POLITICS

Darrell Jones Signals Run for BC Conservative Leadership

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7 months ago

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Darrell Jones, the former grocery executive widely recognized for the popular Darrell’s Deals campaign, is seriously considering a bid to lead the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Jones, who previously served as president of Pattison Food Group, shared his intentions in a recent LinkedIn video that quickly drew political attention.

Key Issues Driving Jones’s Decision

In his public remarks, Jones emphasized the need for “real change” across several pressing provincial issues. He highlighted concerns that resonate with many British Columbians, particularly those struggling with rising costs and public services.

  • Everyday affordability and cost-of-living pressures
  • Escalating housing costs across the province
  • Public safety and community well-being
  • Access to reliable and timely health care

Leadership Race Context

The potential candidacy comes as the BC Conservatives prepare to select a new leader following the resignation of John Rustad. The leadership race is shaping up to be competitive, with other political figures — including Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn — also signaling interest in the role.

Why Jones’s Entry Matters

The party has been working to rebuild momentum after a period of internal turmoil. Should Jones officially enter the race, his high-profile business background and name recognition could bring renewed visibility to the BC Conservative leadership contest, especially among voters focused on economic stability and affordability.

What Happens Next

Jones has not yet formally declared his candidacy, stating that he is still “listening carefully” to supporters and weighing his decision. The leadership contest is expected to unfold over the coming months, with additional candidates likely to emerge before party members cast their votes.

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nation

Mayor Olivia Chow Targets Big Tech Pricing Tactics at Toronto Grocery Stores

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow proposes a ban on ‘surveillance pricing’ at grocery stores to protect residents from data-driven price gouging and rising food costs.

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9 hours ago

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July 21, 2026

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Toronto Moves to Ban Data-Driven Price Gouging

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is launching a fresh offensive against rising food costs by proposing a ban on what she terms “surveillance pricing” at local grocery stores. Alongside Councillor Alejandra Bravo, the Mayor intends to introduce a motion at Tuesday’s Executive Committee meeting aimed at preventing retailers from utilizing customers’ personal data to fluctuate prices for essential goods. The move seeks to curb unfair price gouging that potentially targets individuals based on their digital footprint and purchasing power.

The Fight for Fair Grocery Costs

As inflationary pressures continue to squeeze household budgets, Mayor Chow emphasized that the municipal government must act as a shield for its residents. “Torontonians are struggling with rising costs and making difficult choices at the grocery store,” Chow stated in a press release. She argued that large retailers should not be permitted to exploit personal information to inflate prices, characterizing the practice as an “emerging grocery rip-off” that requires immediate intervention before it becomes industry standard.

Municipal Action vs. Provincial Resistance

Toronto’s initiative mirrors recent legislative steps taken in Manitoba, where the provincial government introduced measures to combat “predatory pricing.” However, the proposal faces a significant political divide within Ontario. Premier Doug Ford has explicitly voiced his opposition to such bans, arguing that government price regulation interferes with the principles of a free-market economy. Ford has previously dismissed the idea of price oversight as “socialism,” maintaining that competition remains the most effective tool for lowering costs for consumers.

Utilizing Every Municipal Tool

Despite provincial pushback, Councillor Alejandra Bravo remains committed to the city’s strategy. Bravo highlighted that the city is exploring every available regulatory tool to ensure economic fairness for working-class citizens, arguing that internet search histories and personal data should not dictate the cost of bread and milk. This motion joins other recent city-led affordability efforts, such as the freezing of TTC fares and the expansion of school food programs, as Toronto attempts to navigate a complex cost-of-living crisis.

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energy

Canada Offered to Double Oil Exports to U.S. in Failed Trade Negotiations, Hoekstra Reveals

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra reveals PM Mark Carney offered to double Canadian oil exports to the U.S. in a failed bid to end Donald Trump’s trade tariffs.

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1 day ago

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July 21, 2026

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The High-Stakes Oil Gambit at the White House

In a dramatic revelation regarding the strained trade relations between North American neighbors, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra disclosed that Prime Minister Mark Carney offered to double Canadian oil exports to the United States last year. The proposal was presented as a strategic bargaining chip during an October 7, 2025, meeting at the White House, aimed at persuading President Donald Trump to roll back aggressive tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automotive products.

Internal Tensions and Negotiating Tactics

Speaking at a conference in Edmonton, Hoekstra detailed how the offer to supply an additional three to four million barrels of oil per day nearly caused a rift within the Trump administration. According to the Ambassador, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright were so enthusiastic about the proposal that President Trump had to physically restrain them. Hoekstra noted that the President cautioned his cabinet against “crawling across the table” to seal the deal, suggesting that such eagerness would undermine the United States’ negotiating leverage.

The Collapse of the Trade Deal

Despite the massive scale of the energy offer, which would have significantly deepened the integration of the North American energy market, the negotiations ultimately collapsed. President Trump reportedly walked away from the bargaining table later that month, citing an anti-tariff advertisement campaign launched by the Ontario government as a primary reason for the breakdown. While Canada remains the largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S., accounting for nearly two-thirds of imports, the trade deficit remains a point of contention for the Trump administration.

A Future for Cross-Border Pipelines

Despite the failure of the broader trade deal, Hoekstra expressed optimism regarding infrastructure projects like the proposed cross-border connection between South Bow and Bridger Pipeline LLC. This project, which received a presidential permit in April, could eventually facilitate the transport of 550,000 barrels of oil per day. While formal trade talks resumed this spring, progress remains stagnant, leaving the future of Canada’s industrial exports and energy expansion in a state of political uncertainty.

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Ontario

Former Tourism Minister Stan Cho Under Fire for $100,000 in Riding Association Expenses

Ontario MPP Stan Cho faces new allegations over $100,000 in riding association expenses for food and travel following his resignation as Tourism Minister.

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1 day ago

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July 21, 2026

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The Fallout Continues for Stan Cho

Ontario PC MPP Stan Cho is facing a new wave of scrutiny just days after his resignation from Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet. Newly surfaced reports indicate that the Willowdale MPP billed nearly $100,000 in food and beverage expenses to his riding association over a three-year period. This discovery follows Cho’s departure as Tourism Minister after it was revealed he spent more than $16,000 on Toronto hotel rooms despite living only kilometers away from the legislature.

A Pattern of Questionable Spending

According to data reported by Global News, a significant portion of Cho’s dining expenses occurred outside his Willowdale riding, often in the downtown core. Between 2023 and 2025, the riding association also covered thousands of dollars in flights and hotel stays. These expenditures have raised eyebrows among political analysts, as riding associations—which are funded by both private donations and taxpayer-funded per-vote subsidies—typically focus on local constituency work rather than travel and high-end dining for the representative.

Systemic Issues within the PC Caucus

The controversy surrounding Cho is not an isolated incident. Premier Doug Ford has ordered 19 other PC MPPs from the Greater Toronto Area to pay back approximately $120,000 in combined hotel expenses. While Ford called the spending “totally unacceptable,” he has resisted calls for further resignations, maintaining that Cho “did the right thing” by stepping down from his ministerial post voluntarily. The provincial government has since announced plans to eliminate the “special circumstances” loophole that allowed MPPs to bill for local accommodation during late-night sessions.

Political Implications and Public Trust

This latest spending scandal arrives at a difficult time for the Ford government, which recently faced backlash over the $28.9-million purchase of a private jet. Opposition parties are currently demanding full transparency, asking for a detailed breakdown of all expenses before agreeing to legislative changes. For Cho, who admitted in his resignation letter that he failed to consider how his choices would look to a constituent “working a double shift,” the nearly $100,000 in food bills may prove even more damaging to his reputation as a public servant.

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