Centre for Civic Governance

We're excited to share a preview of our elections programming. Running from March 2026 to June 2026, this series was designed to provide you with the tools you need to navigate this critical election.

Visit ccg.eco/events to register

@climatecaucus.bsky.social @fcschool.bsky.social

BC’s security depends on the #ClimateResilience of #CriticalInfrastructure like roads, electrical grids and telecom systems.

Our new resources outline gaps holding resilience back & trace pathways to shift from reactive recovery to coordinated planning.

🔗 climatesolutions.ca/vital-connec...

Water-stressed BC towns want the province to stop 'giving water away' to industry

BC's top 10 industrial water users use over 512 billion litres of water per year combined, and collectively pay the province about $862,000 per year for that right.  www.nationalobserver.com/2026/03/05/n...

A team-based approach is diverse and better equipped to meet health care needs than a doctor working alone.

Learn more, including examples from Ontario, in the next session of our primary care webinar series TOMORROW at noon PT.

March 4: Information and Registration.
bcpolicy.ca/primary-...

Car Free Day cancelled for Main Street, Commercial Drive, Denman Street Organizers cited rising costs and changes to funding as a factor in their decision not to move forward with this year's events.

vancouversun.com/news/vancouv...

Snow plow drivers, other municipal staff face threats, harassment Municipal public works employees and contractors have been the target of frustration by some community members when they are out plowing snow from the street.

Municipal staff in Ontario are facing increasing harassment. In response, a Cllr. in Sudbury is bringing forward a motion calling on the province to recognize municipal public works staff as essential during emergencies and significant weather events.

www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont...

Four clean projects Canadians want fast-tracked Plus: The first Chinese EV maker approved to import into Canada, a 31% spike in Canadian home insurance costs, and what ‘tumbling’ battery storage costs mean for wind and solar

🇨🇦 In this week's Clean Energy Review: New polling on clean nation-building projects in Canada, a 31% spike in Canadian home insurance costs, and what ‘tumbling’ battery storage costs mean for wind and solar. #cdnpoli

Alberta oil and gas companies lobby for tax break Alberta is reviewing the models.

Alberta oil and gas companies lobby for municipal tax break

www.canadian-accountant.com/content/busi...

'The new tobacco': The cities banning fossil fuel adverts Cities across the world are clearing their billboards of flight ads, SUVs, cruise ships and petrol cars in an attempt to cut emissions.

If you're of a certain age, you'll remember when Du Maurier sponsored everything. We can change.

www.bbc.com/future/artic...

How ‘smog capital of Poland’ saved 6,000 lives by cutting soot levels Kraków’s ban on burning solid fuels plus subsidies for cleaner heating has led to clearer air and better health

"Kraków, long known as the smog capital of Poland, is proof that politicians wield the power to save lives by cleaning the air."

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

'Let them shower in hotels': Johannesburg Premier faces backlash amid water crisis In South Africa, as taps run dry in Johannesburg, Africa's richest city, a tone deaf remark by a senior politician there unleashes fury.

In South Africa, as taps run dry in Johannesburg, Africa's richest city, a tone deaf remark by a senior politician there unleashes fury. n.pr/3MLTKgK

‘We Don’t Think They’re Serious’: Amazon Union Wants Mediation | The Tyee Unifor Local 114 says the company has stalled bargaining for its only group of unionized workers in Canada.

“Either way, this process will result in the first collective agreement.”

Workers at the only unionized Amazon warehouse in Canada are calling for a mediator to help negotiate a first contract. @isaacphannay.bsky.social reports. #bclab #canlab

An excellent municipal politics 101 guide from @suzannerent.bsky.social, along with insights from several Halifax councillors. Which points resonated with you?

This bill could let you downsize your way to home ownership in Washington Washington state legislators want to let people live in tiny homes and RVs in backyards and driveways year round. If their bill passes, it could unlock the least expensive path to homeownership availa...

"Think of it like a small backyard cottage but on wheels — and much cheaper."

@joshuamcnichols.bsky.social @kuow.org

New office conversion projects bringing nearly 130 affordable homes to downtown Calgary | CBC News The City of Calgary unveiled plans to add two more developments to its growing list of office conversion projects Monday. They will bring nearly 130 affordable housing units to the city’s downtown.

Calgary has one of the highest downtown vacancy rates in Canada. The city launched a non-market office conversion grant in response.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

New research from @climateinstitute.bsky.social reveals how proactively climate-proofing public infrastructure could save billions each year

climateinstitute.ca/reports/prep...

6 years ago, Amsterdam committed to becoming a 100% circular economy by 2050. Their strategy prioritizes food & organic waste streams, consumer goods, and the built environment.

Here's a snapshot of how it's going so far:

www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Ho...

The future of primary care in BC This webinar series explores a better direction for primary care in BC with not-for-profit team-based models where diverse teams of practitioners offer a broad range of health and social supports that are responsive to local community’s needs.

A team-based, community-governed, not-for-profit model of primary health care often better meets complex needs.

In our 1st primary care webinar—Feb 11, noon PT—learn about continuity, proactive care, prevention and connections to social supports. Information & Registration:

The future of primary care in BC This webinar series explores a better direction for primary care in BC with not-for-profit team-based models where diverse teams of practitioners offer a broad range of health and social supports that are responsive to local community’s needs.

A team-based, community-governed, not-for-profit model of primary health care often better meets complex needs.

In our 1st webinar—Feb 11, noon PT—learn about continuity, proactive care, prevention and connections to social supports. Information and Registration:

Looking forward to this timely conversation for school board trustees, hosted in partnership with @climatecaucus.bsky.social

www.eventbrite.com/e/1979934831...

French MPs take first step towards banning social media for under-15s If the bill passes the upper house it could take effect by the start of France's new school year in September.

France moves towards banning social media for youth under 15

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Storm Recovery? That’s a Job for a Tool Library As federal emergency assistance dries up, community tool-lending programs have emerged as a hyperlocal way to fill the gap and improve climate resilience.

Do you have a tool library in your community?

www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

A Spokane school is reviving an ancestral language to build a community of n̓səl̓xčin̓ speakers.

Read the article on our website to learn more about how the Salish School of Spokane is working to accomplish this goal. buff.ly/S4stnx5

How Helsinki and Oslo cut pedestrian deaths to zero After years of committed action, neither city recorded a single pedestrian fatality in 2019

“They cut speed limits, changed street design, removed space for cars… Now it appears that work is paying off. #Oslo & #Helsinki are reaping the rewards of committed action on making their roads safer, reducing pedestrian fatalities to zero last year.” #VisionZero #SpeedKills

Ward system approved for electing Greater Victoria school trustees The Education Ministry has accepted a proposal to move from an “at-large” model to seven electoral areas for the district.

Ward system approved for electing Greater Victoria school trustees

www.timescolonist.com/local-news/w...

Amsterdam Defies Last-Minute Lobbying to Become First Capital City to Ban Fossil Fuel Ads Amsterdam city council has passed a legally binding ban on advertising for fossil fuels and meat products across public spaces in the city, becoming the first capital in the world to prohibit such ads...

"Amsterdam city council has passed a legally binding ban on advertising for fossil fuels and meat products across public spaces in the city, becoming the first capital in the world to prohibit such ads through local law."

www.desmog.com/2026/01/23/a...

Vancouver council directs federal government to create limits on LED headlight brightness A Vancouver councillor’s motion directing the federal government to create clear, enforceable limits on headlight brightness passed unanimously this week, which is a rare occurrence in the current cit...

Did you catch this motion directing the federal government to create clear, enforceable limits on headlight brightness?

www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

Vancouver Looks at Tougher Tenant Protection Rules | The Tyee Councillors want ways to crack down on ‘bad actor’ landlords.

Vancouver councillors voted Wednesday to explore new tenant protections after news reports and increasing complaints about landlords spying on tenants, aggressive eviction attempts and allegations of unsafe room partitions. @kehyslop.bsky.social reports. #vanpoli

Letter to Mamdani From Maryland: Free Buses Are Working Great - Streetsblog New York City No fares, no homeless encampments, high-quality service. One suburban county shows the way for the new mayor.

A DC suburb with more than a million residents has had fare-free public buses since the end of June 2025, and it's working: There has been a slight increase in ridership, no increase in undomiciled people using the buses for shelter, and a minimal effect on the county budget.

Opinion: Claims of a B.C. power shortage don’t hold up Export revenues, demand forecasts and new generation challenge claims that the grid can’t support electrification

Have you heard claims that B.C. is running out of electricity? This article unpacks misinformation used in arguments against electrification

www.biv.com/news/comment...