Tag Archives: NDP Canada

Politics

The Liberal Party Resurgence in North Island-Powell River

Jennifer Lash recently wrote a column in which she compares the Liberal Party’s results in North Island-Powell River (NIPR) during the 2015 federal election to 2025.

“According to Elections Canada, the last time the Liberal candidate had a decent showing in the polls was in 2015 when they won 25% of the vote. In 2025, I won 26.2% of the vote. In 2015 the NDP secured  40% and won the riding however in 2025 they secured only 33% of the vote and lost. Very similar showing for the Liberals, very different results for the NDP.”

Lash’s conclusion was that the Liberals didn’t split the vote in 2025, the NDP could not hold on to their ‘vote share.’

Under Rachel Blaney, the NDP received roughly 38%–40% of the popular vote in three elections (2015, 2019, and 2021). However, Blaney did not run in 2025. With a new NDP candidate and a changing political landscape, the results shifted.

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Energy, Politics

Fossil Fuel Lobbyists very active in 2025, report says

Fossil fuel interests increased their lobbying during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tenure. According to Environmental Defence’s  2025 Fossil Fuel Playbook, iindustry lobbyists met with federal officials 986 times in 2025, despite a three-month lull during the election period.

Jennifer Lash, the Liberal candidate in North island-Powell River during the last election, responded, “There is no question that this Liberal government has signalled they are open to conversations with the fossil fuel sector and these numbers show that the companies are accepting the invitation. What really matters, however, is the outcome, particularly with the commitments in the MoU.  Canada must ensure the methane equivalency agreement and industrial carbon pricing regulations are rigorous and effective and I will be watching to see what happens in the coming weeks.”  

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Politics

On The Threshold of a Liberal Majority

Between the opposition MPs who crossed the floor and three by-elections coming up on April 13, Mark Carney’s Liberal government is on the threshold of forming a majority government.

Neither Tanille Johnston, who is currently running for leadership of the NDP, nor Aaron Gunn, the Member of Parliament for North Island–Powell River, were available for comment.

Jessica Wegg, the Green Party candidate during the last two elections, observed, “We’re two votes away from the Liberals having a majority. I don’t know that it matters that much to Carney. His policies skew so far toward what Conservatives would want anyway, he is getting lots and lots of support. I think it would be risky for him to call a general election because it’s not necessary. As he gets closer and closer to having a majority without a general election, it would be harder and harder to sell to Canadians that it would be necessary to call everybody to the polls again, spend all this money again on a general election when he’s doing everything he wants and just ramming through bills without even having a majority.”

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Politics

Will there be a spring election in 2026?

Once again, the polls suggest Mark Carney’s government could win a majority if there were an election right now. 338Canada suggests the Liberals could win as many as 185 seats, while the Conservatives shrink back to 125. In North Island–Powell River, Aaron Gunn is still projected as the winner with 36% of the popular vote, according to 338Canada, but the Liberals and NDP are right behind him with 30% each. Some believe Canada may have a spring election in 2026.

Gunn said, “If I were a betting man, I would bet there’d be an election within the next two years for sure, but this spring – we’ll see. I think it will be up to Prime Minister Carney and the Liberal government. Speaking as a Conservative, I don’t think we’re going to force an election this spring.”

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Rivers & Oceans

Canada is claiming credit for tackling ghost gear, despite scuttling funding

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada continues to tout itself as a “world leader” in tackling ghost gear’s threats to marine life and coastal communities even though funding for the program dried up in 2024. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO’s) former investments to address abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, were axed without explanation by the federal Liberals more than a year ago, said Gord Johns, NDP MP for the Courtenay-Alberni riding on Vancouver Island. 

Core pillars of the ghost gear program to retrieve the plastic pollution and responsibly dispose of, recycle, or return ghost gear, have been cut completely, or dramatically scaled back, since the program launched in 2020, Johns said. What’s more, Ottawa remains silent about future ghost gear funding after the release of the recent budget in November.

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