It’s sick. It’s a sick culture ... it’s really unhealthy. I was talking about the legislature

This is one of those blog posts where I will let the words of others do the talking ... including Christy Clark.  She, and others, have already said it so well. 

 

 

CBC (June 5th / 2013):
"We say names like WAC Bennett and Bill Bennett and we think of leadership — two great leaders who shaped our province," said Clark. 

 

National Post (Apr 13 / 2013):
It’s no secret that Christy Clark’s government has a credibility problem ... Ms. Clark continues to misinform, mislead and just make up stuff. 

 

Doug Morrison of Garibaldi Highlands (Vancouver Sun June 11 / 2013):
Today’s government policies on private power are in the process of bankrupting W.A.C. Bennett’s greatest contribution to the growth of the B.C. economy, BC Hydro, the “powerhouse of British Columbia.”.  Christy Clark has no right at all to be channeling the spirit of the great W.A.C. Bennett. 

 

 

Chilliwack Progress (Apr 22 / 13):
Clark said on Thursday that Strahl is an example of a retired federal politician who is "very actively helping us on this campaign and I'm really proud of the contribution (he's) making." 

 

Strahl confirmed that he has "no involvement" in Clark's or anyone else's campaign 

 

Vancouver Sun (June 11th)

...  Christy Clark’s BC Liberal government has significantly increased the maximum salaries it can pay to its top political staff ... boosts the maximum salary that can be handed to Clark’s Chief of Staff ... can now also make up to $230,000, representing a boost of almost 60 per cent from the position’s previous cap of $144,000. 

 

CKNW 980 on the Bill Good Show with Mike Smyth June 12th):
Finance Minister Mike de Jong is defending surprise Liberal pay increases for political staff, even as his government preaches austerity.  

 

CBC News (June 7th / 2013):
Delta South Independent MLA Vicki Huntington says she is dismayed over the $25 monthly fee charged for wheelchairs or wheelchair cushions. 

Did the BC Liberals win a majority government because they had Christy Clark as their leader? We'll find out soon enough, once the by-election is actually called.

Yes a 'Win For The Ages' for the BC Liberal
Party -- but was it a win for her leadership?

Does Christy Clark deserve a free-pass, in Westside-Kelowna, to get in to the legislature?

I certainly don't think so ... and regardless, two teams are in place who will indeed challenge her ability to be in the legislature as an elected Premier.  And, perhaps even one or two strong independent candidate will also step forward in the days ahead.  

Lots has been written in the news media over the past week and a half ... here is just a snapshot. 

MacLeans (June 5th)
Clark was defeated in her Vancouver-Point Grey riding, where she spent little time as she toured the province. The Liberals were widely expected to get badly pummelled in the vote and the party’s come-from-behind win to increase its number of seats in the legislature is largely attributed to Clark’s campaign skills. 

The Liberals said on election night she sacrificed her own riding to do it, making a byelection necessary. 

Vancouver Province (June 5th)
... said ... that she felt that Kelowna “is a natural political home for me and the values I believe in.”

“This is the cradle of free enterprise,” Clark said, noting that premiers WAC Bennett and his son Bill Bennett represented the people of Kelowna during their long reigns. “Among all the offers that I received from MLAs, this one felt the most natural.”  

BC NDP (June 5th)
We are looking forward to running a strong campaign with an Okanagan candidate against the Premier in Westside-Kelowna. 

The BC NDP will run a candidate with local roots who can offer the people of Kelowna and West Kelowna a strong, local voice in the legislature. 

The local constituency association will choose our candidate and we will be in a position to announce who that is in due course. 

The Armchair Mayor (June 6th)
I’m not one of those who gets all sentimental about Christy Clark “deserving” a seat in the B.C. Legislature ... 

Westside-Kelowna is a strange choice for Clark. She’s from the Coast, after all.

... according to Clark, though, Kelowna is her “natural political home.” Apparently, she’s had an epiphany after all these years. Clark, who lives in Vancouver-Fairview, lost in Vancouver-Point Grey. She is a Lower Mainlander through and through, but suddenly her political heart is in the Interior. 

... this being a democracy, the people should have a say, and she should have to earn her seat. 

If Bill Bennett is standing shoulder to shoulder with her on that fence, it must be quite the balancing act

I am disappointed to see BC Liberal MLA Bill Bennett not only deliberately misleading the people of his region, but elsewhere across the province, with regards to BC Conservative policy on pipelines and the environment (MLA, premier stand 'shoulder to shoulder' on pipeline issue).

In his article, posted in the Kootenay News Advertiser, he states, and I quote:
“ … the NDP categorically oppose pipelines, without even wanting to know the results of an environmental assessment or potential benefits to tax payers. The BC Conservatives categorically support pipelines, no matter the environmental risk and cost and no matter whether BC receives any benefits.”

I am sure he is very well aware that BC Conservative Party policy does not in any way have blanket support of pipelines, and has always stated that any resource development must pass thorough environmental reviews, be of benefit to the province, and have direct benefit to the people within the region of proposed development.

For those interested, here is the text of ARTICLE 7: “Environment” (BC Conservative Policy document)

Can the Liberal brand survive?





The voters of BC do not have a history of being kind to party’s they decide no longer need to be around the BC Legislature.

In 1952, the Liberals and Conservatives were all but wiped out when a new political force in the province, Social Credit, formed a minority government.  That was the beginning of a center right coalition led by WAC Bennett, that lasted until 1972, when they were defeated at the hands of the NDP.

One term under the NDP was enough however for BC voters, and with no other option on the horizon, the Social Credit Party, now under the leadership of WAC’s son, Bill Bennett returned to power.

The final end for the BC Social Credit party came about in the 1991 election however when only 7 members were elected, relegating them to third party status behind the BC Liberals … and the NDP who once again became the government of British Columbia.

I shouldn’t actually have said that 1991 was the end of the party --- in actual fact the nails were driven into the coffin in that election, but it really truly became dead and buried in 1996 when not one member was elected.

BC was finished with the Socreds … the BC Reform Party tried and failed to make inroads … and the BC Liberal Party led by Gordon Campbell became the new home of the centre right.

In this overview, I have neglected to so far mention the trials and tribulations of the Socred, the Liberals, and the NDP under a variety of leaders who ended up resigning from scandals … or being pushed out.  The names of Bill Vander Zalm, Glenn Clark, Mike Harcourt, Gordon Wilson, and others are likely still fresh in our minds however.

The recent departure of Gordon Campbell, leader of the BC Liberal Party is just the latest in this string of names … driven out controversy over BC Rail, the HST, and plummeting polling results not just for him, but the BC Liberal Party itself.

Early last year, members of the BC Liberal Party went into a leadership race that provided them with two clear options; Kevin Falcon… a fiscal and social conservative candidate … or a more left leaning, cut from the mold of the federal Liberal Party, Christy Clark.

What kind of Deputy House Leader was Rich Coleman, if he knowingly let discussions from the BC Liberal caucus be leaked?

BC Liberal Deputy House Leader Rich Coleman

QUESTION:  With friends like this, who needs enemies? 

Shortly after the announcement by Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen, that he was leaving the BC Liberal Party (of which he sat as a member for nearly a decade and a half), Deputy House Leader Rich Coleman took out the knives.

Oh he put on the concerned friend game face, saying how faithful he had been, staying at Van Dongen‘s side during ‘personal’ (?) issues he had gone through in the past.  A story in the Vancouver Sun on March 27 (John van Dongen swaps parties from Christy Clark's Liberals to B.C. Conservative) quoted Coleman saying:

"I've been concerned about John as a friend for some time. He's been struggling with his role in public life and I wasn't particularly overly surprised because I've had lengthy conversations with him about some of his own personal issues."

Then began the criticism of his ‘so-called friend’.   

And why?  Because he had allegedly broken ranks with fellow members of the BC Liberal caucus for saying he could no longer support the direction of the government —and how it was being led.

Abbotsford South MLA
John van Dongen

John van Dogen rose in the legislature to make his announcement, and he had many things to say about his reasons for resigning from the BC Liberal Caucus – here however are the words that stood out as the most important to me:

"There have been other lapses in proper accountability and I expect more to come. When more and more decisions are being made for the wrong reasons, then you have an organization that is heading for failure."

For the first time since Christy Clark took over the reins of the BC Liberal party, a member of her own caucus expressed, in public, what many in BC have been feeling for some time now. 

BC POLITICS --- this week in the news

With the resignation of former Attorney General Barry Penner, Christy Clark now has two by-elections to call in the next few months --- by-elections that John Cummins and the BC Conservatives say they will be in.  There’s news on that … plus much more ... so read on! Remember the full stories can be accessed by clicking the link in the story title.)

Future jobs need planning now

… global economy goes from being a media phrase to something that threatens our jobs … it’s suddenly very real and very personal … and when hope gets lost, fear takes hold. Fear that our future will be bleak. Fear that what we’ve worked for will be lost … leadership and action can trump fear, and cynicism … need to stand together, to work together, and make the changes required … need to face our future not with fear or retreat, but with confidence and advancement on our strengths…

CLBC admits it pushed too hard to get clients out of group homes

… Community Living BC expressed regret for the harm caused and promised that, except in certain circumstances, nobody will be moved against their will in the future … follow recent reversals by CLBC in which it canceled plans to close homes and move residents ... spoken to families and apologized for the agency’s tactics.  “We regret the stress that we caused in their lives and we’re doing what we can to make that a better situation for them,” he said …

Community care crisis demands a resolution

… the crisis in community living has stirred something significant in us, demanding immediate action and decisive leadership.  In many ways it has become the barometer of how we are doing in B.C., striking a fundamental cord chord of justice and fairness….

Elections B.C. wants to pre-register 16- and 17-year-olds for voting

…  elections agency wants to use high school classes to pre-register teens to vote when they turn 18 … presented by chief electoral officer Keith Archer to a committee of MLAs Thursday … attempt to increase voter participation among 18- to 25-year-olds, the age group that's the least likely to vote …

Comments and posts on Facebook this week

Thought I would take a look at some of the comments and postings that I and others have made on my Facebook page in the past several days.  Screening out some of what for me MIGHT be called fluff left the following, which you may or may not find interesting.

Wisdom  / Fortune Cookie type quotes

• Don't ask me why. But once in a while when confronted with self-righteous dullards like Al Gore and their ilk, I have the need to wheel out some ZZ Top 
• You have ONE life. Your expiry date might come early or late. So don't waste time. Live your life and live it well and full. Just be happy! Even if people don't share your joy, don't let them steal it from you!
• The sun reminds us that our own shining truth is never extinguished. Our light shines within us at all times, no matter what else occurs around us. Though the sun gives us daily proof of its existence, sometimes our belief in our own light requires more time

Enough is enough … I'm not going to take this anymore!

I really don't give a rat’s ass if Gordon Campbell gets the Order of BC or not.  Why??  Because whether he is given this award of not, I know that ‘at this moment’ he does not deserve it!

Province newspaper columnist Michael Smyth stated what many of us think, and believe, when he said:
“ Campbell's appointment to the Order of B.C. was rushed with unseemly haste. While the written eligibility rules are fuzzy, the unwritten traditions around these type of recognitions stipulate a waiting period. That's why it took former premier Bill Bennett 21 years to receive his Order of B.C., while other ex-premiers are still waiting … Campbell's appointment was rammed through faster than the HST. The fact that Campbell's ex-deputy, Ken Dobell, who pleaded guilty to illegal lobbying just three years ago, was appointed to the order along with his old boss only makes the timing look worse.”

I do not wish to join the other loud chorus that says. 'he does not deserve it, period'.  That's because I will readily admit that while I TRY to do my best, I often fail miserably … but then I get up and try again to accomplish the things I am trying to do.  I want to think that of others as well … including the man many are at the moment demonizing – Gordon Campbell.

Results of the Carbon Tax??? Well to date NO response has been received

As you will note below, on June 13th I requested information regarding BC's Carbon Tax to ...

Terry Lake (MLA); Bob Simpson (MLA); Kevin Kruger (MLA); Adrian Dix NDP Leader; and Bill Bennett (MLA).  Not receiving a response, I resent the email on June 22nd.

Basically I was simply questioning, and asking, what the actual results have been from BC enacting this tax.  To date NO response has been received from anyone that I contacted regarding this.

Dear Sirs ...

The following email was sent approximately a week and a half ago, however I have not yet had a response. 

Bill Bennett ... the BC Liberal banner in many rural ridings is "like running a race with a bag of cement tied around your waist."

So ... BC Liberal MLA, and former Finance Minister Colin Hansen, says it’s time for his party to change its name. What did he have to say this past weekend in Penticton??

“In the minds of a lot of voters, I think there is a confusion between the federal Liberal Party and the BC Liberal Party, which have no connection at all. And yet, in the minds of a lot of voters, they believe there is a connection.”

According the Hansen, the BC Liberals have no connection to the federal Liberal Party, although as most of us are well aware of, BC Premier and Liberal party leader Christy Clark is very much a federal Liberal supporter.

This Week in BC Politics (Mar 27 - Apr 2)

Leadership races … federal election … April Fools jokes and gags (federal election) … Ferry rates go up -- and Hydro rates go down.  All this and more took place this week in the world of BC politics. 

If you care for a fresher, or to catch up on stories you missed read on … this full stories can be read by clicking the headline link.

Is former BC Liberal energy minister Bennett eyeing jump to the Tories?

Bill Bennett, the independent member of the BC legislature seeking to return to the BC Liberal caucus, is not ruling out a move to the BC Conservative Party. The Kootenay East MLA was infamously fired as energy minister by his cabinet colleagues for

Cummins set to lead B.C. Conservatives
… bid to lead the BC Conservatives has morphed from a leadership race into a likely coronation that party officials say will allow him to focus on preparing the party for a possible provincial …

 

Conspiracies abound ... I think not :)

It is unfortunate and regrettable that some people have to see conspiracies and plots every where.  Such is the case this weekend at BC Blue, a blog by former member of the BC Conservative Party,  Dean Skoreyko.  This blog is much like another one written by someone that appears to stay in the dark and be unnamed in their blog at http://www.bcconservatives.ca/.

Defections from the BC Liberals may be on the horizon in the next few months

Yesterday I was delighted to have the opportunity to listen online to the Bill Good Show, and hear his interview with former Social Credit Premier Rita Johnston. 

For those of you who are not aware, in 1991 she became Canada's first female premier.  She is also a member of the BC Conservative Party's Tactical Advisory Group, which is headed up by former Reform MP Randy White.

While Bill’s interview with her was mainly focused on comparisons between then and now, as Christy Clark takes over the reins of the BC Liberal Party, she was able to comment and get in discussion of the BC Conservatives, and their upcoming leadership race.

I did stick around for the next segment on his show as well, because Bill Good mentioned that he would be having former Liberal, now independent MLA’s Bill Bennett (Kootenay East) and Blair Lekstrom (Peace River South) on with him.

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

Bill Bennett asks, “Is there not a better way for MLA’s to represent their constituents?”

On Tuesday (December 21^st) there was an interview with Kootenay East MLA, Bill Bennett in the Cranbrook Townsman newspaper (http://www.dailytownsman.com/article/20101221/CRANBROOK0101/312219982/a-propitious-time-in-bc-politics-mla-says).

During the interview, which was conducted by Barry Coulter, Bennett indicated he sees an opportunity for positive change to the way politics is conducted in BC in that he said, “…. you could easily end up with something we haven't seen in this province in many decades, which is NDP, BC Liberal, BC Conservative (who Bennett sees as the best organized of the other parties and the furthest ahead in terms of electing members), and one or two BC First Party or BC Heritage Party members.”

He also asked the question a large number of residents, who are becoming increasingly more vocal, have been asking for many years … “Is there not a better way for MLA’s to represent their constituents?”