CHRISTY CLARK … open government gives us a sense of confidence that government is “working for us” rather than doing something “to us”

As part of her commitment to open government, Premier Christy Clark released a year-end video detailing the challenges, and successes, of the past year and a look at the year ahead. 

In her video, there were many things she covered and mentioned, beginning with “Open Government”.  Premiere Clark said there has been a lot of change in Victoria, in making government more open.  She went on to say that we will see more of it, as the changes hit, and as they start to be felt in communities around the province.

I guess the openness in communities must be the information community newspapers are releasing about persons charged with criminal offenses getting turned loose because of a shortage of court resources to have their trials proceed.   If not, maybe its news about the tens of thousands of dollars that schools and hospitals in our communities are having to pay to the Pacific Carbon Trust, so they can issue cheques to folks like Encana??

I wonder how that fits with another comment she made?   She said that open government gives us a sense of confidence that government is “working for us” rather than, "doing something to us”.

In this year-end review, by Premier Christy Clark, you and I were reminded that the provincial government was bringing in an Auditor General for local government.   And why, you ask, do we need a municipal auditor general?  Well it’s to monitor local government spending, and "find efficiencies in spending and improve program effectiveness by providing neutral, non-binding advice."

A CBC news story quotes Christy Clark saying, "It will help them manage their spending, and make sure taxpayers get the respect that they deserve."  In the meantime, you might be wondering how Christy Clark’s government is doing finding “efficiencies” ...“managing their spending” ... as well as giving us the "respect we deserve". 

Here are recent quotes and headlines from the news:

Auditor General sounds alarm over lack of review over government fees … BC’s watchdog has raised public safety concerns about the government’s corrections program … Liberals' response stymies audit - Government foot-dragging smells … 

There's more ... BC Auditor General’s report calls for staffing and caseload review for probation officers … Auditor General criticised the provincial government for how it issues financial statements on the cost of the new Port Mann Bridge … Doyle frustrated that utility, government don't have a plan to repay deferred accounts

IF you are able to continue listening to, and watching, the Christy Clark year-end video, you will also hear her tell us how the government is “maintaining strict fiscal prudence”.

I find that interesting, given that in September Finance Minister Kevin Falcon told us that the deficit this year will be increasing by another $769 million -- and will now top out at $2.8 billion.   

BUT WAIT… in November the projected deficit was increased a further $313 million -- and is now expected to be $3.1 billion.

The BC Liberal government is Past Due getting a
handle on government spending and debt

And as BC Conservative party leader John Cummins has said, “In September Minister Falcon told us that the Liberal government would be tightening its belt and setting priorities for government spending.  Instead we see a significantly increased deficit. The simple truth is that we need to get spending under control. In times of economic uncertainty, the people of this province need to know that the government can make fiscally responsible choices.”

Madame Premier goes on to say government has “dealt with the HST”.  Sorry if I am puzzled by that, but exactly how, and when, did that happen? 

The tax is STILL being charged, and one independent commission in BC concluded it will cost families on average $350 more this year.  When will the HST really be dealt with? When will it end?  The news at the end of the year is that the BC Liberals are still dragging their feet on scrapping the HST.

Here once again are the words of John Cummins, “If Premier Clark wants to bring business to BC she should skip the expensive photo-ops and focus on economic fundamentals – lower taxes, reduce transportation costs and scrap the HST in the next four months.”

The BC Liberal Party has had over a decade to deliver on open government … fiscal prudence … and eliminating the debt.  They have not been any more successful in dealing with these things, than the NDP before them.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … with the thoughts of one conservative.