Castanet

maple leaf wrote:"It's important for British Columbians to know where we're at economically, that we've got a plan, we're sticking with the plan, and we're getting results with the plan."

Most any British Columbian who hasn't either been living under a rock or working in politics knows exactly "where we're at" economically.

In the toilet.

interesting.....
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Recalle ... story.html

The speaker of the B.C. Legislature admits a secret decision to provide severance to all MLAs who lose their seats because of recall petitions was probably not the best idea.

In 2011, a secret bi-partisan committee of MLAs decided to extend severance payments to any MLA that was successfully recalled by their constituents.

That means any MLA fired by their constituents will be entitled to 15 months salary, or about $127,000 — no matter why they were voted out.

go Liberals yeesh, one lie after another

Former Mayor to Run For Liberals.


http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story--3-.htm


Not saying Sam Sullivan would be anything similar to Gordo but I would think that experience with a former mayor would be enough to scare us off for a long time. Why would anyone want to be tied to the Liberals at this point. It could end a career before it starts.

Smurf wrote:Former Mayor to Run For Liberals.


http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story--3-.htm


Not saying Sam Sullivan would be anything similar to Gordo but I would think that experience with a former mayor would be enough to scare us off for a long time. Why would anyone want to be tied to the Liberals at this point. It could end a career before it starts.

well you get a big bonus when you get run out.
one thing the liberals believe in is making sure their friends have a great pension or severance regardless of preformance.

Well, I've been visiting the local businesses lately. I've heard from so many people that they're in favour of the pipeline but have been afraid to say anything because they think everyone else is against it.

The saddest thing I've heard today was from a local restaurant owner - he said many of his regular customers had been commuting to Alberta for shifts and living here in the Okanagan, but about 6 months ago they started to pick up and move to Alberta to live. He says about one regular family a week is moving now. They're gone and it'll be hard to get them back.

As I walk down main street looking at the empty store fronts, it makes me mad that the Liberal government is playing politics with the pipeline and all the jobs it will bring. It makes me mad that this government is wrapping our small farmers in so much red tape that almost 1000 of them - three quarters - have either quite producing meat or have entered the black market to make a living. It makes me mad that my own 25 year-old son has to leave for Alberta to find work that pays a living wage.

I expect this sort of irresponsible anti-entrepreneurial behaviour from the NDP, but the Liberals call themselves "free enterprise?" If it wasn't so tragic it would be laughable.

On the upside, it's extremely rewarding to be able to meet the small business people who show up every morning and keep struggling to pull through. Once elected as a BC Conservative MLA, I'm going to make damned good and sure the small business people and farmers have a say.

And for the record, if you see a picture of me in the paper holding a shovel, it'll be because I'm using it - not posing with it.

Please stop using the forum for advertising. Thanks. Trip

ScottSA wrote:Well, I've been visiting the local businesses lately. I've heard from so many people that they're in favour of the pipeline but have been afraid to say anything because they think everyone else is against it.

The saddest thing I've heard today was from a local restaurant owner - he said many of his regular customers had been commuting to Alberta for shifts and living here in the Okanagan, but about 6 months ago they started to pick up and move to Alberta to live. He says about one regular family a week is moving now. They're gone and it'll be hard to get them back.

As I walk down main street looking at the empty store fronts, it makes me mad that the Liberal government is playing politics with the pipeline and all the jobs it will bring. It makes me mad that this government is wrapping our small farmers in so much red tape that almost 1000 of them - three quarters - have either quite producing meat or have entered the black market to make a living. It makes me mad that my own 25 year-old son has to leave for Alberta to find work that pays a living wage.

I expect this sort of irresponsible anti-entrepreneurial behaviour from the NDP, but the Liberals call themselves "free enterprise?" If it wasn't so tragic it would be laughable.

On the upside, it's extremely rewarding to be able to meet the small business people who show up every morning and keep struggling to pull through. Once elected as a BC Conservative MLA, I'm going to make damned good and sure the small business people and farmers have a say.

And for the record, if you see a picture of me in the paper holding a shovel, it'll be because I'm using it - not posing with it.

Scott Anderson, BC Conservative Party Candidate, Vernon-Monashee

I really hope your party can pull itself together before May and come up with some real solutions to the problems BC is facing - because there are a lot of them.

And your comments about people leaving for Alberta are spot on. Nearly everyone I grew up with around the Okanagan has already left (30 somethings). Of those that are still here, half work in Alberta. I'm not far behind them.

And I don't think any of them will ever come back. There really is no reason for them to do so.

Sn0man wrote:

I really hope your party can pull itself together before May and come up with some real solutions to the problems BC is facing - because there are a lot of them.

And your comments about people leaving for Alberta are spot on. Nearly everyone I grew up with around the Okanagan has already left (30 somethings). Of those that are still here, half work in Alberta. I'm not far behind them.

And I don't think any of them will ever come back. There really is no reason for them to do so.

i have the moving truck in my driveway now and off to alberta tomorrow.
i sold my dumptruck and said the hell with it.
gas prices are 96.9 in edmonton that alone entices me and the work is everywhere there paying much better than here.
Christy and the liberals have turned BC into a expensive police state.

Why is Christy Clark so eager to have the conflict of interest commissioner make judgement on VanDongens evidence.?After fighting tooth and nail to keep everything secret.Spending hundreds of thousands in court to do so.Refusing to have an enquiry that would once and for all exonerate her if as she claims she has nothing to hide.Why all of a sudden now.Because her close tie and family friend was not in the mix and someone who she can manipulate, to come to her aid and make the whole thing go away.Or so she thinks.If Paul Fraser does not do the right thing and step aside this will not go away.And it shouldn't.

Snip:
Now, it is NOT POSSIBLE for Paul Fraser, as Conflict of Interest Commissioner to in any way proceed while his family and the Clark family have such close ties.
It doesn’t matter how dispassionate Commissioner Fraser might be: For the integrity of any decision he makes in this matter to be considered fair and unbiased, he must not only do what is right, but at the very least, appear to be doing what is right. This is the tradition and protocol established before him by my old friend Bert Oliver and Ted Hughes.
Fraser, who was a storied, highly-respect litigator when in private practice, had he the judgement, should not only recuse himself now from this case, but he should have immediately resigned as Conflict Commissioner the second Christy Clark became premier. He was appointed in 2008, she became premier in 2011. Commissioner Fraser cannot possibly distance himself from the fact that the Clark/Marrisens and Frasers are tight–very, and the Commissioner knows this. I will not embarrass him here unless forced, but he’s been thoroughly social with that whole political circle of friends in the past.
Snip;
So, for nice guys like John Paul Fraser, would you expect that Clark wouldn’t use that connection to try to make her obvious breach of trust and viral conflicts during the sale of BC Rail go away?
Of course she would. That’s why she’s so eager to have the father of one of her closest pals pass judgement, essentially exonerating her of her sins.
There is no way the current Conflict of Interest Commissioner, under present circumstances can possibly be seen as impartial or even unbiased. A decision finding Christy Clark as being in a conflict wouldn’t even stand, as it could be argued that the Commissioner might have gone too far over the line to demonstrate impartiality. A slim chance, but an existent one, nonetheless.
Snip;
If she really wants us to believe her, she would release the Basi-Virk settlement agreement, to begin with, and then call for an inquiry into the sale of BC Rail. Why did it take vanDongen’s request for her to become so compliant and eager? Why not volunteer than if you have nothing to hide? Because Commissioner Fraser wasn’t in the mix until now.
http://alexgtsakumis.com/2012/11/09/van ... le-deceit/

""Editorial: Are the B.C. Liberals just trying to lose?

The B.C. Liberals must have a different definition of transparency than the average British Columbian, as well as an alternative view of the meaning of the phrase "open and accountable government."

How else to explain the recent bizarre, at times secret, spending priorities of the provincial government, struggling as it is with extremely low popularity?

Millions of dollars in public funds for the Liberals' clearly partisan ad campaign while services are cut back for citizens; large severance packages for government executives; the "verbal investigation" of Premier Christy Clark's former chief of staff, Ken Boessenkool, that left no paper record of the probe into his inappropriate conduct; and, as our columnist Michael Smyth revealed, the destruction of records into the creation of a pro-HST pamphlet.

Clark came into office in February 2011 promising that her government would do things differently, but all we get is more of the same sneaky, backroom conduct and special deals for insiders.

How does Clark's government not understand that voters are absolutely fed up with these kinds of actions? It is these constant assaults on taxpayers' patience that make the Liberals' defeat in next May's election a near certainty.""

NAB wrote:""Editorial: Are the B.C. Liberals just trying to lose?

The B.C. Liberals must have a different definition of transparency than the average British Columbian, as well as an alternative view of the meaning of the phrase "open and accountable government."

How else to explain the recent bizarre, at times secret, spending priorities of the provincial government, struggling as it is with extremely low popularity?

Millions of dollars in public funds for the Liberals' clearly partisan ad campaign while services are cut back for citizens; large severance packages for government executives; the "verbal investigation" of Premier Christy Clark's former chief of staff, Ken Boessenkool, that left no paper record of the probe into his inappropriate conduct; and, as our columnist Michael Smyth revealed, the destruction of records into the creation of a pro-HST pamphlet.

Clark came into office in February 2011 promising that her government would do things differently, but all we get is more of the same sneaky, backroom conduct and special deals for insiders.

How does Clark's government not understand that voters are absolutely fed up with these kinds of actions? It is these constant assaults on taxpayers' patience that make the Liberals' defeat in next May's election a near certainty.""

Sure looks that way Nab.It looks like they are just putting in time,spending as much money as they can, taking care of their friends as much as possible,while they can.Run the credit cards right up and screw everything up so bad that the NDP will take years to sort it all out and won't have any money to work with.

funny how right wing governments do this and left wing governments leave surpluses. must be because left wingers tax appropriately.

More Liberal skullduggery

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Burnaby hospital strategy devised to gain votes, letter reveals


BY JONATHAN FOWLIE, VANCOUVER SUN NOVEMBER 9, 2012


STORYPHOTOS ( 1 )



Controversial figure: Pamela Gardner, right, seen here in a file photo with Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy, is at the center of a controversy about Liberal manipulation of a community consultation committee regarding the future of Burnaby Hospital.
Photograph by: Contributed , BURNABY NOW

The B.C. Liberal government's drive to make over Burnaby Hospital was concocted by a trio of party operatives in an effort to unseat an NDP MLA, prop up a potential B.C. Liberal candidate and win votes in other key ridings, a newly leaked document reveals.

The three B.C. Liberal Party organizers sent a letter to government staff late last year outlining a step-by-step strategy on how to use the hospital issue in Burnaby for maximum political gain.

"Only Burnaby Hospital can deliver a new seat, (Burnaby) Deer Lake, taking out (NDP MLA Kathy) Corrigan and helping us win two tight (swing ridings)," read the three-page letter, which was obtained by the NDP and provided to The Vancouver Sun.

The letter outlined an elaborate strategy referencing expected moves on the hospital issue by MLA Corrigan, her husband Derek, the mayor of Burnaby, and Kathy's sister, who is a doctor at the hospital.

"If Cathy (sic) and Derek Corrigan act first we will lose this issue and never get it back. Anything we do at that point will be seen as reacting to the efforts of Cathy Corrigan."

Moves by the B.C. Liberal government since that time show the strategy appears to have been followed precisely, including an announcement in April by then health minister Mike de Jong about a planning process for the hospital.

"In my mind, it just explains why this government has no credibility, and why that credibility is so shot with the public," NDP health critic Mike Farnworth said Thursday.

"When governments make decisions around infrastructure, it should be on the basis of good solid public policy, not on the basis of, 'let's determine whether or not it's a winning issue.'"

The letter was written by Pamela Gardner, who has served as a B.C. Liberal Party riding president in Burnaby-Edmonds; Brian Bonney, who for five years worked as the party's director of operations and now works within government as a communications director; and Mark Robertson, the B.C. Liberal Party's director of field operations.

The authors said they believe conditions in Burnaby Hospital are "much poorer" than any other in B.C., adding that on two floors "the stench of stale urine is extremely strong."

The letter advised that Premier Christy Clark and others in government should announce "ASAP" an intention to rebuild Burnaby Hospital, even if they aren't able to make a firm commitment on any details.

"This would keep the issue ours without committing $$ and buy us time to do some polling and confirm this is a winning issue," read the letter.

The letter also advised Clark to launch a community consultation committee on the hospital, which the authors said should be led by Gardner as chair. They also suggested that potential B.C. Liberal candidates Dr. David Yap, or Jeff Kuah - neither of whom have publicly announced plans to run - be included on the committee. Yap is an emergency room doctor at the hospital.

"(Clark) was born in the hospital. A (Clark) government delivering this will dramatically help our chances in Deer Lake where the hospital resides," said the letter, which made multiple references to the fact Clark was born in the hospital.

"However, this hospital is an icon with all of Burnaby and it will surely help us re-win (Burnaby) North and (Burnaby) Lougheed too," it continued.

"Once more, if we can introduce a second-generation Chinese doctor candidate for Burnaby Deer Lake, to champion this issue, it would help us seal the deal."

On April 27 - roughly four months after the letter appears to have been written - the B.C. Liberal government announced a "high-level master-planning process for Burnaby Hospital to develop a clear vision for the expansion, improvement and delivery of health services at Burnaby Hospital."

On the same day, the Burnaby Hospital Community Consultation Committee was announced, chaired by Gardner, and including Yap.

Farnworth said that shows the process was purely political, and criticized the letter's suggestion that the decision be made on the basis of polling.

"Frankly, I think it's a disgraceful way to do public policy," he said, adding that he wonders whether the government would abandon the hospital issue if it did not poll as a "winning issue."

"Fraser Health should be leading it (the consultation), the ministry should be leading it, not a committee that's getting its marching orders and has been designed by a bunch of Liberal hacks to make the government look good and to win a seat."

Minister of Health Margaret MacDiarmid said she had not seen the letter until Thursday, adding the relevant announcements at the hospital took place under the former health minister.

Nonetheless, MacDiarmid said she was not concerned by what she saw.

"We have strong supporters in Burnaby who at the same time as they are really supportive of us, they also really want this hospital redeveloped," she said.

"People are passionate. They're passionate about their politics and they're passionate about their hospital," she said, adding that passion will have no impact on the final decision at Burnaby Hospital.

"In spite of how passionate our supporters are, that does not impact on how decisions are made about hospital capital," she said.

"Hospital planning will happen through the Fraser Health Authority and with the capital people in the ministry and in Treasury Board," she continued.

"That is not a political process. We're guided by experts."

A B.C. Liberal Party spokesman said neither Robertson nor the party would comment on the matter, and Bonney did not return a call for comment.

In an email, Gardner said she is "very proud of the 100s of volunteer hours I and the committee members put into this process."

Gardner added she believes the soon-to-be complete final report from her consultation committee "will speak for itself."

Please click here to read more stories from The Vancouver Sun.

© Copyright (c) Burnaby Now

Original source article: Burnaby hospital strategy devised to gain votes, letter reveals


Read more: http://www.burnabynow.com/Putting+show+ ... z2BzNOLZl3

Has anyone else noticed that lately there have been a number of settlements with public sector unions. Most have included salary increases, small but increases. I have to wonder if there are a couple of reasons behind this.
- keep the unions quiet before the upcoming election.
- they don't care if the raises increase costs because that problem can be left to their sucessor. Then they can sit back and
blame them for the ever increasing budget.

I kinow this is normal in politics. make your oppostion look as bad as you can b7ut it is wrong. We have to get these kind of things out of politics. When you look at tyhe money spent on the US election you realize how important it is to be in control. These people are definately interested in a lot more than America. They are interested in the fortunes that can be made by being in control. How do we get politicians that want to govern for the good of everyone and not their own and their friends benifit.