By-Election Update

BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark has now officially called by-elections for April 19^th; so that voters in Port Moody-Coquitlam, and in Chilliwack-Hope, can have MLA’s to represent them in the legislature.

The BC Conservative candidate, in Chilliwack – Hope, is John Martin, who has been a criminology professor at the University of the Fraser Valley.   He will be running against Liberal Laurie Throness, and NDP candidate Gwen O’Mahony.

In Port Moody-Coquitlam, Christine Clarke is running for the BC Conservative Party.   Running against her, for the BC Liberals, will be Dennis Marsden, while the NDP candidate is Joe Trasolini.

And we’re off …

Christine Clarke, BC Conservative
candidate for Port Moody - Coquitlam

Since late yesterday, one media outlet after the other has been running stories that British Columbians in the riding's of Port Moody – Coquitlam … and Chilliwack Hope … will be going to the polls soon.  The date of the vote, according to the media, will be April 19^th.

Here’s one of the latest stories, this one from the Vancouver Sun this morning; “Christy Clark to call B.C. by-elections today”:

Premier Christy Clark will today call by-elections in B.C.'s two vacant riding's, meaning voters there will be going to the polls on April 19.

The by-elections will take place in Port Moody-Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope, which were made vacant after resignations by Liberal MLA's Iain Black and Barry Penner.

The call will spark a showdown between Liberal candidate Dennis Marsden, New Democratic Party candidate Joe Trasolini and B.C. Conservative Christine Clarke in Port Moody-Coquitlam

In Chilliwack-Hope, Liberal Laurie Throness will face off against NDP candidate Gwen O'Mahony and John Martin of the Conservatives.

Clark had until April 7 to legally call the by-election in Port Moody-Coquitlam, and until July 30 to make the call in Chilliwack-Hope.

Voters in these two riding's have been waiting for Christy Clark to call these by-elections, but understandably, with things not looking good for her government, she has long delayed. 

The weeks news from BC’s wonderful wild and wacky world of politics

Things are continuing to heat up, and get interesting, in BC’s wonderful wild and wacky world of politics.  Without any further ado, let’s get to some of the stories that have made the news … in a big way … and some that perhaps should have …

That’s Christine Clark — no, not Christy — running for B.C. Conservatives in Port Moody by-election

… a devoted conservative, who believes strongly in smaller government and lower taxes as the path to a healthy economy … running because she believes British Columbians deserve a representative in Victoria who will fight to keep taxes low, work to find creative solutions to issues in health care and take back education from union bosses, placing it instead in the hands of parents and school boards … has a wide range of experience, both as a manger and as an entrepreneur …  specializes in the business side of technology and education … proven an effective negotiator, and an analytical, impartial and proactive decision maker and problem solver …

Success of B.C. NDP Leader Dix has Liberals firing blanks

… the just-concluded legislative session showed a different Mr. Dix than many expected. He was measured, pointed in his criticism, supportive of Liberal legislation that made sense, and effective … performance frustrated those on the government benches, who had hoped to contrast a personable Premier against a dour Mr. Dix. It didn’t happen … the Liberals were left railing against a long-ago misdating of a key memo … a serious mistake he has acknowledged many times  …

Michael Smyth: Critics question Trasolini’s motives

 … He was particularly pally with another local Lib by the name of Christy Clark … co-chaired Clark’s 1996 election campaign in Port Moody. She returned the favour by backing him for mayor … If Joe was going to make the jump to provincial politics, everybody assumed it would be as a Liberal …  now that Trasolini has burned his Liberal bridges, the Libs want to burn him but good….

Cummins: Increased deficit demonstrates Liberal government unable to set funding priorities

“… priorities should be maintaining and improving services such as CLBC, sheriffs and education – not these pet projects of the Premier.”  The increase to the deficit undermines the Liberal commitment to balance the budget by 2013/14. While Minister Falcon has stated that it is still possible for the government to meet its target, he has failed to provide a substantive plan for doing so and is backing away from the Liberal’s promise to achieve it.

Clark could roll the dice on spring election

… Christy Clark, gave Penner a hug, and then told reporters his resignation actually might be a good thing for the Liberals. "People want to see us renew.  They want to see some new people come to the table with new ideas, It's an opportunity for us, frankly." … why would you want to "renew" one of your best MLAs, in one of your party's safest seats? … other Liberal MLAs wondering just what the premier was getting at, and there are rumours some of them might be encouraged to retire, so Clark can move those new people and new ideas into position in by-elections...