Tom Barrett
Tom Barrett was born in Victoria and raised in Victoria and Vancouver. A writer and editor, Tom has worked in Vancouver, Victoria, and Ottawa for various publications, and is a sessional instructor at Kwantlen University's journalism program..
Reporting Beat: Politics and climate change policy.
Website: Tom Barrett
Twitter: @barrett_tom
Stories by Tom Barrett
117 BC Liberal Falsehoods, Boondoggles and Scandals: The Complete List
The Tyee’s updated tally of 15 years of public messes, sourced and explained.
98 BC Liberal Falsehoods, Boondoggles and Scandals: The Clark Era 53
Part two of 15 years of public messes, sourced and explained. If we forgot any, please remind us.
98 BC Liberal Falsehoods, Boondoggles and Scandals: The Campbell Era 45
Part one of 15 years of public messes, sourced and explained. If we forgot any, please remind us.
After Several Fails, Should We Trust Election Polls?
It's a key question, given the swarm of public opinion reports on the horizon.
Pollster Calls BS on BC Libs' Private Election Polls
'Show me the numbers,' demands Insights West president, who says voters simply changed their minds.
Advice for BC NDP: Court the Rich
May election results reveal a surprising new voter bloc for the party.
The Weight on a BC Pollster's Shoulders
Many flubbed their May 14 election calls. Here's one who thinks he knows why.
Green Gains Likely Came at BC Libs' Expense
Further election number crunching that suggests the centre-left vote split is myth.
Behind BC's Pollster Fail
Were they foiled by the '10-second Socred'? A look at several possibilities.
In a Greenless World, Would the NDP Have Won?
To decide, look at 13 lost New Democrat ridings where the Greens factored in.
For Pollsters, an Alberta-sized Mess
But maybe one way to look at it is that polls don't drive democracy.
The Premier Who Was a Reporter's 'Fantasy'
No one sprouted weird headlines like the Zalm. Last in our series.
Why Polls Don't Quell New Democrat Jitters
Most BC surveys give NDP solid edge but several factors keep swing ridings in play.
The MLA Who Expensed Milk in Tight Times
And luxury resort stays, and non-existent dinners... latest in 'Some Honourable Members.'
When 'Fisticuffs Ensued' in BC's Legislature
Fighting Joe Martin and his MLA ilk. Latest in our 'Some Honourable Members' series.
The Booted Minister Who Became a Great Chief
Frank Calder's legacy far eclipsed a night in jail. Latest of 'Some Honourable Members.'
Digging into Last Week's Blitz of Polls
A possible clue to why Forum had NDP, Libs closest. And other notes.
Making Sense of Week's Wild Poll Shifts
One put the NDP 22 points ahead, another only four. What's going on?
The Egged Premier Who Scrambled, and Won
Bill Bennett's worst birthday. Latest in our snapshots of BC political history.
BC's Fight Against Climate Change, Explained
In 2007, Gordon Campbell decided the province would lead the world and slash emissions. What happened?
The 'Honest Bob' Who Was Jailed for Bribery
Socred minister slipped on a rug. Latest in our 'Some Honourable Members' series.
The First MLA Physically Thrown from the Legislature
Who was it? And why doesn't this happen more often? 'Some Honourable Members' gets rowdy.
Polls 'Don't Predict the Future'
And more hard truths about the use and abuse of modern opinion research.
The Labour Minister Whose Visa Card Was X-Rated
Socred Bob McClelland paid the price. Our series of dubious BC political moments continues.
The BC Mega-Project Dream that Dwarfed All Others
Wacky Bennett's monorail-mania. Latest in our look-back series 'Some Honourable Members'.
The BC Premier Who Loved the Universe
When he wasn't drunkenly clubbing foes. Third in our series 'Some Honourable Members.'
The Day a Legislator Tried to Do Away with Sex
Socred Agnes Kripps hated 'that nasty little three-letter word.' First of 'Some Honourable Members,' our new daily series.
Writ Drops Tomorrow! Wait, What's a Writ?
It's how we signify the official start of election campaign season, with all its rites and rules.
How Tanking Turnout Makes for Ugly Elections
Wedge issues and fear politics win when voters stay home, pollsters say.
BC's Coming Election: Myth of the Demon Vote Splitter
Libs and NDP sow fear of third parties siphoning votes. But political life is complicated.
Amazing Comebacks Christy Clark Hopes to Emulate
Four election shockers that keep BC's New Dems up at night.
Dix's Big Gamble: No Dirt
As Libs sling mud, NDP leader refuses to go negative. Will out of the box strategy box him in?
Attack Ads Through the Ages
A brief, inherently dirty history, with video reminders of how low they can go.
Back to Drawing Board for Carbon Neutral Government
As BC Liberals revisit their approach to a carbon neutral public sector, some advice they'll likely get.
Why the Pacific Carbon Trust Draws Political Heat
Making hospitals and schools transfer tight dollars to corporations is no easy climate policy to sell.
'Carbon Neutral' Goal Spurs Projects
Whatever its flaws, BC's quest for carbon neutrality is getting some things done in the public sector.
Is BC's Public Sector Really 'Carbon Neutral'?
Not everyone's buying the math the government uses to make its claim.
Politics Buffet BC's Carbon Agenda
Premier Clark inherited bold climate policies and strong pressures on all sides. What will she do?
A Self-help Guide for the Planet
Changing the way we build our cities is essential to stopping global warming, says 'Seven Rules' author Patrick Condon.
7 Holiday TV Specials You Won't See
Those hacked Santa emails, Scrooge's hedge fund fantasy, and more.
Pollsters in High Stakes Race, Too
The numbers are all over the place. Who will get to brag about being right?
Global Warming Debate Lost in Carbon Tax Fog
'Partisan scrabbling' ruining chance to educate voters: VTACC's Washbrook.
Polling that Obsesses BC's Campaign Strategists
Economy and crime seem to obliterate other issues for BC voters. It's not that simple.
Could New Breed of 'Low Profit' Firms Save Our News Media?
Canada has yet to allow hybrid ownership models operating in US and UK.
Weird Warnings on FOI Materials
BC gov't sows fear by claiming 'crown copyright' on released documents, say critics.
Premier Campbell Backing off Global Warming Effort?
Enviros worried that cabinet shuffle sends a signal priorities have changed.
A Win Streak for Free Speech
'Responsible journalism' decision latest to loosen libel law in Canada.
Canwest Suit May Test Limits of Free Speech
Defence appeals ruling that case is about copyright, not a citizen's right to skewer with satire.
Carbon Tax Whacks the Poor, Later
Three years out, wealthy take smaller hit than low income BCers: study.
Carbon Tax Gets Another Voter Test Wednesday
Primer: Parties' global warming stands going into byelection.
Media Democracy Day Gains Steam
Your chance to learn and energize this Saturday in Vancouver and four more Canadian cities.
Summit Crafts the Spew Economy
On the table: how to dole out pollution offsets for big parts of Canada, US.
Gordon Campbell's Moving Targets
In search of a level playing field in the climate change numbers game.
Chris Wood's Water World
'Dry Spring' author on his tie to water, and his fluid search for solutions.
Libs Relent, Open Carbon Trading to Public View
Bills still let govt. 'hand industry a blank cheque,' say critics.
Hate Commuting? Move North
Despite claims that rural folk drive more daily, BC's numbers say otherwise.
The New Carbon Cash, Explained
BC's about to dive into a vast market that limits and trades emissions. How it will work (or not).
Idea #6: Fix the Building Code
Two environmentalists say current rules are a barrier to new thinking.
First Nations Leader to Premier: Carbon Credits 'Belong to Us'
FNs not consulted on new emissions target laws: Porter.
Summit on Global Warming Plans
Business, labour, other 'key leaders' to huddle with premier's point man.
BC Global Warming Policies Soon to Be Unveiled
Oil and gas biz, Gateway project said to be untouched.
Kinder Morgan's Ancient Maps
Company unsure of Burnaby Mountain pipeline's exact location after protest last year.
Will Voters Turn Politicians Green?
Global warming tops polls, but how much heat do officials really feel?
Secret Energy Plan: Will Campbell Top Schwarzenegger?
BC pushed to match California global warming targets.
Right Gets Ready for Rumble in Richmond
On display: Tory clash between social conservatives and moderates.
Conservatives: Muffled, but how Moderate?
Candidates have denounced abortion and 'the gay agenda.' And vowed to 'change laws to reflect biblical values.'
Telus CEO Was on Stage in Raunchy 'Telus Idol' Video
Management ordered workers to watch tape many found offensive.
The Video that Outrages Telus Employees
Lewd 'team building' party, caught on tape, further soured relations inside phone firm.
To Censor Pro-Union Web Site, Telus Blocked 766 Others
Company's labour dispute tactic may affect internet speech law.
How Close Was It?
Very close, sliced a certain way. New Democrats shouldn’t rush to blame the Greens, though.
Fish Farm Documents Show Politics Trump Science, Say Critics
Deleted facts flagged as 'Technically correct, but politically problematic.'
The Mysterious Carole James
That’s how nearly half of British Columbians see the NDP leader. Is she doing enough to define herself for voters?
Weee! Easy As STV!
Only a deranged math nerd could like the new vote scheme those Citizens Assembly keeners picked for us.
Close Ones: Where Your Vote Really Matters
B.C. is shaping up to be a three-way contest. Party strategists are sweating the tightest races in these ridings.
Green Spoilers?
The Greens will be lucky to win a seat in B.C. but may determine who wins several tight races. Call it the 'Nader scenario'.
So What DID Harper Say?
The Conservative Leader's sound bite file on everything from taxes to Iraq, health care, gay marriage, nature, left wingers and more.
Politicians Behaving Badly
The Brenzinger debacle took B.C.'s political culture to a new low just as the Citizens Assembly ponders a new way of voting.
The 'Dirty Secrets' of Pollsters
The most poll-driven election in memory has media and voters mesmerized. Don't be fooled, warns Angus Reid.
The Dangerous Life of a Parking Cop
People who ticket people are people, too. A new film even makes them heroes, sort of.
