Many British Columbians lack confidence

BC Legislature in Victoria

Here’s an excerpt from the February 14^th, 2011, BC Government Speech from the Throne:

We now gather together on the eve of transition to new leadership. Both the government and the opposition will select new leaders in the days ahead. With change there is always excitement and opportunity to discover new paths ahead and new means of achieving our shared goal of a better future for all.

This is a time when British Columbians are encouraged to discuss new ideas about making our province an even better place. Through this period, government will ensure a smooth and orderly transition while continuing to deliver the quality services that are important to all British Columbians.

Tomorrow's budget will meet statutory requirements while providing maximum flexibility for future decisions by the new executive council and this legislature. As laid out in government's three-year plan, spending priorities will continue to be focused on health and education.

Okay, so the Speech from the Throne said that, "… government will ensure a smooth and orderly transition while continuing to deliver the quality services that are important to all British Columbians." 

What happened instead??

As BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins pointed out two weeks ago (September 16^th), the provincial budget in February in actual fact approved cuts totalling $14.5 million for sheriffs, court clerks and judges, despite a published warning from the provincial court that more than 2,000 criminal cases were at risk of being quashed due to excessive delays.

Not only were they at risk … but alleged criminals ARE INDEED GOING FREE because of delays.  Just one example, can be found in Prince George.  There, charges against a cocaine dealer, Joe Hammer, were dropped.  Here’s the reason … BC’s justice system is underfunded.

“A lack of sheriffs, court clerks and judges led to unconstitutional trial delays, causing the case being thrown out by the judge,” said Mr. Cummins.

Today’s Speech from the Throne, for the 4^th session of the 39^th Parliament, again recognized the on-going need for a better justice system by stating, “… many British Columbians lack confidence in our criminal justice system.  They have said they want a system that responds more quickly when a crime has been committed — a system that is more accessible and more adaptable to emerging issues.”

Now instead of these words coming from Gordon Campbell, we have Christy Clark saying, “Your government shares this desire and is acting upon it.”

In responding to the Speech from the Throne, John Cummins said:

“We set out a challenge to the government to get serious about getting spending under control and take serious steps on fixing the justice system. Instead we have a “Jobs and Investments Board” which is simply a re-incarnation of Gordon Campbell’s “Progress Board,” and a promise to let a few judges work a few extra days – not rehiring the prosecutors and sheriffs cut by the Liberals.”

In the next few days I am going to examine the past four Throne Speeches – I think I am going to find a LOT of similarities.

I’m Alan Forseth, in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative on this round ball we call planet earth.