Policy and Rights

Michael Clogs

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POLITICS
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This a series of conversations around government policy and our rights. We are trying to report information to listeners about what is happening with government and communities Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

4D AGO

British Columbia Premier’s statement on online activity and Tumbler Ridge tragedy

Premier David Eby has released the following statement in response to media reports regarding OpenAI and the shooting in Tumbler Ridge: “Reports that allege OpenAI had related intelligence before the shootings in Tumbler Ridge took place are profoundly disturbing for the victims’ families and all British Columbians. “The pain that these families have gone through is unimaginable. “We have confirmed with police that they are pursuing orders regarding the preservation of any potential evidence related to the shootings in Tumbler Ridge held by digital services companies, including social media platforms and AI companies. “I urge anyone with any information regarding this incident to immediately contact police and provide their full co-operation. “We will use all powers of government to ensure that police have the tools they need to investigate every aspect of this horrific tragedy.” Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Pink Shirt Day: “Today, as British Columbians wear pink to stand up against bullying, we do so during a time of deep sorrow. Our thoughts remain with the students, educators and families in Tumbler Ridge, who are marking this day under the weight of profound loss. In moments like this, the importance of safe, caring and connected school communities has never felt more urgent. “Pink Shirt Day started in response to a student experiencing homophobic and transphobic bullying. Since then, it has become a wider movement about making our schools and our society places where everyone feels safe, supported and celebrated for who they are. “As a parent of school-age kids, Pink Shirt Day hits close to home. Like so many families, we talk around the kitchen table about what it means to be kind, to stand up for others and to ask for help when something doesn’t feel right. “While we have made progress, bullying remains a serious and evolving challenge, particularly in the digital world. Online harassment and exploitation can follow young people everywhere, and we have seen some heartbreaking consequences here in B.C. “That is why our government is focused on keeping kids safe. We are taking action to address online harms, improve school safety, strengthen mental-health supports and ensure our education system is inclusive and welcoming for students. “Pink Shirt Day is a reminder that preventing bullying isn’t just about one day – it’s about the choices we make every day. Choosing to listen. Choosing to speak up. Choosing kindness, especially when it matters most. “Today, my family and I will wear pink and keep those conversations going around the kitchen table. I encourage everyone in British Columbia to do the same. When we stand together, we send a powerful message to every child: You are valued, you are supported and you belong.” Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, said: “Pink Shirt Day reminds us to come together – to stand up against bullying – and to support school communities where every student feels safe, respected and included. Today, throughout British Columbia, people are choosing to show kindness in their words and actions. “This day comes during a period of deep sadness for many. Our thoughts are with the people of Tumbler Ridge, who are observing this day while continuing to process an unimaginable loss. We hold them in our hearts and stand with them in their grief. “As parents and caregivers, we all want our children to feel safe being themselves, to feel included and to know they belong. When schools are welcoming and supportive, students are better able to learn, build confidence and form positive relationships that carry with them throughout their lives. “This day also reminds us that preventing bullying is an ongoing responsibility we all share. By listening to student voices, supporting one another and taking action every day, we can continue building communities where everyone feels welcome and valued.” As the Province looks to reduce its reliance on the United States for trade, legislation before the house, if passed, will provide the Province with the tools needed to directly invest in high-impact private-sector projects through a $400-million B.C. Strategic Investment Fund. “As the federal government looks for projects to boost forestry, defence and shipbuilding, our goal is to make British Columbia businesses are at the front of the line,” said Premier David Eby. “By incentivizing large private-sector projects and participating in the upside, we can make sure people in our province are benefiting through high paying jobs and revenue for stronger services.” Currently, government’s ability to support private-sector companies is limited to providing grants, with little to no direct revenue upside for the Province. Other jurisdictions, including Ontario, Quebec, the governments of Canada and the U.S., have more funding flexibility, such as: taking equity in companiesissuing loanssigning profit-sharing agreementsproviding conditionally repayable grantsThese investments can generate significant benefits for these jurisdictions. This new legislation proposes similar tools, allowing British Columbians to share in the success of projects that receive provincial support. Moving B.C.’s economy forward “People and communities across B.C. are at the heart of everything we do to grow our economy,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “With new financial tools, and through our Look West strategy, we can support high-impact private-sector projects, attract federal investment, and advance B.C.'s priority sectors, creating good jobs and protecting the critical services people depend on every day.” The goal of the Strategic Investment Fund is to co-invest in projects that would be in line to secure up to $20 billion in federal defence investments through Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, as well as critical mineral projects and other major economic endeavours. The fund is a critical tool to help B.C. realize its Look West target of securing $200 billion in new private-sector investments. This new legislation, and the tools it would provide, is meant to ensure B.C. businesses get their fair share of this funding. “B.C. companies offer world-class, dual-use abilities that can support Canada’s military commitments,” said Darlene Rotchford, parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs. “This new tool kit complements existing supports for businesses, while building new opportunities to create more good, highly skilled jobs here in British Columbia.” Building on existing success The fund would complement existing, successful programs, such as the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF). With $153 million committed so far for 154 projects, the BCMJF has leveraged $1 billion in investment, and created or protected more than 4,800 jobs. During the construction phase of these projects and in their first few years of expanded operations, the BCMJF is expected to generate $17 billion in new economic activity, nearly $7 billion to B.C.’s gross domestic product, and $714 million in provincial revenue. This legislation – Bill 3: budget measures implementation act (No. 2), 2026 – builds on the Province’s Look West strategy to deliver major projects, create good jobs and strengthen B.C.’s and Canada’s economic security. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

1h 14m
FEB 25

Human rights are under assault globally, says UN Secretary General

Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho', was killed in a military raid in Jalisco after being seriously injured in a shootout, dying during an air transfer to Mexico City.The US provided intelligence support for the operation, as confirmed by Mexico's Defence Ministry.The US had designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a terrorist organization and offered a reward for information leading to Oseguera's capture.Following Oseguera's death, violent protests with roadblocks and burning vehicles occurred in Jalisco and other states. At the Human Rights Council opening in Geneva, Guterres warned human rights are under attack globally and said `This assault is not coming from the shadows. It is happening in plain sight—and often led by those who hold the greatest power`.Guterres blamed political choices and donor shifts, citing US President Donald Trump's 2025 aid cuts and other major donors' follow suit, weakening rights enforcement.Across conflicts from Sudan to Myanmar, Guterres pointed to mass civilian suffering and said, "Humanitarian needs are exploding while funding collapses," targeting refugees, LGBTIQ+ communities, minorities, and indigenous peoples.The U.N. human rights office is now in "survival mode", Guterres said, as funding shortages blocked two 2025 investigations and Washington paid about $160 million of over $4 billion owed.Looking ahead, climate and AI pose accelerating threats to rights, the UN warned as António Guterres and Volker Türk said the two-state solution is being stripped away in broad daylight amid rising domination. The United States will withdraw from the U.N. Human Rights Council and will not resume funding for the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, as announced by President Donald Trump.The U.S. previously left the Human Rights Council last year and cut funding to UNRWA after allegations from Israel that it housed Hamas militants, which UNRWA denies.Trump's announcement coincided with a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claims both the rights body and UNRWA are biased against Israel.The decision to end funding to UNRWA follows legislation that halted American funding until March 2025, confirming it will not be restored under Trump. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

1h 13m
FEB 21

Canada get tough on foriegn extortion

Minister Hodgson reaffirmed Canada’s enduring commitment to transatlantic stability and Arctic co-operation. The Minister and the Commissioner discussed further co-operation on multilateral critical minerals mechanisms, including the Critical Minerals Production Alliance and Critical Minerals Action Plan. Building on the direction provided in the EU–Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future launched in June 2025, the Minister and Commissioner discussed EU instruments that could facilitate enhanced Canada–EU trade and investment, including the EU’s aggregate liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchasing mechanism. “Extortion is a serious crime that harms Canadians, businesses, and communities. Our government is strengthening financial intelligence and working closely with law enforcement and financial institutions to better detect and disrupt extortion, support investigations, and help protect Canadians.” - The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

1h 42m
FEB 19

BC budget 2026

n a world of ongoing and heightened economic uncertainty, Budget 2026 makes careful choices to protect what matters most to British Columbians through investments to protect services, such as health care, education and social supports, while securing B.C.’s future through skills training and targeted investments to spur economic growth. “Over the past eight years, we have built schools, hospitals and invested in the services British Columbians rely on every day,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance. “Our investments have allowed us to enter these uncertain times from a position of strength, but we need to be realistic about the difficult financial situation we face as a province. We are choosing to safeguard what we’ve built, while growing our economy to secure good jobs and economic prosperity for people and families.” Budget 2026 opens the door further for people to train for good-paying careers in the skilled trades through $283 million in new funding over three years. This will expand spaces for in-demand trades training programs, increase per-seat funding to training centres, and enhance the B.C. Employer Training Grant to double apprenticeship seats by 2028-29. A new $400-million British Columbia strategic investment fund will help B.C. invest quickly in collaborative opportunities and major projects as the federal government invests in Canada’s sovereignty. Budget 2026 supports businesses to leverage new opportunities through a new temporary Manufacturing and Processing Investment Tax Credit for investing in new buildings, machinery and equipment. To support B.C.’s maritime sector, which is the largest in Canada, Budget 2026 extends the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry Tax Credit until the end of 2027. Safeguarding what matters most in turbulent times Budget 2026 protects the most critical services that people rely on every day through $5.1 billion in funding to strengthen health care, K-12 education and supports for people who need care and assistance. This includes funding to recruit and train more health-care professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and long-term care support workers in communities across B.C. Budget 2026 includes $634 million in new funding for K-12 education over three years, including a $167-million investment in the Classroom Enhancement Fund, which will result in more teachers for everyone, as well as special-education teachers and teacher psychologists and counsellors. New investments of $131 million will support intensive, specialized mental-health and addictions treatment for people with concurrent challenges of complex mental illness, addictions and acquired brain injuries. It will also fund involuntary treatment beds in Prince George, Maple Ridge and Surrey. A new $330-million lift to ChildCareBC will protect the child care services families rely on by maintaining lower fees, and the spaces and support for operators and educators achieved over the past eight years. Budget 2026 also provides $25 million in new funding to support the expansion of child care options on school grounds. With $475 million in new funding for children and youth with disabilities, families will get direct funding for support services and better access to more service providers in their communities. Budget 2026 provides $139 million in funding over three years to reduce repeat, violent offending and chronic property crime, and support timely access to justice. Making disciplined spending choices to reduce spending and increase revenue Government has exceeded initial targets set in Budget 2025 for expenditure management through operational and program savings. Budget 2026 continues that work by introducing targets to reduce the size of the public sector, and generates new revenue over the three-year fiscal plan. “We are making careful choices to secure B.C.’s future,” Bailey said. “We are updating the tax system to raise revenue and prevent cuts to critical services, while keeping B.C. one of the lowest-taxed provinces for working and middle-class families. At the same time, we are reducing government spending and carefully repacing our capital plan to deliver services and infrastructure more efficiently.” To improve B.C.’s fiscal outlook and raise revenues to protect critical services, Budget 2026 increases the tax rate of the first income-tax bracket by less than 0.6 percentage points. The average increase will be $76 in 2026, and more than 40% of taxpayers will see savings when combined with an increase to the B.C. Tax Reduction Credit. The credit offsets the tax change for British Columbians with lower incomes. British Columbians with middle incomes will continue to have some of the lowest taxes in the country, and government funding continues to help people with costs through measures such as the BC Family Benefit, more affordable child care and lower car insurance. Budget 2026 also increases the speculation tax for foreign owners and untaxed worldwide earners, as well as taxes on luxury homes worth more than $3 million through changes to the Additional School Tax. Deficits are projected to decline over the fiscal plan from $13.3 billion in 2026-27 to $11.4 billion in 2028-29 as government continues to achieve its targets through the efficiency review, hiring restrictions, and streamlining program and service delivery. B.C.’s deficit-to-GDP ratio is projected to decline from 2.9% in 2026-27 to 2.3% in 2028-29. B.C.’s debt-to-GDP ratio is among the best in Canada and remains affordable relative to provincial peers, even as the Province works to bring it down. A sustainable capital plan The Province is continuing to build infrastructure to create jobs and meet the needs of British Columbians. Over the next three years, government will make nearly $38 billion worth of taxpayer-supported investment to continue construction on 17 major hospitals and acute care facilities, 66 K-12 school additions and improvements, and important transit and transportation expansions. After years of building infrastructure to close gaps and strengthen services, B.C. is adjusting the pace of the capital plan to make sure it is sustainable over the long term. Budget 2026 makes realistic choices to raise revenue and safeguard critical services amid a time of financial challenges and global uncertainty, while making the public sector more efficient to ensure more dollars reach the front lines. Learn More:Read the 2026 Budget and Fiscal Plan: https://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/To learn more about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest/To learn more about how B.C. is building a strong economy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/strong-economy Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

1h 35m
FEB 17

a community searching for answers after tragedy

Canada is talking the tragedy in Tubler Rifge BC Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

1h 10m
FEB 11

Voilence surging in South Sudan

The United Nations on Tuesday warned of a sharp escalation in violence in South Sudan, driven by political deadlock among the signatories to the country’s fragile peace deal, as clashes, displacement and humanitarian access restrictions worsen. Briefing the UN Security Council, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said rising tensions linked to stalled implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement had led to armed confrontations across several regions, particularly in Jonglei state. He said fighting between government and opposition forces had intensified in recent weeks, with reports of aerial bombardments, inflammatory rhetoric and mass displacement. More than 280,000 people have been displaced by violence in Jonglei alone, according to government figures, he added. Lacroix expressed concern over reports that government forces had ordered the temporary relocation of civilians, as well as UN and humanitarian personnel, from parts of Jonglei in late January ahead of a planned military operation, although authorities later denied issuing such instructions. He also warned that unilateral initiatives to amend the 2018 peace agreement, including proposals to delay constitution-making until after elections, risk undermining the accord’s primacy. The main opposition group, the SPLM/A-IO, has rejected the initiatives, citing ongoing legal proceedings involving First Vice President Riek Machar and demanding his release before engaging in political dialogue. South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous countries for aid workers, Lacroix said, noting that 350 attacks on humanitarian staff and facilities were recorded in 2025, up from 255 the previous year. Access constraints persist, particularly in opposition-held areas, as the country battles its worst cholera outbreak, with more than 98,000 cases reported since September 2024. He said violence in parts of Jonglei had forced the closure of nutrition sites and health facilities, cutting off care for thousands of children and pregnant women, while recent attacks and looting of humanitarian barges in Upper Nile state had further shrunk humanitarian space. Lacroix also warned that cost-cutting measures at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were limiting its ability to protect civilians, with patrols reduced by up to 70 percent in some areas and dozens of human rights monitoring missions cancelled. Despite these constraints, he said UNMISS continued to play a critical deterrent role, citing the mission’s presence in Akobo, Jonglei, as helping prevent possible aerial bombardments amid escalating fighting. Lacroix urged South Sudan’s leaders to step back from renewed conflict, return to inclusive dialogue and uphold the peace agreement, warning that elections held without consensus among all parties would lack credibility. “Without the participation of all those who have placed their hopes into this peace process, any election will not be credible and therefore not worthy of our support,” he told the council. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

1h 10m
FEB 9

New Liberal Strategy to Protect Canadians

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, visited Linamar, a Canadian company and global leader in advanced automotive manufacturing, to highlight the Government of Canada’s new Automotive Strategy. The world is changing rapidly, fundamentally reshaping trade relationships and leaving economies, businesses and workers under a cloud of uncertainty. Canada’s automotive industry is on the front line of this shift, with more than 90% of Canadian-made vehicles and 60% of Canadian-made auto parts currently exported to the U.S. The government is focused on what we can control—implementing a new industrial strategy. Canada is transforming the economy from one that is reliant on a single trade partner to one that is more resilient to global shocks—a stronger, more sustainable, more independent economy built on the solid foundation of strong Canadian industries and bolstered by diverse international trade partners. In parallel, the government is launching a national electricity strategy to leverage our energy advantage to provide clean, affordable and reliable power to Canadians. These shifts present a unique opportunity to transform Canada’s auto industry to be less reliant on the U.S. and gas-powered vehicles. To that end, the government has introduced a new auto strategy that rewards the production of made-in-Canada vehicles and harnesses our world-class capabilities in artificial intelligence and technology expertise to build the cars of the future. This is a strategy that positions Canada to become a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) production. On February 5, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the following new measures: 1. To accelerate investment in Canada’s auto manufacturing sector, the government will:allocate $3 billion from the Strategic Response Fund and up to $100 million from the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to help the auto industry adapt, grow, and diversify to new markets.harness the Productivity Super-Deduction and reduced corporate tax rates for zero emission‑ technology manufacturers to encourage investment in clean technologies and EVs.2. To rationalise emissions reduction policies to focus on outcomes that matter to Canadians, the government will:introduce stronger greenhouse gas emission standards for model years 2027–32. These standards will put Canada on a path to achieve a goal of 75% EV sales by 2035 and 90% EV sales by 2040—reducing our carbon footprint and securing Canada’s global leadership in clean energy.These more stringent emissions standards will enable the Government of Canada to repeal the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard. This approach will allow manufacturers to use a wide array of technologies to meet the standards and respond to consumer preferences in the near term, while driving EV adoption over time.3. To build up a domestic consumer base and make electric vehicles more affordable and reliable, the government will:launch a five-year EV Affordability Program to lower the cost of EVs for Canadians and create a stronger domestic consumer market.The new $2.3 billion program will offer individuals and businesses purchase or lease incentives of up to $5,000 for battery electric and fuel EVs, and up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrids (PHEV) with a final transaction value up to $50,000 on cars made by countries Canada has free trade agreements with. To support the Canadian automotive industry, this $50,000 cap will not apply to Canadian made‑ EVs and PHEVs.enhance our national EV charging network through investments of $1.5 billion through the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative, making it easier and more convenient for drivers to charge their EVs across the country.4. To establish a comprehensive trade regime that strengthens the competitiveness of the auto sector, the government will:strengthen Canada’s automotive remission framework to reward companies that produce and invest in Canada.maintain counter-tariffs on auto imports from the United States to ensure a level playing field for Canadian automotive manufacturers in the domestic market.build on its recently strengthened strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen Canada Korea‑ industrial collaboration for future mobility. This builds on other MOUs that Canada has signed with global automakers to promote cooperation.focus on establishing a new strategic partnership with China, a global leader in EV manufacturing, to further diversify trade and catalyse new investment in the automotive sector. The recently announced partnership will look to drive new Chinese joint venture investment in Canada and allow for a fixed volume of Chinese EV imports into the Canadian market.[KP2]5. To protect Canadian auto workers and businesses from immediate pressures while helping them bridge them to the future, the government will:provide support to employees through a new Work-Sharing grant—preventing layoffs and supporting worker retention so businesses can plan for the future.establish a new workforce alliance of industry, labour and training partners to address bottlenecks and catalyse private investment.provide employment assistance and reskilling supports for up to 66,000 workers across Canada, including for displaced auto workers, through a $570 million investment.The government will leverage our new and existing trade agreements—including the recent EV arrangement with China—to catalyse massive new investment in the sector, diversify Canada’s auto export markets and position Canada as a global leader in EVs. Canadian workers and industries are well equipped to seize this opportunity, and we are making generational investments in critical minerals, including those essential for batteries, to secure Canada’s place in the world’s most important supply chains. The choices made now will shape the Canadian auto industry for decades to come. By protecting the industry and incentivising automakers to build here, we are helping ensure that Canada’s workers and businesses can transform to compete and win in this new global environment. These measures build on previously announced initiatives to help transform strategic Canadian industries, including steel and softwood lumber. Together, they form an ambitious industrial strategy that will build a stronger, more resilient, more independent Canadian economy and ensure workers and industries can bridge to that future and seize its opportunities. Canada is a nation of builders and our auto sector has grown and powered communities across the country for more than a century. The skills and dedication of Canadian auto workers is at the heart of this new strategy. Our new government’s message is clear: Canada intends not only to keep building vehicles at home, but to shape the future of the industry with Canadian workers at its core. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

1h 39m
FEB 5

Stand United for Human Rights

Speaking with reporters are Nada El-Falou (director of Student Services at Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk Network), Sean Tucker (professor at the University of Regina’s faculty of business administration), Saleha Faruqued (advocacy programs manager at Justice for All Canada), and Sherif Awad (Ottawa lead at the Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council). Representatives from Action Canada, the Guttmacher Institute, and the Future Planning Initiative hold a news conference in Ottawa to raise concerns about Canada’s proposed cuts to international assistance and the impact they would have on sexual and reproductive health. Representatives from the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR), alongside parliamentarians and Iranian civil society leaders, call on the Canadian government to lead “coordinated international action and strengthened enforcement measures” against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The news conference comes after the European Union designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization over its response to recent protests. Thursday, in Brussels, EU foreign ministers adopted a terrorism listing that places the IRGC under the EU terrorism framework, with officials calling it a decisive step.Lobbying and deadly crackdowns spurred the decision, with EU foreign ministers citing brutal repression and a letter describing an estimated 12,000 Iranian protesters killed, while a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers urged action.The IRGC operates as a state institution overseeing ballistic missile and nuclear programs, and adding it to the EU terror list requires unanimity among 27 members, raising legal questions.Mohammad Fathali, Iranian Ambassador to India, called the EU move a strategic miscalculation ignoring realities and international law, while Iran's Parliament declared involved armed forces terrorist and warned of destructive consequences.Amid wider tensions, officials warned the step could worsen regional instability and hit European interests, as the EU's unprecedented listing exposes divisions among member states and raises legal challenges, with Abbas Araghchi criticising the move. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

14 min

This a series of conversations around government policy and our rights. We are trying to report information to listeners about what is happening with government and communities Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Creator

Michael Clogs
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

885
Rating

Clean
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Policy and Rights