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B.C. business groups tell finance committee they want lower taxes
The Surrey Board of Trade and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade want the province to conduct “a comprehensive tax review” as businesses find themselves “buried in provincial debt, rising inflation and an even higher cost of living” in the wake of the pandemic.
Read MoreRecommended B.C. legislature reforms still lacking after three years
In the wake of the 2018 legislature spending scandal, “significant changes” to the Legislative Assembly’s operations were made to ensure the fraud and breach of trust committed by ex-clerk Craig James “never happen again,” according to government house leader Mike Farnworth.
Read MoreCadieux hopes to see ‘more people like me’ in BC Liberal caucus
Cadieux leaves with two pieces of business unfinished: her private member’s pay transparency legislation and a bill that would implement accessibility standards for new housing.
Read MoreB.C. mum on timeline for farm-gate cannabis sales
It was September 2020 when B.C first announced plans to “develop a farm-gate sales program” to give cannabis growers the ability to sell their products at their production sites. But one-quarter of the way through 2022, there is still no sign of what the program will look like — or when it will launch.
Read MoreWhat federal parties can learn from confidence and supply in B.C.
British Columbians are no strangers to confidence-and-supply agreements like the one just signed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh after living under a government committed to a similar setup for just over three years.
Read MoreNo free contraception in B.C.’s 2022 budget
When the NDP promised to make prescription contraception free in October 2020, Burnaby—Lougheed MLA Katrina Chen — the minister of state for child care — framed the campaign promise as a matter of fairness. But the government seems to be in no hurry to make good on that promise, as it was not mentioned in this year’s throne speech and Budget 2022 contained no new funding for the policy.
Read MoreB.C. craft cannabis industry seeks changes from government
The BC NDP and Ottawa could be doing more to support the west coast craft cannabis industry and create jobs, insiders say.
Read MoreLiberal leadership candidates pitch plans to tackle drug poisoning crisis
After more British Columbians died of overdoses in the first 10 months of 2021 than in any year previously, Liberal leadership hopefuls say it’s time to handle the crisis differently, even as the NDP government insists its efforts were working prior to the pandemic.
Read MorePlatform promise progress: Finance, Health, and Mental Health and Addictions
Following initial reporting on January 6, BC Today contacted all ministries requesting updates on relevant platform promises with the intent of providing comprehensive coverage of the government’s progress so far.
Read MoreThe practicalities of paid sick leave
B.C.’s permanent employer-paid sick leave program took effect on January 1, providing all workers covered by the Employment Standards Act with five paid sick days per year after 90 days on the job.
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