November 2004 Archives

"You take a person and you associate them or identify them with a particular group. And then you attribute to that person all the characteristics of that group, without out giving them a chance to stand on their own merits." That was North Vancouver-Seymour provincial Liberal nomination hopeful Cindy Silver's response when Public Eye mentioned her work as a lawyer for a number of socially conservative Christian groups. So we're going to give Ms. Silver, who may be looking to unseat backbencher Dan Jarvis, that chance.

A lawyer who has past connections with a number of socially conservative religious groups is looking to replace backbencher Dan Jarvis as the provincial Liberal's standard bearer in North Vancouver-Seymour, Public Eye has learned. In an interview, Cindy Silver, who was elected as a school trustee in 2002, confirmed she had submitted her nomination papers to party headquarters on November 17. But she said those papers haven't yet been approved nor has she decided whether to run. Ms. Silver wouldn't say whether anyone had encouraged her to unseat Mr. Jarvis, who has previously said he is running in the next election.

Earlier, Public Eye reported Liberal party executive director Kelly von Reichert hadn't returned repeated phone calls over a two month period asking who belongs to the Liberal's re-election committee. That committee is chaired by influential backroom boy Patrick Kinsella and Finance Minister Gary Collins. But despite Mr. Reichert's tightlips, we have since discovered former Socred operatives Greg Lyle and Jess Ketchum are working to help get the Liberals re-elected. And, thanks to our spies, we've added another name to that uber-secret list - TBWA\Vancouver president Andrea Southcott.

Watch out! It looks like the federal Liberals are trying to be democratic again. Today, in their electronic newsletter, the party invited members to participate in a "grassroots consultation exercise" to come up with the "top ten reasons it's great to be a Liberal." A random sample of contributions so far included submissions like "Liberals are about hope not fear" and "Bono thinks we're cool" But we're pretty sure Public Eye's resident cynics can do better than that. So have at it boys and girls. We'll be sure to forward your creative suggestions onto Liberal headquarters. The following is the relevant portion of the newsletter.

Last week, Public Eye reported Vancouver-Fraserview provincial Liberal backbencher Ken Johnston's constituency assistant Barinder Sall sent an email to Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer, observing "there is a generation clash here between the older and younger indo-Canadians (sic). As these older guys want to be recognized, want fame, and I think maybe a sovereign society...lol...while the younger guys rather operate discretely, spend time golfing and enjoy life with their families." And it seems those statements haven't gone down well with community elders.

The provincial Liberals could be getting another present from the justice system this Christmas. Rumour has it more charges flowing from Project Everywhichway, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation that resulted last year's raid on the legislature, could be laid later this month, possibly the week of December 20. To date, the government has done an effective job of limiting the political damage caused by that raid. We'll see whether that continues.

The provincial Liberals will be counting on service they can trust during the next election. Insiders tell Public Eye the premier's executive assistant Lara Dauphinee and Tim Lewis of Western Pro Show Rentals Ltd. fame will be responsible for the leader's tour, the same job they did in 2001. Mr. Lewis's company has had a lucrative relationship with the government. Between the time the Liberals were elected and fiscal 2003/04, more than $1.5 million from the provincial treasury has been transferred into Pro Show's account. Monday Magazine muckraker and freedom of information request guru Russ Francis has extensively documented how many of the contracts awarded to Pro Show, which produces the government's open cabinet meetings, have been untendered.

Babblester Wilfred Day is reporting Cowichan Valley school district trustee Doug Routley narrowly beat Island Trust chair and blues/country musician David Essig yesterday to win the provincial New Democrat nomination in Cowichan-Ladysmith. According to the posting, Mr. Routley received 131 votes on the second ballot and Mr. Essig got 114. Also in the race: former Green member Julian West, who came in with 27 votes on the first ballot and organic farmer Nina Gribble who mustered 10. Mr. Routley, who was supported by former New Democrat cabinet ministers Jan Pullinger and Dale Lovick, has an extensive background with the Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers Union.

Last week, Richmond city councilors Bill McNulty and Harold Steves promised street protests if Vancouver's transportation authority didn't ground plans to elevate the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit line running through their community. And now it seems the two politicians, who are concerned the elevated line will be an eyesore, will be keeping that promise.

Organizations connected to the provincial and federal governments are paying firms linked with Prime Minister Paul Martin to lobby Ottawa on their behalf, Public Eye has learned. According to the federal registry, Vancouver's transportation authority and its subsidiary RAV Project Management Ltd. have retained Earnscliffe Strategy Group Inc. to support the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit line and fuel tax transfers. Earnscliffe, which opened an office in Vancouver two months ago, has sometimes been referred to as the Martin government's shadow prime minister's office.

On Thursday, select Business in Vancouver subscribers received an email asking them to participate in the magazine's third annual business confidence survey. But, with an election just around the corner, the magazine also included a number of questions about provincial politics in that survey. The online questionnaire asks subscribers the effect Liberal policies have had on their business and what government's future priorities should be. It also asks them whether a New Democrat or Liberal win will impact their confidence in the economy. And it questions respondents as to whether they approve or disapprove of the Campbell administration's performance. Business in Vancouver was co-founded by Vancouver Non-Partisan Association city councillor Peter Ladner. The following is a copy of that survey.

On Wednesday, Diane Rabbani, the head of the British Columbia government's public service agency, announced her associate deputy minister Ron McEachern would be euphemistically leaving that job on January 2. Mr. McEachern, who is well-liked and respected by colleagues, had been principally responsible for representing employer-side interests during collective agreement negotiations with civil service unions. No word yet on the reason for his...er...departure. But agency cube farms are abuzz with rumours the Liberals may be looking to make radical changes to those agreements. And Mr. McEachern's incremental approach to labour negotiations may not have fit in with that plan.

From her throne atop Mount Olympus, public affairs bureau demigoddess Athana Mentzelopoulos has sent word she wants government ministries to put together a list of all their communications contractors. Those contractors are sometimes used by program managers who need communications services the bureau doesn't have the time or interest to provide. Others use them because those contractors will provide communications services that aren't driven by a political agenda. The practice was also commonplace when the New Democrats were in government. No word yet on the reason for Ms. Mentzelopoulous' request.

Earlier, we reported former fur industry and Ontario government spin doctor Kirk Smith would be heading up the solicitor general's communications shop. But it turns out this isn't the first time he's worked for the Campbell administration. Insiders tell us Mr. Smith was a contractor with Picture BC, a raised-eyebrow initiative that provides funding and technical assistance to communities wanting to produce promotional videos and materials.

This morning, The Province reported retiring Kelowna-Lake Country MLA John Weisbeck "confirmed that he sent an e-mail to Liberal caucus members this week calling for the resignation of party president Mickey Patryluk, accusing her of speaking to the media about the audit before informing Liberals...Patryluk was traveling yesterday and unavailable for comment. But (party executive director Kelly) Reichert said Patryluk had no intention of resigning." Public Eye broke that story on Wednesday.

Retiring Kelowna-Lake Country MLA and deputy speaker John Weisbeck is calling on Liberal president Mickey Patryluk to resign, Public Eye has learned. In an email sent to caucus members on Monday, the MLA accuses Ms. Patryluk of abusing her position to influence the outcome of the nomination race in his riding. According to the email, a Kelowna Courier reporter informed Mr. Weisbeck on Friday that Sarina Sandana-Weisbeck, the MLA's ex-wife and one of the nomination candidates, was being accused of using bribery to recruit student supporters. That accusation, which involves an organization called the Urban Youth and Cultural Association, was published by the Courier on Saturday. The reporter told Mr. Weisbeck he had been informed about the whole affair by Ms. Patryluk. Mr. Weisbeck writes that the president should have let his ex-wife know about that accusation before speaking to the press.

Last night's Coalition of Progressive Electors annual fundraiser was awash with wine, food and gossip, report Public Eye spies who attended the event. According to the rumour mill, Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell will be leaving the left-leaning civic party on December 11, along with up to three city councilors (the most likely candidates being Jim Green, Raymond Louie and Tim Stevenson). No word on the reason for that specific date. So don't salivate too much over that juicy morsel.

Looking for a good time? Does your version of fun include chanting slogans and the potential for violent confrontations? If so, you might be interested to know Vancouver's peaceniks are organizing a protest march against American president George W. Bush, who is making his first state visit to Canada. That march, which is scheduled to begin at noon on November 30, will start at Canada Place and end at the United States consulate. Another protest is scheduled for 5:00 the same day at the Vancouver Art Gallery. All of which should keep the Vancouver Police Department quite busy.

Despite having been diagnosed with prostate cancer, Children and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen is determined to run in the next provincial election. Speaking at a news conference, Minister Hagen said his constituency association has already had its nomination meeting and "I am not changing my plans at all when it comes to my political future." Minister Hagen also said his doctors have promised him he will be Blackberry-capable within two hours after being treated for the disease. That surgery is scheduled for November 30.

Last Thursday, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled government must consult and accomodate First Nations before making decisions that impact even unproven land claims. But it also ruled First Nations don't have a final veto over those decisions nor are business groups under the same obligation to consult and accomodate. But what do those rulings, which were part of two seperate cases, mean for the government and business in British Columbia? And where do we go from here? Well, First Nations consultant and political watcher Bernard Schulmann has some ideas. The following is Mr. Schulmann's analysis.

Following the Liberal's Surrey-Panorama Ridge by-election defeat, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon blamed that loss on a lack of support for the government among Indo-Canadians. Not surprisingly, rumour has it there are plans to boost support by handing out provincial appointments to a number of prominent community members. Names on that list are said to include Peterson Stark Scott lawyer Palbinder Shergill, who currently sits on the Fraser Health Authority's board of directors. But when we questioned Ms. Shergill about whether the Liberals had asked her to accept an additional appointment she said "Unfortunately, I have no comment." Sukh Badh, the owner of Radio Punjab, is also rumoured to be up for an appointment. But, in an interview yesterday, Mr. Badh denied he would be accepting any government largess.

Not many politicos would want to be in David Basi's shoes. He's the ministerial assistant who was fired for allegedly passing confidential government information to lobbyist Erik Bornman. But insiders say at least three provincial Liberals are aspiring to take on Mr. Basi's job as the party's principle Indo-Canadian go-to-man, including Vancouver-Fraserview backbencher Ken Johnston's constituency assistant Barinder Sall. But before he moves into that position, Mr. Sall (who has also been spotted doing similar organizational work for the federal Conservatives) might want to practice his diplomatic skills.

Children and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He will be having an operation at the end of November and recuperating in December. An insider says Minister Hagen will not be resigning his portfolio. He will be making an official announcement with Premier Gordon Campbell at 4:30. CKNW is also broadcasting at this hour a similar report. Earlier, Public Eye reported Minister Hagen would be making a major personal announcement today.

Children and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen will be making a major personal announcement shortly, insiders say. Minister Hagen was appointed to his current portfolio at the end of September. Previously, he had served as minister of sustainable resource management and human resources. He also held a variety of cabinet positions within the Social Credit government.

Today, a new communications director washed up on the shores of the desert island known as British Columbia's public affairs bureau. So everyone give a big Public Eye welcome to Kirk Smith, who has been put in charge of spinning the solicitor general's messaging. Mr. Smith, who held a similar job with the Ontario government, was chairman of the Fur Institute of Canada's public information committee during the eighties.

This morning, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Radio One, "there is controversy brewing over who will represent the NDP in North Delta during the next provincial election. A municipal councillor won a nomination meeting held by the local constituency association this week. But the party's provincial executive says the results of that election are void." Public Eye broke that story last Wednesday.

On Friday, the provincial New Democrat's Gucci socialists will be paying $99 to attend the Vancouver Lonsdale and Seymour constituency associations' first annual Carole Cruise with party leader Carole James. That cruise is being held aboard MV Britannia, which will be renamed the Carole Ship for the duration of the event. The price of admission includes a buffet dinner featuring everything from smoked oyster toasts with roasted red peppers to garden fresh vegetable crudites. But that's not all. According to the event's promotional brochure, "comedic singers will be on hand to sing satirical songs about Gordon Campbell and his minions. Auction items will include a Gordon Campbell dartboard - not available for sale anywhere else" with the proceeds going to "help the North Shore NDP build their war chest with the goal of electing a NDP MLA in Lonsdale." Hmmm...things seem to be getting personal. The following is a copy of that brochure.

Our unofficial and intrepid provincial New Democrat nomination correspondent Adam Tondowsky reports the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union, Raj Chouhan, will be representing the party in Burnaby-Edmunds during the upcoming election. Mr. Chouhan currently works as the bargaining director for the Hospital Employees' Union. Public Eye has also learned Weldwood of Canada Ltd. manager Bob Simpson, an ex-provincial Liberal, has been elected the New Democrat candidate for Cariboo-North. According to insiders, his competitor, former caucus researcher Sarah Hilbert-West, received 93 votes to Mr. Simpson's 150 (with most of his support coming in the form of mail-in ballots from the southern end of the riding). The following is a copy of Mr. Simpson's campaign bio.

Last night, renegade provincial New Democrats in Delta North ignored orders to cancel their nomination meeting and choose local councillor Guy Gentner as their election candidate, says party spokesman Scott Perchall. The provincial executive issued that cancellation order when Mr. Gentner's competitor Sukhinder Sandhu, a cabbie, filed a complaint about the fairness of the nomination process. Yesterday, Public Eye reported party headquarters wouldn't be accepting the results of the meeting. No word yet on how many people attended or whether a solution to the impasse has been found. Public Eye has been unable to independently confirm Mr. Gentner's nomination with constituency association president Ernie Fulton.

Provincial New Democrat leader Carole James won't be having a Sister Souljah moment at the British Columbia Federation of Labour convention, scheduled to start next Monday (November 29). But she won't be cuddling up to the union movement either. According to well-placed insiders, Ms. James will be delivering a speech stressing the need to put an end to polarized politics in this province. It will be similar to the one she gave to the Coalition of British Columbia Businesses in July. During that speech, Ms. James told the audience that meeting with, and listening to, business leaders was "a top priority." She also said she wanted "the NDP and the business community to work in partnership."

Bonnie Irving, who has edited BCBusiness Magazine since 1985, has been permanently replaced by assistant editor Noel Hulsman. Ms. Irving announced to staff she was resigning last week. But, according to our spies, Ms. Irving was nudged out due to personality conflicts with senior management at Canada Wide Magazines and Communications Ltd.

Today, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is reporting the provincial government's best place to work advertising campaign has cost taxpayers $973,425. That amount does not include monies spent on ads promoting British Columbia as the best place to learn, live and invest. But what's even more interesting is that the agency responsible for the campaign's creative and development work was TBWA\Vancouver. For those of you who don't know, TBWA is better known as Bryant, Fulton and Shee Advertising Inc. - the firm responsible for marketing the Liberals during the last election. Province columnist Michael Smyth also revealed Bryant, Fulton and Shee as being the creative mind behind the government's so-called fact-based healthcare and pharmacare advertising campaigns. And it was the ad agency for the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corp.

Public Eye has obtained a copy of a letter notifying Delta North provincial New Democrats that their nomination meeting (scheduled for tonight) will still be held - despite party executive orders to cancel the event. The letter, which appears to have been written by constituency association president Ernie Fulton, accuses the executive of "violating the constitution in rescinding our nomination" and giving nomination candidate Sukhinder Sandhu "special treatment." Some Delta North New Democrats have also been told the constituency association is concerned that, if the meeting is delayed, it will give Mr. Sandhu the time he needs to make sure the insta-members he's signed up are eligibile to vote during the nomination process. The following is a copy of the letter.

The provincial New Democrats will not be accepting the results of tonight's Delta North constituency association's nomination meeting. In an interview, Gerry Scott also explained the party executive had earlier approved Delta North's nomination date with the understanding that the association grow their membership and ensure a fair election process. But, when a complaint about that process was filed by candidate Sukhinder Sandhu, the executive cancelled that meeting.

Public Eye has learned the provincial New Democrat's Delta North constituency association, at this hour, is ignoring an order from the party executive to cancel their nomination meeting, which is scheduled to be held this evening. The president of that association, Ernie Fulton, is also saying the executive improperly approved Sukhinder Sandhu, a taxi driver, as one of the riding's nomination candidates. And he seems to have concerns with the validity of some of Mr. Sandhu's membership sign-ups.

Today, Toronto Star Queens Park bureau staffer Robert Benzie is reporting Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty, "is expected to announce (on Thursday) the formation of 'citizens' assemblies' to examine and recommend changes to the (province's) democratic system. Attorney-General Michael Bryant said the fairness of the current "first-past-the-post" system is the sort of issue they'll look at." Hmmm...wonder where they got that idea from?

As you may have already heard, Finance Minister Gary Collins and influential backroom boy Patrick Kinsella are chairing the provincial Liberal's re-election committee. But who else is beavering away to make sure the party stays in power? That's a question we've been asking party headquarters for the past two months. But the Liberal's executive director Kelly Riechert hasn't return repeated phone calls about the matter. So last week, we got tired of waiting for Mr. Reichert and started asking more talkative folks the same question. And, so far, our investigation has managed to add two more names to that list. Everybody give a big Public Eye welcome to secret advisors Greg Lyle and Jess Ketchum. Greg and Jess, come on down and read your backgrounders!

Another addition to our growing list of provincial New Democrat nomination candidates: former Quesnel school district trustee and chair Leann Dawson has sent out a news release announcing she is running in Prince George-Omineca. Ms. Dawson is a Canadian Union of Public Employees national represenative and staff advisor on the organization's political action committee. She is also an executive member of the riding's constituency association and the Prince George and District Labour Council.

Federal British Columbia Liberal conventioneers in Penticton have have elected Pilothouse Public Affairs Inc. lobbyist Jamie Elmhirst as the president of their rotten borough. Mr. Elmhirst was running against Vancouver Centre constituency association president Patrick Maloney. According to unofficial sources, Mr. Elmhirst received 234 votes to Mr. Maloney's 178. Mr. Elmhirst was the candidate most favoured by super-uber Martinite organizer Mark Marissen, who is married to theoretical Indo-Canadian Idol competitor and former provincial Liberal cabinet minister Christy Clark.

David Anderson, Victoria's former Fisher King, is selling his Oak Bay cottage castle for the handsome sum of $819,000. The home, which was placed on the Canadian Real Estate Association's multiple listing service by longtime friend Marc Owen-Flood, is described as, "a wonderful Uplands Rancher located on a quite (sic) street. The property offers wonderful privacy and a park like feel." So why is Mr. Anderson getting rid of this idyllic residence? Well, federal Liberal insiders are abuzz with rumours the ex-minister has decided to quit and negotiations for an appropriate severance package (read: patronage appointment) are underway.

Thanks to the efforts of rabble rouser and Public Eye reader Adam Tondowsky, who seems intent on becoming our unofficial provincial New Democrat nomination correspondent, we've once again updated the site's candidate list. Included in the update is additional biographical information and links to nomination campaign Websites. As always, if you know of any other candidates we should be aware of, please comment below.

Yesterday, according to our spies in Vancouver, Radio India and Radio Punjab were broadcasting advertisements featuring former provincial Liberal cabinet minister Christy Clark wishing listeners a happy Diwali. Some insiders we spoke with wondered why Ms. Clark made that media buy, since she isn't running in the next election. But perhaps she was just spreading some holiday cheer? Earlier, Public Eye reported the Port Moody-Westwood uber-backbencher showed up at the Liberal convention's Saturday morning caucus breakfast flanked by more than a dozen Indo-Canadian supporters. Astute readers will remember Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon recently blamed the Liberal's Surrey-Panorama Ridge by-election loss on a lack of support among Indo-Canadians.

Former provincial New Democrat North Island MLA Glen Robertson has announced he won't be seeking a nomination in that riding. But, according to former journalist Claire Trevena, she will. In an email, Ms. Trevena, who has worked as an assignment editor and programme editor for the BBC World Service, a Canadian correspondent for several United Kingdom newspapers and a senior editor with CBC Newsworld International, informed us her "candidacy was approved by the provincial executive in September." She is currently a partner with Start Communicating Strategies Inc., a Quadra Island-based strategic communications company. Ms. Trevana, whose name has been added to Public Eye's nomination list, provided us with the following copy of her resume. As always, if know of any other candidates we should be aware of, please comment below.

Thanks to Public Eye readers, we have added some new names to our provincial New Democrat nomination list. Rabble rouser Adam Tondowsky and Terminal City columnist Ian King report retired Vancouver deputy fire chief and former Simon Fraser Health Region chair Paul McDonell will be running in Burnaby-Edmonds against former British Columbia Farmworkers Union president Raj Chouchan. Mr. McDonnell, who is being backed by Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan, was an independent Vancouver city council election candidate in 1999 who was endorsed by the Coalition of Progressive Electors.

It looks like Great Canadian Gaming Corp. isn't the only one getting rich thanks to the provincial government's hands off approach to slot machine expansion. The British Columbia Investment Management Corp., which manages the province's municipal, public service and teachers' pension funds (among other clients), holds 145,300 shares in Great Canadian currently worth $5.5 million. Those shares give the investment management corp. a 0.6 percent stake in the company. The largest shareholder, with a 30.7 percent stake, is Great Canadian chairman and chief executive Ross McLeod, who personally holds 8,001,885 shares currently worth $302.5 million. Influential Liberal backroom boy Patrick Kinsella, who is co-chairing the party's 2005 re-election committee, has worked for the company as a consultant and has characterized Mr. McLeod as "a good friend of mine."

The Vancouver Sun has assigned two reporters to cover the upcoming provincial election. The carnivorous Jeff Lee will be dogging the Liberals. And Gordon Hamilton, who previously covered the forest industry, will be hunting the New Democrats (no dead wood jokes, please). Messrs. Lee and Hamilton will be writing a B section feature story for The Vancouver Sun's every two weeks, in addition to regular news coverage.

How do you know it's election time at the legislature? Because the boss tells you it is. Yesterday morning, according to insiders, the premier's issues management director Tom Syer essentially told Liberal staffers, "It's game time. And if you guys aren't doing something that gets us votes, you've got to ask yourself why you're doing it." Nice to know government has it's priorities straight. We'll leave it to you to figure out whether we're being sarcastic or not...

You demanded it and we got it. Public Eye has obtained a list of all provincial New Democrat nomination candidates approved by the party brass. We've also included in that list candidates who haven't yet been approved and whatever public record biographic information we could find. If you know of any other information or candidates we should be aware of, please comment below. The following is a copy of the list.

Yesterday, smoothie tycoon Gregor Robertson convincing defeated former Canadian Union of Public Employees national president Judy Darcy to become the provincial New Democrat candidate for Vancouver-Fairview. But, according to insiders, that victory didn't look like a sure thing. Our sources say Mr. Robertson's happy planeteers were initially overwhelmed by the sheer number of Darcy loyalists (mostly labour types) at the nomination meeting. There was just one problem though: a substantial number of them (the estimate runs as high as 300) were just there to provide morale support, being ineligible to vote. But Ms. Darcy must not have realized that. Because, while the first ballot votes were being tallied, she was spotted practicing her victory speech.

More news about recent provincial New Democrat nominations has been reported on Babble. According to Adam Tondowsky, one of the message board's regular posters, former Golden mayor Norm Macdonald has won the Columbia-Revelstoke nomination battle, beating out Brent Bush. Mr. Bush ran as the party's candidate in Kootenay-Columbia during the last federal election. Mr. Tondowsky also writes that former highway king Harry Lali became the party's official candidate in Yale-Lillooet over the weekend. That news, which was confirmed by a party official, will likely be an effective party pooper for all those celebrating organic food prince Gregor Robertson's win in Vancouver-Fairview.

It looks like Christy Clark, freed from the constraints of cabinet solidarity, may have finally broken ranks on an important issue of party policy. On Friday, our spies say provincial Liberal convention organizers issued an edict that there would no hospitality suites that evening. The reason: according to unconfirmed reports, organizers wanted to keep conventioneers at the evening's official dinner rather than having everyone head off to seperate events. But Ms. Clark still went ahead with plans to host a booze-up at the Four Seasons Resort Harmony Ballroom. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon may have also bent the rules by running a quieter and later event in his suite.

Professional juice squeezer Gregor Robertson, the co-founder and chair of Happy Planet Foods Inc., has won the provincial New Democrat nomination in Vancouver-Fairview, defeating former Canadian Union of Public Employees national president and Red Guard favourite Judy Darcy. For those interested in such things, Mr. Robertson won on the second ballot, with 258 votes to Ms. Darcy's 182. On the first ballot, Mr. Robertson received 226 votes, Ms. Darcy got 198 and out-of-nowhere candidate Ros Kellet was eliminated with 69. Mr. Robertson, who has become something of a champion for the moderate, latte-sipping wing of the New Democrats, will now run against Finance Minister Gary Collins in the next election. Party Internet activist Alex Ng sent out the following summary of the event on Sunrise, a listserv frequented by New Democrats. Mr. Robertson's victory is also being discussed on Babble, a message board with a similar population.

Port Moody-Westwood MLA Christy Clark may no longer be a cabinet minister. But our Whistler spies tells us that didn't dampen her popularity among some Indo-Canadian party members. In fact, about a dozen of them were flanking Ms. Clark when she arrived at the convention's Saturday morning caucus breakfast - a display that didn't go unnoticed by other Liberals. Astute readers will remember Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon recently blamed the party's Surrey-Panorama Ridge by-election loss on a lack of support among Indo-Canadians.

Reports from Public Eye's provincial Liberal convention spies confirm Solicitor General Rich Coleman wasn't the only caucus member who made a fashion statement in Whistler. As was already pointed out by one reader, a number of delegates had buttons from Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection Bill Barisoff, which featured a flashing red lights. Others put on black cowboy hats with a white sash bearing Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's last name. And red buttons identifying the wearer as having come from Hagen Country - a reference to Children and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen - were also spotted.

If this doesn't make Premier Gordon Campbell paranoid, we're not sure what will. According to our spies at the provincial Liberal convention in Whistler, a number of delegates are wearing blue and red scarves emblazoned with the words Coleman Country. Earlier, Georgia Straight columnist Bill Tieleman reported rumours Solicitor General Rich Coleman has been putting together a "'just in case' leadership team for the possibility that Campbell resigns before the May 17, 2005, election."

This morning, Province columnist Mike Smyth reported the provincial government has sent out a flashy householder promoting the Liberal's economic accomplishments. In that column, Mr. Smyth complained, "I asked yesterday for the simple facts around the direct-mail effort, including the total cost and the number of flyers that have been sent out. I had not received an answer - or even a returned phone call - by press time." Well don't worry Smitty. You're not the only one.

Looks like Viewpoints Research Ltd. is keeping its non-unionized call centre busy. Public Eye has learned the Winnipeg-based company, which recently beat out unionized Strategic Communications Inc. to become the New Democrat's election pollster, is currently in the field. In addition to usual voter preference and top of mind questions, Viewpoints asks respondents to rate the importance of "taking care of ordinary British Columbians" and "ensuring there're opportunities for all" and whether they think the Liberals "put powerful interests ahead of ordinary people." If the New Democrats commissioned this survey, it's likely Viewpoints is message-testing these statements as possible campaign themes.

The incubatory electoral change yes committee had its first meeting via conference call last night. According to insiders, participants included James Hoggan and Associates Inc. account and business development director Erin Airton, Canadian Taxpayers Federation British Columbia executive director Sara MacIntyre, Langara College political science department chair Stephen Phillips, Conservative organizer Russell Morrison and Green activists Stephen Birch and David Schuab. Provincial Liberal and federal Conservative Vancouver Island riding association president Bruce Hallsor was also on the line. And so was fellow Fair Vote Canada executive member Julian West, an ex-Green candidate who is looking to run as a provincial New Democrat in the next election.

Yesterday, Public Eye reported a number of senior public affairs staffers were being promoted from management level eight to nine - putting them in the same pay bracket as some assistant deputy ministers. Commenting on the story, an anonymous civil servant noted, "classification 'creep' has a long tradition in this provincial government" but "the real problem is the antiquated classification system and the pathetically run B.C. Government Public Service Agency."

Yesterday, Public Eye reported the total number of slot machines in British Columbia will increase by 374 percent since the provincial Liberals won the last election if all the approvals go through. Given the party's promise to "stop the expansion" of gambling, this might come as something of a surprise to most British Columbians. But one person who wouldn't be surprised by those numbers is Jacee Schaefer, the former vice-president of intergovernmental and media relations for Great Canadian Gaming Corp. and a crack Liberal operative. In an 1997 interview, the former Socred told Vancouver Sun staffer John MacKie that she pinned the Liberals down on their gaming policy before becoming a party member.

Music in schools, subsidizing amateur sports and ensuring the Kermode bear becomes the symbol and mascot of the 2010 Winter Olympics. These are just some of the weighty proposals up for discussion at the provincial Liberal's annual general meeting in Whistler, according to a delegate package obtained by Public Eye.

The number of slot machines in British Columbia will increase by 4,599 over and above the 3,832 listed in the British Columbia Lottery Corp. last annual report, according to an analysis by Public Eye using stats confirm by that agency. And another 550 have been proposed or are pending government approvals, boosting the total to 8,981. That total is almost 1,000 higher than previously reported rough estimates. If the approvals go through, it means the number of slot machines in British Columbia will have grown by 374 percent since the Liberals took office. Great Canadian Gaming Corp. has been the biggest beneficiary of this expansion, with its slots increasing from measley 300 to 2,200 or by a whopping 733 percent. That company has strong connections to the Liberals.

They are the few. They are the proud. They are the public affairs bureau staffers who have been promoted from management level eight to nine. Those promotions could mean pay increases of up to $8,892.54 - with salaries rising from $92,970.26 to $101,862.80 annually (assuming 100 percent compensation). Public affairs staffers lucky enough to get an extra pip on their paycheque include community, aboriginal and women's services communications director Marisa Adair and the bureau's casualty replacement officer Denise Champion.