There was a sense and feeling that something had begun, and was growing

Saturday afternoon (March 31, 2012) members of the Kamloops North Thompson BC Conservative Party Constituency Association, gathered at the Rayleigh Elementary School.  On tap was the business of electing a new board and executive.

But much more than that happened at that meeting -- there was a sense and feeling that something had begun, and was growing.

I listened to the comments of people there as they discussed, with one and other, the growth of the party – how more and more there was talk of the BC Conservatives in the news – and of course the move of long-time Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen to the party.

Party brochures were picked up and discussed, then many went back to pick up more to take with them.  The membership table was also busy as several people from within the riding took out memberships – two for the first time in ANY political party.

Guest Speaker, Wayne McGrath, former
BC Conservative Party President

I was delighted to have the opportunity as Regional Director for the party for this area, to welcome and introduce to members, the former party president and guest speaker, Wayne McGrath.  Wayne had much to say about the growth of the party during the past year, and it was an encouragement to members who were there.

Here are a few of the comments he made on Saturday:

Today, voters are frustrated and angry.  In the last provincial election (2009), 48% of the eligible voters did NOT vote.  As the lesser of 2 evils, many conservatives voted Liberal since there were only 24 Conservative candidates. Some voters were so angry at the Liberals, they actually voted NDP.

Most British Columbians are actually conservatives.  In the 2011 federal election, that fact was clearly demonstrated.  Liberals were a distant 3rd behind the Conservatives (1st) and the NDP.

"Hello" from Surrey

It's 9:08am and I am now in Surrey --- bright eyed (yah right) and bushy tailed.  This morning came WAY too early (4:55am) but after several cups of coffee and some tunes on the radio I am here for the BC Conservative Party Special General meeting.

This morning will see us approving the party Principles, and the Contract with British Columbia.  After much hard work the parties policy document (20 pages) has been put together and we will be looking at, and discussing that as well.

Just before lunch we will have the opportunity to have a guest speaker; Maureen Bader (former Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation).  Then ...lunch --- thank goodness as I have not had lunch yet.

After lunch we'll hear from Hamish Marshal on the state of the election readiness ... and we'll be electing John Cummins as our party leader!

Well Wayne McMath has started the meeting so time to focus, and I'll be back with more later.

In Surrey (not Kamloops), I'm Alan Forseth.

BC Conservatives to hold Leadership Convention and Special General Meeting

If you are a member of the BC Conservative Party, you have hopefully received the following notification that went out yesterday from BC Conservative Party President, Wayne McGrath.

As a member of the BC Conservative Party, you are cordially invited and strongly encouraged to attend the Leadership Convention which will acclaim John Cummins as the new Leader of the Party. The attached link Registration Form provides the details of this Convention which will be held in Surrey on May 28, 2011. You may also register online at www.bcconservative.ca.

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

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

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

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

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

Stockwell … remember the early days of the Reform Party, what they stood for, and why they came about

Conservative MP
Stockwell Day

In the late 80's I heard about this group of people wanting to see change in Canadian politics -- I found out they were part of a group of people called the Reform Party.  After looking into what they believed and stood for, I became a member of what was developing as a grassroots political party.  I have followed the transition through the Alliance Party, and through to the Conservative Party and have continued my support, although currently I am not a member of the federal Conservative Party.

Back all those years ago the Reform Party would have died on the vine if supporters with vision like Preston Manning, had not said, this party needs to be there for Canadians, and this party can and will bring about change.  Vote splitting was no less a concern then, and yet the early first members, and those who ran to be Members of Parliament (MP's), became part of the process to see government done differently.

BC Politics … week of Feb 13th, 2011

Well this week we saw three candidates (2 Liberal and one NDP) drop out of the races to lead their parties … a Throne Speech and Budget delivered that mean nothing as a new premier will be elected next weekend by the BC Liberals … more on Basi Virk / BC Rail and a multitude of other stories. 

As usual, I have tried to stick with one perhaps you may have missed, or that offer another side or viewpoint.  Regardless, take a minute to click the link in each headline and read on for the political stories that made the news this week in BC.

MLAs back after 256-day break -for four days
BC politicians return to work at the legislature Monday for a bizarre one week session that includes a …

“Promises, promises ... that's all I ever get”

I don't know whether to laugh or cry each day as I listen to the candidates seeking the leadership of the BC Liberal Party.  Family Day ... 16 year old voters ... more consultation with voters ... raising the minimum wage ... family friendly policies … and on and on it goes.

I was going to write something on this; however two great editorials have been written and so instead I would like to direct you to what they have already said this week. First of all, from Gary Mason of the Globe and Mail ...

BC Liberal leadership race suffering from vision vacuum

British Columbians are ecstatic these days. The candidates running for the leadership of the governing Liberal Party are vowing to get rid of hated taxes and add more holidays. They’re vowing to bring the public inside cabinet, consult with it like never before.

Pretty soon, BC truly will be “The best place on Earth,” just like its tourism motto says.

If elected, George Abbott will hold “regional caucus meetings,” “telephone town halls” and regular “accountability sessions” with voters. Mike de Jong has vowed a “leadership roundtable” to solicit the views of municipal and regional district leaders. The maxim of Kevin Falcon’s campaign is “listen, learn, lead.”

Christy Clark has promised to hold 12 town-hall meetings with British Columbians in her first year in office and share information with the public as “soon as problems are identified.” (Love that one). Moira Stillwell, meantime, has also promised to bring British Columbians into the decision-making process and add greater transparency to the workings of government.

It all sounds so wonderful, doesn’t it? And sadly predictable and unoriginal ...................

Then from Brian Hutchison at the National Post comes a response to George Abbotts strange campaign slogan of “The People are coming” ... along with a reminder of the many things that have sent the BC Liberal Party reeling in recent months ...

Leadership of the BC Conservatives and Policy Development

As mentioned on this blog last Thursday, the BC Conservative Party will be holding a leadership race, culminating in a vote by members ending May 28^th.  BC Conservative Party spokesperson Keith Roy of Vancouver had the following announcement which was released to the media:

The BC Conservative Party is holding a convention to elect a new leader on May 28, 2011.  The convention will take place somewhere in the Fraser Valley or Lower mainland at a soon to be determined location.

According to the constitution of the party, the election of a leader will be by universal ballot, with ballots mailed to every member at least 15 days prior to the leadership convention date.  Ballots may be returned by mail or delivered to the convention.

“Our leadership race will be a truly dynamic and democratic race,” says Wayne McGrath, President of the BC Conservative Party.  “Members from all across the province will have an opportunity to select a new leader.”