RICK PETERSON: "What this sector needs is clarity and decisive action from the government"

Today on the Conservative Thoughts blog, I am posting an update from BC Conservative Party leadership candidate Rick Peterson. 

 

To be clear, I have not yet endorsed either Dan Brooks, or Rick Peterson. I will for the moment however, continue to provide information from both campaigns as they progress.  With that out of the way, here's Rick.

I’m just winding up my third day here in the Peace River Country – which I know very well.

 

BC Conservative Party Leadership candidate
Rick Peterson (L) with Peace River Country
Campaign Chair, Oliver Steward

I was raised in Grande Prairie, just over the border into Alberta, and have spent a lot of time in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and the whole area with friends, family, business partners and BC Conservatives. 

 

I help finance exploration companies that are active up here in the gas sector, so I know very well the challenges and opportunities in this very dynamic area of BC for businesses – large and small – and families. 

Amazing to see.

This is strong BC Conservative territory, as you know. Kurt Peats ran a strong campaign in Peace River South, and every BC Conservative I talk to says that we will absolutely take this riding in 2017. Peace River North is absolutely winnable, and given the reception I’ve received here from BC Conservatives, they are looking forward to us running a well-financed and well organized campaign under my leadership in four years’ time.

I made it a point to come here on my first visit outside the Lower Mainland after our September 23^rd launch. North-eastern BC is an important region not only for our Party, but for the Province. The energy produced here will power this province and support our health care, education and other areas of our economy for decades to come.

 

Strong, vocal and proud support of the Resource Sector is one of the key themes of my Leadership campaign – and it will become a trademark of the BC Conservatives under my Leadership.

As you may have seen on my Twitter account @RPetersonBCCP, I met with mayors, business leaders and a strong group of BC Conservatives here over the past three days. Our membership sales and fundraising for the campaign are now ahead of plan, because of the strong support I’ve received here. We are really on a roll.

I’m attending the final few sessions of the three-day BC Energy Conference. They key message here from every single one of the companies involved in the sector is this: the LNG window of opportunity will not last forever. Global competition is fierce, nimbler and opportunistic.

 

What this sector needs is clarity and decisive action from the government.

 

Tough to see how that can happen with Christy Clark playing pipeline politics with Alberta, the Legislature closed so there will be no debate on these key issues, and private sector leaders waiting to see the BC Liberal government tax plan for this sector – long overdue.

Promise made, delivery delayed.

There is absolutely need for a New Voice, A New Direction and New Leadership in the Peace River Country. Exciting times for our campaign, and for BC Conservatives up here.

 

Rick Peterson,
BC Conservative Party Leadership Candidate

To all my BC Conservative friends ... and in particular Dan Brooks and Rick Peterson ... "Pursue your goal. Opinions be damned.”

Last Friday (September 27th) I happened across the North Shore News editorial entitled "Off to the races", which began by asking the question: 

"Can anyone recall a time when we were not in the midst of political party leadership race?  "

In the editorial comment they all but wrote off the 'leadership contests of the BC Conservatives and Greens' ... basically saying that even if you knew they were having a leadership contest, who would really care. 

At the same time however they did not have much complimentary to say about the Liberals or NDP:

Every time, we get the same commentary about the identity crisis the party must have in order to begin anew. Should they focus on their core principles? Or should they branch out to bring more people into the tent? 

 

In the NDP's case, it didn't seem to matter. Dix came in as a leader criticized for being too much of an old-guard, partisan ideologue and went down as a leader who wouldn't fight hard enough win the election. 

 

No matter who emerges as the new leader, a few things won't change.

Shall I complain?  Well to paraphrase the North Shore News, who would really care.  But then again, who should really care what they have to say?

SOME in the media, in my personal opinion, take the easy way out.  They rely on government, or political party media releases to get information needed for the news they present, and they don't dig very deep because that would take some effort and time.  Given the fact that media everywhere have chopped newsroom staff and budgets, that becomes difficult. 

So, let me say this ...  there are difference between parties, and therefore there is reason to pay attention to leadership races.  NOT just to see who is running, but why they are running. 

Every British Columbian -- and people involved in presenting the news -- should make some effort to find out what each political party stands for; not just the policies they say they champion, but also the principles that guide them. 

As a BC Conservative, I believe there is good reason see what both Dan Brooks and Rick Peterson will present as their vision for the party -- AND see how that lines up with our beliefs and principles.

IT DOES MATTER!  

'Social Responsibility', or caring for one and other, is a two way street

I saw a discussion earlier today, on social media, about linking two words together; they were, "Social Responsibility". 

One person commenting said basically that they don't belong in the small 'c' conservative world -- another said they mean nothing.  As a small 'c' conservative, I have to respectfully disagree.  Referencing the two words, they can and should mean the following:

SOCIAL ... relating to the way in which people in groups behave and interact ... relating to human welfare (well-being / safety) and the organized welfare services that a community provides

RESPONSIBILITY ... the state, fact, or position of being accountable to somebody or for something ... somebody or something for which a person or organization is responsible

The words 'Social Responsibility' should NOT, in my opinion, be something negative which is attached to the left side of the political spectrum.  Social responsibility is something we as individuals, and society, are accountable for.

That said, it should not blindly be given. 

'Social Responsibility', or caring for one and other, is a two way street.  We as a society are responsible to look after the well-being of those who need it, or are unable to provide it for themselves ... while those receiving it have a responsibility not to abuse it, and to pass it on when and if they are able.

As a society -- across the whole realm of the political spectrum -- we as individuals, and a society, are responsible to give a hand-up, but not a hand-out.

 

"Transforming a brand into a socially responsible leader doesn't happen overnight by simply writing new marketing and advertising strategies. It takes effort to identify a vision that your customers will find credible and aligned with their values"
~~ Simon Mainwaring (award-winning branding consultant, advertising creative director, and social media specialist and blogger)
 

Does 'social responsibility' belong in the beliefs, principles, and policies of small 'c' conservatives?  You bet it does ... but that's just my opinion.

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

Rick Peterson offering "New Voice, New Leadership, New Direction" as the theme for BC Conservative leadership bid

This morning I arrived in Vancouver for the expected announcement that Rick

(L - R)Sean Upshaw, Rick Peterson, Carol Day,
Jim Friesen, Duane Nickull, and Ian Toothill

Peterson would be letting his name stand to become the next leader of the BC Conservative Party ... and as many of you know, this followed the announcement a week and a half ago that Dan Brooks was also going to seek the position.

One of the reasons I made the trip this morning, along with former Kamloops South BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp, was because as of today, I'm still unsure who I will support.

Right now however, I believe it is more important to get word out on who the candidates are ... their vision ... and how they would lead the membership of the party.

I did Tweet several times from this mornings announcement made by BC Conservative Party leadership hopeful Rick Peterson ... here is what I had to say (FYI ... if you are unfamiliar with Twitter shorthand, a list will follow below of what the shorthand stands for:  

• arrived in #Vancouver 4 #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement at Terminal City Club ... see Sean Upshaw, Ian Toothill, Jeff Bridge, & others
• @duanenickull #seanupshaw #JeffBridge #ianToothill and couple others headed to the platform for #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement 
• Intro now underway w. @CarolDay #BCCP Richmond candid8 at #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement -- giving list of qualifications to lead #bccp
• New Direction, New Leadership, New Direction theme 4 #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement underway at Terminal City Club in #Vancouver 
• #RickPeterson now stepped 2mic - giving thnx to #CarolDay &kudo's 2 first endorsements including John Friessen #SeanUpshaw #IanToothill & more 
• #RickPeterson talking about lower income family seniors, disadvantaged children & how #ChristyClark sucking life out of BCers 
• small biz being hit hard by #BClibs #ChristyClark; need tax fairness. Privileged few on inside (#BCLib appointees) getting perks pensions etc
• #RickPereson "Who is speaking 4 most vulnerable in BC society -- complete silence from #ChristyClark #BCLibs - #BCCP will fill that void 
• competitive edge in bc being squandered away by #ChristyClark #BCLibs -- can't allow that to happen #rickpeterson #leadbcc #bcpoli 
• #leadbcc #RickPeterson ... we need balance between govt, industry/ resource sector, environment, and 1st nations so we can help those who need it 
• #Leadbcc #RickPeterson; gov deferring problems - interest rates bout to rise. with my team #leadbcc will be advancing policies 4change 

RickPeterson says #BCCP will have full warchest for 2017. Path leading 2 political success leads to support all BCers &economy

What political party said "The sacrifices made to get our financial house in order must not be sabotaged by future increases in government spending"

Today I invite you to take a trip with me in the history of BC politics.  I invite you to guess which BC Provincial political party, waiting to become the next government, said the following:

- we believe that government is making life tougher instead of better for the average BC family

- while households scrimp, save, and cut back on essentials, the one expense they cannot control or escaper is government taxes.  The main reason British Columbians are working harder and falling behind is the constant and rapid rise in taxes

- while everyone is paying higher taxes, the return to taxpayers on the things that matter most is declining

- the major problems facing this province all have one key element in common   -- they are being created by our government

- British Columbians need a government that will base its decisions on common-sense principles and live within its means

- the sacrifices made to get our financial house in order must not be sabotaged by future increases in government spending

- by shifting funds on and off the books, the _??? __ government has shown how the existing system can be manipulated

-  __ ??? ___ believes that governments closest to the people serve them best.   __ ??? __ will return resources and responsibilities to local government, advancing our spirit of community and raising our quality of life

- the best way to change government is to open it up and bring its many functions closer to the people it servers.  __ ??? __ believes that the closer decision-making is to the people, the more likely it is that good ideas will be put to work.

While these statements of belief go back nearly two decades I ask you ... "Is life any different for you now, than it was then?"

Is government still making life tougher?  Are they continuing to raise fees and taxes that we are obligated to pay?  Are they doing any better with government spending?

Are we getting more services ... seeing more front-line workers ... seeing less wait times for Emergency Room services?

Why are our seniors, that helped build this province, paying a higher and higher percentage, from their meager retirement funds, for shelter, health needs, and other necessities?

How about returning government closer to the people it serves?  For example, government fired the local 'elected' Boards that ran our hospitals ... are they still being overseen by government appointed individuals?  Where is the decision making process for local health care in Kamloops made?

Is government any more open?  Are the front line services and function closer to the people they serve ... hospitals ... courthouses ... schools in rural communities?

The words noted above in italics, were spoken by the BC Liberals prior to the election of 1996.  They were words of chastising the NDP government which was in power -- they were words that offered new hope.

Nearly two decades later, rather seeing things better for ourselves -- our parents -- our children -- and our grandchildren, we still have less and less services ... a Liberal government that has run budget deficits for more times that not ... and that has just like the NDP before them, doubled the debt.

YES ... perhaps taxes have gone down, however government has more than made up for it by nickel and diming us with increased fee for everything the possibly can -- including health care cost through increased Medical Service Plan (MSP) rates.

 

AND ... and a Pphoney green carbon tax that hit those who live in the interior and north for not just fuel to run our vehicles ... but also basic necessities like home heating fuel, our groceries, and even the clothes we wear!  A carbon tax that also took valuable resources away from schools and hospitals, and did NOTHING to protect the environment!

Government has pillaged BC Hydro and ICBC for billions of dollars, which have disappeared into a bottomless spending pit.  Meantime we continue to be hit with large increases to ICBC rates, and Hydro costs.

An environment of entitlement has been allowed to come in to being -- one where the heads of government crown corporations, and agencies, feel they are able to give them selves huge increases in pay and benefits.

My friends ... WE ARE NOT better off than we were twenty years ago -- we continue to be worse off!

The BC Liberal Party under Christy Clark now seems to be relaxed when it comes to the BC Conservative Party nipping at there heels.  Take heed -- and take warning -- we as BC Conservatives will rebuild under new leadership.

AND ... we will challenge YOU to an accounting for why you have left us, our children, and our grandchildren on the hook for debt that has continued to skyrocket at a completely unsustainable rate.

You won election by default this year; be forwarned ... it's NOT going to happen again.

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

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.

“The expansion of gambling in BC has only hurt the non-profit sector. The greater the BC Lottery Corporation revenue, the worse it gets for charities”

I went to buy a $4.00 mini-dip (one ticket with one each of the 649, BC49, & the Extra) yesterday, and was told the price had increased over the weekend and that my regular ticket is now $6.00.

WHAT ... a 50% increase??  Did I just get a clerk that didn't know what she is doing -- or is that indeed what they now cost?  Well it didn't take long for a friend to confirm that:

Looks like they have increased the jackpots so that's why it costs more.  The BC Lottery Corporation website says the jackpot will start at $5 million instead of $3 million, and there will be an additional prize of $1million paid out each draw. Either way, you have a better chance of being struck by lightning!

And indeed, a quick look at the Lotto Corp website does indeed state:
With the new guaranteed $1 million prize and the improved odds, the price of Lotto 6/49 changes to $3 per play from $2. Each $3 play includes a unique number exclusively for the new $1 million prize that is guaranteed to be won each draw. Players are automatically entered into new $1 million prize draw from the tickets sold across Canada

A story in the Globe and Mail a few years ago stated a few comparison on your chances of winning.  You are ... three times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident driving 16 kilometers to buy your ticket than winning the jackpot ... you are about 10 times more likely to die after being bitten by a poisonous snake or lizard than to win a Lotto 6/49 jackpot ... if you want to increase your odds just buy 50 tickets a week. You are very likely to win the jackpot at least once — in 5,000 years.

I don't know if it was just me not paying attention, however I have to say the announcement of increased rates on Lotto 649 tickets seems to have been conspicuously absent.

Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but I'm just wondering if BC Liberal government will be taking an even bigger whack of profits into general revenue?  As it is, for the last fiscal year (2012 to 2013), the BC Lottery Corporation sent nearly $1.12 BILLION dollars into the government treasury

I'm sure the non-profits, that have been getting screwed big time in the amounts the were PROMISED by the government when they took over the fundraising they had been doing with soft-gambling, won't be getting anywhere near the 30 odd percent they were once promised (but never received).

A quick look at Mother Lotto Corp shows that while the government took in $1.12 BILLION ... charitable and community organizations received a mere $135 million in gaming grants.

Yes, the BC Liberal government calls them "Gaming Grants" ... however the reality is this was REVENUE for charitable organizations in BC before the government forced them out of soft gambling that community groups and organization had previously done to 'directly' fund the work they did in their communities.