Necessary tool or 'power grab'? B.C. NDP seeks to give itself new powers to fight U.S. threats
British Columbia's Green Party says the NDP government needs to explain why its proposal for broad-reaching emergency cabinet powers is needed before its two members can support the legislation.
The NDP has a one-seat majority in the legislature and could pass the bill without Green assistance, but the two parties last week signed a confidence agreement that includes an NDP "commitment" to consult the Greens" with respect to the shared initiatives as listed in this agreement in relation to the United States Tariffs and Trade Actions."
Interim Green Leader Jeremy Valeriote said in a statement that while he understands the "urgency of the situation" given the ongoing trade strife with the United States, the proposed Bill 7 in its current form has "vague wording" and "could allow for sweeping economic decisions without clear limits or transparency."
"There's no need for secrecy," Valeriote said. "Decisions should be made openly, not behind closed doors, and the legislature should receive regular reporting on what decisions are being made."
Sweeping powers
The bill was tabled last week and would give B.C.'s cabinet sweeping powers to make regulations that address challenges or anticipated challenges from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction or for a purpose "supporting the economy of British Columbia and Canada" without requiring a debate in the legislature.
Premier David Eby said the bill — which contains a sunset clause that repeals it by May 28, 2027, at the latest — is needed to respond to what he called the "human-caused disaster" of tariffs and other threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
WATCH | Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calls new bill 'political theatre':
What is B.C.'s Economic Stabilization Tariff Response Act?
2 days ago
Duration 6:59
Marc Lee, a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, talks about the Economic Stabilization Tariff Response Act, which, if passed, would allow the government to respond without having to go through the legislature for debate. B.C. Premier David Eby has said the response is necessary to protect jobs and businesses amid tariff threats. However, opposition parties are not convinced.
Attorney General Niki Sharma said Thursday that she takes "all concerns" with the legislation seriously, but defended the bill's intent.
"It's a very unprecedented time that we're in, and we need to make sure that we have [the] ability to respond rapidly in a temporary way to protect our economy and make sure that the guardrails are strong enough," she said. "I'm always open to discussions about how we do that."
She said the legislation is temporary but needed in response to an "emergency" brought on by an American government seemingly unconstrained by treaty obligations or Congress.
Valeriote said the Greens would "closely scrutinize this bill," and the party expected to "propose substantive amendments to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair economic outcomes."
"We'll be pushing for more clarity in committee discussions and expect ministers to explain why they need these powers and what they plan to do with them," he said.
NDP defends legislation. Conservatives call it 'power grab'
Eby has said the legislation would give the province the capability to be "nimble" in response to constantly changing tariffs and threats coming from the Trump White House.
"In the face of escalating attacks on our sovereignty that have included threatening to erase the Canada-U. S. border and taking our water, we are not backing down," Eby said in a statement when the bill was introduced last week.
"We are arming ourselves with the tools we need to respond swiftly, break down trade barriers within Canada and strengthen our economy."
The Opposition B.C. Conservative Party has been vocal in its objections to the legislation, with members taking to calling it "autocratic" and "undemocratic."
Transportation critic and Langley-Abbotsford legislative member Harman Bhangu said his office had been "flooded" with emails and phone calls from constituents expressing concern about the cabinet powers the legislation would grant.
"This is really scary," Bhangu said. "It's a blatant power grab, and it should really, really concern a lot of people because this could really undermine local municipalities [and] a lot of other provincial jurisdictions, where it gives them the sweeping power to come in and do whatever they want."
Bhangu said he was surprised that the Greens did not reject the legislation outright.
"I think their base should be very upset," he said.
Bill is a 'very big target': prof
The bill has received mixed reviews from analysts, as well. Marc Lee of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives characterized it as "political theatre," noting that with its majority, the B.C. NDP already has the power to pass legislation it feels is necessary without the support of other parties.
"It doesn't fundamentally change the already high concentration of power that we see in the B.C. government," he said.
Hamish Telford, an assistant professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, said he understood the concerns of potential overreach but said the proposed legislation seemed to have reasonable safeguards built in.
"We're in unprecedented times," he said. "It doesn't seem to me to be out of line to have legislation that gives our executive the nimbleness to respond more quickly to the actions the president of the United States may take against us."
But Royal Roads University associate Prof. David Black said that given the narrowness of the New Democrats' victory in last fall's provincial election, the new legislation "asks too much of the public," even at a time when people are willing to give governments more leeway to address the threats from the United States.
"I think the NDP is … putting at risk what political capital they have and the extra amounts of that the public might well give to government because we are in these difficult times."
Black also said the issue of government overreach gave the Conservatives a "very big target" to rally around.
He said the issue will be a test for the Greens in light of the confidence agreement with the NDP.
"It was not what the Greens signed on for," Black said of Bill 7. "And I think it'll be an interesting test of the kind of influences this caucus of two has over their senior partner with respect to what, if any, significant amendments we see."
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Vancouver Sun
34 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
Exclusive: B.C. public sector jobs have more than doubled under the NDP
The number of B.C. public-sector employees in health care, schools and government ministries who make at least $75,000 a year has more than doubled since the NDP was elected in 2017, data collected by Postmedia reveals. In the time since the NDP took power, the total number of taxpayer-funded positions in health authorities, K-12 schools and the core of government have leapt to 104,600, from 49,400. And the amount of money spent annually on salaries for those government workers has jumped from just under $5 billion to more than $11.5 billion in that time, according to the 12th edition of The Vancouver Sun's searchable public sector salaries database. ( You can search the database HERE .) Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. British Columbians may scratch their heads when learning that the number of workers paid at least $75,000 from the public purse has doubled — especially if their local emergency department has recently closed due to a lack of nurses or doctors, or if their grandmother's retirement home doesn't have enough care aides, or if there isn't a teacher for their child's classroom. Union leaders maintain their members in hospitals, schools and community services represent only part of this growth of government workers. They argue the biggest expansion has been in non-union staff and management roles, which they say increased disproportionately compared to workers on the ground. 'We've had this explosive growth in (non-union) management, and that hasn't resulted in a more efficient organization,' Paul Finch, president of the B.C. General Employees' Union, said of the public service. 'That should never have been allowed to happen.' The Finance Ministry, in a statement to Postmedia, said public sector salaries have risen an average of 23 per cent since 2017 through collective bargaining and that the government has launched efforts to hire more in-demand professionals such as nurses and teachers. It said three-quarters of the public sector is unionized, but did not address the unions' concerns that the overall percentage of non-unionized employees increased at a faster pace than the percentage of front-line workers in recent years. Postmedia's database contains the names and wages of nearly 170,000 workers who made at least $75,000 in 2023-2024 at approximately 100 public sector agencies, including the provincial government, city halls, universities and colleges, school districts, health authorities, Crown corporations, municipal police departments, and other agencies that use taxpayers' money to fund their payrolls. The Sun has created this searchable database for the 12th time because detailed information on how your tax dollars are spent on salaries is not otherwise easily available for the public to search, as it is in other provinces such as Ontario . The total amount the provincial government spends on salaries for its 600,000 public sector employees is $53 billion, representing 60 per cent of the provincial budget. Our database contains just the 170,000 workers who make more than $75,000. By comparing this database with an earlier version, Postmedia determined the number of people who worked directly for government ministries and were paid at least $75,000 ballooned by 135 per cent since 2017 — a faster pace than health and education workers. Job titles captured in that surge include directors, managers, policy analysts, team leaders and supervisors. The BCGEU's Finch used B.C. Public Service Agency data to determine the number of non-unionized and management workers grew by 45 per cent, increasing to 7,350 in 2024, from 5,202 in 2017. In that time, the number of unionized members in the public service increased by 31 per cent, from nearly 25,000 to just over 32,000 seven years later. That trend means that in 2010, there was one manager for every four unionized workers, but by 2024 that ratio was one-to-three, Finch said. 'That's a completely unacceptable ratio,' he said. 'We need to see ceilings put in place on ratios of management to front-line workers.' How to determine those ratios should be based on 'what serves the best interest of British Columbians,' he added. Postmedia's data shows that in some union jobs, such as child protection workers, wildfire fighters, probation officers and correction services staff, the number of people making $75,000 went from zero in 2017 to several hundred by 2024. Finch said those are not all new hires, but include existing staff pushed above $75,000 under collective agreement pay raises. The health sector also had significant growth in our database, with the number of provincial employees making at least $75,000 increasing by 122 per cent since 2017. B.C. Nurses' Union President Adriane Gear said she'd like the government to assess the number of managers versus front-line workers during the health sector expansion. During that period, BCNU membership grew by just 16 per cent, from 43,000 in 2017 to 50,000 in 2025. 'There have been nurses hired in this province, but has it kept up with the needs of British Columbians? No. Nurses continue to work extremely short-staffed, which means below safe levels of nurses to patients,' she said. Statistics Canada estimates B.C. has 5,600 vacancies for different types of nurses. Gear stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the premier in September, when the province announced improved nurse-to-patient ratios, in an effort to attract more nurses to B.C. But, she said, the details are still being worked out. 'I'm very frustrated. … We still don't have that deal inked yet,' Gear said. 'I'm puzzled how that doesn't seem to be one of the very top priorities.' The Hospital Employees Union maintains there is also a desperate need to hire more of their members, especially care aides who are in high demand in care homes and hospitals as the population ages. 'More than 50 per cent of our members are working short (staffed) at least one day and sometimes twice a week. And so this is a really big part of the problem,' said Lynn Bueckert, the HEU's secretary-business manager. 'Retention and recruitment are such big issues in the health-care system. Period.' HEU members, including lab assistants, cleaners, and staff who deliver meals, play vital roles for patients in hospitals. But they are unlikely to be represented in the database's 122 per cent growth in health workers making at least $75,000, because 'the vast majority' of those jobs don't pay that much, Bueckert said. The membership of the HEU expanded from 49,000 members in 2017 to nearly 68,000 in 2025, an increase of 39 per cent. Some of that growth was due to recruiting care home staff to join the union, said Bueckert. The third sector analyzed for this story, K-12 education, had a 70 per cent surge in staff making more than $75,000 since 2017. During that time, though, the B.C. Teachers Federation said its membership numbers rose from 46,200 to 52,600 — a 14 per cent bump. BCTF president Clint Johnston said he doesn't know the source of the growth in school district numbers. Government is making efforts to hire more teachers, but there is still a serious shortage. 'How many teachers we need versus how many teachers we actually have? That gap is growing every year,' he said. 'You can verifiably see it by the number of uncertified teachers who are being used in the province.' Postmedia's database shows twice as many teachers making at least $75,000 compared to our 2017 version, but Johnston said the number of instructors hasn't risen by that much. The increase could be due to wage enhancements pushing some teachers above the $75,000 threshold, as well as more veteran teachers at the top of the salary grid postponing retirement. BCTF members have raised anecdotal concerns about a hike in non-classroom staff, such as district learning coordinators or assistant superintendents, who would typically fall into the $75,000-plus salary bracket, Johnston said. 'That is absolutely an issue that they frequently talk about, the disproportionate growth in district staff who aren't in a classroom teaching, directly supporting kids,' he said. B.C. is short more than 900 teachers and nearly 600 education assistants and other support staff, positions that are advertised on the government's education-related jobs page . Johnston said the provincial education budget is large but does not keep pace with demand, which has forced school districts to cancel special programs like band and to find alternative revenue for inclusive education programs. Interviews with Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, Health Minister Josie Osborne and Education Minister Lisa Beare were requested for this story. They all declined. In written answers to our questions about the 135 per cent increase in government ministry workers, the B.C. Public Service Agency said ministry workers have an average salary today of $67,819. In 2017, the agency said, public service workers, on average, made less than health and school employees, which may explain why ministry workers earning more than $75,000 today have grown at a disproportionately faster rate. 'Those other data sets may already have had a higher percentage over $75,000, which would reflect in (health and education's) lower growth rates over the term,' the agency said in a statement. The Public Sector Employers' Council said ministries have fewer workers than in health care and K-12 education, which means the hiring of a few new staff can boost the percentage of sector employees more quickly. While the B.C. Public Service Agency and Public Sector Employers' Council minimized the apparent surge of workers in ministries and service agencies making more than $75,000, the government's own budget documents chronicle the growth of ministry employees across all salary ranges. Budget documents show full-time-equivalent staff in ministries and service agencies grew significantly over eight years, to 48,386 in 2025-26 from 32,865 in 2017-18 . This includes all ministry workers, regardless of their salaries, and the total money spent on wages for this group grew by 63 per cent over those eight years. The Public Sector Employers' Council acknowledged there are still shortages of key workers in other sectors, including health and education. The government has launched initiatives such as a K-12 recruitment and retention drive to find more teachers, the statement said. 'In health care, many efforts have been initiated to make recruitment easier from out-of-province and international health workers, including a new, fast-tracked credential recognition for U.S. trained and certified nurses last month,' the council said in a statement. The council noted there are three unionized workers for every non-unionized employee, but didn't answer questions about that ratio previously being four-to-one. Of the 600,000 people employed by the province, 44 per cent work in health but, on average, have higher wages that account for 52 per cent of money spent on salaries; 17 per cent work in K-12 education but their lower-than-average salaries mean they take up just 15 per cent of the salary budget; and the eight per cent working in ministries collect nine per cent of the money spent on salaries, according to government figures. The Health Ministry, in an email, said the database's 122 per cent growth in health staff is largely attributable to collective agreements pushing some workers' salaries above $75,000 as well as the hiring of more in-demand staff 'to keep pace with an increasing population and corresponding demand for services.' It said the Provincial Health Services Authority, for example, has hired more paramedics, cancer specialists, and Indigenous health leaders. When asked about union allegations that the percentage of non-unionized staff has grown at a faster pace than that of front-line workers, the ministry said these 'non-contract positions' represent more than managers. They also include people who support quality improvements in labs or medical imaging, nurse practitioners and associate physicians, and human resources staff to help with recruiting health workers. The ministry said it has committed to new nurse-to-patient ratios and is fast-tracking credentials for nurses from places such as the U.S. and Australia in an effort to expand their ranks. The number of nurses in B.C. has grown by 27 per cent since 2018, based on statistics from the nurses' regulatory body, the email said. It is not clear why that number is different than the BCNU's 16 per cent increase since 2017. In addition to trying to hire more nurses, the ministry said a program to recruit additional workers for care homes has filled 10,000 positions since 2020. The ministry defended its hiring practices. It said the Canadian Institute of Health Information found B.C.'s ratio of spending on finance and human resources, compared to on front-line health workers, was the second best in Canada. The Education Ministry did not answer Postmedia's question about the database's finding of a 70 per cent growth in staff in K to 12, or explain what types of jobs had expanded the most. It referred all queries to the B.C. Public School Employers' Association, but later provided this statement. When asked about BCTF allegations of a disproportionate increase of non-union and management staff compared to teachers and others in classrooms, the ministry responded that those decisions are up to school districts. 'Decisions about hiring are made at the local level for what makes sense in their community.' The statement acknowledged, though, that 'one of the biggest challenges the K-12 sector faces is hiring enough qualified teaching and support staff,' a problem that exists across Canada. B.C. is trying to hire more teachers by reducing barriers for internationally trained educators to work here, by offering hiring incentives of $500,000 for people to work in rural and remote communities, by increasing flexibility in teacher training programs to allow students to remain in their community to study, and by working with Indigenous groups to recruit more Indigenous teachers, the ministry said. Premier David Eby campaigned last year on every K-3 class having an education assistant. The ministry says 75 per cent of those classrooms have an EA, and it is exploring 'ways to support hiring more.' In our database, remuneration includes salary, overtime, bonuses and other one-time payouts or benefits, such as unused vacation time. It does not include expenses. The figures come from publicly available compensation disclosure reports and freedom of information requests. Some of the names and positions in the database may be out of date if someone has retired or moved jobs, but it provides a recent snapshot in time of public sector payrolls in B.C. lculbert@ ngriffiths@
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CHIPOTLE TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH ADOBO RANCH, THE BRAND'S FIRST NEW DIP IN FIVE YEARS
Chipotle is bringing a bold new flavor to its menu with the launch of Adobo Ranch, a craveable dip made fresh in Chipotle restaurants with all real ingredients Adobo Ranch is Chipotle's first new dip since Queso Blanco Chipotle Rewards members can try Adobo Ranch for free exclusively on Tuesday, June 17¹ NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced it is turning up the heat this summer with the debut of its new Adobo Ranch, a smoky, spicy twist on America's beloved dipping sauce. Made fresh in Chipotle restaurants, Adobo Ranch features adobo pepper, sour cream and a unique blend of herbs and spices, bringing a craveable kick to the brand's signature burritos, bowls, salads, tacos and quesadillas. Adobo Ranch will be available at Chipotle locations across the U.S. and Canada starting Tuesday, June 17 and Chipotle Rewards members can try it for free on launch day.¹ Fans can join Chipotle Rewards by visiting: in the U.S. and in Canada. Adobo Ranch: A New Way To Chipotle Ranch dips and dressings have surged in popularity, surpassing ketchup as American's favorite condiment in 2024. 2 Adobo Ranch, the brand's unique take on ranch, features only real ingredients and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. "Ranch has become a cultural phenomenon, especially among Gen Z, who are finding creative ways to enjoy it beyond the traditional salad," said Chris Brandt, President and Chief Brand Officer. "Our new Adobo Ranch taps into this passion, giving fans a craveworthy way to customize their Chipotle order with a completely new flavor." Nevielle Panthaky, Vice President of Culinary at Chipotle, recommends dipping a Hand-Crafted Quesadilla in Adobo Ranch or dipping salt and lime seasoned tortilla chips in Adobo Ranch before scooping into a burrito bowl for the perfect bite. Free Adobo Ranch For Chipotle Rewards Members Chipotle Rewards members can try Adobo Ranch for free on Tuesday, June 17. Guests have one week to enroll in Chipotle Rewards by 11 p.m. local time on Monday, June 16 to receive a free Adobo Ranch offer in their account on Tuesday, June 17.¹ New Chipotle Rewards members will also receive a free guac offer instantly upon enrollment. 3 The best way to Chipotle is in the app. Track points, redeem rewards and score free Chipotle. Download in the App Store or on Google Play. 1 – Eligible Chipotle Rewards members receive one free side of Adobo Ranch with the purchase of at least one regular-priced entrée. Use of reward dropped in Rewards member's account required. Reward is one-time use only and is valid only on June 17, 2025. Valid only at participating Chipotle restaurants in the United States and Canada, for orders placed in-restaurant or via the Chipotle mobile app or website. Redemption is subject to availability at the time of redemption. May not be combined with other coupons, promotions, or special offers. Not valid on catering, Burritos by the Box, kids meals, or orders on third party delivery platforms. Additional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited. 2 – Source: Wall Street Journal: 'How Much More Ranch Can America Take? Hidden Valley Seeks Total Domination' 3 – $5 minimum purchase required. Expires 7 days after receipt. Full terms: About Chipotle Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are nearly 3,800 restaurants as of March 31, 2025, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 130,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
NATO must make ‘quantum leap' of 400% in air, missile defence: Rutte
NATO members need to increase their air and missile defences by 400 per cent to counter the threat from Russia, the head of the military alliance plans to say on Monday. Secretary-General Mark Rutte will say during a visit to London that NATO must take a 'quantum leap in our collective defence' to face growing instability and threats, according to extracts released by NATO before Rutte's speech. Rutte is due to meet U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing St. ahead of a NATO summit in the Netherlands where the 32-nation alliance is likely to commit to a big hike in military spending. Like other NATO members, the U.K. has been reassessing its defence spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Starmer has pledged to increase British defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2027 and to three per cent by 2034. Story continues below advertisement Rutte has proposed a target of 3.5 per cent of economic output on military spending and another 1.5 per cent on 'defence-related expenditure' such as roads, bridges, airfields and sea ports. He said last week he is confident the alliance will agree to the target at its summit in The Hague on June 24-25. 2:03 U.S. pushes NATO for 5% defence spending while Canada fails to hit 2% target At the moment, 22 of the 32 member countries meet or exceed NATO's current two per cent target. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The new target would meet a demand by President Donald Trump that member states spend 5% of gross domestic product on defence. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that don't contribute enough. Rutte plans to say in a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London that NATO needs thousands more armored vehicles and millions more artillery shells, as well as a 400 per cent increase in air and missile defence. Story continues below advertisement 'We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies,' he plans to say. 'Wishful thinking will not keep us safe. We cannot dream away the danger. Hope is not a strategy. So NATO has to become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance.' European NATO members, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defence posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Last week the U.K. government said it would build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, prepare its army to fight a war in Europe and become 'a battle-ready, armor-clad nation.' The plans represent the most sweeping changes to British defences since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago.
