“As much as I would like to be perfect, I am not. The goal here is to respond to the fact I didn’t get the balance right on this one," says Eby

NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social is backing down on Bill 7's provisions that give cabinet sweeping powers to bypass the legislature for two years. He says he'll remove that part, but keep the rest of the bill on interprovincial trade, vehicle tariffs, US contracts.

you are right, that IS controversial! 😂

Should BC MLAs get a pay increase to $119,533 salaries on April 1?
It's supposed to be automatic 'cost of living' increase — but with a gov hiring freeze, internal cost cutting, a record $11b deficit + tariff uncertainty, BC NDP have put MLA pay on agenda for snap meeting Fri.

Raeside today on @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social's Bill 7 in
The Orca: www.theorca.ca/commentary/a...

Rob Shaw: NDP weighs changes amid backlash to Eby’s emergency powers bill Facing criticism that Bill 7 undermines democracy, the BC NDP is exploring amendments—but warns it won’t be accused later of moving too slowly.

Stung by criticism, the NDP government weighs changes to the sweeping legislation that would let it bypass the legislature to respond to US tariffs. My latest in the Orca/Glacier Media:
www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...

NEW: @davidebybc.bsky.social has named Jim Rutkowski his permanent chief of staff.
Rutkowski had moved from DM GCPE to serve as interim COS after departure of Matt Smith in Nov.
He's a former principal sec to Rachel Notley, COS to @carolejames and longtime BC NDPer.
Has a good rep in #bcpoli

🚨NEW Political Capital - Extraordinary tariff bill, Cons defections. In audio extras: Involuntary care guidelines + carbon tax.
Oh and an MLA’s new office cat + baby voting + more!
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5arc...
YouTube: youtu.be/Duef0NKfgZ8?...

NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social says he'll introduce legislation to repeal consumer carbon tax this spring, in wake of PM Mark Carney's order today for federal repeal.
Eby also says prepping bill to eliminate April 1 tax increase, though finance min told me this week that's not possible. 🤷‍♂️

Cabinet orders are published online shortly after they are signed and deposited with the LG, so presumably these should be public and we can track them.

You are correct and Eby was incorrect. The legislature doesn’t ratify the measures - it receives a tabled report twice a year on what the measures were with no vote on them.

I’m not a reporter I’m a columnist, and the BC NDP are in government with a $95b budget and immense power - holding the power of the state to account, questioning and criticizing is my job. Same when Liberals were in power. I don’t care about which party is in power. They come and go.

NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social new tariff bill gives cabinet vast new emergency powers to make new laws on anything that supports BC's economy during US tariff war, w/out approval of legislature, including retroactive measures, with sunset clause of May 28, 2027.
Extraordinarily sweeping.

NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social has tabled a tariff response bill in the legislature that gives cabinet extraordinary powers to set tolls on any types of American travellers at roads, bridges and ferry terminals, including based on day, time, type of use, type of traveller and more.

Cattle ranchers urge BC govt to reconsider wind farm exemption - Northern Beat wind turbines, environmental assessment exemption, cumulative impacts, BC cattle ranchers, clean energy, disturbed landscape

Cattle ranchers, guide outfitters and even some environmentalists urge @adriandix.bsky.social not to exempt wind and solar farms from environmental assessment, due to concerns about wildlife, land use and construction.
My latest for Northern Beat:
northernbeat.ca/opinion/catt...

Rob Shaw: Eby makes surprising pivot on B.C. real estate investors At a Realtor event, premier hints at new policies to support landlords and developers

A surprising pivot from @davidebybc.bsky.social on real estate investors that buy and flip properties for profit: The BC government wants to work with them to build housing and create rental units.
My latest in the Orca/Glacier Media:
www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...

Rob Shaw: Eby's carbon tax flip-flop collides with political reality Province exploring ways to avoid April 1 increase but finds no escape

BC doesn’t want to raise the carbon tax April 1 but says it has to under federal law, as the NDP’s carbon reversal collides with a troubling fiscal reality.
My latest in Orca, Glacier Media:
www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...

@davidebybc.bsky.social says he has cancelled his family’s trip to Disneyland - despite paying $1,000 in ride tickets prior to the tariffs - because he wants to follow through on his suggestion people avoid holiday travel to the US where possibility. Admits move was unpopular with his kids.

NEW - American wine coming off liquor store shelves after
@davidebybc.bsky.social announces new all American liquor purchasing ban.
Private stores can sell off remaining product but B.C. liquor distribution branch won’t be restocking their supply.

NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social expands BC liquor ban to ALL American liquor, not just red state alcohol.
Policy now mirrors that of other provinces.
Says with Trump so obsessed with Canadian water now, he can keep his watery beer.

Weak opening presser by new 'freedom' caucus.
MLAs read statements, took very few Qs and got ushered away from cameras.
Accused Conservatives of "doctoring" Brodie video.
3 MLAs not yet a party. Appear staffed by Paul Ratchford and Tim Thielmann, who were behind failed AGM bids earlier this month.

Rob Shaw: Rustad's Conservatives at a crossroads as culture wars erupt Can the leader turn the party into a serious opposition or will fringe voices keep derailing it?

The exodus of 3 far-right MLAs could be an opportunity for BC Conservative leader John Rustad to refocus the party back on more solid footing as an Opposition without the internal drama and pull towards extreme issues.
My latest Orca/Glacier Media:
www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...

NEW - A third BC Conservative has left - Tara Armstrong from Kelowna is out.
She says leader John Rustad has lost his moral compass after firing Dallas Brodie.

Wait, you’ve been gone?!

Expecting at least one more resignation from the Conservatives…

NEW - Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy quits the BC Conservatives over the Dallas Brodie firing, pledging to help start a new party.

My understanding is Brodie has been backed by MLAs Jordan Kealy, Tara Armstrong and Brent Chapman on this issue — will be interesting to see if they stay, or quit, or what happens.

Full statement. Rustad indicates Brodie's recent video interview this week, in which she attacked fellow colleagues and mocked "the truth" leading to a huge caucus blowup on the issue, was the tipping point.