"Humble" Poor Loser Liberal Christy Clark Refuses to Do the Right Thing and Resign

Wed, 2017-05-31 17:55

NorthReport

And Clark's number one media fan the CBC just makes matter worse with their stupidity.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/christy-clark-election-gr...

Wed, 2017-05-31 18:11

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
Clark must be very poor at math as the Liberals have only 43 seats while the NDP-Green Group has 44 seats, so what would have been appropriate for Clark yesterday was to have resigned as Premier, rather than make all BCers suffer one second more of her right-wing nonsense.

I'm happy to see this election play out as it appears to have for BC. But I can't really blame Clark for not promptly stepping down. Whether you like her, or the Liberals, or not, she does have a duty to her party to see this out to the end. There's many a slip, 'twixt cup and lip. Has the LG spoken?? Until she has, it's not over.

Wed, 2017-05-31 18:25

#4

Rev Pesky

I read an analysis that makes some sense to me. I can't remember who it was, but their take on it was that the Liberals would call the Legislature into session, give a throne speech with a ton of goodies in it, and force the Greens and NDP to vote against it. Whereupon they resign, and give over governance to the NDP/Green coalition.

Not such a bad strategy, lays the groundwork for future electioneering.

They're probably also thinking the NDP Green coalition is a bit of an arranged marriage, and there will be items that tend to split them. I'm sure the Liberals will take every opportunity of exploiting those rifts.

Wed, 2017-05-31 18:47

#5

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
Not such a bad strategy, lays the groundwork for future electioneering.

Or, writes a bunch of post-dated cheques they need to cash next election.

AKA, "what happened to all those goodies???"

Wed, 2017-05-31 18:58

#6

6079_Smith_W

I have no problem with her waiting for a vote of confidence. It is actually the right way to do it.

Fri, 2017-06-02 22:53

#7

NorthReport

A class act would realize the jig is up and gracefully retire to the opposition benches. Now she will be forced kicking and screaming to go across the isle. Pathetic!

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:05

#8

Mr. Magoo

No. You don't concede the game because it's 4-3 against you with only a minute left.

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:13

#9

NorthReport

They will get right on that Charlie as soon as Kevin takes over the party, eh!

Rhodes scolar, who cares! Wilkinson is an absolute disgrace to the intellectual community and basically useless.

B.C. Liberals are doomed if they don't do an about-face on climate change

"And there has been no one in the B.C. Liberal caucus who's been willing to champion their concerns. Not Peter Fassbender. Not Rich Coleman. And certainly not Andrew Wilkinson, who should know better, given that he's a Rhodes scholar."

http://www.straight.com/news/917126/bc-liberals-are-doomed-if-they-dont-...

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:23

#10

NorthReport

The Liberals have been lyin' and lyin' and doing more lyin' about what is really going on at Site C

Site C is a make work project for Albertans.

Try and find a BC license plate amongst the AB plates in Fort St John.

WTF!!!

Maybe it's time to start occasionally listening to the BC Building Trades who actually represent working people of BC for a change, instead of the very right-wing independent contractors and businesses association of BC .

Ya think!

B.C.’s NDP, Greens plan to initiate new Site C megaproject review

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bcs-ndp-greens-pla...

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:25

#11

NorthReport

BC BUILDING TRADES COMMENDS BC NDP ON BOLD COMMITMENT TO HIRE BRITISH COLUMBIA WORKERS ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

http://www.bcbuildingtrades.org/news-and-opinion.html

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:27

#12

NorthReport

Ottawa and Alberta Warned to Tone Down Pipeline Rhetoric

Keep pushing British Columbia and you’ll receive an unpleasant response, say political veterans.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/05/31/Pipeline-Rhetoric/

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:30

#13

NorthReport

And China, Canadians are tired of trade deals that screw working people - so let's cancel all of them, eh!

Brian Mulroney promoted Free Trade - nuff said!

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:32

#14

NorthReport

NDP and Greens Promise Electoral Reform Referendum, Big Money Ban and Higher Carbon Tax

Agreement details how parties will cooperate.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/05/30/NDP-Green-Agreement/

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:32

#15

NorthReport

Forget Any Economic Windfall from Kinder Morgan, Analyst Says

In damning report, David Hughes challenges claims that Trans Mountain will boost Canada’s oil prices.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/05/31/Kinder-Morgan-Forget-Economic-Windfall/

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:34

#16

NorthReport

117 BC Liberal Falsehoods, Boondoggles and Scandals: The Complete List

The Tyee’s updated tally of 15 years of public messes, sourced and explained.

https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/04/10/BC-Liberal-Falsehoods-Scandals-Who...

Wed, 2017-05-31 21:40

#17

NorthReport

B.C.'s next political quagmire is electing a Speaker of the legislature

B.C.’s NDP and Green parties may have inked a deal to form the next provincial government, but the success of their razor-thin hold on power will largely come down to who gets picked for a procedural job unknown to most British Columbians.

The Speaker of the legislature is normally a low-profile position, with ceremonial duties, usually given to a government backbench MLA who has no hope of making cabinet.

But the narrow results of the May 9 election suddenly make the Speaker vitally important. And it has set up a potential deadlock that is extraordinarily rare.

Nobody from the Liberals, Greens or NDP wants the job. That’s because the parties are within one vote of each other in the house (43 Liberals to 44 Green-NDP), and they would lose a crucial person if they offered a member to be Speaker.

At the Liberal caucus meeting Tuesday, MLAs agreed that none of them — including previous Speaker Linda Reid — would take the job when the legislature resumes next month. The Greens and NDP have been considering similar moves internally, as the parties seek to protect their slim advantage.

If that holds, business grinds to a halt at the legislature. Provincial law and house procedures are clear: the first order of business after an election is to elect a Speaker. No speeches, bills, motions or budgets are allowed until then. The NDP and Greens can’t even unite to outvote Clark until a Speaker is in place.

To figure out what might happen, you have to look back to 1908 in Newfoundland, where two parties ended the election tied at 18 seats each and refused to appoint a Speaker. Eventually, the lieutenant-governor called another election.

That’s unlikely to happen right away, if at all, in B.C., said Phillipe Lagassé, an associate professor at Carleton University and a specialist on issues involving the Crown.

“The point that needs to be made here is it’s not so much everybody puts up their hand who isn’t willing to do it and we go to an election,” said Lagassé. “The lieutenant-governor in this case will try and convince all of the parties in particular to really seriously think about this and try and find a solution. It’s not in anybody’s interest to have one effort, one go at it, and then trigger an election.”

If she feels the Liberals are being obstructionist, Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon could use the opportunity to ask Horgan to govern. But that would be an extremely rare move as well, he said.

The NDP and Greens could try to lure a weak Liberal to take the job, as it comes with a $52,941 pay raise on top of the base MLA salary of $105,881. But within the Liberal ranks that would be considered a betrayal akin to crossing the floor to join the other party.

B.C.’s Constitution Act requires the Speaker be an elected MLA, removing the possibility an unelected outsider temporarily installed in the job.

The most likely scenario seems to be the Liberals blinking first in the standoff, allowing an MLA to stand as Speaker, and then have that person resign immediately after the Clark government is defeated — leaving the mess of a permanent replacement for the new NDP-Green government to solve.

If the NDP-Green alliance had to name a member as Speaker from their own ranks, they’d be left with a 43-43 tie with the Liberals. It would then be up to the Speaker to cast the deciding vote.

Traditionally, the Speaker is a non-partisan referee who uses their tiebreaking vote to continue debate or maintain the status quo. But that’s a convention, not a law, said Lagassé.

There’s nothing stopping B.C.’s next Speaker from breaking every tie in favour of their own party, though it would be “highly problematic” because it would erode the integrity of the office, said Lagassé.

Ultimately, however the Speaker stalemate is resolved, the winning candidate will undergo the bizarre but traditional ceremony in which the leaders of the two main parties pretend to drag the reluctant MLA from their seat to the chair on the Speaker’s throne to start the job.

“The idea is it’s kind of a thankless position,” said Lagassé. “One you may not want to do, but need to do.”

Someone will be dragged to B.C.’s Speaker’s chair next month. But this time, the reluctance will be real.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/politics/analysis+next+political+quagmir...

Wed, 2017-05-31 22:17

#18

NorthReport

NDP-GREEN AGREEMENT GOOD NEWS FOR BC WORKERS: BC FEDERATION OF LABOUR

http://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/49191/ndp-green-agreement-good-news-bc-...

Wed, 2017-05-31 22:59

#19

kropotkin1951

I wonder how many millions if not billions of dollars worth of contracts will be signed while Christy's illegitimate government hangs on to power? The election for many people was about stopping Site C and Kinder Morgan. If they manage to extend their rule and those projects go further along it will mean higher damages that the new government will face in the inevitable court case Enron is bringing (woops I meant Kinder Morgan)

They tried to steal the election by gerrymandering and they still lost. It is symbolic that Courtenay Comox was the final seat given the extent they went ensure they held two seat on the Island. Vancouver Island seats were amongst the largest in the province and compared to other rural areas in the interior we got two MLA's to at least three MLA's in the "protected" ridings.

The NDP is the government in waiting and deserves to meet the House and present a Throne Speech. Delay will only mean the theft of more of our public assets. The delay is also advantageous for triple deleting to the hum of industrial stength paper shredders. These fucking people are crooks and we've got the usual parade of posters saying its a good thing.

Wed, 2017-05-31 23:34

#20

NorthReport

Unnumbered corporations my ass

let's get rid of the secretive society for the rich and powerful 1 %

Pass the legislation retroactively and fine these corporate Sleaze bags accordingly

Quite the lofty principles our sooner the better to be rid of Premier has, eh!

http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/b-c-liberals-deposit-close-to...

Wed, 2017-05-31 23:47

#21

Rev Pesky

From kropotkin1951:

...The election for many people was about stopping Site C and Kinder Morgan. If they manage to extend their rule and those projects go further along...

Site C doesn't seem to be figuring in the Green/NDP deal. Kinder Morgan is federal responsibility, and it's unlikely the province can delay it for any length of time.

The one single thing in the agreement that is both provincial responsibility, and supported by both the NDP and the Green Party is the move to proportional representation. However, they will find, as Trudeau found, the devil is in the details when it comes to PR voting.

It won't take the hinterlands long to find out that a large majority of the provincial population is in the lower mainland, and PR voting will increase the weight of urban voters, to the point where a majority government could be elected without a single vote outside the lower mainland.

The other problem is the exact system used. It looks like they plan a referendum asking only yes or no, with the PR system to be decided upon later after a presumed 'yes' vote. But like I said, the devil is in the details. The trouble won't start until the actual bargaining over riding details begins. That won't be going smoothly.

I wonder if at some point the NDP, when they see the long term trouble they're bringing on themselves, will do what Trudeau did, and just cancel it. It certainly wouldn't surprise me.

In the meantime, the Liberals still have more seats than any other party in the legislature, so having them bring in a throne speech to presumably bevoted down by NDP/Green is the proper way to deal with the situation.

Wed, 2017-05-31 23:47

#22

NorthReport

More right-wing bullshit from the CBC
It is much more likely that Liberals
would flee their drowning Liberal ship

https://www.google.ca/amp/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4140431

Wed, 2017-05-31 23:52

#23

NorthReport

The voters have spoken Loud and clear with what is it 58% of the vote.

The NDP and Greens have the majority and the LG needs to put a stop to Clark's nonsense and let Horgan get on with running the Province

Thu, 2017-06-01 00:17

#24

NorthReport

Now let's get to work

https://dogwoodbc.ca/thank-you-now-onwards/

Thu, 2017-06-01 00:20

#25

NorthReport

It's time to clean house at the Labour Relations Board BC Hydro, ICBC, WorkSafe BC, etc.

Thu, 2017-06-01 02:22

#26

Ken Burch

So North..you want Horgan to resign. You want Clark to resign. D'ya want Weaver to resign, too?

Thu, 2017-06-01 09:25

#27

Caissa

Clark has the right to attempt to gain the confidence of the House.

Thu, 2017-06-01 10:21

#28

Pondering

I've been skimming the board for a few days to catch the joy at the turn of events in BC.

I think it is likely a former Liberal will volunteer to be speaker not just for the money but also the advancement in achieving that position. Surely there are a lot of "nobody" MLAs who could use an extra 50 grand a year and when leaving politics would like to have Speaker in their resume.

I don't believe Clark "has" to be given the opportunity to give a throne speech and face the house. It is my understanding that federally whomever believes they have the confidence of the house can approach the Governor General. Traditionally that is the head of the party with the most votes but I don't think that is by law. It's just assumed that is the person who most likely has the confidence of the house or has the best shot at it. It seems likely that the same framework applies provincially.

On the pipeline:

Trudeau: “Social licence is more important than ever. Governments may be able to issue permits but only communities can grant permission.”

Whether he likes it or not, that is very true of pipelines. Federal permits or not pipelines can't be forced through provinces that don't want them.

The federal government dare not use the military or RCMP to physically force through a pipeline against the will of the people with the backing of their local government, provincial or municipal. That is as true in B.C. as it is in Quebec. All the braying that it's a federal jurisdiction means squat. Provinces and communities can refuse local construction permits. They can designate land protected. Indigeneous peoples are winning in the courts. Any move to militarily force through the pipeline will trigger constitutional crisis and a powerful movement for separation.

The opposition is not a bunch of ragtag people who can be dismissed as extremists or hippies or radicals. The oppostion crosses the left/right/centre/apolitical spectrum. Mayors are standing against these projects as well as opposition provincial parties in both Quebec and B.C.

B.C. is also standing as a lesson in democracy and proportional representation to Canadians. The NDP and Greens have a historic opportunity to illustrate the best of what proportional representation can deliver. We have had many minority governments in Canada federally and provincially. In every case this has always been a possibility. The opposition parties could always have united to govern but have never done so (to my knowledge), certainly not in recent history.

Lots of reason for celebration I think.

Thu, 2017-06-01 11:58

#29

kropotkin1951

Pondering the Speaker gets the tie breaking vote even on confidence motions. Hard to see which ex BC Liberal the NDP would trust with that job.

Thu, 2017-06-01 12:26

(Reply to #29) #30

bekayne

Pondering wrote:

I don't believe Clark "has" to be given the opportunity to give a throne speech and face the house. It is my understanding that federally whomever believes they have the confidence of the house can approach the Governor General. Traditionally that is the head of the party with the most votes but I don't think that is by law. It's just assumed that is the person who most likely has the confidence of the house or has the best shot at it. It seems likely that the same framework applies provincially.

Ontario 1985 would say no to that.

Thu, 2017-06-01 13:37

#31

kropotkin1951

The problem is we have no set rules only historic precedents and precedents from other legislatures. I would hope that along with PR the new NDP government would introduce clear rules to guide the LG. I believe New Zealand enacted that kind of legislation. The only certain rule we have currently is that the majority of the MLA's determines who governs by voting confidence in a Speech from the Throne.

Thu, 2017-06-01 15:56

#32

Ken Burch

In theory, this could lead to a West Coast sequel to the "King-Byng" dispute.

Thu, 2017-06-01 16:26

(Reply to #32) #33

NorthReport

Two points

One

If the Liberals provide the speaker

It's 42 Liberals vs 43 GreenDPs so it won't be a tie unless of course a GreenND does not show up to vote.

Two

Are there rules about which way a Speaker can vote as I think I remember reading something to that effect?

kropotkin1951 wrote:

Pondering the Speaker gets the tie breaking vote even on confidence motions. Hard to see which ex BC Liberal the NDP would trust with that job.

Thu, 2017-06-01 16:27

#34

quizzical

BC Proud is out in full force propagandaing.

calling it the franken marriage etc.

i think they're going to try and call another election.

Thu, 2017-06-01 16:29

(Reply to #34) #35

NorthReport

!!

Thu, 2017-06-01 16:36

(Reply to #35) #36

NorthReport

I disagree because the GreenNP leaders have visited the LG in writing stating they command a majority in the Legislature. What's good enough for joe and jane BC citizens should be good enough for the LG or is she not there to represent the citizens of BC. Just let us know that and we'll give her the boot too.

Do you have any specific details to back up your comments?

Caissa wrote:

Clark has the right to attempt to gain the confidence of the House.

Thu, 2017-06-01 21:13

#37

Ken Burch

It's hard to imagine the BC Liberals doing well in a second general election. They'll look as though they are refusing to accept the results of this election and simply trying to cling to power by any means necessary. There's no way Christy could get away with leading them through a snap re-vote, and it's hard to see who would be available to come in as leader-ex-machina to "save the day".

The voters would just say "We'll TAKE the socialist/Green barbarians-and we never liked those gates anyway".

Thu, 2017-06-01 17:41

(Reply to #37) #38

pookie

bekayne wrote:

Pondering wrote:

I don't believe Clark "has" to be given the opportunity to give a throne speech and face the house. It is my understanding that federally whomever believes they have the confidence of the house can approach the Governor General. Traditionally that is the head of the party with the most votes but I don't think that is by law. It's just assumed that is the person who most likely has the confidence of the house or has the best shot at it. It seems likely that the same framework applies provincially.

Ontario 1985 would say no to that.

Our conventions are clear. Clark is premier until she (a) resigns (b) loses a confidence vote or (c) is dismissed. The results of the election have no bearing on her constitutional position. She is entirely within her rights to seek confidence.

To adapt a US-ian phrase: There is only one First Minister at a time, and there must be continuity in that position. Hence the rule of incumbency.

Thu, 2017-06-01 17:40

(Reply to #38) #39

bekayne

NorthReport wrote:

I disagree because the GreenNP leaders have visited the LG in writing stating they command a majority in the Legislature. What's good enough for joe and jane BC citizens should be good enough for the LG or is she not there to represent the citizens of BC. Just let us know that and we'll give her the boot too.

Do you have any specific details to back up your comments?

Caissa wrote:

Clark has the right to attempt to gain the confidence of the House.

And David Peterson and Bob Rae had a written agreement, but Frank Miller still presented his Speech from the Throne.

And was defeated.

Thu, 2017-06-01 17:54

#40

Basement Dweller

I wonder if Linda Reid will be asked to remain Speaker. Why not?

Thu, 2017-06-01 18:26

#41

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
Our conventions are clear. Clark is premier until she (a) resigns (b) loses a confidence vote or (c) is dismissed.

That does make some sense.

This is a total aside, but there'll never be a better time to ask: would it be different if (let's just pretend) the Conservatives were the incumbents, and lost hard, with the results that BC recently saw. Would Clark still have the likely first shot?

In other words, if the incumbent clearly and undeniably lost and could never have the confidence of the house, would the first opportunity to try to form a government and win confidence go to Clark, or to Horgan/Weaver, or is there just no precedent?