BC Pre May 14, 2013 Election Call

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Wed, 2013-03-06 17:01

NorthReport

The outrage over Christy Clark’s outreach plan

A ‘quick win’ strategy to target ethnic voters moves the B.C. Liberals even closer to a loss

“Welcome to Bollywood East,” B.C. Premier Christy Clark enthused in January during a glitzy announcement that the province was spending $11 million to host the Times of India Film Awards in Vancouver. Clark dismissed insinuations the April 4-6 event was a sop to Indo-Canadian voters weeks before the May 14 provincial election, calling it “an incredible opportunity for us to sell our province.” But as a series of devastating leaks made clear in the past week, it also now appears part of an effort to buy ethnic votes for the B.C. Liberals with taxpayer funds.

It was a chastened Clark who appeared in Victoria on Monday in an attempt to keep her restive caucus in line, and to face the legislature for the first time since the opposition New Democrats released a leaked draft copy of a 17-page “Multicultural Strategic Outreach Plan,” a strategy to woo ethnic votes that was circulated to senior party insiders and staff, many of whom were collecting a paycheque from taxpayers. Among the strategy’s key points was a plan to issue government apologies for “historical wrongs,” such as the Chinese head tax and the refusal to let Sikhs disembark when their chartered ship, the Komagata Maru, arrived in Vancouver in 1914. Such apologies offer “quick wins” for the Liberals, the document said. The memo was circulated on Jan. 10, 2012, by Kim Haakstad, a Clark confidante and then the premier’s deputy chief of staff.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/03/06/the-outrage-over-christy-clarks-outre...

2413

Wed, 2013-03-06 19:08

#203

NorthReport

The Elements of BC Liberal Style

Upon study, the language of the ethnic outreach memo tells us much about the party's inner mind.

'We will appear opportunist'

But the memo understands the threats of its own plan very well:

• Failing to ensure a sustainable effort could be seen as time-limited pandering.

• Not fully funding and fully executing strategies might leave an impression that the government is still viewing ethnic communities as a lower priority.

• If not done correctly, we will appear opportunist.

It not only tells us what Christy Clark's team was thinking of doing in the run-up to the May 14 election; it also tells us what kind of world the Clark Liberals live in.

It's a world where minorities -- especially people of colour -- must be reached out to because they certainly aren't in the Liberals' inner circle. It's also a world where hard evidence isn't really needed; "anecdotal reports" will do. And it's a world where the media should be circumvented wherever possible by building a database of potential ethnic "targets." The Liberals will feed stories to the ethnic media, but the real appeal will be direct, whether by phone or email.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2013/03/06/Elements-of-Liberal-Style/

Wed, 2013-03-06 19:10

#204

theleftyinvestor

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/been+there+experienced+that/...

Vaughn Palmer: B.C.'s NDP’s been there, experienced that

The Opposition knows exactly what the Liberal government is going through: They’ve been in the same position

VICTORIA — As the bad news accumulated and the electoral odds worsened for the B.C. Liberal government in recent weeks, the Opposition New Democrats have provided some telling recollections from their own experience in going down with a troubled government.

“I’ve seen this movie,” quipped one former NDP communications staffer, then corrected himself: “I was IN this movie ... and I know how it ends.”

Wed, 2013-03-06 19:17

#205

NorthReport

I have never seen anything like this and was about to ask what it was like near the end of Glen Clark's reign, but it has just been answered above.

It is now non-stop, 24/7 wave after wave of revulsion towards Christy Clark and the entire BC Liberals.

A matter of honour

B.C. has a variety of ethnic communities – a fact which was not, apparently, lost on high-ranking aides to Premier Christy Clark, judging by a memo on planned public policy exchanged through their private email accounts and leaked to devastating effect last week by the NDP.

It’s unfortunate that Clark’s BC Liberal cohort seemed to view her province’s multicultural fabric merely as another resource to be harvested for votes.

It should come as no surprise that the BC Liberals are desperate to build a bridge across a growing credibility gap. What is surprising is how spectacularly they fail, yet again.

http://www.peacearchnews.com/opinion/195698771.html

Wed, 2013-03-06 19:19

#206

NorthReport

'''

Wed, 2013-03-06 19:24

#207

NorthReport

Liberals may regret not making a leadership change

The memo was sent out by Clark confidante and deputy Kim Haakstad, who distributed the ethnic voter plan to party and government staff via their personal e-mail addresses. Among the staff was Pamela Martin, the former news anchor turned premier’s director of outreach. Hard to imagine that the premier didn’t know about this. The public and many within the Liberal Party were aghast at the cynical plan—Haakstad was forced to resign. Now Yap has stepped aside too, though it’s doubtful he had anything to do with the plan.

It was not the resignation a lot of British Columbians were hoping for.

With the May 14 election approaching, perhaps Liberal MLAs fear a leadership change will cause more turmoil for a party that saw it’s last leader, Gordon Campbell, resign two years ago over the HST mess.

However, in sticking with Clark, things may actually get worse.

On the great myths of B.C. politics is one in which Christy Clark is hailed as a “great campaigner” and “good communicator.” However, a look at her 2005 Vancouver mayoral candidate bid and the 2011 byelection reveal Clark is anything but a great campaigner.

In 2005, not along after ending her first stint in government to spend more time with her young son, Clark announced she was seeking the Vancouver Non-Partisan Association’s mayoral nomination. She didn’t even live in Vancouver at the time of the announcement and had no discernible campaign platform. She did sign up a lot of members—unfortunately for her, not enough turned out and Sam Sullivan won the candidacy (and later the election).

In 2011, Clark ran in Gordon Campbell’s recently-vacated Vancouver-Point Grey riding in a byelection. She refused to participate in all-candidates debates, but did find the time to play dress-up and be a waitress for part of a shift. In the end, she only barely beat the NDP’s David Eby.

For a premier that has showed full preference for photo-ops over public policy, it’s hard to see how things will get better for the Liberals over an intense election campaign.

http://www.richmondreview.com/opinion/195638731.html

Wed, 2013-03-06 21:08

#208

NorthReport

Prime BC Liberal territory - doesn't look good. I'm beginning to wonder what BC Liberal seats are safe any more.

Abbotsford South Asian community condemns B.C. Liberals' ethnic outreach strategy BY ROCHELLE BAKER, ABBOTSFORD TIMES MARCH 6, 2013 4:00 PM

Premier Christy Clark (pictured above at Abbotsford's historic Gur Sikh Temple in 2011) and the B.C. Liberals are drawing fire for a strategy outlining how to gain "quick wins" with ethnic voters during the upcoming election.

http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/news/Abbotsford+South+Asian+community+con...

Wed, 2013-03-06 21:19

#209

NorthReport

Members of South Asian community say outreach plan could cost Liberal seats this May

http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/2013/03/06/Outreach-Strategy-Short/

Wed, 2013-03-06 21:28

#210

NorthReport

What a Liberal disaster.

I'm beginning to wonder if Clark will even win her deposit in Vancouver Point Grey.

BC Premier Christy Clark May Be Challenged by Ethnic Candidate

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/bc-premier-christy-clark-may-be-...

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2510

Wed, 2013-03-06 21:38

#211

NorthReport

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Thursday+March+privatization+compromise...

Thu, 2013-03-07 02:20

#212

kropotkin1951

The two local newspapers are usually pro Liberal but so much anymore. One paper had a good article tying the scandal to Harry Bloy. He was the only caucus member to support Christy and was rewarded with a cabinet post until he screwed up on a few files. Him and his people have their fingerprints all over the file. He has always been as slimy as politicians come.

Burnaby Now wrote:

The NDP is raising questions about Burnaby MLA Harry Bloy's involvement in a leaked strategy to target the ethnic vote, a plan that has left the Liberals mired in controversy as the election approaches.

"I don't know how deeply (Bloy) was involved at the time, but he was the minister at that time," said Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Raj Chouhan. As for targeting the ethnic vote, Chouhan said all political parties do that.

"That's fine, we have no problem with that, but when you're using government time and staff, that's not acceptable," he said. "The government rules are very clear - that no staff, no resources be used for political partisan purposes. ... What we are objecting to is tax dollars being used to prop up the B.C. Liberal election machinery."

...

The plan was broken into eight key components, but overall responsibility was designated to the minister of state for multiculturalism, a post Bloy held in January 2012. One of the email recipients was David Ritchie, who was working as Bloy's assistant at the time. Bloy did not return calls from the NOW, but he wasn't the only local connection. Burnaby's Brian Bonney, who handled communications for the ministry of state for multiculturalism at the time, was designated as one of the leaders for the plan's coordinated media strategy. Burnaby North MLA Richard Lee was also mentioned under a list of bullet points on government's weaknesses on "the multicultural file." "Caucus has only a few ethnic MLAs, and only one (Richard Lee) who is fluent in a target language other than English," the document reads.

http://www.burnabynow.com/news/Ethnic+votes+scandal+ties+Burnaby+politic...

Also the editorial in the other local paper is not friendly at all. This government is not only toast but could suffer the same magnitude of defeat as the last Socred and NDP governments.

Burnaby News Leader wrote:

It seems job security is not one of the benefits that comes from working for Premier Christy Clark.

On Monday, British Columbia’s multicultural minister John Yap stepped aside after a document proposing a series of initiatives to win the favour of ethnic voters in the run-up to May’s provincial election was leaked late last week. Over the weekend the premier’s deputy chief of staff, Kim Haakstad, was the first to take the fall for the memo.

Haakstad, whose name had the misfortune of appearing atop the controversial memo as its author, has been a part of premier’s inner circle of advisors and confidants since June, 2001, when she served as Clark’s executive assistant.

...

Opening the drawer to expose the BC Liberals’ dirty laundry is embarrassing.

For that someone had to take the fall. Just as members of the premier’s communications team have paid the price for her previous gaffes.

The way things are going, they’re just beating her to the unemployment line.

http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/search/?search=SEARCH&q=all+to+politica...

Thu, 2013-03-07 06:44

#213

KenS

There in the article is the proof that Bloy was in the thick of the plan:

Quote:

.... overall responsibility was designated to the minister of state for multiculturalism, a post Bloy held in January 2012. One of the email recipients was David Ritchie, who was working as Bloy's assistant at the time. Burnaby's Brian Bonney, who handled communications for the ministry of state for multiculturalism at the time, was designated as one of the leaders for the plan's coordinated media strategy. Burnaby North MLA Richard Lee was also mentioned under a list of bullet points on government's weaknesses on "the multicultural file." "Caucus has only a few ethnic MLAs, and only one (Richard Lee) who is fluent in a target language other than English," the document reads.

EA's [Ritchie] work at the side of Ministers. And Bonney would be in the job [that also works closely with the Minister] because of a personal connection to Bloy.

Mind you, demonstrating/explaining that is beyond what we usually get from the media. It would have to be a scandal involving the Premeir directly to get the requisite attention in Nova Scotia. You have lots of hounds in BC, so this may come out soon.

If it isnt mentioned in the comming official investigation, you'll sure know its a whitewash. On the other hand, why wouldnt they hang out Bloy as a sacrifice? The only reason I can see is that he may know where there yet more bodies buried, and will start talking immediately if they hang him out. If Liberal friendly reporters start sniffing into the Bloy connection first, a good guess will be that the Clark team preferrs the press bringing it out first, rather than the official report.

Thu, 2013-03-07 09:52

#214

NorthReport

And on and on it goes. I suppose the media smell blood so they are pummeling the BC Liberals day after day with these body blows.

Land-procurement allegations deal fresh blow to Christy Clark

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/land-procurement-al...

2555

Thu, 2013-03-07 09:56

#215

NorthReport

Another day, another problem for the BC Liberals

Kash Heed wants B.C. Liberal candidate Amrik Virk to quit RCMP

http://www.straight.com/news/359961/kash-heed-wants-bc-liberal-candidate...

Thu, 2013-03-07 10:20

#216

jerrym

Believe it or not, some of the BC NDP MLAs have some empathy for what the BC Liberals are going through. The title of the following article sums it up: "The NDP Been There, Done That". It reflects the fact that nearly all political careers end in sadness (Jack Layton being an exceptional exception, at least in terms of popularity). Of course, the depth of scandal associated with the NDP was miniscule compared to the Liberals. Of course the Liberals fully deserve what they are getting. Nevertheless, similarities do exist. Poiitics is a ruthless business, especially in volatile BC.

" 'I’ve seen this movie,' quipped one former NDP communications staffer, then corrected himself: 'I was IN this movie ... and I know how it ends."

For all the points of distinction between the NDP government that was driven from office in 2001 and the current Liberal administration, being down in the polls this close to election day (a mere 10 weeks) has some common elements, too.

A former NDP cabinet minister invokes some of the things that the B.C. Liberals can expect — i.e. dread — drawing on his experiences in the waking nightmare that was his own last turn in government. 'All new government initiatives will be taken as the crassest politics by the media and the public; that’s a given,' he wrote in a recent email to me. 'And then the public service essentially seizes up, waiting to see if any work asked for by the old government will be wanted by the new one.' He recalled how in those last few months of NDP government, he’d worked to place an MRI machine in a B.C. community. Thought he had approval to go ahead with Treasury Board. Even went to the community and announced it. Only after losing the election did he discover that the bureaucracy had allowed the minister to have his little announcement but quietly put the placement of the machine on hold until the new government had a chance to revisit the decision. Which it did. And promptly sent the machine to a different community.

“Even routine, normal negotiations with interest groups and external bodies become almost impossible to conclude, because they wonder if a better deal might be offered after an election,” says the former cabinet minister quoted above. Instead, groups that formerly approached governments quietly as supplicants switch to applying pressure in public, hoping to sway opinion before the election and raise expectations for the next government to match. “Much of this will come as a surprise to the outgoing government because they’ve never experienced it before,” he concluded. “So the chances they will react inappropriately is high.”

Recent examples: Cabinet minister Rich Coleman and the B.C. Lottery Corporation trying to bully Surrey on that casino proposal. Or Premier Christy Clark initially failing to acknowledge the serious damage done by the ethnic outreach strategy and to apologize for it. ...

Other New Democrats recall another demoralizing experience from their end of days in government: the unnerving flood of leaks. Along with the leaks comes the growing chorus of doubt privately expressed inside the governing party, offset by their public insistence that the party is united behind the leader and there’s no story here. ...

“I love the classics,” said one former NDP minister this week as the Liberals fretted about a downward slide that was all too recognizable to their opponents. “The story is familiar and it always plays out the same way.” ...

It still ends with the leader alone on a battlefield, pleading “a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/2035/Vaughn+Palmer+been+there+exper...

Thu, 2013-03-07 10:46

#217

theleftyinvestor

jerrym wrote:

Believe it or not, some of the BC NDP MLAs have some empathy for what the BC Liberals are going through. The title of the following article sums it up: "The NDP Been There, Done That". It reflects the fact that nearly all political careers end in sadness (Jack Layton being an exceptional exception, at least in terms of popularity). Of course, the depth of scandal associated with the NDP was miniscule compared to the Liberals. Of course the Liberals fully deserve what they are getting. Nevertheless, similarities do exist. Poiitics is a ruthless business, especially in volatile BC.

Been there, quoted that, #205 ;-)

Thu, 2013-03-07 11:25

#218

jerrym

theleftyinvestor wrote:

jerrym wrote:

Believe it or not, some of the BC NDP MLAs have some empathy for what the BC Liberals are going through. The title of the following article sums it up: "The NDP Been There, Done That". It reflects the fact that nearly all political careers end in sadness (Jack Layton being an exceptional exception, at least in terms of popularity). Of course, the depth of scandal associated with the NDP was miniscule compared to the Liberals. Of course the Liberals fully deserve what they are getting. Nevertheless, similarities do exist. Poiitics is a ruthless business, especially in volatile BC.

Been there, quoted that, #205 ;-)

Sorry about that. With comments on the dying BC Liberal government coming in fast and furious, it's hard to keep track of what has and has not been posted.

Thu, 2013-03-07 11:26

#219

NorthReport

Just a smokescreen for a whitewash, as an independent investigation is required by people who don't have a vested interest in the outcome. Kinda reminds me of Pat Bell's useless investigation into the foreign worker's issue with HD Mining.

B.C. Liberal caucus chief to probe ethnic plan

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/b-c-liberal-caucus-chief-to-prob...

Thu, 2013-03-07 11:32

#220

NorthReport

Public pays in many ways for premier's secretive rule

Secrecy in Premier Christy Clark's office has upset many voters.

Your editorial says, "the current 'Ethnogate' scandal has also revealed that senior government officials used private emails to keep secret the work they conduct for taxpayers." This is incorrect.

That these senior government officials worked in Clark's own office had nothing to do with "work for taxpayers." Ethnogate was work performed by highly placed government staff for the Liberal Party of B.C. while they were being paid by taxpayers. That's an important distinction.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Public+pays+many+ways+premier+secretive+...

Thu, 2013-03-07 11:35

#221

NorthReport

Ethnic memo's trail needs full airing

While that line is not always clear, the actions contemplated in the memo clearly crossed it. The central problem was that it framed what could otherwise have been considered legitimate government activities in a baldly political context.

That led to the galling instance in which the idea of offering official apologies for deeply felt historical injustices was listed under the heading of "Quick Wins." These actions weren't being considered because they were the right thing to do, but because they could be used to score political points.

It's also notable that government employees were using their private email addresses. While it's possible that they did so because of a respect for the line between government and party business, the fact that they were so blithely mixing the two suggests they wanted to be invisible to any legitimate access to information requests.

Now that the memo has been made public, Premier Christy Clark and other Liberal MLAs have recognized that breach and apologized. But no one apologizing now admits to any knowledge of the memo when it was written and distributed last year. No one admits to having seen it before it was leaked to the New Democrats and they made it public.

Why weren't they in the loop a year ago when it was written? And why isn't anyone who was involved speaking out now?

The sharing of government and party resources as suggested in the memo was clearly improper. The idea of breaking down government silos should have been a red flag to anyone with an understanding of the need for a professional public service.

Clark says the memo was never acted on. Other information suggests that some initial steps were taken. It does seem, however, that at some point, someone had the sense to quash the program.

Clark's deputy minister, John Dyble, has been asked to investigate. With just six weeks before the campaign officially begins, he must report back soon. And for his report to be seen as credible, he will have to name names, tell us what procedures were followed and who finally had the sense to pull the plug on this ill-conceived scheme. While urgency is a virtue in this case, the resignation of John Yap was premature.

He, like Clark, denies any knowledge of the memo. It was written before he became minister. His resignation simply confuses the issue.

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2637

Thu, 2013-03-07 11:39

#222

NorthReport

It's never over until the last ballot is counted on election day.

B.C. election outlook: Is Christy Clark's goose cooked? NDP's Dix looks like a sure winner, but don't count premier out just yet

http://www.theprovince.com/news/election+outlook+Christy+Clark+goose+coo...

Thu, 2013-03-07 11:46

#223

NorthReport

People often forget that Clark is unelected by the people of BC.

The final nail

There’s no question that this most recent scandal has had an element of “political theatre,” as Postmedia News columnist Andrew Coyne opined on Monday (March 4). The timing of the release by Clark’s political foes of the 17-page memo that led to the media firestorm, 10 weeks before an election, certainly was no accident.

The actions suggested as ways for the Liberals to win the “ethnic” vote in B.C. may, as Coyne states, be “as common as daisies” for political operatives, “hardly worth the smelling-salts routine” being acted out by the NDP. Politicians and their supporters concoct these sorts of strategies all the time — just not on the taxpayers’ dime. On that front, it’s certainly the principle that matters most, not the amount — which doesn’t appear to be significant. The (feigned?) outrage being voiced by the opposition does appear to be a bit over the top. But what more would we expect at such a politically charged moment in our history?

Perhaps more to the point, the resignation of Clark’s deputy chief of staff and Minister of Multiculturalism (who doesn’t appear to have had any involvement in the matter whatsoever) is just another sign of the B.C. Liberals’ flagging fortunes after 12 years in power. On second thought, “flagging” is too weak a word. “Moribund” comes to mind as more appropriate. How low can the Liberals go? At this point we’d say even the resignation of the unelected premier and the naming of a fresh-faced newcomer to stand for election wouldn’t save them — making the “ethnic vote memo” the final nail in the current B.C. Grits’ political coffin.

http://www.squamishchief.com/article/20130307/SQUAMISH0302/303079989/-1/...

Thu, 2013-03-07 11:55

#224

KenS

It was mentioned in some of those local stories [Burnaby?] that then Minister Bloy's EA and communications flack were email recipients of the distributed plan.

I went back and looked at the memo, and the communications flak Bonney is also listed several times as executing aspects of the strategy. Has this been publicly noted yet?

Here might be someone with an active interest, while the ship is going down, in fingering which people at the top of the food chain were actively involved or at least informed.

Pursuing him, rather than waiting to see whether Dyble airs his answers, might be useful.

Thu, 2013-03-07 12:09

#225

KenS

So, a quick look at Brian Bonney shows his fingers all over the hospital scam- no surprise there.

And this rat has already found a plum new place for himsef- brand new CEO of the Homebuilder's Assn BC.

So he doesnt need to get anywhere or protect himself. But it might also mean he's a willing talker. If for no other reason than further damage to his reputation still matters, so he has an interest in making sure the brains behind the strategy get the most "credit".

Thu, 2013-03-07 12:28

#226

KenS

If I was a reporter on this I'd be calling Bonney. Before he could hang up ["nothing to say"], or maybe in an email, convey that I might be able to help him stay out of the news.

Then talk about him being a natural player in the story [embellish with things heard], that it seems very plausible since he was a field organizer in the few years previouly, a candidate himself, etc.

But if he would point the way to who were the driving forces and who was kept informed, you don't need to quote him personally. Easy for him to rationalize talking, if he even needs to, when these people are all doomed anyway.

Thu, 2013-03-07 12:34

#227

NorthReport

Sometimes when it rains in BC, it pours

All too political

But for a government that can’t seem to get out of its own way as it stumbles toward a spring campaign as the underdog, the 17-page document that outlines ways to win favour with ethnic communities offends on two fronts – by using non-political government resources and information for political purposes, and by patronizing ethnic groups.

It’s true these strategies are no doubt discussed in caucus and campaign strategy meetings of parties of every political stripe.

But the memo suggests the BC Liberals clearly crossed a line.

Opening the drawer to expose the BC Liberals’ dirty laundry is embarrassing.

For that, someone had to take the fall. Just as members of the premier’s communications team have paid the price for her previous gaffes.

The way things are going, they’re just beating her to the unemployment li

http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/opinion/195444051.html

Thu, 2013-03-07 12:51

#228

kropotkin1951

NR you just quoted the exact same Black Press Op Ed that i posted at #214. The redundancy does nothing to further the debate.

Thu, 2013-03-07 13:25

#229

NorthReport

k - please be more specific - what post of mine are you referring to?

kropotkin1951 wrote:

NR you just quoted the exact same Black Press Op Ed that i posted at #214. The redundancy does nothing to further the debate.

Thu, 2013-03-07 13:28

#230

theleftyinvestor

kropotkin1951 wrote:

NR you just quoted the exact same Black Press Op Ed that i posted at #214. The redundancy does nothing to further the debate.

Same thing happened when I posted an article. Also, the redudancy does nothing to further the debate ;-)

Seriously though, it's getting hard to keep track with so many piling on at once.

Thu, 2013-03-07 18:26

#231

NorthReport

John van Dongen, former Liberal, now Independent MLA, and candidate in Abbotsford South, has become a huge thorn in the side of the BC Liberals:

There is only one place for the incinerator and that is in the Gold River area on the Island.

Provincial politicians turning up the heat on incinerator

Provincial politicians have been turning up the criticism of Metro Vancouver over the proposed waste-to-energy facility.

Last week, the debate took centre stage during question period at the legislature.

Abbotsford-South MLA John van Dongen grilled Environment Minister Terry Lake. He said that in July 2011 the minister made a controversial decision when he approved Metro’s solid waste management plan that opened the door for a large garbage-burning incinerator in the Lower Mainland – expected to have a serious impact on the Fraser Valley airshed.

According to van Dongen, the minister approved the plan over the strong objections of the citizens of the Fraser Valley.

Despite Lake’s assurances that consultation would take place, van Dongen said it “is abundantly clear that Metro Vancouver is thumbing their noses at everyone from the minister on down. When is the minister going to face the fact that Metro Vancouver has absolutely no intention of living up to his conditions?”

Two weeks ago, Chilliwack MLA and former environment minister John Les also criticized the plan and Metro Vancouver’s determination to proceed, despite the possible negative effect on the Fraser Valley airshed.

Lake responded to van Dongen, saying, “I did not approve any incinerator, waste-to-energy proposal in Metro Vancouver. We were abundantly clear when we approved the solid waste management plan for Metro Vancouver. They were instructed that if they were to consider in-region waste to energy, they would have to consult fully with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD).”

Lake added that he and the premier made a commitment that if “such a proposal was introduced, it would be subject to a full environmental assessment review.”

But van Dongen was not satisfied, pointing out that “Metro Vancouver recently denied an FVRD seat on a third-party expert review panel that is supposed to discuss scientific and technical issues,” adding that last month the chair of the Metro Vancouver waste committee, Malcolm Brodie, summed up the issue by saying, “Whether people like it or not, the (incinerator proposal) decision has been made.”

http://www.aldergrovestar.com/news/195630471.html

Thu, 2013-03-07 18:33

#232

NorthReport

Departures dog BC Liberals

As the BC Liberals reel from a very damaging internal memo released last week, one of the party’s most challenging fronts in the upcoming election is proving to be Surrey.

There are at least five separate issues in Surrey that have emerged in the past week.

One is the resignation of Brenda Locke, the respected former Surrey-Green Timbers MLA who also ran federally for the Liberals on two occasions.

She had been president of the Surrey-Fleetwood constituency association. While her resignation may have been in the works, as the party says, it’s curious timing in terms of the recent naming of Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender as candidate and the scandal over the outreach to ethnic groups.

The second is resignation of James Plett as vice-president of the Surrey-Tynehead constituency.

He has written a damning blog about his recent experiences in the party, and how constituency associations have been kept out of the loop by the party headquarters.

Plett says the only reason his association was kept in the loop about their anointed candidate, Amrik Virk, was due to the efforts of the outgoing MLA, Dave Hayer.

Both of these resignations can be linked to the way the BC Liberals nominate candidates. There no longer seem to be nominating meetings, where people within the riding actually choose their candidate in a democratic manner.

Plett says that party headquarters has basically taken over the entire process, which isn’t much different from the party leader simply appointing the candidate and shutting out the local members entirely.

It has been reported that other executive members in Surrey riding associations have resigned.

Thus far, the reasons for those resignations have not been made clear.

In Surrey, there have been no contests for any of the eight Liberal nominations.

A candidate in Surrey-Green Timbers has yet to be named. The other seven were simply named by the party.

In one case, candidate Sukh Dhaliwal had to step aside.

Just last week, Coun. Marvin Hunt took his place as party candidate in Surrey-Panorama.

In another case, Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux moved over to run in Surrey-Cloverdale to take over for retiring MLA Kevin Falcon.

This lack of respect for the democratic process at nomination meetings, involving people who actually live in the riding, speaks volumes.

The contents of the leaked memo sparked outrage from some representatives of ethnic groups. This is a big deal in Surrey.

http://www.peacearchnews.com/opinion/195612211.html

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2708

Thu, 2013-03-07 18:35

#233

NorthReport

Thu, 2013-03-07 18:38

#234

NorthReport

Thu, 2013-03-07 19:28

#235

KenS

A Liberal in Christy Clark's own riding says that if she doesn't resign, he's going to run against her as an independent.

And she's already definitely at risk for losing her own seat.

Thu, 2013-03-07 19:33

#236

kropotkin1951

NR compare posts 214 and 227. Do you read other peoples posts since its not just me commenting on the department of redundancy department.

Thu, 2013-03-07 20:14

#237

NorthReport

Thu, 2013-03-07 21:19

#238

NorthReport

Can it get any worse than this for the Liberals?

Liberal memo politically and morally offensive, say indigenous and ethnic leaders

Three leaders of B.C.’s ethnic and indigenous communities say a Liberal government memo on wooing ethnic voters is racist, offensive and insulting.

The leaders representing First Nations, Chinese-Canadians and Indo-Canadians used strong language at a news conference Thursday to denounce the memo, leaked last week. It suggested ways, including the spending of taxpayers’ dollars, that the Liberals could attract “ethnic” voters before the May 14 election.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said under Christy Clark’s premiership, indigenous issues have been treated by Victoria with “complete indifference.”

“Now we find that, in spite of cutting back on those very desperately needed funding for programs and services, they’re in the backroom and formally developing a racist strategy to pander to the ethnic community and indigenous community for votes,” he said.

“It is morally offensive. It is politically offensive. It’s the use of public funds for purely political purposes.”

The memo has claimed two officials. Kim Haakstad, Clark’s deputy chief of staff, resigned for her involvement in circulating the memo. Multiculturalism Minister John Yap resigned even though the memo was written three months before he became minister.

Phillip said the memo has badly damaged to the relationship between the government and B.C.’s ethnic and indigenous communities.

“Anything that follows from this point forward with this government is highly suspect. One has to wonder, what is the motivation? Is this another sleazy underhanded scheme to secure a greater percentage of the ethnic or indigenous vote? It has completely tainted the relationship.

http://www.globaltvbc.com/liberal+memo+politically+and+morally+offensive...

2763

Thu, 2013-03-07 21:29

#239

NorthReport

The very fact they are terrified about the possibility of an independent investigator certainly suggests the Liberals have something serious to hide

Premier’s office refuses demands from all fronts for an external review of ‘ethnicgate’

http://www.vancouverdesi.com/featured-stories/premiers-office-refuses-de...

Thu, 2013-03-07 21:47

#240

NorthReport

The Liberals are so desperate they will latch onto anything, but hopefully they don't destroy what's left of our province in the process.

NDP questions B.C. Premier’s mandate in backing Kitimat refinery proposal

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/ndp-questions-bc-pr...

Fri, 2013-03-08 00:01

#241

jerrym

BC Iconoclast has a list of candidates by riding with many of the listings having connections to a particular candidate's website if you are interested in finding out more about certain candidates.

The site also keeps track of the total number of candidates selected at the bottom. The NDP is in great shape with 81 candidates out of 87 already selected (and campaigning I assume) with the remaining 6 already having their nominations meetings set.

The Liberals have nominated 68 candidates so far but have not set nomination meetings in many of the remaining ridings.

The BC Cons have 31 candidates nominated which is an increase of 7 already over their number of candidates in the 2009 election with 2 months left to select more. This increase in Con candidates should help the NDP as many of their voters would choose the Liberals if no Con candidate ran in their riding.

The Greens have nominated 35 so they will really have to pick up the pace if they are going to have a full slate of candidates.

http://bciconcoclast.blogspot.ca/p/candidates-for-may-2013-bc-election.html

Fri, 2013-03-08 00:24

#242

NorthReport

http://johnvandongen.ca/?page_id=1791

Fri, 2013-03-08 00:35

#243

NorthReport

Is this Alex Tsakumis for real?

http://alexgtsakumis.com/2013/03/06/exclusive-breaking-news-failed-city-...

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2847

Fri, 2013-03-08 06:54

#244

KenS

Refresh my memory:

van Dongen is generally understood to have left the Conservatives why?

Because they didnt make him, or his candidate, Leader?

Or some other snit with Cummins? [If so, did they never get along.]

Fri, 2013-03-08 09:58

#245

NorthReport

John left the Liberals to fist sit as an Independent, then he joined the BC Cons, and then van Dongen left the BC Cons around Sep '12, becuase they voted to not have a Leadership Review.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/10/01/Van-Dongen-Zero/

Fri, 2013-03-08 12:10

#246

NorthReport

Wasn't former TV announcer Pamela Martin going to be a candidate in of course some safe Liberal riding, if there are any more of these?

What's happeneing there, or has she been knocked out of the ballpark because of Ethnogate?

Fri, 2013-03-08 12:22

#247

NorthReport

Who is this John Dyble?

And what is the connection between Christy Clark and John Dyble who she appointed head of the BC public service in 2011?

Fri, 2013-03-08 12:28

#248

NorthReport

Too bad this website is no longer active - we need something similiar right now in BC.

Public Eye Online

http://www.publiceyeonline.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.fcgi?limit=20&search...

Fri, 2013-03-08 12:40

#249

NorthReport

John Dyble launching a lean approach 2012

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&ved=0CEE...

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2956

Fri, 2013-03-08 12:46

#250

jerrym

North Report asks "Is this Alex Tsakumis for real?"

When Alex Tsakumis notes that Susan Anton is "replacing outspoken maverick MLA Kash Heed (whose good-guy rating is hugely on the rebound)" in Vancouver Fraserview, he loses all credibility. (http://alexgtsakumis.com/2013/03/06/exclusive-breaking-news-failed-city-...)

Susan Anton is a weak candidate. However, Heed has been totally discredited by having his campaign manager publish Chinese-language pamphlets that had several false statements about the NDP's policies linking the NDP with well-known criminals, and warning that the NDP would supported legalizing heroin and instituting an inheritance tax. The pamphlets were illegal because they didn't contain the required information about who paid for them.

"On April 9, 2010, Heed resigned (as Solicitor General) in response to an unspecified RCMP investigation involving violations of the Elections Act. Heed is the third consecutive solicitor-general to step down in the last 25 months. Fund-raising irregularities subsequently came to light but the Special Prosecutor exonerated Heed of involvement and he came back into cabinet on May 4, 2010. Then. less than 24 hours later, the Special Prosecutor himself resigned when it was discovered that the law firm he came from had made financial contributions to the election campaign of Heed's party, the Liberals. Heed, once again, stepped down pending a more detailed probe into the case." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kash_Heed)

His campaign manager even pled guilty "to charges of campaign overspending and misleading election investigators". (http://canada.360-news.in/regional/former-kash-heed-campaign-manager-ple...)

Of course Heed claims to know nothing about any of this. Heed is not running in this election as the stench from his past practices is too much even for Christy Clark.

The long catalog of scandals associated with Heed is described below.

http://www.bcpolicecomplaints.org/kash_heed5.html

Fri, 2013-03-08 13:35

#251

NorthReport

I like some of the new candidates for the NDP.

Course teaches women about smart politicking

Burnaby-Lougheed NDP candidate Jane Shin recently entered politics took a course with the Women's Campaign School at SFU in Surrey. (CARMINE MARINELLI/ 24 HOURS)

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2013/03/07/course-teaches-women-about-smart-po...

BC Pre May 14, 2013 Election Call

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