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Rob Shaw

@robshaw.bsky.social
3.9K followers 1.4K following 276 posts

BC Politics + Coffee + Cats TV: cheknews.bsky.social » Podcast/Show: Political Capital » Columns: Glacier Media and Northern Beat » Radio: CBC Radio West and CBC All Points West » Cats: bcpoliticat.bsky.social All shows/columns at: www.robshawnews.com

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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social is backing down on Bill 7's provisions that give cabinet sweeping powers to bypass the legislature for two years. He says he'll remove that part, but keep the rest of the bill on interprovincial trade, vehicle tariffs, US contracts.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Should BC MLAs get a pay increase to $119,533 salaries on April 1? It's supposed to be automatic 'cost of living' increase — but with a gov hiring freeze, internal cost cutting, a record $11b deficit + tariff uncertainty, BC NDP have put MLA pay on agenda for snap meeting Fri.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Raeside today on @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social's Bill 7 in The Orca: www.theorca.ca/commentary/a...
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Stung by criticism, the NDP government weighs changes to the sweeping legislation that would let it bypass the legislature to respond to US tariffs. My latest in the Orca/Glacier Media: www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: NDP weighs changes amid backlash to Eby’s emergency powers bill
Facing criticism that Bill 7 undermines democracy, the BC NDP is exploring amendments—but warns it won’t be accused later of moving too slowly.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
NEW: @davidebybc.bsky.social has named Jim Rutkowski his permanent chief of staff. Rutkowski had moved from DM GCPE to serve as interim COS after departure of Matt Smith in Nov. He's a former principal sec to Rachel Notley, COS to @carolejames and longtime BC NDPer. Has a good rep in #bcpoli
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
🚨NEW Political Capital - Extraordinary tariff bill, Cons defections. In audio extras: Involuntary care guidelines + carbon tax. Oh and an MLA’s new office cat + baby voting + more! Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5arc... YouTube: youtu.be/Duef0NKfgZ8?...
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social says he'll introduce legislation to repeal consumer carbon tax this spring, in wake of PM Mark Carney's order today for federal repeal. Eby also says prepping bill to eliminate April 1 tax increase, though finance min told me this week that's not possible. 🤷‍♂️
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social new tariff bill gives cabinet vast new emergency powers to make new laws on anything that supports BC's economy during US tariff war, w/out approval of legislature, including retroactive measures, with sunset clause of May 28, 2027. Extraordinarily sweeping.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social has tabled a tariff response bill in the legislature that gives cabinet extraordinary powers to set tolls on any types of American travellers at roads, bridges and ferry terminals, including based on day, time, type of use, type of traveller and more.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Cattle ranchers, guide outfitters and even some environmentalists urge @adriandix.bsky.social not to exempt wind and solar farms from environmental assessment, due to concerns about wildlife, land use and construction. My latest for Northern Beat: northernbeat.ca/opinion/catt...
northernbeat.ca
Cattle ranchers urge BC govt to reconsider wind farm exemption - Northern Beat
wind turbines, environmental assessment exemption, cumulative impacts, BC cattle ranchers, clean energy, disturbed landscape
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
A surprising pivot from @davidebybc.bsky.social on real estate investors that buy and flip properties for profit: The BC government wants to work with them to build housing and create rental units. My latest in the Orca/Glacier Media: www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: Eby makes surprising pivot on B.C. real estate investors
At a Realtor event, premier hints at new policies to support landlords and developers
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
BC doesn’t want to raise the carbon tax April 1 but says it has to under federal law, as the NDP’s carbon reversal collides with a troubling fiscal reality. My latest in Orca, Glacier Media: www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: Eby's carbon tax flip-flop collides with political reality
Province exploring ways to avoid April 1 increase but finds no escape
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
@davidebybc.bsky.social says he has cancelled his family’s trip to Disneyland - despite paying $1,000 in ride tickets prior to the tariffs - because he wants to follow through on his suggestion people avoid holiday travel to the US where possibility. Admits move was unpopular with his kids.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
NEW - American wine coming off liquor store shelves after @davidebybc.bsky.social announces new all American liquor purchasing ban. Private stores can sell off remaining product but B.C. liquor distribution branch won’t be restocking their supply.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social expands BC liquor ban to ALL American liquor, not just red state alcohol. Policy now mirrors that of other provinces. Says with Trump so obsessed with Canadian water now, he can keep his watery beer.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Weak opening presser by new 'freedom' caucus. MLAs read statements, took very few Qs and got ushered away from cameras. Accused Conservatives of "doctoring" Brodie video. 3 MLAs not yet a party. Appear staffed by Paul Ratchford and Tim Thielmann, who were behind failed AGM bids earlier this month.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
The exodus of 3 far-right MLAs could be an opportunity for BC Conservative leader John Rustad to refocus the party back on more solid footing as an Opposition without the internal drama and pull towards extreme issues. My latest Orca/Glacier Media: www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: Rustad's Conservatives at a crossroads as culture wars erupt
Can the leader turn the party into a serious opposition or will fringe voices keep derailing it?
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Reposted by Rob Shaw
No Context BC Gov @nocontextbcgov.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
NEW - A third BC Conservative has left - Tara Armstrong from Kelowna is out. She says leader John Rustad has lost his moral compass after firing Dallas Brodie.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Expecting at least one more resignation from the Conservatives…
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
NEW - Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy quits the BC Conservatives over the Dallas Brodie firing, pledging to help start a new party.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
NEW - John Rustad has kicked MLA Dallas Brodie out of the BC Conservative caucus. "I believe strongly in free speech — however, using your stature and platform as an MLA to mock testimony from victims alleging abuse, including child sex abuse, is where I draw the line."
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Raeside: www.timescolonist.com/opinion/adri...
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
David Eby slams Dallas Brodie for latest residential school video and says Rustad must fire her. “He's been missing in action on this, and said there's a big tent. Well, a big tent that has space for racism is not a political tent. That's a circus tent. And he's got to get a clown out of the tent.”
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
BC is not following Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s 25% tariff on electricity exports to the United States, says @davidebybc.bsky.social Any effort to curtail or stop electricity exports to USA would be complicated for B.C. and lead to rate impacts for BCers, he says.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social says B.C. will introduce legislation to apply fees to commercial trucks en route to Alaska, and remove inter-provincial trade barriers. Will also let gov “respond rapidly” to US president as he signs executive orders.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
As @davidebybc.bsky.social prepares to speak on US tariff issue today, #bcleg Speaker @rajchouhanbc.bsky.social has ordered the front of the BC Legislature be draped with a large Canadian flag for the foreseeable future.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
BC Conservative MLA Trevor Halford opens QP at #bcleg today w/ interesting statistic regarding BC's spiking deficit and debt: BC is now paying $14,000 every minute to service its debt. During the 30m question period, the cost to service the debt will be $400,000. BC's debt rising sharply in budget.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
BC's finances are in a weak position to respond to US tariffs, as part of a budget that does little for communities outside of Metro Vancouver in the Interior and North. My latest in @BeatNorthern: northernbeat.ca/opinion/reco...
northernbeat.ca
Record deficit, lack of investment put BC in 'weak position' for tariff fight - Northern Beat
Normally, a B.C. government can dine out on a new provincial budget for at least a month, teasing out the many programs, services and pots of money to maximum political effect. This week, not 24 hours...
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
NEW - @davidebybc.bsky.social to outline BC's response to US tariffs at 9am. Will be a very odd announcement, occurring inside BC's budget lockup, where reporters under embargo, but Eby live. BC expected to follow suit on its US alcohol and US contract procurement ban, among other steps.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
🚨NEW @CHEKPolitics EPISODE: BC Budget, Conservative AGM. In audio pod extras, Conservative QP, successes, Pink Shirt Day. With special guest this week Mike McKinnon. Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7sie... YouTube: youtu.be/dHkmYmec7BA?...
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Despite concern over Delta Hospital's ER closures, rural BC continues to get hammered by healthcare diversions, closures, shortages + outages. Conservatives spent the week, and a highly-effective QP, focused on rural health. My latest in Northern Beat: northernbeat.ca/opinion/rura...
northernbeat.ca
Rural BC hospitals closed more than 1,407 days in two years - Northern Beat
BC Conservative MLAs in the legislature raise 1407 hospital Emergency Room closures in rural BC over past two years.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
NEW - BC's Energy Min is making changes to BC's Low Carbon Fuels Act to save Tidewater Renewables biodiesel plant in Prince George, which had threatened to shut down due to US companies "double dipping" on Cdn and US credits to flood market. Conservative critic Kiel Giddens had been pushing issue.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
That was a HIGHLY effective question period, with MLAs from across BC listing off almost 20 examples of ER closures in their communities, in some cases spanning as long as two years. And the health minister, while expressing sympathy, had little defence.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
BC Conservative MLAs spend entire #bcleg QP with rural MLAs listing the many days of ER closures in their hospitals due to staffing shortages + the hours it takes residents to drive to another hospital. Minister Josie Osborne says progress being made, but challenges remain.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
The latest Raeside cartoon in the @timescolonist.bsky.social nails the larger public sentiment around BC Conservative infighting: www.timescolonist.com/opinion/adri...
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Deep in deficit, wrestling with a stalled economy and under the threat of American tariffs, B.C.’s eco-focused New Democratic government has turned to an unlikely economic ally: the mining sector. My latest in @nationalpost.com.web.brid.gy nationalpost.com/opinion/rob-...
nationalpost.com
Rob Shaw: David Eby's green goals at odds with his plan to fast-track B.C. mines
He's going full steam ahead with his plan to harness critical minerals — despite Indigenous and environmentalist resistance
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Nothing wrong w/ BC Conservatives having free votes. But if MLAs don't speak first about why they're voting a certain way on a contentious issue, then appear defensive afterwards — well, that's not a recipe for success. My latest The Orca/Glacier Media: www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: BC Conservatives learn how not to handle a Trump controversy
Opposition party's first free vote a masterclass in losing control of a political narrative
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
In interviews today, most of the 5 MLAs said they disagree with Trump's tariffs and could have voted for motion if it had stopped there, but the NDP added on support for their liquor and retaliatory moves and they oppose those for various reasons.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
The United States is using BC ports as a launching pad to export dirty thermal coal — but the @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social have twice refused to target this as leverage to push back against American tariffs. My latest in Orca/Glacier: www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: B.C. ships dirty American coal but NDP scoffs at leveraging it
The province’s big opportunity to push back on Trump’s tariffs is being ignored for political reasons
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
NEW - 5 BC Conservative MLAs have voted against a @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social motion in #bcleg to condemn US President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs. Tara Armstrong, Heather Maahs, Brent Chapman, Dallas Brodie and Jordan Kealy NDP will now launch a social media campaign saying BC Cons support Trump.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Fear in Delta, Ladner + Tsawwassen after weekend closures of hospital ER. And anger at BCgov for not addressing the issue, plus forcing new housing density on a community where services can't handle existing residents. My latest Orca/Glacier Media: www.theorca.ca/commentary/r...
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: Delta health-care crisis reveals cracks in province's housing push
Delta Hospital’s ER shutdown is more than a staffing issue—it’s a failure of planning
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
NEW - Delta Hospital's ER closed for a second evening due to a doctor shortage, according to Fraser Health. 930pm Sunday to 630am Monday. Similar closure Sat-Sun. ER-trained nurses on site for basic first aid. Mayor and MLA say residents very angry and scared by this weekend.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
🚨NEW POLITICAL CAPITAL: The NDP rolls back safe supply, a wartime throne speech, and (in audio pod extra) a look at 1st week of legislative session. Brought to you by Uber Canada: Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7JbI... YouTube: youtu.be/qT9126pe3pg?...
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
On safe supply, the @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social government would like you to know it is "taking action" —— to fix a problem it created, won't admit was a mistake, and wishes a leaked document that told the truth had never come out. My latest in The Orca and Glacier Media:
theorca.ca
Rob Shaw: NDP drug policy reversal proves politicians never say sorry
New Democrats perfect the art of 'taking action' by cleaning up their own messes
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
I chat with new BC Conservative Skeena MLA Claire Rattee about why her critic portfolio in mental health and addictions is so important and personal for her. In Northern Beat: northernbeat.ca/legislature/...
northernbeat.ca
MLA fireside chat: Clare Rattée - Northern Beat
Rob Shaw sits down for a Q & A with newly elected BC Conservative MLA Clare Rattée in the legislature in Victoria.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
A beleaguered BC NDP government evokes the spectre of WWII, Nazis, and more in its throne speech, as it talks tough against a belligerent US president. My latest in The Line: www.readtheline.ca/p/rob-shaw-o...
readtheline.ca
Rob Shaw: Oh look, a Nazi
A beleaguered NDP government offers tough talk against our belligerent neighbour.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
The BC NDP continues the slow-motion, highly-reluctant reversal of its drug policies — as a new health minister and a frustrated premier rolls back the safe supply program just minutes before they would have had to defend it publicly in the legislature. My latest in Northern Beat:
northernbeat.ca
BC NDP toss safe supply under bus in second major drug policy reversal - Northern Beat
BC NDP walk back safe supply program following leaked report of drug diversion in second major drug policy reversal in 10 months.
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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
BC Cons critic Elenore Sturko becomes emotional at news unwitnessed safe supply is ending, says she started raising concerns 2 yrs ago and has talked to families whose kids have become addicted due to safe supply. Bad actors here aren’t pharmacies, she says, it’s the NDP gov and policies.
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