Wolfgang Depner

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Wolfgang Depner.

B.C.'s newest municipality of Okanagan Falls to be incorporated in November

B.C.'s newest municipality of Okanagan Falls to be incorporated in November

VICTORIA -- Residents of British Columbia's first new municipality in 16 years will soon be voting for a mayor and council.

Plan to buy B.C. condos might be more about stabilizing sector than housing: expert

Plan to buy B.C. condos might be more about stabilizing sector than housing: expert

VICTORIA -- A government plan to buy empty condominiums and turn them into affordable housing in British Columbia might be more about stabilizing the financial sector than housing, an urban planning expert says.

B.C. condo conversion plan might be more about financial sector than housing: expert

B.C. condo conversion plan might be more about financial sector than housing: expert

VICTORIA -- An urban planning expert says a plan to convert empty condominiums into affordable housing in British Columbia might be more about stabilizing the financial sector than housing.

B.C. condo conversion plan might be more about financial sector than housing: expert

B.C. condo conversion plan might be more about financial sector than housing: expert

An urban planning expert says a plan to convert empty condominiums into affordable housing in British Columbia might be more about stabilizing the financial sector than housing. Some have criticized the federal and B.C. government's plan to convert unsold condos in a plan that Prime Minister Mark Carney said would use "innovative financial tools" as the most efficient ways to...

Advocacy group welcomes property crime program, says B.C. must deal with root cause

Advocacy group welcomes property crime program, says B.C. must deal with root cause

The British Columbia government is going to spend $16 million over the next two years focusing its efforts on 420 chronic offenders behind a "disproportionate" amount of street disorder, and property and retail crime.

Advocacy group welcomes property crime program, but B.C. must deal with root cause

Advocacy group welcomes property crime program, but B.C. must deal with root cause

The British Columbia government is going to spend $16 million over the next two years focusing its efforts on 420 chronic offenders behind a "disproportionate" amount of street disorder, and property and retail crime.

Public safety minister launches new program to crack down on property crime in B.C.

Public safety minister launches new program to crack down on property crime in B.C.

VICTORIA -- The British Columbia government is taking aim at some of the province's worst repeat offenders, spending millions to follow 420 people responsible much of the street disorder and retail crime.

B.C. Energy Minister Dix announces upgrades to multiple hydro dams

B.C. Energy Minister Dix announces upgrades to multiple hydro dams

VICTORIA -- The B.C. government is launching an upgrade on the provincial hydro system in an effort to increase the power supply by seven per cent.

B.C. must learn from Site C dam before starting new projects, says environmentalist

B.C. must learn from Site C dam before starting new projects, says environmentalist

VICTORIA -- An environmental group is condemning plans by the British Columbia government to consider building two new hydropower dams, including a fourth dam on the Peace River, saying the province first needs to "come to grips" with the negative impact of the recently completed Site C dam.

B.C. must learn from previous dams before starting new ones, says environmentalist

B.C. must learn from previous dams before starting new ones, says environmentalist

VICTORIA -- An environmental group is condemning plans by the British Columbia government to look into building two new hydropower dams, including a fourth dam on the Peace River.

B.C. eyes two new hydropower dams, including Site E near Alberta border, Dix says

B.C. eyes two new hydropower dams, including Site E near Alberta border, Dix says

The British Columbia government is looking at building two new hydroelectric dams, including a fourth dam for the Peace River where the Site C project generated opposition and cost overruns. The so-called Site E project would have a capacity of up to 750 megawatts, while a project near Bute Inlet northeast of Powell River would be bigger at 900 megawatts...

B.C. eyes two new hydropower dams, including Site E near Alberta border, Dix says

B.C. eyes two new hydropower dams, including Site E near Alberta border, Dix says

VICTORIA -- The British Columbia government is looking at building two new hydroelectric dams, including a fourth dam for the Peace River where the Site C project generated opposition and cost overruns.

How geography, Trump, and global instability help explain World Cup security costs

How geography, Trump, and global instability help explain World Cup security costs

Bud Mercer was the head of security for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, a near billion-dollar operation.

Minister says Canadian forestry crisis goes beyond Trump tariffs

Minister says Canadian forestry crisis goes beyond Trump tariffs

VICTORIA -- Canada's forestry sector is the trade "canary in the coal mine" as it faces structural challenges that go beyond Trump-era tariffs, says the federal minister responsible for natural resources.

Praise from Poilievre, but ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader will polarize

Praise from Poilievre, but ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader will polarize

Two former B.C. Conservative legislators now sitting as Independents say new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay will polarize the province. Amelia Boultbee said Findlay's victory on Saturday showed that part of the B.C. Conservative base and board want to take the party "further and further to the right," and "engage in Donald Trump-style populism," while Elenore Sturko said it was sad the...

Praise from Poilievre, but ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader will polarize

Praise from Poilievre, but ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader will polarize

VICTORIA -- Two former B.C. Conservative legislators now sitting as Independents say new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay will polarize the province.

Ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader of their old party will polarize politics

Ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader of their old party will polarize politics

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says British Columbia needs the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay, but two former provincial Conservatives say the new leader of their old party will polarize the province. Poilievre says he hopes Findlay will succeed in making B.C. more affordable and safer, as he congratulated the former member of his caucus for winning the leadership of the...

Ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader of their old party will polarize politics

Ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader of their old party will polarize politics

VICTORIA -- Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says British Columbia needs the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay, but two former provincial Conservatives say the new leader of their old party will polarize the province.

Kerry-Lynne Findlay won B.C. Conservative race as most authentic populist: expert

Kerry-Lynne Findlay won B.C. Conservative race as most authentic populist: expert

VANCOUVER -- Kerry-Lynne Findlay won the B.C. Conservative leadership race because she is an "authentic champion" of populism within the broader conservative movement, says an analyst who studies modern conservatism in western countries.

Kerry Lynne-Findlay won B.C. Conservative race as most authentic populist: expert

Kerry Lynne-Findlay won B.C. Conservative race as most authentic populist: expert

An analyst says Kerry-Lynne Findlay won the B.C. Conservative leadership race because she is an "authentic champion" of populism within the broader conservative movement. David Black, who teaches political theory at Royal Roads University in Greater Victoria, says Findlay's victory over Caroline Elliott confirms the party's turn toward populism. While Elliott performed populism, Black says that Findlay didn't need to...

Kerry-Lynne Findlay won B.C. Conservative race as most authentic populist: expert

Kerry-Lynne Findlay won B.C. Conservative race as most authentic populist: expert

VANCOUVER -- Kerry-Lynne Findlay won the B.C. Conservative leadership race because she is an "authentic champion" of populism within the broader conservative movement, says an analyst who studies modern conservatism in western countries.

Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins B.C. Conservative race

Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins B.C. Conservative race

Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay has won the race to replace former British Columbia Conservative leader John Rustad on the fourth ballot, beating commentator Caroline Elliott. Findlay won with 51 per cent of the vote, just ahead of Elliott, who finished with 49 per cent. Three other candidates, starting with sitting MLA Peter Milobar, then entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer, and finally...

Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins B.C. Conservative race

Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins B.C. Conservative race

Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay has won the race to replace former British Columbia Conservative leader John Rustad on the fourth ballot, beating commentator Caroline Elliott.

Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster

Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster

It's a pivotal day for the British Columbia Conservative Party as the Opposition in the provincial legislature will announce its new leader. The candidates, who had to pay more than $100,000 to join the race, were whittled down to five: former MLA Iain Black, commentator Caroline Elliott, former MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, current MLA Peter Milobar and entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer.

Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster

Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster

VANCOUVER -- It's a pivotal day for the British Columbia Conservative Party as the Opposition in the provincial legislature will announce its new leader.

Why the B.C. Conservative leadership contest is hinge moment for the NDP too

Why the B.C. Conservative leadership contest is hinge moment for the NDP too

The B.C. Conservatives are expected to announce their new leader on Saturday, nearly six months after John Rustad was chased out of office. But the announcement at a leadership convention in Vancouver could also represent a pivotal moment for the governing NDP, which Angus Reid Institute president Shachi Kurl says has suffered a "brutal, bruising" spring session. "It has not...

A First Nation treaty decades in making faces further delays, says B.C. minister

A First Nation treaty decades in making faces further delays, says B.C. minister

VICTORIA -- B.C.'s minister responsible for Indigenous affairs says legislation to move a First Nation treaty forward won't pass this session, further delaying a treaty that has been more than three decades in the making.

Why the B.C. Conservative leadership contest is hinge moment for the NDP too

Why the B.C. Conservative leadership contest is hinge moment for the NDP too

VICTORIA -- The B.C. Conservatives are expected to announce their new leader on Saturday, nearly six months after John Rustad was chased out of office.

B.C. Indigenous relations face 'fraught context' but treaty commissioner undeterred

B.C. Indigenous relations face 'fraught context' but treaty commissioner undeterred

VICTORIA -- Relations between the British Columbia government and First Nations plunged this year as Premier David Eby grappled with how or whether to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which he once championed.

South Korean submarine in B.C. is floor model in sales pitch to supply Canada's fleet

South Korean submarine in B.C. is floor model in sales pitch to supply Canada's fleet

VICTORIA -- The flagship of South Korea's submarine fleet is docked in British Columbia where it's serving as a floating floor model in the Asian nation's pitch for Canada to buy 12 like it.

B.C. Premier Eby says Canada won't work if Ottawa favours separatist premiers

B.C. Premier Eby says Canada won't work if Ottawa favours separatist premiers

VICTORIA -- Canada cannot work if "separatist premiers" get all of the attention of the federal government, B.C. Premier David said Tuesday.

B.C. Premier Eby says Canada won't work if Ottawa favours separatist premiers

B.C. Premier Eby says Canada won't work if Ottawa favours separatist premiers

VICTORIA -- Canada cannot work if "separatist premiers" get all of the attention of the federal government, B.C. Premier David said Tuesday.

B.C. Premier Eby says Canada won't work if Ottawa favours separatist premiers

B.C. Premier Eby says Canada won't work if Ottawa favours separatist premiers

Canada cannot work if "separatist premiers" get all of the attention of the federal government, B.C. Premier David said Tuesday. Eby said that is the message he'll relay to Prime Minister Mark Carney, when they meet Wednesday after Carney's meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith last week announcing pipeline promises to the West Coast and a lower carbon tax for...

B.C. allowed logging in caribou habitat despite its own ministry's recommendation

B.C. allowed logging in caribou habitat despite its own ministry's recommendation

VICTORIA -- Mike James doesn't know yet whether his first grandchild will be a boy or girl, but he hopes they will have a chance to see threatened southern mountain caribou during a future visit to his family's cabin near Quesnel Lake.

Eby says Ottawa is rewarding Alberta's 'bad behaviour' with pipeline agreement

Eby says Ottawa is rewarding Alberta's 'bad behaviour' with pipeline agreement

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government is rewarding Alberta for "bad behaviour" by agreeing to push for a new bitumen pipeline to the West Coast. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an "implementation agreement" to advance a West Coast pipeline to Ottawa's major projects office by July 1. The new agreement commits both...

Eby says Ottawa is rewarding Alberta's 'bad behaviour' with pipeline agreement

Eby says Ottawa is rewarding Alberta's 'bad behaviour' with pipeline agreement

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government is rewarding Alberta for "bad behaviour" by agreeing to push for a new bitumen pipeline to the West Coast.

Recall petition to be issued against OneBC MLA Dallas Brodie, who says it's fine

Recall petition to be issued against OneBC MLA Dallas Brodie, who says it's fine

VICTORIA -- The agency overseeing British Columbia elections says it will issue a recall petition against OneBC legislator Dallas Brodie -- and she says she's fine with that.

Recall petition to be issued against OneBC legislator Dallas Brodie

Recall petition to be issued against OneBC legislator Dallas Brodie

VICTORIA -- The agency overseeing British Columbia elections says it will issue a recall petition against OneBC legislator Dallas Brodie.

Energy minister Dix says four new wind farms will power B.C.'s energy sovereignty

Energy minister Dix says four new wind farms will power B.C.'s energy sovereignty

VICTORIA -- The minister responsible for energy and climate change solutions in British Columbia says four new wind farms will strengthen the province's energy sovereignty at a time of rising costs and uncertainty.

Energy minister Dix says four new windfarms will power B.C.'s energy sovereignty

Energy minister Dix says four new windfarms will power B.C.'s energy sovereignty

VICTORIA -- The minister responsible for energy and climate change solutions in British Columbia says four new windfarms will strengthen the province's energy sovereignty at a time of rising costs and uncertainty.

Forests Minister Parmar says B.C. has flagged Middle East as emerging export market

Forests Minister Parmar says B.C. has flagged Middle East as emerging export market

VICTORIA -- British Columbia Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the province could be selling more wood in the Middle East among other emerging markets to curtail its dependence on the United States.

Independents branded 'NDP farm team' for helping shut down FOI debate

Independents branded 'NDP farm team' for helping shut down FOI debate

VICTORIA -- Two former B.C. Conservatives now sitting as Independents say they voted with their consciences when they helped the governing NDP shut down debate on changes to Freedom of Information rules in a 3 a.m. vote.

Eby hits back at claim B.C. minister is under investigation for helping China

Eby hits back at claim B.C. minister is under investigation for helping China

Premier David Eby says neither the RCMP nor Canada's spy agency have ever raised concerns about his cabinet or caucus, after Vancouver's ex-mayor said a minister was being investigated for collaborating with China's government. Eby says he has "had multiple briefings with CSIS, with the RCMP" and none pointed to any concerns about any member of the government, and if...

Eby hits back at claim B.C. minister is under investigation for helping China

Eby hits back at claim B.C. minister is under investigation for helping China

VICTORIA -- Premier David Eby says neither the RCMP nor Canada's spy agency have ever raised concerns about his cabinet or caucus, after Vancouver's ex-mayor said a minister was being investigated for collaborating with China's government.

Vancouver ex-mayor says B.C. cabinet member under investigation for helping China

Vancouver ex-mayor says B.C. cabinet member under investigation for helping China

VICTORIA -- Former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart says federal lawyers have interviewed him about a B.C. cabinet minister who he says is under investigation for collaborating with China's government.

David Eby says he doesn't get why Ottawa is focused on pipeline, not B.C. softwood

David Eby says he doesn't get why Ottawa is focused on pipeline, not B.C. softwood

British Columbia Premier David Eby said he doesn't understand why the federal government continues to push a new oil pipeline from Alberta, while it fails to include B.C.'s softwood lumber industry in its latest round of tariff relief. He said it's unclear to him why Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week that a new pipeline is "more likely than...

David Eby says he doesn't get why Ottawa is focused on pipeline, not B.C. softwood

David Eby says he doesn't get why Ottawa is focused on pipeline, not B.C. softwood

VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier David Eby said he doesn't understand why the federal government continues to push a new oil pipeline from Alberta, while it fails to include B.C.'s softwood lumber industry in its latest round of tariff relief.

B.C.'s legislature looks into changes as MLA avoids censure after using Nazi slogan

B.C.'s legislature looks into changes as MLA avoids censure after using Nazi slogan

VICTORIA -- Politicians in B.C.'s legislature say they are looking into whether they can close a loophole that has allowed a member to avoid a censure motion after she used a slogan associated with Nazi Germany.

Five B.C. health construction contracts axed, including Burnaby Hospital's new phase

Five B.C. health construction contracts axed, including Burnaby Hospital's new phase

VICTORIA -- The B.C. government says construction contracts for five health-care projects have been cancelled, after depicting them as being "re-paced" in the February budget.

B.C. health-care projects cancelled as government tightens budget

B.C. health-care projects cancelled as government tightens budget

VICTORIA -- Construction contracts for two health-care projects that the B.C. government said were being "re-paced" when it tightened the budget in February have now been cancelled.

Public safety minister Krieger says FIFA security costs, preparations are evolving

Public safety minister Krieger says FIFA security costs, preparations are evolving

VICTORIA -- B.C. will receive $100 million from the federal government for World Cup security, but the provincial public safety minister says the final price tag won't be known for weeks as security arrangements are still being worked out.

Minister says B.C. government won't buy Whitecaps, but will help MLS team cut costs

Minister says B.C. government won't buy Whitecaps, but will help MLS team cut costs

VICTORIA -- British Columbia's government says it is working with the Vancouver Whitecaps to help the team lower costs and generate more revenue at BC Place -- but it won't be buying the Major League Soccer team to prevent it from moving cities.

B.C. says new regulations effective this fall will curb extortion-related violence

B.C. says new regulations effective this fall will curb extortion-related violence

VICTORIA -- Provincial gun regulations that have been nine years in the making will come into effect in British Columbia this fall, shutting down what the province call loopholes in federal laws that have helped allow extortion crimes to proliferate.

U.S. liquor stays off shelves, because British Columbians are irate over tariffs: Eby

U.S. liquor stays off shelves, because British Columbians are irate over tariffs: Eby

VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier David Eby says his province will keep U.S. liquor off store shelves because British Columbians are still angry over tariffs on various industries, including softwood lumber.

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs asks government to pause two treaties to resolve dispute

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs asks government to pause two treaties to resolve dispute

VICTORIA -- B.C.'s Indigenous Relations minister says two First Nations nearing the end of their treaty process have developed "accommodation packages" with some neighbouring nations, but there's still more work to do.

Five remain in B.C. Conservative leadership race as membership swells to 42,000

Five remain in B.C. Conservative leadership race as membership swells to 42,000

VICTORIA -- The B.C. Conservative Party has confirmed a final list of five candidates vying for its leadership, in a contest that has swollen the party's membership to more than 42,000.

Premier Eby says investigation into Tumbler Ridge shooting has entered final stages

Premier Eby says investigation into Tumbler Ridge shooting has entered final stages

VICTORIA -- Premier David Eby says the police investigation into the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting is in its final stages.

Overlapping claims are behind protests from First Nations against two treaties

Overlapping claims are behind protests from First Nations against two treaties

VICTORIA -- A coalition of First Nations say they are prepared to block major projects and take legal actions if British Columbia does not pause two treaties to resolve overlapping territorial claims.

Eby 'moving forward' with First Nations after latest climbdown on Indigenous law

Eby 'moving forward' with First Nations after latest climbdown on Indigenous law

VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier David Eby says that "moving forward together" with First Nations leaders is now his top priority, explaining why he withdrew plans to table legislation to suspend key parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act on Monday.

First Nations say Eby backs down again on B.C. Indigenous law

First Nations say Eby backs down again on B.C. Indigenous law

Two First Nations leadership sources say British Columbia Premier David Eby is backing down again on the suspension of key parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, scrapping plans to table legislation on Monday. One of the sources says the suspension bill -- which was already delayed last wee