Rick Peterson offering "New Voice, New Leadership, New Direction" as the theme for BC Conservative leadership bid

This morning I arrived in Vancouver for the expected announcement that Rick

(L - R)Sean Upshaw, Rick Peterson, Carol Day,
Jim Friesen, Duane Nickull, and Ian Toothill

Peterson would be letting his name stand to become the next leader of the BC Conservative Party ... and as many of you know, this followed the announcement a week and a half ago that Dan Brooks was also going to seek the position.

One of the reasons I made the trip this morning, along with former Kamloops South BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp, was because as of today, I'm still unsure who I will support.

Right now however, I believe it is more important to get word out on who the candidates are ... their vision ... and how they would lead the membership of the party.

I did Tweet several times from this mornings announcement made by BC Conservative Party leadership hopeful Rick Peterson ... here is what I had to say (FYI ... if you are unfamiliar with Twitter shorthand, a list will follow below of what the shorthand stands for:  

• arrived in #Vancouver 4 #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement at Terminal City Club ... see Sean Upshaw, Ian Toothill, Jeff Bridge, & others
• @duanenickull #seanupshaw #JeffBridge #ianToothill and couple others headed to the platform for #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement 
• Intro now underway w. @CarolDay #BCCP Richmond candid8 at #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement -- giving list of qualifications to lead #bccp
• New Direction, New Leadership, New Direction theme 4 #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement underway at Terminal City Club in #Vancouver 
• #RickPeterson now stepped 2mic - giving thnx to #CarolDay &kudo's 2 first endorsements including John Friessen #SeanUpshaw #IanToothill & more 
• #RickPeterson talking about lower income family seniors, disadvantaged children & how #ChristyClark sucking life out of BCers 
• small biz being hit hard by #BClibs #ChristyClark; need tax fairness. Privileged few on inside (#BCLib appointees) getting perks pensions etc
• #RickPereson "Who is speaking 4 most vulnerable in BC society -- complete silence from #ChristyClark #BCLibs - #BCCP will fill that void 
• competitive edge in bc being squandered away by #ChristyClark #BCLibs -- can't allow that to happen #rickpeterson #leadbcc #bcpoli 
• #leadbcc #RickPeterson ... we need balance between govt, industry/ resource sector, environment, and 1st nations so we can help those who need it 
• #Leadbcc #RickPeterson; gov deferring problems - interest rates bout to rise. with my team #leadbcc will be advancing policies 4change 

RickPeterson says #BCCP will have full warchest for 2017. Path leading 2 political success leads to support all BCers &economy

“The expansion of gambling in BC has only hurt the non-profit sector. The greater the BC Lottery Corporation revenue, the worse it gets for charities”

I went to buy a $4.00 mini-dip (one ticket with one each of the 649, BC49, & the Extra) yesterday, and was told the price had increased over the weekend and that my regular ticket is now $6.00.

WHAT ... a 50% increase??  Did I just get a clerk that didn't know what she is doing -- or is that indeed what they now cost?  Well it didn't take long for a friend to confirm that:

Looks like they have increased the jackpots so that's why it costs more.  The BC Lottery Corporation website says the jackpot will start at $5 million instead of $3 million, and there will be an additional prize of $1million paid out each draw. Either way, you have a better chance of being struck by lightning!

And indeed, a quick look at the Lotto Corp website does indeed state:
With the new guaranteed $1 million prize and the improved odds, the price of Lotto 6/49 changes to $3 per play from $2. Each $3 play includes a unique number exclusively for the new $1 million prize that is guaranteed to be won each draw. Players are automatically entered into new $1 million prize draw from the tickets sold across Canada

A story in the Globe and Mail a few years ago stated a few comparison on your chances of winning.  You are ... three times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident driving 16 kilometers to buy your ticket than winning the jackpot ... you are about 10 times more likely to die after being bitten by a poisonous snake or lizard than to win a Lotto 6/49 jackpot ... if you want to increase your odds just buy 50 tickets a week. You are very likely to win the jackpot at least once — in 5,000 years.

I don't know if it was just me not paying attention, however I have to say the announcement of increased rates on Lotto 649 tickets seems to have been conspicuously absent.

Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but I'm just wondering if BC Liberal government will be taking an even bigger whack of profits into general revenue?  As it is, for the last fiscal year (2012 to 2013), the BC Lottery Corporation sent nearly $1.12 BILLION dollars into the government treasury

I'm sure the non-profits, that have been getting screwed big time in the amounts the were PROMISED by the government when they took over the fundraising they had been doing with soft-gambling, won't be getting anywhere near the 30 odd percent they were once promised (but never received).

A quick look at Mother Lotto Corp shows that while the government took in $1.12 BILLION ... charitable and community organizations received a mere $135 million in gaming grants.

Yes, the BC Liberal government calls them "Gaming Grants" ... however the reality is this was REVENUE for charitable organizations in BC before the government forced them out of soft gambling that community groups and organization had previously done to 'directly' fund the work they did in their communities.

Let's do it in a way that is honest; not through manipulation and sensationalization

Since the first days of settlement at what is now Vancouver, British Columbia, much of the area, including portions of Stanley Park were clear-cut logged at least 3 times.

 

I heard that from Patrick Moore himself (an early member of Greenpeace) at a meeting I attended in Clearwater many years ago.  As I recall from his talk, much of the area was totally logged off to build the homes, businesses, etc; nothing selective in those days.

 

Also, I feel certain this is not an actual photo, but instead a drawing. I grew up in the Cariboo and can recall what clear-cuts looked like. There is not on scrap of brush, broken branches & limbs, drag marks from the tree's being moved, or even smaller growth of trees that would have been left because they had no value.

There is nothing in this picture that represents what an actual logging cut like this should look like.

 

 

If this is indeed an actual photograph (which I highly doubt) I'd be interested in knowing when and where it was taken.  What these enviro people would say is that its is likely a … ‘picture meant to be an example, not a real, or actual location.’

 

And yet our province is attacked as horrible polluters -- and using the worst of mining / logging practices --by enviro-groups (some not all) that are funded by the war chests (so-called make the world a better place foundations) of the 3rd and 4th generations of families of corporate USA ... as well as by all ages of European society, all whom sport the latest fads in clothing, electronics, footwear, etc (and all needing the resources of the land).  

We should only do it if we have the gumption to say the BC Conservatives do have a future, and will be a 'strong' and 'viable' option for voters

Kelowna Westside MLA Ben Stewart to step
down.  Photograph:by Adrian Lam
(Victoria imes Colonist)

Following the announcement Christy Clark was preparing to call a by-election in the riding of Kelowna-Westyside (after the winning candidate, BC Liberal Ben Stewart, stepped down) I was asked if I thought the BC Conservative Party should run a candidate against her. 

I SAID YES!

I think we should --- we gave her a pass first time round when she ran to get a seat in legislature after becoming leader; she doesn't deserve another one 

She ran the BC Liberal Party, and the government, her way.  Her personal stamp was on everything.

On May 14th residents of Vancouver Point Grey said what they thought of that, and she lost.  BC Conservative will of course have to recognize the ever raising 'vote-split' arguement will rear its ugly head again -- that however should NOT be a consideration, and there will have to be a plan and strategy in place for that. 

AGAIN ... I think we should run a candidate ... and put every ounce of energy we can in to it.  We should only do it however if we have the gumption to say the BC Conservative Party does have a future, and will be a 'strong' and 'viable' option for voters to support.  That however is my personal opinion and others may not share it -- so be it.

Just so you know I'm willing to back up my beliefs, I have just made a $55 donation to BC Conservatives for the Kelowna campaign. 

Anyone else willing to show the party we still want to give BC a REAL choice .. a real alternative to BOTH the BC Liberals and the NDP?  Here's the link to go to: https://secure.bcconservative.ca/?f=donate

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... with the "independent" thoughts of one conservative.

WE ARE THE 98 PERCENT

This morning I came across a story written by Licia Corbella, in the Calgary Herald.   At first her story made me smile – then it made me laugh – but then to tell you the truth, it annoyed the heck out of me.  If you haven’t seen or read this, why not take a moment to do so?

The contrast couldn’t be more stark between the Famous 5 celebrants and Occupy Calgary protesters meeting just steps apart Tuesday.

At around noon, about 40 women in hats gathered at the Famous 5 statue at Olympic Plaza to celebrate the 82nd anniversary of women being declared “persons” in Canada, on Oct. 18, 1929. Those five women are proof of the incredible power a few determined, focused people can make when they have a clear plan to achieve a clear goal.

Just steps away, 18 Occupy Calgary protesters are gathering for their daily meeting at noon, called by Sheehan Herlein, next to the pretty pond the City of Calgary’s taxpayers pay for in the square, along with the clean and functioning washroom facilities and pretty flowers.

There should be “ready access” to high level medical services throughout BC

On CTV News from Vancouver on Monday night, they had a story about the ER in Princeton being closed for the day.  So where was the nearest hospital?? … one hour away in Penticton.

My thoughts were, and still are, that this is completely wrong --- the Interior Health Authority hanging a sign that says "Sorry Were Closed" is a totally unacceptable contingency plan.   In my opinion, the government’s grand scheme to centralize hospital administration, often time’s hours from a community, has proven to be a disastrous plan.

Oh sure it’s worked well for the larger centres where more and more of the medical care is ending up.  What about smaller rural communities however; many of which are where logging, mining, construction and other more dangerous type jobs are done.  For them prompt medical attention, in the case of an accident, may be critical.

A sad tale of gas prices and taxes

Yesterday I had to head to Children's Hospital, down at the coast, to take my grand-daughter for an appointment.

The price of gas in the Valleyveiw area of Kamloops was $1.09 so of course I filled up. As I passed by Merritt I did not notice the price however in the Fraser Valley I noted the price was rising – and from the freeway off ramp, headed towards Oak Street, the prices ranged from $1.30 to $1.34.

To tell you the truth I really didn’t think much of it other than to say I felt sorry for people at the coast who in addition to the horrendous price we pay for fuel, also have an additional transit tax as well. I said to myself, I should have enough to get back to Kamloops, but if it looks a little tight I can always fill up in Merritt.

So ... what was the price in Merritt?? Well believe it or not it was $1.34 and so you bet all I pumped in was $5.00 to get me the rest of the way to Kamloops. And the price in Kamloops ... still just $1.09.

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.

Ensuring that Canadians have access to the care they need, when they need it

Earlier this week my Kamloops Liberal MLA, Kevin Krueger, talked about surgical wait lists and the Interior Health Authority (IHA), in a news story with CHNL 610.  In the story he mentioned that Kamloops is far behind Kelowna in wait times.

I am just wondering what the point was in his story — other than he continues to blames the NDP government from 10 years earlier.

The real story should however be about the personal stories of the people that this situation impacts!

I wouldn’t bet on it …

Listening to the news over the past few days one would think that with meetings, discussions, and people having the opportunity to speak for and against the new mega-casino at Canada Place in Vancouver, there is a chance it won’t be built.

I wouldn’t place a bet on it!

The NDP regrettably started the government relying on casino money – and over the past decade the Liberals have taken it to new heights.

And who loses with more and more casino’s opening all over the province??  Well for starters it will be community non- profit groups that have been seeing an ever increasing decline in government funding. 

Who is Christy Clark

Christy Clark was born and raised in Burnaby by her mother Mavis, a family counselor, and her father Jim, a school teacher and guidance counselor.

Clark was first elected to the legislature in 1996 as MLA for Port Moody-Burnaby Mountain. During the next five years, she served as the Official Opposition critic for the environment, children and families and for the public service. 

When the BC Liberals formed government she was appointed Minister of Education and Deputy Premier in 2001, became Deputy Premier at the time of the privatization of BC Rail, and in 2004 was appointed Minister of Children and Family Development.

BC Liberals holding Extraordinary Convention this weekend

This Saturday, February 12, 2011, the BC Liberal Party will be holding an Extraordinary Convention at Canada Place in Vancouver. 

This is a one issue convention to determine whether each member of the BC Liberal Party will have a vote to elect their next leader – or if voting will be weighted with each constituency association having an equal number of points (100) no matter how many members.

Leadership of the BC Conservatives and Policy Development

As mentioned on this blog last Thursday, the BC Conservative Party will be holding a leadership race, culminating in a vote by members ending May 28^th.  BC Conservative Party spokesperson Keith Roy of Vancouver had the following announcement which was released to the media:

The BC Conservative Party is holding a convention to elect a new leader on May 28, 2011.  The convention will take place somewhere in the Fraser Valley or Lower mainland at a soon to be determined location.

According to the constitution of the party, the election of a leader will be by universal ballot, with ballots mailed to every member at least 15 days prior to the leadership convention date.  Ballots may be returned by mail or delivered to the convention.

“Our leadership race will be a truly dynamic and democratic race,” says Wayne McGrath, President of the BC Conservative Party.  “Members from all across the province will have an opportunity to select a new leader.”