bcpolicy.ca | We’re a progressive public policy research institute. We look at issues facing British Columbia and propose bold and achievable policy solutions that centre social, economic, environmental and racial justice. Join us!
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Tax reform, the perils of precarious work & how equity strengthens the economy, BC Policy Solutions advances sustainable change. Join us as we launch BC’s progressive think tank! Oct. 16, 5:30 - 8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
Concrete proposals for evidence-based economic and social change is what BC’s new progressive think tank will deliver. Join us as we celebrate the official launch of BC Policy Solutions! Oct. 16, 5:30-8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
BC isn’t broke! Equip yourself with arguments to challenge austerity narratives in favour of more sustainable, progressive policy solutions like fair taxation & robust public investment. Join our webinar with senior economist @iglikaivanova.bsky.social, Sept. 17, noon PT bcpolicy.ca/events/
It's the official launch of BC Policy Solutions! Join us for an evening of celebration, community building and hear how we’re working to create true, sustainable change in our province. Oct. 16, 5:30-8:00 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
Our first Fall 2025 webinar features senior economist @iglikaivanova.bsky.social explaining that BC isn’t broke: the truth behind the deficit (and other austerity narratives). Join us on Sept. 17, noon PT. Register at bcpolicy.ca/events/
Celebrate the launch of BC Policy Solutions—our province’s progressive think tank! Meet our researchers, Board members and staff for meaningful conversation, connection and CELEBRATION! Oct. 16, 5:30 - 8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
Concrete proposals for evidence-based economic and social change is what BC’s new progressive think tank will deliver. Join us as we celebrate the official launch of BC Policy Solutions! Oct. 16, 5:30-8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
Learn the truth behind the deficit and other austerity narratives in a webinar with senior economist @iglikaivanova.bsky.social. Hear about a progressive case for fair taxation and robust public investment in your community. Sep 17, noon PT.
Come to the official launch of BC Policy Solutions! Support concrete solutions for evidence-based economic and social change AND connect with others interested in tackling BC’s cost of living & affordability crises. Oct. 16, 5:30-8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver party.bcpolicy.ca
Great video featuring Serena Mandizabal from Sacred Earth Solar 👇
BC isn’t broke! Equip yourself with arguments to challenge austerity narratives in favour of more sustainable, progressive policy solutions like fair taxation & robust public investment. Join our webinar with senior economist @iglikaivanova.bsky.social, Sep 17, noon PT.
Tax reform, the perils of precarious work & how equity strengthens the economy, BC Policy Solutions advances sustainable change. Join us as we launch BC’s progressive think tank! October 16, 5:30-8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
Several of our recommendations for BC Budget 2026 presented by senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social appear in the legislature’s Consultation Report. We hope the government will now adopt them. #bcpoli www.leg.bc.ca/commit...
We are thrilled to invite you to the official launch of BC Policy Solutions! Hear how we’re working with partners to create impactful and sustainable change in BC. We look forward to seeing you there! October 16, 5:30 - 8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
We’re having a party to launch BC Policy Solutions! Gather for conversation, connection & celebration to support evidence-based economic and social change in our province. Join us! Oct. 16, 5:30-8 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments will be served RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
It's the official launch of BC Policy Solutions! Join us for an evening of celebration, community building & hear how we’re working to create true, sustainable change in our province. October 16, 5:30-8:00 PM Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver Light refreshments RSVP party.bcpolicy.ca
@aradwanski.bsky.social when you say this "may align BC as neatly as anywhere else in the country with the balancing act that PM Carney is attempting" would that be its magical thinking? 'Cause there's nothing coherent about this from a climate perspective. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
If you speak French listen to this interview with our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social with @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social on how New York mayoral candidate Zorhan Mamdani’s bold agenda could work in BC. ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premie...
A *very* engaged audience today at the @bctf.bsky.social 2025 Summer Leadership Conference, where senior economist Iglika Ivanova had some eager audience interventions. ;) It was a great event. Thank you for having us! Sign up to get notified about future events. bcpolicy.ca#subscribe #bctf
You can also follow Iglika at @iglikaivanova.bsky.social
A *very* engaged audience today at the @bctf.bsky.social 2025 Summer Leadership Conference, where senior economist Iglika Ivanova had some eager audience interventions. ;) It was a great event. Thank you for having us! Sign up to get notified about future events. bcpolicy.ca#subscribe #bctf
Just had a fantastic presentation from @bcpolicy.bsky.social about BC's economy and the fact that we have a revenue problem rather than a spending one. Spending compared to inflation and GDP is relatively flat across the last 25 years while revenue has dropped by nearly 5%. Was v. fascinating!
The lightning-fast deal reached after CUPE flight attendants courageously defied the back-to-work order proves the point: Air Canada had zero incentive to negotiate seriously while counting on federal intervention to steamroll workers' rights. @cupescfp.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
We need Mamdani's approach at the civic level, provincially, and federally all across Canada. The recent AC strike demonstrates there is a demographic and a need for this style of politics, and broad support among a majority of Canadians ("fairness").
Love this! @verosioufi.bsky.social of @bcpolicy.bsky.social looks at how to adopt winning ideas from the Mamdani NYC campaign to BC 👇
ICYMI researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social analyzes New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s policy framework and shows how BC could have such a bold agenda.
BC faces many of the same crises as New York City: crushingly expensive housing, wages not keeping up with the cost of living, underfunded public services & growing inequality. @verosioufi.bsky.social asks if mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s agenda could work in BC.
We have long argued that BC must close the growing gap between the minimum wage and the actual cost of living so that workers earn a living wage. @verosioufi.bsky.social analyzes New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s proposed policies as a blueprint.
Much of what New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani proposes aligns with evidence-based policies that our economists and researchers have long advocated. Researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social explains how it could work in BC.
BC has the fiscal capacity and institutional tools to lead the way and advance even more-ambitious reforms than New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani proposes. Researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social analyzes his policy agenda and shows how it could work in BC.
By reclaiming public power from corporations and rejecting austerity policies, New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s platform shows how to improve people's lives while building a sustainable, equitable economy. @verosioufi.bsky.social says it could work in BC.
Could New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s bold agenda work in BC? @verosioufi.bsky.social analyzes his policy framework and shows how it could be replicated in BC.
Need a fast summer read? Our media specialist @bcpolicyjean.bsky.social recommends the latest by @charlieangus104.bsky.social Dangerous Memory: Coming of Age in the Decade of Greed that calls the 2020s a “redux” of the 1980s. bcpolicy.ca/dangerou...
In case you missed it. This is why we must #EndCampusPrecarity
We put out these wildfire postcards back in May. Sadly, events have made them very timely. Check ‘em out #SignedSearedDelivered 👇
A janitor died on the job at SFU. We must #endCampusPrecarity. Read Isaac Phan Nay's story on the @thetyee.ca and learn about our Counteracting #CampusPrecarity project. Here are the links: 📰 thetyee.ca/News/2025/08... 🔍 bcpolicy.ca/campus-preca...
You can learn about the research project and campaign here: bcpolicy.ca/campus-preca... We extend our condolences to Kaila’s friends, family, and coworkers. An injury to one is an injury to all. #justiceForContractWorkers #sfuCampusPrecarity
”SFU said in a statement that Kaila’s death had 'nothing to do with the working environment.' But The Tyee spoke to 7 of Kaila’s co-workers, who all say they believe an excessive workload, strenuous working conditions and a lack of support for existing health conditions contributed to her death.”
Very sad news. Just a few days ago, we were announcing our Counteracting Campus Precarity research project, which (in collaboration with the #ContractWorkersJustice campaign) seeks to address precarious working conditions for #SFU food and cleaning staff. thetyee.ca/News/2025/08...
Hint: it has a lot to do with our progress in making labour legislation fairer. #BCLab
Workers at Amazon and Uber, two companies notoriously difficult to organize, have just formed unions in BC. What makes its labour environment so special? pressprogress.ca/british-colu...
Cleaning and food service work on campus is essential to keep universities going. Yet, many universities contract out cleaning and food service labour to large, for-profit companies (lower pay, vulnerable to layoffs, bullying, etc.) Here's what we're doing about it: bcpolicy.ca/campus-precarity
University cleaning and food service workers tend to be unseen and underappreciated at the best of times. Even worse is many universities contract out this labour to large, for-profit companies. Check out the latest precarity research project: bcpolicy.ca/campus-p...
Cleaning and food service work on campus is essential to keep universities going. Yet, many universities contract out cleaning and food service labour to large, for-profit companies (lower pay, vulnerable to layoffs, bullying, etc.) Here's what we're doing about it: bcpolicy.ca/campus-precarity
In a review of @charlieangus104.bsky.social latest book, media specialist @bcpolicyjean.bsky.social says Angus describes an era that unleashed unprecedented looting of the economy and the environment, resulting in widening inequality and economic insecurity today. bcpolicy.ca/dangerou...
During the pandemic it became clear: universities don’t run on research and teaching alone. Cleaning and food service work is essential to keep universities going. Yet, many universities have contracted out this labour to large for-profit companies. 🔍 Introducing: bcpolicy.ca/campus-preca...
In case you missed the good news: Uber and Amazon workers in BC made labour history by unionizing. The notoriously anti-union corporations couldn't stop the workers. Key to achieving this: two recent changes in labour policy. Learn more here: bcpolicy.ca/uber-amazon #bclab #bcpoli
Need a fast summer read? Our media specialist @bcpolicyjean.bsky.social recommends the latest by @charlieangus104.bsky.social Dangerous Memory: Coming of Age in the Decade of Greed that calls the 2020s a “redux” of the 1980s. bcpolicy.ca/dangerou...
In Dangerous Memory: Coming of Age in the Decade of Greed, @charlieangus104.bsky.social feels dread and hope for the future. He cites the founder of the Catholic Workers Movement, “No one has the right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.” bcpolicy.ca/dangerou...
“Anastasia French, managing director of Living Wage BC tells 1130 NewsRadio that a large portion of workers don’t make enough to cover essentials like food and rent, jeopardizing their ability to live in British Columbia.” vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/08/01/m...
Did you hear the good news? 👇 bcpolicy.ca/uber-amazon #unionizeuber #unionizeamazon #bcpoli #bclab #unionstrong
How BC labour laws enabled historic organizing wins—and what comes next. Great new piece by @verosioufi.bsky.social of the @bcpolicy.bsky.social bcpolicy.ca/2025/07/31/u...
ICYMI find out about the BC labour policies that made two breakthrough union certifications in Victoria and Delta and the restoration of card-check possible. Analysis from @verosioufi.bsky.social and @iglikaivanova.bsky.social.
New BC labour legislation recognizes ride-hail and delivery workers as employees—not contractors—of online platforms, providing them with long-overdue workplace rights. bcpolicy.ca/uber-amazon
Despite recent labour reforms 100,000s of low-paid, vulnerable BC workers can’t collectively bargain. BC’s labour relations system fits the early 20th century when worksites were separately organized rather than today's reality of only 15% in the private sector unionized. bcpolicy.ca/uber-amazon
Workers long considered “unorganizable” in two notoriously anti-union companies just made labour history in BC. This balances power between low-paid, often marginalized, workers and their multinational employers so workers can bargain for better conditions & higher wages. bcpolicy.ca/uber-amazon
BC could learn from Europe—and Quebec—how to modernize labour laws for the 21st century economy. Sectoral bargaining—collective bargaining across entire industries—means unions can lift standards by negotiating with employers across a sector even if some employers resist. bcpolicy.ca/uber-amazon
BC made labour history with two breakthrough union certifications and the restoration of card-check. Victoria Uber drivers are the 1st platform workers in Canada to unionize and Delta Amazon warehouse workers are the 2nd to unionize in Canada and 3rd in North America. bcpolicy.ca/uber-amazon
Here's my latest video column 👇 In it, I argue that confronting the crises before us requires social solidarity. And that, in turn, requires increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations. Have a watch...
Highly recommend this Globe oped today by UBC law prof @michael-byers.bsky.social: The International Court of Justice’s statement on fossil fuels puts Carney in a tough spot... www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
How important are low tax rates when your life and career are rooted in one place? Cristobal Young challenges the idea that the wealthy are fleeing to tax havens in this week’s episode of The Inequality Podcast. 🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/3YdiCkj #TaxFlight #MillionaireTax #InequalityResearch
BC LNG project divides Indigenous nations, risks financial and environmental harm. Summary here of an important new report from Yellowhead Institute @miskoaki.bsky.social. Does a great job of laying out financial risk... www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/28/n...
Cost was a major barrier for BC women accessing contraception before BC govt made it free, confirms new research. Guess what? Cost remains a barrier to accessing many aspects of health care, including mental health services & home & community care. It doesn't have to be this way. #bcpoli #cdnpoli
The BC Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform was an engagement model that set a global standard and has been studied & replicated worldwide. Senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a legislature committee such a model could strengthen democratic engagement in BC. bcpolicy.ca/mini-pub...
Senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social recently addressed a legislature committee on strengthening democratic engagement in BC. Alex recommended more use of citizens’ panels that select participants by lottery for a more representative cross-section of the public. bcpolicy.ca/mini-pub...
This is the idea we presented to the BC legislature’s Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform: **deliberative mini-publics** Check out the video for a quick tl;dr on what mini-publics are, and head to bcpolicy.ca/mini-publics to learn more. #electoralreform #bcpoli #canpoli #vanpoli
ICYMI The BC government should encourage cities to use citizens’ panels selected by lottery for public engagement to encourage affordable housing creation that is urgently needed, senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a legislature committee. bcpolicy.ca/mini-pub...
The BC Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform was an engagement model that set a global standard and has been studied & replicated worldwide. Senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a legislature committee such a model could strengthen democratic engagement in BC. bcpolicy.ca/mini-pub...
BC should actively incorporate randomly selected citizens’ assemblies in its toolkit for democratic engagement and encourage local governments to also do so, senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform. bcpolicy.ca/mini-pub...
Public engagement processes made up of ordinary citizens selected by lottery earn a higher degree of public trust and have worked in jurisdictions worldwide and should be adopted in BC, senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a legislature committee. bcpolicy.ca/mini-pub...
Senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social recently addressed a legislature committee on strengthening democratic engagement in BC. Alex recommended more use of citizens’ panels that select participants by lottery for a more representative cross-section of the public. bcpolicy.ca/mini-pub...
For a successful wealth tax senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social says it must: apply to all kinds of wealth equally; be aimed at the super-rich; use third-party assessments of asset values and lifestyle audits. doctorow.medium.com/...
"It’s both reasonable and urgent to move away from growth-paying-for-growth as our model for funding infrastructure,” senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social said commenting on a proposed fundamental change in how infrastructure is financed. vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...
The closed-door meeting was promised by Carney in June after chiefs said their rights were not respected by the rush to push Bill C-5 through Parliament in June.
"World leaders must take “immediate, unprecedented action” to prevent devastating climate tipping points, experts say.... This is a human rights... imperative and ultimately a matter of survival. @catearly.bsky.social www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science... #climatesky #bcpoli #cdnpoli
1/ More seniors are dying in their homes during heat waves, and cities aren’t ready. In BC's 2021 heat dome, over 600 people died. A new UN report shows heat deaths among people 65+ have risen 85% since the 1990s. It’s time we treated this like the public health crisis it is.
To effectively fight the climate crisis, governments must spend what it takes. Fortunately, new analysis from @taxjustice.net shows governments can unlock $2.6T in new funding by fixing tax loopholes and abuse. This is more than enough to meet global climate goals. So why isn't this being done?
The provincial government’s deadline for achieving universal $10-a-day child care in British Columbia is just three years away. But the province is not going to reach this goal by 2028, according to advocates and the former minister of state responsible for child care. It won’t even be close.
We thank Naomi Klein, @naomiaklein.bsky.social, for recognition of our work!
We will work with the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition on issues like poverty, housing, precarious work and more. We thank provincial director Rowan Burdge for her support.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, is a steadfast supporter of progressive policy. We thank him for his endorsement.
We appreciate @cupebc.bsky.social and President Karen Ranalletta for their support. Join them as we together we offer solutions for working British Columbians.
Our thanks to @mnorris.bsky.social, president of the Urban Native Youth Association, for his support! Please join Matthew and others who have endorsed us!
On this Canada Day, @sethdklein.bsky.social asks: If we’re in an economic war, why aren’t we talking about war taxes? bcpolicy.ca/war-taxes
We are grateful for the endorsement from @naomiaklein.bsky.social.
Four Years After the BC Heat Dome, What Have We Learned? via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
BC faces major challenges requiring robust public investment to adequately address them, senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a legislative budget committee. Alex outlined our three recommendations related to tax policy, housing and social investments. bcpolicy.ca/budget20...
Working in collaboration with progressive groups like the Poverty Reduction Coalition is key to our research developing solutions for British Columbians.
Thrilled to be in a packed room for the relaunch of the campaign for #10aday child care in BC. Can't think of a better investment we can make as a province than the investment in quality, affordable, public early education & child care. Time for the BC government to step up the efforts.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘World Will Be Watching’ Carney’s Fast-Tracked Megaprojects as Carbon Budget Shrinks www.theenergymix.com/exclusive-wo...
ICYMI senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social recommendations on Budget 2026 to the provincial legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services: Annual Budget Consultation. bcpolicy.ca/budget20...
As % of GDP BC government revenues are lower than 25 years ago, harming the public good, senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a BC budget committee. Strong public investment can strengthen our economy and be funded with inequality-reducing taxes he said. bcpolicy.ca/budget20...
Senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky recommendations on BC Budget 2026: implement tax reforms & increase provincial revenues; create 25K new units of non-market housing a year & increase housing supply; increase social investments & reduce the cost-of-living. bcpolicy.ca/budget20...
BC faces big challenges that need robust public investment to adequately address them, senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social told a legislative budget committee. Alex outlined our 3 recommendations related to tax policy, housing and social investments. bcpolicy.ca/budget20...
How did Sweden become a heat pump super power? Listen to Sweden's inspirational story. In 10 minutes I explain how Sweden has installed millions of heat pumps and what we can learn from it. The video is from a recorded @nestauk.bsky.social event. youtu.be/akMyeoQSht8?...
The climate crisis is creating an economic crisis. And the climate crisis is mainly caused by burning fossil fuels. And renewable energy is now less expensive than fossil fuels. So why do some politicians want more fracking pipelines? #cdnpoli #bcpoli
More extreme weather on the way, as greenhouse gas accumulation accelerates, scientists say www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/18/n...