This week in BC Political News

Another week has passed … and along with it came many stories regarding, and around, politics in British Columbia.   Among them has been the on-going saga of problems with Community Living BC … last week’s Angus Reed poll … questions about what is and will be acceptable in BC’s off-share tourism marketing … the impact of the federal crime bill on BC … and much more.

Here are some of the stories that made the news this past week.

No home for man, in jail 7 months -- Community Living unable to find place for 19-year-old with developmental disabilities       Victoria Times Colonist

… said jail is becoming the default home for disabled young people when there is no support in the community. "Basically we're using jail as the services for him," she said. "CLBC has not been able to find a placement for him."  …  said she fears for the safety of the young man, who has the developmental age of a six-year-old child and is vulnerable to abuse in the criminal justice system … said the government is paying far more to keep the man behind bars than it would cost to care for him in the community, and officials could be at risk if he comes to harm …

Poll delivers bad news to Clark and Liberals   BC Local News

... people often say they support parties with limited chances of success between elections, before returning to the fold … several things might make this different ... Cummins the main one.  He’s an experienced, skilled campaigner, as shown by his six successful campaigns to be an MP … attracted others with experience and knows how to do the basic stuff that other fledgling political efforts tend to mess up … been quick off the mark and effective in issuing news releases critiquing the Clark government … Cummins has a chance, with some credible candidates, to make a pitch to voters who aren’t happy with either of the two main parties, a significant group these days..

De Patie killer violates parole – again  BC Local News
… Doug De Patie, whose 24-year-old son Grant was killed by Pratt in 2005, did not expect Pratt to last long outside prison.  "He is not ready for the outside world," said De Patie, who was informed that Pratt missed his 8 p.m. curfew Saturday.  "He is making a mockery of the parole system. He is not showing any remorse. He is not showing any respect for the loss of Grant."

Remembrance Day ... from the Royal Canadian Legion website

Remembrance Day

 

At 11 am., on November 11th, 1918, the guns of both sides fell silent marking the end of the First World War.

After insistent representation from the then Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League, the federal government amended the Armistice Day Act in 1931 to ensure that November 11th would be set aside as a day distinct and apart from any other observance.

It would be upon this day, and this day only, that the nation would pay special tribute to those "who gave their lives that freedom might prevail". November 11th came to be known as Remembrance Day—a day each year for Canadians to remember the sacrifice of those who fell during that war and later wars in which Canada took part.

The Royal Canadian Legion, as a sacred trust, ensures the continuing observance of Remembrance Day on the 11th of November each year with the appropriate marking of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

In 1970 "The Holidays Act" was passed by Parliament which included, amongst others, Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day ... the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month

Remembrance Day marks the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918 … Armistice was reached and the guns finally fell silent.

The last soldier killed in WWI was Henry Gunther of the United States.  He died 60 seconds before the cease-fire.

Each year on November 11^th at 11am, we observe two minutes of silence to commemorate the great sacrifice of ALL soldiers who died and continue to die, for our freedoms.

WE ARE CANADIAN is a video dedicated to the men and women, past and present, of our Canadian Armed Forces.  The song featured in the video is called “Armageddon" by the Canadian rock band "Prism"

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom they fought to preserve. These men and women had faith in the future and by their acts gave us the will to preserve peace for all time. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and gallantry of those who served their country.   Canada Info – Remembrance Day

The poem In Flanders Fields was composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 -- during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium -- it was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.  He died of pneumonia at Wimereux near Boulogne, France on the 28th of January 1918; he was just 44 years old.

A few words about the RCMP … You Guys Rock! Keep up the Good Work!

Yesterday, a post was made on Facebook saying … “If you need one more reason to support the idea of a BC Police force here it is.”  Regrettably it led to a link, regarding the story of a police officer, who IF the facts are true, has disrespected all members of the force due to an illegal and unethical action.

Tarring ALL members of city police forces, and the RCMP however would be wrong, and yet that attitude is beginning to permeate in the minds of the public.  This I believe is due to an excessive focus by the media on these bad apples … and little or no focus on the good they do. 

BUT … that is what the news does isn’t it??  We hear mainly of the negative … of the tragedies … of criminal actions … but very little of the wonderful things that people do every day.

I came across a page, in the RCMP website for the BC region, that features letters from people that have had wonderful experiences … been the recipients of extraordinary help … and that have seen exceptional examples of bravery. 

The motto of the RCMP is "Maintiens le droit" (“Defending the law”) … and that seems fitting given the words and thoughts they had.  Read some of these excerpts … and then I encourage you to read more by going to the website yourself.

… I know it must be hard for the RCMP members to turn off the seriousness when they are dealing with the worst of the community on a daily basis, but what a difference it makes to the little ones when they do. Now the police don't seem so unapproachable to them.

… reassuring to know given the recent attempted home invasion in the area a few weeks ago that the Nanaimo RCMP do take into consideration and respond to non-emergency calls with care.

… unfortunate experience was turned positive with Cpl. Dean's compassion and understanding

I did NOT see one story about a commitment to public safety and protection

Yesterday I was led to write the blog story, “YOU'RE RIGHT CHRISTY … those are things most British Columbians support”.   I wrote it because despite everything they say, the real story about crime and protection is that Christy Clark really has NO commitment to it.  Truthfully, it seems everyone -- BUT the BC Liberal Party -- questions their commitment to public protection from criminals and thugs.  

Are you aware of IntegrityBC??    Integrity BC is not some cover for the NDP or the BC Conservative Party … or any other political group.  They are, as they say, “… a non-partisan, non-profit organization working with citizens, volunteers, activists and political parties to promote, lobby, pressure, advocate and demand: integrity and accountability in BC.”

They have no axe to grind directly against any political party … they simply want to have a government that is more accountable to the people of our province.  It seems however they too are wondering and questioning the priorities of this government. 

Here is a post they had online this morning on their Facebook page:  

This headline last week caught our attention for a fast back-of-the-envelope calculation.  The BC Liberal government paid $6-million for Dave Basi's and Bobby Virk's legal bill in the BC Rail trial, even though they plead guilty. BC sheriffs earn $48,055 per year (contract ending 2010 at $26.31/h). For $6 million, the Liberal government could hire 60 full-time sheriffs for two years or 24 provincial court judges for a year to help clear the backlog in BC courts.

Well if the media, and non-partisan groups, are questioning their commitment, surely to goodness the website for the BC Liberal Party would be filled with comments and news from Premier Christy Clark, and the Attorney General, about what they are doing. 

If they do, I was NOT able to find them.

Their webpage “In the News” has all kinds of glowing things about the party … along with a ‘liberal’ sprinkling of negative comments about NDP leader Adrian Dix … and BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins.

Let’s see … here are some of the headlines from stories they have posted there:

Premier Christy Clark and Our Ship Building Contract … hmmm I distinctly recall the Prime Minister saying that the contract would be awarded ONLY on merit.  So what exactly was it that she did to help our BC ship builders get this contract??

BC targets innovation, job creation and training.  Ah Yes … I remember that week.  It was Christy Clark’s photo-op tour of the province where she re-announced a number of things that former Premier Gordon Campbell had previously indicated they would be doing. 

YOU'RE RIGHT CHRISTY … those are things most British Columbians support

How serious is the Christy Clark government about ensuring the safety of the people of BC?

When she was running to replace Gordon Campbell, as leader of the BC Liberal Party, she told News 1130 that the courts needed to hand down harsher sentences to high-profile criminals.

"When we find criminals that are out there selling drugs, we should put them in jail and we should keep them in jail. I think this revolving door of justice is an absolute disgrace."

Now let’s fast forward 9 months (September 2011) ... we have one story after the other coming out in the news media about Joseph William Hammer (a cocaine dealer in Prince George), who had his case thrown out by Provincial Court Judge Michael Brecknell.   

And why was that?

His (Judge Brecknell) interpretation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was that a person had the right to be tried within a reasonable time … and that should be within 18months.  A lack of resources were the reason it had taken over three and a half years to get a verdict in the case of cocaine dealer Joseph Hammer, and because of that, Hammer was to be released. 

He went on to say an "unrepentant drug dealer" should "now be able to be free of the consequences of this very serious offense... should alarm and concern the community.”