I hear what you're saying but that level of detail about requests isn't publicly released, to my knowledge. Assessing the "quality" of requests from the perspective of a public body vs, say, a journalist trying to understand how a decision was reached would probably prove difficult
Meanwhile, my inbox is full of extension requests from ministry FOI teams to produce briefing notes that the government likes to imply it proactively releases 🙃
There is no reason to believe this time will be different, other than the minister's say so
You'll have to forgive me for being able to muster exactly zero faith in those words #bcpoli
The commissioner noted the government was taking longer to respond to fewer requests and failing to meet legislated response timelines frequently
In 2022-23, 43% of requests filed by media were unlawfully delayed
Note that businesses and law firms were getting the fewest unlawful delays #bcpoli
A graph of the number of FOI requests received and closed in BC from 2012/13 to 2022/23. The number dips to a 10-year low 2 years after the BC government introduced a $10 fee per FOI request
And not, like, a little bit worse. The FOI system took a nosedive
The number of requests dropped by HALF from 2020-2023 and requests filed by media organizations went from 756 to 286
"It is an understatement to say this downward trend is not a positive one," the FOI commissioner said at the time
Citizens' Services Minister Diana Gibson says proposed changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act will improve how the FOI system functions
Her predecessor said the same thing while defending new filing fees for FOI requests
Spoiler alert: the system got worse #bcpoli
Had my first appointment with a family doc this morning 🙌🏻
First time in 15 years
I wish I could say it was because of the health connect registry but it was because my dad begged a favour from a rugby buddy 🫠
If you're curious about how NDP MLAs see their first reading vote for the bill to close all supervised consumption sites in BC, this story has quotes from Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon and Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth, who is also gov house leader and most experienced member of the legislature
I'm looking forward to seeing the regulations eventually
And I'm curious whether the government's claim that it would repair its consultation failure with the law in developing the regulations will be proven
Guess we'll start to see in a few months #bcpoli
Note that only 1/3 of the regulations needed to fully implement Bill 15 (now the Infrastructure Projects Act) are expected this spring
The ones for:
- alternate environmental assessment processes
- qualified professionals
are still TBD nearly 1 year after the bill passed with closure #bcpoli
Asked about the rush to pass the bill and the time passed since, Ma notes the volume and complexity of the fast-tracking regulations and that other parts of the bill are in effect
She also said some permits are already being delivered faster "through the signal sent by" passing the bill last year
Instead, Bill 15 went from intro to passage in just over 2 sitting weeks with the government invoking closure to end debate
Only NDP MLAs voted for it, so the Speaker had to break a tie vote to pass it
Nearly a year later, the controversial fast-tracking provisions are not yet in effect #bcpoli
The government rushed to pass the legislation, even after Ma and Premier Eby admitted they had failed to fulfill obligations to consult First Nations while developing the bill
Many First Nations leaders called for the government to scrap Bill 15 so proper consultation could be done #bcpoli
Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma expects regulations empowering cabinet to designate "provincially significant" projects for a variety of fast-tracking measures will come into effect this spring
Remember Bill 15? The bill the government said absolutely, urgently had to pass last spring? #bcpoli
M 204 Brennan Day to move — That the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia be amended by deleting the text shown as struck out and adding the underlined text in Standing Order 78 as follows: First reading not debatable; Bill added to Order Paper. 78. When a Bill is presented by a Member, the question, “That this Bill be NOW read a first time,” shall be decided deemed to have carried without amendment or debate and the Bill shall be placed on the Order Paper for second reading.
Should private members' bills automatically get first reading?
BC Conservative MLA Brennan Day has put forward a motion that would make it so
His ask for leave to introduce the motion was not granted so it's kind of a moot point, if relevant to recent proceedings in the house #bcpoli
Partisanship is a helluva drug, folks
When the BC Conservatives voted for a bill to repeal the human rights code, the NDP caucus promptly put out a press release slamming the Cons who "couldn’t muster the courage to stand against it."
Today, 0 NDP MLAs mustered the courage to vote against a bill to close all BC's safe consumption sites
A picture of the BC legislative chamber, looking toward the Speaker's chair. A count of votes is sumperimposed, showing 84 Yeas and 2 Nays
There are a few empty seats in the house this morning (6 MLAs missing total, per the clerk's count of the vote)
One bill was from BCC MLA Kiel Giddens
The second was from independent MLA Jordan Kealy
NDP and Conservative caucuses vote for the bill, as do the independents
Greens vote against
The bill passes first reading
MLA Jordan Kealy has introduced the School Amendment Act, 2026, legislation designed to strengthen the safety of students in schools across British Columbia by establishing controlled entry points to school buildings during school hours. The proposed legislation comes in response to the recent tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, which highlighted concerns about how easily school buildings can sometimes be accessed during the school day. “The purpose of this legislation is straightforward: to strengthen the safety of our children while they are at school,” said Kealy. “No parent should ever have to worry that someone could simply walk into their child’s school without oversight while students are in classrooms trying to learn.” The bill would require schools to implement controlled entry systems so that visitors must be monitored before accessing students or staff inside school buildings. Many schools across British Columbia already use controlled entry systems where visitors must check in before entering the building. The proposed legislation would ensure that this level of protection is applied consistently across the province. “Controlled entry points create a moment of pause,” Kealy said. “They ensure that individuals cannot simply walk into a school unnoticed. In an emergency, even those few minutes can matter, giving staff time to call 911, initiate a lockdown, and protect the children in their care.” Kealy noted that controlled entry is already a standard safeguard in many other places. “Courthouses control who enters. Government buildings control who enters. Even in our own homes, we lock our doors and check who is outside before allowing someone in,” he said. “Yet the places where our children spend most of their day are often among the most accessible buildings in our communities.” Kealy said he has spoken with individuals closely connected to families affected by the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, and that the message from parents has been clear. “No one should b…
Oops: One of these bills was proposed by independent MLA Jordan Kealy
Here's his blurb on the bill
Division at first reading
Benefit recipients would be required to complete an approved drug recovery program post-conviction in order to have their benefits reinstated, per Armstrong
Armstrong said her proposal would end funding for safe consumption sites in BC and close all existing sites in 6 months
It would also create "consequences" for people who receive provincial benefits and are convicted of drug-related offenses, she said...
Two private member's bills proposed by BC Conservative MLAs passed first reading this morning and then independent MLA Tara Armstrong got up...
#bcpoli
“Some of these people that are poisoning our food supply, they should help us with trying to have good food here” : West Moberly First Nations Councillor Clarence Willson
In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 23% of British Columbians say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the BC Conservatives with former leader John Rustad at the helm. Only four leadership candidates can count on the consideration of at least one-in-five British Columbians: Darrell Jones (25%), Caroline Elliott (22%), Kerry-Lynne Findlay (21%), Iain Black (20%) and Peter Milobar (also 20%).
Maybe Rustad should have run to replace himself as BC Conservative leader 🤷♀️
What really matters is who the party's membership puts their faith in
Going to be an interesting 12 weeks!
"I've got my tentacles on the ground."
Yeah, question period is weird #bcpoli
I'd accept making them sing all QP questions and responses
It's already a ridiculous circus most of the time
Today's hot take: Singing should be banned in the legislative chamber 🙅♀️
