THIS WEEK … in BC Politics

This week’s wrap up of the political news begins with a story that appeared in Thursday’s Globe and Mail entitled … "Patrick Kinsella is the ultimate Mr. Fixit".    

For those not aware, this is the same man with direct and long ties to the BC Liberal Party ... and the sale of BC Rail.

Other past headlines about Mr. Kinsella included --- "Hiring of Kinsella was bad optics, BC Rail trial hears" --- "Kinsella trumpeted insider status to BC Rail, court hears" --- and --- "Court orders some Kinsella records released, but restricts access to others"

The Mr. Fixit story begins with the following paragraph:

“ … Patrick Kinsella, the quintessential insider in B.C. politics, arranged for representatives of a mining company based in Pemberton to meet on Dec. 1 with Premier Christy Clark and Energy Minister Rich Coleman …”

Now, here are some of the other stories that made political news in BC this past week …

Liberals under heavy pressure in two formerly safe Fraser Valley ridings

… both Adrian Dix’s NDP and John Cummins’ Conservatives have already declared their candidates for the ridings of Port-Moody Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope, the Liberals have yet to name their line-up for the contests …

The British Columbia government is preparing to spend "lots" of money to advertise Premier Christy Clark … Minister Pat Bell said today.

Okay I will admit it right off the bat.  I edited what was actually written, but I think it's fitting (funny too in a sad way) ... read on.

BC Premier Christy Clark

On November 16th, in the Tyee, a story began "The British Columbia government is preparing to spend "lots" of money to advertise Premier Christy Clark's jobs strategy, Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell said today."  Here is a part of what that story had to say:

The bulk of the campaign will be international, but also with some advertising within BC, said Bell.

"The local stuff is really focused on engaging with British Columbians, saying, 'Here's the jobs strategy,' bring forward your ideas, your projects, your concepts of things you think that we should be doing to help support your local community," he said.

A farewell from Barry Penner

Retiring BC Liberal MLA Barry Penner

BC Liberal MLA, and former Cabinet Minister, Barry Penner was first elected to the British Columbia Legislature in the general election of 1996.

His MLA website has this information, “About Barry Penner”

Barry served as Attorney General for the Province of British Columbia from December 1, 2010 until August 18, 2011 when he announced that after four successful election campaigns, he would not be seeking re-election to the British Columbia Legislature. Barry also stepped down from his ministerial portfolio to spend more time with his young family.

Barry Penner previously served as BC’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation from October, 2010 to March, 2011 and Minister of Environment from June, 2005 to October, 2010. He was BC’s longest serving Environment Minister.

Barry was raised in Chilliwack, BC. He received his Bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser University after studying government and economics, and subsequently earned his law degree from the University of Victoria. Barry was employed as a BC park ranger during his summer breaks. In 1991, he worked for an International law firm in Bangkok, Thailand and then practiced law in Chilliwack until his election to the Legislative Assembly in 1996.

Barry was first elected to the BC Legislature in 1996 for the electoral district of Chilliwack. He helped lead the charge against the Sumas Energy 2, Inc. (SE2) power plant, which would have added 2.5 tonnes of air pollution every day into the Fraser Valley. He also helped rally community support which resulted in the new Chilliwack Courthouse. Barry was re-elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Chilliwack-Kent, and was re-elected in 2005, and again in 2009

I for one would like to say thanks for his work and dedication not just to the constituents of Chilliwack Hope … but to all of BC

CLICK HERE for a farewell video from soon to be former Chilliwack Hope MLA Barry Penner

The public will have their say about the confidence they have in the BC Liberal Government

Often times I will get comments from folks on things I have posted and written about on the Conservative Thoughts blog.  Today, with their permission, I'd like to share a few…

Well there was lots to think about on the political front, Alan, but what stuck in my craw the most was the fact that apathy is running rampant in BC. It doesn't matter if it's federal, provincial or a municipal election folks are staying home in droves.

I think people are sick of clichés and are looking for future politicians who will 'say it like it is', and be honest and up front with them before worrying about being 'politically correct'.  People want representatives who represent their constituents rather than political parties

... you asked … lol"

Sue Brown

Dear Alan,

The best of the year has to be the growth of the BC Conservative Party.

In my work overseas developing democracies I have learned that all donor organizations and countries, such as the United Nations, European Union, USA and yes even Canada encourage transition and developing democracies to adopt a multi-party political system.

People need positive leaders, positive solutions to our problems with policies to match

Yesterday, Christy Clark and the BC Liberal Party posted a new video on their YouTube channel.  A video in which she began by saying “It’s been quite a year for British Columbia …”

I couldn’t agree with her more on that!

Last year was both interesting and exciting … it was a year in which BC Liberals and the New Democrats elected new leaders … and one in which the fledgling BC Conservative Party went from 5% in the polls to 23% in the months following the election of John Cummins as leader, the development of dozens of constituency association, and the building of a strong party foundation.

But back to the video, and the words of Christy Clark.  For example these words at the 9 second mark … “We’ve come together to bring the right kind of change to our province”

Sorry Christy but the actions of your government don't match the words being spoken --- and the talk of openness and member participation – well that’s about a year late now.

The platform and ideas she is NOW asking to have contributed ‘by the people’???   They are already part of the BC Conservative Party Policy and Guiding Principles document; one developed and created by the rank and file members of the party during the past year. 

Why do I know this??

Personal magic and magnetic charm … or practical substance. Which choice do you want to have in 2013?

The Victoria Times Colonist has a great opinion / editorial this morning entitled, “Rebuilding trust in politicians” … and with an election in BC just a year and a half away, the comments made are very timely. 

Timely in that our political parties in BC, prior to the next general election, have a chance - and the opportunity - to show us our shaken trust can indeed be restored. 

And why do we need this to happen?  A CBC news story from May 13^th, 2009 gives us the reason right off the bat with this opening paragraph:

Voter turnout in B.C.'s provincial election hit a record low on Tuesday, with , a full eight percentage points less than the 58 per cent that voted in 2005.

That story also went on to say two things that interested me – well actually one annoyed the heck out of me … the other actually came as no surprise:

UBC political science professor Fred Cutler said there were other factors at play, including the two main party leaders' lack of charisma and a lack of clear divisions in their platforms.

Here’s what scares me about that statement … Merriam Webster defines Charisma as follows:
1: a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader)

2: a special magnetic charm or appeal

Personal magic??  Magnetic Charm?? 

Destiny is not a matter of chance … it is a thing to be achieved

Here’s the headline in the Vancouver Province newspaper story dated December 30, 2011 … “Liberals launch ‘RiskyDix’ attack ad, website”.  The story begins by saying that:

The BC Liberals have launched a second attack campaign against Opposition leader Adrian Dix, who recently passed Premier Christy Clark in public approval ratings.

Over the past several months, as they have fallen in the polls, the BC Liberals have attacked both BC Conservative leader John Cummins -- and NDP leader Adrian Dix with negative advertising.

The sad truth is Christy Clark and the BC Liberals have nothing of their own to stand on, and they are now beginning to wildly lash out in fear and desperation.

This must especially be sad for the rank and file members of the party, many of whom have probably given a lot, both in time and personal finances, to support a party that rose from the shambles of Social Credit to challenge, and then defeat the NDP.

Why I can say this? I'm one of the voters BC Liberals drove away!

BC Premier Christy Clark

Warren Kinsella had an opinion piece in the Winnipeg Sun today entitled, "BC politicking will put New Democrats back in power"

I'm going to let you know what my opinion is of this story ... it is nothing but horse manure!! 

In fact, it is obvious Warren Kinsella has not been spending a lot of time 'listening' to voters in BC who are very much tired of a government that shows no indication of being accountable, responsible, or responsive to BC voters.

John Cummins and his "gang of advisors" has not, as Kinsella has said, "cheerfully set about destroying B.C.’s centre-right coalition, and getting the BC New Democrats back into government."

Christy Clark and her gang of back room hacks and political opportunists have, all on their own, driven BC voters away.