Federalism and local politics

Prof. Stewart Prest on Vancouver council’s decision to suspend the integrity commissioner’s work

Prof. Stewart Prest on Vancouver council’s decision to suspend the integrity commissioner’s work

Professor Stewart Prest says the decision to suspend the integrity commissioner’s work will have a detrimental effect on holding public officials accountable and maintaining public trust.

Prof. Stewart Prest on veteran Richmond BC United MLA defecting to BC Conservatives

Prof. Stewart Prest on veteran Richmond BC United MLA defecting to BC Conservatives

Professor Stewart Prest explains this defection highlights how effective the BC Conservatives have been in distinguishing themselves as a “big-tent, right-of-centre option for politicians in the province.”

Prof. Stewart Prest on Surrey’s legal fight to keep the RCMP

Prof. Stewart Prest on Surrey’s legal fight to keep the RCMP

Professor Stewart Prest says Mayor Brenda Locke’s legal fight against the Surrey police transition “was a desire to not be seen to be pushed around by the province and to really try to dig in around this position that they had laid out for themselves during the campaign.” It raises questions of the mayor’s decision making and use of tax payer money.

Prof. Stewart Prest comments on a far-right political conference in B.C.

Prof. Stewart Prest comments on a far-right political conference in B.C.

Professor Stewart Prest says the BC United seem to be simultaneously trying to “cast the BC Conservatives as a fringe right-wing populist party” and capture those votes themselves.

Prof. Gerald Baier explains why Eby is blaming Trudeau

Prof. Gerald Baier explains why Eby is blaming Trudeau

Professor Gerald Baier says Eby’s strategy of deflecting “some of the blame for what might be perceived as policy failures” to Trudeau is “just a tried-and-true electoral strategy for provincial premiers.”

Prof. Stewart Prest on B.C. United’s lagging donations

Prof. Stewart Prest on B.C. United’s lagging donations

Professor Stewart Prest suggests that BC United donations are being decreased by the recent movement of candidates from the party to BC Conservatives.

Prof. Gerald Baier explains why NDP ministers are not seeking re-election

Prof. Gerald Baier explains why NDP ministers are not seeking re-election

Professor Gerald Baier says it’s natural for a party to have turnover. It is likely the NDP will look for well-known candidates in these ridings to avoid challenge from opposition parties.

Prof. Gerald Baier and Prof. Stewart Prest on the deferral of provincial issues to the federal government

Prof. Gerald Baier and Prof. Stewart Prest on the deferral of provincial issues to the federal government

Professor Gerald Baier and Professor Stewart Prest said it’s common for provincial politicians to defer some responsibility onto the federal government, especially close to an election.

Prof. Stewart Prest on MLA Elenore Sturko’s defection to BC Conservatives

Prof. Stewart Prest on MLA Elenore Sturko’s defection to BC Conservatives

Professor Stewart Prest explains that Elenore Sturko is running in Surrey-Coverdale because her current seat, Surrey South, already has a Conservative candidate. The ridings share similar demographics, meaning similar campaign messaging can be used.

Prof. Gerald Baier suggests campaign strategies for the B.C. United

Prof. Gerald Baier suggests campaign strategies for the B.C. United

Professor Gerald Baier suggests that “its time to play to their strengths which is going to be the quality of some of those local candidates” given the recent defections from B.C. United to the B.C. Conservatives.