Explore every episode of the podcast Political Capital with Rob Shaw

September 6, 2024 - We look at the United MLAs drafted by the BC Conservatives and whether they were the right picks for the upcoming election. Plus, in a podcast extra, we look at the new BC Green campaign platform for free public transit, and Conservative leader John Rustad's musings about nuclear power. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

August 30, 2024 - This week's show is dedicated entirely to the collapse of the BC United party, after leader Kevin Falcon suspended its provincial election campaign. What happens now, was this the right move, how do the Conservatives pick from a new fleet of candidates and where does this position the NDP in the upcoming election? Plus, extended discussion in our podcast audio extras. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Allie Blades, Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver.

June 7, 2024 - The panel breaks down the stunning news of BC United's Elenore Sturko defecting to the BC Conservative party - what it means for all political parties. Plus, a look at BC United's child care plan to supercharge the NDP's $10-a-day system with cash subsidies, and whether that is effective timing to turn the page for United. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

What role if any does a province like BC have in responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and were the province's actions on liquor, land titles, divestments and immigration the right moves? Plus, BC moves to weekly COVID-19 data which raises the questions about whether health officials should scrap weekly public briefings and if they do what kind of information vacuum is created. Also, a new bill gives government more control over BC Ferries, what's behind it and is it the right move? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay, Katy Merrifield and new panelist Jeff Ferrier of Hill and Knowlton to discuss the week in BC politics.

The BC budget has landed, what's good, bad and meh in the new fiscal plan for the province? Cabinet ministers are getting a 10 per cent salary boost after government drops a holdback that would have docked their pay during deficit budgets, what's behind this change? And the panel talks about a new land stewardship ministry, oil and gas revenue declines, the overdose crisis and more. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Maclean Kay and Katy Merrifield.

BC gets ready to loosen some public health restrictions but how will it handle being out of line with other provinces on vaccine cards and masks? Ottawa invokes the Emergencies Act for the first time ever, but was it the right move politically? Plus, BC’s new economic plan, the politics of gas prices and the resignation/legacy of former BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson.

Did the BC government's new throne speech accomplish anything, or what even was the point? BC finds itself dealing with pressure to reopen from COVID restrictions as other provinces act, Kevin Falcon wins the BC Liberal leadership race and a grab bag of other topics. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Maclean Kay and Jillian Oliver.

What does the resignation of federal Conservative leader Erin O'Toole mean for the political landscape? What should the BC government do in the face of rising public frustration against vaccine mandates that appears to be an undercurrent in trucker protests? And what has the long scandal-plagued BC Liberal leadership race meant for the future of the party? Plus: Our predictions on who is going to win. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay.

BC extends the vaccine card, what's been the reaction and what does it mean for the future of health restrictions? Plus, a look at the last week of the BC Liberal leadership race and a grab bag of topics including Fairy Creek court ruling, the controversial trucker convoy and BC signaling it wants municipalities to speed up building permits to address housing affordability. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Maclean Kay and Katy Merrifield.

A confusing week on COVID restrictions has the government on the defensive - what happened and what are the implications? Plus, candidates in the BC Liberal leadership race hold their final debate before the February 5 vote - who won, and what are the considerations in the final days of the race? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay.

BC is quick out of the gate to rule out following Quebec's tax on the unvaccinated, is this the right move? The BC Liberals face internal controversy over membership sign-ups in the dying days of the party's leadership race - we break down what's going on. And BC raises the threshold for the homeowners grant, is that an admission that housing affordability is still out of control? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay.

Has BC lost public confidence and is there anything it can do to get it back? Host Rob Shaw is joined by the panel: Katy Merrifield, Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay.

The show ends 2021 with a blockbuster year-in-review, as the panel picks the best and worst moments for the BC NDP, Liberals and Greens in a year dominated by crises and extraordinary events. In a podcast extra, we each pick the top performers from each party, and debate their performances for the year. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay. Political Capital will be back in January 2022!

May 31, 2024 - BC Conservatives gain a BC United MLA, who crosses the floor and kickstarts a panic inside the United caucus. Also, the Conservatives lose a candidate in Courtenay due to social media posts and blame vetting, though the problem is actually judgement. And in an audio extra, a look at the latest Angus Reid poll. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Jeff Ferrier and Carlie Pochynok. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

BC is sharply criticized for slow disaster response by the Fraser Valley Regional District, exposing flaws in its local-first emergency system. First Nations push back on a 30-day old growth deadline, throwing the province's plan into doubt. And the minister responsible for FOI faces accusations she misled the legislature. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay this week.

The province attempts to do a better job preparing and responding to the next round of storms. A new 5-day sick pay program fails to please organized labour and the business community, but is likely still an important win for the government. And the fall session of the legislature ends with government shutting down debate and ramming bills through, amid controversy. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Maclean Kay and Sarah Miller.

BC is hit by devastating flooding and landslides, how did the province respond and what needs to be improved for the future? As well, major new legislation on bubble zones to protect hospitals and schools from anti-vaxx protesters, a complex new forestry bill that affects old growth logging, and government's shift away from new for-profit childcare spaces. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay and Jillian Oliver to discuss.

BC's new old growth deferral plan picks up criticism from all quarters, the province asks Ottawa to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, and a grab bag of topics this week that looks at controversy on changes to autism funding, the COP26 climate conference and new figures on the summer heat dome deaths. The panel also discusses allegations of sexism in the BC Liberal leadership race after a disturbing incident involving a staffer from the Kevin Falcon campaign. Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay, Katy Merrifield and former BC Green strategist Sarah Miller.

Premier John Horgan has revealed a personal health challenge - we wish him well, while also asking what if anything this means for the functioning of government and the legislature. Plus, the government releases a new climate plan that has its share of proponents and critics, as well as continues its fight to push through contentious new FOI legislation. Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Maclean Kay and Jillian Oliver.

Premier John Horgan's government finds itself accused of hypocrisy by bringing in new fees on FOI, BC is off-side with a new federal vaccine passport system meaning people here will have to work with two vaccine cards, and a group of doctors starts alternative COVID-19 briefings to criticize Dr. Bonnie Henry. Plus, we look at the one-year anniversary of the Horgan government's majority election victory and muse about whether the premier will run again. Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Maclean Kay and Jillian Oliver.

BC has started its first mandatory vaccine rule in the seniors' care sector, how many people would rather lose their jobs than comply and what does this mean for future vaccine requirements in other public sector jobs? Also, we take a deep dive into conservative pundit Aaron Gunn launching his campaign for BC Liberal leader, what does it mean for the party and what will happen if he is approved or rejected to enter the race? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield and Maclean Kay this week.

BC is under fire for its decision to require 60 different school districts to vote on whether to make vaccines mandatory for teachers and school staff, why is it doing this and what are the political risks ahead? We also take a dive into the first week of the fall session of the BC legislature, what happened, what didn't and is anyone paying attention? Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay, Jillian Oliver and Katy Merrifield.

BC Supreme Court has tossed Premier John Horgan the hot potato of continued old growth logging protests at Fairy Creek, what does this mean for his government? Plus a revolt my parents has led to changes to BC’s mask policy for school-aged children, and we look at who won and lost the first BC Liberal leadership debate. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay.

The panel takes a deep dive into the federal election - what should each party take away from the results and what did we accomplish other than virtually identical results to 2019? We also look at the fate of each of the party leaders, and implications for BC politics. Plus, BC is backtracking to provide data for parents on school exposures, but the fight over what information the province releases on COVID and when continues. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay.

May 24, 2024 - BC's surging Conservative party has rejected a non-compete offer from BC United, what does it mean, who would have benefited and lost from such a deal, and more. The pod squad breaks it all down. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier, Jillian Oliver and Carlie Pochynok. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

With just days before the 2021 federal election, the panel offers up their predictions and analysis of the final few days. Plus, why is Premier John Horgan picking a fight with Alaska and why is Alaska coming for BC's cruise ship sector? We also discuss BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau's impact on BC politics at her one-year anniversary as leader. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay, Katy Merrifield and Jillian Oliver.

The province unveils a new vaccine passport system to access restaurants, movie theatres and more - how did it land and what does the path forward look like for this program in the face of a small but vocal group of anti-vaxxers? We also break down the federal leaders' debate to see who comes out with momentum for the last week of the election campaign. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield and Jillian Oliver.

What should the BC government do in the face of anti-vaccination passport protests that disrupted health care services? And has the time finally come to take drastic action to curb the overdose crisis, in the wake of more record-breaking death counts due to the toxic drug supply? Plus we take a look at week three of the federal election campaign. Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay, Katy Merrifield and Jillian Oliver.

BC's mandatory mask and vaccine strategies draw mixed reactions, and the province's back-to-school plan doesn't seem to land well either. Plus a look at week two of the federal election campaign and whether the issue of Afghanistan will become a leadership problem for Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Host Rob Shaw discusses the week with Jillian Oliver, Katy Merrifield, and Maclean Kay.

We take a deep dive into the new federal election - what leaders, issues and parties emerged from week one with momentum. Plus, Premier John Horgan is under fire for a holiday during the wildlife crisis - is this a big scandal or much ado about nothing? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay and Jillian Oliver.

BC takes one step forward in its fight against COVID-19 with a new "vax to the max" campaign, but also has to crack down with new restrictions on an outbreak in the central Okanagan, so are we falling backwards? Also, what to make of B.C.'s $5.5 billion deficit and the new public accounts report. Should the Governor General refuse an early election request from PM Justin Trudeau, as suggested by the federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh? And if the US is offering $100 to people to get vaccinated, would that work in BC? Plus a podcast extra on a new Elections BC report into the 2020 election, which was full of historic firsts and extra costs. Host Rob Shaw is joined by the regular panel, Katy Merrifield, Maclean Kay and Jillian Oliver.

BC is now in a state of emergency due to wildfires, NDP strategist Bob Dewar retires after five years of reshaping BC politics and the clown car crash of the federal Greens continues. Plus a fascinating discussion on the changing boundaries of how ministers and politicians can treat their staff, and what is acceptable in this day and age, amid stories of a toxic work environment in a federal cabinet minister's office. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Evan Pivnick, Katy Merrifield and Maclean Kay.

BC tries to fix its beleaguered ambulance service but are the resources enough to tackle a political crisis? Health officials offer new prescription drug supply in a bid to reduce overdoses. Ottawa opens up our waters to cruise ships, but BC still faces the risk of losing the entire cruise sector due to US legislation. Plus a callback from July 2017 when Premier John Horgan unveiled his new cabinet, what were his successes, failures and learning lessons from his first front bench?
Rob Shaw is joined by panellists Jillian Oliver, Maclean Kay and special guest Danielle Dalzell.

Trudeau delivers funding to supercharge BC’s $10-a-day child care promise. The premier commits another gaffe on heatwave deaths but does it matter? And NDP Constituencies could be behind picket lines soon after a strike vote. Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay, Jillian Oliver, and Katy Merrifield to discuss all the latest in BC politics.

Canada's Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister is facing resignation calls for a racist text, BC's finance minister rejects major recommendations to cool the real estate market in a new expert report on housing affordability and election speculation in Ottawa reaches a fever pitch amid a growing number of scandals for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's party.
Plus, we examine new BC Liberal leadership candidate Val Litwin, and look back in our callback segment to the "Clone Speech" of 2017 when then-Premier Christy Clark changed all her positions to try and stay in power.
Host Rob Shaw is joined by the weekly political panel, Jillian Oliver, Maclean Kay, and Katy Merrifield.

May 10, 2024 - Premier David Eby offers up ICBC rebates but is it just a move to change the channel from negative performance? Plus, Ottawa grants B.C.’s re-criminalization request, does that put the issue to bed before an election? And Greens call on leaders to make clear their position on abortion rights. Plus audio podcast extras on cybersecurity and Canfor’s forestry layoffs. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff  Ferrier, Allie Blades and Jillian Oliver. Brought to you by Uber Canada. 

We review what was accomplished as the spring session of the B.C. legislature ends, kick around whether the rising budget of the premier's office is a big deal and dig into why the federal Green party is imploding and what it might mean for the upcoming federal election.
In our podcast extras this week, we jump back into the time machine to June 2018 when Attorney General David Eby released the rules into the proportional representation referendum - did that kill PR on the spot, and what would B.C. politics look like had it passed? Host Rob Shaw is joined by his regular political panel: Maclean Kay, Jillian Oliver and Katy Merrifield.

Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Maclean Kay and Jillian Oliver to discuss all the latest in B.C. politics, as well as this week's Hot Take question: Should politicians ever cross the floor, or is that the political kiss of death? Our podcast extra topics cover a new B.C. Liberal postmortem into the 2020 election loss, and the launch of Michael Lee's B.C. Liberal leadership campaign. Plus Rob has a spicy hot take on the controversy over MLA Renee Merrifield's tabling of a petition by angry parents opposed to masks in schools.

Green MLA Adam Olsen delivers a powerful speech to the legislature on residential schools, our panel analyzes Premier John Horgan's new forestry plan and we explore why political parties won't cooperate to tackle the public health crisis on overdose deaths. Plus, a callback to a dramatic 24 hours in the house around Speaker Darryl Plecas in 2019. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay this week.

How does B.C.'s long-awaited restart plan change the political landscape? Premier John Horgan is facing heavy pressure due to protests in his riding against old growth logging at Fairy Creek, so why isn't he responding? Plus a callback segment on the "rugby summit" between Horgan and Andrew Weaver in 2017 and how it set the stage for an NDP-Green power-sharing deal. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver, Maclean Kay and special guest this week Marie Della Mattia.

Former finance minister Kevin Falcon launches his leadership bid with a giant target on his back, what should he do next? BC confirms its developing a vaccine passport but are the privacy concerns enough to derail the idea? And an angry Alaskan congressional delegation makes Premier John Horgan the villain as they pass legislation to bypass BC during cruise ship season - how did that get so out of control so quickly? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jillian Oliver and Katy Merrifield to break down the latest in BC politics - with an extended audio podcast discussion about leadership campaigns and a callback to the 2013 BC election, when everything started to change...

B.C. is caught withholding vast amounts of COVID-19 data from the public - why would it do this? A federal advisory committee on vaccines embarrass itself by issuing confusing information on AstraZeneca vaccines. B.C. politicians debate whether to continue giving their own political parties a per-vote subsidy, and we break down the latest fundraising numbers. Rob Shaw debates the week in politics with panelists Maclean Kay and Katy Merrifield - (Jillian is returning next week).

What's taking the Horgan government so long to come up with a sick pay plan? How did health officials so badly bungle pop-up vaccine sites in Surrey? And will the province hit its deadline to clear tent cities in Vancouver and Victoria? Host Rob Shaw discusses the week in BC politics with Jillian Oliver, Katy Merrifield and Maclean Kay. Plus a discussion of money-laundering commission and a look back at the career of Health Minister Adrian Dix.

Dr. Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, joins host Rob Shaw to talk about the pandemic, new travel restrictions, how Vancouver Island is performing in the pandemic, the delicate balance of public health orders and what it's like to be constantly second-guessed by armchair critics. Then, the weekly political panel of Maclean Kay, Jillian Oliver and Katy Merrifield convene to analyze the BC budget and the clumsy rollout of travel restrictions.

BC tries to walk a tightrope in its throne speech between a raging COVID-19 crisis and plotting a post-pandemic plan; a somber fifth anniversary for the province's other crisis, the public health emergency on overdose deaths; Vancouver's new mayoral candidates emerge 18 months before the election; and First Nations politics complicates the ongoing old growth logging protests at Fairy Creek but also gives government an out on a difficult file. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Maclean Kay, Jillian Oliver and Katy Merrifield to discuss all BC's political news, plus our hot takes on an MP whose nudity was caught on camera in the House of Commons Zoom feed.

Premier John Horgan struggles to get out from under criticism for blaming young people about COVID-19 spread two weeks later, the BC Greens propose a sweeping three-week lockdown, restaurants get a partial bailout, Gavin Dew enters the BC Liberal leadership race and the money-laundering public inquiry calls a former premier to testify. Host Rob Shaw is joined by Katy Merrifield, Maclean Kay and Jilian Oliver to discuss all the news in BC politics.

May 3, 2024 - BC's decriminalization request sparks a week of fiery national politics, so how does that filter back down to the provincial level and what are the implications? Plus, restrictions on short-term rentals kicked in this week, and are there any unintended consequences for government on the issue? And one of the most controversial projects in B.C.'s history, the Trans Mountain pipeline, quietly finishes and starts pumping oil, but does it mean anything politically anymore? Host Rob Shaw is joined by Jeff Ferrier and Jillian Oliver. Brought to you by Uber Canada.

BC's new aggressive stance on housing and homelessness, questions swirl around Vancouver's $645,000 toilet, and our panel gives BC's political parties some advice as they hit the half-way mark of the spring legislative session. Plus, what should the BC government do if anything to salvage its relationship with Alaska on cruise ships? Rob Shaw and panelists Katy Merrifield, Jillian Oliver and Maclean Kay break down the latest news in B.C. politics.

BC decides who is 'essential' enough for an early vaccine, the largest hike to assistance rates in history falls flat and the case of David Eby VS the City of Penticton highlights challenges in the housing/homeless file.

What should the public make about a wild week of ups and downs on BC's pandemic response? Rob, Katy, Jillian, and Maclean break it all down, including how the government created a villain in Telus to blame for the problems. As well, the BC Greens manage to pause a government firearm bill with concerns about First Nations consultation, and the Greens continue to raise important questions about mental health treatment.