Shannon Waters

@sobittersosweet

Stubbornly sesquipedalian, just not at work B.C. politics reporter with The Narwhal She/her Recent work: 🏳️‍🌈 🐈‍⬛ 📚 🌊 🌱

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Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jul 10

The EAO left "Mount Polley" out of the subject line for the press release I wonder why... #bcpoli

BC Gov News - Tailings dam raise for Springer Pit expansion approved

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jul 7

Catching up on work after a week in the mountains, I may have just come across the most badly written paragraph I have ever read It's from the BC-Canada MOU released last week 🥴

Canada and British Columbia commit to pursuing economic growth in a way that aligns with Canadian values: through meaningful First Nations participation and ownership in projects; through pursuing projects, as well as protecting private property rights throughout British Columbia, sustainably and deploying low-carbon solutions with best-in-class technology; and by ensuring that British Columbian and Canadian workers are provided with training opportunities in partnership with organized labour.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 29

Paton is a new add to the caucus leadership line up. He has been Agri critic I think you can say Findlay is shaking things up more than, say, Halford did when he stepped into the interim leader role. Below are the previous line ups, #1 with Halford as leader, #2 under Rustad Critic portfolios TBD

BC Conservative caucus leadership positions with Trevor Halford as interim leader

Trevor Halford — Interim Leader of the Official Opposition

Á’a:líya Warbus — House Leader

Jody Toor — Caucus Chair & Critic for Citizen Services

Rosalyn Bird — Caucus Whip

Reann Gasper — Deputy Caucus Whip & Critic for Children & Family Development

Lorne Doerkson — Assistant Deputy Speaker

BC Conservative caucus leadership positions with John Rustad as leader:

A’a:lilya Warbus – House Leader

Jody Toor – Caucus Chair

Bruce Banman – Caucus Whip

Reann Gasper – Deputy Caucus Whip

Lorne Doerkson – Deputy Speaker

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 29

The top caucus roles come with a pretty hefty pay bump Of these roles, only Jody Toor (chair) and Reann Gasper (deputy whip) kept their positions and pay bumps from pre-Findlay #bcpoli

A table of official opposition caucus leadership roles, the % increase they receive above a base BC MLA salary, the annual total amount and the biweekly additional amount:

Leader of the Official Opposition 50% $ 61,021.46 $ 2,340.55
Official Opposition House Leader 20% $ 24,408.59 $ 936.22
Official Opposition Whip 20% $ 24,408.59 $ 936.22
Official Opposition Deputy Whip 15% $ 18,306.44 $ 702.16
Official Opposition Caucus Chair 20% $ 24,408.59 $ 936.22

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 29

Findlay has also added a raft of "lieutenants" to the caucus leadership roster. Some are responsible for regions plus a trio of "stakeholder relations" lieutenants - including her partner, Brent Chapman 🌹

Caucus Representative to the CPBC Board: 
Sharon Hartwell, MLA Bulkley Valley-Stikine                           

Okanagan and Interior Lieutenant: 
David Willliams, MLA Salmon Arm-Shuswap

Vancouver Island Lieutenant: Anna Kindy, MLA North Island

Lower Mainland Lieutenant: Ian Paton, MLA Delta South

Stakeholder Relations Lieutenant: 
Lawrence Mok, MLA Maple Ridge East

Stakeholder Relations Lieutenant: 
Steve Kooner, MLA Richmond-Queensborough

Stakeholder Relations Lieutenant: Brent Chapman, MLA Surrey South

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 29

A'aliya Warbus is out as house leader, Rookie MLA Sheldon Clare (Prince George-North Cariboo) now holds the role Macklin McCall will serve as caucus whip The rest of the regular caucus roles:

Leader and Chair: Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay

Interim Leader of the Official Opposition: 

Heather Maahs, MLA Chilliwack North

Official Opposition House Leader: 
Sheldon Clare, MLA Prince George-North Cariboo

Official Opposition Deputy House Leader: 
Lorne Doerksen, MLA Cariboo-Chilcotin

Official Opposition Whip: 
Macklin McCall, MLA West Kelowna-Peachland

Official Opposition Deputy Whip: 
Reann Gasper, MLA Abbotsford-Mission

Caucus Chair: Jody Toor, MLA Langley-Willowbrook

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 27

Mmmm, nostalgia! (Take 2! 😅 Is it just me or is autocorrect getting more deranged?)

Me holding a bottle of Clearly Canadian sparkling water beverage, country raspberry flavor. 0% juice!

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 27

An idea so good, I had to copy

My reader propped up next to a gin and tonic with lemon and thyme. There's a sunny windows through blinds in the background

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 17

Building out, modernizing and upgrading existing power generation facilities will yield another 1,000 megawatts, BC Hydro estimates About half will come from a 6th generating unit at the Revelstoke dam, now under construction

BC Hydro will undertake upgrades across its system, including:

* building a sixth generating unit at the Revelstoke Generating Station, adding 500 megawatts

* modernizing Units 1-5 at G.M. Shrum Generating Station at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, adding 100 megawatts

* completing upgrades to Units 1-4 at Revelstoke Generation Station; Units 1-4 at Mica Generating Station; and upgrades at Seven Mile, Falls River, Clowhom, Wahleach, Kootenay Canal, Seton Generating Stations, together adding more than 400 megawatts

"These system upgrades at sites across British Columbia are an integral part of our Powering Growth, Fueling Opportunity strategy," said George Anderson, parliamentary secretary for energy and climate solutions. "We are planning for the future and optimizing our existing assets now to ensure British Columbians continue to have access to the clean energy they need for generations to come."

Revelstoke Unit 6

Construction of the Revelstoke Unit 6 project has begun. Construction is taking place within the existing generation station, significantly limiting the environmental footprint of the project. Work includes:

* installing a 500-megawatt generating unit in an existing turbine bay

* building a sixth steel penstock on the dam face

* upgrading mechanical and electrical systems, including a new generator transformer and switchgear

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 16

The energy ministry did not respond to my request for an interview with the minister or to any of the questions I sent them

- When did Island Generation first encounter supply issues due to Woodfibre LNG?
- How many times supply disruptions of this kind have occurred at Island Generation?
- How many days Island Generation has operated in the past three years and whether any planned or needed operation days were disrupted due to a lack of gas supply?
- Whether the ministry has any policies regarding priority for natural gas to go to electricity generation for BC Hydro instead of LNG facilities for power or feedstock?

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 9

The press release celebrates 4 private member's bills from Conservative MLAs passing since the 2024 election, more "than any opposition caucus in B.C. history" It does not mention changes to house proceedings that made this possible, changes that - coincidentally I'm sure - took effect in 2025

NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Tuesday, May 7

29 The Hon. R. Kahlon to move —

That, effective September 9, 2024, the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia be amended:

1. By deleting the text shown as struck out and adding the underlined text under the heading “Monday 10 a.m. to 12 noon (Private Members’ Time)” in Standing Order 25 to give Public Bills in the Hands of Private Members and Private Members’ motions equal precedence in the order of business on Monday mornings:

Monday
10 a.m. to 12 noon
(Private Members’ Time)

Private Members’ Statements (10 a.m.)

Public Bills in the Hands of Private Members and Private Members’ Motions

Public Bills in the Hands of Private Members

Private Bills

Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice

No division, on Orders of the Day, will be taken in the House or in Committee of the Whole during Private Members’ Time, but where a division is requested, it will be deferred until thirty minutes prior to the ordinary time fixed for adjournment of the House on the Monday, unless otherwise ordered.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· Jun 9

If they do say so themselves

An emailed press release from the Conservative caucus of BC:

View this email in your browser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Most Effective Opposition Caucus in Provincial History

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 31

One of the weirder press releases I received during this race was titled "Four MLAs just made their choice. They didn't have to."

Friend

Four MLAs just put their names behind Kerry-Lynne. That doesn't happen by accident.

Sheldon Clare, MLA from Prince George-North Cariboo.
Brent Chapman, MLA from Surrey South.
Steve Kooner, MLA from Richmond-Queensborough.
David Williams, MLA from Salmon Arm-Shuswap.

These are not guys who follow the wind. Anyone who's watched BC politics for five minutes knows that.

Brent Chapman kept showing up through serious health challenges. Didn't slow down, didn't hand things off, just kept going. Steve Kooner had been practically alone in standing against DRIPA while others found reasons to stay quiet. David Williams stood with the truckers when that was not a popular thing to do. He gets what the Cowichan decision means. He gets what DRIPA actually does to property rights in this province — and he's picking up that fight where Kooner planted the flag.

These are people who have taken hits for their beliefs.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 31

On May 19, Findlay held a town hall event with independent MLA Jordan Kealy, who left the Conservative party following Dalas Brodie's ouster I wonder if he'll rejoin now

We'd love for you to join us tonight for a virtual town hall with MLA Jordan Kealy, from Peace River North.

This is your chance to connect with the campaign, hear what's happening on the ground, and ask questions directly.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 31

"Build pipelines, Build BC"

Instead of building pipelines and growing BC’s economy, David Eby is attacking Alberta and driving investment away from our province.

As leader of the BC Conservatives, I will take a different path.

Through my Western Alliance Plan, we will work with Alberta and Saskatchewan to build pipelines, expand transportation corridors, remove trade barriers, and create thousands of high-paying jobs for British Columbians.

A stronger economy means higher wages, more opportunity, and sustainable funding for health care and essential services.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 31

This one was titled, " I will repeal SOGI"

Across BC, families are telling me they feel shut out of important decisions happening in schools. Parents should be informed, respected, and involved.

That is why I will repeal SOGI and replace it with an education system rooted in parental involvement, transparency, and age-appropriate learning.

We need to get back to basics and build an education system that delivers a world-class education so our children can thrive.

The establishment will fight hard against this. But I am prepared to stand up for families and common sense.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 31

If you're curious what her leadership might look like, here are some press releases sent out by Findlay's campaign in the past few weeks

Email header: I will restore medical freedom

The NDP’s Bill 36 is a direct attack on medical freedom and the independence of BC’s healthcare professionals.

Bill 36 strips power away from self-regulating health colleges and hands more control to government-appointed boards and bureaucrats.

Doctors are warning that Bill 36 makes it harder for them to speak freely with their patients. This is government overreach.

As Premier, I will repeal Bill 36 and protect doctor-patient relationships.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 28

Asked about the lingering legislation, government house leader Mike Farnworth says those bills will allow the house to get right back to work in the fall Says media would accuse the government of being unprepared

Government house leader Mike Farnworth, dressed in a suit, answers questions at a bank of microphones. He's standing between a Canadian and a BC flag and there is a framed picture of a grumpy black cat over his left shoulder

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 28

Neither of the municipal statutes bills are going to pass. One creates a code of conduct for local elected officials, the other would create parental leave provisions Both are at second reading

17 Housing and Municipal Affairs Statutes (Codes of Conduct) Amendment Act, 2026 Hon. Christine Boyle
Apr 2, 2026
18 Housing and Municipal Affairs Statutes (Parental Leave) Amendment Act, 2026 Hon. Christine Boyle
Apr 2, 2026

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 27

Changes to BC's freedom of information law passed committee last night and may get third reading today Bill 9 threatens to constrain and circumscribe this fundamental right in the name of improving administrative efficiency, says the BC Freedom of Information Association #bcpoli

An Appeal: FIPA Calls on the Public and Civil Society to Oppose the Bill 9 Amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Victoria 2026.05.27 – FIPA is calling on members of the public and civil society organizations concerned about transparency and the right to know to join us in continued opposition to Bill 9, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act.
Bill 9 passed second reading during an extraordinary extended afternoon session of the Legislative Assembly May 6. It moved through the Committee phase on May 26. The bill has consistently been subject to extensive criticism and questioning from opposition and third-party MLAs, many of whom have cited FIPA’s initial critique and questions in their interventions. While the government has made amendments to the bill in response to this criticism, the bill remains flawed.
Bill 9 weakens the access rights of British Columbians by expanding the discretion of public bodies to determine what constitutes a ‘reasonable amount of time’ to identify records sought in response to an FOI request.
It also expands grounds to disregard requests as “abusive,” or “malicious,” and now allows for requests to be disregarded if they would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Ministry responsible for the administration of the Act.
It fails to address gaps and inconsistencies in the creation, classification, retention, and digitization of records by public bodies – gaps that contribute to delays and make the FOI process less user-friendly.
Importantly, it fails to address key recommendations for reform made in the 2022 report of the Special Legislative Committee that reviewed the FIPPA.
It fails to enshrine in FIPPA a duty to document that requires all public bodies to create and manage detailed records of decisions and actions.
It fails “Extend freedom of information provisions to the administrative functions of the Legislative Assembly”.
It fails to reflect a “compre…

As it stands, the government is in a position to push Bill 9 through a third reading and into law prior to the end of the legislative session this week.
A May 6 motion introduced by the Official Opposition to ‘hoist’ the bill for six months to allow for further study and public consultation was defeated earlier this month, but not before the matter was subject to extensive debate.
The Hansard record of that meeting may go down in history as one of the lengthiest discussions about freedom of information in the Legislature in BC history, and legislators gave passionate and commendable speeches about the importance of transparency and the public’s right to know.
“It is helpful to know where elected representatives stand on these matters. FIPA distributed questionnaires to political parties during the 2024 provincial election, seeking their positions on transparency and privacy issues. We did not receive detailed responses”, said FIPA Executive Director Jason Woywada.
The problem remains that Bill 9 does not advance or extend the public’s right to know. Indeed, it threatens to constrain and circumscribe this fundamental right in the name of improving administrative efficiency.
Bill 9 should not pass into law. British Columbians deserve amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act that deepen our transparency rights and address well-documented flaws and gaps with the existing FOI system. BC was once rightly recognized as the province with the most ambitious and effective right to know framework in Canada.
“Ultimately, we want to see government act to protect, deepen, and make meaningful the FOI rights of British Columbians. Improvements to the administration and efficiency of the FOI system are important, but it is essential that the system works for the people – and that means providing comprehensive, meaningful, and timely access to public records in an accessible manner, with limited exceptions”, said FIPA President Mike Larsen.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 27

Lindsay Shepherd is at the legislature today, speaking at a small demonstration questioning the Kamloops residential school findings OneBC's Dallas Brodie seems to be the only MLA in attendance Jim McMurtry and Tim Thielmann are also here

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 26

Minister Beare keeps saying the failure to produce documents was "inadvertent" The judge in the case seems...doubtful #bcpoli

“I am deeply concerned with the representations that were made to the court concerning the non-existence of documents that have now been disclosed,” Justice Lindsay LeBlanc said. “I’m also deeply concerned and troubled with what appears to be a cavalier approach exhibited by the respondents in meeting the document production obligations.”

LeBlanc said the scope of her order requiring the province to hand over the documents was considered in court over multiple days and again at the B.C. Court of Appeal, and she has “no hesitation” in concluding the province was aware of what documents it was required to provide.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 26

Worth noting this type of embarrassment may be a thing of the past for the BC government In future, these types of documents may be covered by cabinet confidence and unavailable to those requesting reviews of government decisions Bill 16 received royal assent on May 21 #bcpoli

Disclosure of confidence of Executive Council
23 (1) In this section:

"cabinet secretary" means the deputy minister appointed under the Public Service Act with the title of cabinet secretary;

"secretary to the Treasury Board" means the person appointed as secretary under section 3 (2) of the Financial Administration Act.

(2) A minister, the cabinet secretary or the deputy cabinet secretary may certify in writing that information is a confidence of the Executive Council or any of its committees.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the secretary to the Treasury Board or the deputy secretary may certify in writing that information is a confidence of the Treasury Board.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) apply in relation to a power, duty or function delegated to the chair or vice chair of the Treasury Board under section 4 of the Financial Administration Act as if the power, duty or function were exercised or performed by the Treasury Board.

(5) A person may not be compelled to disclose in an application for judicial review information certified as a confidence under subsection (2) or (3).

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 25

Remember when BC's education minister fired the Greater Victoria school board for refusing to reinstate the cops in schools program? Trustees filed for a judicial review Minister Besre now says ministry staff "inadvertently failed to provide all necessary documents" for that review 😬 #bcpoli

VICTORIA - Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, has released the following statement in response to developments regarding the judicial review related to the School District 61 board:

"The safety of students and staff in our schools is, and always will be, our top priority.

"After careful consideration of the legal proceedings, the Province is agreeing to quash the three government orders that removed the School District trustees of Greater Victoria.

"The effect of this action would reinstate those trustees to School District No. 61.

"In March 2026, the Ministry of Education and Child Care produced documents in line with a document production order. I've recently been advised by my ministry staff that the ministry inadvertently failed to fully provide all necessary documents, compromising the fair and timely adjudication of this case.

"The decision by the Province today is the responsible step after acknowledging these significant errors.

"These errors came to light in the last few days. The court will decide what happens next in the coming week at the scheduled hearing, and we will respect that process.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 21

Wow, there's a lot to unpack there 👀 I remember a...somewhat different situation with local First Nations?

"Former premier John Horgan played a key role in moving Site C forward and ensuring B.C. has the clean, reliable power we need today and into the future," said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO, BC Hydro. "We're also grateful for the guidance shared by Treaty 8 First Nations through our naming engagement, which began in 2023 and reflects the importance of collaboration and respect every step of the way."

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 21

BC Gov News - Site C dam receives official name: The John Horgan Dam and Generating Station

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 15

BC Conservatives response

EBY OFFSIDE WITH NATIONAL INTEREST AS CARNEY AND SMITH BUILD BC'S ECONOMIC FUTURE WITHOUT HIM

VICTORIA, B.C.: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a landmark agreement today committing Ottawa to designate a new pipeline to BC's west coast as a project of national interest by October 1, 2026, with construction approval targeted for September 1, 2027. The deal pairs the pipeline with a new industrial carbon pricing framework and a fall 2027 construction start.

British Columbia, the province where the pipeline ends, where the jobs would land, and where the export terminal would be built, was nowhere at the table.

"This is a nation-building deal, and the BC NDP have been locked out of the room," said Trevor Halford, Interim Leader of the Official Opposition. "While the Prime Minister and the Premier of Alberta were doing the hard work of growing the Canadian economy, the NDP is on the sidelines calling this pipeline a 'fiction' and an 'energy vampire.' He chose petulance over partnership, and now BC workers and BC families are paying the price for his ego."

"Make no mistake, this is a deal about BC's coast, BC's ports, BC's workers, and BC's future. And the NDP weren't even invited," Halford added. "The Premier has put himself offside with the national interest, offside with our largest trading partners, and offside with the British Columbians who need these jobs."

Larry Neufeld, Critic for Energy and Climate Solutions, said the deal exposes a government that has actively worked against BC's economic interests.

"For months, the NDP have dismissed this pipeline, dismissed the workers behind it, and dismissed the families who would benefit from it. Adrian Dix called it not a 'real project that actually exists in time and space.' Today, Ottawa and Alberta proved him wrong, and proved that when a BC government refuses to show up, the rest of the country will move on without us," Neufeld said.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 15

Here's BC Premier David Eby's response to the pipeline MOU #bcpoli

Statement from Premier David Eby on the MOU between Alberta and Ottawa:

As a country, it's time to stop rewarding bad behaviour.

It cannot be the case that the projects that get prioritized in Canada are those where a Premier threatens to leave the country.

Here in B.C., we have what the rest of the world is looking for: critical minerals, natural resources, and port access. We have shovel-ready projects with real proponents, and investments that will provide good-paying jobs and funding for public services. Some of our $88 billion in prioritized projects have already reached final investment decisions creating thousands of new, high-paying jobs.

Despite this early success, our 35 additional job-creating projects need more attention from, and coordination with, Ottawa.

These 35 projects will bring jobs and prosperity to all of Canada. The federal government must work as closely with us on these projects as they work with the Government of Alberta on Premier Smith's proposed pipeline – a project that has yet to identify a proponent or a route.

Our government’s opposition to any repeal of the North Coast tanker ban has not changed.

British Columbia is a vital part of Canada. We must work together across federal-provincial lines to build this nation and to strengthen it.

I know the Prime Minister believes we can work better in partnership as well.

Next week, I’ll be meeting with the Prime Minister to bring him a list of projects we can work on for the benefit of all Canadians. We will find a path forward, together – as Canadians.

Canada is our strength. We love this country.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 14

So there's an "enhanced investment cooperation agreement" between the provincial and federal governments and LNG Canada with the aim of getting a final investment decision on the project by the end of this year There's no dollar figure in the press release

The co-operation agreement is anchored in four mutual objectives to:

1. Work collaboratively with First Nations in LNG Canada's proposed Phase 2 expansion;

2. Build on Canada's competitiveness and investment climate - locally, provincially and nationally;

3. Ensure jobs and training opportunities; and

4. Further diversify export markets and grow the secure supply of responsibly produced Canadian LNG to our allies - at scale - at a critical time, as Canada looks to build strong and solidify a stronger international trade network.

Shannon Waters@sobittersosweet· May 10

Great 😒