BC POLITICS … the week that began Feb 11th

This week’s news wrap is going up this morning, and one item is still to be announced, but that we all know will be coming … relief to BC’s construction industry on the HST.

Court backlogs continued to make the news, but political news this week in BC also included the release of yet another report on seniors care … and concerns by the Auditor General around BC forests. 

Now … here’s just a few of the stories that made the news this week …

Political science prof sees by-election win by BC Conservative

Political scientist Hamish Telford is placing his bet — if he were a gambling man — on the BC Conservatives to win the upcoming by-election in Chilliwack-Hope … believes the “odds are stacked” against the BC Liberals holding the riding because of “broad dissatisfaction” among voters with the party’s performance in government …

'Disgusting' court backlog may free hit and run accused  

'My kids don't have a mom,' man says after wife's death ... family of a young mother killed in a hit and run is outraged the case against the alleged driver is among thousands in BC at risk of being thrown out because of a huge court backlog.  “We were told it could possibly get thrown away because of time delay”  … “It’s disgusting. It’s absolutely disgusting.” …

BC by-elections in limbo as Premier's popularity takes a hit

… the Liberals rightly know this by-election will be different … they can’t afford to see a Liberal stronghold slip from their fingers … victory for the BC Conservatives would give the party credibility and possibly its first sitting MLA … win for the NDP would give the New Democrats further motivation as they prepare to ride their current wave of popularity into next year’s general election …

John Cummins’ NDP vote a ‘scare tactic,’ says BC Conservative candidate

John Martin, the BC Conservative candidate in Chilliwack-Hope, said scare tactics are not going to push the riding’s small-c conservatives into voting for the BC Liberal candidate.  “The BC Liberals are trying to make people feel guilty and scared, that they owe them their vote.  They’re not defending their record, but scaring people that they have to vote Liberal or have this prospect of an NDP government.” …

Judge slaps Liberals over court funding

... point is based on a sharply worded judgment by Judge Daniel Steinberg three weeks ago in which he stayed charges against a suspect as a direct payback to the government for under-funding the justice system … the latest in a series of increasingly bitter complaints from the judiciary about how clogged the courts are … while Clark tried last week to buy time with a study of the underlying problems, judgments like Steinberg's are going to put a lot of pressure on her to do something more, and fast …

I for one believe that dollar figure will be one of many things voters will be keeping in mind when they head to the polls to elect a new government.

CKNW in a news story today (February 17) said that some people have told them they ‘aren't happy with the Liberals and their "Family First" initiative.’

They quoted one person who stated:

"I'm a single parent; I've got two kids and I'm trying to support them on a single income.  I'm paying so much tax, it's not even funny. I don't see my tax dollars going towards anything proper."

It is well fine and well to help trades and the construction industry -- and the provincial government is expected sometime later today to be giving relief to them -- but what about families already close to the point of financially breaking, that are being nickeled and dimed on purchases they make for their families, with extra tax imposed on them through the HST?

This includes the fees for organized recreation that helps kids stay healthy ... it includes HST on safety helmets they buy to keep children safe in various recreational activities (hockey, skiing, skate boarding etc) ... it includes the tax on the haircuts children get.

It includes an extra tax on bicycles that people use for both recreation, and in today's greener climate, to get to work ... it’s imposed on some school supplies ... on things to keep families safe in their homes like first aid kits and smoke detectors ...even families, already under stress with the death of a family member, pay extra due to the HST, on the funerals for their loved one who has passed away.