February 2005 Archives

Rumours are circulating that Public Eye has been retained by the Vancouver Sun. Website editor and publisher Sean Holman would neither confirm or deny those rumours. But those close to him say it's a done deal. According to the same sources, Mr. Holman will continue covering the backrooms of British Columbia politics, although he'll now be receiving monetary compensation for that work. Details will be announced shortly. But please continue sending us your tips and leaks. As always, anonymity is guaranteed. Public Eye will remain online but will not be updated.

A political operative on the provincial Liberal payroll appears to be campaigning on behalf of right-wing candidates running in the University of Victoria Students' Society elections. But a representative from the starboard-leaning Coalition of Independent Students slate is denying those reports, saying Dallas Henault, the party's Lower Vancouver Island field organizer, is simply "supporting" those candidates.

Earlier, Public Eye reported Attorney General Geoff Plant would be vacationing in Hawaii for at least part of February. But, according to our spies, the minister (who is now out of country) hasn't specified an exact return date - although he's anticipated to be back at work on March 1. That date is important, since many speculate that, when Attorney General Plant returns from the tropics, he'll announce he won't be seeking another term in office. But others pooh-pooh those theories, instead saying it's quite possible that announcement could even occur during the early days of the election.

A labour relations board ruling may open the door for an anticipated Canadian Taxpayers Federation-funded legal action against the Hospital Employees' Union, Public Eye has learned. In a decision, which was handed down on February 15, board associate chair Michael Fleming ruled the union breached part five of the labour relations code when they mounted a political protest against the provincial government last year, essentially organizing what amounted to an illegal strike.

More news from the muddied waters of Surrey-Panorama Ridge. In interview with Public Eye, Radio Punjab news director and talk show host Harjinder Thind confirmed he was recently approached to run for the provincial Liberal nomination in that riding. But Mr. Thind told us, "then I thought, I'm going to continue what I'm doing. So I decided not to go for it." He declined to identify who had approached him, except to say it was "people for the B.C. Liberals." Earlier, Public Eye reported rumours trucking company owner Bob Hans was considering contesting backbencher Tony Bhullar for the Surrey-Panorama Ridge nomination.

On Sunday, provincial New Democrat Yale-Lillooet election candidate Harry Lali hosted a $100 ticket fundraiser attended by around 400 people. But, according to our spies, the event wasn't held in his home riding. Instead, the former cabinet minister raised the cash at the Grand Taj Banquet Centre and Restaurant in Surrey, which is a considerable distance away from Merritt and its surrounding environs.

Earlier this month, a number of Public Eye readers reported Kushpal Gill, previously president of Premier Glen Clark's constituency association and a British Columbia Ferries Corp. board member, was campaigning on behalf of provincial Liberal Vancouver-Langara nomination candidate Sandy McCormick. In an interview with Public Eye, the former city councillor refused to confirm or deny those reports, saying, "People help out. And if they want their names divulged that would be their business. Lots of people are helping on our campaign."

It looks like provincial Liberal backbencher Tony Bhullar's nomination bid in Surrey-Panorama Ridge may be contested. According to the rumour mill, Hans Trucking Ltd. president Bob Hans is also contemplating running for the nomination. But when Public Eye spoke with Mr. Hans earlier this afternoon, he declined to confirm those rumours, instead saying, "I'm interested in helping the Liberals anywhere I can help them out, wherever they prefer me to do a job. So that's all I can say right now."

Last Tuesday, Public Eye reported the provincial New Democrats were organizing a British Columbia-wide door-knocking campaign on February 26. And it looks like the Burnaby hivemind has decided to send out an email let their dones in on the secret. In an email sent out on Friday, party organizer Ryan Stewart notified members that on Saturday New Democrats will be going house-to-house "finding out first-hand the concerns that ordinary people have about the Gordon Campbell government." The following is a complete copy of that email, which includes a listing of the campaign's local coordinators.

Former provincial New Democrat MLA Bill Goodacre failed to win his Bulkley Valley-Stikine nomination bid yesterday, after being knocked off on the first ballot. Instead, the nod went to Hazelton village councillor Doug Donaldson, who beat out retired school teacher Wes Giesbrecht on the third ballot, 69 votes to 65. Barber Klaus Mueller was also competing for the nomination.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is launching a new radio show about provincial politics, Public Eye has learned. The show, set to broadcast provide-wide on Saturday mornings between 8:00 and 9:00, will be test run during the upcoming election. Producer Michael Tymchuk, previously the corporation's legislative reporter in Saskatchewan, has been pitching the idea since about 2001.

The provincial New Democrat nomination race in Burnaby-Willingdon has become a coronation. According to our spies, Asian Star proprietor Umendra Singh sent a letter to party secretary Gerry Scott yesterday, requesting his name be withdrawn from the race. That clears the way for Chinese media commentator Gabriel Yiu to be acclaimed this weekend. Mr. Yiu will be running against Liberal backbencher John Nuraney in the upcoming election.

The civil service water cooler circuit is percolating with rumours the Campbell administration is considering setting up a standalone ministry responsible for tourism and the Olympics during the Liberal's next mandate - not surprising given the government's increased focus on the area. And other insiders whisper Vancouver-Fairview Liberal nomination candidate Virginia Greene has been promised that portfolio should she win her riding. That makes a certain amount of sense, given the talented Ms. Greene's background in tourism. But, in an interview yesterday, her campaign advisor Norman Stowe, who has known the candidate for around 20 years, forcefully talked down those rumours.

Yesterday, we reported British Columbia Government Employees' Union staffers would be in a strike position tomorrow. But the union's president George Heyman won't be around if those staffers take to the picket lines. Since February 7, Mr. Heyman has been visiting Palestine and Israel as part of a Public Services International fact-finding mission (also known to the cynical as a junket).

Will the Campbell administration shutdown the legislature without a line-by-line debate of the provincial budget? That seemed to be the signal the administration was sending yesterday, as reported in this morning's newspapers. But, if that happens, the decision to do so must have been made relatively recently. Because, according to an email sent written by House Leader Graham Bruce's ministerial assistant Steven Puhallo, the Liberals were still planning on going ahead with an estimates debate earlier this month. In his email, which was sent on February 1, Mr. Puhallo asks fellow aides to send him information about when their ministers will be out of the legislature. The reason: "We will be planning the order of estimates debate later this week and will need to know which Ministers plan to be away and when." The following is a complete copy of that email, which was leaked to Public Eye.

British Columbia Government Employees' Union staffers will be in a legal position to strike at 2:00 on Friday, Public Eye has learned. Mediation between the government employees' union and its staffers, who are represented by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union Local 467, broke down this afternoon. According to insiders, the primary issue of disagreement concerns wages. Initially, the government employees' union offered their staffers a zero percent pay increase over the next three years. Today, that offer was sweetened a dollop, with a two percent increase promised in the third year. But that wasn't enough for the union's 120 or so staffers, which includes their political organizers. After all, government employees' president George Heyman recently said a proposed wage freeze for college supporters workers was "an insult to our members." Staffers earlier voted 98 percent in favour of strike action.

Tomorrow, Democratic Reform BC will have a new addition its rag-tag fugitive fleet of election candidates, Public Eye has learned. Our spies confirm Tony Nobody (nee-Liberal, nee-New Democrat) will announce he's joining the fledgling party, which is represented in the legislature by Surrey-Walley MLA Elayne Brenzinger. The news conference is scheduled to be held at 11:00 at the legislature.

British Columbia government deputy minister Don Leitch was quietly removed from the public payroll in early December, Public Eye has learned. Mr. Leitch was hired by the provincial Liberals following their 2001 election win under a three-year contract, having previously served as Manitoba Premier Gary Filmon's deputy minister for 11 years. Known by some as the deputy minister's deputy minister for his by-the-book approach, he was given the thankless task of being Rick Thorpe's handler at competition, science and enterprise.

Among the more interesting stakeholders attending the budget lockup were Mike McDonald and Susan Yurkovich, both supposedly representing Rosedeer Strategies Inc., Mr. McDonald's company. That made them one of the few couples at the lockup not belonging to an identifiable lobby group, such as a union or business alliance. But what's even more interesting is that Mr. McDonald, who is married to a deputy minister in the premier's office, is better known as the Campbell administration's former caucus communications director. And Ms. Yurkovich, as Public Eye recently reported, is a senior member of the Liberal's re-election team. So what exactly were these two operatives doing at the budget lockup?

Reporters aren't the only ones who get to attend the provincial government's budget lockups. Also on the invite list: groups with a vested interest in what government has put in its spending plans and how those plans get covered in the media. Like boys and girls at an elementary school dance, the stakeholders and reporters are kept apart until the finance minister finishes his briefing. And then the flirting begins, as many of those stakeholders rush to tell whoever will listen what they think about the budget. The following is a list of those groups who were scheduled to attend this year's lockup in Victoria, along with their designated representatives.

Today, the provincial government released its budget for fiscal 2005/06. During the lockup, Finance Minister Colin Hansen answered reporters' questions about that document and the spending plans contained therein, including an election slush fund that's been setup at the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development. The following is a rush transcript of that news conference.

The provincial New Democrat nomination race in Burnaby-Willingdon has been narrowed to just two candidates. This, after David Myles, who ran in the riding during the last election and lost, informed constituency members he would be shuttering his campaign to endorse Chinese media commentator Gabriel Yiu. Mr. Myles had been under pressure for party headquarters to step out of the race. Failed Vancouver-Kensington nomination candidate Umendra Singh is Mr. Yiu's sole remaining opponent. The following is a complete copy of Mr. Myles' withdrawal statement, which was sent out on Friday.

Don't be surprised if you get a knock on the door on February 26. Because, according to an email sent to New Democrat campaign volunteers in Victoria-Hillside, that's when the party will be mounting a province-wide canvassing blitz to "talk to average British Columbians about why they should support the NDP in the upcoming election." The email also notes the local riding association will be using the British Columbia Government Employees' building on Douglas Street as their "organizing headquarters." Nice to know the New Democrats have somewhere they can call home. The following is a complete copy of that email.

It looks like federal Conservatives aren't the only ones who get to break bread with the premier. Over the weekend, Gordon Campbell attended a dinner with the federal Liberals' British Columbia caucus at the Water Street Cafe in Vancouver. The dinner, which was held in the cafe's upstairs room, was the informal part of the Grit's day-long election readiness retreat. Including gadflies and staffers, about 50 people showed up for the event, where the premier delievered a pre-dinner speech focusing on Asia-Pacific trade and federal-provincial relations. Following the speech, Jack Austin is said to have taken off his senatorial hat and wished the provincial Liberal leader the best of luck in the upcoming election. Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell was also invited to the event but didn't show due to illness.

The provincial New Democrats added a dash of estrogen to their campaign team this weekend. University of Northern British Columbia political science professor Deborah Poff is now the party's election candidate in Prince George North. Ms. Poff, who was nominated by platform committee co-chair and former cabinet minister Paul Ramsey, received 120 votes while her opponent, Hospital Employees' Union northern region director Kathy Jessome, got 44.

Yesterday, former Olympic wrestler Daniel Igali announced, with Premier Gordon Campbell at his side, that he would be running for the provincial Liberals in the next election. That announcement wasn't especially surprising. After all, Mr. Igali had long been rumoured to be joining the Campbellites. But it somewhat surprising to see veteran Indo-Canadian political hack Prem Vinning was one of the event organizer. No word yet on what else he's doing for the Liberals - perhaps calling-in to talk shows?

Back in June, Public Eye reported then Health Planning and Services Minister Colin Hansen's crack ministerial assistant Kim Chan was leaving the Rockpile to become a government communications consultant. Nothing too special about that. But here's the interesting part: according to the lobbyist registry, six months later the former political aide started doing government relations work for the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia & Yukon - organizations that will benefit mightly from her extensive insider knowledge of the Province's health bureaucracy. If she was a cabinet minister she'd be in big trouble. Those who leave the executive council to take a job in the private sector are forbidden from lobbying or taking part in a government contract for two years. But, thankfully for Ms. Chan, no such rules currently exist for bureaucrats or political staffers.

Government House Leader and Labour Minister Graham "Friggin'" Bruce's twentysomething son will be getting some temporary employment during the upcoming election. Friggin' Public Eye has learned Ryan has been appointed the minister's friggin' campaign manager. We wish this father and son team the best of friggin' luck. Friggin' New Democrat Doug Routley, a friggin' school district trustee, is running against Minister Bruce in Cowichan-Ladysmith.

Yesterday, in the legislature, New Democrat Opposition leader Joy MacPhail questioned Shirley Bond over the Campbell administration's failure to provide 5,000 promised intermediate and long-term care beds for seniors by 2006. At times though, it appeared Ms. MacPhail was actually debating Labour Minister and House Leader Graham Bruce, so heated were their unofficial exchanges.

If the provincial New Democrats throw rocks at the Campbell administration's gaming policies during the upcoming election, they could be doing so from a glass house. After all, since the Liberals were elected, a number of the party's election candidates have either profitted from those policies or worked to facilitate the expansion of slots in British Columbia.

On Tuesday, a comment on Jordan Bateman's Langley Politics Online noted Campaign Life Coalition British Columbia president John Hof has "sold a couple of hundred" provincial Liberal memberships for Mary Polak to support her bid to become the party's election candidate in Langley. But, in an interview with Public Eye today, Mr. Hof denied campaigning for Ms. Polak, although he acknowledged having taken out a party membership. "I did join the Liberal party. I was encouraged to support...uh...to join the Liberal party" just before the end of last year, the pro-life activist said. "I couldn't join them in the past because my MLA at the time was Lynn Stephens and she disagreed with me on (the abortion issue)."

As part of the Campbell administration's new Asia-Pacific Gateway Strategy, the provincial government is promising to open "a network of B.C. Trade and Cultural Centres in key international markets that will work to make B.C.'s products available to the world" - possibly in partnership with the private sector. That would significantly increase the province's official trade representation abroad, which is currently limited to Michael Craddock, a consultant in Taiwan. But what you may not not know is this experiment was tried once before.

One of the principle promises in today's throne speech was an Asia-Pacific Gateway Strategy. From a policy and political standpoint that strategy makes sense. The region's economic importance cannot be denied. According to Industry Canada, trade exports from British Columbia to Asia were worth $7 billion - the highest among the provinces. So it pays to pay attention to the region. And, by focusing on an issue that matters to British Columbia's Asian community, the Liberals have an excuse to hobnob with them - winning vital votes for the upcoming election. Unfortunately, past experience indicates this strategy could become little more than a poorly-managed public relations exercise.

Public Eye has obtained a copy of the Saanich-Gulf Islands federal Conservative's confidential election debriefing document. According to the document, the Tory braintrust in that riding believes the national campaign "declared victory too early" and the election effort in Saanich-Gulf Islands was hurt because the party "lacked clearly defined moderate, urban policies." Also a concern: "Island wide Reform voters went NDP or Green" rather than Conservative - an indication the Tories are no longer seen as populist in British Columbia. The document also notes that, although the Conservative candidate in Saanich-Gulf Islands, incumbent MP Gary Lunn was re-elected, he had trouble delivering a positive message "when national negatives (Randy White) occured." The following is a complete copy of the debriefing.

Public Eye can think of a number of New Democrats who would love to be turning the spit at this event: on February 18 the Steelworkers will be roasting former Industrial Wood and Allied Workers of Canada president David Haggard to raise funds for the United Way. Mr. Haggard became persona non grata to some New Democrats when he ran for the federal Liberals in New Westminster-Coqutilam during the last election. According to a flyer advertising the event, designated roasters will include Industry Minister David Emerson, former premier Dan Miller, wood workers legal counsel Sandy Banister and former first vice-president Harvey Arcand, Canadian Union of Public Employees British Columbia president Barry O'Neill, Steelworkers president Leo Gerard and Canadian Labour Congress president Ken Georgetti.

The provincial Liberals are organizing a rally supporting tomorrow's throne speech, Public Eye has learned. But, according to our spies, after years of forgetting to water their grassroots, the Campbellites are having some trouble finding people willing to attend. At this point, it's unclear who's responsible for getting supporters out to that demonstration. Rockpile staffers know about but deny having anything to do with the event. Party headquarters, on the other hand, wasn't even aware it was taking place.

Former New Democrat premier Dan Miller is working under contract for the Campbell administration, Public Eye has learned. Mr. Miller was directly awarded that contract in early January "to provide strategic advice and guidance regarding key labour issues" to the government's offshore oil and gas development team. Communications director Steve Simons added that Mr. Miller will also be "facilitating conversations and linkages" between the team and British Columbia's unions. Mr. Simons declined to disclose the value of the contract but said it runs till the end of the fiscal year.

Answer: they love their men. And that love was reaffirmed when the party voted for testosterone candidates in three out of the four weekend nomination races - capping off a week of bad press about the party's gender-balance problem. So why do the provincial New Democrats seem to prefer candidates with hair on their chests? Well, last week, party leader Carole James blathered something about "women putting their names in later than a lot of the men did in the nominations" giving the men a "head start" signing-up supporters. Or perhaps the women should have spent more time campaigning and less time going on four week-long kayaking trips? But one senior insider suggested this might be another contributing factor: "I think there are folks in the party, old-liners, who have never been fond of the women's rights committee. And they think, because we have a female as a leader, that's enough." So the men get the rest of the party.

Premier Dan Miller's former chief of staff John Horgan has won the provincial New Democrat nomination in Malahat-Juan de Fuca, beating Cowichan Valley school district trustee Julie Thomas 171 votes to 44. Mr. Horgan was victorious, despite having failed to read page 60 of the party's pre-election workbook. His company, IdeaWorks Consulting Inc., was awarded a contract to do election polling for the New Democrats, along with Viewpoints Research Ltd. Meanwhile, in Burnaby North, former backbencher Pietro Calendino has triumphed over British Columbia Government Employees' Union staff development and labour relations director Jaynie Clark, 220 votes to 158.

On Saturday, Surrey Now's Ted Colley reported, "Premier Gordon Campbell wants to sit down with former Olympian Daniel Igali this weekend to talk about the gold medallist's political future. Igali said yesterday he will decide soon whether he will run as a Liberal in the next provincial election." But Public Eye understands that decision has already been made and Mr. Igali will be announcing he's running for the provincial Liberals in Surrey-Newton shortly, likely this coming Friday or Saturday. Our spies add the party is waiving many of its nomination rules for Mr. Igali. The riding's nomination meeting is set for March 5.

The ex-provincial New Democrat MLA club had a good day. In Nelson-Creston, former cabinet minister and party leadership candidate Corky Evans beat constituency association president Patricia Lakes for the nomination nod in that riding, 425 votes to 75 - a result that prompted one wag to quip, "Is that abusive to women?" But his victory was gender-balanced by ex-backbencher Erda Walsh's win in Kootenay East. Ms. Walsh received 202 votes while her competitor, former British Columbia Nurses' Union vice-president Patricia Shuttleworth, garnered 144.

Public Eye continues to declassify the provincial Liberal's uber-secret campaign planning team. According to our spies, lawyer Hector Mackay-Dunn, public relations consultant Nancy Spooner and former forestry executive Susan Yurkovich are all senior members of the party's re-election squad. In interviews with Public Eye, Mses. Spooner and Yurkovich confirmed they would be campaigning for the Liberals but declined to elaborate. Mr. Mackay-Dunn did not return our phone calls. Their colleagues reportedly include Jess Ketchum, Greg Lyle and Andrea Southcott - although Mr. Lyle may have since departed. Public Eye has prepared the following backgrounders on Mses. Spooner and Yurkovich and Mr. Mackay-Dunn.

In an interview with Public Eye, provincial New Democrat executive director Gerry Scott confirmed Tony Nobody's nomination papers were rejected by the party's provincial executive three days ago. Mr. Kuo had earlier announced he would be running for the New Democrat nomination in Burnaby-Willingdon before going on vacation.

Babble rabble-rouser Tim Kennelly is reporting former federal Liberal non-candidate Tony Nobody, who earlier announced he would be running for the provincial New Democrat nomination in Burnaby-Willingdon, has had his nomination papers rejected. Our spies add award-winning Chinese media commentator Gabriel Yiu will now be running for the nomination in that riding. He's a new entry to the race, perhaps introduced to avoid charges of racism. Official confirmation of this news is pending.

Yesterday, former cabinet minister Christy Clark announced, "the provincial government should give tax credits to families for the cost of enrolling their children in extra-curricular activities, such as sports, recreation and the arts." As reported by Times Colonist's Jeff Rudd, Port Moody mother Sharon Mack came up with the idea, which has also been endorsed by her city council. But here's the interesting part: the councillor who introduced that motion back in October was Karen Rockwell - the only candidate running for the provincial New Democrat nomination in Port Moody-Westwood, Ms. Clark's riding. Ms. Clark is not running in the next election.

Last Thursday, the provincial Liberals hosted a gala fundraiser for their Burnaby constituency associations at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. Those attending the event noted, with interest, that Canada Wide Magazines and Publications Ltd. president and publisher Peter Legge was one of main speakers. During his speech, he told audience members he was "doing my part" to ensure the Liberals were re-elected. When asked to elaborate on that statement yesterday, the publisher told Public Eye, "What I was saying during my speech is that I personally believe, as an independent business guy, we need a B.C. Liberal government to continue in power for the next term of office. So I am doing my part, as a businessman. So, if I can put the premier on the cover of (BCBusiness Magazine), I will do that."

Tony Nobody may be about to become a somebody - unless the provincial New Democrat brass gets in the way. Last week, the former federal Liberal non-candidate announced he would be running for the New Democrat nod in Burnaby-Willingdon before promptly going on vacation. But despite that unorthodox election strategy, Mr. Kuo actually stands a chance of winning the nomination, as was observed by one of our readers. In fact, according to the Burnaby Now's Dan Hilborn, the constituency association's membership has increased from 200 to 1,300, with many of the signups suspected of being Kuo supporters. So, not surprisingly, our spies tell us some of the big brains at party headquarters have been ruminating on what to do about Mr. Kuo and his insta-member invasion.

More news from the wide world of minor league politics: last Thursday, the University of British Columbia federal Young Liberals held their annual general meeting, where the would-be Erik Bornmans and Jamie Elmhirsts played out their internal rivalries on the electoral field. Turns out there's a division between those who get their support from a sorority/fraternity and those who don't. The sorority/fraternity supported-faction, led by Young Liberal British Columbia president and Kappa Sigma (Epsilon-Epsilon chapter) grand master Letlotlo "Coco" Lefoka, endorsed Sana Shahram in her campaign to win the University of British Columbia campus club presidency. She was opposed by Kim Emsley-Leik, who narrowly lost to Ms. Sharma, 41 votes to 42.

Looks like things aren't all roses and mass membership sign-ups in the land of the federal Young Liberals. Yesterday, British Columbia president and fraternity grand master Letlotlo "Coco" Lefoka fired his provincial director Meghan Pritchard. The reason: according our spies, a personality conflict between Mr. Lefoka and Ms. Pritchard is at least partially to blame.

Everyone give a big Public Eye welcome back to veteran bureaucrat Sue Gee, who was last spotted leaving finance as the ministry's communications director two years ago. Turns out she's returned to the public affairs bureau, under contract (cha-ching), as the acting head communications honcho at transportation. That position has been vacated by Steve Anderson, who is leaving to become the executive director of properties and business management next Tuesday - an uninspiring sounding job but surely rewarding in the long-term. After all, he could wind up as a deputy minister some day! A permanent director will be chosen following the election.

Is Vancouver lawyer Randeep Singh Sarai running for the provincial Liberals in the next election? According to cocktail partygoers, the answer is yes. So Public Eye rang Mr. Sarai to find out the truth of the situation. In an interview, he confirmed Premier Gordon Campbell had spoken to him about running in December. But, he said "I haven't made up my mind." If he did run, rumour has it a Vancouver MLA may step aside for him, possibly backbencher Ken Johnston.

Much snickering and giggling at yesterday's Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon, where the featured speaker was International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge. According to Public Eye spies at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Dr. Rogge discussed, among other topics, achieving gender equality within the Olympic movement. But it was not lost on those present that almost every person at the head table, which included luminaries such as Premier Gordon Campbell and Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell, was a man - the sole exception being luncheon co-host Monique Polloni.

Rick Mowles, the Community Society Services Employers' Association's chief executive officer, will soon be heading the British Columbia government's troubled community living authority, Public Eye has learned. That job was vacated when children and family development assistant deputy minister Phil Goodman took a leave of absence for health reasons. An announcement is expected as early as today. The authority was supposed to takeover responsibility for government services for the developmentally disabled in fiscal 2003/04. But that takeover was delayed following the forced resignation of its first chief executive officer Doug Walls last year

Today, Province columnist Mike Smyth reported a major pro-provincial Liberal advertising campaign will be launched next month by the Coalition of British Columbia Businesses. The details of that campaign were contained in an email sent to business leaders by British Columbia Chamber of Commerce president John Winter. The following is a complete copy of that email, which Mr. Smyth obtained and graciously provided to Public Eye.

BCTV is reporting Burnaby-Edmunds backbencher Patty Sahota will be appointed Minister of State for Resort Development this afternoon. Last week, Public Eye told you about rumours Ms. Sahota would be joining the provincial government's executive council. As we predicted at the time, this appointment is being viewed "as a double-barreled attempt to shore up Liberal support among both women and the Indo-Canadian community."

Politicians aren't supposed to pay attention to them. But a lot of their operatives have been asking Public Eye when the next public opinion poll is coming out. After all, the last time Ipsos-Reid Corp. and Mustel Research Group Ltd. released voter intention numbers was back in December. So here's the answer ladies and gentlemen: in an interview this morning, Ipsos-Reid public affairs vice-president Kyle Braid told us his company wouldn't be doing any voter intention research this month, although they are considering doing a survey on public support for electoral change. Meanwhile, over at Mustel, project manager Phil Giborski says his firm will be asking British Columbians who they plan on casting their ballot for in the next election, with the results expected in about ten days time.

If you haven't yet check out the train wreck of comments on the Vancouver-Hastings nomination result, you really should. Because, buried among the scrap, you'll find an interesting bit of punditry from NOW Communications Inc. account manager and former provincial ministerial assistant Maya Russell. According to Ms. Russell, who supported caucus staffer Raj Sihota's unsuccessful nomination bid, "Across the province, in only one race where a woman ran against a man was the woman successful." And that means "This party is sick. Running all these women so we can watch them lose on the podium is close to abusive."