Shannon Waters

Federal wind tower tariff threatens B.C. clean power push, could add millions to project costs BC Hydro confirmed nine wind projects announced in a 2024 call for power will be subject to the 25% tariffs on wind towers, an increase critics say could derail the projects

Looks like Ottawa's efforts to shore up the largely Ontario-based steel industry could upend BC's plans to boost power generation

BC approved these projects a year ago and badly needs them online ASAP

The only wind turbine manufacturer in Canada is in Quebec

Federalism, it's complicated, eh?

an important & damning record of the impacts of the toxic drug crisis and persecution of unhoused community members — please read!

Involuntary Care Already Exists in BC, But Is It Working? - CMHA British Columbia VANCOUVER, BC – (September 18, 2024): On September 15, 2024, Premier Eby announced that his government is expanding involuntary care for people with brain injury, mental illness, and severe addiction....

Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."

CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...

Health Connect Registry – Primary Care in your Community Inbox healthconnectregistrydonotreply@hlth.gov.bc.ca Do not reply. This is an automated email notification that is unable to receive replies.

Love to get emails from BC's Health Connect Registry!

After nearly 5 years, I still don't have a primary care provider

But I do get semi-regular emails to remind me that I don't have a primary care provider 👏

Conservative Interim Leader Trevor Halford Leads Focused Conservative Caucus, Ready to Take On the NDP Government VICTORIA, B.C.: The Conservative Caucus of BC is entering a new era of focused, united leadership under Trevor Halford, MLA for Surrey–White Rock, who has stepped into the role of Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of BC and Leader of the Official Opposition. Halford thanked MLA John Rustad for his tremendous leadership and stewardship of the Conservative Caucus of BC, noting that Rustad took the party from not having elected an MLA since 1975 to coming within one seat of forming government. “John has worked tirelessly to champion common-sense government and built a movement that we can now take forward to defeat the NDP. Our entire caucus is grateful for the sacrifices he has made for this team and for this province.”

Halford says the Conservative Caucus of BC is focused, disciplined, and ready to provide the stability and accountability that British Columbians desperately need after a fall session defined by government turmoil and worsening crises. “This government’s agenda was defined by denial, secrecy, and incompetence,” says Leader of the Opposition Trevor Halford. “Every crisis worsened because they refused to act until it was too late.” With the conclusion of the BC Legislature’s fall sitting yesterday, the Conservative Caucus of BC caucus is identifying the session’s Top 10 major failures by an NDP government that is not only out of its depth, but more frighteningly, without answers for the future. “This government’s agenda was defined by chaos, secrecy, denial, and incompetence,” says Halford. “Every crisis worsened because they refused to act until it was too late.”

Statement from interim BC Conservative leader Trevor Halford

Halford says he's confident the caucus meeting will have full attendance but mentions things are fluid in December with the house adjourned and holidays coming

Rustad is not here

There's a lot of agreement from the attending caucus as Halford speaks

Leadership race details TBD. Halford won't say much about what he hopes for or expects

Says caucus will be meeting soon

"I am not running to be the next premier of this province," Halford says, sidestepping a question about whether be plans to reach out to the Independents and OneBC members who left or were locked out of the party and invite them to rejoin

Halford kicks off his press conference by thanking John Rustad

Says some MLAs are missing because they left yesterday to attend Christmas concerts with their kids. Several of the MLAs missing expressed loyalty to Rustad yesterday

Members of the BC Conservative caucus assembled behind a mic at the BC legislature

They're singing 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' ahead of a press conference with interim BC Conservative leader Trevor Halford

Most of the caucus is here

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2025 Statement from John Rustad VICTORIA, B.C.: “Today, I am announcing my decision to resign as Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia and as Leader of the Official Opposition. When I began this journey, our party had not elected an MLA to the British Columbia Legislature since 1975. We started with very little, but we built a movement grounded in common sense, hard work, and love of this province. Together, we came within one seat of forming government. That progress belongs to every MLA, every volunteer, every donor, and every British Columbian who believed we could do better.

I am proud of what we have built and proud of the team of Conservative MLAs who now represent communities across British Columbia. We have been a strong voice for safe streets, affordable living, private property, resource jobs, and respect for the people who build this province. That work matters more than ever, because the NDP is laying waste to B.C.’s economy and the livelihoods of working families. This was brought into sharp relief just this week with the loss of 350 jobs at the Crofton Pulp mill. People who work hard and play by the rules deserve a government that has their back, not a government that drives investment away and shrugs when paycheques disappear. I know many are concerned by what they saw yesterday, but I want to assure every member and supporter of the party that this was not a hostile takeover by BC Liberals of the party. We remain to a vision of elected a common-sense Conservative government in BC. I invite everyone who sees the NDP as a threat to their livelihood and to the dreams of a prosperous British Columbia to join us in the coming weeks and months as we chart a new path forward. British Columbia needs a strong and unified opposition that is ready to hold this government to account and defeat it. I have full confidence in our caucus, and I will continue to support our team as they fight for British Columbians every day. I am deeply grateful to my wife Kim for the sacrifices she has made. I’m grateful to our staff for their commitment and to the people of British Columbia for the privilege of serving as the leader of the Official Opposition.” -30-

And it's official

John Rustad resigns as BC Conservative leader

24 hours ago, he was adamant he would remain leader #bcpoli

Looks like Rustad has deleted this tweet and updated his Twitter bio #bcpoli

Still no statement from the BC Conservative caucus 🤷‍♀️

BC press gallery picked a great evening for our Xmas party 😅

Meanwhile, debate has wrapped on all government legislation introduced this session and assent has been granted

Government house leader Mike Farnworth just moved adjournment

That's it, folks - that's the fall session! #bcpoli

MLA Claire Rattee weighs in on Twitter, saying she voted no confidence in Rustad's leadereship #bcpoli

Unclear at this point whether a vote took place and, if so, which caucus members were there

Some Conservative MLAs told reporters they had not heard about a caucus meeting today or a vote taking place

The Conservative house leader said the caucus will be putting out a press release by EOD

*asking

Stamer was asking the forests minister about this closure

My fingers are tired

QP has gone as it normally would

Not sure when we'll have further updates

Halford said he'd have more to say soon

Warbus promised a press release to provide clarity by the end of the day

Grabbing some lunch while I can

QP starts off routinely, with Ward Stamer asked about the Crofton Mill closure

Note from the house:

Bruce Banman - the first member of Rustad's Conservative caucus - is participating remotely today

MLA Teresa Wat is not in her seat and I don't see her on screen

Rustad said there will be a caucus meeting at some point to discuss the situation but wouldn't say when

On his way into the chamber, Rustad says nothing has changed since his avail with reporters this morning and he remains leader

Asked about Warbus' promise of a press release this afternoon, Rustad said he isn't aware of anything on that front

He's gone into the house

Rustad's response posted to Twitter

Same tone he took this morning, when he was asked about his possible removal under similar circumstances #bcpoli

A picture of my ear adorned with dangling dumpster fire earrings and square mint studs I'm wearing a plum faux turtleneck and standing in front of wood panelling and a stained glass door

I just want you all to know I'm wearing my dumpster fire earrings today

Conservative house leader Á’a:líya Warbus says the caucus is working things out internally and will put out a press release by the end of the day

Press gallery reporters are waiting outside Rustad's office on the assumption he's in there but might emerge

Press gallery is camped out up the stairs from his office

Lorne Doerksen says the next steps are coming clearer

Brian Tepper won't comment

Bell rings in the house. Halford is in there, Rustad is not

MLA Reann Gasper says Rustad remains leader, will be next premier of BC

Adds she's disappointed in her colleagues that proper procedure has not been followed

Jody Toor also backs Rustad, says she did not participate in a caucus vote. Krista Loewen mods beside her

Ward Stamer, no comment

MLA Steve Kooner declines to comment, so does Laurence Mok

Peter Milobar says Halford is interim party leader and official opposition leader

Korky Neufeld seems not to know, asks reporters what we've heard about the party leadership

Halford just walked into the house backed by a handful of MLAs