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By calgarygrit, on May 15, 2013, at 10:50 pm
“Well this is awkward”
We’ve been reminded this week that an 8-point lead in the dying days of an election campaign is about as safe as a 2-goal lead in the final 90 seconds of a playoff hockey game. Never take anything for granted.
Despite leading by between 2 to 9 points in every poll fielded over the past week, Adrian Dix managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It was a stunning result that no one saw coming – even though the exact same thing happened just one year ago in Alberta. In that campaign, Allison Redford (Read more…)
By Song of the Watermelon, on May 15, 2013, at 7:04 pm In a stunning upset of “Dewey Defeats Truman” proportions, the BC Liberals have defied all the polls save one and returned to power with a fourth straight majority government. No doubt, there will be much soul searching and wound licking over the coming weeks. I believe that five lessons — real, imagined, and not-quite-clear — will be gleaned from the experience.
1. Proceed with caution when predicting the future.
In last year’s US Presidential election, statistician Nate Silver made fools out of all those television pundits who privileged “gut feeling” over quantitative analysis. But sometimes even the data geeks get (Read more…)
By EclecticLip, on May 14, 2013, at 2:54 pm Here’s to hoping that any and all British Columbians reading this, take their opportunity to vote.
In the broad sweep of history, with precious few examples, democracy is a fairly new phenomenon — not unlike the concept of retirement — so it would be a pity to waste the opportunity for political involvement, that almost none of one’s ancestors enjoyed. Unless they were royals, nobles or conniving courtiers — but how likely is that, really? Just once, I’d love to hear about a reincarnation party where everyone dressed up as subsistence farmers, existing tenuously on the precipitous (Read more…)
By Richard Hughes, on May 13, 2013, at 1:50 am Martyn Brown-’Think Twice-Vote Once’
Just as Christy Clark is in high gear doing her version of the Socialist Hordes are at the Gates, along comes former Premier Gordon Campbell’s ’Chief of Staff’ Martyn Brown with this commentary was published in the Georgia Straight.
By bluegreenblogger, on May 11, 2013, at 9:49 am Vote Green! Brought to you by the BC Liberals
I was tooling around on Facebook this morning, and some of my Green Party of BC FaceBook friends were talking about this full-page advertisement for Jane Sterk and the BC Greens in the Times Colony. You know, one of the most read newspapers on Vancouver Island. The thing is, this advertisement is bought and paid for by the BC Liberals. What I know about Provincial politics in BC could fit into a medium-sized tea-cup. I do know that it is a hypercompetitive, take no prisoners environment, and this ad highlights that (Read more…)
By Song of the Watermelon, on May 4, 2013, at 3:39 am In the fight against global climate change, we are currently approaching the endgame.
The time for compromise has come and gone. A certain temperature increase is inevitable — already “locked in” — but if we are to have any chance of preventing runaway global warming and the destruction this would entail, then we need to start saying no right now to the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Either we stay below the two-degree warming threshold or we don’t. Politicians who only get us partway there are no better than those who don’t even try.
This is the issue of primary (Read more…)
By calgarygrit, on April 30, 2013, at 11:11 am I watched bits of the BC Leaders debate last night, mainly out of curiosity to learn about soon-to-be Premier Adrian Dix and see the man in action. I wasn’t overly impressed, but I don’t think the BC NDP need an overly impressive leader to win what looks to be essentially a slam dunk election.
But this post isn’t about Dix or Clark, or what to expect when British Columbians vote on May 14th. No, this post is to share one of the most amazing political commercials ever with you. Enjoy.
By Richard Hughes, on April 28, 2013, at 12:51 pm COWICHAN CO-OPERATIVE CONNECTIONS NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Local Organization Calling for Government Support for Co-ops
DUNCAN – Cowichan Co-operative Connections feels government could take on a bigger role in supporting the growth of co-operative businesses in British Columbia, and with a provincial election on the horizon, they are taking to social media to make their case.
During the final weeks leading up to election day, this non-profit organization will be putting forward a series of proposals outlining how the Government of British Columbia can better support co-operative development, and in doing so, mobilize untapped strengths in the people and (Read more…)
By Richard Hughes, on April 26, 2013, at 4:43 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
One of the longest, if not the longest controversy ever to hit BC, the BC Rail Scandal, will be examined following the election of Adrian Dix and the BC NDP.
It is too bad that a proper invesigation was blocked by the BC Liberals, but then why wouldn’t it have been.
This was former Premier Gordon Campbell’s wealth transfer triumph. Christy Clark was his Deputy Premier, her ex husband and brother were implicated. Two key witnesses, David Basi and Robert Virk were sacrificed and the taxpayers picked up their 6 million dollar legal defence.
Peter Ewart
That (Read more…)
By Song of the Watermelon, on April 24, 2013, at 12:22 am In the wake of the NDP’s Earth Day announcement unveiling its environmental platform in Kamloops, BC’s environmental movement has been falling all over itself in praise of the party sure to form the next provincial government. Environmentalist Tzeporah Berman, a vocal NDP critic in the last election, has now offered her enthusiastic endorsement of the party — this in addition to previous votes of confidence of a more qualified nature from the likes of Mark Jaccard and Rafe Mair. And let us not forget former Sierra Club BC executive director George Heyman, who is running as a candidate for (Read more…)
By Richard Hughes, on April 19, 2013, at 6:52 pm Richard Hub Hughes-Political Blogger
It is not very often that I get to tell nice stories about the CVRD and South Cowichan. Fact of life is that we just ricochet from one debacle to another.
I did however post a fluffy piece the other day. Director Bruce Fraser and Director Gerry Giles had responded to residents expressed concerns about the drastic changes in the South Cowichan OCP and by Bylaw 3520.
That was then, this is now!
Although I attempted to step back a bit while the OCP was being jammed through, the reality of yet another attack against South (Read more…) residents is hitting home.
Hobby Farms on R2 zoned South Cowichan properties face attack from CVRD Rezoning!
Our South Cowichan Directors, when faced with a growing backlash told residents that there were errors and they would be fixed. Essentially they said, there, there, we will . . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: The CVRD Is Attacking South Cowichan Rural Values Again!
By Richard Hughes, on April 17, 2013, at 1:20 pm Richard ‘Hub’ Hughes- Political Blogger
“You Are Being Rezoned”
CVRD Bylaws Change Will Reduce Your Property Use Options!
Shawna Meade caught wind of drastic CVRD rezoning efforts that were being undertaken to bring the zoning into compliance with the South Cowichan Official Community Plan.
That was enough for her and soon she was going door to door passing out a leaflet spelling out the drastic changes that would take the rural out of South Cowichan.
South Cowichan Zoning Was Going To Ban Roosters!
It was not long before the phones were ringing and the emails were flying.A
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Hey CVRD! KEEP IT RURAL eh!
By Song of the Watermelon, on April 11, 2013, at 10:28 pm With the release today of the NDP’s fiscal plan in advance of the May 14 election here in British Columbia, we are now finally able to assess where the major parties — Liberals, New Democrats, Greens, and Conservatives — stand on the province’s carbon tax. In my opinion, there are four primary questions by which their respective carbon tax proposals are to be judged:
Will the tax be raised? Will the tax base be expanded? Will the tax remain revenue neutral? How will equity concerns be addressed?
This is not to say that these four criteria are the only relevant (Read more…)
By calgarygrit, on April 8, 2013, at 5:12 pm
Alison Redford’s approval ratings have fallen to “Stelmachian” levels
Angus Reid has released their quarterly Premier approval ratings. As per usual, Brad Wall is more popular than God, and everyone else is a little more human:
Wall (SK): 64% approve, 28% disapprove Alward (NB): 41% approve, 50% disapprove Selinger (MB): 38% approve, 49% disapprove Wynne (ON): 36% approve, 37% disapprove Marois (QC): 33% approve, 62% disapprove Dexter (NS): 30% approve, 62% disapprove Redford (AB): 29% approve, 66% disapprove Clark (BC): 25% approve, 67% disapprove Dunderdale (NL): 25% approve, 73% disapprove
While Wall’s number sticks out, there are a few
. . . → Read More: Calgary Grit: Provincial Unrest
By Song of the Watermelon, on April 4, 2013, at 6:25 pm Although the writ for the upcoming BC election won’t be dropped for another two weeks (yes, this campaign has been going on forever), I had the pleasure yesterday of attending an all-candidates meeting on climate change organized by Gen Why Media.
The forum seemed geared primarily towards the young ’uns, despite being billed by organizers as part of their ongoing “Bring Your Boomers” intergenerational dialogue series. A few older voices in the audience could be heard complaining about the darkness of the venue and the frenetic Twittercentrism of the onstage decorations. And though I am ostensibly still part of the (Read more…)
By Song of the Watermelon, on March 27, 2013, at 1:14 am According to every poll and every projection by every firm and every commentator, Christy Clark and her Liberal Party are about to be handed an unbalanced ass-whooping of the sort we British Columbians seem to enjoy dishing out to governing parties once every decade or so. Naturally, when this happens, I will be singing and dancing as much as the next person. But allow me to qualify my unencumbered joy thusly:
The impending Liberal defeat is not Christy Clark’s fault.
Well, not primarily. She certainly hasn’t helped. “Ethnicgate” does not reflect well on the Clark government, but this present ordeal (Read more…)
By Richard Hughes, on March 21, 2013, at 3:14 pm Here is a letter from MLA Bill Routley challenging Environment Minister Lake to step in and do the right thing for the residents of Shawnigan.
Cowichan BC NDP MLA Bill Routley
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V IX4
Telephone 250.387.3655
Fax 250.3873468
bill.routley@leg.bc.ca
Hon. Terry Lake
Minister of Environment Room 112 – Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4
March 19, 2013
Dear Minister,
Re: Draft Ministry of Environment Permit to dump contaminated soil in the Shawnigan Watershed.
I request that your government immediately halt any further action on the issuance of
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Bill Routley Challenges BC Liberals Over Contaminated Soil Controversy
By Richard Hughes, on March 13, 2013, at 10:49 pm
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
You have to hand it to the ‘Right Wing Nuts.’ when. The smallest gaggle of true believers seem able to attracting funding and dispense their gospel broadly throughout the MSM without a murmur of questioning, measuring or guaging its’ accuracy or value.
In Canada we are home to a number of these groups . In BC we are home to the ‘Fraser Institute’ who with a clever twist developed the debt clock, which according to them showed sometime in June when our tax burden was paid.
They neglect to show the contributors to that debt, tax breaks,
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Canadian Taxpayer Federation Exposed! In running for ‘Turfy Award’
By Richard Hughes, on March 12, 2013, at 11:44 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
I have watched the BCTF campaign ads over the years. They squander hundreds of thousands of dollars on some really well produced ads and then choke and say stupid things like ‘Vote for Education’ or ‘Vote for Smaller classrooms.”
The BCTF’s latest is ‘Let’s Vote for Better Schools!’ This is brilliant. Now, who would that be exactly?
BCTF President Susan Lambert
The BC Liberals preach about their commitment to families and education.
Surely the BC Greens support the schools. The BC Conservatives, well I don’t know what they say but I am sure that is
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Let’s Vote For Better Schools! BCTF TV Advertising Is Pathetic!
By Richard Hughes, on March 5, 2013, at 10:04 pm Richard ‘Hub’ Hughes- Political Blogger
Speculation ran wild regarding Premier Clark’s grip on her leadership and whether or not the dissidents within her caucus would scotch the budget vote today.
Bringing down her government and forcing an early election seemed a possibility 24 hours ago. Not so much now.
The last weeks humbled and humiliated BC Liberals reeling from the ethnic ‘Quick Wins’contoversy bounced back or perhaps more correctly were whipped back into line by BC Liberal House Leader Rich Coleman.
Rich Coleman BC Liberal House Leader whipped his caucus into line!
The BC NDP seemed flat by comparison and
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Christy Clark Survives Leadership and Passes Budget
By Richard Hughes, on March 5, 2013, at 1:48 pm Richard Hughes Political Blogger
Good Morning,
The question swirling around Victoria this morning is whether or not Premier Christy Clark will be able to weather the storm ahead and whether or not the BC Liberal’s ‘Election Budget’ will pass.
If it fails then the question of Christy Clark’s leadership will be mute as we will be heading off to an early election with the Liberals being led by Christy Clark, well most likely anyway.
Premier Christy Clark may not last the week as Premier.
It appears that Christy Clark underestimated the depth of the problems revealed when the leaked memo
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Will The BC Liberal Government Survive Today’s Budget Vote?
By Richard Hughes, on March 4, 2013, at 8:27 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
Martyn Brown, Former Chief of Staff for Premier Gordon Campbell, has told Jon McComb, on ‘The World Today’ CKNW 980, that Premier Clark must step down.
Premier Clark told legislative reporters, this afternoon, that she will have to take more actions possibly including resigning as Premier.
The last few Question Periods-available online on the BC Legislative site and on Cable have offered uncommon political theatre recently. I expect that will continue for some time yet.
Here is more from Martyn Brown well worth the look see.
By Richard Hughes, on March 4, 2013, at 2:01 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
Rafe looks back at his own time as a Cabinet Minister in the Social Credit Government of the 80′s, past elections and endorses the BC NDP.
It is not a without reservations love-in, just that compared to the alternatives in a first past the post election it is a no brainer.
He has traveled a long road both as an octogenarian, a lawyer, politician, broadcaster and blogger. Here is his latest post courtesy of the Tyee.
By Richard Hughes, on March 2, 2013, at 7:08 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
Like so many of you I have read the news of scandalous behavior coming from the Premier’s office and am still pouring over the media reports that have gone into orbit on this latest scandal. I will include this one from the National Post for now and be posting many more On the Left Side later.
Of course I will be writing soon but before I do I want to let this settle out a bit more. Already the framers and spinners are working overtime selling us Christy’s heartfelt apology and her call for an investigation. Right
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: It is all over for Premier Christy Clark and the BC Liberals!
By Richard Hughes, on March 1, 2013, at 1:03 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
Watching ‘Question Period’ the other day what struck me once again was the dysfunctional performance of the legislature.
The legislatures role has been diminished, often governments calling them into session only when they must to jam their legislation through.
It is a critical element of a parliamentary democracy and it is broken in Victoria, certainly in Ottawa and I suspect similar degradation of process is standard throughout all provincial legislatures. It is not good enough.
The Honourable John Barisoff-Speaker of the House
Surely the Speaker’s role should be to see that the interaction between elected officials is
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Time To Reform Our Dysfunctional Legislature – Our Democracy Has Been Handcuffed
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