The Federal Budget is out. We break down what is in it and what it means for BC and Canada. Re-upload. Apologies, an incorrect version with an old episode’s audio went out. Links Former B.C. minister Mike de Jong seeks federal Tory nomination | CBC News Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation  Matt Gurney: What happens when Trudeau can’t blame the premiers, NIMBYs or disinfo? Why raising capital gains taxes makes sense—yes, really – The Hub Justin Trudeau’s Last Stand | The Walrus ..read more

A kickback scandal, more bills, fundraising data, defence policy and the foreign interference inquiry. Links Vaughn Palmer: B.C. NDP forced to admit its opponents got it right on kickback allegations Investigation launched into CleanBC grant program kickback allegations | Vancouver Sun What you need to know about the B.C. clean energy grant controversy | CBC News Proposed changes to Vancouver Charter will help build more homes faster New legislation ensures B.C. benefits from clean, affordable electricity | BC Gov News B.C. acts to protect kids, school staff from disruptive protests | BC Gov N ..read more

Spring break is over and the BC Legislature returns with a raft of major bills: Housing, renter protections, a flipping tax, First Nations land ownership and Police Act reforms. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau is doing a major pre-budget tour, possibly violating parliamentary privilege, to promote housing programs to mirror BC’s recent changes. And NDP MPs jump ship. Links Christine Boyle wins Vancouver-Little Mountain BCNDP nomination Gwen O’Mahony Nominated in Nanaimo-Lantzville – Conservative Party of BC More protections for renters, parents, landlords, families | BC Gov News  New zoning, am ..read more

Trudeau wants rent to count toward credits scores, meanwhile Health Minster Dix is frustrated at his own ministry for the inability to keep ERs open full time.  Links ‘I’m frustrated, too,’ health minister Adrian Dix says of Prince Rupert ER closures BC denies Prince George’s request to opt out of short term rental bans Some strata hotels, motels to be exempt from B.C.’s short-term legislation | CBC News Parksville property owners get exemption from short-term rental rules | Vancouver Sun Risk of ‘tremendous mischief’ by BC government on legal system, lawyers claim B.C. Crown sought dete ..read more

David Eby is winning the latest polls but we take a look down memory lane to another NDP leader who looked destined to win. Maybe he can maintain his lead by going after the federal Conservative leader who’s spending his days screaming Axe the Tax like he’s an even earlier BCNDP leader. Meanwhile, the federal Liberals & NDP mark two years since signing their supply and confidence agreement by checking off the list of election reforms they’d promised. Links B.C. Spotlight: In the face of heavy criticism on key issues, BC NDP still top choice ahead of October election – Angus Reid Institute ..read more

The BC Legislature is on break for two weeks, so we look back at the bills the government has passed and introduced so far. Then in Ottawa, things aren’t going great as we’re losing count of how many civil servants are moonlighting as government contractors. Links Progress of Bills this session B.C. takes action to hold companies accountable for hurting people | BC Gov News Rob Shaw: BC ready to get tough on tech titans with sweeping legislation Commercial truck drivers to face higher penalties for hitting overpasses | BC Gov News Introduction of Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act | BC Gov ..read more

Selina Robinson leaves the NDP, a nomination battle in Little Mountain and should local governments have more say in immigration? Links Ex-minister Selina Robinson quits B.C. NDP, citing antisemitism in caucus – Victoria Times Colonist Full text of Selina Robinson’s resignation letter to B.C. NDP caucus | National Post Eby defends NDP against Robinson’s antisemitism allegations BC United public service allegations about B.C. NDP nomination battle brewing between former and current Vancouver city councillors Changes aim to help people out of poverty | BC Gov News Court upholds injunction agains ..read more

The Online Harms Bill, the PharmaCare Bill and more news from federal politics. Links Brian Mulroney, former prime minister who reshaped Canada, has died Government Bill (House of Commons) C-63 (44-1) – First Reading – Online Harms Act – Parliament of Canada Long-awaited online harms bill proposes higher sentences for spreading hate online | CBC News Online harms against minors and other victims must be criminalized, not regulated: Poilievre My First Take on the Online Harms Act: Worst of 2021 Plan Now Gone But Digital Safety Commission Regulatory Power a Huge Concern – Michael Geist Why the ..read more

A mini-cabinet shakeup preceded another near substance-less Speech from the Throne. We also got Eby’s pre-election budget but you wouldn’t know that an election was coming up given how otherwise unremarkable it also was. But most controversially, the government shelved its planned amendments to the Land Act that were starting to attract significant criticism given the mishandling of the consultations and rising misinformation. Links New ministers appointed for Citizens’ Services; Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills | BC Gov News 2024 Speech from the Throne Throne speech lays out vision ..read more

BC Builds is officially announced and we’re underwhelmed. But not as underwhelmed as we are at BC United’s attempt at delivering its own housing plan. Plus Mike de Jong retires, ArriveCan is a mess and telling people you don’t want to fund roads might be the right policy but it’s definitely going to get people upset. Links BC Builds will deliver more lower-cost, middle-income rental homes faster HousingHub Program Overview | BC Housing Homes for BC – Map of Building Projects Across BC New affordable rental homes coming to Gibsons | BC Gov News  – 2022 Respite centre, 89 new affordable ho ..read more