Ep 187: The railroad to normalcy

Politics continues in a pandemic as MPs meet virtually for the first time and all the media wants to talk about are the views of each MP’s home that we got a glimpse at. Then we look at the steps various (non-BC) provinces have announced to reopen their societies. Finally, there’s a new study out looking at the costs of restoring the old Island Rail tracks from Victoria to Port Alberni and Courtenay. Check out our partner: BC Today is the daily newsletter dedicated exclusively to BC Politics. Sign up for a free two-week trial and listen to the episode for your code for an exclusive subscription deal if you decide to continue. Start your trial at politicstoday.news/free-trial Patron Slack is open to all supporters – Fill out the form for access Photo credit: Flickr/BCGovPhotos A transcript will be available soon at politicoast.ca Links Segment 1: Politics in Lockdown Mute buttons and decorating tips: the House of Commons stumbles through an online session House of Commons meeting virtually on a platform described as a ‘gold rush for cyber spies’ Canada’s first ‘virtual parliament’: Here are the best, worst and eeriest MP backgrounds Federal deficit could top $252 billion, says budget officer PBO report [pdf] Conservative Party leadership race is back on, with Aug. 21 deadline for mail-in ballots Conservative leadership candidate ignores calls to apologize for attack on Canada’s top doctor Scott Reid’s Twitter thread on leak Supreme Court moves Sask., Ont. appeals of carbon tax to September House passes $9B aid package after emergency student benefit boosted Students who collect emergency COVID-19 aid must attest they’re looking for work Joint statement on memorandum of understanding on Wet’suwet’en rights and title Note: After we recorded, it came out that the Wet’suwet’en elected council is strongly objecting to the MoU. We’ll take a closer look next week. Segment 2: Ending the lockdown Where we stand in Canada: Reopenings by province and territory from coronavirus lockdown Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update No plan to reopen BC schools yet, says education minister Segment 3: Malahat a choo choo Island Rail Corridor condition assessment released Summary Report [pdf]