REMINDER to BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong: Moody's examines budget projections ... BUT do not verify them as balanced ... or not balanced

'Let me make this perfectly clear ...'

So BC Liberal Finance Minister Mike de Jong says that Moody's assessment concludes that BC's debt remains manageable during the CURRENT low interest-rate environment. 

Lets take a look at what Jordan Bateman (British Columbia Director, Canadian TaxpayersFederation) has had to say however ... and I quote:
"By the end of the 2012-13 budget year, it will hit $57.6 billion. And in 2015, it will rise to $66.4 billion --DESPITE two years of planned surplus budgets."

So what happens WHEN (not if) interest rates go higher?

Mike de Jong also stated today that BC taxpayers 'will pay lower interest rates' ... but NOTHING could be further from the truth.

We will continue to pay the 'going rate'! 

That means the resources of government will be reduced, by nearly $7 million EVERY DAY, for debt service costs (interest the government pays on roughly $60 billion in debt).

Again ... that's $7 million EVERY DAY just to make the interest payments on that debt. 

That's $7 million EVERY DAY that could and should be going to provide from line services in health, education, senior care and more.

And that interest payment ($7 million a day) is before this BC Liberal government even begins to start reducing the debt; something which they have been unable to do year after year.  And just to be clear, the Liberal government of BC has not even had a balanced budget since 2006! 

I think perhaps it would be wise to mention two more things ... one from a Ministry of Finance news release sent out today ... and the other from a CBC "Reality Check" with regards to what Moody's really says.

First , the news release from the Ministry of Finance makes the claim that:
"Moody’s Aaa rating confirmation follows the first quarterly report, issued Sept. 10, 2013, which confirmed that B.C. is on track to balance the 2013-14 budget."

Now to the CBC Reality Check which quoted Helmut Pastrick, the chief economist of Central One Credit Union who said:
" ... Moody's and other credit rating agencies examine budget projections, but do not verify them as balanced or not balanced."

So Mike ... but there's no thanks coming your way from me ... only wonderings why you continue to misrepresent the truth of BC finances (debt and interest), how credit rating agencies work, and how much we really pay for the overspending by consecutive governments from the NDP, right down through the BC Liberals.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.

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. 

Lights, Camera's, Action - the next moves are now underway for BC Premier Christy Clark

YES ... today is the day, and we will see what the face of the next BC Liberal cabinet looks like.  Most people fully expect that Kamloops North Thompson MLA Terry lake will return to the role of Environment Minister. 

We'll find out soon, and we will get a good idea of the direction she plans to take with the faces that return to cabinet -- and those who are left out.

One thing is almost a sure bet, and I was reminded of it by Kamloops Armchair Mayor, Mel Rothenburger:

Lights, camera's, action - the next moves are
now underway for BC Premier Christy Clark

Ralph Sultan, who won re-election in West Vancouver-Capilano by the biggest margin of any Liberal, was quoted by CBC shortly after election night that he would not voluntarily give up his seat for Clark. It will be interesting to see if Sultan’s name comes up on the list of cabinet ministers that will be announced Friday.

A news story on the CBC also states that:

Veteran politicians Shirley Bond, Rich Coleman and Mike de Jong can expect to remain in cabinet, while newcomers like former RCMP Insp. Amrik Virk and Langley Mayor Peter Fassbender are strong contenders.

Other potential cabinet ministers among the newly elected Liberals are paralympic champion Michelle Stilwell, former deputy minister Andrew Wilkinson and Richmond businesswoman Teresa Wat.

Stay tuned; we'll hear who is in, and who is out, when the new cabinet is announced early this afternoon.

One thing we know for sure, unless Christy Clark wins that by-election (to be held in Westside Kelowna), she won't be joining them in the legislature in July.  There is of course every expectation she will, but there's no guarantee.

One thing that WILL be on the minds, of at least a few voters in Kelowna, will be the fact that the Liberals already have a majority government. 

If the party actually won the May 14th provincial election, in spite of Christy Clark, then voters in Kelowna will certainly have no fear of electing any candidate, on the ballot, who they feel will best represent them.

Interesting times indeed.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.


FOLLOW-UP:
The cabinet announcement from Premier Christy Clark will be live-streamed on the BC government Newsroom website beginning at 2pm today at http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2013/06/webcast-naming-of-british-columbias-new-executive-council.html


FOLLOW-UP TO THE FOLLOW-UP ... here is the new cabinet, as announced today by BC Prenmier Christy Clark.  It includes BOTH Kamloops MLA's with Terry Lake moving into Health ... and Todd Stone into Transportation:

• Deputy Premier / Minister for Natural Gas / Housing ... Rich Coleman
• Finance Minister ... Mike de Jong
• Forests, Lands & Natural Resources Minister ... Steve Thomson
• Health Minister ... Terry Lake
• Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation Minister ... John Rustad
• Education Minister ... Peter Fassbender
• Advanced Education Minister ... Amrik Virk
• Transportation and Infrastructure Minister ... Todd Stone
• Social Development Minister ... Don McRea
• Technology & Citizen Services Minister ... Andrew Wilkinson
• Children & Families Minister ... Stephanie Cadieux
• Energy & Mines Minister / Minister Responsible for Core Review ... Bill Bennett
• Community Sport & Cultural Development Minister ... Coralee Oakes
• International Trade & Asia Pacific Strategy / Multiculturalism Minister ... Theresa Wats
• Justice Minister & Attorney General ... Suzanne Anton
• Jobs, Tourism, & Skills Training Minister / Minister Responsible for Labour ... Shirley Bond
• Environment Minister ... Mary Polak
• Agriculture Minister ... Pat Pimm
• Small Business & Tourism Minister ... Naomi Yamamoto

My Math teachers would have given Christy Clark, and BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong, a FAILING grade

Any of my math teachers from my school days would heartily agree math was never my strong suit. Despite that, I love math, I stuck with it, and today most would say I know my way around a calculator :)

That's why I find the BC Liberal version of a balanced budget to be interesting.  It's one I'm sure my Math teachers, in my hometown of Williams Lake, would be giving Christy Clark, and BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong, a FAILING grade on.

Christy Clark and the BC Liberals can say what ever they want about their so-called balanced budget -- but how do they explain CONTINUED excessive growth of BC's provincial debt?

The following is directly from page 35 of the "Budget 2013 - Province of British Columbia" ... Budget and Fiscal Plan 2013/14 -- 2015/16 ... dated February 19th, 2013.  

Total provincial debt:
2012 / 13 = $56,111 Billion (revised -- again)
2013 / 14 = $62,689 Billion
2014 / 15 = $66,548 Billion
2015 / 16 = $69,428 Billion

Part of this so-called balanced budget form 2013 / 14 also involves a bit a financial slight of hand as well. It involves MOVING $150 million of spending, that should be accounted for in this years budget, over the the 2012 / 13 budget.

And don't forget as well the fire sale of taxpayer owned property and structural assets -- that amounts to another slight of hand amounting to $800+ million

And all of that before tacking on an increase to personal income taxes, and increased costs to  Families (Pay) First with a new rate increase for the Medical Services Plan.

Now I understand why I had so much trouble with math in school -- there are no absolute in rules for adding and subtraction -- you make them up as you go.

The late Premier W.A.C. Bennett said the NDP couldn't manage a peanut stand ... well in looking through the 2013/14 Budget document, it appears neither can the BC Liberals

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

Ever vigilant to comments I make on social media, about his government, Kamloops South BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger was there to respond

BC Premier Christy Clark - Families First?

With regards to the pathetically partisan / self congratulatory advertising the BC Liberal government is running, using $15 million of our tax dollars. While the following, from the Competition Act applies to businesses only, it is the spirit of what is written in to the act that is of interest to me.  It is also something the BC Liberal Party brass has never given a second thought, or concern about.

False or Misleading Representations:
The Competition Act provides criminal and civil regimes to address false or misleading representations. Section 52 of the Act is a criminal provision.

It prohibits knowingly or recklessly making, or permitting the making of, a representation to the public, in any form whatever, that is false or misleading in a material respect.

I wonder if they have ALSO read this section?

False or Misleading Representations:
Paragraph 74.01(1)(a) of the Act is a civil provision. It prohibits the making, or the permitting of the making, of a representation to the public, in any form whatever, that is false or misleading in a material respect.

Ever vigilant to comments I make on social media, about his government, Kamloops South BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger was there to respond:

Kevin Krueger:  Have you been to the web-site which the ads refer job-seekers to? Probably not. Do you know or care that the B.C. Liberals have built an economy which has added hundreds of thousands of jobs for British Columbians? Or that we have vastly ramped up skills training in B.C.?

Alan Forseth:  Yes I have actually been there Kevin --- and there is much self-congratulatory rhetoric there ... along with of course useful and helpful information.

Where I have the biggest issue is the out and out lies being told about the fiscal record of this current government --- its tax policies that have negatively impacted and affected middle-class families struggling to make ends meet -- and the impossibility (given ever-rising annual deficits) that it can possibly deliver a balanced budget next year.

This has been the worst partisan advertising -- rivaling even that done by the NDP in the dying days of their government -- and to ad insult to injury, its is we that taxpayers who are funding this BS advertising.

Shame on your government!

Kevin Krueger: Your continual disparaging of British Columbia's economic success is false and destructive. Name a non-socialist economist in Canada who agrees with you! We have the lowest income taxes in Canada, and with Alberta, the most robust economy in the country, which is world-leading. Ontario is running a $14 billion deficit this year; B.C.'s deficit will be eliminated on March 31. Most western countries are running deficits, Al. You should stop your fear mongering and deception.

Alan Forseth:  On this we will just have to agree to disagree Kevin ...

I am part of the shrinking middle class that continues to see nothing but increased government costs whittling away at resources that should instead be used for not just necessities, but even a little entertainment and relaxation. Those things, for low and middle class British Columbian's, are getting harder and harder to do, under the BC Liberal watch.

No accountability --- No integrity -- NO THANKS Christy!

The BC Liberal Abbotsford South riding association board resigned a few weeks back, saying the democratic selection for a candidate has been circumvented due to manipulation by those in the backrooms of the BC Liberal Party.

Former BC Liberal candidate hoperful Moe Gill

The BC Liberal party had wanted to have Darryl Plecas acclaimed as the parties candidate, despite the fact the Moe Gill had been seeking the nomination. The party won out and the democratic process, of riding members selecting their own candidate, was circumvented.

Now I see, via Vaughn Palmer, that we will be enjoying a sequel to the original story ... stayed tuned for "Moe Gill's revenge". 

Gill has announced he plans to run as independent against Mike de Jong, his former political mentor, in Abbotsford West. Again according to Vaughn Palmer, Mike De Jong had encouraged Gill to run against John van Dongen, but then didn't help Gill when party brass blocked him for getting the Abbotsford South nomination. 

You can read more here if you like in this November 23rd story from the Globe and Mail; "Dirty game of politics gets dirtier with BC nomination"  CLICK HERE
 
This isn't the first time the backrooms of the BC Liberal Party have manipulated things ... or will it be the last ... as this story from the Richmond Review shows: "Gary Law upset Liberals cancelled nomination meeting"  CLICK HERE



Former BC Liberal vandidate hopeful Gary Law

Law said he was upset and shocked by the Liberal Party's announcement on Wednesday that it was cancelling an upcoming nomination meeting, and instead bringing an outside candidate into Richmond to vie to become the next MLA for Richmond Centre, and replace the soon-to-retire Rob Howard. 

"Most of the people in the community know that I have a heart to serve individual groups and also organizations within the community," Law said, adding he hoped to devote himself fully to serve the community by running for office. 

Right now at least, it seems the Christy Clark BC Liberals are not a party that believes in anything but desperately attempting to cling to power.  It certainly does not believe in upholding the democratic process; instead they have shown themselves to be heavy handed (as shown by over-ruling their own constituency associations). 

No accountability --- No integrity -- NO THANKS Christy!  Of course I am partisan ... but honestly, can you say this is a party worthy of receiving the support of British Columbians?  

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts on one conservative.

Questions -- Questions -- and MORE QUESTIONS about BC Liberal MLA Eric Foster, and the decision NOT to reappoint Auditor General John Doyle

Here's what Victoria Times Colonist writer Les Leyne says, "Liberal MLA Eric Foster is clear on one point — he had no idea while sitting in judgment on auditor general John Doyle’s fate that Doyle’s team had rapped his office earlier for not submitting receipts for a constituency-office renovation." 

OH REALLY??

Eric Foster’s Constituency office in Vernon seems to be pretty basic and very small -- as you can see from this screen shot of Google street level.  Now I'm no carpenter, but one would think that $78,000, or is it $67,000, would practically build a brand new building of this type. 

That's probably one reason why Auditor General John Doyle's office sent up red flags, and:

" ... questioned a $78,000 bill for renovations in Foster’s constituency office in 2009 that was “paid without an appropriate level of review for reasonableness and without adequate supporting documentation,” said the letter.  Foster’s staff only provided a spreadsheet showing $67,000 in work, without invoices or details, auditors noted."

It would seem that Eric is acting like a cornered rat, and acting on the old adage that the best defense is a good offense as we can see in a Globe and Mail story; "MLA Eric Foster demands probe into audit leak"

It is interesting (sadly perhaps) that he’s claiming the renovation expenditures are a “non-issue.”

Maybe that's also why Finance Minister Mike de Jong offered a boat anchor to his caucus colleague.  This news story from the Globe and Mail also says the De Jong had;

... little sympathy, saying the public should have access to details of how MLAs spend public money. “I have long spoken for the need for more transparency and increased public accountability for the dollars that are spent by MLAs and cabinet ministers,”

Again ... Liberal MLA Eric Fosters claims the renovation expenditures are a “non-issue.” 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? 

He certainly hasn’t substantiated that beyond a sloppy spreadsheet.  According to Les Leyne’s second op-ed, “sources say” that receipts were eventually submitted, but I’d sure like to see them.  I think BC voters also deserve to see them.

Whatever Kevin (Krueger) thinks, many are INDEED concerned with the downgrade ... and much has been written about it by mainstream media

Kamloops South Thompson BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger

For some reason, my friend Kevin Krueger (and Kamloops South Thompson BC Liberal MLA) keeps insisting that all is well with the provinces finances, that they have a handle on the annual and ongoing budget deficits ... and that we should have no concerns about the doubling of debt.

I ... and many others ... would beg to differ.

Kevin on the other hand has gone so far as to say, and I quote:
The BC Conservatives have never done a positive thing for B.C. I have yet to see an apology from John Cummins for the lie he published about BC's Triple A credit rating; we still have it; it is the highest rating in the world, and our interest rates are COMPLETELY UNAFFECTED by Moody's debt warning. All the BCC's have ever accomplished is to elect NDP MLA's.

For starters I MUST remind Kevin that the BC Conservative Party has really only come back to the forefront of BC politics in the past 2 years -- so we have actually played NO role in NDP MLA's being elected.

Those reading Kevin's comments may or may not agree with him -- its up to you. That said, BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins was quite clear in his thoughts on the downgrade of BC's credit rating by Moody's:

“Shocking” was the response last evening from John Cummins, leader of the BC Conservatives, as Moody’s Investor Service downgraded British Columbia’s credit rating to Aaa negative.  “BC’s debt is rapidly rising, even as our economic growth is dramatically slowing.  Meanwhile, the BC Liberals are spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on feel-good, pre-election advertising in the hope they can mask British Columbia’s deteriorating fiscal problems.”

The Moody’s down-grade of B.C.’s debt was accompanied by a sober assessment of the province’s economic and fiscal position.

1) The province’s net debt has grown from “roughly” 65 per cent of revenues in 2008, to 82 per cent in the current fiscal year. That number is expected to grow to approximately” 94 per cent by 2014 / 2015.

2) The fiscal deficit for 2012/13 is forecast to grow by at least 50 per cent (from less than $1.0 billion, to nearly $1.5 billion) – or 3.5 per cent of revenues

3) BC’s economic growth is slowing (according to B.C.’s Economic Forecast Council), to an expected 2.1 per cent in 2012, and 2.2 per cent in 2013.

“B.C.’s total debt will double in just over a decade under the BC Liberals from $33.8 billion, to $66.4 billion,” said Cummins.  “Now, as a result of the credit down-grade, our borrowing costs will rise ever higher. Even though the BC Liberals claim to be superb economic and fiscal managers, the evidence clearly proves otherwise.”

Well of course my Liberal friend Kevin wasn't going to see eye-to-eye on that assessment.  His retort was that:

Meantime back at 'more of the same', on the other side of the same street ...

It's amazing to me, that we currently have approximately 50% of the population, considering placing their vote with the NDP. No one seems to know what the party stands for -- there really has been NO policy announced of any kind.

Well actually they stand on the side of NO resource development (so how do you get good union paying jobs created with that as your policy?) 

Oh and they want to increase the tax on business.  While that sounds good for the righteous folks that blame business for all the ills of the world, at least a few people know what the result will be.

That tax increase will of course get passed to each of us in higher prices we'll end up paying for the good and services we purchase.  Things like the food we buy ... the clothes our children need ... electronics ... building supplies for home renovations and building projects ... the list goes on and on.

That tax will of course also stifle job creation!

Now today comes this news storyfrom the Provinces newspaper:
"Unions across BC are in "extensive" pre-election talks WITH the NDP, and the party's labour platform is being developed WITH the BC Federation of Labour."

Reality Check.

For those who are NOT staunch NDP supporters, is this REALLY a party you want to consider casting a vote for?

Meantime back at more of the same, on the other side of the same street, comes this news:

Just recently from Finance Minister Mike de Jong comes these words: “There is virtually no room for any kind of big-time pre-election spending extravaganza”

A story in the Globe and Mail however provides this information of how realistic spending restraint, Liberal style, really is:

Jobs Minister Pat Bell didn’t get the memo ... spending $11-million this year telling people, AGAIN, that his government has a jobs strategy ...

Ben Stewart, Minister of Citizens Services ... spending $1.5-million on Family Day celebrations just a few weeks ahead of the next provincial election ...

Premier Christy Clark appointed a cadre of communications people to her office ... amid a government hiring freeze it sends a discordant message about her government’s priorities ...

I was confused, and maybe you are too, with how Christy Clark and the BC Liberals define, "There is virtually no room for any kind of big-time pre-election spending extravaganza" until a friend offered this clarity to those words:

You are missing the operative words 'virtually' and 'extravaganza'. It's why Bill Clinton spent so much time defining the word 'is'. Let me see if I can fix this for you:

"There is virtually no room for any kind of big-time pre-election spending extravaganza. That's why we're only spending money on those things which will buy us votes, with a billion here and a billion there. Certainly not an extravaganza ..."

REAL change, common sense change is what the BC Conservative Party is offering ... and they are laying out their policy and platform for all to see.

The choice is becoming clearer and clearer:

1. more of the same (BC Liberals)
2. the other side of the same street (BC NDP)
3. smaller government resulting in more liberty and personal property rights, the encouragement of new enterprise and individual achievement striving towards excellence and prosperity (BC Conservative Party)

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... with the thoughts of one conservative ... the floor is now open to you.

I can only read this as being part of a desperate ploy, by a faltering and failing Liberal government

CALL ME CYNICAL … but …

The long-awaited Kamloops Trades and Technology School, proposed for Nor-Kam Secondary, has finally received news it has received the $6.3 million needed to get the project underway.

Just days ago however, a Kamloops Daily News story detailing monies being handed out in the province, stated:
“ … Kamloops was not mentioned, which outraged trustees, who say they've done everything in their power to get money from the province.  "It's insane. There's been no capital money for Kamloops ever," said school board chair Denise Harper. "What message is she (Clark) sending to the constituents of this riding?"

This announcement, made today by Liberal MLA Terry Lake, is the first capital funding coming in to the Kamloops area in over a decade.

So here’s my question --- is this announcement about money to a project that will now get off the drawing board.  Will we actually see shovels in the ground, preparing and building a facility for students to attend next September?

OR … is it a promise of money forthcoming, at some point down the road.  There’s the cynical part.

I can only read this as being part of a desperate ploy, by a faltering and failing Liberal government, trying to buy the votes of people in Kamloops.  

BUT ... there is no money to shovel off the back of a truck because the cupboard is bare!

Christy Clark knows that … Terry Lake knows that … and so does the current BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong.  A Globe and Mail story from September 13 said:

With collapsing resource revenues threatening his target to close a billion-dollar budget gap by next spring, B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong is looking at a limited number of options – none of them especially appealing for a government that must go to the polls in May.

At a fiscal update on Thursday, Mr. de Jong pledged to “fight tooth and nail” to balance the budget for the coming year. But he also announced that natural-gas prices have dropped dramatically, sinking the province deeper into deficit in the current budget cycle. To move from a $1.14-billion deficit this year to surplus next year, the province needs to boost revenues while keeping a tight lid on spending.

In another news story, this time in the Victoria Times Colonist:
 … government projected a $925-million deficit for its 2011-12 budget … but British Columbia's auditor-general, John Doyle, took a different view of the province's books, saying the deficit number should be much larger….

Again I say … there is no money to shovel off the back of a truck because the cupboard is bare!

Given their own track record, hardly a peep can be heard from the NDP

Yesterday, BC Conservative Party Leader John Cummins asked, “Why is it so difficult for the BC Liberals to be truthful about the province’s finances?”

He asked that after Finance Minister Mike de Jong released BC’s first quarterly report for the budget year 2012/13.

Is this the government plan --- 'we'll just write it off'

A media report from the BC Conservative Party also stated that:

Cummins noted that the BC Liberals have a long history of deception and deceit regarding British Columbia’s finances.

This history of deception however goes back a lot longer than the BC Liberals time in office, and as one person I know said; “sadly...most people just do not want to know.”

This is nothing new --- and nothing recent for that matter. 

Regrettably I found that to be true when I ran for the BC Reform Party in the 1996 provincial election ... and sadly nothing seems to have changed since then.

Too many people only want to hear the sky is 'blue', even if there's storm clouds roaring in, and howling winds right behind.

I’m going to toss some numbers out ( your eyes will now glaze over) on BC’s provincial debt.  These are numbers that I would guess no more than five or ten percent of the population are even aware of:

• when the NDP took power in '91 the provincial debt was $17.26 Billion
• when the BC Liberals took power in 2001 the provincial debt had hit $24.9 Billion
• by 2011 the Liberals had taken the debt to $45 Billion
• and for 2014/15 the Ministry of Finance has projected that provincial debt will exceed $66 BILLION

Why is there no word on re-payment of these fees? It seems to me that should have been something that was addressed

Today Mike de Jong, Minister of Health, issued a statement regarding the Medical Services Commission audit of the Cambie Surgeries Corporation and the Specialist Referral Clinic.

Here is the statement he made just a short time ago:

“Today the Medical Services Commission released an audit of Cambie Surgeries Corporation and the Specialist Referral Clinic (Vancouver) Inc. which indicated a practice of billing patients for publicly insured medical services.

“I understand that the commission has indicated that should the practice of billing patients for publicly insured medical services not cease, a court-ordered injunction will be sought.

“The Medical Services Commission has a legislative mandate to independently enforce the provisions of the Medicare Protection Act, which ensures matters are delivered in a manner consistent with the Canada Health Act.

“The Medicare Protection Act is designed to preserve a publicly managed and fiscally sustainable health-care system for British Columbia, in which access to medical care is based on need and not an individual’s ability to pay.

“Today’s announcement by the Medical Services Commission is consistent with its responsibilities under the Medicare Protection Act.”

This statement, as well as news released earlier today however, still doesn't say anything about the fee's they illegally charged, being returned to patients.

Hopefully these long awaited changes can bring about real positive change for BC’s seniors. It’s been twenty years coming!

The news today has been full of stories on the new Seniors Action Plan to be implemented by the BC Government.  A story in the Globe and Mail stated: Advocate

Health Minister Mike de Jong outlined a series of tragic incidents involving senior care in British Columbia in recent years, assuring families that he's heard them and promising fundamental changes Tuesday.

Mr. De Jong mentioned the elderly Sidney man forced to fight to win back the thousands of dollars he deposited with a care home for his wife who died before she moved in.

He spoke about the Penticton couple, together for 60 years, who were separated due to their differing health needs.

He mentioned the North Vancouver man with dementia who choked to death while being fed by a caregiver, and “the situation confronted by a 71-year-old man found weighing 59 pounds in a Penticton motel.”

Punishing residents in the interior, is NOT a decision that will help BC families

News has been released that the Interior Health Authority (IHA) will end up with less funding this year … in fact the amount is substantial … three point four million dollars.

The reason??  

Management of the Interior Health Authority has been unable to ensure hospitals, in its jurisdiction, provide needed patient service, within a reasonable amount of time, for hip, knee and cataract surgeries.

I think most people would agree it should be the job of those in management, to ensure that health care services are provided with no long or undue delays.   

If management is unable to ensure this happens, then it should be THEIR salaries that get clawed back, by the Health Ministry.

Health care delays hurt --- they hurt real people

Yesterday I posted about the thousands of news stories that have been written about BC medical system … and the systemic delays in care in emergency wards.   

I also mentioned that in the middle of writing that piece, I received a telephone call from a friend that has personal experience with the system.

Their story is one that caused me to go through a wide range of emotions, emotions which ended in anger … anger in wonderment at how one of the worlds best medical systems could get to this point.

I have asked to share their story, and they agreed … here it is in part:

3 years I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. The third neurosurgeon gave me hope, and said my operation was to be in the fall, meaning October, or November 2011.

That date has come and gone

This operation is needed to relieve the nerves that affect my legs.  The nerves are severely pinched to such an extent that my legs feel like they are on fire and I just writhe in pain. My quality of life has got to the point where must days I can only go from my bedroom to the living room couch, where I stay until I return to go to bed in the evening.  Like I mentioned this is no quality of life. 

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?

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. 

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. 

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 …