Yesterday, the government released its public accounts - detailing the province's annual expenditures. But what those documents didn't detail is the exact amount spent on the Campbell administration's pre-election ad binge. But, following complaints from reporters, Finance Minister Carole Taylor agreed to release that information - which was hand-delivered to the press gallery a short time ago. According to the five-page spreadsheet, the government pumped $13.9 million into its four-part partisan Best Place on Earth campaign, which helped push the bureau $7.5 million beyond its $11.5 public information advertising budget. The spreadsheet was not electronically distributed to media outlets province-wide. The following is an edited copy.
Forest Fire Prevention
A campaign to inform British Columbians about measures they can take to prevent forest fires.
Cossette Communications (creative and production services), RFP, $207,030.10
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, 1,137,248.84
All costs re-covered from the ministry of forests.
Tourism (Best Place on Earth advertisement)
A campaign to encourage British Columbians and Canadians to vacation in BC.
Cossette Communications (creative and production services), RFP, $939,148.77
Genesis Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $3,430,983.15
Cheadle Photography (photography services for the image bank), ITQ, $47,930.77
Miscelleneous (promotional material), DP, $125.71
West Nile
A health promotion campaign aimed at informing British Columbians about the steps they can take to avoid contracting the West Nile virus.
TBWA (creative and production services), RFP, $64,763.08
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $568,999.55
All costs recovered from the ministry of health.
Achieve BC: New Student Spaces (Best Place on Earth advertisement)
To inform British Columbia's students and relatives of students as to new opportunities to access new advanced education spaces across the Province via the Achieve BC internet tool. Portion of project funded by public Affairs Bureau.
Cossette Communications (creative and production services), RFP, $352,064.15
Cossette Communications (creative and production services), RFP, $215,085.00
Genesis Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $1,914,255.61
Miscelleneous (purchase banner), DP, $416.00
All costs, except $215,085.00 in creative and production services, recovered from the ministry of advanced education.
Invest Here (Best Place on Earth advertisement)
A campaign to inform British Columbians about investment opportunities that exist in British Columbia as a result of the improved economic climate.
TBWA (creative and production services), RFP, $ 307,256.85
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $2,870,256.00
All costs recovered from the ministry of small business and economic development.
Best Place to Work (Best Place on Earth advertisement)
A campaign to inform British Columbians about employment opportunities resulting from the improved economic climate.
TBWA (creative and production services), RFP, $737,811.05
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $3,098,603.50
New Parks
A campaign to inform British Columbians about the creation of new parks.
Cossette Communications (creative and production services), RFP, $78,106.04
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $294,314.22
Budget Consultation Mailer
A campaign to seek input from British Columbians on the priorities for the 2005/06 budget and fiscal plan.
TBWA (creative services), RFP, $58,130.08
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $30,834.65
Queens Printer (production and distribution services), QP Req, $343,509.14
Cheadle Photography (photography services), DP, $1,900.00
BC Day
Provide creative production and management of radio and print ads to celebrate BC Day.
Grey Advertising (creative and production services), RFQ, $22,610.00
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $95,683.58
Picture BC: Video
Development of a promotional video to inform UBCM members of opportunities associated with the Picture BC initiative. An initiative to promote regional economic, lifestyle and cultural opportunities.
Cossette Communications (creative and production services), RFP, $137,386.00
Receiver General of Canada (official registration of wordmark), DP, $500.00
Olympic Thank You
A campaign recognizing BC Olympians as they prepared to travel to Athens.
Grey Advertising (creative and production services), DP, $1,560.00
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $54,522.94
Spring/Fall Health Householders
To inform British Columbians of policy developments, new services and healthy lifestyle choices available to them within their regions.
TBWA (creative services), RFP, $116,986.35
Queen's Printers (production services), QP Req, $150,195.50
Cheadle Photography (photographic services), DP, $1,350.00
Labour Day Message
A campaign to acknowledge the commitment and contribution of workers to the Province's history.
TBWA (creative and production services), RFP, $20,300.28
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $58,294.29
Northern Development Initiative
A campaign to inform people living in the North about the benefits of the Northern Development Initiative Agreement.
DDB Canada (creative and production services), RFP, $27,286.00
Genesis/Shepansky (advertising purchasing), RFP, $43,840.02
Miscelleneous (purchase signage), DP, $2,281.83
Operational Communications Projects
Creative, production, marketing and advertising purchasing services for operational communications projects. Multiple minor items. See attached examples.
Various, Various, $1,562,592.00
Total $18,994,161.05
Much ado today about Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell's decision not to run in the upcoming November election - announced at a 9:00 news conference. Not surprisingly though, the last people to learn about that decision were his so-called friends. In an email sent to supporters at 11:21 and leaked to Public Eye, Mayor Campbell wrote, "While there is always more to be done, I will not be the one to lead these changes." But wait, there's more. The former coroner also told supporters, "the steering committee of Friends of Larry Campbell has taken the necessary legal steps to transform it into a new civic electoral organization to field candidates in November. I will be supporting that organization and I hope you will, too. More news on this organization will be released in the coming days." Or now: rumour has it the name of that party may be Vision Vancouver. The following is a complete copy of the mayor's email.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Friends of Larry Campbell"
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 11:21 AM
Subject: A message from Mayor Larry Campbell
Dear friend:
As you are all aware, there has been an interest in my intentions regarding the upcoming election in November.
I have enjoyed the past three years as Mayor of this great city. Much was promised during the last election and much has been achieved by this council.
Personally, my major objectives were to implement the Four Pillars Strategy, including plans for all four pillars.
I pledged to hold a referendum that would allow the citizens of the city to make a decision regarding the Olympics, to increase transit to the city and finally to work at restoring the liveability of the Downtown Eastside.
All of these have been completed or are in progress.
When I ran for mayor, I always insisted that I was not a politician. This may have contributed to some of the disappointments. Virtually from the start, it was clear to me that some of my colleagues were ideological and inflexible.
Nonetheless, with the clear support of three others - councillors Green, Stevenson and Louie - we were able to accomplish much for the city and keep the administration fiscally responsible.
Quite simply put, I still am not a politician. While there is always more to be done, I will not be the one to lead these changes.
I will not be seeking re-election as Mayor on November 20. I have spoken to Councillors Louie, Stevenson and Green and they all respect my decision.
I have encouraged Councillor Green to run for mayor in the next election, but he will need time to make such an important decision.
As I requested some months ago, the steering committee of Friends of Larry Campbell has taken the necessary legal steps to transform it into a new civic electoral organization to field candidates in November. I will be supporting that organization and I hope you will, too. More news on this organization will be released in the coming days.
I want to thank the citizens of the city for allowing me the honour of serving them as Mayor.
Those who graduated from the University of Victoria's school of kiddie politics will surely be fascinated to know the infamous George Pringle is now a contributor with North Vancouver Politics. Alumni will remember Mr. Pringle, who eventually went onto become Conservative MP Ted White's executive assistant, as a regular, moss-gathering fixture at the capital city's most esteemed institute of higher learning.
Earlier, we reported Victoria federal Conservative director-at-large Eugene Parks had criticized fellow director Norm Fiss for circulating his sister's views on aboriginal property issues. Mr. Fiss's sister is Tanis, the director of Canadian Taxpayers Federation's Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change. And now, Public Eye has received copies Mr. and Ms. Fiss's responses to that attack.
In an email sent to association executives, Mr. Fiss writes, "The fact is my opinions on aboriginals differ from my sister and MY opinions on this topic area are known only to me." He also questions the motives behind Mr. Parks's attack. "Does he want there to be a story on Public Eye about the divisions in the local Tories?" asks Mr. Fiss. "Perhaps he wishes to weaken our local campaign, or perhaps he is still bitter over (losing) the 04 nomination?"
For her part, Ms. Fiss explains, "The letter by Mr. Parks' misrepresented the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's position with regards to native reserve property." Rather than advocating for the dismantling of reserve, she notes "Since 1997, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has been urging the federal government to implement a system of private property ownership on Indian reserves as a means to empower natives and reduce poverty."
The following are copies of both emails.
***
...The part that irritates me is not that he goes after Tanis. That is fair game he is entitled to his opinion and to express it. I did, after all spend a number of years in her Majesties uniform defending that principal.
What I don't like is the use of my name, I am not a member of the CTF nor have I ever been employed by the CTF, or contracted to the CTF, OR even donated to the CTF. I am no more responsible for Tanis' work than she is of mine, or is Eugene, for that matter. The fact is my opinions on aboriginals differ from my sister and MY opinions on this topic area are known only to me. Unlike Tanis, I am not a public policy advocate.
The other issue to this is why would Eugene attack another EDA board member? Does he want there to be a story on Public Eye about the divisions in the local Tories? Perhaps he wishes to weaken our local campaign, or perhaps he is still bitter over the 04 nomination? Why would he pick this issue in a ED with no reserve? I really don't know what his agenda is. I just want to be left alone, in the same way I respectfully leave Eugene alone. Is that too much to ask?
Regards.
nsf.
***
-----Original Message-----
From: Tanis Fiss [mailto:tfiss@telus.net]
Sent: 30 June 2005 11:02
To: editorial@publiceyeonline.com
Subject: CTF Response to "The Fuss Over Fiss"
Dear Mr. Holman:
Below is in response to the June 29, 2005, Public Eye Online story "The Fuss Over Fiss".
On June 29, 2005, Public Eye Online published a letter by Mr. Eugene Parks. The letter by Mr. Parks' misrepresented the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's position with regards to native reserve property.
Since 1997, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has been urging the federal government to implement a system of private property ownership on Indian reserves as a means to empower natives and reduce poverty. Regrettably, this idea has been rejected by a majority of native leaders and activists. They claim that the concept of communally held property is a basic tenet of aboriginal life.
But as Montana State University professor Terry Anderson has shown, this isn't true: Prior to European contact, North American Indians were well-versed in the notion of private ownership. The Machiacan Indians of the Northeast, for example, bequeathed rights to well-defined tracts of garden lands along rivers, and marked beaver-trapping territories by carving family symbols on trees.
These natives understood a basic principle: Economies function best when property is privately owned. Prof. Anderson's work proves this principle applies to modern-day Indians. He has shown that individually allotted Indian lands in the American West are more productive than tribally or federally controlled Indian lands.
To make Canada's native reserves prosperous and self-sufficient, we must take this lesson to heart. Private property rights that are stable and transferable have been the foundation for wealth creation in virtually every society on earth. It is scandalous that we would systematically deny the benefits of a market economy to reserve-resident aboriginals, the poorest segment of Canadian society.
The root of the problem lies with Canada's Indian Act, a vestige of the 19th Century: Aboriginals who live on reserves cannot own their land. Even the tribes themselves cannot own the land. Instead, the land is held in trust by the Canadian government.
It is true that native Canadians aren't forced to live on reserves. But the various incentives offered to reserve residents, such as tax exemptions and free housing, discourage them from leaving.
Reserve land is difficult to mortgage because a mortgagee cannot enforce his or her interest against the land in the event of a default. Section 89 of the Indian Act states: "Subject to this Act, the real and personal property of an Indian or a band situated on a reserve is not subject to charge,pledge, mortgage, attachment, levy, seizure, distress or execution in favour or at the instance of any person other than an Indian or a band." The original intent behind this provision was laudable: to protect native Canadians from exploitation and from loss of land due to seizure. But in today's world, this section only scares off potential investors and business partners, and is based on a view of native Canadians as incapable of participating in our economy as equals. Canada's progressive culture venerates the respect for the land instinctively exhibited by Indians. So why doesn't Canada trust native Canadians to manage their own lands properly?
Aboriginals' inability to own their property affects their private rights. But this private problem has created a very public crisis on reserves. Since economic activity is so severely curtailed, development depends almost holly on public money funnelled through band leaders. The few businesses and jobs that do exist on many reserves are thus beholden to the band council - a recipe for corruption.
It is demeaning to native Canadians for the federal government to continue to hold title to Canada's Indian reserves. If native communities are to become economically self-sustaining, the reserve land which is now held in trust by the Crown should be transferred to individual natives who comprise the native community. We should let aboriginals themselves decide - on a band-by-band basis - whether their long-term interests are to be achieved through the private ownership of land, or the existing collectivist approach. Until we give them this freedom to choose, they are doomed to a life of dependency on government handouts.
- 30 -
The provincial government's top nurse Anne Sutherland Boal has resigned, Public Eye has learned. In an email sent out to health ministry staff yesterday, deputy minister Penny Ballem announced British Columbia's chief nursing executive, "will be leaving the Ministry at the end of the summer as, after almost four years, Anne has determined that living in Coquitlam, working in Victoria, and commuting to China has lost its charm. As such, in September, she will be rejoining her husband in Shanghai to continue their adventures in the Middle Kingdom." The following is a complete copy of that email.
It is with regret that I announce that Anne Sutherland Boal will be leaving the Ministry at the end of the summer as, after almost four years, Anne has determined that living in Coquitlam, working in Victoria, and commuting to China has lost its charm. As such, in September she will be rejoining her husband in Shanghai to continue their adventures in the Middle Kingdom.
Anne was recruited from China in 2001 into the new position of Chief Nurse Executive within the Ministry of Health Planning. The position was created to reflect the important work that nurses contribute to the health system, and Anne's task was to work with partners and stakeholders to develop and implement policies and strategies to assist with the recruitment, retention, and education of the province's registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and licensed practical nurses.
During her time with the Ministry, the Nursing Directorate was formed, over $63 million in funding was allocated to strategies which saw the creation of over 2100 new nursing seats added by the Ministry of Advanced Education, and, through the Ministry of Health Nursing Directorate, over 6000 nurses were supported for specialty education, 850 nurses were provided grants to assist them to complete refresher courses and return to the workplace while 800 LPNs were provided funding to complete courses so that they might work to their full scope of practice. Many new and innovative projects were implemented including the province-wide Undergraduate Nurse Employment program; the only one of its kind in the country.
On the policy front there were three important achievements: in 2002 the move to baccalaureate preparation as the entry to practice requirement for registered nurses; innovative policy discussions held in 2004 between the Nurses' Bargaining Association and the Health Employers Association of British Columbia which Anne chaired; and, anticipated in the summer of 2005, the approval of the regulatory framework that will allow Nurse Practitioners to be regulated and employed in the province.
In addition to her nursing responsibilities and in the capacity of Assistant Deputy Minister, Clinical Innovation and Integration, Anne has led a number of other initiatives within the Ministry including being project director for the implementation of the Fair PharmaCare Program, the Ministry lead for the renewal of the British Columbia Ambulance Service, including the recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the service, and a Memorandum of Agreement between the Emergency Health Services Commission and CUPE 873, and the Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the provincial Patient Safety Task Force.
I would like to thank Anne for her significant contributions to the Ministry, to nursing in the province and to the system redesign projects that she led.
On a personal note, I will miss her greatly, as will all the Executive Team. As our Chief Nurse "In Residence" she has been a wonderful team player and has brought all the compassion and nurturing so characteristic of her profession to our Executive table. She also brought candies and other delicacies, which probably weren't on the ActNow agenda, but which allowed us to make it through some of our marathon sessions, discussing difficult and complex public policy issues so characteristic of our Ministry. She has been a wonderful friend to all of us and a tremendous support to me. We will all miss her and we know that many, many nurses around the province will be very sad to see her go. She has been an outstanding leader for nursing. Please join me in wishing Anne the very best for her future endeavours.
I will begin recruiting for a replacement for the position of Chief Nurse Executive/ADM Clinical Innovation and Integration, and information on those details will be forthcoming in the near future.
Penny Ballem, MD
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Health
Public Eye readers are well-acquainted with the adventures of the talented Barinder Sall, vote-herder extraordinaire and budding wordsmith. Previously, this organ reported Mr. Sall may soon be working as a political aide to Attorney General Wally Oppal. And now, according to our earlobes at the legislature, Mr. Sall has made our rumours come true by taking an appointment as one of the former British Columbia Appeals Court Justice's two ministerial assistants.
It looks like there's a bit of hissing and pissing going on among Victoria federal Conservatives. The spat got underway on Tuesday evening, when constituency association director-at-large and former nomination candidate Eugene Parks fired a volley of electronic buckshot at fellow director Norm Fiss, a Metis funeral director, for circulating his sister's views on aboriginal property issues. Mr. Fiss's sister is Tanis, the director of Canadian Taxpayers Federation's Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change. According to Mr. Parks, who is also has an aboriginal background, "having local conservative board members circulating material that can be interpreted as racially oriented is a disservice to the conservative movement."
Association membership vice-president Betty Newton responded by demanding Mr. Park's resignation. Mr. Parks refused. But before their discussion could go much further, association secretary Tom Cmajdalka stepped in, writing "I strongly recommend that if a Board member wants to ask another Board member to resign, that discussion shoud take place either in private or at an executive meeting and NOT broadcast over email." Good advice. The following is a complete copy of their emails, which were leaked to Public Eye.
***
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Looking scary (for circulation)
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 07:57:43 -0700
From: Eugene Parks
Reply-To: elparks@shaw.ca
To: elparks@shaw.ca
Activists in the CPC are puzzled by the lack of movement in the polls. While the Liberals have support numbers that are moving around like a yoyo, the CPC has been stuck at 29% for nearly two years. Why is that and what can be done about it?
At the core of the swing voters mind is a question of trust. Can the CPC be trusted to run a government fairly and equally towards all voters. Yes, the question of the "scary-side" of the CPC is part of the equation. Recently, I've been reminded how scary the CPC can look to the public by a circulated aboriginal policy statement supported by some conservative board members at the constituency level.
Tanis Fiss writes on aboriginal affairs for the Canadian Taxpayer Federation and her conservative board member brother Norm Fiss circulates policy statements that call for the dismantling of aboriginal ownership of reserve land and to transform the land into private ownership that any Canadian can acquire. In other words, remove the aboriginal communal claim to their land.
At the core of her argument is the wrongly held belief that. "the land is held in trust by the Canadian government." In other words, she believes that aboriginal land already belongs to Canada and so its government can do whatever it wants with it. In truth, aboriginal land is held in trust by the crown for aboriginal use - in exactly the same way that Canada is held in trust for Canadians. Just as aboriginals cannot set in law how Canadian land is managed unless done so through Canada, Canada cannot set in law how aboriginal land is managed unless done through reserve government. As equals under the crown, the relationship between Canada and Aboriginals is governed by treaty and not by their respective governments.
To the aboriginal, the denial of both the legal and historical claims to land as "A People" and a "Nation" is scary. The mere denial of existing ownership is the historical perspective that has lead to deadly conflict for centuries. As Canadian citizens we expect other trusts of the crown, such as other commonwealth countries, to respect us as a people and a nation. Likewise, aboriginals expect respect as a people and a nation. To do otherwise scares people.
So, why is there a unique denial of the same historical and legal situation of aboriginals.
Tanis Fiss' argument assumes that Aboriginal Title is not that of "A People" or a "Nation", but rather they are not a people with legal and historical title to their own land. The claim has no basis in law or history; her claim is an attitude and not fact.
If the CPC wants to rid itself of the "scary image", then it must disavow those attitudes that would deny legitimate legal and historical claims. The rule of law and respect for treaty commitments is a conservative value; the denial of respect for factual, legal, and historical relationships is not a conservative value.
Naturally, the public sees the double standard and finds it scary. Such scary perspectives are one reason that the swing voters are not moving in the CPC's direction. Similarly, when the public sees MPs sleuthing and making secret tape recordings, they don't look like someone you would trust. To govern a nation like Canada, double standards must be eliminated and not supported by those that seek power.
At this point in time, nothing can be done about the "scary" image until double standards are clearly identified and addressed. Movement in the polls will not happen if the public feels that the CPC cannot be trusted in positions of trust. The CPC's problem in the polls is of its own making and it must reform itself internally to get beyond people versus people politics.
This is a political opinion by
Eugene Parks
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: PARTY LOYALTY
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 18:05:16 -0700
From: Betty Newton
To: Eugene PARKS
CC: Paul HOLMES
EUGENE,
I have sat through the numerous email rants you have circulated since I joined the EDA Board in January. Many of them I considered to be out of line and not germane to electing a Conservative MP for Victoria or a Conservative Government in Ottawa, but grant you we have the right of free speech in Canada.
However, I do question that you are doing anything positive on behalf of the Victoria EDA and its members, and should your rants, or as you care to label them your "political opinions", become known to the local media [and I understand the latest one has] then I feel you are doing a great disservice to the Victoria EDA, our local Candidate and the Conservative Party of Canada. In these trying times we are getting set upon sufficiently by the national media and do not need divisive material dispensed by our own Board Members.
If you feel it is your right to dispense this type of material then I feel you should resign from the EDA Board, so that it can only be perceived as your own personal opinion.
I also wish you would drop me from your emailing list, but I don't suppose there is a hope of that. However, I also have rights in this Country of ours and mine includes putting further email from you directly into my trash bin.
We need to all be positive and pull together for the good of our Candidate and our Party - this includes YOU as a Party member and an EDA Board Member.
Betty Newton
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Requests to resign
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 19:35:14 -0700
From: Eugene Parks
Reply-To: elparks@shaw.ca
To: elparks@shaw.ca
Correction in last paragraph: add word "against"
I have received requests from local conservative board members that I resign for expressing my blunt opinions which defend aboriginal status against those that call for further dismantling of aboriginal title.
For the record: My opinion is that having local conservative board members circulating material that can be interpreted as racially oriented is a disservice to the conservative movement and the call for responsible government. When that material is also apparently factually wrong, the situation becomes highly problematic. In contrast to me, several on the local board support such material and its circulation and have asked me to resign because of my strong and vocal objection. I disagree with the content and conclusions of the material and accordingly believe you are asking the wrong person(s) to resign.
Note well, at the national level of the CPC I have received very supportive and respectful responses from conservative members of parliament - even from those that I disagree with. Their interest in aboriginal issues and my position has been respectful and constructive.
In contrast, some local conservatives consider aboriginal concerns a lost cause, their culture a failure, and the solution is to make their land tradable to people like themselves. Others have expressed the opinion that the plight of some indigenous people is of their own making; some others that acknowledge the damaging relationship that Canada has historical had with aboriginals consider it tough luck and just too bad but not their concern.
I think the local CPC should be aware that the leadership of the CPC and its MPs unequivocal believe that aboriginal title and treaty must be protected and those contracts be solemnly respected. Aboriginal issues are serious and both dismissive and historically inaccurate perspectives are unhelpful - at best.
I believe that my position is more representative of true conservative values and that some of you are asking the wrong member(s) of the board to resign. Therefore, I will not resign but will instead continue to be highly vocal in defense of aboriginal title and against those that would mis-state facts and draw dubious conclusions in order to argue that the indigenous people of Canada should relinquish even more control over their own land.
Eugene Parks
Victoria
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Resignations
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 19:10:15 -0700
From: Tom Cmajdalka
To: bnewton1@shaw.ca, elparks@shaw.ca
CC: paul@paulholmes.ca
I strongly recommend that if a Board member wants to ask another Board member to resign, that discussion shoud take place either in private or at an executive meeting and NOT broadcast over email.
Sincerely, T.
Tom Cmajdalka
PS. I also recommend we stop this bcc circulation. This policy was not well thought out.
Is there a Red conspiracy at the Health Employers Association of British Columbia, which represents employer interests at the collective bargaining table? That's what some eyebrow raisers are wondering upon hearing that former provincial New Democrat caucus executive director Elaine Doyle, who served under the Harcourt administration, has been hired as one of the organization's 15 labour relations consultants. Junior McCarthyites who follow such matters will remember the president and chief executive officer of the health employers is none other than Louise Simard. Ms. Simard, in a past life, was a health minister with the New Democrat government in Saskatchewan. But, in an interview, employers association senior vice-president Tony Collins said Ms. Doyle's hiring was done on the basis of merit. In related news, Mr. Collins also confirmed the departure of fellow senior vice-president Joanne Arnold.
Most political assistant serve out their careers in obscurity, toiling away without receiving the recongition they so richly deserve. But if you include yourself among those ranks, don't worry. Public Eye is here to save you from that ignoble fate! Earlier, we revealed the names of the second Campbell administration's ministerial assistants. And now, our team of spies has helpfully assembled a list of their junior cousins: the executive assistants. Most interesting among that list is newcomer Robert Mackay-Dunn, who will be serving under Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. Mr. Mackay-Dunn got his political feet wet working as a scheduler/aide for Liberal candidate Joan McIntyre-Pottinger, who ran and won in North Vancouver-Garibaldi. But most will best know him for being the son of Hector Mackay-Dunn, Liberal insider extraordinaire.
Intergovernmental relations, Martina Kapac
Aboriginal relations and reconciliation, Colin Doylend
Advanced education, Alison Leontaridis
Agriculture and lands, Adam Buchanan
Attorney general, Terry Lalari
Children and family development, Marina Guest
Community services, Lindsay McCray
Economic development, Andrew Wynn-Williams
Childcare, Nancy Hintz
Education, Lisa Dominato
Employment and income assistance, T.J. Parhar
Energy, mines and petroleum resources Frank Costa
Environment, Michelle Obara
Finance, Lorraine MacDonald
Forests and Range, vacant
Health, Alex Dutton
Labour and citizens' services, RJ Senko
Mining, Muneesh Sharma
Public safety and solicitor general, Don Smukowich
Small business and revenue, Samantha Thorpe
Tourism, sports and the arts, Christine Lewis
Transportation, Robert Mackay-Dunn
The transfer of child and youth mental health services from children and family development to health seems to be building up steam as a political issue. Yesterday, New Democratic critics Adrian Dix and Charlie Wyse sent a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell demanding he reverse that decision. That letter was subsequently distributed to the media. And now the Federation of Child and Family Services of British Columbia, an umbrella group representing child and family service providers, has cabled their own message to the premier, questioning the transfer. The following is a copy of that message, which was leaked to Public Eye.
June 28, 2005
Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia
PO Box 9041, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
By Fax
Dear Premier Campbell:
Re: Government's decision to move Child and Youth Mental Health
Your government's decision last week to move Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) services out of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to Health has created uncertainty and speculation. At the time of writing this letter, communities and service providers have no knowledge of: the rationale for this decision; a transition plan being in place; or any consultation with those who are concerned and responsible for keeping kids safe and strengthening families in BC.
Without information, concerns are circulating that your government is in the process of dismantling the Ministry of Child and Family Development. This program transfer is also perceived as an abandonment of the government's commitment to promote the integration of child and youth services in BC and to the legacy of Mathew Vaudreuil.
In 1996, six years after the release of the Ombudsman's report recommending integration of public services for children the Province announced the creation of the first Ministry for Children and Families. This was in response to the death of Mathew and Government said, "The death of a child is always devastating. The action taken by government in 1996 demonstrates that we can learn from tragedy." (Ombudsman Public Report No. 22)
"When Mathew died he was five years and nine months old. Not including Supervisors, 21 ministry staff had been responsible for providing him services. At least 60 reports about his safety and well-being had been made to the ministry. He had been taken to the ministry. He had been taken to the doctor 75 times and had been seen by 24 different physicians." (Gove Report)
Gove Recommendation 106: Provincial responsibility for all child welfare services, currently scattered through numerous ministries, should be brought together into a new Ministry for Children and Youth.
Given your government's decision to move a child and youth serving program out of this integrated child serving ministry to Health raises the questions:
* How does your government plan to effectively address the service integration problems of the past?
* Is their concrete evidence to assure families, communities and those responsible for providing services that this decision is being made in the best interest of children and families?
With those questions in mind, we believe there are some relevant points to consider in the transfer of CYMH program.
* MCFD's CYMH has made great strides in the last two years with the on-going development of Regional Child and Youth Mental Health plans and evidence- based best practices guidelines. Relationships within MCFD and with the communities CYMH serves have reached a new threshold.
* CYMH services have shifted to being the "mortar" in a more coordinated child and youth focused service delivery system.
* To once again split jurisdiction for the spectrum of services provided by the province to children youth and their families, 'puts everyone in charge and makes no one responsible.'
* Previously, Child and Youth Mental Health was the "poor cousin" under the Ministry of Health.
* Other provinces and countries are adopting BC's CYMH approach. Having a single authority within government has allowed for a formal mandate and executive powers. These powers ensure a uniform and client centered provincial approach to policy setting, planning and the administration of publicly funded services to children youth and families.
* Child and Youth Mental Health in Ontario are moving toward a mental health policy for children and youth citing that the work done in this province creates a child welfare system that puts children first.
You have stated that your government would avoid superficial analysis of a problem that only leads to superficial solution. We also know you want to provide the best and most responsive system of support in Canada for children and youth at risk. We only ask that you provide the consultations and rationale that spurred this decision to revert to a multi-ministry model that contributed to the death of Mathew Vaudreuil. The last thing anyone in BC wishes to hear again is: "He died as a direct result of flawed decision making and poor management by ministry executives." (Gove Report)
The Federation of Child & Family Services of BC is a professional community service association that has been promoting and enhancing excellence in services to children, youth and families for close to a quarter century.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully yours,
Noreen Boudreau
President
cc.
Honourable George Abbott, Minister - Ministry of Health
Honourable Stan Hagen, Minister - Ministry of Children & Family Development
Some events political watchers should be aware of this week: today, the Campbell administration will be holding its first caucus meeting since cabinet was sworn-in. The proceedings should make for interesting fly-on-the-wall viewing, given that some backbenchers are rumoured to be upset about not receiving ministerial appointments. Cabinet will also be meeting in Vancouver today. And tomorrow, British Columbia's public accounts - a listing of all government expenses for the past fiscal year - will be released during a morning press conference featuring the lovely and talented Finance Minister Carole Taylor and her able assistant, comptroller general/boy scout Arn van Iersel. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.
Columbia Basin Trust Energy Inc. - part of the locally-controlled Columbia Basin Trust - is looking into purchasing the Columbia Power Corporation, Public Eye has learned. The trust, responsible for the distribution of profits from Columbia Basin power projects to nearby communities, notified government of its intent on June 20. That purchase, subject to public consultation, would put the trust in complete control of those projects - some of which are co-owned by the corporation. The possibility of a sale has raised some eyebrows due to recent allegations of mismanagement at the trust, which is holding its annual general meeting next month.
According to an internal government audit, completed in April, Columbia Basin Trust Energy awarded $2 million in consulting contracts to a company its chief executive officer was working for. The chief executive Ken Epp - who was found to be in an apparent or perceived rather than an actual conflict of interest - resigned earlier this month. The option to purchase the corporation expires at the end of June. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.
Today, the Times Colonist reported "Diane Rabbani was recruited by the Liberals in 2003 to be a deputy minister with a mandate to 'recruit, retain and develop leaders.' During the cabinet swearing-in on June 16 she was named associate deputy minister of the Public Service Agency. But in less than two weeks her name has been expunged from the government system. There's no word from government about what's going on." Public Eye broke the news about Ms. Rabbani's status yesterday, informing readers that James Gorman had taken over as acting head of the agency.
At exactly 4:52, public affairs bureau staffers found out the meaning of life...or at least their place in it. In an email, bureau operations and human resources director Denise Champion outlined the agency's organization chart. Most interesting is the addition of a new communications shop - small business and revenue - servicing the desires of Liberal armchair warlord Rick Thorpe, who has long lusted after his own toy company of public affairs soldiers. Tasked with captaining this forlorn hope is Kirk Smith, who formerly worked for meat-eater Rich Coleman at public safety and the solicitor general. Astute readers will remember Minister Thorpe was previously forced to rely on the communications officers at finance for his public relations needs. The following is a complete list of where everyone is now (and where they were previously, in brackets). Unless otherwise noted, all staff are considered public affairs officers.
Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
Deborah Bowman, communications director (attorney general/treaty negotiation office)
Tonja Joyce, communications manager (attorney general/treaty negotiation office)
David Karn (attorney general/treaty negotiation office)
Andrea McKenzie (employment and income assistance)
Karen Williams (small business and economic development)
Lisa Leslie (sustainable resources management)
Advanced Education
Paul Woolley, communications director
Deb Pearce, communications manager
Kindree Draper
Janis Robertson
Pamela Whelan
Agriculture and Lands
Liz Bicknell, communications director (management services)
Barb Wright, communications manager
Dave Townsend
Tony Kant
Jessica Woodburn (management services)
Glen Plummer (small business and economic development)
Attorney General
Marisa Adair, communications executive director (community, aboriginal and women's services)
Maria Wilkie, acting communications manager (community, aboriginal and women's services, public affairs officer)
Baljinder Jacques
Christina Pederson
Kelly Harris
Alison Giles (community, aboriginal and women's services)
Children and Family Development
Theresa Lumsdon, communications executive director
Kate Thompson, communications manager
Catherine Clark
Duncan O'Brien
Gloria Mendez
Heather Walker
Ian Indridson
Trish Shields
Heather Burns, office coordinator
Community Services
Sarah Harrison, acting communications director (communications manager)
Dave Crebo, acting communications manager (transportation)
Grace Van den Brink
Kathy Vinton
Linda Gold
Rod Deacon
Economic Development
Karen McDonald, communications director
Rena Kendall-Craden, communications manager
Julie Gathercole
Lisa Currie
Marc Black
Janet Stewart (finance/provincial revenue)
Education
Ron Norman, communications director
Jennifer McCrea, communications manager
Carol Swan
Corinna Filion
Natasha Post
Nicole Barnett
Robert Adam
Rachel Holmes
Lisa Gardonio (sustainable resources management, communications manager)
Johane Labonte, office coordinator (finance/provincial revenue)
Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Tamara Little, communications director
Colleen Sparks, communications manager
Barbara Stewart
Jake Jacobs
Christine Wood (finance/provincial revenue)
Liz Wouters (transportation)
Finance
Robert Pauliszyn, communications director
Rob Duffus, communications manager
George Collicott
Phil Atkinson
Tara Wilson
Shawna Cadieux
Forests and Range
Don McDonald, communications director
Vivian Thomas, communications manager
Cory Shirshac
Hugh Rose
Julianne McCaffrey
Maria Janicker
Peter Dalton
Heidi Zilki
Trish Fougner (community, aboriginal and women's services)
Health
Carol Carman, communications executive director
Michelle Stewart, communications director
Regan Hansen
Andrea Burton
Caitlyn Sassaman
Gillian Kilshaw
Hartaj Sanghara
Linda Mueller
Rafe Mooney
Rodney Porter
Sarah Plank
Stephen May
Theresa Gebrail
Jennifer King-Jones, junior public affairs officer (offsetting T. Hagen's maternity leave; base position in support services)
Sarah Obee, office coordinator (backfilling B. Hamilton's maternity leave; base position in operations and human resources)
Employment and Income Assistance
Richard Chambers, communications director
Anne McKinnon, communications manager
Michael O'Dwyer
Rachel Nesbitt
Sherri Patterson
Tara Schauerte
Karen Burke (agriculture and lands)
Environment
Max Cleeveley, communications director
Dan Gilmore, communications manager
Jim Amos
Suntanu Dalal
Tiffany Akins
Pamela Hafey (children and family development)
Tim Morrison (energy and mines)
David Haslam (Land and Water B.C. Inc.)
Tania Linkes, junior public affairs officer (Land and Water B.C. Inc.)
Public Safety and Solicitor General
Brett Lowther, acting communications director (communications manager)
Chris Gudgeon
Cindy Rose
Donna Sitter
Laurie Drew
Labour and Citizen's Services
Graham Currie, communications director
Gordon Williams, communications manager
Charles La Vertu
Christine Ash
Linda O'Connor
Lisa Brewster (health services)
Jeremy Berry (management services)
Small Business and Revenue
Kirk Smith, director (public safety and solicitor general)
Jon Chant, acting communications manager (writing services, senior writer)
Matt Gordon (energy and mines)
Lisa Tees (finance/provincial revenue)
Tourism, Sports and the Arts
Shawn Robins, communications director (agriculture and lands)
Charles Suenderman, communications manager (management services)
Hope Hickli (forests)
Shannon Marshall (transportation)
Transportation
Mike Long, communications director (sustainable resource management)
Jeff Knight, communications manager (acting director)
Katherine Grigor
Tim Lowan
Hadyn Thomas (agriculture, food and fisheries)
Michael LoVecchio (sustainable resources management)
Writing Services
Robin Platts, acting senior writer (water, land and air protection)
Last week, Public Eye broke the news that the provincial Liberals had quietly transfered responsibility for child and youth mental health from children and family development to health. Today, in a letter to the premier distributed to the media, New Democrat children and family development critic Adrian Dix and mental health critic Charlie Wyse asked Gordon Campbell to review and reverse the decision. The following is a copy of that letter.
June 27, 2005
Premier Gordon Campbell
Legislative Assembly,
Victoria British Columbia
Dear Premier:
We are writing with respect to your government’s recent decision to move Child and Youth Mental Health services from the Ministry of Children and Family Development to the Ministry of Health. On behalf of many affected groups and individuals, we are asking you to review and reverse this decision.
The decision is wrong on several levels.
Firstly, there was no consultation with the community in advance of this decision. To make such a significant change without consultation with those affected is unacceptable. Your apparent direction to remove critical programs out of the Ministry of Children and Family Development is being implemented without proper public input or debate.
Secondly, no one - not you, not the Minister of Children and Family Development, not the Minister of Health nor any public servant - has provided the public with rationale for this decision. This move passed the interests of children and youth with complex needs back and forth between Ministries without explanation. This represents an unacceptable level of secrecy and a significant lack of transparency that must be dealt with.
Thirdly, the decision goes against your personal commitment to end the reorganization and administrative tinkering in the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Constant "internal revolution" has created an atmosphere of uncertainty that makes it more difficult for the Ministry and its staff to do its job.
Fourthly, to continue to implement administrative reorganization and change without restoring any of the deep cuts to Children and Family Services continues to put children at risk.
Finally, moving Child and Youth Mental Health Services from the Ministry of Children and Families is a direct contradiction of recommendations 95, 96, 97 and 106 of the Gove Report. These are recommendations that you have publicly supported for years.
Judge Gove recommended that "Provincial responsibilities for all child welfare services, currently scattered through different ministries, should be brought together in a new Ministry of Children and Families." Your decision to again split jurisdiction is a direct repudiation of the Gove report.
Gove's recommendations were not designed in the abstract. They were a direct response to the investigation and review of the death of Matthew Vaudreuil. Gove, the government of the day, the Ombudsman and many others - including you Mr. Premier - concluded that the multi-ministry model contributed to Mathew’s death.
In making this change, you will undermine years of work by successive governments and Ministry staff to improve mental health services for children. In difficult circumstances, including your government’s arbitrary cutbacks, Ministry staff and partners have worked hard to develop plans, services and best practices to serve children and youth in this area. They deserve better than this poorly thought out and unnecessary administrative tinkering.
Returning to the pre-Gove model is surely not what your government promised prior to 2001.
You are in the midst of a massive restructuring of child and youth services in BC. The decision to move mental health services from MCFD to the Ministry of Health will simply cause further uncertainty and disruption without benefit and put children at further risk. We ask you to reverse this decision.
Yours Sincerely,
(original signed by)
Adrian Dix
MLA, Vancouver-Kingsway
Charlie Wyse
MLA, Cariboo South
CC:
Hon. Stan Hagen, Minister of Children and Family Development
Hon. George Abbott, Minister of Health
Last Thursday, as part of public service agency appreciation day, organization staffers were treated to a PowerPoint presentation narrated by labour and citizens' services deputy minister Gord Macatee. We're told many of those in attendance were bedazzled by the slide show. But more restrained and perceptive members of the studio audience noticed the presentation contained photographs of all the agency's executive members except for the woman in charge: Diane Rabbani.
Ms. Rabbani, who was recently made an associate deputy minister, is also the government's merit commissioner. But despite those twin responsibilities, our spies at agency headquarters tell us she hasn't been in the building since the previous week's re-structuring. Her name no longer appears on the government's online phone directory. And rumour has it associate deputy minister James Gorman, responsible for the public service operations agency, will soon be running the public service agency in an acting capacity.
When Public Eye contacted Ms. Rabbani at her home and laid out the above information, she said "I would happy to be talk to you. But I'm still in the process of settling things on my front. And I probably need to do that first. But you're quite right about a number of things. The world is unfolding in strange ways for the merit commissioner and the deputy." Ms. Rabbani added she would able to speak further on this issue in a couple days.
The ripples from the previous week's government re-structuring have reached the public affairs bureau. On Friday, individual directors were told which ministries they would serving. Among the changes: Liz Bicknell moves from charred ruin that was the ministry of management services to agriculture and lands, replacing Shawn Robbins. Mr. Robbins will now be soaking-up the sunny messages at tourism, sports and the arts. Meanwhile, Mike Long escapes from the collapsing sustainable resources management ministry into an empty directorship at transportation. And Public Eye fan club member Deborah Bowman, who has always been willing to assist us in whatever way she can, is transferred from the attorney general's ministry to aboriginal relations and reconciliation. Further information as it becomes available.
The provincial Liberals are not finished shaking-up the bureaucracy. Idle civil service gossipmongers say, within the next few days, reporting lines will be re-drawn for a number of government agencies. This will be a tweaking of the more significant changes announced during last week's cabinet shuffle. Those tweaks are said to specifically include the public service agency - in-charge of human resources across government. The most recent whispers have responsibility for that agency moving from labour and citizens' services to another ministry - possibly community services.
Earlier, Public Eye reported pub and hospitality sales consultant Dawn Donahue, who is co-organizing the provincial Liberal's Leader's Invitational Golf Tournament, first said she knew about the fundraiser and then claimed she didn't. But a hour after posting that story we received a call from Ms. Donahue who said, "I'm just organizing (the Liberal's) golf tournament. So I don't know anything else about it other than on-course activities. If you need any information about it, phone the B.C. Liberal head office - (executive director) Kelly Reichert...Sorry. I just didn't realize what you were talking about when you called cause I do so many golf tournaments. I thought you were talking about (a fundraiser for former Solicitor General) Rich Coleman." Uh, huh.
The third annual Leader's Invitational Golf Tournament, held at the Golden Eagle Golf Course in Maple Ridge, is one of the provincial Liberal's most profitable fundraisers. Last year, the Fraser Valley event - primarily put together by Camp Coleman followers - earned the party $240,272. By comparison, Dinner Under The Sails, the Liberal's biggest moneymaker, took in $328,917. But it seems the party is reluctant to talk about this year's tournament, scheduled for Monday.
According to Public Eye spies, the event is being organized by former Solicitor General Rich Coleman's wife Michele and Dawn Donahue, who runs DJB Consultants Inc. - a business that (interestingly enough) specializes in boosting sales for pub and hospitality services. But, reached on her cell phone, Ms. Donahue first said she knew about the event and then claimed she didn't. The following is a complete transcript of our very brief and bizarre interview with her.
***
Public Eye I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about the leader's invitational golf tournament - like how many people you've signed up so far?
Ms. Donahue Actually, Sean we can't tell you anything about this.
Public Eye You can't tell me anything about this? Why is that?
Ms. Donahue It's just a very quiet little golf tournament. That's all. We don't say anything about it.
Public Eye Oh, come on. It's not a quiet little tournament at all. It's quite well known.
Ms. Donahue (Laughter) It's just a few boys playing golf in the Valley.
Public Eye Ah, just a few boys playing golf in the Valley. Yeah. How much are the tickets?
Ms. Donahue I don't have any of that information.
Public Eye Who would?
Ms. Donahue Could you tell me who sent you again?
Public Eye I'm the legislative reporter for 24 hours and editor of Public Eye, a journal covering provincial and federal politics in B.C.
Ms. Donahue Yeah, I'm sorry I don't know anything about this.
Public Eye You don't know anything about what?
Ms. Donahue The tournament.
Public Eye You don't anything about the tournment?
Ms. Donahue No.
Public Eye Oh. Well, I thought we were just talking about the tournament?
Ms. Donanhue Yeah, no. I don't know anything about it.
Public Eye Oh, I thought you were organizing it?
Ms. Donahue No. Sorry. I organize some charity golf tournaments for ovarian cancer.
Public Eye Okay...Well, thanks very much. Take care.
Ms. Donahue Bye-bye.
Later, Public Eye discovered the leader's invitational is now sold out. Tickets were $1,188 for a golf foursome. No word on how many are attending.
Agricultural Land Commission chief executive officer Kirk Miller is leaving government at the end of this month, Public Eye has learned. In an interview, Mr. Miller - who has been with the commission for 29-years, with 10 spent as its head - confirmed the departure saying, "It was time to go...it was agreed some time ago that we should be looking at whether we need a chief executive and two directors as part of a structure that only has 18 staff. And we always felt we had one too many. So I said, let's make this work for everybody," by deciding to resign.
For the time being, directors Colin Fry and Brian Underhill will be reporting directly to commission chair Erik Karlsen. When asked what he would be doing now, Mr. Miller said, "I'm going to take some time and use my unused vacation time. I'm just going to sitback and reassess. It's funny - when I started with the commission I never thought I'd stay there for 29-years. So I can now decide what I want to do when I grow up." Mr. Miller has been a strong supporter of the agricultural land reverse, advocating a build-up, not a build-out philosophy.
Earlier this week, Premier Gordon Campbell received headlining coverage for giving tax incentives that will specifically benefit the biotech industry. But what was not mentioned at the time was the premier's personal and partisan connection to that industry. As we previously reported, the premier's friend Hector Mackay-Dunn, a member of the provincial Liberal's election planning committee, is a biotech lawyer and director with a number of organizations including BC Biotech. Of course, Public Eye has no reason to think such personal connections would influence public policy. But others may draw a different conclusion.
In her column today, 24 hours conservative pontificator Erin Airton gives a big smoochie, smooch, smooch to Premier Gordon Campbell for giving tax incentives that will specifically benefit the biotech industry. But Canadian Taxpayers Federation British Columbia executive director Sara MacIntyre isn't as complimentary. Like Ms. Airton, Ms. MacIntyre advocates across-the-board corporate tax cuts. But targetted tax cuts are another matter.
In an interview with Public Eye pointed out the provincial Liberals "haven't announced how they're going to structure the tax incentives. But if it's anything similar to the film industry, it's going to be a cheque cut from treasury to cover certain costs. With the film industry it's labour. Biotech - we're not quite sure what costs the government will cover. But, regardless, it is new corporate welfare. Industries are lining up from preferential treatment. And it's just basically a new phase in the old subsidy game."
More news about legislative comptroller Peter Bray, who was summarily exited from his position last week by outgoing Speaker Claude Richmond. Our spies report his lawyer Chris Considine has successfully negotiated the terms and conditions of Mr. Bray's severance package. So much for a messy trial folks.
Today, The Vancouver Sun reported "Adler Online, a talk show emanating from Winnipeg, will occupy the coveted 1-3 p.m. weekday time slot...(Jennifer) Mather formerly held the 13:30 to 3 p.m. slot. She has left CKNW and Vancouver, moving to Los Angeles with her husband Brian Burke." Public Eye and 24 hours told you about that news yesterday.
The seminal social event of the summer season is upon us! This weekend, press gallery denizens, fellow travellers and various hangers-on will be converging on Pender Island for what is becoming an annual golf tournament. The invite-only event is organized by former Province columnist Brian Kieran of K&E Public Affairs Inc. (nee Pilothouse Public Affairs Inc.) fame.
Yesterday, Public Eye tried to find out a little bit about the legislature's new interim comptroller Bill Gano. But Mr. Gano himself wasn't very forthcoming. So we asked Public Eye readers if they had any information about the tight-lipped official, who previously worked as the Alberta legislature's director of administrative and information services. And they delivered. Caped New Democrat crusader Rick Barnes ignited his blogger signal and boy wonder Daveberta responded with the following clip from Alberta's Hansard.
"Bill Gano began his career with the public service in 1974, initially working as a programmer in the formative years of the computer age. His career progressed and brought him to the Legislative Assembly Office in 1989 to oversee the development of our computer systems. Bill is the director of two branches: information systems services and financial management and administrative services. He also serves as a senior financial officer and has responsibility for records management, freedom of information and protection of privacy issues. Bill is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Parliamentary Administrators."
Last week, Public Eye reported outgoing Speaker Claude Richmond summarily exited legislative comptroller Peter Bray from his position as the precinct's principle financial watchdog. And now it seems the clerk's office has found an interim replacement. Everyone give a big welcome to the not-so-talkative Bill Gano, who started work today.
In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Gano said, he'd "prefer not" to talk about his background. Asked when he was hired, the comptroller replied "I'm not going to comment on such things." And how long does he plan on sticking around for? "Nope, we're not going to have this conversation," stated Mr. Gano - who is already differentiating himself from his media-accessible predecessor. He wouldn't even tell us who hired him.
But don't worry Mr. Gano. Thanks to miracles of modern technology we've been able to find out you used to work at the Alberta legislature as the director of administrative and information services. If anyone else has more information, Public Eye and our readers would be much oblidged.
The bureaucrats who run the provincial government's shake 'em, bake 'em ministry of energy and mines aren't exactly lacking in testosterone. But their hormones levels were boosted last week when the Liberals added petroleum resources to the ministry's nameplate. The reason for that boost: some civil servants are now referring to the department as EMPiRre. Make of that what you will.
News from the mysterious underground world of lobbyists: Allen Langdon, is leaving GPC International Inc. after seven years with the communications and government relations firm. Mr. Langdon is also notably the brother of CH Vancouver Island broadcaster Murray Langdon. In an interview with Public Eye, the consultant declined to discuss the reason for his departure except to say, "I've got something lined-up. But I've made some commitments not to say anything for a little while. And I'm going to have to honour that commitment."
It looks like former provincial Liberal cabinet minister Christy Clark won't be replacing departing CKNW afternoon talk show host Jennifer Mather after all. According to a memo sent to CKNW staff yesterday and leaked to Public Eye, program director Tom Plasteras writes that the news station has decided to fill the 1:00 to 3:00 slot with Charles Adler's nationally-networked, Winnipeg-based show.
The memo stated, "Charles is opinionated, brash, and one of Canada's best talk show talents. He is definitely on the 'show-biz' side of talk radio and has grown audience in every time slot he's occupied." Anticipating criticism that the station is eliminating local news programming, the memo rhetorically asks, "But why would CKNW air a nationally networked show in prime time?...This is a question programmers in our company have been hotly debating for years. But, as the debate has progressed, a couple of key points have emerged as indisputable:
"1. Our obligation to the listener is to provide them with the best show possible. Period. Where the show originates is immaterial...2. The very definition of 'local news' has changed. Local news has evolved from 'events that happened locally', to events that local people are interested in."
The show will start broadcasting on July 4. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours. The following is a copy of Mr. Plasteras's email.
***
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Staff
FROM: Tom Plasteras
DATE: June 21, 2005
RE: CKNW MID-DAY PROGRAMMING
With yesterday's announcement that Brian Burke will become the new General Manager of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks comes the resulting departure of Jennifer Mather as host of the midday program on CKNW.
Jennifer started with us in September 2003 and in her short time with us she grew into a very good talk show host with strong opinions, natural curiosity and a connection to the community. Jennifer is a very talented broadcaster and we're sorry to see her go. Please join us in wishing her and Brian all the best with their new life in California!
And, when one door closes another one opens. We are very pleased to announce the following line-up effective Monday, July 4, 2005.
First, we will be expanding the Noon News with John Ashbridge to a full hour, from Noon-1pm. Our highly-rated noon news package with Ash, JP McConnell and Bruce Allen's Reality Check has become an appointment tune and re-attracts audience to the station midway through the day.
Following that, we are very excited to announce the addition of "Adler Online" with Charles Adler from 1pm - 3pm.
Charles is opinionated, brash, and one of Canada's best talk show talents. He is definitely on the 'show-biz' side of talk radio and has grown audience in every time slot he's occupied. He's known to stir the pot and he's sure to get the phones ringing!
But why would CKNW air a nationally networked show in prime time? We're a local station!
This is a question programmers in our company have been hotly debating for years. But, as the debate has progressed, a couple of key points have emerged as indisputable:
1. Our obligation to the listener is to provide them with the best show possible. Period. Where the show originates is immaterial. Virtually every major news/talk station in North America airs some national programming and prospers from it.
2. The very definition of "local news" has changed. Local news has evolved from "events that happened locally", to events that local people are interested in.
Upon arriving at these conclusions we have been working on this national initiative with confidence and excitement and we look forward to its debute in Vancouver on July 4!
There has been a lot of change in recent weeks for CKNW, and change is never easy. But, with a line-up that now begins with the CKNW Morning News with Philip Till, followed by The Bill Good Show, The Noon News, Adler Online, The World Today with Jon McComb, Nightline BC with Mike Smyth, and Sportstalk with Dan Russell, we are perfectly positioned for the future and can now focus on making these programs the best they can be.
If youi have any questions about our-line I would be happy to discuss them with you.
Tom
Non-blonde conservative pundit Erin Airton, Public Eye's colleague and columnist at 24 hours, has taken her two-fisted battle against the evil socialist hordes online - launching her very own Website. Ms. Airton, who works by-day as a mild-mannered account and business development director with public relations firm James Hoggan and Associates Inc., is also known for regularly duking it out with progressive forces stat champion David Schreck on the Rafe Mair Show.
Children and family development bureaucrats have had one of the ministry's most precious programs removed from their care. The provincial Liberals have transfered responsibility for child and youth mental health to the civil servants at health, who also currently hold the adult mental health file. That amalgamation, which existed before the Liberals came into office, might seem to make sense. But there are apparently concerns within the bureaucracy that, with so many other programs to look after, health may not pay enough attention to the child and youth mental health plan - introduced two years ago by then Children and Family Development Minister Gordon Hogg.
Today, provincial New Democrat leader Carole James announced her critic appointments. Those appointments were handed out to every caucus member but one: Victoria-Hillside MLA Rob Fleming, one half of the power couple that includes former party president and election platform co-chair Maura Parte. Instead, Mr. Fleming has been named public accounts committee chair designate. But what does the committee do and is chairing it a good thing for the young up-and-comer, who will also be responsible for the New Democrat's caucus committee on the economy?
In an interview with Public Eye, University of Victoria political science professor Norman Ruff explained the public accounts committee, "is the main instrument of the legislature to maintain financial accountability." And how does it do that? Well, once the auditor general has reviewed public accounts - the document detailing government's annual expenditures - it is sent to the committee. And when that happens, the committees "can chose to investigate matters arising from the accounts."
The committee is unique in that it is chaired by an opposition member. As chair, Mr. Fleming has the authority to