iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

“As much as I would like to be perfect, I am not. The goal here is to respond to the fact I didn’t get the balance right on this one," says Eby

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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 · 28/03/2025

you are right, that IS controversial! 😂

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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 · 14/03/2025

Cabinet orders are published online shortly after they are signed and deposited with the LG, so presumably these should be public and we can track them.

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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

You are correct and Eby was incorrect. The legislature doesn’t ratify the measures - it receives a tabled report twice a year on what the measures were with no vote on them.

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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

I’m not a reporter I’m a columnist, and the BC NDP are in government with a $95b budget and immense power - holding the power of the state to account, questioning and criticizing is my job. Same when Liberals were in power. I don’t care about which party is in power. They come and go.

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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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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

Wait, you’ve been gone?!

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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

My understanding is Brodie has been backed by MLAs Jordan Kealy, Tara Armstrong and Brent Chapman on this issue — will be interesting to see if they stay, or quit, or what happens.

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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Full statement. Rustad indicates Brodie's recent video interview this week, in which she attacked fellow colleagues and mocked "the truth" leading to a huge caucus blowup on the issue, was the tipping point.

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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

Thank you, Time-Challenged Reader, for asking me to include in my post comments from a press conference that didn't happen until two hours later. If you don't like the posts, unfollow and move on and go call other people names.

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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

Another interesting budget stat from Claire Rattee - the debt servicing cost this year will be $7b for the BCgov, which is more than BC is spending in its entirety on addictions treatment and could be funding 20,000 new treatment beds.

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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 · 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

Actual change here is: - Immediate increase in renewable-fuel requirement for diesel from 4% to 8% - April 1, 2025: renewable content for diesel must be produced in Cdn - Jan. 1, 2026: 5% min renewable-fuel requirement for gas must met with Cdn produced renewable fuels

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Rob Shaw @robshaw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

The goal is to keep Tidewater facility from closing, says Dix. Tidewater's CFO says situation still very challenging. Dix says impact might be near-term price increase for consumers on biofuel, but can't allow USA to undermine system, and long-term benefit to Cdn industry key.

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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

Osborne says ER closures have come down 40% over the last six months.

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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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