When the B.C. government published #BCBudget2026 in February, much of the initial focus was on its historic deficit and planned tax hikes. Then people noticed a nugget buried in a backgrounder section: “government is adjusting the pace of some housing investments.” #bcpoli

"The new-build housing glut: It’s not just condos" as told by @goldinyvr.bsky.social "Housing in Vancouver may not need a bailout from the government, but instead, a critical reconstructive surgery to reattach local incomes to housing costs.” GIFT LINK: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/d1e4d31...

The price of buying your apartment in Toronto went from 48% median household income (2022) to 35.2% (2026). Canada-wide from 41% (2022) to 33% (2026).

Enjoyed a week in Dharamshala, up in the Himalayas in McLeodganj and Dharamkot. The village is filled with shops, monks, tourists from all over the world, temples, and even a new gondola 🚠 Heading back to Canada next week after a few days in Vrindavan.

Hell yeah

Visited Kurukshetra and Amritsar in my long trip across India, getting the opportunity to see the land of the Gita, as well as the site of the Jaliawallen Bagh massacre and Golden Temple. Lots of time for meditation and reflection in legendary places before heading to Dharamsala in the Himalayas.

After a wandering week around Rishikesh, I’m off to Kurukshetra and Amritsar.

My latest investigation is out. A well-known Canadian digital strategy firm has begun openly selling "surrogate online communities" of social media users to undisclosed clients. The users come for the viral content and are pushed up an "activation ladder." www.nationalobserver.com/2026/04/30/i...

Excellent investigation from CBC into the fake social media accounts from overseas who are boosting Alberta separatism online. Short video, everyone in Canada should see. youtu.be/NXafC7tlqt0?...

Week 2 in India, spent in Bodhgaya, Bihar. Toured sites, meditated at temples, celebrated Buddha Purnima, volunteered at rural school. Off to Varanasi

Enjoying Kolkata, the city of Joy.

Prime Minister Mark Carney secured a majority government after his Liberal Party won a special election, giving him the ability to push ahead faster with an agenda centered on expanding energy exports and reducing Canada’s reliance on the US www.bloomberg.com/news/article... @bloomberg.com

Now 14 months in, Canada’s rejection of the U.S. is the most successful tourism boycott in memory.

"She is from British Columbia but moved to Texas in 2021 when she married her American husband. The family was driving home from a baby shower when they were stopped at a border patrol checkpoint. She and Ayla, who has autism, were fingerprinted and detained..." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Opinion: The BIG David Anderson Podcast debuts with Canada’s longest serving federal environment minister who discusses current events and a career with the federal Liberals spanning five decades. www.hilltimes.com/2026/04/13/d...

My condolences to everybody who knew, loved, and learned from Shane Pointe. He made a tremendous impact on the housing sector and me personally. I think about him regularly because of the wisdom of his words and his belief in all of us. www.musqueam.bc.ca/remembering-...

ANOTHER Conservative MP has crossed the floor to the Liberals. Marilyn Gladu, who represents Sarnia. This...is an interesting one.

Funding changes in BC Budget 2026 have halted work to create thousands of units of new affordable housing. Today, BCNPHA and sector leaders spoke to media, calling on government to change course and continue support for our critical work. Learn more: https://ow.ly/NpOo50YBtG3

Woah!! NPR Planet Money did a podcast episode from Vancouver reporting on Senakw: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p...

The model matters here: federal dollars + provincial operating funding + non-profit delivery. Non-profits provide permanent affordability in a way the private market doesn't. Affordability, accountability, multi-lateral agreements. #housing #canpoli

"2026 B.C. budget turns its back on housing and communities will pay the price" as told by @jfatkey.bsky.social, Margaret Pfoh, + @thomarmstrong.bsky.social via @vancouversun.bsky.social #bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...

"Delaying housing does not save money; it shifts costs to other parts of the system, where they are far more expensive." Read this new commentary from community housing sector leaders Jill Atkey, Margaret Pfoh and Thom Armstrong. https://ow.ly/61Go50YvB3Z

While economists and advocates have long argued that social assistance rates across Canada are not even enough to keep people out of poverty, new research has found they are often not enough to keep people out of homelessness, Molly Hayes reports: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Recommended oped here by George Abbott: Lessons to be learned from B.C.'s colonial past vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...

New from me at TVO, on last week's FAO report on homelessness (spoiler: it's bleak)

Federal - NDP MP for Nunavut, Lori Idlout, has crossed the floor to the Liberals

Interesting #BCPOLI update from former Premier and CKNW host Christy Clark. She posted on LinkedIn today about the launch of the new Christy Clark Show and here’s the trailer. youtu.be/XXyLIk2bOkQ?...

BREAKING - NDP MP Lori Idlout has crossed the floor to the Liberals, as per a statement from NDP Leader Don Davies.

The core of the Carney brand is not populism or charisma. It is competence. Canadians tend to see him as a serious, systems-oriented leader who can manage complexity and navigate uncertainty. In today’s political climate, that kind of brand has real value. abacusdata.ca/the-brand-i...

Mark Carney interviews with Tyler Brule at Monocle while in Tokyo. The discussion looks back at the two months since the Davos speech, what the international reception has been, and what relationship development for Canada has followed in a range of sectors and countries. youtu.be/j2gyqs-AN8A?...

#TransLink confirms its new 40-ft-long trolley buses from Europe will have an extra 3rd door, situated at the rear. Metro Vancouver's first regular-sized bus with 3 doors. New 60-ft-long articulated trolley buses could also have 4 doors. #vanpoli #vanre dailyhive.com/vancouver/tr...

Fantastic news! A historic Maillardville corner in South Coquitlam will soon be transformed into non-market rental homes. City council approved rezoning at 1013 and 1025 Brunette Ave., creating new affordable housing while honouring the community’s francophone heritage. https://ow.ly/evh850Yqzya

Welcome to Pacific Time!

CARNEY: "There's a Japanese proverb that articulates the opportunity ahead of us in these difficult times globally: After the rain, the ground grows firmer ... Today we are taking our first steps on firmer ground together."

It's amazing people will claim "Canada and the USA have the same culture" and then on something as fundamental as "do you trust your fellow citizens to be good" we are further apart than any other two countries

Americans: we live in a fallen state—embroiled by sin, cheating, lying, and evil. You cannot trust anyone, not even those who claim to know you best Canadians: I love my neighbors and my friends!

One of the biggest differences emerging between Canada and the US: Ethics.

CARNEY: "Of course, we are both nations still in the making. The important work of reconciliation with indigenous peoples is ongoing. We continue to strive so that everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or starting point in their lives."

Footage of the meteor that lit up the sky tonight - caught by live cameras in Deep Cove. Sonic boom a couple of minutes later, strong enough to shake homes across the Lower Mainland. Wow! 🤯

Something big is happening in Quebec politics

Here's what the change means in practice: BC will share a time zone with the Yukon year round November to March, BC will be on the same time zone as Alberta March to November, BC will be on the same time zone as Washington state, Oregon and California

I never get to do BREAKING NEWS, but here's some: B.C. is scrapping the time change, which reams of scientific research and anecdata from exhausted parents can tell you is a good thing. here's an update to my reporting from last year, which now has a more celebratory tone:

Rents falling in B.C. as demographic changes curb rental demand, says report (BC)

“Some of these guys, as I said, got jobs and stuff now, and they haven’t had jobs for a long time. Some of these guys are trying really hard…” said Shirley a Nikao resident. Is this not what everyone is asking to see? Instead we will have a parking lot. #bcpoli

NEW: The Chinese-language messages that accused non-ABC Vancouver councillors didn't start with Lenny Zhou, who has since apologized for them. They started with the mayor.

The national PharmaCare program will start in British Columbia on Sunday, giving residents free access to a variety of diabetes medications and menopausal hormone therapy. 

Minister Mandy Gull-Masty will make the official announcement this afternoon in Ottawa that the federal government is putting $1.55 billion towards the Jordan’s Principle program through March 31, 2027. APTN News will carry the announcement live online.

In a world first, B.C. teen cured of rare disease through gene editing treatment. Ty Sperle cured of chronic granulomatous disease with a treatment known as “prime editing,” by Brenna Owen www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti... via @theglobeandmail.com