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Global News
28 minutes ago
- Business
- Global News
B.C. Premier David Eby leaves on a trade mission to Asia
B.C. Premier David Eby will hold a media availability on Saturday afternoon before he leaves on a trade mission to Asia. The conference will be carried live at 2:15 p.m. PT. Earlier this month, Eby announced he would be going to Asia, along with Agricultural Minister Lana Popham. They will visit Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. 'We have what the world needs, and B.C. faces two-thirds of the world's population,' Eby said in a statement on Saturday. 'Next week, I'll be in Asia reinforcing with businesses and government leaders that B.C. has a proven record of building major projects and the port access to deliver.' Eby said he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday and explained that B.C. has several projects that are shovel-ready and the legislation needed to knock down internal trade barriers. Story continues below advertisement 'In our call, we agreed that now is the time for Canada to move quickly on major these projects in partnership with First Nations and while maintaining the high environmental standards Canadians expect,' Eby said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'These projects are worth billions of dollars and will create thousands of good, family-supporting jobs. I continue to advocate for the establishment of economic corridors and the abolition of internal trade barriers to get B.C. and Canada's goods moving. 1:34 B.C. Premier David Eby to undertake trade mission to Asia This week, B.C.'s legislature spring sitting ended with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tie-breaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' Story continues below advertisement Bill 14 accelerates renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 expedites public and private infrastructure projects, including hospitals, schools, and mines. More to come. -with files from The Canadian Press
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First Post
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Is Carney's Canada making Trudeau's political mistake about Khalistanis?
The Khalistani issue is casting a shadow over India and Canada ties once again after a pro-Khalistani singer Jazzy B was invited to the British Columbia assembly read more Canada seems to reignite its row with India as it once again promotes pro-Khalistani voices within the country. The Khalistani issue between India-Canada ties was brought up again after pro-Khalistani Punjabi Singer Jazzy B was invited to the British Columbia (BC) Assembly. The appearance of the singer stirred headlines after Independent MLA of the BC Assembly, Dallas Brodie, posted a video featuring British Columbia Conservative MLA Steve Kooner expressing his love for Jazzy B. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The singer's real name is Jaswinder Singh Bains, and his invitation to the assembly was seen as Canada's tendency to support Khalistani sympathisers due to vote bank politics. This issue was at the centre of the deteriorating ties between India and Pakistan during former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's time in office. Today several prominent pro-Kalistani figures were welcomed in the BC Legislature by MLAs of both the BC Conservatives and NDP. Some of those individuals have openly celebrated violent extremists and murderers in their music videos. This is an insult to our Legislature. — Dallas Brodie (@Dallas_Brodie) May 27, 2025 The ties remain downgraded , with currently no high commissioners at the respective missions. The latest event at the British Columbia assembly reportedly did not go well with India. Sources close to the matter told The Economic Times that the visit and its follow-up are currently being monitored by New Delhi. The pro-Khalistani singer celebrated in Canada In the video, the Conservative politician heaped praise on the controversial singer. 'I come from a singing family myself, and Jazzy B did sing part of my dad's song about 30 years ago. I really appreciated that. And, so I wanna just welcome Jazzy B and also Sabi Gunnar, Inderpal Moga, Chani Nattan, who I know from the community, Marco, Mander,' Kooner said in the Punjabi singer's introduction. Later, Brodie called out the appearance in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'Today, several prominent pro-Kalistani figures were welcomed in the BC Legislature by MLAs of both the BC Conservatives and New Democratic Party (NDP). Some of those individuals have openly celebrated violent extremists and murderers in their music videos. This is an insult to our Legislature,' she wrote in the post. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the post, she talked about NDP since, until recently, the party was led by pro-Khalistani leader Jagmeet Singh, who stepped down after losing his Burnaby Central seat during the national elections in April. NDP also lost national status as it slipped to eight seats from 24. Meanwhile, Wyatt Claypool, senior correspondent and editor at The National Telegraph, posted an X thread condemning the public recognition and promotion of pro-Khalistani artists. 'What's with all the MLAs in the BC legislature introducing all the Khalistani rappers today? Jazzy B is a hardcore Khalistani activist who has several times called for Khalistan," he wrote. Here is Jazzy B's music video cover with the terrorist Bhindranwale on it. (The guy who called for 5,000 Hindus to be murdered) — Wyatt Claypool (@wyatt_claypool) May 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a different post, he shared a photo of a music video featuring Jazzy B with the image of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the Khalistan separatist leader. 'Here is Jazzy B's music video cover with the terrorist Bhindranwale on it. (The guy who called for 5,000 Hindus to be murdered)," Claypool averred. Meanwhile, Jazzy B also posted multiple photos on Instagram from his visit to the BC Legislature. 'I am deeply honoured, humbled, and grateful to have been invited to attend The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia 1st Session 43rd Parliament, hosted by The Premier Hon. David Eby, K.C., Speaker of the House Hon. Raj Chouhan, and Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert," the singer wrote in the post.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Manitoba premier 'needs to fulfil his promise,' pass legislation on above-inflation rent hikes: advocates
A housing advocacy group has served Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew a warning — in the form of a "notice of termination" caution — saying he has breached his contract with Manitobans by failing to pass legislation on above-guideline rent increases. The "notice of termination" letter from the Right to Housing Coalition — written to mimic the termination forms that landlords can present to tenants before an eviction — was presented by demonstrators during a rally outside Kinew's constituency office in Winnipeg on Friday morning. "He needs to fulfil his promise to Manitobans," Yutaka Dirks, a member of the coalition, said at the rally. "He needs to fulfil his promise … [on] rent regulation, to keep housing affordable." Provincial rules set a cap on how much landlords can increase rent each year (currently 1.7 per cent), but landlords can apply for larger increases, if they can demonstrate they've incurred costs that the guideline amount won't cover. Critics have said it's too easy for landlords to get that approval. While in opposition, the NDP presented a private member's bill in 2021 that called for the Residential Tenancies Act to be changed to include stricter rules to limit rent increases beyond the province's guideline. The then Progressive Conservative government didn't support it. During the campaign that led to the NDP's election in October 2023, Kinew promised an NDP would limit landlords' ability to apply for rent increases above the cap. Last year, the NDP introduced a bill that would set conditions for above-guideline increases, limiting them to cases where landlords face a sharp rise in taxes, utilities or security costs, or where they invest in capital projects such as plumbing and heating. At the time when it was introduced, the bill was hailed by the government as a way to ensure increases aren't approved for cosmetic improvements to properties. However, the bill hasn't been passed, and the Right to Housing Coalition said the government has let it die. "We don't have any legislation in the second session for a second year," Les Scott, a member of the West Broadway Tenants Committee, said at Friday's rally. With the spring sitting coming to an end at the Manitoba Legislature, the bill could have to wait months until it can be introduced again. Scott fears that might not happen until next spring at the earliest. "That's two and a half years after they got elected," he said. "Wab Kinew has to keep his promise, or he has to go." 'Renters feel it' Even though the legislation didn't include fixes to close all rent regulation exemptions, Dirks said passing the bill would have made a "huge" difference to tenants and renters. "We were honest when we said we were excited by the legislation," he said. The idea behind letting landlords increase rent above guidelines is, in theory, to help them recoup costs from investments in the property where tenants live, said Dirks. But after the expenses are covered, the rent often doesn't go down, making the increase a way to turn profits, he said. "We renters feel it the first of every month when the rent is due," he said. "This is something that the premier can [fix] that will cost their government almost nothing. It's a legislative change." Mintu Sandhu, Manitoba's minister of public service delivery, told CBC News in an interview his government is reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act to see what can be included or changed to protect tenants, but he didn't comment directly on the legislation the NDP introduced last year. "I want to make sure whatever we are introducing, what we are passing is benefiting the folks that will benefit," he said. Sandhu said he will meet with the Right to Housing Coalition on Monday to get feedback as part of the review process. "Our government is committed to ensuring that Manitobans have access to safe and affordable housing," he said.
CBC
20 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba premier 'needs to fulfil his promise,' pass legislation on above-inflation rent hikes: advocates
A housing advocacy group has served Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew a warning — in the form of a "notice of termination" caution — saying he has breached his contract with Manitobans by failing to pass legislation on above-guideline rent increases. The "notice of termination" letter from the Right to Housing Coalition — written to mimic the termination forms that landlords can present to tenants before an eviction — was presented by demonstrators during a rally outside Kinew's constituency office in Winnipeg on Friday morning. "He needs to fulfil his promise to Manitobans," Yutaka Dirks, a member of the coalition, said at the rally. "He needs to fulfil his promise … [on] rent regulation, to keep housing affordable." Provincial rules set a cap on how much landlords can increase rent each year (currently 1.7 per cent), but landlords can apply for larger increases, if they can demonstrate they've incurred costs that the guideline amount won't cover. Critics have said it's too easy for landlords to get that approval. While in opposition, the NDP presented a private member's bill in 2021 that called for the Residential Tenancies Act to be changed to include stricter rules to limit rent increases beyond the province's guideline. The then Progressive Conservative government didn't support it. During the campaign that led to the NDP's election in October 2023, Kinew promised an NDP would limit landlords' ability to apply for rent increases above the cap. Last year, the NDP introduced a bill that would set conditions for above-guideline increases, limiting them to cases where landlords face a sharp rise in taxes, utilities or security costs, or where they invest in capital projects such as plumbing and heating. At the time when it was introduced, the bill was hailed by the government as a way to ensure increases aren't approved for cosmetic improvements to properties. However, the bill hasn't been passed, and the Right to Housing Coalition said the government has let it die. "We don't have any legislation in the second session for a second year," Les Scott, a member of the West Broadway Tenants Committee, said at Friday's rally. With the spring sitting coming to an end at the Manitoba Legislature, the bill could have to wait months until it can be introduced again. Scott fears that might not happen until next spring at the earliest. "That's two and a half years after they got elected," he said. "Wab Kinew has to keep his promise, or he has to go." 'Renters feel it' Even though the legislation didn't include fixes to close all rent regulation exemptions, Dirks said passing the bill would have made a "huge" difference to tenants and renters. "We were honest when we said we were excited by the legislation," he said. The idea behind letting landlords increase rent above guidelines is, in theory, to help them recoup costs from investments in the property where tenants live, said Dirks. But after the expenses are covered, the rent often doesn't go down, making the increase a way to turn profits, he said. "We renters feel it the first of every month when the rent is due," he said. "This is something that the premier can [fix] that will cost their government almost nothing. It's a legislative change." Mintu Sandhu, Manitoba's minister of public service delivery, told CBC News in an interview his government is reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act to see what can be included or changed to protect tenants, but he didn't comment directly on the legislation the NDP introduced last year. "I want to make sure whatever we are introducing, what we are passing is benefiting the folks that will benefit," he said. Sandhu said he will meet with the Right to Housing Coalition on Monday to get feedback as part of the review process.
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
New law forces B.C. legislator to quit her ‘part-time' job as municipal councillor
Langley-Walnut Grove Conservative MLA Misty Van Popta attends a campaign stop with Conservative Leader John Rustad, not seen, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press) VICTORIA — A B.C. Conservative legislator has lost what she called her 'part-time' job as a councillor after a new law banning MLAs from also serving as municipal representatives came into effect. Misty Van Popta represents Langley-Walnut Grove in the provincial legislature, but lost her job as a municipal councillor in the Township of Langley in the Fraser Valley on Thursday when the Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act came into effect and forced her to resign. 'I'm obviously disappointed, but not shocked,' she said after the passage of the law. 'When you see that bill being presented, and you know that the government has the balance of power, you know it is going to pass.' Van Popta was elected as councillor in 2022, but didn't step down after being elected to the legislature last year, drawing criticism from the provincial NDP. The NDP's Darlene Rotchford, who tabled the new law as a private member's bill, said legislators needed to give '110 per cent' to their jobs, and can't do that if they are trying to hold down another. Van Popta – whose photograph no longer appears on the township's website – said her decision to hold two elected offices at the same time had precedent and was always meant to be a 'temporary solution.' Van Popta added that she was planning to resign as councillor in 2026, the year of the next municipal elections, to save her municipality the cost of a byelection. The last general municipal election in the Township of Langley cost about $500,000. Van Popta's Conservative colleague Heather Maahs quit her Chilliwack school board position after becoming an MLA last year. The school board byelection in March cost an estimated $100,000. Van Popta said she felt that the NDP singled her out, and she was able to prove she could do both jobs. 'There is just no evidence to substantiate the fact that I haven't been working 100 per cent as an MLA,' she said. She said that being a municipal councillor in her community with a population of about 162,000 was a 'part-time job.' Van Popta said being a councillor with the township is not the 'same thing as being a municipal councillor in the City of Vancouver' or other large community. 'I have demonstrated over the last seven months that it was doable,' she said of her two jobs. Rotchford said the bill was not focused on anyone in particular, but meant to close a loophole. 'This is something that shouldn't be allowed,' Rotchford said in the legislature on Wednesday. 'We are ensuring that all (MLAs) are giving 110 per cent in closing that loophole, when you are an MLA in the province of British Columbia, similar to other provinces across the country.' There is no rule preventing federal members of Parliament from serving as councillors. Richmond Coun. Chak Au was elected as an MP representing Richmond Centre-Marpole in April. This report by Wolfgang Depner of The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
