By Bhagyashree Chatterjee, The Squamish Chief, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
What do Premier David Eby’s latest mandate letters for ministers mean for Indigenous peoples?
These letters, all dated Jan. 16, shape the government’s priorities, and this term, they focus on “reconciliation, economic growth, and community well-being.”
Continue reading What B.C. Premier Eby’s mandate letters mean for Indigenous peoples
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The governing BC NDP and Green Party have hashed out a new agreement to bolster the NDP’s slim margin in the Legislature after the recent election.
Deputy Premier Niki Sharma and the Green Party’s two newly elected MLAs unveiled the four-year deal Friday.
Continue reading BC NDP and Greens ink new deal to stave off provincial Conservatives
By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma has asked a provincial watchdog to look into a series of bold claims about how an executive at a Canadian oil and gas giant — and former BC NDP political staffer — claimed the company had leveraged political connections to persuade the provincial government to significantly weaken its environmental policies.
“We’ve been given opportunities to write entire briefing notes for ministers and premiers and prime ministers,” a TC Energy executive was recorded saying in a leaked tape from March 2024, adding that sometimes “overworked and underpaid” public servants “just want the job done for them.”
Continue reading Leaked TC Energy recording prompts B.C. to probe claims of outsized lobbying influence on government
By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Since the signing of the BC First Nation Justice Strategy in 2020, a carefully outlined plan with 43 actions to reform the system and restore Indigenous legal traditions, one of the priorities outlined is the implementation of 15 First Nation justice centres throughout the province.
The first four centres in Prince Rupert, Prince George, Merrit, and virtually marked their opening in January 2022.
In late 2022 the BCFNJC announced that the next centres to be opened will be in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, and Kelowna in 2023.
Continue reading 15 First Nations Justice Council centres to open throughout British Columbia
By Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Susan MacRae wants to talk about what happened to her, but she can’t.
As a young girl, MacRae signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prohibits her from discussing sexual abuse she suffered, even with family members or therapists.
Continue reading Greens Take Lead to Stop NDAs from Silencing Victims
