COLUMN: Political Intelligence, Elections, and the Demos
Some Elections matter more: this should be one Canadians are about to choose a national, federal government on October 21. It is a more significant choice for our nation than we have faced in many elections, and not because Canada alone is facing some unusual circumstances: the entire human world and the non-human species...
New limit on maximum rent increases for 2020 in BC
British Columbia’s annual allowable rent increase for 2020 has been set at 2.6%, the province’s annual rate of inflation — 2% lower than it would have been prior to the reduction government made in 2019. “Renters need secure housing they can afford,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why...
A letter to Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer from 352 scientists
Hundreds of Canadian scientists sent a letter this morning (August 22, 2019) to Stéphane Perrault, the Chief Electoral Officer, urging Elections Canada to clarify how the science on climate change can be communicated during the election period. The 352 Canadian scientists who signed the letter take issue with Elections...
Local candidate responds to Ethics Commissioner's findings on SNC-Lavalin
"Focus on the systems!" The Ethics Commissioner has released findings from the investigation into the SNC-Lavalin affair, and has found the conduct of the Prime Minister to be in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act. Green Party Candidate Tara Howse acknowledges that the SNC-Lavalin affair was a catalyst for her entering...
Column: From the Hill -- Health Care, and Ride the Riding 2019
As I knock on doors across the south Okanagan and West Kootenay, one issue is a common topic of conversation—health care. Canadians are rightfully proud of our public health care system, and the NDP is proud that it was Tommy Douglas who fought for the free, universal program that we enjoy. It is not perfect, but...
Four Federal Candidates Ready to Debate
By way of a press release, Conservative Party candidate Helena Konanz issued a challenge to all the other candidates in our riding to participate in a comprehensive set of debates that span the entire riding in the lead up to the election this fall. Green Party candidate Tara Howse was quick to accept the challenge, as were ...
Letter: UBCIC Calls on the Government of BC to uphold Tsilhqot’in Rights and protect Teẑtan Biny and Yanah Biny
Dated: July 29, 2019: For over two decades the Tsilhqot’in have battled to keep Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML) from destroying Teẑtan Biny and Yanah Biny with TML’s plan to create an open pit mine on a place of profound cultural and spiritual significance. Both TML and TNG have filed injunctions in B.C. Supreme Court and are in...
Column: From the Hill -- Oil, Pipelines, Jobs and the Climate Crisis
The conversation around pipelines and oil sands in Canada has been so heated and polarized it’s difficult to sort hype from fact. It’s often hard to have an informed conversation about the issue, let alone an informed debate. On the one side we have people who are deeply concerned about the climate emergency facing us. It...
From the Leg — Consider Going Electric
We have seen a lot in the media lately relating to the Climate Change targets for 2040 and the move to zero-emission vehicles. There are many “experts” that have been consulted about the realities of actually electrifying our transportation system in North America so I thought I would share one of those from the Manhattan...
From the Hill: How the Canadian Senate operates (and kills bills)
Last week, the Canadian Senate killed all private members’ bills before them—29 bills, including my bill advocating for the use of wood in federal government infrastructure. This was achieved by a very small group of Conservative Senators who wanted to block the passage of my colleague Romeo Saganash’s bill on the UN Declaration...
