All Episodes - In The House
Political columnists Michael Smyth and Rob Shaw report from the heart of British Columbia's politics.
View Podcast Details49 Episodes
Rob and Mike take a holiday break
Hosts Rob Shaw and Mike Smyth are taking a break over the holidays but will return in January 2020 with new episodes of In The House. Happy Holidays! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C.’s speculation tax goes through another overhaul
B.C.’s speculation tax goes through another in a series of overhauls, a brewing economic crisis in the forestry sector is becoming a political issue for the NDP government and rumours abound about a spring election. Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss another busy week in B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pharmacare, LNG, taxis and a new Green leader
B.C. weighs in with other provinces on a national Pharmacare program, Premiers Horgan and Kenney find common ground on LNG, the taxi sector takes one last stab at delaying ride-hailing and hosts Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw look at what Andrew Weaver’s early resignation as BC Green leader means for the party’s future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. government clinging to shrinking surplus
Why B.C.’s budget surplus shrinking, Chilliwack Liberal MLA John Martin faces a nomination challenge in his riding and Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson is hesitant to outline his tax changes. Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw break down the week in B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pressure mounts on Horgan government to solve transit labour woes
The NDP government feels the pressure from a planned strike by bus drivers in Metro Vancouver, the premier sets a new “federal lead” MLA on cell-phone pricing, ICBC limps toward online renewals, and more this week in B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why are gas prices still so high?
B.C.’s second review into gas prices is complete, but why do we still have no idea why the price at the pump is so high? And why is the NDP government fighting the children’s representative in court to forbid her access to child welfare files? Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw are joined this week by special guest Les Leyne, political columnist at the Victoria Times Colonist, to discuss the week in B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Can Greens stay relevant at critical time in climate fight?
The B.C. and federal Green parties are looking for leaders. What do they have to do to stay relevant at this critical time in their future? Plus, hosts Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw take a look at the Metro Vancouver transit labour dispute and other labour headaches for the NDP government, as well as the province’s new legislation on transparency for gasoline prices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Angry farmers, more ICBC problems and a beleaguered MLA calls it quits.
Angry farmers show up at the legislature to raise heck about the NDP government’s changes to farm protection rules. Continued problems at ICBC look like they might provide ammunition for the BC Liberals, but end up blowing up in the face of the Opposition. Plus, long-time beleaguered MLA Linda Reid calls it a career. Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw analyze the news of the week in B.C. Politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What do the federal election results mean for B.C?
What do the federal election results mean for B.C., and what lesson should the BC Green-NDP alliance take away from new minority federal parliament? Also, why are the BC NDP and Liberals flip-flopping on the issue of Freedom of Information? Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw break down all the political news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Veteran MLA Linda Reid made rookie mistake running from TV cameras
B.C. voters are two years away from the next provincial election and the NDP is starting to be saddled with mid-term baggage, Mike Smyth digs into his interview with Speaker Darryl Plecas, and some Liberal MLAs have started to announce their retirement—just not the ones the party had hoped for. Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw detail the week’s news in B.C. Politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Key figure in B.C. spending scandal was architect of his own demise
B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver announces his resignation plans, the latest in the legislature spending scandal with a new bombshell report, Jinny Sims resigns, and the NDP starts to feel the heat on ICBC rate changes. Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw bring you all the latest news and analysis on B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Premier Horgan's UBCM performance may haunt him
Finance Minister Carole James cracks down on “discretionary” spending to protect the budget, Premier John Horgan cracks jokes (to mixed reviews) at his UBCM speech, the legislature spending scandal rolls on, and MLAs prepare to return to work in the fall session. Rob Shaw is joined by special guests: Vaughn Palmer from The Vancouver Sun, and Maclean Kay from TheOrca.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parents left hanging as parties play politics with vaping regulations
B.C. wins in court against Alberta on pipelines, mayors are furious at government’s clawback of a rural support fund, the public inquiry into money laundering starts to take shape, teen vaping becomes a B.C. health issue, and civic politicians play speed dating with government ministers at UBCM. Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw break down a busy week in B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
War over private auto insurance heats up
The war over private auto insurance heats up with a new advertising campaign, the government unveils its long-awaited aid plan for forestry workers, and Green leader Andrew Weaver suffers a health scare. Hosts Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Federal political parties are off to the races
The show returns from summer break for the launch of the federal election campaign. How do things look for the four parties in battleground B.C.? Mike and Rob also catch everyone up on ride-hailing and the NDP government’s faux surprise at taxi outrage, as well as the impact of a softening economy on B.C.’s budget projections, the slow response to the ongoing forestry crisis and the ICBC rate re-design making for big changes to auto insurance costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summer break
In The House hosts Rob Shaw and Mike Smyth are taking a break for the rest of July. The podcast is scheduled to return in early August. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gas companies refuse to report profits despite inquiry calls
Gas companies refuse to disclose their profit margins to a public inquiry. What are they so afraid of and what’s going on? Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum is running into trouble holding on to his council and getting his police plan into reality. Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw dive deep into the topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Critics raise red flag over China-UBCM sponsorship deal
Call The Question podcast hosts Lesli Boldt and Maria Dobrinskaya join Mike and Rob to discuss Chinese sponsorship of UBCM, public trust in politicians, reductions to the electric vehicle rebate program, the government sale of surplus properties, and new research into Airbnb’s impact on rental rates in Vancouver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trudeau wants it both ways on environment in pitch to voters
What does Ottawa's TMX approval mean for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s chances to win B.C. seats in the upcoming federal election? Plus, Rob and Mike look at how the B.C. government subtly shifted its tone on the project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C.'s forestry sector facing major meltdown
Special guest Shane Woodford, CHNL Radio News Director, joins Mike and Rob to talk whether falling gas prices leads to less pressure on Premier John Horgan, the crisis in the forestry sector on the ground in the interior, and a report card of sorts on the cabinet and NDP government two years into its mandate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No filter for McCallum in pitch for Surrey PD
Will B.C. approve a new police force for Surrey? What happens next after a dramatic blow-up involving the Speaker and cloned hard drives at the legislature? And is the new inquiry into gas prices just a big waste of time? Rob Shaw and Mike Smyth take a look at all the news happening in B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is B.C. NDP toolbox empty when it comes to blocking TMX pipeline?
B.C. gets walloped by the Court of Appeal on its pipeline reference question, Jody Wilson-Raybould decides to run as an independent, the costs of investigating the legislature scandal continue to rise, and a look at the surprisingly moderate and popular performance of the NDP government as we reach the end of the spring legislative session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Horgan keeps getting hammered over gas prices
Why aren’t taxes part of an inquiry into skyrocketing gas prices? What’s the latest in the latest standoff between teachers and the provincial government? Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw break down the latest B.C. political news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. spending scandal report lands with a thud in legislature
A bombshell report by former chief justice Beverly McLachlin into the legislature spending scandal lands. What allegations panned out and what fizzled into nothing? We hear audio from Speaker Darryl Plecas and suspended sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz. Also, Premier John Horgan launches a public inquiry into money laundering – a much-needed move for justice or transparent politics against the Liberals (or both)? Rob and Mike dig into and analyze the stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Crack down on money laundering like playing whack-a-mole
Host Rob Shaw with guests Vaughn Palmer and Richard Zussman examine the Green Party’s win in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection, money laundering in B.C.’s luxury-car sector, Premier John Horgan's actions on gas prices, “photo radar 2.0” at intersections, and forestry issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C.-Alberta pipeline dispute pivots toward gas-price crisis
Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw break down the pipeline dispute between Alberta and B.C., analyze the comments of Premiers Jason Kenney and John Horgan, take look at the NDP government’s new labour bill and also blurt out massive spoilers about Game of Thrones and Avengers: Endgame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Premier Horgan on hot seat over gas prices
This week on In The House, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw ask why Premier John Horgan thinks refineries are the solution to skyrocketing gas prices and dig up Horgan’s old plan in 2007 to cap and regulate the price of gas in B.C. What happened to that idea? They also tackle the 4/20 protest in Vancouver and Maple Ridge calling for help from other municipalities in its fight with the government over homeless housing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing Down to Business
Coming April 24: There hasn’t yet been a podcast dedicated to a wide range of Canadian business stories. We want to change that. Down to Business is a new podcast devoted to what you need to know about Canadian business this week in under 30 minutes. Hosted by the Financial Post's Emily Jackson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kenney victory ripples through B.C. political landscape
This week on In The House, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw dissect Jason Kenney’s victory in the Alberta election will mean for B.C., when we could see an all-out-legal war between the provinces, what can be done about the high price of gas at the pumps, and the whether being able to order alcohol onboard B.C. Ferries is a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Political finger pointing over money laundering a real head scratcher
This week on In The House, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw dig into new legislation that bans ticket bots. Will the changes help you get a better price on your favourite concert tickets? They also delve into the politics around B.C.’s money-laundering scandal, parties flip-flopping over gas taxes and criticism of the carbon tax, and the Speaker’s attempt to clean up heckling at the legislature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Spec tax, ICBC, LNG put B.C. NDP on the defensive
This week on In The House, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss who is embarrassed and who is pleased by the NDP losing a vote on its LNG legislation. The pair also talk about female workers at the legislature winning their right to bare arms, the government's speculation tax numbers, and check in on a constitutional lawsuit against ICBC’s new cap and pay scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Weaver exposes B.C. NDP's confusing position on LNG
This week on In The House, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss the BC Green Party’s effective and harsh criticism of the new NDP legislation on LNG, the questions left unanswered after a new report on ride-hailing and the politics being played with big changes and caps to auto insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. NDP focus on strengthening immunization program
Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer subs in for Mike Smyth and discusses with Rob Shaw the B.C. government’s new poverty reduction plan, measles vaccination programs, the election call in Alberta and the new federal government budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. NDP shaky on education file in Vancouver, Surrey
This week on In The House, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss the latest in the SNC-Lavalin affair, as well as challenges facing Education Minister Rob Fleming on Surrey school portables and Vancouver school closures, as well as the future of the NDP minority government now that it has survived confidence votes on the throne speech and budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Butts on hot seat in SNC-Lavalin scandal
With co-host Rob Shaw under the weather, Province columnist Mike Smyth welcomes Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer to discuss the SNC-Lavelin scandal rocking the Justin Trudeau government in Ottawa. Closer to home, Smyth and Palmer talk about Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson’s 'wacky renters' gaffe and the continuing fight over the B.C. speculation tax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. a key battleground for rookie MP Singh, embattled Trudeau
This week on In The House, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s victory in the federal Burnaby-South byelection, the NDP government’s response to threatened school closures in Vancouver, the latest in the legislature spending scandal and the province’s response to a measles outbreak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's in (and isn't in) the NDP's 2019 B.C. Budget
This week on the In The House podcast, Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss the 2019 BC NDP government budget – was it a prudent NDP spending plan or a missed opportunity to get its agenda done? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. NDP hit populist note in throne speech
Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw answer all the important questions about the B.C. NDP government’s throne speech. Why all the populist measures? Can the B.C. government really act on changing your cellphone bill? What do allies and critics think of the speech? Smyth and Shaw also talk about Liberal MLA Linda Reid having to resign her assistant deputy speaker’s job and Premier John Horgan resisting calls for a public inquiry into money laundering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. government moves toward transparency in wake of spending scandal
This week on the In The House podcast, Rob Shaw and guest host Vaughn Palmer discuss a busy time in B.C. politics, including the final count of the Nanaimo byelection, the Auditor General’s look at B.C. Hydro deferral accounts, the legislature being placed under Freedom of Information legislation, and other stories of the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
NDP holds while Liberals outlook improves in Nanaimo byelection
Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss the byelection results in Nanaimo, how the Liberals increased their vote but fell short, how the NDP held on to the riding and why the BC Greens collapsed. What does this mean for the future of all three parties? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
B.C. spending scandal implicates MLAs of major parties
Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw take a deeper look at the fallout of the Speaker Darryl Plecas report, the political maneuvering by the parties, Plecas’s first public comments to reporters and the troubled history of expenses that implicates MLAs of all parties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bombshell report on overspending drops at B.C. legislature
n an emergency podcast, In The House hosts Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss the bombshell report by Speaker Darryl Plecas into what he calls “flagrant overspending” by suspended Clerk Craig James and Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz. Does it vindicate the Speaker? What happens next? Smyth and Shaw dig into the report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Federal and Provincial By-Election Bedlam
Big developments in two ongoing by-elections – a resignation in the federal race in Burnaby South and the fallout of new speculation tax rules in the provincial race in Nanaimo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Smyth and Shaw predictions for 2019
Hosts Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw look into the future and share their 2019 predictions for B.C. politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BC Premier John Horgan
Postmedia News hosts Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss key moments in a recent conversation with British Columbia Premier John Horgan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Green Leader Andrew Weaver
Postmedia political reporters Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw discuss key moments in a recent conversation with Green Leader Andrew Weaver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson fights for the centre vote
Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson's comments about setting a new party agenda and looking to the future, the NDP's class war and if there could be an early new year general election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victoria in High Gear: Uber, ICBC and More
Hosts Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw put the recent events in the house aside and look at stories that were overshadowed, including John Horgan’s personal highlight and David Eby on ICBC losses and future rate hikes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Troubles in the House
What the heck is going on in the house? Postmedia reporters Mike Smyth and Rob Shaw launch the newly revamped IN THE HOUSE podcast with a discussion about the unprecedented events of the last week, including the ouster of Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz and Legislative Clerk Craig James and following behaviour and comments by House Speaker Darryl Plecas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices