BC POLITICS … the week of March 13th

This week we got a new cabinet (the old are out, but some stay in) … Lekstrom is back (but where’s Bill Bennett) … Campbell resigns seat (where will Christy run) … John Cummins to resign as MP (will he be back as MLA).  EXTRA EXTRA … all this and more is coming up, so read all about it!

Gordon Campbell's Revenge? How Campbell came to Colin Hansen's rescue - Christy Clark at risk

… as of this evening, new Premier Christy Clark, who lacks a seat in the BC Legislature, has not announced she is running to replace Campbell as his old riding's MLA. Why …

Cummins looks to step up his role with BC Conservatives
Retiring Tory MP John Cummins says his departure from Ottawa will allow him to step up his role in the BC Conservative Party – and hopefully break up the coalition of the right under the governing Liberals. The only question, the Delta-Richmond East MP …

More on the ridings of Vancouver Point Grey, and Vancouver Quilchena

I'm busier than a one armed paperhanger this week so my apologies for not having a full blog story here today.  

Colin Hansen (l) and
Gordon Campbell (r)

That said however; the ongoing connections and coincidences in the the riding's of Vancouver Point Grey and Vancouver Quilchena ... continue to come together ... as do the intertwining of Gordon Campbell, Colin Hansen, and Christy Clark. 

If you read my story on Wednesday --- I invite you to now have a look at Bill Tielman's article on Gordon Campbell's Revenge.

Tomorrow the regular "This Week in BC Politics" returns ... see you then.

CONSULTATION – Christy Clark style

Here we go again again --- this is just more of the same --- government exactly the same as we had until the recent resignation of Gordon Campbell.

For three months Christy Clark said, “I plan to consult with the public”. Maybe she didn't consider a +25% increase to the minimum wage worthy of consultation, however restaurant owners are probably wondering what happened to that consultation.

During the recent Liberal leadership campaign Clark said she wanted to increase the minimum wage; however telling 60 thousand odd members of the BC Liberal Party her plans, is not exactly public consultation – whether you agree with this increase or not.

Government release on Premier Clark's cabinet

For those who care to read the details, click HERE for the governments full media release on Premier Clark's cabinet.

Liberal backstabbing and intrigue in Vancouver Quilchena … and Vancouver Point Grey

Yesterday (March 15^th) former BC Premier Gordon Campbell resigned his Vancouver Point Grey seat, in the BC Legislature, after nearly two decades of service.

In a release to the media, Gordon Campbell stated, “It has been an honour to serve the people of British Columbia as an MLA, as the leader of the Opposition, and as premier.”

"There are few things more rewarding than serving in public life and I feel fortunate to have had such an opportunity to do so for nearly three decades in a province and a city that I love."

In 1994 Gordon Campbell originally won the Vancouver Quilchena riding in a by-election (with nearly 68% of the vote) after Art Cowie resigned for him in November of 1993. Thus begins a tale in intrigue, and backstabbing, that continues today.

Former Premier Gordon Campbell resigns

Former BC Premier Gordon Campbell resigned his Vancouver Point Grey seat this morning.  Click HERE for details in a story from the Vancouver Sun.

A few comments from former BC Premier Rita Johnston

Yesterday in Victoria, Liberal party leader Christy Clark was officially sworn in as the 35^th premier in British Columbia.

Yesterday, I also had a chance to talk to Rita Johnston, a member of the BC Conservative Party’s Tactical Advisory Group (TAG).  Many of you will remember that back in 1991, as leader of the Social Credit Party, she became BC’s first female premier, and in fact the first woman premier in Canada.

Clark sworn in as BC premier amidst laughter

After starting with several jokes, Lieutenant Governor Steven Point administered the oath of office to the provinces 35^th premier.  Now British Columbians are asking the fate of several major issues of concerns, and how they will be dealt with by Premier Christy Clark, and her new cabinet.

Who the new cabinet members are is all over the news, and so I will not spend much time mentioning them, with the exception of two.

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.