How do we deal with the consequences of actions taken in the past? How can they be resolved in a way that is respectful to all? How will we conduct ourselves?

I appreciate when people drop me a note to ask about posts I have written, or questions / comments they have about the BC Conservative Party.

Yesterday, one of my Liberal friends (yeah I do have some) wrote me a note saying:

FYI - I have received two comments this morning about John Cummins comments on First Nations. In short - they think his comments say that he has "thrown in the towel" to become the next Premier of BC.... as a result of last week's interview (and likely his newspaper interview) on Voice of BC.... thought you should know....

Okay … that’s a fair comment; but I wondered, “What are those comments based on.”  So I responded by saying:

Unfortunately TOO many people listen to the comments / opinions of what he has said -- rather than his actual comments, and the facts behind them. It is NOT popular, but in fact he is 100% accurate in what he is saying based on ALL existing court cases.

Where do people plan to live when claims cover 120% of the province.  The First Nations governments can't even agree amongst themselves who's territory is who's ... 97% of the First Nations Fishery was SOLD when the fishery is ONLY to be for food and ceremony ... the land turned over to the Tsawwassen Band was undervalued 10 fold ... I could go on and on.

YES we need to settle these issues -- BUT -- it has to be fair and realistic. THAT is what John Cummins is trying to say and get across.

Here’s the response that I received from my friend:

I respect this point... but unfortunately the public is hearing another message … and I must admit - that the aspect of settling land claims is something I agree with John on … but his other comments around how to go about it is something I disagree with, in light of land claims and plenty of case law on this subject...

To which I replied:

Either we are all equal or we are not. It’s time to get out of the past --- move forward ... and provide realistic opportunities for each and every First Nations person so they can have every opportunity for success.

And yes ... the public is hearing another message ... but it is one being manipulated by those who take advantage of the dissension being created.

Are you alive because of this drug review of Vioxx?

On Tuesday, the National Post had a headline that screamed … “Health Canada not giving timely warnings about pharmaceutical drugs: Auditor General”

I tell you that certainly grabbed my attention as I, along with pretty much all of us have a need for prescription drugs at various times.  Here in part is what the story had to say:

“Health Canada is slow to act on potential issues that it identifies … time lag, outlined in an audit tabled Tuesday in the House of Commons and characterized as “serious,” means people sometimes have to wait more than two years before Health Canada completes a drug safety review of a product already on the market and provides updated information about their risks… the audit also found gaps in transparency that are keeping Canadians in the dark about Health Canada’s drug-safety work …”

If British Columbian's want an optimistic future, hire the only true free enterprise party

Today in the National Post the “Full Comment” editorial from Kelly McParland was headlined … “Ontario election ignores the gathering storm”

Given I have some concerns about BC’s economic future I have to admit I was intrigued, and so decided to read on.  What I found were similarities to BC that have me both concerned and relieved; but first here is just a bit from that story.

The promises, the predictions, the pledges, the vows by the Tories to clean up the mess the Liberals have wrought, the assurances by the Liberals that they can abandon their spending addiction and run the province with a new, low-cost, tight-fisted approach (even while they suddenly discover half a billion dollars to pay for university subsidies) — don’t bet on any of it.

It’s not that the party leaders have been fibbing any more than usual. But the election thus far has operated like tourists on a beach, standing around watching a massive wave head towards them. Rather than race for higher ground, they’re ignoring the approaching peril and pretending the afternoon cocktail hour will proceed as scheduled.

Do any of the three have any sort of plan? Have they even given a passing thought as to how they’d keep the provinces fragile economy from cracking down the middle? There’s no indication they have. And that should have people worried.

Change the names of the political parties … the names of the leader … and the election date … and this Ontario election story could be here in BC.  That’s because it seems that both the Liberals and NDP seem to be unaware we must get our house in order.

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs --- Federal government now raising concerns

Yesterdays National Post (May 19th) had a story regarding compact fluorescent lights.  It indicated that because of 'concern's regarding them, incandescent bulbs would be around for a little longer.  The full story can be found HERE: 

You may be interested in noting that the "concerns" are related to mercury poisoning!!! This is indeed a serious issue which was why an alarm was raised earlier this year by the BC Conservative Party.

BC Conservatives ask … “If a product is too dangerous to be allowed in landfills, why is it being forced into our homes?”

The above linked story was sent, by the BC Conservative Party, to the media in February.