Latest news with #BCConservatives
National Post
10 hours ago
- Health
- National Post
FIRST READING: B.C. politician pushes bill to force schools to say drugs are bad
Article content TOP STORY Article content The B.C. Conservatives are calling for measures to keep 'radical drug lobbyists' out of schools after a school event that featured info cards on how to do drugs such as cocaine, meth and GHB. Article content Article content 'This isn't education. It is grooming kids into drug culture,' said B.C. Conservative MLA Steve Kooner in a Tuesday statement endorsing his private member's bill that, if passed, would compel schools to 'explicitly discourage drug use.' Article content The event in question was a Pride festival sanctioned by the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools District. Article content After accompanying her 10-year-old to the event, Nanaimo, B.C. mother Ruth Taylor alerted local media to the presence of postcard-sized leaflets that local media described as 'drug use information cards.' Article content A card labelled 'meth,' for instance, details the drug's euphoric effects, its reported ability to increase libido and even includes recommended dosages. Article content The NDP invite the pro-drug lobby into BC schools. Conservatives are fighting to get them out. — Steve Kooner MLA (@SteveKooner) June 24, 2025 Article content 'A light dose is around 5-10 mg, a common dose is around 10-30 mg, and a strong dose is 30-40 mg,' it reads. Article content A card for GHB, a common date-rape drug, reads that the substance can 'make the user feel more relaxed and more sociable.' It adds, 'G can also increase libido.' Article content The cards were among the literature offered at a booth run by AIDS Vancouver Island, a harm reduction non-profit funded in part by government bodies such as Island Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Article content Taylor told Chek News that she confronted AIDS Vancouver Island about the materials being inappropriate for schoolchildren, but that 'they were not receptive to what I was saying' and 'the cards stayed for the remainder of the event.' Article content AIDS Vancouver Island didn't respond to a National Post query before press time. In a statement provided to Global News on Monday, the group said it was told the event was for older children and that they stood by 'the fundamental importance of youth receiving honest, factual and appropriate substance use and sexual health materials.'
CBC
14-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
So you want to start a political party in B.C. Here are the logistics — and potential challenges
Social Sharing A new political party has emerged in British Columbia after two Independent MLAs, formerly of the B.C. Conservative Party, criticized the party's leader, John Rustad, for moving away from conservative values. So, what does it take to set up a political party in B.C.? And what does it mean for provincial politics? One B.C. officially registered as a political party on June 9. The party was set up by former B.C. Conservative MLAs Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong, born out of internal clashes within the Official Opposition as it struggled to unite a big tent party of MLAs with diverse views. Elections B.C. says to register as a political party, an organization must: have a primary purpose of fielding of candidates in provincial elections, have a proposed name that is not prohibited and have at least two principal officers — a financial agent and an auditor. There is no fee to submit a registration application to Elections B.C. As for the name, proposed political party names cannot include the words "independent" or "non-affiliated" and cannot be similar to the name of a political party that is currently registered, have an earlier application for registration pending or be likely to be confused with another political party's name that has been registered during the previous four years. A party cannot use a name that has appeared on a ballot in B.C. at any time during the last 10 years and cannot include information like a candidate's occupation, title, honours, degrees or any indication that candidates have held elected office. Because the party has two elected MLAs, they will get official party status in the legislature. That gives Brodie and Armstrong raises as party leader and house leader, respectively. All MLAs in British Columbia have a base salary of $119,532. As leader, Brodie will receive an additional $29,883 a year as party leader and Armstrong an additional $11,953. WATCH | Why these B.C. Conservatives became Independents: 3 former Conservative MLAS will sit as Independents in B.C. Legislature 3 months ago Duration 2:37 Three breakaway MLAs from the B.C. Conservative Party held a news conference on Monday. They are pondering starting a new party and hope to bring more MLAs to their side. It's left Leader John Rustad scrambling to keep his party united just three weeks into the legislative session. Brodie insists the party has a "path to victory" by courting the conservative base which is "disillusioned" with Rustad's leadership. However, there's already been a split among the three MLAs who left the B.C. Conservative fold; MLA Jordan Kealy, also a former Conservative, did not join One B.C., citing a "disagreement" over party values and leadership. It's an indication of how difficult it is to start a party from scratch, according to University of British Columbia political scientist Stewart Prest. Prest said any new political party faces the challenge of landing their message with a broad swath of British Columbians. Even established parties like the B.C. Liberals struggled to make inroads after they changed their name to B.C. United, Prest said. "At the same time, it does offer the the opportunity to start from a clean slate," Prest said. WATCH | Former B.C. United MLA starts centrist political party: Former B.C. United MLA launches new centrist party 2 months ago Duration 2:04 A former B.C. United MLA is launching a new political party aimed at attracting centrist voters after her original party collapsed. As Katie DeRosa reports, Karin Kirkpatrick says she wants to offer a balanced option in a polarized political landscape. The emergence of One B.C. means Rustad will be facing challenges to his big tent party on two fronts, said Andrew Reeve, former communications director for the B.C. Liberals-turned-B.C. United. Former B.C United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick has also launched a new political party called Centre B.C., courting former B.C. Liberals who feel Rustad has taken the Official Opposition too far to the right. "On certain issues, One B.C. will try to pull [the B.C. Conservatives] apart, probably on the cultural issues," Reeve said. "I don't know if that's a winning strategy in the province. I don't think there's enough voters in the ridings to win, and it's certainly not enough to form government. But it could be enough to split the vote and cause a lot of damage for Rustad."
Global News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
MLA expelled from BC Conservatives launches new ‘OneBC' party
There's been yet another shakeup in British Columbia politics. Two out of three MLAs who split with the BC Conservative Party earlier this year have launched their own new political party, dubbed 'OneBC.' The party's website went live on Thursday. OneBC has already registered with Elections B.C., with Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie listed as interim party leader. 'OneBC is for British Columbians who are proud of their history and aren't afraid to fight for a prosperous and beautiful future,' Brodie said in a message posted to social media. 'I knew it was time to build something new to reverse the flight of capital, talent and young people, to combat the globalist assault on our history, culture and families, to rebuild our corrupted institutions and crumbling infrastructure.' Story continues below advertisement Among a long list of policy positions, Brodie pledged her party would 'defund the reconciliation industry,' implement a 50 per cent tax cut on incomes under $100,000, 'eradicate gender ideology and woke policies' from schools, introduce private health care options and end mail-in and early voting. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Kelwona-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong was also listed on the website alongside Brodie. The duo were both elected as BC Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election. 2:37 MLA booted from B.C. Conservatives over residential school comments, 2 more quit Brodie was expelled from the party in March over comments regarding residential schools, with leader John Rustad saying she had decided to 'publicly mock and belittle testimony from former residential school students, including by mimicking individuals recounting stories of abuses, including child sex abuse.' Armstrong and Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy both subsequently quit the BC Conservatives in solidarity. Story continues below advertisement Kealy, however, is not joining the new party and says he will remain as an independent in the legislature. 'Right now I'm just not ready to commit to another party until I actually see what the party's about, who's on the board of directors, the key contributors to the new party are identified, see the party constitution — these are all critical issues,' he said. 'Where they decide to go with it, that's completely up to them. I'm going to pursue the same route that I have been, and that's to do my job properly as an MLA for Peace River North and represent my constituents.' Conservative strategist Anthony Koch accused Brodie of splitting with the BC Conservatives over 'ego' but presenting her new venture as an 'ideological crusade' focused on 'niche issues that people find in the nether webs' of social media platforms like X. 'I think it's safe to say that the Conservative Party of British Columbia is probably the most right-wing party in the country, federally or provincially,' he said. 'I think we ran the most right-wing populist campaign that's been run in Canada in several decades. So if that's not good enough for you, I don't really know what to say.' British Columbia's next provincial election is scheduled for the fall of 2028.
Global News
07-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
BC NDP take more heat from opposition over contracts for consultants, advisers
British Columbia's NDP government is taking more fire from the opposition BC Conservatives over contracts it has awarded to top advisers. The opposition is raising new questions after the province hired Dr. Tim Stainton's consultancy to review Community Living B.C. Stainton was one of the people who helped create the Crown corporation tasked with caring for some of B.C.'s most vulnerable people. CLBC's board is also chaired by former NDP cabinet minister Shane Simpson. 3:42 BC Conservatives question top mental health advisor's salary 'It seems that the NDP continues to go to the well with former ministers, former electeds. It makes you wonder how little confidence they have in their own current cabinet members when they have to do this,' BC Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar said. Story continues below advertisement 'And the bigger problem is the lack of transparency. Never a disclosure of how much they are getting paid, what the deliverable is expected.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The BC Conservatives are also flagging the appointment of former NDP environment minister George Heyman as a special advisor on public sector bargaining. Milobar noted that the province didn't announce the appointment — rather, it emerged when Heyman changed his LinkedIn profile. 'The former head of the (B.C. General Employees Union) BCGEU is now advising the government on how best to negotiate with the BCGEU, that's certainly going to work out well for the taxpayer, I am sure,' he said. The questions come as the province faces scrutiny over two other contracts. Premier David Eby terminated a contract with Michael Bryant halfway through its six-month term, saying media coverage had become a distraction from the work Bryant was meant to do advising on the future of the Downtown Eastside. 2:32 Decision to hire Downtown Eastside consultant under fire And on Thursday, the opposition raised concerns about a $1 million open-ended contract with Dr. Daniel Vigo, B.C.'s chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders. Story continues below advertisement Vigo has been instrumental in spearheading the NDP government's efforts at implementing involuntary treatment for people with severe mental health, addiction and brain injury issues. Health Minister Josie Osborne said Friday she believed Vigo's work is 'worth every penny.' 'Having an expert like Dr. Vigo come and provide advice to government and undertake a very methodical and studious examination of the data that is out there, looking with legal experts at the Mental Health Act … this is not something that can be replicated inside government,' she said. 'It is really important at this point in time that we have this expert advice. And the recommendations that Dr. Vigo and his team have put forward to government are actions we are already seeing underway.' As a part of Vigo's work, the province has now opened 28 beds in two involuntary care facilities, one at the South Fraser Pretrial Centre and one at the Alouette Homes in Maple Ridge, for people who are not in contact with the criminal justice system.
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First Post
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Is Carney's Canada making Trudeau's political mistake about Khalistanis?
The Khalistani issue is casting a shadow over India and Canada ties once again after a pro-Khalistani singer Jazzy B was invited to the British Columbia assembly read more Canada seems to reignite its row with India as it once again promotes pro-Khalistani voices within the country. The Khalistani issue between India-Canada ties was brought up again after pro-Khalistani Punjabi Singer Jazzy B was invited to the British Columbia (BC) Assembly. The appearance of the singer stirred headlines after Independent MLA of the BC Assembly, Dallas Brodie, posted a video featuring British Columbia Conservative MLA Steve Kooner expressing his love for Jazzy B. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The singer's real name is Jaswinder Singh Bains, and his invitation to the assembly was seen as Canada's tendency to support Khalistani sympathisers due to vote bank politics. This issue was at the centre of the deteriorating ties between India and Pakistan during former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's time in office. Today several prominent pro-Kalistani figures were welcomed in the BC Legislature by MLAs of both the BC Conservatives and NDP. Some of those individuals have openly celebrated violent extremists and murderers in their music videos. This is an insult to our Legislature. — Dallas Brodie (@Dallas_Brodie) May 27, 2025 The ties remain downgraded , with currently no high commissioners at the respective missions. The latest event at the British Columbia assembly reportedly did not go well with India. Sources close to the matter told The Economic Times that the visit and its follow-up are currently being monitored by New Delhi. The pro-Khalistani singer celebrated in Canada In the video, the Conservative politician heaped praise on the controversial singer. 'I come from a singing family myself, and Jazzy B did sing part of my dad's song about 30 years ago. I really appreciated that. And, so I wanna just welcome Jazzy B and also Sabi Gunnar, Inderpal Moga, Chani Nattan, who I know from the community, Marco, Mander,' Kooner said in the Punjabi singer's introduction. Later, Brodie called out the appearance in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'Today, several prominent pro-Kalistani figures were welcomed in the BC Legislature by MLAs of both the BC Conservatives and New Democratic Party (NDP). Some of those individuals have openly celebrated violent extremists and murderers in their music videos. This is an insult to our Legislature,' she wrote in the post. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the post, she talked about NDP since, until recently, the party was led by pro-Khalistani leader Jagmeet Singh, who stepped down after losing his Burnaby Central seat during the national elections in April. NDP also lost national status as it slipped to eight seats from 24. Meanwhile, Wyatt Claypool, senior correspondent and editor at The National Telegraph, posted an X thread condemning the public recognition and promotion of pro-Khalistani artists. 'What's with all the MLAs in the BC legislature introducing all the Khalistani rappers today? Jazzy B is a hardcore Khalistani activist who has several times called for Khalistan," he wrote. Here is Jazzy B's music video cover with the terrorist Bhindranwale on it. (The guy who called for 5,000 Hindus to be murdered) — Wyatt Claypool (@wyatt_claypool) May 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a different post, he shared a photo of a music video featuring Jazzy B with the image of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the Khalistan separatist leader. 'Here is Jazzy B's music video cover with the terrorist Bhindranwale on it. (The guy who called for 5,000 Hindus to be murdered)," Claypool averred. Meanwhile, Jazzy B also posted multiple photos on Instagram from his visit to the BC Legislature. 'I am deeply honoured, humbled, and grateful to have been invited to attend The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia 1st Session 43rd Parliament, hosted by The Premier Hon. David Eby, K.C., Speaker of the House Hon. Raj Chouhan, and Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert," the singer wrote in the post.
