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).

Well this is it … post #500 on the Conservative Thoughts blog

Well this is it … post #500 on the Conservative Thoughts blog.  This blog first went online on December 20^th, 2010 … the first two posts were stories on the Board of Directors for the Kamloops South Thompson Constituency Association … and Kamloops North.  That was a year and a half ago.

Since then, I have written dozens of stories on John Cummins, Christy Clark, and Adrian Dix … along with dozens of stories on the BC Conservative Party, the Liberals, and the NDP.  Rather than look at those stories however, I thought I’d take a quick look though at some of the ‘topics’ that have received the great number of mentions during that time.

Here’s five of the topics that, in looking back, were mentioned and featured the most:

The HST … mentioned in 48 stories … including this one; “Now maybe we have what could be the real reason why it is taking so long to end the HST”

The Carbon Tax … mentioned in 39 stories.  Here’s just one of them; “In my honest opinion this program was poorly thought out, poorly implemented, and it definitely unfairly impacts the people of BC … depending on where they live”

BC Hydro … it was mentioned in 37 stories.  Here’s one you might remember; “BC Hydro used to say, ‘The power belongs to us’. If that’s the case, how come we don’t have a say?”

BC Rail … it was mentioned in 25 stories, generally referring to the Basi / Virk case, as this one did.   “The report Krog and Bond were referring to was just about future indemnity on legal costs”

Health Care … mentioned in 25 stories, including this one with regards to a bathing tub that IHA was shamed into repairing; “And this is something to be proud of?”

Finally, I thought it would interesting to take a fresh look at the ten most read posts, out of the 500 written to date.  Starting with number ten, here they are:

The carbon tax was really nothing more than a tax grab, designed as a phoney green initiative, and the government knew that from the start

The other day I was asked on Twitter what BC Conservatives would do about the Carbon Tax. 

Twitter allows for a limited number of characters to respond, far more that what follows, but basically what I said was … It’s bad for business, bad for people in the interior and north, and it adds to the cost of goods and services.  It has yet to show any benefit.  It is negative, unfair, and with a BC Conservative government it will be gone!

They responded by asking, “How would you make up revenue? It’s a huge amount.”

To which I said … “I thot it was 2B revenue neutral.  4 starters we won't have the PCT giving free$ 2 corps/ org

Again in case a translation is needed here is what that meant:

I thought it was to be revenue neutral?  For starters we won’t have the Pacific Carbon Trust giving free money to corporations and organizations.

I wanted to say more, and using Twitter wasn’t going to work, so the remainder of my reply was sent as a message via Facebook instead. This is what I had to say:

Rather than the BC government trying to convince me / us that the Carbon Tax is reducing our carbon footprint -- they should cancel it and let me keep MY money.  I can then spend it on something I want to purchase, which helps keep people employed and helps creates new jobs.  Because I am spending money I have earned, on real purchases of goods and services, government will get tax revenue via the HST (or soon to be GST / PST).

Chris Delaney just can’t give up on his fight with the BC Conservatives

Stephen Hui is the Web and Technology editor at the Georgia Straight.  Earlier today he posted an article, “Why vote for the B.C. Conservatives in Chilliwack-Hope by-election?”, from Chilliwack Hope BC Conservative Party by-election candidate John Martin, which I made note of on my Facebook page. 

Chris Delaney (L) and political commentator Bill Tieleman (R)

Many of you are aware of Chris Delaney, former leader of the BC Conservative Party.  He is however likely better known as co-leader (along with former Social Credit Premier Bill Vander Zalm) of the Fight HST movement to kill the HST in BC.

Chris quit the party on September 28^th, 2010 saying in part;

I am announcing my resignation today from the BC Conservative Party effective immediately.  The Fight HST campaign has brought out the best in people, but also the worst. While I have spent this past year working to get rid of the HST, the BC Conservative Party has spent its time trying to find ways to keep it.

For reasons I could never understand, and despite the BC Conservative Party having a clear position against the HST, he left as leader.  He then went on to become a member, and spokesperson, of BC First (he has since left the province and moved to Florida to work for EA Sports Tiburon - EA's studio in Orlando).

Sorry for any meandering, however I wanted to be clear Chris Delaney was opposed to the HST, and left the BC Conservative Party because he believed they were changing their position on it.   

This was NOT true.

In fact – he still believes the party has somehow cozied up to the idea that the HST is a good idea – despite the fact that time and time again the BC Conservatives have released statements, and made comments to the media, to the contrary.

Chris Delaney just can’t give up on his fight with the BC Conservatives, and I don’t understand why, as the following exchange he and I had earlier on Facebook shows:

This is Christy Clark's way of, “... tackling complex issues using a common sense approach?"

Premier Christy Clark

At the end of last week, Premier Christy Clark, posted a “First Year Progress Report” on the BC Government Caucus website.  Here is the text of that message:

Dear Fellow British Columbian's,

One year ago this Sunday, I had the honour of being selected your Premier after a close and exciting campaign for the BC Liberal Party leadership.

I re-entered politics for one reason: to make life better for B.C. families. I am happy to report that, through changes large and small, we are making steady and substantial progress towards this goal.

We are doing this with a renewed BC Liberal team and in partnership with British Columbian's. We are tackling complex issues and fixing them by using a common sense approach, rather than throwing your money at them and hoping for the best.

I said I would listen and open up government. This is exactly what we are doing. We are pulling the province together and making sure people have a chance to connect and contribute like never before.

I believe in B.C., and I know that if we stick together, we will win together.

Christy Clark

This is an interesting bit of writing for a number of reasons.   

First, “Yes” Christy Clark was selected to lead the BC Liberal Party – but she has yet to be tested by the electorate in a provincial election, where WE will get to select the party we wish to have govern us.

Second, while I will not dispute that she re-entered politics to make life, as she said, 'better for BC families', how many would be ready to acknowledge she has done so?  Yes maybe in 'small' ways she has made change, which has benefited families --- but how many would say she has done so in large measure?

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.

Would you like to put that number into perspective?

Most rank and file Liberals in BC are probably wishing they didn’t have to watch, or read, news on BC politics.  It's not good; although looking at the smile pasted on Premier Christy Clark's face one would be hard pressed to see she's aware of problems in liberal-land.

CTV News at 6 ran one story after the other last night, which would lead people to wonder how much longer they can continue without running to the medicine cupboard for Extra-Extra-Strength Tylenol.

Let's see ... what kicked things off?   

Well a provincial court judge hammered the Liberal government after having to kick charges against a person who had tried to lure a young teen, for sex, through use of his computer.  This case has been in the system, since his arrest, which was two and a half years ago!

At the moment there are approximately twenty five hundred (2,500) cases in a similar position, of being thrown out for delays that have hit the 18 month mark.  

Would you like to put that number into perspective?  Plus or minus a hundred people or so, it would be the entire population of say a community the size of  Chetwynd ... or Chase ... Elkford ... Lillooet ... Logan Lake ... Pemberton ... Princeton ... Sicamous ... or Tumbler Ridge.

And what did the judge, who had to throw the case out, call the system? 

Abysmal!

Pedophiles --- drug pushers --- people accused of violent assaults.  People charged with these crimes are about to go free because the criminal system in BC is broken, and all the BC Liberal government can do is .......... study it some more.

Do I have to be ‘cranky’ and ‘angry’ to support these principles and goals?

Okay I made a mistake … it wasn’t “cranky old men” that former Reform MP Chuck Strahl said the BC Conservative Party with filled with … here is what he actual said:

“ … adding that the BC Conservative Party is riddled with “cranky ... angry” people who have no credible policies to govern the province.”

This is me (Alan Forseth) -- does this look like the
face of anger and crankiness?

Now I ask, does this look like the face of someone cranky and angry?   Okay I admit I do have a bias – it’s me, and I  obviously do not agree with Chuck Strahl.

Still, for the life of me, I cannot understand why he, along with other Reformers like Preston Manning and Stockwell Day seem to have nothing but glowing comments to make about Christy Clark.

The BC Liberal government, led by Christy Clark, is in many ways everything the Western led reform movement was against – and why it actually came about.   

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane

In the late 1980s and 1990s, federal conservative politics became split by the creation of a new western-based protest party, the populist and social conservative Reform Party of Canada created by Preston Manning

Federal conservatives became split (sound familiar on the provincial level?).  And this was created by who? Preston Manning!  And yet he speaks out against BC Conservatives who are led by a former Reform MP; John Cummins.

BC Politics ... this week

WHAT is happening over at Christy Clark Central??  Staff are coming and going; well actually they mostly seem to be coming… and the cost of staffing and running the Premiers office is soaring. 

Premier Clark -- Is she praying for a miracle?

It seems that many rank and file members of the BC Liberals are wondering if they are on the Titanic or not ... and time will certainly tell – especially if she losses both of the upcoming by-elections, which I predict she will.

Any way … as usual it’s been another busy week on the political front, with many stories that made headlines.  Here are some of the stories that you may have missed, or might like to have a refresher on:

HST will haunt B.C. Liberals until the eve of the next election

… the terms also insisted that if the province abandoned its side of the deal — harmonization — the full amount of the transition funding would have to be paid back … such agreements are common in federal-provincial relations and Ottawa was not about to step onto the slippery slope of letting a province walk away from its obligations …

21st Century Value-Added Forest Industry

… concluded that there is an exciting opportunity for BC in the emerging bioeconomy … potential of this new economy is huge ($170 billion for bioenergy, $200 billion for bioproducts) and BC has some of the best fiber resources to feed it. The job potential of this sector is also great …

Christy Clark replaces her chief of staff

… Flagging in the polls, and with just 16 months to go before the next election, Premier Christy Clark has replaced her chief of staff… In a news release issued before Clark's official announcement Thursday, BC Conservative leader John Cummins attacked the appointment.  "Premier Clark has appointed an Albertan super-lobbyist as her chief of staff," Cummins said in a statement…

IHA too cheap to fix donated tub

… the health authority is charging people for the bathing program, it didn't even pay for the tub in the first place, rather had it donated by the Lions Club . . . surely the IHA could cough up some cash for a new tub and lift to serve that area of Kamloops … but we doubt that will happen…

Laurie Throness has his spin and talking points ready

Laurie Throness seeking Liberal nod

You have to enjoy the politcal wisdom of someone who has been there ... here are the comments of  former MP Jim Hart with regards to the announcement of Laurie Thrones seeking the Liberal nomination for Chilliwack-Hope

Congratulations to Laurie Throness for stepping up for the BC Liberal Party in Chilliwack. 

Laurie is not a small fry when it comes to politics, but he might have bitten off more than he can chew when he calls the actions and policy of the BC Liberal’s as “conservative friendly”.  As a rule, conservatives believe in smaller government, lower taxes, deficit and debt reduction and a strong criminal justice system.   

I defy Mr. Throness to show the voting public where he sees “conservative friendly” policy in the BC Liberal Party history since taking office in 2001. 

The Liberals have increased taxes and made government bigger. British Columbians are still suffering under the HST and the uncertainty caused by Liberal mismanagement on taxation and the economy. Maybe it is the reckless measures such as the carbon tax, and the new 2 cent per litre Lower Mainland gas tax that punish British Columbians every day that Mr. Throness believes to be “conservative friendly?” 

THIS WEEK … in BC Politics

This week’s wrap up of the political news begins with a story that appeared in Thursday’s Globe and Mail entitled … "Patrick Kinsella is the ultimate Mr. Fixit".    

For those not aware, this is the same man with direct and long ties to the BC Liberal Party ... and the sale of BC Rail.

Other past headlines about Mr. Kinsella included --- "Hiring of Kinsella was bad optics, BC Rail trial hears" --- "Kinsella trumpeted insider status to BC Rail, court hears" --- and --- "Court orders some Kinsella records released, but restricts access to others"

The Mr. Fixit story begins with the following paragraph:

“ … Patrick Kinsella, the quintessential insider in B.C. politics, arranged for representatives of a mining company based in Pemberton to meet on Dec. 1 with Premier Christy Clark and Energy Minister Rich Coleman …”

Now, here are some of the other stories that made political news in BC this past week …

Liberals under heavy pressure in two formerly safe Fraser Valley ridings

… both Adrian Dix’s NDP and John Cummins’ Conservatives have already declared their candidates for the ridings of Port-Moody Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope, the Liberals have yet to name their line-up for the contests …

Looking back at the year 2011 – Conservative Thoughts – the Top 10

As I mentioned yesterday, since I began the Conservative Thoughts blog I have written and posted just under 350 articles.  I recently looked to see which ones had interested readers the most this year, and yesterday I posted the ones from #20 to #11 that had most interested you.

Today we’re counting down the stories and articles from ten to #1.  Following each of the headings, which have links to the full story, I will include a brief paragraph or two on what the story was about.

Here we go …

#10 Three points made by the BC Liberal Party are a beautiful display of spin-doctoring  … we begin with a story from early Fall … September 15th

… I have a HUGE smile on my face however because if the BC Liberals have already started this, they are obviously scared of what a common sense campaign of people powered policy is going to do to their "Top Down" style of government. Their first three points are a beautiful display of spin-doctoring starting with the pension issue …

#9 BC Conservatives will not be splitting the vote --- the BC Liberals are driving their supporters away … from May 30^th

… today I was puzzled but what appeared to be an acceptance of the Liberal mantra that that BC Conservatives are going to ‘split the vote’ … if you listen to Christy Clark and her Liberal MLA’s, it seems that their only reason for being, and why people should support them, is because ... “We’re not the NDP” … once believed in government reform by the grassroots … and that accountability, honesty, and responsibility to the voters was paramount …

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”.

Now maybe we have what could be the real reason why it is taking so long to end the HST

It looks like perhaps now we have what could be the reason --- the real reason why it is taking Christy Clark so long to end the HST --- and go back to the previous tax. 

Christy Clark is trying to get a break on paying back the $1.6 billion dollars the BC Liberals took, from the federal government, to implement the HST. 

Here in part is what a Globe and Mail news story had to say today:

.... central to her argument is the notion that by the time it’s repealed, the HST will have been in place in B.C. for two-thirds of the period that was required in the federal-provincial deal which doled out the $1.6-billion....

Read the full story ... BC Premier presses Ottawa for break on HST repayment
... Christy Clark asks Harper government for a discount and a delay on repaying federal funding for soon-to-be-scrapped HST ............

John Cummins is saying and thinking the kinds of things that are resonating with British Columbians

There have been numerous media stories on the latest poll which was conducted by Angus Reid … one of those was in the Vancouver Sun.

Latest Angus-Reid Poll

This story, as has been noted by other media organizations says that, “… the BC Liberals have dropped 12 percentage points since March, when Clark was sworn into office.”

It also indicates that, “In the same seven-or-so-month period, John Cummins' BC Conservatives have gained 13 percentage points, giving the party its highest level of support in recent months.”

Good so far … but here’s the part that I disagree with:

“Benefiting from the right-wing split, the New Democratic Party now enjoys a nine-point lead over the BC Liberals, up considerably from March when Angus Reid found the Liberals to be leading by five percentage points.”

There is NO right-wing split that is benefiting the NDP.  The fact of the matter is that the NDP only gained a paltry 2%.   And why is that important?   It’s important because you should know what the margin of error in this Angus Reid poll is.  The details at the end of their report, which can be found by clicking HERE, says that the sampling variability is +/- 3.5%.

• that means that instead of being up 2%, the NDP could actually be down -1.5% from the last poll. 
• it means the BC Liberals Party could actually be DOWN a FURTHER 3.5%
• and … it means the BC Conservative Party could in fact 3.5% higher

That however is PURE SPECULATION on my part --- and really that is what polls are.   Polls are a brief snapshot for a very specific period of time … and they represent what people felt at that exact moment.

Here’s the real reason why I think this poll is important however.  There have now been 4 consecutive polls conducted by the Mustel and by Angus Reid --- ALL OF THEM have shown the BC Conservative Party climbing in support.

Can't Trust Dix -- Perhaps. But we do know we CAN'T trust the BC Liberals.

My what a surprise --- we have more attack ads from the BC Liberals -- who as many are well aware would have a very hard time standing on their own record. 
 
After all, let's just have a quick reminder as we take a trip down memory lane ... the HST ... the sale of BC Rail ... huge pensions for government execs ... bigger and bigger government debt ... the Basi - Virk trial ... etc).  

Christy Clark's BC Liberals are steadily losing support, and continuing to attack others with misleading facts and figures.  Regrettably, this will only result in a public that thinks, and cares, even less of the whole political system. 

Shame on you Christy!!

Click HERE for the latest attack campaign from the BC Liberals.

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? 

The province simply can’t afford to have your BC Liberals in office for one more term

WOW … I honestly have to say I cannot believe the BC Liberal Party.  Adrian Dix, leader of the BC NDP was here in Kamloops Wednesday, and of course they have some pretty interesting ideas about taxation.

What got me though was the out and out continuous baffle goop that the Liberals put forward to us.  It’s as if they believe if they tell the same crap often enough, people are going to believe it.

Before I continue though, here is that media release from the BC Liberals – the highlighted areas in bold have been noted by me

October 12th -- THE TAXMAN COMETH

KAMLOOPS – Adrian Dix, the chief architect of the 1990’s NDP government, is in town and it’s time for him to be honest about his plan to recklessly raise taxes to pay for pet projects and reward his public sector union bosses.

This is a government that, after the next provincial election, will be replaced by John Cummins and the BC Conservatives.

It’s back to work today at the legislature in Victoria; today begins the 4th session of the 39th Parliament.  The first session of the 39^th Parliament began on August 25^th, 2009 , over two years ago, with a Speech from the Throne by Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Stephen L. Point.  Here are a few points from that throne speech:

Former BC Premier
Gordon Campbell

As British Columbia endures its worst recession in 27 years, many are worried about their economic future. Families worry about their prospects. Government shares their concerns. It will dedicate its efforts to improving B.C. families' prospects and economic circumstances. It will not happen overnight and it will not be easy, but government will work tirelessly, so B.C. comes out of this economic maelstrom stronger.  The pace, depth and scope of the economic crisis surpassed expectations.

The BC Liberal government of the day, led by then Premier Gordon Campbell, knew full well the economy of the province was not on its best footing, still the BC Liberals have continued to increase debt and deficit --- WHY???

The government committed to work to make B.C. more competitive, reduce barriers to the economy and protect core public services.

Remember now, this is from a speech given two years ago.  But, does anyone recall part of Christy Clarks big job growth announcement from a couple weeks ago??   I’m pretty sure I recall that she just re-announced the very same thing --- WHY???