Are we prepared to give the time needed to see if benchmarks for success can and are being met?

The Guiding Principles of the BC Conservative Party start off by stating the party has:

A belief in clearly defined public policies and programs that are affordable and effective and for which delivery is accountable to all the people of British Columbia.
 

Maybe it's also time for an idea that is LONG over due, and which would be a fit with that statement; long term plans for social programs, health care, and education that look forward over 5 to 10 year terms.

That would allow government, and the people of BC, to see whether programs are indeed effective, and it would show government is willing to be accountable for the resources we entrust to them.

I recall thinking about this idea a number of years ago ... and I was reminded of it again by a political commentator, Alise Mills, this afternoon on CKNW.

We do indeed need to see that there are measurable targets and goals which are being met by government, and government agencies like Community Living BC for example.

Here's the rub though. This needs to be done with the understanding, by each of us, that programs will need time to prove and show they are working.

Sometimes that is NOT going to be seen in a year, 2 years, or even the 4 year cycle of a government.

In today’s society, where instant gratification is expected more and more, this is an idea that may be hard to come to grips with. 

So ... if this makes sense, are we prepared to give government, and agencies, the time needed to see if benchmarks for success can -- and are -- being met?

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative ... care to share your thoughts on this idea?

I finally saw a political party that understood common sense trumps band-aid solutions every time

I have been VERY busy these past couple of weeks with work ... and with duties as a Regional Director for the BC Conservative Party .. which has meant only a few recent posts here.

Today is kind of a smorgasbord of thoughts , comments, and ideas ... but I think they all seem to come together in a positive way ...

Here is a comment that I must post anonymously:

... wanted to know when I decided to join the BCCP and what the reason was ... I told him it was after I'd met John at a luncheon ...and because he has a far clearer vision than Premier Clark, for the province, and a clear idea of what he'd do if he was in power ... and I still feel that way.

Today in a news story former Liberal MLA Bill Belsey stated that the BC Liberals are poised to "deal a devastating blow to the New Democrats."

Meantime BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins was quoted saying: “It is understandable that Christy Clark and the other Liberals want to put the best possible ‘spin’ on events as they gather for convention this weekend."

And then there's a story in today’s Kamloops Daily News which began with the following:

The exodus of high-ranking Liberals has done nothing to diminish the party's morale heading into the next provincial election, the candidate for Kamloops - South Thompson said Thursday.

Instead, the resignations of Kevin Falcon, George Abbott and others is a way to breathe new life into the party at a crucial political time, said Todd Stone (BC Liberal candidate for Kamloops South).

BC Conservatives have clearly articulated positions that don't change depending on what loud vocal minority group is shouting

Everyone knows, and it is perfectly clear, that I do not support Christy Clark and the BC Liberals.

My lack of support has only been re-enforced in the recent days and weeks, as it seems that Christy blows one way or the other, in the breezes of voter discontent.

Shall we start with Enbridge and the Northern Gateway Pipeline? Clark herself has never really made a firm decision on the Northern Gateway … in fact the 5 principles she placed as crucial to having government support can NEVER be met – and she knew it at the time.

Ms. Clark simply wanted to try and make herself look good to anyone with an opinion on the project, whether they support it or not. By taking no stand however, she has pleased NO ONE.

She wants those who don't support the pipeline to think she is on-board with them … and she wants those who do support the project to think they just might have a chance to see it come about.

Meantime, she knows full well that the five principles she has put forward can never be met, and therefore the project will never get off the drawing board.

Contrast that however, to the statements of John Cummins, and the BC Conservative Party.

As CFTK TV News in Terrace stated today, “At least one political leader in BC is willing to express support for Enbridge's controversial Northern Gateway Project” --- that ONE leader would be John Cummins of the BC Conservative Party.

In a media release today, John Cummins said that unlike Premier Clark AND Environment Minister Terry Lake, he WAS willing to meet with Enbridge officials to see what their plans look like for building and maintaining the safest pipeline possible, and to see in person what monitoring systems they have in place at other locations.

Cummins stated that the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline Project had economic benefits far outweigh environmental concerns.

"Given all of the information made public to date, I strongly believe that the Northern Gateway Pipeline should proceed as quickly as possible. British Columbia desperately needs new capital investment, and new high-wage jobs. The Northern Gateway Project delivers both”.

And little wonder … this project alone would provide as many as 4,100 person-years of direct on-site work, and a total of 35,000 person-years employment throughout the province.

Environment Minister Terry Lake on the other hand, in a TV news interview which I saw, refuses to meet with officials from Enbridge, who have offered to show him what the technology they will be working with. 

AND YET ... he has the audacity to claim and state (which I have also seen and heard) in the media, that Enbridge will not provide the government with the environmental and safety information they wish to have on the project.

I take exception to the blanket belief that BC Conservatives have no care, or concern, for the environment

Photograph by Alan Forseth (near Vernon)

The other day as I mentioned to my Facebook friends, I took a walk through the neighbourhood, and went door to door with the latest BC Conservative Party brochure. Overall, with the folks who were home, the reception I received was great and only two people said “No” to taking a brochure – one politely – the other, not so much.

The one who was less than receptive for some reason had the impression that BC Conservatives had no concern for the environment. This person said they had lived here all their life (as have I) ... they had raised their children here (as have I) ... and their grand-children are here (again as are mine).

Photograph by Alan Forseth (Cariboo Hwy south of Clinton)

I love the outdoors of BC ... I grew up in the Cariboo and every week I'd head out into the outlying areas to enjoy nature ... to go canoeing ... to simply see what there was to see around the next bend.

As a teen in the Cariboo I saw no end of wildlife from grouse and ducks ... to bear, moose, and deer ... along with some great tasting fish.

That is why I take exception to the blanket belief that BC Conservatives have no care, or concern, for the environment.

For example, two woman that I personally know (and not family members) are two of the staunchest environmentalists you could ever meet.  However I do also have family members and friends that hunt and fish, and who rely on the protection of our environment to be able to enjoy these pastimes.

Photograph by Alan Forseth (along
the Kettle Valley Railway Trail)

I also love to photograph the beauty of BC --- the wildflowers ... the fields ... the lakes, creeks and rivers ... the mountains ... trees and shrubs ... even some of the weeds make beautiful photographs.

I am PROUD TO SAY I am a member of the BC Conservative Party ... and the members of our political party no more want to see the beauty around us destroyed, than anyone else – regardless of WHAT party they are part of.

Now ... just for clarity if you have any wondering yourself ... let's take a look at some of the Guiding Principles and Policies, of the BC Conservative Party, regarding the environment:

ARTICLE 1. Guiding Principles

1.1 The new BC Conservative Party is founded on and will be guided in its policy formation by the following principles:

1.1.6. We believe in:

• a competitive free enterprise system as the basis for prosperity and growth.
• protection and management of our environment and natural resources to optimize benefits now and into the future.

ARTICLE 7. Environment.

7.1. Preamble.

We recognize that BC’s diverse environmental assets are the envy of much of the world and should be preserved and protected, and that environmental and fiscal sustainability and optimization should be the hallmark of a government’s policy. To ensure this, our government will work with the public, landowners, involved business interests and other stakeholder groups.