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.

Polls -- Support --- Nominating Candidates -- and YOU

In spending some time online this morning looking over news stories, and comments from political commentators, I came across two things of note:

1) The new EKOS Politics / iPolitics.ca poll shows the strongest age demographic, with support for the BC Conservatives, is the "Family Raising" age bracket of 25 to 44 ... with those who are retired (65+) being the next strongest age demo. 

The poll also shows that timing is now crucial.  It indicated support is increasing again, and has gone from 11.4% late last year, to now stand at 14.6%. This is the 3rd poll, in two weeks, where I have seen showing support growing once again

2) Another reason why small 'c' conservatives can - and should - support the BC Conservative Party is found in a blog post from political commentator BC Iconoclast. 

This morning part of his post stated; "The media story is that she (Allison Redford) pulled off a dramatic change of fortune for her party. If she can do it, so can Christy Clark is the argument. I do not think this example applies in BC for a number of reasons ..."

His opinion piece is short and to the point, and so I would certainly like to encourage you to read it (http://bciconcoclast.blogspot.ca/2013/02/cold-christy-clark-pull-of-win-like.html)

Right now we need every member and every supporter to lend a hand, in whatever way they are able (including simply offering encouragement), so that we go into the 30 day campaign period strong! 

Volunteer to help -- make a donation to the campaign -- get your friends and neighbors to think about supporting and voting for us.  The bottom line is we simply need you to do whatever you can.

For those of you who are BC Conservative Party members, in the Kamloops South Thompson riding, this is what you need to know is most important. 

Right now we need you to beb there at the nomination meeting (Thursday February 21st) to cast a vote for the candidate you believe will best represent us here in the Kamloops South Thompson riding. 

Again the meeting is at 7pm at the Old Yacht Club on River Street. Come hear what your nominee candidates (Maria Dobi and Peter Sharp) have to say ... ask them your questions. 

If you require a ride to attend, just call and we'll be happy to get you there.  IF you are unable to attend, please call or email so we can get a Mail-In ballot to you.

We are BC Conservatives ... We Believe in BC!


FOLLOW-UP:
Since posting this earlier, I received a comment by email that I thought I would share and pass along to you:

Alan, that's my story.  I am in that age bracket and many of my friends are worried about our future in BC.  Low paying jobs, high cost of living and a government that spends taxpayer money like it was from their parents trust fund.  I even hear stories that people don't want to have kids because they won't be able to afford it. 

I wasn't drawn to the party because it was an OWG club.  I was drawn to it because of the principles the party stood for.  I think this is what we need to push out everytime we hear of the OWG criticism.

Christy Clark has challenged us to, "... compare our (BC Liberal) plan to that of our opponents

This morning I saw a Twitter comment from Kamloops South BC Conservative nominee candidate Peter Sharp, which I admit has prompted me to write today Conservative Thoughts blog post.

"They're hiding it because they don't want you to know what's in it."

At the last BC Liberal conversation in Whistler Christy Clark stated:

"I wish I could challenge you to compare our plan to that of our opponents but you can't. They are hiding it. They're hiding it because they don't want you to know what's in it."

Once again, this comment only shows the arrogance, and contempt, which Premier Christy Clark has for the voters of BC. Truthfully I think she was trying to use reverse psychology.

What she should have said is, "Please don't try to compare our plan, to that of our opponents, because its not there for you to see." 

And that would have been the truth!

What does the BC Liberal Party have as a plan, or vision, to once again make our province strong ... to claim the BC Conservative Party campaign slogan,  "We Believe in BC", as their own?

Well, not much.  If you do try to make the attempt, all you will find is a few lines of fluff:

... that government must promote private sector job creation and competitiveness
... that government must put families first in all decision-making
... that BC must lead in the area of open government

That's it. That's all she wrote. You can see for yourself at "What We Believe" on the BC Liberal Party website.

MEANTIME, as I noted, Christy Clark has challenged us to: "... compare our (BC Liberal) plan to that of our opponents."

And then going on to further state, "They're hiding it because they don't want you to know what's in it."

Would that be accurate? Would that even be truthful?  FAR FROM IT!

John Cummins: "All we need to do to secure a better future is to believe in ourselves"

John Cummins, leader of the BC Conservatives, today released his party's Alternative Throne Speech (2013) which features the theme of 'We believe in B.C.' 

"The BC Conservatives have a positive, optimistic view of British Columbia," said Cummins. "We believe our future has the potential to be better than our past, but there are significant challenges that must be overcome if we are to take full advantage of our many opportunities."

The BC Conservatives' Alternative Throne Speech, 2013, pointed out that B.C. not long ago led the country in terms of average-weekly earnings, but today has sunk to fifth place.

In gross domestic product per capita, B.C. similarly has fallen to fifth in Canada. In fact, British Columbia's GDP per capita is nearly $2,000 behind the national average. 

Labour income - which is the sum of all wages and salaries paid to B.C. workers - is approximately $10.8 billion less than it was two decades ago.

Once a population magnet that drew workers and families from across the country to the Pacific coast, B.C. over the last year-and-a-half has been suffering net losses from interprovincial migration.

B.C. used to be a high-wage province, but that hasn't been the case in recent decades.

How to turn around the province? The BC Conservatives' Alternative Throne Speech, 2013, outlined a number of areas that the party would focus on, including specific policies to assist rural and northern B.C., resource development, fair taxation (including repeal of the carbon tax), balanced budgets, safer communities, skills training and apprenticeships, transportation and agriculture. 

"All we need to do to secure a better future is to believe in ourselves," said Cummins. "The BC Conservatives believe in BC"

To read the full BC Conservative plan ... showing how We Believe in BC ... CLICK HERE

What a load of horse manure!

Jim Shepard states, "We hope our efforts will help you to make a clear, informed, and confident decision for responsible free enterprise come May."
He of course is the head of the "Concerned Citizens For BC". 

Make no mistake ... this is a well heeled, and well funded, business group that supports and backs the BC Liberal Party 100%.  There is NOTHING independent about this group.

They say ... "What we want is simple. We want a government that will continue to be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars. We want a continued efficient and responsive delivery of services such as health and education, and we want politicians and their policy-makers to continue to treat us like the valuable customers we are."

The trouble is, this is NOT what we have received from the BC Liberal government in the past several years.

Why then do these people want us to vote for the BC Liberal Party?  Well that's a question you will have to think about, and then decide for yourself what the answer might be.

Here's something else Jim Shepard's Concerned Citizens for BC has to say:
"While the NDP have enjoyed support from the unions and media outlets, there’s not been any counter-balance supporting people like us who wish to see the continued success of our responsible free enterprise form of government."

What a load of horse manure!

In large part the people in this group (CC4BC) are the same individuals, and businesses, that have provided funding and donations to the BC Liberal Party. 

Therein lies the whole problem ... Big Business supports the BC Liberals ... Big Labour supports the NDP.  So who then supports the everyday people of BC?  We're the ones just trying to work or find a job, get educated, raise a family, and enjoy a bit of life and the beauty around us that BC offers.

The Concerned Citizens for BC, who in reality are acting totally on behalf of the BC Liberal Party, even want us to donate to them.

BOTH the BC Liberals and the BC NDP equal big government, big deficits, and even bigger debt.  The choice I hope you will look at instead, is the common sense platform being offered by the BC Conservative party.

Concerned Citizens for BC (CC4BC)
Christy Clark's Facebook page is /ChristyClarkforBC (CC4BC)
They are one and the same.

If you really want to be well informed about the options available to you, check them out for yourself ... including the common sense option being offered by the BC Conservative Party.  You can read all about it by CLICKING HERE.