Meet Ed Fehr, BC Conservative Party candidate for Kamloops North Thompson

Kamloops North Thompson BC Conservative
Party candidate Ed Fehr

I was born in Beaver Lodge, Alberta. My family moved to a small community called Takysie near the Lakes District community of Burns Lake, BC.  At Takysie, my family bought and operated a small sawmill.

Three years later, we moved to Fraser Lake, BC, where my parents bought a 160 acre farm on which our family raised 200 head of sheep.  At an age of 12, this helped me learn the importance of being responsible, and knowing the value of hard work. 

Ed Fehr is; “A guy that’s willing to have boots on the ground, go door-to-door and talk to people and bring their issues back to Victoria."

Over the course of my life, I have worked in several industries including operational aspects mining; and  like our party leader John Cummins,  I have taken pride in being able to see the end results of hard work. 

I cut my teeth in politics with the Saskatchewan Party while living there between 1997 and 2004.  I held the role of Vice-President in Saskatoon Center, and then went on to become President of the Riding Association a year later. 

Ed Fehr sees increasing access to doctors as a major priority for the next provincial government; "We need to have more doctors, and the health-care system needs to be completely revamped.”

I returned to BC in 2007, and in March 2012, I was elected as president of the Kamloops-North Thompson Constituency Association for the BC Conservative Party.

I married my lovely wife Naomi in 1996. 

Throughout my life people like late Cyril Shelford (BC rancher and Social Credit MLA), have made a lasting impression on me, to be a voice for the people of British Columbia in the provincial legislature.

Kamloops South BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger is, "Way over the line" with comments regarding the BC Conservatives.

Late yesterday afternoon, Kamloops South Thompson BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger, launched a verbal attack on BC Conservatives.

The following is a media release, sent out by BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp, in reponse:

KAMLOOPS: Yesterday, BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins called on Premier Christy Clark to suspend Pat Bell, the controversial Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, from the Executive Council.

Peter Sharp in media scrum, following election as the
Kamloops South Thompson BC Conserrvative candidate

"We asked this because there have been allegations made in public, and through a CBC news report that he was involved in “breached protocols, broken promises and misrepresentation” with regards to the proposed Wood Innovation and Design Centre in Prince George", stated Kamloops South Thompson BC Conservative Party candidate Peter Sharp.

Sharp continued, "At no time did we state that he 'was' involved, only that allegations have been made, that should be examined and looked in to."

BC Conservatives, and all residents of the Kamloops area, should have real concern with the response of current Kamloops South Thompson MLA, and former Cabinet Minister, Kevin Krueger.

Sharp went on to say, "His comments are completely unacceptable behavior for an MLA!  He went way over the line with his caustic comments aimed at all members of our party -- not just the leadership."

"In fact, using an official government MLA email account, to hurl these insults at people who are some of his constituents, could be looked at as further arrogance by a party already being questioned by the electorate for it's integrity and accountability."

"If there is any silver lining to this whole situation, it is only that with the retirement of MLA Krueger, the people of our province will no longer be subjected to this kind of bullying.", Sharp concluded.

CONTACT:
Peter Sharp, candidate

BC Conservative Party

Kamloops South Thompson

 

 

The following is a full & complete copy of the email sent by Kevin Krueger:

From: Krueger.MLA, Kevin <Kevin.Krueger.MLA@leg.bc.ca <mailto:Kevin.Krueger.MLA@leg.bc.ca> >
Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Subject: The Honourable Pat Bell

To: "conservatives@bcconservative.ca" <conservatives@bcconservative.ca>, "Krueger.MLA, Kevin" <Kevin.Krueger.MLA@leg.bc.ca <mailto:Kevin.Krueger.MLA@leg.bc.ca> >


Attention: B.C. Cons:

Mr. Cummins, and everybody involved in this news release, are "Unmitigated" MORONS to have published such crap as this.

Pat Bell is beloved in Prince George, for good reason. There is not ONE of you scum worthy to tie his shoes - nor tall enough.

You have just blown whatever support you might have hoped to muster in Prince George, and many other places.

What idiots you are.
Kevin Krueger, MLA

 

Original media release from the BC Conservative Party:

Suspend Bell and expand investigation, Cummins

LANGLEY, BC, FEB. 26, 2013 – John Cummins, leader of the BC Conservatives, today called on Premier Christy Clark to suspend Pat Bell, the controversial Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, from the Executive Council.

The call follows reports by CBC News alleging that Bell, the MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, was involved in “breached protocols, broken promises and misrepresentation” with regards to the proposed Wood Innovation and Design Centre in Prince George.

Cummins also said that the Premier should expand the mandate of Jane Shackell, Q.C., the “fairness advisor” retained to oversee the bid process for the Wood Centre, so she can investigate the CBC News allegations.

“Pat Bell has been involved in one controversy after another under the current Premier,” said Cummins. “From botching a deal for the BC Place Stadium naming rights, to wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on television advertisements extolling his failed Jobs Plan, to inappropriately sending confidential emails to a lobbyist, to the Wood Centre in Prince George, he’s been an unmitigated disaster.”

The CBC News reports were based on allegations by two Prince George-area business men who claim they were not short-listed for the Wood Centre project, despite earlier discussions with Bell and other BC Liberal government representatives.


UPDATE:While not an apology, I'm glad to Kamloops South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger indicating that perhaps he had a poor choice of words in his attack on the BC Conservatives 
http://www.cknw.com/news/vancouver/story.aspx/story.aspx?ID=1899792

Four cents sound cheap --- until you realize it amounts to nearly $7million EVERY DAY for debt service costs

The BC Liberals like to say that only 4 cents of every tax dollar goes to pay debt service costs.  Four cents sound cheap, until you realize it amounts to nearly $7million EVERY DAY, for debt service costs (interest the government pays on roughly $60 billion in debt).

That works out to over one fifth of a BILLION dollars EVERY MONTH ... $204 million.

That lead me to ask the CC4BC (Concerned Citizens for BC) ... also known as Christy Clark for BC ... the following on Twitter:

Posted by Alan Forseth at 1:52 p.m. - Feb 23, 2013
@bcvotes2013 Here's a simple question that has a simple answer; Tell us what is daily service costs (in millions) 4 BCs accumulated debt?

Posted by Alan Forseth at 3:53 p.m. - Feb 23, 2013

Earlier 2day I asked @CC4BC what daily interest cost is on #BCLib debt - NO answer. According 2BC Taxpayers Federation its $6.8 Million /DAY

Then I noted with interest this post at 3:07pm, on Saturday, from the Concerned Citizens for BC:

CC4BC ‏@CC4BC

"Change 4 the better?" Bruce Ralston: Deficits Okay in Economic cycle. 1 practical deficit @ a time #newNDP? #bcpoli

Which is why I asked the following at 3:55 p.m. - Feb 23, 2013

@CC4BC Still waiting 4 U 2 answer question on what daily debt service cost R in BC --- easy question to answer. Your silence speaks volumes

Posted by Alan Forseth at 7:08 p.m. - Feb 23, 201

@CC4BC Still no reply but 2B expected. Lots of emphy Rah Rah #BCLibs rhetoric from them but no REAL substance/ answers 2 genuine questions

Needless to say, and with no surprise, the entire weekend passed by with no response.  And still Tuesday morning there has been NO answer to the question asked.

Can things really be much different here in Kamloops with the Interior Health Authority? I would think not

Today we have a feature commentary from, Kamloops South Thompson BC Conservative candidate, Peter Sharp:

I came across a story today that should give at least a few British Columbian's, many of whom are desperately looking to find a family Doctor, a bit of hope. 

The news story indicated that BC has recruited a record number of doctors in 2012.  I am pleased to see this, but also find it a shame however; that we can't work harder to find ways to train more of our own BC young people. 

Just the other day, in a government release, the BC Liberals also informed us that:
The government of British Columbia and the BC Medical Association are partnering to improve primary care services and ensure all B.C. citizens who want a family doctor are able to access one by 2015.  

Here are the first two features they called attention to:
1) Funding to enable family physicians to consult with patients by telephone
2) Incentives for physicians to take more patients with complex conditions, such as cancer, onto their caseloads.  

Now I don't know about you, but I'm not so sure that we want to have doctors diagnosing patient medical concerns by telephone -- something tells me we could be opening ourselves up for some kind of multi-million dollar lawsuit if a serious misdiagnosis were to occur. 

Doctors to diagnose over the telephone, while patients
self-diagnose over the internet for lack of family doctors

And ... if doctors are already carrying more patients than they wish to have, which is greatly increasing their stress and burn-out level, what kind of 'incentives' can we possibly provide that would have them take on more patients? 

I have to say that everything I see, read, and hear, tells me the whole system appears to be getting worse, and not better.  And it's not just doctors (and others in the healthcare system) saying the problem is patient loads that are too high, and not enough family doctors.  Spending is being badly misdirected as well.  

Some Doctors involved in direct medical care in BC are saying; "Hundreds of millions of tax dollars are being wasted every year oninefficiencies and mismanagement".   

In this same story we read:
Mike McLoughlin, a Kelowna businessman whose wife is a family doctor at a walk-in clinic, said patients often needlessly repeat medical tests when they're referred to a local hospital.

"The information sharing is so poor that patients undergo the same tests twice," said McLoughlin, who's running in the May election for the B.C. Conservatives after getting fed up watching waste in the system.  

 

The story "Wasted Tax Dollars: B.C. health spending under fire", by Michael Smyth, informs us that:  

... in the Fraser Health Authority alone, the number of non-union staff making over $150,000 a year has increased 22 per cent since the 2009 election. 

... and those making between $125,000 and $150,000 is up 35 per cent, and those making between $100,000 and $125,000 is up 39 per cent. 

 

Can things really be much different here in Kamloops with the Interior Health Authority?  I would think not -- and it IS NOT. 

PETER SHARP: "This begins Day #1 as the BC Conservative candidate for Kamloops South Thompson"

Last night BC Conservatives, in Kamloops South Thompson, elected Peter Sharp to represent them in this Mays Provincial General Election.

Those of you in other areas of the province, or who may have been unable to attend last night meeting, missed a great meeting, and hearing the words of Peter. 

He has given me permission to print them for you and they follow.  First though, I thought I would share with you what he had to say online this morning:



Step one in seeking the nomination -- filling out the BC
Conservative Party nomination forms (42 pages!)

"This begins Day #1 as the BC Conservative candidate for Kamloops South Thompson. And it begins with news from a new Ipsos Reid poll that shows 24% of voters are now less likely to vote for the BC Liberals following release of the new budget. BONUS!"

Now, here is Peter's speech from last night.

Good evening fellow Conservatives, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow nominee candidate Maria Dobi ...

 

My name is Peter Sharp and tonight I hope to become your candidate, for the BC Conservative Party, in our Kamloops South Thompson Riding.  Then with your support, encouragement, and assistance -- to become your MLA following the May General Election. 

 

About a month ago, BC Liberal MLA Terry Lake was quoted as saying:  “What we do see, as we get closer to election, is that people are understanding what the BC Conservatives are all about….”

 

My hope is that the Voters of our great province do indeed come to understand what we, as BC Conservatives are all about and what we believe in ... and what we hope to bring to the political stage in British Columbia.

 

Terry Lake tossed a generalized statement out -- one, which implied there is something to fear from the BC Conservatives.   He knows that his implied statement is completely without truth ... and the backroom manipulators of the BC Liberal Party know that as well.

 

In fact ... because WE BELIEVE IN BC ... and the people of BC ... I am proud to say that our beliefs, principles and policies differ greatly from the BC Liberal Party.

 

WE - as BC Conservatives - believe in clearly defined public policies and programs that are affordable, effective, and accountable to each one of you here tonight.  And I too believe that each and every British Columbian is entitled to full knowledge of all services government provides ... AND what they cost.

 

After all ... how else can we know if we are getting good value?

 

WE -- as BC Conservatives --  believe that our provincial government must operate with the highest standards of integrity and transparency.  And we as BC Conservatives also believe that governments at all levels -- including at the municipal level -- are responsible to serve and respect all individuals and their families. 

 

Peter Sharp speaking with members of
the media at the announcement he would
seek the Kamloops South nomination

As an elected councillor with the City of Kamloops, I have firsthand experience in knowing why our elected representatives should first and foremost represent your interests.

 

As a retired RCMP officer with 30 years of experience, I too believe in the BC Conservative Party's policy of law and order that focuses on the rights of victims ... and the protection of the public.

 

We as BC Conservatives have our feet planted in reality.  We need to have smaller government ... we need to encourage new enterprise.  Leadership at all levels (from teachers in the classroom -- to elected officials in Victoria) MUST encourage our youth ... parents ...  employees in the workplace ... and business leaders to dream big dreams.  We need to once again strive towards excellence and prosperity. 

 

These are not just motherhood statements ... these are statements that I too -- WITH YOU -- believe in.

 

If I have the opportunity to be your elected representative for the BC Conservative Party…. I will hold my party accountable to create an environment where good government and prosperity can be achieved.

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.

No wonder people say that politics in British Columbia is crazy!

Before I begin today's Conservative Thoughts blog post, I should reiterate that while I am a member and director of the BC Conservative Party, this blog is not officially or un-officially sanctioned by the BC Conservative Party.  Now ... on with today's post.

If you're confused by politics in BC, you're not alone

The NDP hold no differentiation between the Provincial and Federal wings of their party.  In fact they clearly state they are, "... proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world"

From the Preamble of the NDP Party constitution you can read for yourself the following:

The New Democratic Party believes that social, economic and political progress in Canada can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles to government and the administration of public affairs ...

... the New Democratic Party is proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world and to share in the struggle for peace, international co-operation and the abolition of poverty.

ARTICLE III — Affiliated Membership and Donors

3.01.1 Affiliated organizations shall be those BC organizations affiliated to the NDP of Canada.

And exactly what countries define themselves to have a socialist government?  Well those would include China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria.

I also sadly noted the following from the Conservative Party of Canada Constitution:

15. PROVINCIAL PARTIES

15.1 The Party shall not establish provincial political parties. The Party shall promote and maintain relationships with existing provincial conservative parties.

It seems to me that with the exception of a number of true small 'c' conservatives, it seems that Section 15.1 of the Conservative Party Constitution is ignored; at least here in British Columbia.

Now ... here is something else which is also a well known fact:
At the time of the BC Liberal leadership campaign, to replace Gordon Campbell, Christy Clark was a member of the Federal Liberal Party.  It also well know that in her youth she was also a member of the Young Liberals of Canada.

Here is what political commentator Bill Tieleman had to say back in March of 2011:

Well that didn't take long!  Premier-Designate Christy Clark has begun the process of Federal Liberalizing her new government at all levels.

Notwithstanding the use of arch-Conservative Gwyn Morgan on her Transition Team to premier for at least optics, Clark is already stacking the deck with federal Liberal operatives.

Her campaign featured a host of Paul Martin-ite and Stephane Dion-ite operatives, including  FD Element's Don Millar, federal Liberal Party spokesman Brad Zubyk, an ex-Harcourt NDP government aide, and of course Campaign Manager and now Chief of Staff Mike McDonald, who backed ex-NDP Ontario Premier Bob Rae in the 2006 federal Liberal leadership race.

And of course hidden in the backroom was her brother Bruce Clark - a longtime federal Liberal bagman and LPC BC executive member best known for the December 2003 police search of his home to find confidential BC government documents on BC Rail given to him by convicted fraudsters David Basi and Bob Virk.  That would be the BC Legislature Raid case of course.

But now the more serious work begins - transforming government into a more palatable federal Liberal look - call it LP-osuction - removing the undesirable BC Liberal & federal Conservative love handles and replacing them with more attractive Grits.

 

So it seems what we have in BC, are New Democrats, who support both federal and provincial wings of the Party.