Daryl Plecas: Don't expect money back from legislature misconduct
Speaker Darryl Plecas says B.C. taxpayers shouldn't expect the legislature to recover money improperly claimed by its former clerk, who abruptly retired Thursday following the release of a report...
View ArticleRob Shaw: Cost of investigating B.C. legislature likely to exceed misspent money
VICTORIA — The cost to investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the B.C. legislature will soon surpass the money that's found to have been misspent, if early legal bills are any indication. Read More
View ArticleUPDATED: Premier rejects Liberal offer for a new Speaker
VICTORIA — Speaker Darryl Plecas called an investigation conducted by the former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada "pathetic" and said she was "stupid" for having listened to the accused...
View ArticleSpeaker Darryl Plecas survives a day of chaos in the legislature
VICTORIA — Abbotsford MLA Darryl Plecas survived a day of chaotic debate over his future as speaker of the legislature Thursday, retaining his job despite allegations he's bullying staff, seizing...
View ArticleHow to remove a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Parliamentary experts say that ousting a Speaker of the legislature, as the B.C. Liberals recently made clear they hope to achieve, would require a vote of non-confidence and a resignation. Read More
View ArticleB.C. scraps plan to give former politicians lifetime 'honourable' titles
VICTORIA — There's no honour among former B.C. politicians. Or at least, not in their titles. Read More
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: Retired judge says if pipeline expansion stalls, Ottawa isn't...
VICTORIA — When a court ruled that Canada had fallen short in consulting First Nations on the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion, the federal government recruited a retired judge to oversee an improved...
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: A taxing effort to quickly uncover reasons for high gas prices...
VICTORIA — When the New Democrats directed the B.C. Utilities Commission to inquire into high gasoline prices, they put the exercise on a short leash to ensure there would be no blowback on themselves....
View ArticlePremier preaching patience to forestry workers now without paycheques
VICTORIA — The B.C. forest industry started the year on a precarious footing and the downhill slide has been building ever since, hitting community after community. Read More
View ArticleTrying to save caribou in political wilderness tougher than it sounds
VICTORIA — When special adviser to the premier Blair Lekstrom reported on the caribou rescue plan for northeastern B.C., he flagged several big holes that have yet to be filled. Read More
View ArticleB.C. Liberals want to know more about a summer road trip by the speaker's...
Speaker Darryl Plecas's chief of staff is on an extensive road trip to collect security-related information from other cities in Canada and the U.S., but Liberal house leader Mary Polak says the B.C....
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: James boasts of $1.5B surplus but downplays tax hikes,...
VICTORIA — Finance Minister Carole James marked the second anniversary of B.C.'s NDP government Thursday by releasing the latest, mostly flattering edition of the public accounts. Read More
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: Government survey says it's time to move forward on DST, not...
VICTORIA — Though Premier John Horgan prides himself on being in touch with everyday folk, he was caught off guard by the record-setting public response to his government’s survey on Daylight Saving...
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: Climate risk report flies under the radar despite alarm
VICTORIA — At first glance the report posted quietly on the provincial government website this week resembled a typical midsummer offering. Read More
View ArticleFilling up on questions to figure out mysterious spikes in gas pricing
VICTORIA — Seeking more answers to the mysteries of gasoline pricing, the B.C. Utilities Commission has scheduled another round of hearings with the major industry players starting Tuesday. Read More
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: Auditor suggests B.C. more lucky than strategic protecting...
VICTORIA — When hundreds were sickened and seven died from contaminated water in Walkerton, Ont. almost 20 years ago, the B.C. NDP government took action to protect drinking water supplies in this...
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: NDP may 'profit' if money-laundering inquiry ends before next...
VICTORIA — B.C.’s money-laundering inquiry has issued an invitation to would-be participants, including individuals whose interests are at stake and anyone who could add insight or balance to the...
View ArticleVaughn Palmer: Caribou rescue plan could need rescuing here after secret...
VICTORIA — When Premier John Horgan appointed Blair Lekstrom as his envoy on the troubled caribou rescue plan, he reaped the immediate publicity reward of a leader who admitted a problem and tried to...
View ArticlePipeline politics of trying to find help for B.C. drivers at the pumps
VICTORIA — B.C.’s chronic shortage of gasoline could indeed be rectified by shipping more refined product through the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, according to the National Energy Board. Read More
View ArticleProvince's inquiry into high B.C. gas prices shouldn't suppress taxes
VICTORIA — When the New Democrats ordered the inquiry into high gasoline prices in B.C. earlier this year, they tried to head off any findings that would reflect badly on their own policies and taxes....
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