buy out copper, gold deposit near Hope

Imperial Metals surrenders mine claims established before parks

Salmon return after restoration work on Hazeltine Creek to repair the damage from the 2014 breach of Mount Polley Mine’s tailings dam. Imperial Metals is working to restart Mount Polley and Huckleberry mine near Houston as world demand for copper is expected to rise with electrification. (Gabriel Holmes/Williams Lake Tribune)
Dallas Smith, president of the Nanwakolas Council, an organization of B.C. coast and Vancouver Island first nations. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

Four coastal B.C. first nations agree on further old-growth deferrals

Western Forest Products says more cooperation to come

Dallas Smith, president of the Nanwakolas Council, an organization of B.C. coast and Vancouver Island first nations. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
A truckload of B.C. lumber heads to the United States, which has imposed steep border duties on standard construction lumber that is in short supply as timber cutting restrictions increase. (Resource Works Society)

B.C.’s value-added forest industry pleads for old-growth wood

‘We’re talking months until we’re running out’

A truckload of B.C. lumber heads to the United States, which has imposed steep border duties on standard construction lumber that is in short supply as timber cutting restrictions increase. (Resource Works Society)
B.C.’s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says COVID-19 restrictions are likely to remain in place for some time as high infection rates continue. (B.C. government photo)

500 in B.C. hospitals Wednesday as rapid COVID-19 spread continues

More than 36,000 active cases, 6 more deaths confirmed

B.C.’s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says COVID-19 restrictions are likely to remain in place for some time as high infection rates continue. (B.C. government photo)
RBC Dominion Securities analyst Paul Quinn, Truck Loggers Association executive director Bob Brash and consultant Russ Taylor speak to delegates at the association’s virtual convention, Jan. 12, 2022. (TLA video)

Forest industry analysts paint grim picture for B.C. investment future

Old growth restrictions threaten value added, truck loggers told

RBC Dominion Securities analyst Paul Quinn, Truck Loggers Association executive director Bob Brash and consultant Russ Taylor speak to delegates at the association’s virtual convention, Jan. 12, 2022. (TLA video)