BC provincial #byelection underway in Abbotsford-Mission. For BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay it's an opportunity to try for a seat in the legislature before the Fall session. For NDP is an opportunity to showcase what they've been doing all year. islandsocialtrends.ca/five-candida...

Five candidates in Abbotsford-Mission provincial by-election - Island Social Trends

Five candidates in Abbotsford-Mission Sept 26 provincial by-election representing NDP, BC Conservative, Green, CentreBC and Libertarian.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Federal #fuel excise tax suspension extended into next year (100% to Jan 31/27, 50% to Mar 31/27). Conservatives say it should extend in full to July 1/27. NDP says it doesn't help two underlying problems. Announcement made today inside a Canadian Tire store. islandsocialtrends.ca/federal-fuel...

Federal fuel excise tax suspension extended into 2027 - Island Social Trends

Gasoline at the pump: Finance Minister announces federal fuel excise tax suspension extension 100% to Jan 31, 2027 and at 50% to Mar 31, 2027.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Liberals win three out of three! Federal by-election results from last night, here: islandsocialtrends.ca/liberals-win... | #cdnpoli

Premier Eby has called a by-election for Abbotsford-Mission (where the BC Conservative MLA recently resigned) islandsocialtrends.ca/eby-calls-ab... . And now that MLA Joan Phillip has died, there will need to be a by-election in her riding Vancouver-Strathcona. islandsocialtrends.ca/ndp-mla-indi...

MLAs leaving BC Conservative Party in droves, as new leader Findlay (since May30) has been steering the party beyond right, to extreme. A new centre-right party is in the works (Peter Milobar & Ian Paton). All this a bonus for BC NDP who are focusing on economy. islandsocialtrends.ca/more-mlas-le...

More MLAs leave BC Conservatives, Milobar & Paton starting new party - Island Social Trends

More MLAs leave BC Conservative Party including Teresa Wat & Rosalyn Bird. Peter Milobar & Ian Paton now Independent but starting new party.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Encouraging blood donation is always a challenge. Canadian Blood Services this week says there's an urgent need for #blood donations, with supplies dropping by as much as 30% in recent months in part due to #extremeweather and seasonal illness. islandsocialtrends.ca/blood-donati...

Blood donation painted as lifestyle opportunity amidst diminished supply - Island Social Trends

Canadian Blood Services paints blood donation as a lifestyle opportunity amidst diminished supply in recent months due to extreme weather.

islandsocialtrends.ca

NDP Leader @avilewis.ca was in a one-hour phone call with Prime Minister Carney today who outlined "the details of the negotiations" between Canada & the US. Lewis asked for strong #worker protections within #tariff supports & that the broken EI system be fixed. islandsocialtrends.ca/ndp-tariff-u...

NDP tariff urgency: scale & speed, protect workers directly, fix EI - Island Social Trends

NDP Leader Avi Lewis to Prime Minister Carney in phone call on tariff urgency: scale & speed, protect workers directly, fix EI.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Premier Eby says US #alcohol will still not be on BC Liquor store shelves, urges British Columbians to curtail #travel to the USA. Says these are 'early days' as to seeing how effective the federal govt's response to #tariffs will be for workers & businesses. islandsocialtrends.ca/trade-war-bc...

Trade war: BC supports federal govt approach to protecting workers & businesses - Island Social Trends

Trade war: BC supports federal govt approach to protecting workers & businesses but "it's early days", says Premier Eby regarding specifics.

islandsocialtrends.ca

What a legend! And what a legacy! Country #music fan or not, people are struck by the passing of singer-songwriter #DollyParton today. islandsocialtrends.ca/dolly-parton...

Dolly Parton (1946-2026) created a legend and a legacy - Island Social Trends

Singer-songwriter and actress Dolly Parton (1946-2026) created a legend and a legacy. Dies at age 80 on August 25, 2026.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Carney announces $11 billion investment in building six icebreakers at a Quebec #shipyard to replace the #CoastGuard’s aging icebreakers in Atlantic Canada & St. Lawrence in winter, and #Arctic in summer. There will be 5,000 new #jobs in the construction phase. islandsocialtrends.ca/carney-annou...

Carney announces $11 billion shipbuilding contract, Canada setting new course - Island Social Trends

Carney announces $11 billion shipbuilding contract, Canada setting new course after withdrawing from US trade talks.

islandsocialtrends.ca

District of Oak Bay got a $70,000 federal grant to get rolling on their Community #Climate Action Plan with a strong focus on adaptation over 3 to 5 years, and longer. Announced Aug 21 by #OakBay Mayor Kevin Murdoch & Victoria MP @wgreaves.bsky.social Greaves. islandsocialtrends.ca/climate-adap...

Climate adaptation planning in Oak Bay with $70K federal grant - Island Social Trends

Climate adaptation plan to get underway in Oak Bay with $70K federal grant announced Aug 21 by Will Greaves MP & Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch.

islandsocialtrends.ca

BC Premier on US-Canada #trade: BC will continue to diversify. "To suggest that Canada would not trade with other countries or reduce our trade with other countries because the Americans tell us to, would reduce us to the economic equivalent of the #51st state." islandsocialtrends.ca/eby-on-us-ca...

Eby on US-Canada trade talks: BC will continue to diversify - Island Social Trends

Premier David Eby on US-Canada trade talks: BC will continue to diversify while protecting affected business sectors and workers.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Dr Bonnie Henry on how to deal with #smokyair in the BC #wildfire season. Short term effects subside but she's concerned about longer-term health impacts: islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-wildfire-...

BC Wildfire update includes smoky air tips from Dr Henry - Island Social Trends

BC Wildfire update on Aug 18 included smoky air tips from Provincial Health Officer Dr Henry. Wildfire season expected to last 4 more weeks.

islandsocialtrends.ca

US agrees to postpone 50% (Section 338) #tariffs for a few days, per announcement from Carney's office late this evening Aug 18. Talks continue. islandsocialtrends.ca/us-agrees-to...

The BC Govt #staff directory is getting a major overhaul (a proactive RCMP recommendation). None of it is available at the moment. When reactivated, only senior ministry staff will be listed. It's a response to #cybersecurity threats including #AI harvesting. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-governmen...

BC government staff details now hidden from Web - Island Social Trends

BC government staff details now hidden from Web, with some senior info still avilable, as well as services and info for media.

islandsocialtrends.ca

A busy month for federal member of parliament #ElizabethMay in September! Eight meetings in communities around her Saanich-Gulf Islands riding before heading to Ottawa for the start of the fall session, then one more! islandsocialtrends.ca/community-me... | #VancouverIsland #cdnpoli

Community meetings with Elizabeth May MP ahead of fall session - Island Social Trends

Community meetings with Elizabeth May MP in her Saanich-Gulf Islands constituency ahead of 2026 House of Commons fall session.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Victoria For All launches a 3-candidate slate: one City of Victoria council incumbent (Susan Kim), one first-time council candidate, one candidate for #SD61 school board. Focussing on social-fabric #urban living including #renters, mental health, tree canopy. islandsocialtrends.ca/victoria-for...

BC #Seniors Advocate sees cross-ministry possibilities with #Finance & #Health, as both ministers have had aspects of seniors care or services in their previous portfolios. Indeed, today Premier Eby called the new appointments as being of experienced ministers. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-seniors-a...

BC cabinet shuffle Aug14: Osborne moving from #Health into #Finance, Kahlon to lead Health ministry (leaving Jobs and #Economic Growth to Brenda Bailey when she returns this fall after cancer treatment). Premier #Eby to address media at 10:30 am. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-cabinet-s... | #bcpoli

BC cabinet shuffle: Osborne to Finance, Kahlon to Health - Island Social Trends

BC cabinet shuffle August 14: Josie Osborne from Health to Finance, Ravi Kahlon from Jobs and Economic Growth over to Health.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Premier David Eby in Penticton today (where many #Summerland wildfire evacuees have landed). Commended the work of first responders, volunteers, wildfire service. After-action review will be done. He expects this isn't the last major #wildfire event BC will see. islandsocialtrends.ca/premier-in-p...

Premier in Penticton: impacts of Summerland wildfire evacuation - Island Social Trends

Premier David Eby in Penticton to observe and explore impacts of Summerland wildfire evacuation, Aug 12, 2026.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Today #Agriculture & Food Minister Lana Popham @lanapopham.bsky.social outlined #wildfire impacts on #ranchers & #food growers. Closed highways are preventing some #farm workers getting thru, crops are rotting & soot-covered. The cows may come home by October. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-wildfire-...

BC Wildfire update: herding livestock, crop damage - Island Social Trends

Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham in BC Wildfire update Aug 11, 2026: herding livestock, crop damage.

islandsocialtrends.ca

The @townofviewroyal.bsky.social has received a federal grant of $85,000 to plan the investment in expansion and maintenance of #parks, trails and #shoreline access. The amenities are used by residents from around the Greater Victoria area as well as tourists. islandsocialtrends.ca/view-royal-g...

View Royal gets $85K grant for parks, trails & shoreline planning - Island Social Trends

Town of View Royal gets $85,000 federal grant for parks, trails & shoreline planning: investments, improvement, expansion.

islandsocialtrends.ca

WestJet flight attendants are now on strike (Aug 2) on this BC Day long weekend, interrupting #travel for many. #WestJet offers 4 years of pay increases, retroactive to Jan 1/26 & wide range of benefits. "No one should work for free," says NDP in a statement. islandsocialtrends.ca/westjet-cabi...

WestJet cabin crew work stoppage kicks in Aug 2 - Island Social Trends

WestJet cabin crew work stoppage kicks in just after midnight on Sunday Aug 2. A strong stand for worker rights. Traveller disruption.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Here's a 'for instance' where a #federal grant toward local community #firehall infrastructure will make a huge difference to a small #rural community and a broader region in terms of modern emergency preparedness [federal $7 million combined with BC & local]. islandsocialtrends.ca/metchosin-ge...

Metchosin gets $7 million federal grant for post-seismic fire hall - Island Social Trends

District of Metchosin gets $7 million federal grant toward construction of a post-seismic fire hall, announced on-site July 31, 2026.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Travel-acquired #measles case in #Nanaimo region... potential exposures to anyone who may have been in certain retail locations & a golf course on July 12, says @vanislandhealth.bsky.social Island Health. islandsocialtrends.ca/potential-ex... | #VancouverIsland

Potential exposures related to travel-acquired measles case in Nanaimo - Island Social Trends

Potential exposures related to travel-acquired measles case in Nanaimo, reported by Island Health on July 21, 2026.

islandsocialtrends.ca

The phased-out funding was only for resource material development. SOGI content will still be taught in BC schools from an anti-bullying perspective, tailored by teachers based on age & stage of development & subject being taught (e.g. social studies, phys ed). islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-conservat...

BC Conservatives mince reality about SOGI funding - Island Social Trends

BC Conservatives say SOGI funding has been cancelled in BC schools but BC NDP government says only new-resources contract funding has ended.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Ryan Clayton@itsryanclayton.substack.com · 2mo ago

Does anyone know what's happening with SOGI 123? ARC Foundation (who run it) supposedly sent an email saying the BC Gov decided to discontinue funding "as of this year". Ministry told @islandsocialtrends.bsky.social the funding was phased out over two years ago. Cons are claiming credit.

Canfor pulp mill closure means lost forestry jobs. But also highlights the need for two key shifts: #forestry sector shift from commodity to value-add, and jobs not being dependent on corporations & antiquated Employment Insurance system. Time for #basicincome. islandsocialtrends.ca/canfor-pulp-...

Canfor pulp mill closure impacts workers, highlights need for forestry sector evolution - Island Social Trends

Canfor pulp mill closure in Prince George impacts workers but also highlights need for forestry sector evolution and basic income.

islandsocialtrends.ca

BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar features two #forestry product brokers in his press conference today about expanding the use of BC softwood lumber in the Canadian economy -- for value-add manufacturing and supporting jobs. islandsocialtrends.ca/growing-the-... | #bcpoli #bcndp

Growing the BC softwood value-added sector - Island Social Trends

Growing the BC softwood value-added sector -- further initiatives announced by Forests Minister Ravi Parmar July 13, 2026.

islandsocialtrends.ca

Canadian astronaut Col #JeremyHansen announces his retirement from the Canadian Space Agency today, July 6. But he still has big dreams for supporting Canada and advancements in space. islandsocialtrends.ca/astronaut-je... | #ArtemisII #Moon #science #aerospace

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen retires from Canadian Space Agency - Island Social Trends

Astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen retires from the Canadian Space Agency. Prime Minister Carney issues a statement, July 6, 2026.

islandsocialtrends.ca

The BC #NDP now has a larger majority (48 seats), as former BC Conservative (turned Independent) MLA Amelia Boultbee joins the NDP -- welcomed by Premier #Eby today at the BC Legislature. islandsocialtrends.ca/former-bc-co... | #bcpoli

Former BC Conservative MLA Independent Amelia Boultbee joins BC NDP - Island Social Trends

Former BC Conservative MLA Independent Amelia Boultbee joins NDP, bringing BC NDP to a 48 seat majority. Welcomed by Premier Eby.

islandsocialtrends.ca