BC projecting a record $11.6 billion deficit for this year (up from $10.9 billion forecast in the budget) — Finance Minister releases 1st Quarter Fiscal update. #bcpoli

Strong support in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. Thank you to MLA Lorne Doerkson and to the Cariboo communities for the warm welcome! Property rights came up again and again. People are deeply concerned about how the NDP’s DRIPA framework is putting land and livelihoods at

NEW: hearing a BC Conservative caucus meeting scheduled for Thursday in Kelowna has been cancelled with no reason given. Comes in fallout of challenges to John Rustad’s leadership and controversy over new members signed up in that area. #bcpoli

BC Caucus meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, has now been moved to Monday. That will be after the leadership review results are complete. Leadership review wraps up on Saturday in Osoyoos. #bcpoli

NEW: John Rustad received support of 70% of BC Conservative members who voted in months long leadership review. Rustad won 78 of 93 ridings. There will be a caucus meeting tonight to discuss those results and his leadership. #bcpoli

NEW: Elenore Sturko has been kicked out of the BC Conservative caucus — caucus member confirms Jody Toor tells scrum — as she heads into caucus — it’s hard to see colleague go. #bcpoli

BC Conservative MLA for Courtenay-Comox Brennan Day says he’s disappointed Elenore Sturko has been kicked out of the party, Calling it a short-sighted decision and not in the long term interests of growing the party. #bcpoli

NEW: Elenore Sturko says she was blindsided by BC Conservative leader, John Rustad, when he kicked her out of caucus. She says he told her, it was because she was gathering other MLA’s to overturn his leadership. #bcpoli

Elenore Sturko carts her belongings out the legislature — en route to an impromptu press conference— after being kicked out of the BC Conservative caucus. #bcpoli

BC Conservatives caucus meeting still going behind closed door. Set to end at 9.Tonight. #bcpoli

These are complex times for the people of British Columbia. The NDP has taken our provincial economy to record and unsustainable deficits; our communities are facing crisis in healthcare and public safety. Having fought for British Columbians all my life, first as a police

NEW: Emily Lowan is the new leader of the BC Greens.

Emily Lowan giving her acceptance speech as new leader of BC Greens. She won with 60% of the vote, double the second place finisher (Jonathan Kerr). Says “we put the ‘party’ back in party!”, noting the many new members she attracted to the Greens. #bcpoli

New BC Greens leader has said she wants to renegotiate agreement with NDP earlier than scheduled. The 25 year old climate activist takes shot at premier Eby “rolling out the red carpet” in New York this week for Donald Trump’s oligarchs. #bcpoli

BC Conservative leader John Rustad starts off his address to a packed house at UBCM — challenging premier Eby to stand up for the ostriches facing a cull. #bcpoli

NEW: BCGEU Paul Finch, flanked by striking union members outside the Royal BC Museum, says government reached out last night and they’ll meet at bargaining table Monday. Picket lines will remain up, but he’s “cautiously optimistic” they’ll reach a fair deal. #bcpoli

Protesters outside Victoria Convention Centre — on final day of UBCM — demonstrate their disapproval with the Eby government’s stance on LNG. #bcpoli

It’s not all conflict at the legislature. These two love birds just got engaged during our live hit about striking government workers. This couple’s escalating job action consists of a celebratory dinner!

A mass of striking public sector workers with BCGEU descend on the front lawn of the BC Legislature, pushing for a better offer from government 6 weeks into its strike. Crowd estimated to be about 10,000 strong. #bcpoli

NEW: Amelia Boultbee, MLA for Penticton-Summerland quits BC Conservatives— citing John Rustad’s “unraveling” leadership. #bcpoli