Pivot Legal Society LLP is taking a "perfect logical next step" on the path toward establishing that government is "responsible for ensuring there is adequate shelter" for its citizens. That's the opinion of Catherine Boies-Parker, one of the lawyers who succeeded in striking down the City of Victoria's anti-camping bylaw. Earlier, we were the first to tell you Pivot had launched a lawsuit asking for a declaration that the homeless have a right to emergency shelter and the government has a duty to provide it.

"The dark prince of the Social Credit party" - that's how Keith Baldrey described Bud Smith in a 1991 story published in Vancouver Sun, adding the former attorney general "has developed a reputation over the years as a first-rate political organizer, who understands political trends and strategies." So the Royal British Columbia Museum's foes might want to take note of the Campbell administration's January 26, 2010 decision to appoint Mr. Smith to the institution's board of directors.

Pat Bell believes British Columbians could be looking at another summer of bad wildfires. The forests and range minister made that statement on Friday, following the release of a Forest Practices Board report that warned "what may seem like an extraordinary fire season in the past may become the new norm as the consequences of climate change accumulate."

Sunday morning, on Public Eye Radio, we'll speak with Joel Miligram about his effort to bring court appointed court appointed special advocates for children to British Columbia. The Times Colonist's Lindsay Kines and Rob Shaw discuss their investigation into public access to court records. And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Eleanor Gregory, Bill Tieleman and Bob Russell - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:00 and 10:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

This week, Public Eye exclusively revealed:

* the provincial government paid for the premier's outgoing deputy minister Jessica McDonald to be trained in Ontario as a corporate director - sending her to attend around seven days worth of courses at a cost of more than $10,000;

* Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be addressing the provincial legislature next week;

* the coroner's report on the passing of homeless man Darrell Mickasko, who burned to death while trying to keep warm on the streets of Vancouver. His death subsequently inspired the city's future mayor Gregor Robertson run for local office;

* Pivot Legal Society LLP is suing Ottawa on behalf of Mr. Mickasko's common law partner, seeking a declaration that the homeless have a right to emergency shelter and the government has a duty to provide it;

* federal Liberal parliamentarians who have been unable to secure accommodation for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games may be forced to bunk with party supporters; and

* the harmonized sales tax could increase costs for social service agencies;

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On Tuesday, we told you Prime Minister Stephen Harper was scheduled to address the provincial legislature next week. The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer reported additional details yesterday, writing that speech would take place Thursday and "was not by invitation from the provincial government. Rather it was Ottawa's idea." When contrasted with the Harper administration's recent decision to prorogue parliament, that news became a source of controversy. So the prime minister's office needed to say something. And this is what is said: Premier Gordon Campbell has invited Mr. Harper to speak to the legislature. But no decision has yet been made as to whether that offer will be accepted. This, according to Canwest News Service's David Akin. Fancy that!

British Columbia's coroners service may have declined to conduct an inquiry into the passing homeless man Darrell Mickasko, who burned to death while trying to keep warm on the streets of Vancouver. But, on April 14, 2009, the service did file a report on that death, which is now the subject of a lawsuit launched by Pivot Legal Society LLP on behalf of his common law partner Pamela Erickson. It makes for harrowing reading.