PolitiCoast

A mining rescue operation, ultimatums for Oak Bay & West Van, an even bigger ballot and First Ministers meet. Links * Rescue operation underway for 3 miners trapped underground at northern B.C. mine | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/miners-red-chris-mine-bc-dease-lake-1.7592096] * Underground mine where workers trapped was on BC fast-track list | Canada’s National Observer: Climate News [https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/23/news/underground-mine-where-workers-trapped-was-bc-fast-track-list]  * Update (after recording): Rescued workers being reunited with families after 60 hours trapped in B.C. mine | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/red-chris-trapped-miners-bc-30m-debris-1.7592900] * Directives issued to get more homes built in Oak Bay, West Vancouver [https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HMA0062-000698] * Drug body members quit after decision reversal on funding for treatment of girl with rare disease [https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/07/18/bc-vancouver-island-girl-rare-disease-drugs-members-quit/] * Data reveals dramatic spike in patients leaving B.C. emergency rooms without receiving care | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/spike-in-b-c-patients-leaving-emergency-1.7592315] * MP wants passenger rail in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region as CN Rail pulls out | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/passenger-rail-bc-sea-to-sky-region-1.7591693] * More than 100 candidates — most in Canadian history — to run against Poilievre in byelection | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/alberta-byelection-record-number-of-candidates-1.7588679] * Poilievre calls for law to block long ballot protests that ‘abuse’ democracy [https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/poilievre-calls-for-law-to-block-long-ballot-protests-ahead-of-alberta-byelection/] * Poilievre, Conservative MPs criticize Crown ahead of Freedom Convoy leaders’ sentencing | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-mps-poilievre-support-convoy-organizers-1.7590805] * Toronto has 6 months to meet terms of housing agreement with Ottawa, minister says | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-housing-agreement-terms-six-months-housing-minister-1.7591791] * Premiers push for more power over immigration as Ford takes aim at federal minister – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-premiers-immigration-doug-ford-federal-minister/] * After 2 days of trade talks, premiers wrap summit talking crime and health care | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/premiers-discuss-rime-health-care-1.7592018]

A cabine shuffle, a drug decision flip-flop and Poilievre’s struggle for relevancy. Links * Updated cabinet sworn in to meet the needs of British Columbians in a changing world [https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PREM0071-000686]  * B.C. cuts Metro Vancouver developers a break from soaring fees, backstopped by $250 million in federal cash [https://vancouversun.com/news/bc-cuts-vancouver-developers-break-soaring-fees-250-million-federal-funds] * B.C. quietly expands scope of Bill 14 to include all future wind and solar – Terrace Standard [https://www.terracestandard.com/news/bc-quietly-expands-scope-of-bill-14-to-include-all-future-wind-and-solar-8131910] * B.C. improves HOV-lane access for EV drivers [https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025TT0071-000664] * Health minister upholds decision to deny rare-disease funds for B.C. girl – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bc-health-minister-denies-rare-disease-funds-charleigh-pollock/] * B.C.’s premiere responds to experts on treatment for Langford’s Charleigh Pollock [https://cheknews.ca/charleigh-1267228/] * Rob Shaw – drug coverage restored [https://x.com/robshaw_bc/status/1946012544520380596?s=46] * Ontario Progressive Conservatives schedule convention for same time as Poilievre’s leadership review – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ontario-conservatives-federal-pollievre-leadership/] * Poilievre adviser Jenni Byrne staying on, Conservatives confirm amid speculation of ouster – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-poilievre-adviser-jenni-byrne-staying-on-conservatives-confirm-amid/] * Poilievre calls for ‘very hard caps’ on immigration to better integrate newcomers | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-immigraton-very-hard-cap-1.7584743] * Poilievre slams Carney over investment disclosure, says PM needs to sell assets | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-carney-asset-disclosure-1.7584756] * Money for nothing? Feds’ failure to condemn Toronto’s breach of housing deal ‘concerning,’ say critics – iPolitics [https://www.ipolitics.ca/2025/07/11/money-for-nothing-feds-failure-to-condemn-torontos-breach-of-housing-deal-concerning-say-critics/] * Toronto sixplex policy ‘disappointing,’ Federal Housing Minister says – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-toronto-sixplex-policy-disappointing-federal-housing-minister-says/]

The BC Greens are actually having a leadership race with (at least) three candidates. FIFA is disrupting the courts and future community events may need risk assessments. BC’s urgent infrastructure act is going to a year-long consultation process while the feds eye projects for their act. Carney caves on digital services taxes and Trump threatens tariffs anyway. The Battle River-Crowfoot byelection has been called and so has the federal NDP leadership race. Links BC Green Party Leadership Race 2025: A New Era [https://bcgreens.ca/leadership-contest/] Comox councillor steps forward as leadership candidate for B.C. Greens | Vancouver Sun [https://vancouversun.com/news/comox-leadership-candidate-bc-greens] Adam Bremner-Akins [https://adamba.ca/] These are not normal times. Here in B.C., one-third of us can’t afford our bills. Rent and grocery prices are sky-high. Home-ownership and… | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/p/DLptqM7x3yQ/] All criminal trials in four B.C. courts to be rescheduled during FIFA World Cup [https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/all-criminal-trials-in-four-bc-courts-to-be-rescheduled-during-fifa-world-cup/] Report says all B.C. events should get risk review, in wake of Lapu-Lapu festival tragedy [https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/safety-report-expected-after-11-killed-in-vehicle-ramming-at-vancouver-festival/] REPORT OF THE STUDY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO COMMUNITY EVENTS SAFETY [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/about-bc-justice-system/inquiries/commission_of_inquiry_into_community_events_safety-report_20250626.pdf] Engagement begins to support implementation of Infrastructure Projects Act [https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025INF0028-000656] Canada Canada rescinds digital services tax to advance trade discussions with the United States | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/digital-services-tax-trade-discussions-1.7574001] Trump threatening 35% tariffs on Canadian goods across the board | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-35-per-cent-tariffs-1.7582563] Carney’s cabinet asked to find ‘ambitious savings’ ahead of fall budget | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ottawa-spending-cuts-1.7579022] Carney says it’s ‘highly likely’ an oil pipeline makes project list | Calgary Herald [https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/varcoe-mark-carney-oil-pipeline-ottawa-major-project-list] Carney government’s nation-building projects list expected to draw from these five areas, says source [https://financialpost.com/news/economy/carney-nation-building-projects-list-focus-5-areas] Carney calls mid-August Alberta byelection, clearing Poilievre’s path to a new seat [https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/exclusive-carney-set-to-call-mid-august-alberta-byelection-clearing-poilievres-path-to-a-new-seat] Liberal Party of Canada announces Darcy Spady as Liberal candidate for Battle River—Crowfoot [https://liberal.ca/liberal-party-of-canada-announces-darcy-spady-as-liberal-candidate-for-battle-river-crowfoot/] Katherine Swampy [https://katherineswampy.ndp.ca/] Green Party’s Douglas Gook Launches By-Election Campaign with Focus on Local Empowerment [https://www.greenparty.ca/en/news/douglas-gook-by-election-campaign]  NDP plans to launch six-month leadership race, choose leader in March 2026 [https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/ndp-aiming-to-have-new-leader-in-place-by-march-of-next-year/] * Heather McPherson [https://www.heather4leader.ca/] * Yves Engler for NDP Leader [https://yvesforndpleader.ca/] * Tony McQuail Ruling Liberals Comfortably Ahead in Canada’s Political Scene – Research Co. [https://researchco.ca/2025/07/07/cdnpoli-july2025/]

The BC Conservatives didn’t mean to politicize “blackmail” accusations against their political rivals. The BCNDP and federal government face further criticism over the BC Ferries order. And (most) NATO allies commit to spending unseen amounts on military build-ups. (Sorry for the re-upload) Links * Rustad wonders if he should have made ‘blackmail’ claim after Opposition caucus meets | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rustad-blackmail-claim-opposition-caucus-1.7571750] * Rustad says staff won’t give RCMP ‘blackmail’ statement as leadership vote begins – Richmond News [https://www.richmond-news.com/bc-news/rustad-says-staff-wont-give-rcmp-blackmail-statement-as-leadership-vote-begins-10853625] * Federal infrastructure bank provided $1-billion in loans for BC Ferries to buy Chinese-made ships – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-federal-infrastructure-bank-provided-1-billion-in-financing-for-bc/] * Tories call for hearing on $1-billion federal loan for BC Ferries’ purchase of Chinese vessels – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-conservatives-hearing-loan-bc-ferries-chinese-vessels/] * FIFA World Cup hosting costs revealed by B.C. are up to $624 million | Vancouver Sun [https://vancouversun.com/news/fifaworld-cup-hosting-costs-bc-624-million] * Senate passes controversial bill to fast-track major projects [https://cheknews.ca/senate-could-vote-on-controversial-major-projects-bill-today-1263591/] * Bill C-5: Canadians support fast-tracking projects, but conflicted over individual elements of the legislation – [https://angusreid.org/bill-c5-carney-infrastructure-indigenous-environmental-laws-national-importance-projects/] * Carney ready to dismiss top bureaucrats unable to meet his expectations, Liberal insiders say – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-carney-ready-to-dismiss-top-bureaucrats-unable-to-meet-his/] * The Hague Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government (2025), 25-Jun. [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_236705.htm] * Canada promises to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035 in pact with NATO leaders | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-agrees-five-percent-gdp-defence-spending-1.7570191] * NATO’s 5% benchmark would cost Canada $150B a year, Carney says | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nato-leaders-summit-1.7568938] * Canada signs deal deepening European defence and security partnership | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-rearm-europe-deal-1.7567162] * Carney says Canada will meet new NATO spending target by developing critical minerals [https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/carney-says-canada-will-meet-new-nato-spending-target-by-developing-critical-minerals/] * Ottawa considering military equipment production deal with Ukraine, Defence Minister says – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ottawa-ukraine-deal-military-equipment-carney-david-mcguinty/] * NATO’s new villain: Spain – POLITICO [https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-nato-canada-defense-target-spending-gdp/]

The BC Conservatives didn’t mean to politicize “blackmail” accusations against their political rivals. The BCNDP and federal government face further criticism over the BC Ferries order. And (most) NATO allies commit to spending unseen amounts on military build-ups. Links * Rustad wonders if he should have made ‘blackmail’ claim after Opposition caucus meets | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rustad-blackmail-claim-opposition-caucus-1.7571750] * Rustad says staff won’t give RCMP ‘blackmail’ statement as leadership vote begins – Richmond News [https://www.richmond-news.com/bc-news/rustad-says-staff-wont-give-rcmp-blackmail-statement-as-leadership-vote-begins-10853625] * Federal infrastructure bank provided $1-billion in loans for BC Ferries to buy Chinese-made ships – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-federal-infrastructure-bank-provided-1-billion-in-financing-for-bc/] * Tories call for hearing on $1-billion federal loan for BC Ferries’ purchase of Chinese vessels – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-conservatives-hearing-loan-bc-ferries-chinese-vessels/] * FIFA World Cup hosting costs revealed by B.C. are up to $624 million | Vancouver Sun [https://vancouversun.com/news/fifaworld-cup-hosting-costs-bc-624-million] * Senate passes controversial bill to fast-track major projects [https://cheknews.ca/senate-could-vote-on-controversial-major-projects-bill-today-1263591/] * Bill C-5: Canadians support fast-tracking projects, but conflicted over individual elements of the legislation – [https://angusreid.org/bill-c5-carney-infrastructure-indigenous-environmental-laws-national-importance-projects/] * Carney ready to dismiss top bureaucrats unable to meet his expectations, Liberal insiders say – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-carney-ready-to-dismiss-top-bureaucrats-unable-to-meet-his/] * The Hague Summit Declaration issued by NATO Heads of State and Government (2025), 25-Jun. [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_236705.htm] * Canada promises to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035 in pact with NATO leaders | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-agrees-five-percent-gdp-defence-spending-1.7570191] * NATO’s 5% benchmark would cost Canada $150B a year, Carney says | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nato-leaders-summit-1.7568938] * Canada signs deal deepening European defence and security partnership | CBC News [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-rearm-europe-deal-1.7567162] * Carney says Canada will meet new NATO spending target by developing critical minerals [https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/carney-says-canada-will-meet-new-nato-spending-target-by-developing-critical-minerals/] * Ottawa considering military equipment production deal with Ukraine, Defence Minister says – The Globe and Mail [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ottawa-ukraine-deal-military-equipment-carney-david-mcguinty/] * NATO’s new villain: Spain – POLITICO [https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-nato-canada-defense-target-spending-gdp/]