Things that BC Liberal MLA Terry Lake hopes you won't become aware of --- BC Liberals backroom manipulators remain hopeful as well

Today Kamloops North Thompson  BC Liberal MLA Terry Lake is quoted as saying; "What we do see is, as we get closer to election, is that people are understanding what the BC Conservatives are all about ... "

MY hope is that people do indeed fully understand what the BC Conservatives are all about ... what we stand for ... and what we hope to bring to the political stage in British Columbia.  They are the things that Terry Lake hopes you won't become aware of --- and BC Liberals backroom manipulators hope that remains the same.          

That's because BC Conservative beliefs, principles and policies are totally opposite to how the BC Liberals have in reality governed:

BC Conservatives believe in clearly defined public policies and programs that are affordable and effective and for which delivery is accountable to all the people of British Columbia.  We are entitled to full knowledge of services rendered and their costs

BC Conservatives believe in managing the government to the highest standards of integrity and transparency

BC Conservatives believe that governments at all levels are responsible to serve and respect all individuals and their families

BC Conservatives believe that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA's) are primarily responsible to represent the interests of their Constituents

BC Conservatives believe in a rigorous system of law and order focusing on the rights of victims and the protection of the public

And BC Conservatives believe in smaller government resulting in more liberty and personal property rights, the encouragement of new enterprise and individual achievement striving towards excellence and prosperity

MEANTIME ... what would be our "understanding" of how BC Liberals do things?

With BC Liberals we have had cost over-runs on a number of projects ... the BC Liberal government has raised rates on the Medical Services Plan ... while managers and CEO's of government agencies and crown corporation have given themselves raises and bonuses, rates for ICBC, BC Ferries, and BC Hydro have all been jacked up.  WHY?

Remember that the BC government was going to will allow for naming rights to BC Place Stadium; Telus put in a bid for tens of millions of dollars and then the government rejected it.  WHY? 

Auditor General John Doyle holds the BC Liberals to account for spending waste -- then all of a sudden he is not going to have his contract renewed -- then he is -- then maybe he will be.  WHY? 

Taxpayers have no more money to give – either in taxes or fees – so don’t ask to squeeze us for any more

Months ago former BC Liberal Finance Minister Kevin Falcon was saying the government was going to have a difficult time meeting the numbers in what was already a deficit budget.

The wallets of taxpayers have NO MORE to give

The news media has been filled with stories today that indeed the financial estimates for the current budget do not look good – and we can expect the deficit to be higher.  Here’s just one of the news stories:

CKNW:
BC'S finance minister has released the government's fiscal update for the first quarter.  The deficit for the current fiscal year is projected to be higher than expected.  Falling natural gas revenues are blowing a hole in the provincial budget.

The deficit for this year now pegged at 1.14 billion dollars.  That's 173 million dollars more than expected.  The provincial government is announcing new spending cuts.

The government must find 241 million dollars in savings this year and 389 million in savings the following year and even with those, would still come in with a deficit this year of 1.14 billion dollars.

Premier Christy Clark however still says next year’s budget will be balanced.  She says this and yet we have had no indication, from past example, that she has any idea how that should and can be done.

Is Christy Clark still in some far away fairyland of non-reality?

Just yesterday her government tinkered with the proposed tolls for the new Port Mann Bridge saying they will now be $1.50 per trip for the first year (formerly had said would be $6 per trip).

She has continued to allow the executives and management, of crown corporations and agencies, to take big pay raises … AND undeserved bonuses.

She spends tens of thousands of dollars on photo-op after photo-op that are little more than self-promotion of the BC Liberal Party.

We still have a $6 million hole in government finances after the BC Liberals wrongly authorized payment of the legal bills for Basi and Virk in the BC Rail fiasco.

They turned down tens of millions of dollars, from Telus, for the naming rights to BC Place – that after actively courting them to submit what they were willing to pay to do that.

AND this Liberal government – and the NDP before them – have still never considered a full and complete bottom up look at all spending.  We, and government, have no idea if we are getting the best value for every department – every office – every employee and manager.

Integrity? The Investigators looks at the sale of BC Rail – and what happened?

CKNW’s “The Investigators” takes a look the BC Rail controversy, including the Basi / Virk court case.

The program was Written and Produced by Bob Mackin, with Narration by Jon McComb

The program features BC Conservative MLA John van Dongen as well as Alex Tsakumis, BC Liberal Leader / BC Premier Christy Clark, and political commentator Bill Tielmann. 

The program gives a good overview of the BC Rail file, as John van Dongen approaches the September 10^th court date.

To hear the full program click the following: http://www.cknw.com/features/the-investigators.aspx

POLITICS 101 … the wacky world of British Columbia

In British Columbia we do things differently when it comes to politics.  Anywhere else, the topic of politics and politicians can come up, and a civil, even occasionally heated, discussion can take place.

NOT in British Columbia.

Mention the words ‘politics’, and / or ‘politicians’ and the fight is on.  Either that, or folks tune out entirely.

Thoughts that come to mind for many are money grubbing … power seekers … looking out for number one … unaccountable … unresponsive … and a host of other things that can’t be repeated.

That’s because, as I mentioned, we do things differently here in BC.

W.A.C. Bennett

We generally have one party that’s in power for a long period of time, with one sitting on the wings … waiting to take over when voters get sick and tired of the governing party.  We’ll say, “Well at least these guys can’t do any worse than those jerks”.

This really began in 1951 when W.A.C.  Bennett, “Wacky” as most people called him, took over what was then called the Social Credit League, and renamed it the Social Credit Party.  Social Credit really was a big tent party that keep both small ‘c’ Conservatives, and small ‘L” Liberals, all under one roof. 

Bennett reviled the NDP with a passion, calling them the Socialist Hordes, and so it must have been with a great deal of anguish and upset that he turned the reins of government over to Dave Barrett and the NDP following the election of 1972.

That government was short lived however, only staying in power for one term.  The ‘socialist hordes’ as Wacky called them, tried their social engineering much to fast -- overtaxed industry – raised debt dramatically -- and scared the hell out of the majority of people in BC once they realized what they had voted for.

Then Wacky’s son Bill Bennett took over the leadership of the Socred’s, winning the next election, and became Premier in in 1975.  The Socreds then remained in power again, for another 15 years.

What led to their downfall, and demise, after those 15 years? 

Most people would say it was due to a disconnect with the people … and an arrogance where they believed themselves to be the natural ruling party (much like the federal Liberals used to be).  Another issue was Bill Vander Zalm, who took over leadership of the party once Bill Bennett resigned.   With Bill Vander Zalm as leader, many also objected to what they considered to be his right wing, socially conservative, policies.

Bill Vander Zalm

Vander Zalm was ridiculed in the media … and he took a tongue lashing from voters in Letters to the Editor, and phone in talk shows.  He too was forced to resign, and Rita Johnson then took over the reins – not for long however.

Does any of this sound familiar?

In 1991 voters returned the NDP to office.  This time they governed a little more slowly with their social policies, and taxation, and managed to be re-elected several times.  Again however, a disconnect with voters, and a number of scandals (the financial debacle of the Fast Ferry’s, and Bingo-Gate, spring to mind) which saw the leadership of the party switch from Mike Harcourt, to Glen Clark, and finally to Ujjal  Dosanjh.  Changing leaders was no help however, and they were soundly trashed at the polls in 2001; retaining just 2 seats in the legislature.

Again, the ruling party was tossed from office by the voters who no longer believed anything they said, and who were tired with the scandals that surrounded them.

What also happened, in the time between 1991 and 1996, was the growth of a third party following the decline of the Socreds.  Just prior to the 1996 election, four Socred members, led by Jack Weisgerber, moved to the populist BC Reform Party.  In 1996 Reform duked it out with the BC Liberals, who had a much better organized and better financed machine, for dominance as the center right party.

As history shows, the Liberals won for dominance as BC Reform was reduced to just 2 seats, and British Columbia was once again back to a two party system; one big tent center right party (the Liberals) … and a center left party (the NDP).

This Week in the World of BC Politics

It’s Friday … the end of the week … and time to take a look at some of the stories that made political news in our province.   

Let’s see … we have BC's Auditor General going to court to get documents to investigate the government payout on legal fees for the Basi / Virk trial … we have changes to the Family law Act … John Cummins speaking out on compact fluorescent lights and smart meters … the BC Fed calling for a bigger increase to the minimum wage … the Northern Gateway Pipeline … the BC Conservative candidate selection announcement for Port Moody-Coquitlam ... and much more.

First though, I’d like to remind you to get out and vote this Saturday.  Through-out the province thousands of candidates are seeking office on municipal councils … as school trustees … and as regional directors.  Your vote DOES count … as this YouTube video shows …

Now … here’s the news.

New RCMP commissioner speaks softly and ponders a broken force

… combined assault on the iconic status of Canada’s police force has left an indelible stain on the red serge … disillusionment is so great in British Columbia that there are calls for the province not to renew its policing contract with the national force.

Candidates should take lie-detector tests -- Lots of people shouldn't be running for office

… given all the untruths voiced at election time, should candidates for political office be forced to undergo lie-detector tests?

Every British Columbian deserves a real choice

This morning when I opened the email account, where most of my political stuff comes and goes from, I discovered a message about yesterday’s blog.  The story, as you will recall, was on BC Rail and the Basi / Virk trial.  This is what the writer had to say:

You know, for me, the agreement to pay $6 million in legal costs in exchange for a guilty plea was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Until then, I was like most federal Conservatives, not completely thrilled with the BC Liberals, but willing to hold my nose to avoid splitting the vote and having the NDP get in power (the enemy of my enemy is my friend).

I remember the day the news broke last fall, I was attending a professional development seminar in Kelowna (yes, even __ x y z __ have Pro-D days), and the seminar leader was discussing investing.  He mentioned a term called the "puke point", which is basically the point at which you can't stand to see your portfolio losing value anymore so you "puke" it all up and sell everything.

During the coffee break for that seminar, I grabbed a copy of the Globe & Mail and read the article about the deal which had just been announced.  That was my "puke point" with the BC Liberals - the deal just reeked of hush money.  That's where I said, vote-splitting or no vote-splitting; I can't in good conscience vote for a government like this anymore.

I don’t know about you, but the words of this writer really resonated in me … especially two of them … “Puke Point”.

How arrogant and out of touch with voters would a party, it’s executive, cabinet ministers, and leader have to be for people to reach their “Puke Point”?  

Why would their MLA’s continue to sit at the caucus table of a party that people can no longer support because they have reached their “Puke Point”?

The report Krog and Bond were referring to was just about future indemnity on legal costs

Are you old enough to remember the story of the little engine that could --- or have you seen the Walt Disney movie "Dumbo", where the work train is taking circus animals to the next town?   

Up the hill it goes saying … "I think I can … I think I can”.  Once to the top, it then heads down saying "I thought I could … I thought I could …”

I bring this up because the whole BC Rail and Basi / Virk Trial is rearing its ugly head again … and at the end of the day this may be a mantra that goes round and round in Christy Clarks head ... albeit with slightly different words.

I think I can … I think I can … keep the whole Basi / Virk mess hidden

I thought I could … I thought I could … keep the whole Basi / Virk mess hidden

How far back does this whole thing go?  Years … and years … AND YEARS. 

I did NOT see one story about a commitment to public safety and protection

Yesterday I was led to write the blog story, “YOU'RE RIGHT CHRISTY … those are things most British Columbians support”.   I wrote it because despite everything they say, the real story about crime and protection is that Christy Clark really has NO commitment to it.  Truthfully, it seems everyone -- BUT the BC Liberal Party -- questions their commitment to public protection from criminals and thugs.  

Are you aware of IntegrityBC??    Integrity BC is not some cover for the NDP or the BC Conservative Party … or any other political group.  They are, as they say, “… a non-partisan, non-profit organization working with citizens, volunteers, activists and political parties to promote, lobby, pressure, advocate and demand: integrity and accountability in BC.”

They have no axe to grind directly against any political party … they simply want to have a government that is more accountable to the people of our province.  It seems however they too are wondering and questioning the priorities of this government. 

Here is a post they had online this morning on their Facebook page:  

This headline last week caught our attention for a fast back-of-the-envelope calculation.  The BC Liberal government paid $6-million for Dave Basi's and Bobby Virk's legal bill in the BC Rail trial, even though they plead guilty. BC sheriffs earn $48,055 per year (contract ending 2010 at $26.31/h). For $6 million, the Liberal government could hire 60 full-time sheriffs for two years or 24 provincial court judges for a year to help clear the backlog in BC courts.

Well if the media, and non-partisan groups, are questioning their commitment, surely to goodness the website for the BC Liberal Party would be filled with comments and news from Premier Christy Clark, and the Attorney General, about what they are doing. 

If they do, I was NOT able to find them.

Their webpage “In the News” has all kinds of glowing things about the party … along with a ‘liberal’ sprinkling of negative comments about NDP leader Adrian Dix … and BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins.

Let’s see … here are some of the headlines from stories they have posted there:

Premier Christy Clark and Our Ship Building Contract … hmmm I distinctly recall the Prime Minister saying that the contract would be awarded ONLY on merit.  So what exactly was it that she did to help our BC ship builders get this contract??

BC targets innovation, job creation and training.  Ah Yes … I remember that week.  It was Christy Clark’s photo-op tour of the province where she re-announced a number of things that former Premier Gordon Campbell had previously indicated they would be doing. 

I could say more, however a Letter to the Editor in the Langley Advance said it best ...

I noted two news stories of interest in the papers today.  In the Victoria Times Colonist a headline stated, “$782-million sewage fix left in limbo  -- Treatment system falls two years behind as B.C. and Ottawa play waiting game” … while the Vancouver Courier had a headline saying, “Basi - Virk first anniversary renews calls for inquiry -- B.C. Liberal government paid $6 million legal bills”

Two different stories, but both again highlighting the discontent of British Columbians.

In the Times Colonist news story, writers Kim Westad and Rob Shaw, have indicated the sewage treatment system is going to be at least two years behind schedule.  Why???  Apparently the provincial government has not committed in writing to funding the $782-million project that it ordered must be done.  BC Liberal cabinet minister Ida Chong says that the federal government must commit to funding the project before it steps in, which according to the writers is a, ‘…change in policy that worries several members of the Capital Regional District board.’

The story goes on to quote Judy Brownoff, former chairwoman of the region's sewage committee,  as saying, ‘… Chong's comments are a change from what the CRD has been told from the start, and contrary to clear information from the federal government a year ago.’

So what’s the bottom line? 

BCLocalNews.com - Auditor wants BC Rail trial costs

BCLocalNews.com - Auditor wants BC Rail trial costs

This story has been a burr under the saddle of nearly all British Columbian's for a very long time now --- including many people that are Liberal supporters. Unfortunately the government has stonewalled on this from the start.

The whole BC Rail issue has been a fiasco from the start, and we as the taxpayers who are footing the bills, will never know the real truth about the costs of the Basi - Virk decision ... their real legal bills ... or the so called lease of BC Rail.

Last night, I sent my own "Political Leaders Questionnaire"

A  lot has been made this past week about the personal beliefs of one of the provinces political leaders, which led me to wonder, "What do the rest of them think?"

Wondering that, I figured it must be fair game to ask them, so last night, I sent my own "Political Leaders Questionnaire" to Adrian Dix (BC NDP) ... Christy Clark (BC Liberal Party) ... Chris Delaney (BC First) ... and John Cummins (BC Conservative Party).

Inquiry still needed in Basi / Virk debacle – taxpayers still deserve answers

Premier Christy Clark has publicly declared, “Two people (Basi and Virk) have been convicted of accepting bribes who worked for the government … it confirms what I’ve been saying from the beginning. I have a spotlessly clean public record; I have always discharged my duties honorably.”

But hold on; what of the $6 million dollar pay-off!  Speculation still surrounds the plea bargain that left taxpayers holding the bag for Basi and Virk’s $6 million defense.  Why does Premier Clark refuse to call a Public Inquiry so that taxpayers know the truth about why this deal was struck?

Perhaps Christy Clark needs a reminder that on Monday October 18^th (2010) then Attorney General Mike de Jong stated paying the defense fees (for the Basi / Virk lawyers) contravened normal government policy. 

Perhaps Christy Clark needs a refresher on a comment from then Attorney General Mike De Jong

Yesterday (March 21^st) in a Globe and Mail Update, part of a story by Robert Matas wrote on how NDP MLA Norm MacDonald (Columbia River-Revelstoke) had a difference of opinion with Liberal Premier Christy Clark, and was calling for a full public inquiry into the government sell-off of BC Rail – this was in his MLA Report in the one of the areas local community newspapers, the Golden Star. Of course as noted in this blog, and in all media, this is something that has been ruled out by Clark - in his MLA report in the Golden Star

Apparently in his MLA Report he had indicated that the $6 million dollar Basi / Virk defense fee pay-off one of several issues to be investigated, he wrote. In the story he went on to say government was told the railway company must be sold because it was losing money, but this turned out to be an inaccurate assertion. MacDonald says, as everyone is aware, that BC Rail was not being sold but rather leased – however the term of the lease was 99 years. And third her went on to say that government and the people were told the bidding process would be fair.

It's alleged that top level BC Liberal political operatives received bribes to provide inside information to potential bidders. Columbia River Revelstoke MLA Norm MacDonald continued,. "While this close connection to the BC Rail scandal must be a strong disincentive for Premier Christy Clark to investigate any further, it is clear that all British Columbian's deserve to know what really happened."

Quite some time back however, BC Conservatives were calling for a Public Inquiry – as well as for the preservation of documents and files from the Basi / Virk trial -- in the hopes that there would eventually be a public inquiry.

Christy wants to hear from us ...

Some of you may be aware of this already, but if not, Christy Clark has invited us to let her know our thoughts and ideas. 

It's part of her "Open Government Initiative"

Here's the message of our premier designate:

Fellow British Columbians,

As I prepare to assume office as your premier, one of my top priorities is working with you to create an open government in Victoria.

That's why I am asking you to send along your thoughts, ideas and priorities. I honestly believe listening and engaging with citizens is a critical way to make change work for you.

I look forward to hearing from you …

May I recommend to you that we ask her to have an independent public inquiry into the Basi / Virk trial ... and why we as taxpayers have been forced to pay the defense costs of $6 million dollars??

Click HERE to post your thoughts, comments, and ideas

Politics This Week (Jan 2nd - 8th, 2010)

Again this week there were a lot of interesting stories around politics in Victoria … and around the province with the BC Conservatives, the Liberals, and the NDP.  Here’s just a snapshot of some of the stories that made the news this past week …

Gender quota makes BC NDP seem ridiculous -- National Post

Predictably, this affirmative-action provision has come back to bite the NDP in its political buttocks. The resulting publicity has made the party appear …

Valley Conservatives to pick MLA candidate after March -- Canada.com

By Spencer Anderson, Comox Valley Echo January 7, 2011 The BC Conservatives are set to face off against Comox Valley MLA Don McRae in the next election …

NDP’s ‘renewal’ is going nowhere in this leadership race -- Globe and Mail

When 13 members of the BC New Democratic Party caucus decided to take out leader Carole James in a holiday-season coup, they insisted it was nothing