A bit of ‘This and That’ from the news

My apologies … I have been busy with CA meetings for the Kamloops North and South Thompson CA’s … the Public Town Hall meeting in Clearwater with John Cummins tomorrow night ... and the founding meeting of our Fraser Nicola CA which takes place on Saturday. 

That means todays blog post will be a bit of ‘This and That’ from the news over the past couple of days.  Let’s start out with a story from Jordan Bateman OF the Canadian Taxpayers Federation;

“Outrageous B.C. Gas Taxes Keep Economy in Neutral”

If the federal and B.C. governments are as hungry to spark job creation as their expensive TV commercials and overseas trips make it appear, they should cut the taxes on gas.

Taxes now make up nearly one-third of the cost of gasoline, which both penalize drivers and raise the cost of any good or service moved by a vehicle. Leaving more of that money in drivers’ pockets to spend anywhere but on government, simply makes sense.

Lower Mainland drivers pay the highest gas tax on the continent—more than 49 cents per litre. In Victoria, the tax burden is almost 41 cents, while the rest of British Columbia sits at the national average of 37 cents per litre.

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

Next up, is the “The great Hydro cost coverup” by Vaughn Palmer of the Vancouver Sun

As the B.C. Utilities Commission moved this spring to hold public hearings on the B.C. Liberals' controversial electricity plans, the government mounted a rearguard action to drag the process back behind closed doors.

… the process is the formal name for what is essentially a backroom deal, brokered by the regulator with Hydro and the industry and consumer groups that make up the bulk of the players at any public hearing.

Had the commission gone along, the public hearings, set for a minimum three weeks starting June 18, would likely have been cancelled. Much to the relief of the Liberals, who - I'm told - lobbied hard to make sure they never happened …

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

The issue of downloading services from one level of government, to the next, is obviously having a serious affect on municipalities

Last week in Penticton, mayors from 86 communities across British Columbia met to discuss issues they have been facing, and of concern, as more and more areas previously looked after (and funded) by Federal and Provincial governments, get downloaded on to them.  

In a story from the Okanagan’s CHBC TV News, Dianne Watts, Mayor of Surrey said:

“B.C.’s municipalities need a new deal with the provincial and federal governments to provide the services our constituents expect.  Municipalities provide the vast majority of the service in areas such as infrastructure while being given only 8 cents out of every tax dollar to do it.”

While Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton said:

“We all realize there is only one taxpayer and those taxpayers are challenged these days and that challenge is one that we as mayors and council have to address.  The analogy of people being able to support more services through taxation is not one that any mayor in this province wants to accept.”

A news release from the Mayors, following their meeting in Penticton, also brought up a number of additional areas of concerns, where local governments are:

• now providing land as a precondition for the Province to build social housing projects
• now responsible for ensuring residential tenancies are properly maintained by landlords
• paying more for policing as new federal laws require more work to gather more evidence to support charges being approved
• managing flood hazard areas and related liability
• dealing with the aftermath of psychiatric hospitals closures by the Province which has placed many vulnerable people on the street
• paying local fire departments to respond to medical calls, displacing the need for added resources by the provincially funded ambulance service

Those four things stand out to me, as having clear direction … a vision so to speak … of what government should do, and the role it should play in our society

I woke up on Sunday evening with the word “Vision” going through my mind.  Of course it was attached to something that is often on my mind, which is politics.  I believe that in BC we have suffered from a lack of elected officials, and leaders, that have had a real sense of vision on what our province can be for us, and the future it can hold for our children and grandchildren.

But first … what does the word ‘vision’ actually mean?  Here are just a few descriptions:

• a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination
• the act or power of imagination
• mode of seeing or conceiving
• unusual discernment or foresight (a person of vision)

Each of the three main political parties in BC has a vision of how they would govern – and if you are interested you can see what they have to say by visiting their websites.  The one that has resonated for me has been the direction, and vision, presented by the BC Conservative Party.

The first four guiding principles of the BC Conservative Party say it will be guided by the following principles:

1. 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.
2. A belief in managing the government to the highest standards of integrity and transparency and British Columbians are entitled to full knowledge of services rendered and their costs.
3. A belief in the rights and responsibilities of all British Columbians and that Governments at all levels are responsible to serve and respect all individuals and their families, including freedom from unnecessary laws and regulations and excessive government.
4. A belief that Members of the Legislative Assembly are primarily responsible to represent the interests of their Constituents.

Those four things stand out to me, as having clear direction … a vision so to speak … of what government should do, and the role it should play in our society.

Voice of BC - BC Conservatives

BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins

An interview between editorialist and Vancouver Sun news columnist Vaughn Palmer, and BC Conservative Party Leader John Cummins, aired live on the Voice of BC on Thursday May 17th.  For those who do not have SHAW as their internet provider, the link noted below will take you to this 60 minute video interview.

The following is the promo for that interview:

While the BC Liberals and BC NDP battle it our in the legislature, the BC Conservatives are growing their support throughout the province. 

Whether their support will hold until the provincial election in May 2013 is unknown, but it appears the 'coalition of the right' is splintering and most political observers believe that there is little hope of a united right going into the next election.

BC Conservative leader John Cummins provides some insight into his party's policies when he speaks with Vancouver Sun columnist and host of Voice of BC, Vaughn Palmer.

CLICK HERE for the interview

All in all, it was a wonderful evening -- now the real work begins

Two dozen members of the BC Conservative Party, in the riding of Kamloops South Thompson, came together last night to enjoy a meal, and to take part in the Constituency Associations Annual General Meeting, which was chaired by riding President Ted Joslin.

Back Row (Left to Right): Nando Di Lorenzo, Richard Holmes,
Ted Joslin, and Peter Sharp
Front Row:  Alan Forseth and Jacquie Hilton
Missing:  Chris Kempling and Roy Bell

The election of the new board was overseen by Fred Bosman, and when voting concluded, members had elected eight men and women who will now be tasked with registering the Constituency Association with Elections BC, getting plans underway to begin a candidate nomination process, and preparing for the general election to be held next May.

Elected to the board were Fernando Di Lorenzo, Alan Forseth, Jacqueline Hilton, Richard Holmes, Roy Bell, Ted Joslin, Chris Kempling, and Peter Sharp.  The new board will meeting in the next week or two to decide on executive positions, and to set several committees in place.

Following the election of the Board, Regional Director Alan Forseth introduced the evenings Guest Speaker, Sacha Peter of Chilliwack.  While a large portion of his talk centred building a strong campaign team around the right candidate, he also spoke to a concern that some have raised; the issue of vote splitting.

"What I have … has depended on an enormous number of other people."

Scott Anderson, BC Conservative
member in Vernon Monashee

The other day I had a friend forward a piece that had been written by Scott Anderson, a member of the BC Conservative Party in the Vernon Monashee riding.  I thought what he’d had to say was great, and he agreed to let me share it with you today.  Here is what he had to say.

“Who here hates the poor?  This IS the BC Conservative party, isn't it?”

This stereotype is one we are going to be hearing more about as the election gets closer…how we conservatives hate the poor and love the rich. 

We'll hear about how if we win the election women will huddle on the street with hungry kids, the homeless will starve, and minorities will work in sweatshops run by our good buddies the ultra-rich, who will pay no taxes and cruise about town in limousines tossing bread crumbs to the hungry masses. 

It's complete nonsense, but some people actually believe it!

Now most of the arguments against expensive big government have to do with the cost of it - and it's true that we can't afford the socialism of 20th century Europe.  They can't afford it either, which is why Europe is in what amounts to a depression trying to pay for the mountain of debt they've built up over the last 60 years of socialism. 

But I want to talk about something else - something that we conservatives tend to let slide.  And that's the opposition's claim that in order to care about people, we need big government and big government programs.

BC Conservatives are growing -- we're hiring!

BC Conservatives seek Manager of Fundraising

Manager of Fundraising
Reporting to the Chair of the Finance Committee, and working with the Leader, President, Campaign Director and Director of Political Operations, this person will be responsible for the following functions:

• Development of tailored fundraising strategies for corporate and individual donors
• Maintain and update current and existing donor lists
• Write fundraising, letters and emails to solicit individual donations
• Organise fundraising events for the party
• Work with the finance committee to solicit donations
• Offer input and advice for Regional Directors and individual Constituency Associations in their fundraising activities

Salary will be based on experience.
Please send a cover letter and CV to applications@bcconservative.ca
Applications must be received by May 25^th, 2012

BC Conservative seek Manager of Communications

Manager of Communications
Reporting to the Leader and Campaign Director, this person will be responsible for the following functions:

• Develop and implement long and short term communications strategies
• Write news releases and speeches for the leader, and critics
• Work with candidates to write and approve their news releases
• Work closely with the media to ensure coverage of BC Conservative activities
• Manage media inquiries for the leader and candidates
• Serve as a spokesperson when appropriate
• Manage social media for the party and the leader

Salary will be based on experience.
Please send a cover letter and CV to applications@bcconservative.ca
Applications must be received by May 25^th, 2012