Much venom and spittle is being spilled by capital city Conservatives today: in an email sent to Victoria constituency association president Paul Holmes and copied to Public Eye, director-at-large Eugene Parks announced his resignation. According to Mr. Parks, "After more than a year of being spammed and presented with material I believe to be bigoted and ignorant from some Victoria board members, I cannot in good conscience continue to be associated with the Victoria board and its efforts." To which Saanich-Gulf Islands constituency association communication chair Paul Arnold replied: "Get a life, Eugene. We'll all be better off without your dark view of the world." The following is a copy of their emails.

-----Original Message-----
From: Eugene Parks
Sent: 31 July 2005 08:55
To: Paul Holmes
Cc: Troy DeSouza; Robin Baird; Logan Wenham; editorial@publiceyeonline.com
Subject: Resignation from conservative board

Conservative Executive Victoria EDA and candidates,

In good conscience I cannot and will not be helping the conservative party on the lower island in the next election. Therefore, effective immediately, I resign from the Victoria Conservative EDA board. After more than a year of being spammed and presented with material I believe to be bigoted and ignorant from some Victoria board members, I cannot in good conscience continue to be associated with the Victoria board and its efforts.

Eugene Parks

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Arnold
Sent: 31 July 2005 11:27
To: Paul Holmes; Eugene Parks
Cc: editorial@publiceyeonline.com; Logan Wenham; Robin Baird; Troy DeSouza
Subject: Re: Resignation from conservative board

For anyone who has been following Eugene's horrible defeatist postings to Conservative Grassroots On Line (CGROL), his resignation will be welcomed news. Get a life, Eugene. We'll all be better off without your dark view of the world.

I think it would also be useful if you unsubscribed to CGROL. We'd all appreciate it.

Paul Arnold

Last week, in a news release, the provincial government announced the Crown corporation that manages provincial buildings and properties would become part of the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services. Speaking with the Times Colonist's Lindsay Kines, the minister responsible Mike de Jong explained the continued downsizing by noting the British Columbia Buildings Corporation, aspects of which have already been privatized, "was competing with the private sector for work by managing projects outside government, such as the Whistler library, Whistler municipal hall and the Ridge Meadows Medical Centre. 'That's not something we think it needs to do, and not something that we necessarily want it to do,' de Jong said." But not everyone thinks that's a good idea.

In an email sent to Public Eye, one government insider - who asked not to be named but is familiar with the corporation's operations - identified a number of problems with the Campbell administration's decision to get out of the property management business. Those problems, the insider writes, include increased long-term real estate costs and reduced levels of building maintenance. Also noted: "lay-offs are pending" at the company now responsible for that maintenance. The following is a copy of that email, in which the writer responds to Minister de Jong's statement.

***

Well its true. Guilty as charged. BCBC brought in the lowest bid, completed the projects and saved the taxpayer a pile of money. It seems Minister De Jong is more concerned about the profits of private developers than saving money for the taxpayer. Many believe the highly connected developers who got beat out for these projects never forgot or forgave, and BCBC has been doomed since the Liberal government was elected.

For five years, under direction of the Liberal government, BCBC has been quietly selling off hundreds of provincial properties including prime assets such as 4000 Seymour, Victoria, 865 Hornby St. Vancouver, Woodlands Hospital site, the Vancouver Island Technology Park, and government buildings across the province amongst others. While these sales may have reduced the massive Liberal deficit, valuable long term assets are gone forever. And in many cases, the same properties are leased back long term by the govt. at pre-negotiated, favorable rates. Short term gain (reduce the deficit!) for long term pain (higher future real estate costs). Who benefits? The major real estate trusts, developers and corporations. Who loses? The taxpayer and the public. The justification is that government should not be in competition with the private sector by providing office space. But the end results are higher occupancy costs, lower building standards, fewer provincial assets and a significant loss of control (ownership). Bottom line: in the long term, and especially in the case of public facilities, it simply makes more sense to own than to rent.

Since 2001, BCBC employees have been reduced from approx. 870 FTEs to around 260 today. The privatization of its property management division (320 employees) has not shown any great savings. A recent customer survey cited by former CEO Beales at a BCBC employee Town Meeting indicated the level of cleanliness at govt. buildings had declined, and buildings are not as well managed as before. The new property management company (WSI) receives a bonus for reducing operations and maintenance costs by a certain percentage. Less maintenance means minor complaints and repairs often are not attended to, and can result in long term dissatisfaction and major expense. As WSI's contract is for a limited period, their concerns in managing provincial real estate assets are understandably limited to the length of their contract. As WSI has to reduce costs and still squeeze out a profit, personnel are even more thinly spread. And WSI lay-offs are pending...

BCBC has been wrung out, squeezed dry of all its easily disposed of assets, and is now being flung on the scrapheap. Another cutback to government, the cost of which will be seen in the future.

Earlier this week, the Times Colonist's Sarah Petrescu reported the provincial government had fined Maximus Inc. - the American firm that won the privatization contract to administer PharmaCare and British Columbia's Medical Services Plan. The reason: "it's taking about 15 minutes to answer a call, instead of the under three minutes required in its contract." But, according to a former bureaucrat familiar with the plan, there's more at stake than how fast the company answers calls.

In a letter, sent to Public Eye and Times Colonist columnist Les Leyne, 32-year civil service veteran Christine Toucher writes when the medical service plan was first established the government "recruited staff and placed them into a training process which offered six months intensive training followed by a two year "trial" period before the person was considered to have enough experience to operate independently."

But now "The contract holder has hired new workers but those workers have two weeks training." All of which makes Ms. Toucher wonder, "Does it really matter how many thousand calls you answer if you cannot assist the caller, if the information you give is incorrect?" The following is a complete copy of her letter.

***

I am now retired but worked for 32 years for the BC Government, twenty of those in MSP. A point which seems to be missed by many in looking at privatizing government services, such as MSP, is what defines service and how do you measure quality.

BC medical Plan arose out of the amalgamation of the three major medical insurance plans in BC in the early seventies , when the government assumed the responsibility for delivering health insurance to all eligible BC residents. The three were MSA, Cu&C and Government employee medical services.

BC Med was tasked with two responsibilities. To insure all eligible residents and to pay medical practitioners for appropriate services. When we think of MSP we generally think of the coverage aspect as this is where most of the public has direct contact with the public.

As with all things new, there are a great deal of rules and regulations written around the legislation to clarify roles and responsibilities. The early managers of the plan set the style and the objectives for staff at that time. For the registration and premium billing section the purpose of the work became the integrity of the system and the ability to communicate regulations to the public.

To meet this objective the plan recruited staff and placed them into a training process which offered six months intensive training followed by a two year "trial" period before the person was considered to have enough experience to operate independently.

Over the years there were the usual problems with the need to mechanize a paper burdened system, the need to keep up with a changing medical system worldwide. The increased population, move to phone usage for business pressures and an increasingly mobile population all added to the work flow problems. With the advent of the nineties and downsizing MSP fell into the spiral of lack of trained staff resulting in processing delays which led to increased phone call which resulted in processing delays ans so on. Complaints made it to the floor of the house about the time it took to get through to MSP (as it was now called). It can be noted however that the public felt that when they got through they were dealt with courteously and efficiently.

Now we see the government setting the plan out to a private company to deliver the services. The contract, which for matters of privacy, is not a public document and we do not know what the deliverables are. The recent fines would suggest that "numbers" and telephone standards (time taken to answer) are the key. What of the integrity of information received and given? Does it really matter how many thousand calls you answer if you cannot assist the caller, if the information you give is incorrect.

The contract holder has hired new workers but those workers have two weeks training, mostly on the equipment they use. Just prior to MSP being privatized the staff won a classification appeal because "the knowledge required to do the job adequately was not available in a manual, but required extensive use of knowledge, prior experience and decision making"

The private sector thinks of work in a quantifiable way with deliverables and a bottom line of "profit". It has been long recognized that many citizen services need a different approach and thus the need for public service is identified. I note that Mr Abbott clarified that saving money was not the issue. That is just as well as MSP had been noted and commended for running a very cost efficient system. The question is service to the public. But is having the phone answered really the service the public is looking for or do they want their problems resolved, their questions answered and their requests actioned. It is no use answering the telephone in 3 minutes if the information you then give out is incorrect.

Christine Tocher

Retired, Manager, Health Information Line

Right now it's armpit-dripping hot outside. But despite the rising temperature, a lot of British Columbians are still working for the weekend. Meanwhile, though, your elected Opposition members seem to have taken a vacation from holding the government to account. Of course, the governing provincial Liberals aren't doing much these days either. But after four years of sweating to get the economy in order/picking on the poor and most vulnerable (your pick), you'd expect them to take (and even deserve) a break. But what's the New Democrat's excuse? Aside from Jenny Kwan and Jagrup Brar, their caucus is made up of members who were elected a scant two months ago. And yet party leader Carole James told them all to relax this summer. What kind of employer hires you and then immediately tells you to relax?

Public Eye doesn't want to be too hard on the New Democrats. They do have a Long March ahead of them - four years in Opposition. And many are working behind the scenes to setup their constituency offices and hire staff.

Still, exhausted Liberals are astounded and relieved the New Democrats are staying quiet at a time when a fart from the Opposition could make front page news. The papers are so dry for stories right now the slightest spark could set them ablaze. Yet many Opposition MLAs don't seem interested in putting flint to tinder.

Of course, there some exceptions to that rule: take Adrian Dix, for example. With a closet that includes skeletons dating back to the past New Democrat government, Public Eye once wondered what Ms. James would do with him. But now your humble organ wonders what Ms. James would do without him.

Since being sworn in, Mr. Dix has proven himself a dogged public servant - holding the government account for all manner of indiscretions in the ministry of children and family development. And others, such as Bob Simpson from the Cariboo, have been equally energetic about getting down to doing the people's business.

Nevertheless, taken as a whole, the New Democrats don't seem nearly as enthusiastic as Gordon Campbell did when he won government in 2001 and embarked on a 90-day program of summertime action.

So will there be any price for Ms. James's decision to give her caucus mates time to seek tan lines instead of headlines? Perhaps. In the two months before the recent election, the New Democrats went to ground - putting the Liberals in charge of the news cycle. The Campbell administration made campaign announcement after campaign announcement and Ms. James said almost nothing.

That, many insiders say, may have cost her the premiership. And by keeping mum now, the New Democrats are giving the Liberals a chance to regroup in time for the fall legislative session.

A version of this column was originally published in yesterday's edition of 24 hours.

Today, The Vancouver Sun reported "The B.C. government will have its hands full with contract negotiations over the next year as collective agreements representing more than 94 per cent of the province's public sector workforce - from school teachers and university professors to nurses, doctors and Crown corporation workers - come up for renewal by June 30, 2006." Public Eye told you about the possibility of an upcoming public sector labour disruption two days ago, obtaining and publishing previously unreleased government documentation that now appears in the infographic accompanying The Sun article.

Earlier, Public Eye reported respected public service agency associate deputy minister Ron McEachern had been jettisoned from his job as the province's top labour negotiator, representing employer-side interests in negotiations with civil service unions. And now it seems the government has decided on a replacement. Welcome aboard assistant deputy minister of employee relations Paul Straszak. Not exactly a household name - yet. But British Columbia Rail Ltd. workers will remember him as being the former Crown corporation's director of labour relations, responsible for stickhandling employee-related aspects of the privatization deal.

Yesterday, in a news release, the provincial government announced British Columbia Buildings Corp. would "shift from (being) a Crown corporation to part of the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services." Not mentioned in that release, though, was the fact that British Columbia Buildings chief executive officer John Beales and executive vice-president Sharon Halkett were being summarily exited from the corporation - this, according to a memo leaked to Public Eye. Ms. Halkett, astute readers may remember, had previously served as the chief executive officer of the Crown agencies secretariat under the Campbell administration. She is married to 21-year civil service veteran Phil Halkett, who was the deputy minister to Premier Ujjal Dosanjh before the Liberals won office and had him sacked. According to an article published in 2001 by then Vancouver Sun reporter Jim Beatty that sacking resulted in a $366,000 severance package. So one wonders how much Ms. Halkett received for her trouble? The following is a copy of that memo.

Subject: Announcement - BC Buildings Corporation (Message from John Heath, GM for BCBC)

Announcement - BC Buildings Corporation

Thank you very much for your contribution to the 2005 Core Services Review for the BC Buildings Corporation. Government has decided that it wishes to move to a Ministry model for the delivery of accommodation and real property services. It has also decided that it wishes to implement the recommendations respecting increased business and customer focus over the next 12 months. In the meantime, BCBC continues as a Crown corporation, providing services to its customers with minimal disruption.

As a first step in the transition, the existing Board of BCBC has been dissolved. Gordon Macatee, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour and Consumer Services, has been appointed as the sole Director and Chair of the Board. In turn, he has appointed me General Manager of BCBC. John Beales and Sharon Halkett have left the organization effective immediately.

The balance of the BCBC Executive remains in place.

I am expected to provide the Deputy/Chair with an implementation plan for the transition, which meets the needs of customers and reflects effective implementation of the Core Services Review recommendations. I cannot do this without your expertise and advice. I look forward to meeting with you over the coming weeks to obtain your perspective and advice on how this transformation can be managed to best meet your needs.

John Heath
General Manager
BC Buildings Corporation

Earlier, Public Eye reported failed provincial New Democrat candidates Mike Hanson and Christine Hunt had been hired by the Opposition caucus. But they're not the only new staffers. Flemingites Brian Kowalski and Ed May have also joined the party's legislative assistant corp. Mr. Kowalski previously made headlines as the treasurer of the 2003 University of Victoria grad class committee that produced an anti-drinking and driving poster featuring Premier Gordon Campbell's mugshot. And Mr. May was most recently the South Island field organizer for the New Democrats.

Other recruits include: Angela Guliano, an administrative coordinator under the previous New Democrat administration, Gurbinder (Brenda) Kang, the wife of British Columbia Taxi Association president Mohan Kang, election campaign assistant wagonmaster Karen Karagheusian (a Moncktonite who is tight with the leader's press secretary Scott Perchall), Raj Patara, whom we would appreciate more information on, and Susan Vasilev, a former ministerial assistant who is married to Saanich South MLA David Cubberley. Ms. Vasilev has been specifically assigned as an aide to chief of staff David Perry.

In related news, the Opposition has also brought in two new communications officers: Cara McGregor and Tim Renneberg. Ms McGregor, who interned with the New Democrats, is the daughter of former cabinet minister Cathy McGregor. And Mr. Renneberg chaired Prince George's tri-riding communications committee during the recent election.

Kamloops-North Thompson provincial New Democrat candidate Mike Hanson and Saanich North and the Islands candidate Christine Hunt may have failed to win their ridings. But that's doesn't mean you won't be seeing them at legislature. Public Eye has learned Mr. Hanson, a former journalist and process service and document service company owner, has been hired as one of the Opposition caucus's communications officers. And Ms. Hunt will be joining the New Democrats as a legislative assistant.

Fascinating news from the lone bastion of Liberalism in the Kootenays: according to the Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Minister of State for Mining Bill Bennett has hired a new constituency assistant - former Canadian Broadcasting Corp. radio reporter Bob Keating. Not mentioned by the newspaper, though, was the reason why Mr. Keating is now a former reporter. But Public Eye is happy to let you in on his...um...dirty secret.

Back in 2003 Mr. Keating was fired for anonymously sending a box of choclates he contaminated with raw chicken and dirt to healthcare lobbyist Earl Hamilton, the committee chair for Save Our Services. According to published reports, Mr. Keating sent the chocolates because Mr. Hamilton said he was a "toady of the government; he was not to be trusted." But, before the package could arrive, the reporter felt a pang of guilt and told Mr. Hamilton what he had done.

In an interview with the Canadian Press, Mr. Keating explained, "I did something crazy at a time when I was under intense pressure. I'm a journalist. I hold people accountable to their actions. I should be held accountable to mine. I did something beyond stupid and it cost me a career. I think the CBC was justified in firing me."

Something's got the Campbell administration hot and bothered and it ain't the New Democrats. Loose-lipped Rockpile residents inform us the corridors are abuzz with talk the Liberal's legislative agenda may have to be delayed due to the upcoming round of super-size biennial public sector labour negotiations. And just how big is super-sized, you may ask? Well, according to government documentation, collective agreements covering a whopping 83.8 percent of full-time equivalencies in the public sector will expire by March 31, 2006 (add an additional 10.6 percent after June 30). The following is a copy of that documentation.

Collective Agreement Expires
As of July 22, 2005

Summary:

Currently Expired: 49,977 FTEs (25.4% of all FTEs)
Expiring Prior to March 31, 2006: 2,286 FTEs (1.1% of all FTEs)
Expiring March 31, 2006: 112,798 FTEs (57.3% of all FTEs)
Expiring June 30, 2006: 20,924 FTES (10.6% of all FTEs)

*Total number of unionized FTEs in the public sector is approximately 196,694

CURRENTLY EXPIRED - 49,977 FTEs

Education (K-12) - 41,451 FTEs
Teachers - 30,516 FTEs expired June 30, 2004.
Support Staff - 10,935 FTEs, 35 collective agreements representing approximately 58% of all support workers (32 expired June 30, 2003, the remaining 3 were over 2003-2004).

Colleges - 3,256 FTEs
Faculty - 1,113 FTEs, 7 collective agreements expired March 31, 2004.
Support Staff - 2,143 FTEs, 7 collective agreements (1 expired March 31, 2002, 1 expired June 30, 2002, 1 March 31, 2004, 1 expired Sept. 30, 2004, 1 expired May 31, 2005, 2 expired June 30, 2005).

Universities - 4,947 FTEs
Faculty - 468 FTEs at Thompson Rivers University
Support Staff - 4,479 FTEs, 14 collective agreements (1 expired June 30, 2002, 1 expired April 30, 2004, 8 expired March 31, 2005, 1 expired April 30, 2005, 1 expired May 30, 2005, 2 expired June 30, 2005).
Crowns - 323 FTEs
BC Housing (2 bargaining units), BC Transmission Corporation, legal Services Society.

EXPIRING PRIOR TO MARCH 31, 2006 - 2,286 FTEs

Colleges - 390 FTEs
Okanagan College faculty - 299 FTEs, expired Aug. 31, 2005.
Selkirk College support staff - 91 FTEs, expired Dec. 31, 2005
Universities - 1,361 FTEs
UBC Okanagan faculty & UBC Teaching Assistants and Sessional Lecturers both expire Aug 31, 2005.
Crowns - 535 FTEs
BC Assessment, expires Dec. 31, 2005.

EXPIRING MARCH 31, 2006 - 112,798 FTEs

Health - 72,745 FTEs
Nurses - 19,561 FTEs
Paramedicals (lab techs, physiotherapists, pharmacists etc.) - 8,997 FTEs
Community Health - 8,005 FTEs
Facilities Support - 28,639 FTEs
Residents - 602 FTEs
Physicians (BCMA) - 6,941 FTEs (Master Agreement expires March 31, 2006, Working and Subsidiary Agreements expire March 31, 2007)
Public Service - 27,484 FTEs
Public Service Master (BCGEU) - 26,166 FTEs
Professional Employees Association Master - 1,257 FTEs
Queens Printer - 61 FTEs
Community Social Services - 8,851 FTEs
4 bargaining units Aboriginal Services, Community Living Services, General Services and Community Living BC.
Crowns - 3,718 FTEs
BC Hydro - 3,026 FTEs with COPE and IBEW
BC Transit - 560 FTEs with COPE and CAW
Legal Services Society - 110 FTEs
WCB Salaried Physicians - 22 FTEs

EXPIRING JUNE 30, 2006 - 20,924 FTEs

Education - 8,144 FTEs
Support Staff - 8,144 FTEs, 27 School districts with 31 collective agreements.
Colleges - 1,812 FTEs
Support Staff - 1,812 FTEs at BCIT, Douglas, Kwantlen, Justice Inst., Northern Lights, NWCC and Okanagan College.
Universities - 6,811 FTEs
Faculty UBC - 2,806 FTEs,
SFU - 805 FTEs,
UVic - 687 FTEs,
UNBC - 279 FTEs
Support Staff SFU Administration and Professional Services - 485 FTEs
Support Staff UVic Administration & Academic Professional Staff - 544 FTEs
Support Staff UVic Teaching Asst., ESL instructors, IT Support - 1,205 FTEs
Crowns - 4,157 FTEs all at ICBC

Source: Public Sector Employers Council Secretariat

Earlier, Public Eye told you about the existence of an Opposition caucus executive committee - responsible for planning out the provincial New Democrat's legislative strategy. At the time, we named five members of that politbureau: Carole James, caucus officers Katrine Conroy, Mike Farnworth and Jenny Kwan and Rob Fleming. But it turns out that wasn't the complete list. Also belonging to the committee, we're told, are Jagrup Brar, honourary soccer dad John Horgan, former provincial Liberal Bob Simpson and fish-out-of-water Claire Trevena.

Here's an interesting philosophical question for those provincial New Democrat MLAs who are still in the process of setting up their constituency offices: your socialist love nest needs phone lines activated or installed...but...Telus Communications Corp. rank-and-filers are walking the picket lines. So do you (a) let a management scab do the work and serve your constituents or (b) show your solidarity with the Telecommunication Workers Union and go without phone lines? Perhaps caucus should develop a policy on the matter?

Earlier, Public Eye reported provincial government communications directors would be getting together for cocktails and sausages with their new boss Finance Minister Carole Taylor. But that red-carpet event, scheduled for 4:00 yesterday, didn't happen. It turns out the Campbell administration's cabinet meeting (real as opposed to open) ran overtime. And Minister Taylor had to cancel out of the scratch and sniff session at the last minute. However, regrets were sent (surely on monogrammed envelopes) and the meeting will be re-scheduled.

A brief announcement from your humble organ: in honour of the upcoming civic elections, Public Eye has added a new category - Creatures of Government - for those stories covering local politics. The eyecon was handcrafted by Victor Crapnell of Art Department Design, who is responsible for the site's muckraking look-and-feel. Our many thanks to him. In related news, Mr. Crapnell is also putting the finishing touches on a Public Eye re-design, which we will be rolling out shortly.

According to our spies, the Non-Partisan Association is twitterpated with rumours Ronald Leung is thinking about running as a city council candidate for the meat-eating Vancouver civic party. Mr. Leung, a Fairchild Radio AM 1470 producer and program host, is known to some of the Bill Good of the Chinese-Canadian community and would be a prize-catch for the association. So what does Mr. Leung have to say about those rumours? Well, in an interview with Public Eye, the popular broadcaster confirmed the association has approached him about running. But Mr. Leung said "there are a lot of things that I have to consider before giving them an answer" - which will happen sometime in September. The association will be filling two city council nomination spots (three if Sam Sullivan runs for mayor) on September 24 at the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel.

Following Geoff Plant's announcement he wouldn't be running for re-election, there was much discussion as to what the attorney general would be doing in the future. Would Mr. Plant become a member of the academy, like New Democrat Andrew Petter? Or would he be joining the judiciary, others asked? Well, the answer is none of the above. It appears Mr. Plant has become a partner with Heenan Blaikie LLP. Heenan Blaikie, which once employed former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, is currently best known as the retirement home for fellow first among equals Jean Chretien.

News from the world of Terminal City politics: according to Public Eye tipsters, theoretical Non-Partisan Association mayoral nomination candidate Sam Sullivan will be glad-handing Chinese-Canadian community leaders this evening at the Pink Pearl Chinese Restaurant. The festivities are being organized by former city councillor Maggie Ip and General Cheung-Man Tsang and will commence around 6:30. Membership sales and donations are on the menu. But no word yet on who the diners will be.

British Columbians may already been paging through the latest Harry Potter novel. But what could be one of the most anticipated books in the province's political world has yet to hit the shelves. In an interview, Auditor General Wayne Strieloff confirmed his office will release an update of an earlier report reviewing the estimated cost of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. The update will look at whether the provincial government, which will be paying out at least $1.248 billion to cover the cost of the Olympics, is meeting those estimates and following the auditor general's due diligence recommendations. The report is due out in February, just in time to provide fodder for the New Democrats during the legislature's spring sitting.

According to Mr. Strieloff, who says research for the report will be undertaken in the fall, "There are a number of models which we can use. One is for us to do a direct examination and issue a long-form report. The other model is to have the government itself issue a report explaining the comparison of plan and actual in terms of financing, scope and timing. And, in that report, we would just issue a short letter inside that report saying this is a fair description of where we are now." The decision of which model to use will be made by Mr. Strieloff, although his office is discussing the matter with the government's Olympic Games secretariat headed by Pacific National Exhibition memorabilia collector Annette Antoniak. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

Wondering who it was that came up with the name Vision Vancouver? Well, look no further than political consultant, feared letter-to-the-editor writer and federal Young Liberal alumnus Jonathan Ross. In a posting on his company Website, Mr. Ross writes "TDH Strategies' original concept was 'Vision of Vancouver,' a party that embraced a non-political approach in contrast to the polarized politics of the municipal scene locally - Larry was not a politician, and the new entity was as a result going to attempt sometlshing different. We lobbied Councillor Jim Green at the Mayor's fundraising dinner back in March, and he really liked it then. We talked to Councillor Raymond Louie and Councillor Tim Stevenson about it, and were ao always in close contact with the Mayor's office. We then finally sat down with Leonard Schein, one of the founders of the Friends of Larry group, and presented the abovementioned speech (something delivered directly to Larry back in December), which was subsequently given to the entire board in April."

Earlier, Public Eye reported the premier's office awarded an open-ended contract that paid out to Liberal-connected PACE Communications Group Inc. without competition. According to documentation obtained via freedom of information legislation, that contract paid out $345,425 in fees for service. But how much was PACE charging to earn that payout? The company's hourly rates was blanked out in the aforementioned documentation. But, thanks to a separate freedom of information request submitted to the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Public Eye can now report, in one instance, PACE vice-president Kathi Springer charged $100 an hour and her boss Norman Stowe charged $150 an hour. Not an unreasonable rate for consultants. But that's likely poor consolation for the public affairs bureau officers who make $34.53 an hour.

Astute readers may have noticed a distinct absence of comments on Public Eye over the past 12 days. The reason: technical gremlins that have prevented the posting of those comments. We're not sure what their political affiliation is. But it matters little now because your humble organ has found a means of exterminating the wee beasties. So please return to your regularly scheduled mudslinging.

So what does provincial freedom of information and privacy commissioner David Loukidelis think about government instructions to avoid putting confidential information in emails? Well, in an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Loukidelis explained those instructions don't violate any laws. "There's nothing legislated that, at this time, prevents this from happening. There's no duty to document legislation - such as you have in some of the U.S. states where, in reaction to some of their FOI laws, there were similar concerns about whether some things were being documented. So they passed legislation that define a set of actions or decisions that must be documented. And we don't have that here." But should we? Said Mr. Loukidelis, "It wouldn't be a cure-all. Because it would only (require documentation of) a certain set of actions or decisions...But it be a nice compliment to a modern approach to information management in government."

A top provincial government spin doctor has advised the Vancouver Island Health Authority's supposedly non-partisan communications staff not to put sensitive information in writing, according to a leaked email. The reason: apparently, to prevent New Democrats from accessing that information via legislation allowing British Columbians to request copies of government documents.

In an email sent the day after the election, authority media and issues advisor Suzanne Germain writes "we all know this already...but a reminder and request from the Ministry Communications Director (Michelle Stewart): Even before the election, the volume of (freedom of information) requests at the Ministry from the opposition were (sic) increasing...This trend will likely continue now. The reminder is for us to use the phone a lot more than we have been. If you don't want it on the front page of (The Times Colonist), don't put it in E mail."

Reached on her cell phone, Ms. Germain - who is vacationing in the Gulf Islands - acknowledged the existence of the email. But when asked her why Ms. Stewart was advising authority communications staff not to put sensitive information in writing she said, "you've kind of gotten me at a really, really crappy time here," advised us to phone back and hung up. Ms. Germain - who is married to CH Victoria news director Rob Germain - did not return a subsequent call by publication time, having appeared to have turned off her phone (note to Ms. Germain: avoiding the media doesn't make us go away).

More talkative was Carol Carman, executive director of communications at the health ministry and Ms. Stewart's boss. In an interview, Ms. Carman explained Ms. Stewart gave that advice because the director was concerned some government emails may have incomplete information in them that could be misinterpreted. So it would better not to have that information make it into the public domain.

This isn't the first time the Campbell administration has been caught trying to avoid freedom of information requests. Two years ago, brother muckraker Russ Francis reported the then deputy minister to the premier Ken Dobell told those attending a conference on freedom of information and accountable government that he deletes emails as fast as he can and doesn't write down meeting notes - presumably so they couldn't be accessed by media freedom of information requests. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours. The following is a copy of Ms. Germain's email.

***

From: Germain, Suzanne
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 8:13 AM
Subject: The changed climate...

We all know this already...but a reminder and request from the Ministry Communications Director:

Even before the election, the volume of FOI requests at the Ministry from the opposition were increasing - and they were sometimes asking for materials from specific individuals (ie communications staff). This trend will likely continue now. The reminder is for us to use the phone a lot more than we have been. And no briefing notes on locally changed climates, please...

If you don't want it on the front page of the TC, don't put it in E mail...

Please note new E mail address: Suzanne.Germain@viha.ca

Suzanne Germain
Media & Issues Advisor
Vancouver Island Health Authority

Healthy People, Healthy Island Communities, Seamless Service

Yesterday, the provincial government released the summary of a review into the death of 19-month-old Sherry Charlie at the hands of her foster dad in Port Alberni. That review found numerous failures in the government child protection system that could have contributed to the infant's death. But what does New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons, a former independent social work consultant, have to say about this tragedy? After all, prior to winning a seat in the legislature, Mr. Simons was contracted by children and family development to investigate the Charlie case as part of the review.

On May 28, The Vancouver Sun's Nicholas Read reported toward the middle of that month the MLA received "the full final report, a draft precis and a summary version." At the time, he couldn't discuss the document until it was released. So now that that's happened, presumably Mr. Simons can comment. And perhaps he might have some theories as to why government would release the report almost three months later - in the dead of summer.

Earlier today, Public Eye reported the premier's office awarded an open-ended contract that paid out $343,425 in fees for services to PACE Communications Group Inc. without competition. This, despite a confidential government memo stating "a formal RFP process must be used for contracts over $100,000." Government has defended that award by saying the instructions in the memo were meant as guidelines or best-practices not hard-and-fast rules. Well, let us all think about that position a bit while we read this excerpt from another memo - this one dated May 29, 2002 - that was sent by then finance deputy minister Paul Taylor and management services deputy minister Catherine Read to fellow top bureaucrats.

It reads: "One issue of immediate concern is the direct award of contracts. Current policy, applicable to all ministries, requires contracts of an expected value of $25,000 or greater to be competed. Only in exceptional circumstances may this policy be set aside. These include unforeseeable emergencies, security concerns, the protection of life and health, confidentiality requirements, or where a ministry can demonstrate that only one supplier is qualified to perform the services." The following is a complete copy of that leaked memo.

***

British Columbia
Ref 9325
May 29, 2002

To: Deputy Ministers

We are writing to seek your active support in ensuring that the Government's New Era commitment to fair and open tendering is understood and implemented. Competitive processes need to be followed, and ultimately Deputy Ministers are accountable to ensure that procurement processes within their ministry are carried out fairly and openly, consistent with government policy.

All staff respon sible for procurement activity should be familiar with current government policy on contracting as provided in the General Management Operating Policy Manual. They should also have the appropriate skills and abilities required to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Training is available through courses including: Managing Government Contracts.

One issue of immediate concern is the direct award of contracts. Current policy applicable to all ministries, requires contracts of an expected value of $25,000 or greater to be competed. Only in exceptional circumstances may this policy be set aside. These include unforeseeable emergencies, security concerns, the protection of life and health, confidentiality requirements, or where a ministry can demonstrate that only one supplier is qualified to perform the services.

In the case where only one supplier is qualified and the contract is expected to be greater than $50,000, a Notice of Intent to direct award must be posted, preferably on the BCBid website. This should only be done where due dilligence to determine if the supplier is the only one qualified has been done. Valid objections must result in a competitive process.

In most cases, BCBid is the preferred means by which ministries are to post contract opportunities. It is important to ensure that the specifications used to define requirements are not to be written in such a way as to unfairly exclude potential valid suppliers.

Policy requirements are provided in detail in the General Management Operating Policy Manual and the Purchasing Commission is available to interpret procurement policy.

Please ensure the procurement practices employed by your Ministry support government's commitment to fair and open tendering and are consistent with government policy. It is suggested that you discuss this issue with your executive committee and that appropriate communication be provided to all staff engage in the letting of contracts.

Sincerely

Catharine Read
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Management Services

Paul Taylor
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Finance

Cc: Executive Financial Officers
Senior Financial Officers

Public Eye has exclusively learned the premier's office awarded an open-ended contract that paid out $343,425 in fees for services to a Liberal-connected communications firm without competition - a violation of government purchasing guidelines. And the vice-president of that same firm, who has close ties to a government minister, also personally received a separate directly-awarded contract from the premier's office that paid out $47,300 in fees for services. But government is defending those contracts, saying no rules were actually broken.

According to documentation obtained under the province's freedom of information legislation, PACE Communications Group Inc. was awarded a contract on February 13, 2003 to "provide project management services for community information tours." Those projects included tours promoting forest revitalization and the government's Achieve BC educational program.

PACE has extensive connections to the Campbell government. The company's president, ex-Socred aide Norman Stowe, has close ties with senior cabinet minister Stan Hagen - as has PACE vice-president Kathi Springer. Mr. Stowe also worked on Minister Hagen's campaign during the recent election, as well as being one of star Liberal candidate Virginia Greene's media handlers. And Mr. Stowe was a member of the premier's constituency-level campaign committee in 2001.

In an interview, public affairs bureau executive director Andy Orr defended the awarding of the tour contract to PACE without competition by pointing out the company had gone through a screening process to establish a list of qualified communications contractors.

But, according to a confidential memo dated March 1, 2002 and sent from bureau advertising and events manager Moira McDermott to communications directors and senior communications counselors, even if a company went through the screening process "for contracts of more than $25,000 a formal tendering process must be used (three written quotes) and for contracts over $100,000 a formal RFP process must be used." But an RFP process, which invites firms to compete for a contract, was not used confirmed Messrs. Orr and Stowe.

When asked why, Mr. Orr explained the instructions in the memo were meant as guidelines or best practices - not hard-and-fast rules. And, because of the superb work PACE had done promoting the Vancouver Olympic bid "an operational decision was taken to have the firm run future government tours...So, because (the contract) was open-ended that policy recommendation (regarding RFPs) wasn't followed."

Mr. Orr also added PACE is an established communications firm with a good reputation that did business with the previous New Democrat government to the tune of $2.3 million between fiscal 1997/98 and 2000/2001. PACE also has past experience doing cross-province tours.

Also awarded a personal contract from government was firm vice-president Ms. Springer. That award, signed July 31 2003, was to "provide communications consulting services as directed by the Communications Director assigned to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Sustainable Resource Management." At that time, Minister Hagen was responsible for sustainable resource management.

The initial value of the contract was under $25,000. And that meant that it could be awarded without going through a competitive process. But, according to a note to file, on October 1 the contract was extended and amended to increase the maximum value by $39,000 to $62,500 - although the final payout came in at $47,300.

"She was working on work that wasn't completed. And she had to do more strategic work at the request of (Minister Hagen). So that contract was extended" - an allowed government procedure said Mr. Orr.

The note to file also states that Ms. Springer received the direct award because "the services required are of a confidential and privileged nature." Mr. Orr said he could not discuss what exactly those services were.

This isn't the first time question-raising contracts have been awarded to PACE. Last week, Public Eye reported Community Living British Columbia, a provincial agency reporting to Minister Hagen, had awarded communications contracts to PACE. The firm is currently fulfilling one of those contracts using the services of Val Richmond, a former Liberal ministerial assistant and daughter of cabinet minister Claude Richmond. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours. The following is a copy of selected documents obtained under the province's freedom of information legislation, as well as the memo.

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FOI Request FIN-05407

PACE Fiscal Year 2002/03

Fees for Services $28,600.00
Expenses $ -
Total $28,600.00

PACE Fiscal Year 2003/04

Fees for Services $266,825.00
Expenses $37,371.09
Total $304,196.09

PACE Fiscal Year 2004/05

Fees for Services $48,000.00
Expenses $586.46
Total $48,586.47

PACE Total

Fees for Services $343,425.00
Expenses $37,957.56
Total $381,382.56

Kathi Springer Fiscal Year 2003/04

Fees for Services $47,300.00
Expenses $ -
Total $47,300.00

***

Province of British Columbia

Service Contract COPY

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA,
represented by
Office of the Premier

(the "Province","we","us",or "our" as applicable) at the following address:
Public Affairs Bureau
PO Box 9409 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, British Columbia

AND

Pace Group, The

(the "Contractor","you",or"your"as applicable) at the following address:
200-110 Cambie Street
Vancouver, British Columbia

Postal Code: V8W 9V1
Fax Number: 250 387-0718
Post Code: V6B 2M8
Fax Number: 604-689-1808

THE PROVINCE AND THE CONTRACTOR AGREE TO THE TERMS ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS DOCUMENT AND IN THE SCHEDULES OUTLINED BELOW.

SCHEDULE A - SERVICES

Services:

As directed by the Contract Manager, or their designated alternate, the Contractor will provide project management services for community information tours.

Services will include, but not limited to:
- Tour planning
- On-the-road event coordination and management
- Administration and tour logistics

In all cases, materials produced or purchased will become the property of the Province of British Columbia.

Term: From and including 13 February, 2003

To and including: 31 March, 2004

SCHEDULE B - FEES AND EXPENSES

Fees: Refer to the attached Schedule B - Fees & Expenses.

Expenses: To be negotiated. Travel Expenses to be reimbursed in accordance with the attached "Appendix 1 - Group 2 Rates Expenses for Contractors."

Billing Date(s): To be negotiated.

Maximum Amount: Not Applicable

SCHEDULE C - APPROVED SUBCONTRACTORS(S)

Refer to attached Schedule C - Approved Sub-Contractors.

SCHEDULE D - INSURANCE

Not Applicable

SCHEDULE E - ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Refer to attached Schedule E - Additional Terms.

The parties hereto have duly executed this agreement as of the 13 day of Febuary, 2003

SIGNED AND DELIVERED on behalf of the Province by an authroized representative of the Province

Denise Champion (signature)
Authorized Representative

SIGNED AND DELIVERED by or on behalf of the Contractor
(or by an authorized signatory of the Contractor if a corporation)

(signature)
Contractor or Authorized Signatory

Read Terms on Reverse Side

***

SCHEDULE B - Fees & Expenses

The PACE GROUP
Contract #C03PRE767

Prior to commencing work, the Contractor, will submit an estimate f all costs to be incurred by the Contractor in order to complete the project. The estimate will include a detailed breakdown of planning assumptions (number of hours estimated, billing rates, etc.) and should identify sub-contractors where applicable. Billing dates will be negotiated on a project-by-project basis and will be based on actual fees and expenses.

PACE GROUP Fees - based on an 8/hour day:

$ (deleted) per day - Norman Stowe
$ (deleted) per day - Ooan McKinstry
$ (deleted) per day - Kathi Pringer
$ (deleted) per day - Alix Kerr
$ (deleted) per day - Greg Descantes
$ (deleted) per day - Greg Johnsoon
$ (deleted) per day - Chris Stannell
$ (deleted) per day - Sheenah Rogers
$ (deleted) per day - Tara Knight

Expenses to be negotiated on a project-by-project basis and may include:

* Travel costs - in accordance in the attached Appendix 1 - Group 2 Rates Expenses for Contractors;
* Sub-Contractors;
* Other expenses, as pre-approved

Upon approval a "Work Order" will be issued roviding the Contractor with approval to proceed.

Costs not identified in the cost estimate, as well as cost overruns greater than 10%, must be approved by the Manager, Advertising, Marketing and Human Resources prior to the Contractor incurring additional costs. Upon approval of the additional costs a "Change Order" will be issued providing the Contractor with approval to proceed.

Contractor's Intitials

(Intials)

The PACE Group - C03PRE767

Note to File (February 13, 2003)

This contractor has been retained to provide project management services for community information tours. The supplier is on the list of pre-qualified full service communications agencies and was previously retained by LegaciesNow to provide project management services in support of the 2010 LegaciesNow - It's Our Time to Shine community tour. They have extensive knowledge of amenities available in communities throughout the province.

The term of the contract will commence on February 13, 2003 up to and including March 31, 2004. This is a zero dollar value contractor, as the value of the work cannot be estimated until details of the tour are finalized. Costs may vary significantly depending on the number of communities to be visited, the length of the tour, etc. The contractor will submit estimates prior to commencing work.

Note to File (March 31, 2004)

Amend contract to allow for additional services required up to and including June 30, 2004. Extend term of the contract to June 30, 2004 to coincide with the conclusion of the Achieve BC community information tour.

Theresa Lumsdon
Manager, Advertising, Marketing And Human Resources

***

Public Affairs Bureau
Change Order Request

Supplier: The Pace Group
Campaign/Element: Achieve BC/Community Information Tour

Description of Services: On the road coordination, event management and media relations, including planning schedule, booking and confirming malls and schools, coordinating opening events and booking school tours. Ongoing liaison with Team Leader. Distribution and follow-up of media releases. For one month - March, 2004.

Norman Stowe - Account manager (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Oona McKinstry - Accounts Supervisor (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Greg Johnson - Project Coordinator (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Trevor Pancoust - Coordinator/media relations (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Megan Tumbull - Coordinator (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Plus miscellaneous disbursements - approx. $600.00
Plus applicable taxes

Total (Estimated Cost) $16,000.00

To be completed by Public Affairs Bureau

Project #: N0309
Original Work Order #: N0309-00

Denise Champion (signature)
Spending Authority Approval

D.J. Champion
Print Name

Date: Mar 3, 2004

***

Public Affairs Bureau
Change Order Request

Supplier: The Pace Group
Campaign/Element: Achieve BC/Community Information Tour

Description of Services: On the road coordination, event management and media relations, including planning schedule, booking and confirming malls and schools, coordinating opening events and booking school tours. Ongoing liaison with Team Leader. Distribution and follow-up of media releases. For three months (April, May & June 2004)

Norman Stowe - Account manager (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Oona McKinstry - Accounts Supervisor (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Greg Johnson - Project Coordinator (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Trevor Pancoust - Coordinator/media relations (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Megan Tumbull - Coordinator (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
George Lenko - Coordinator (Number of Units, Cost per Unit, Estimated Cost deleted)
Plus miscellaneous disbursements - approx. $2,000
Plus applicable taxes

Total (Estimated Cost) $48,000.00

To be completed by Public Affairs Bureau

Project #: N0309
Original Work Order #: N0309-00

Denise Champion (signature)
Spending Authority Approval

D.J. Champion
Print Name

Date: Mar 10, 2004

***

Public Affairs Bureau
Change Order Request

Supplier: The Pace Group
Campaign/Element: Forestry Revitalization/Community Information Tour

Description of Services: On-the-road tour coordination and event management for November 2003 until end of March 2004 to include: planning and confirming schedule, developing invitation lists and coordinating opening events, and confirming and booking malls and schools tours. On going liaison with team leader and cordinate advertising

Total (Estimated Additional Cost) $57,000.00

To be completed by Public Affairs Bureau

Original Work Order #: N0302-001

Denise Champion (signature)
Spending Authority Approval

D.J. Champion
Print Name

Date: Nov 1, 2004

***

Public Affairs Bureau
Work Order Request

Supplier: PACE Group
Campagain/Element: Forestry Revitalization/Community Information Tour

Description of Services: Design and production of radio and print ads

Per cost estimate dated April 16, 2003

Approved sub-contractor: MBA

Total (Estimated Additional Cost) $24,000.00

To be completed by Public Affairs Bureau

Change Order #: N0302-002

Theresa Lumsdon (signature)
Spending Authority Approval

T. Lumsdon
Print Name

Date: April 25, 2003

***

Public Affairs Bureau
Work Order Request

Supplier: PACE Group
Campaign/Element: Forestry Revitalization/Community Information Tour

Description of Services: On-the-road tour coordination and event management

Per cost estimate dated April 16, 2003

Total (Estimated Additional Cost) $74,000.00

To be completed by Public Affairs Bureau

Change Order #: N0302-001

Denise Champion (signature)
Spending Authority Approval

D.J. Champion
Print Name

Date: April 23, 2003

***

Province of British Columbia

Service Contract

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA,
represented by
Office of the Premier
(the "Province","we","us", or "our" as applicable) at the following address:
Public Affairs Bureau
PO Box 9409 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, British Columbia

Postal Code: V8W 91
Fax Number: 250 387-3534

AND

Springer, Kathi
(the "Contractor","you", or "your" as applicable) at the following address:
518 Hampshire Road
Victoria, British Columbia

Postal Code: V8S 4R8
Fax Number: 250-953-6679

THE PROVINCE AND THE CONTRACTOR AGREE TO THE TERMS ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS DOCUMENT AND IN THE SCHEDULES OUTLINED BELOW:

SCHEDULE A - SERVICES

Services: As directed by the Contract Manager or their designated alternate, the Contractor will provide communications consulting services, as required.

Term: From and including 31 July, 2003

To and including: 31 December, 2003

SCHEDULE B - FEES AND EXPENSES

Fees: Not to exceed, $22,500.00 at a rate of (deleted) for performing the services during the term of this agreement

for

Expenses: Not to exceed $1,000.00 for all pre-approved expenses. Travel Expenses to be reimbursed in accordance with the attached "Appendix 1 - Group 2 Rates Expenses for Contractors."

Billing Date(s): Monthly

Maximum Amount: $23,500.00 is the Maximum Amount of Fees and Expenses which we must pay to you under sections 1 and 2 of this Schedule.

SCHEDULE C - APPROVED SUBCONTRACTORS(S)

The Province reserves the right to approve the sub-contractor when sub-contracting applies.

SCHEDULE D - INSURANCE

Not Applicable

SCHEDULE E - ADDITIONAL TERMS

The Contractor confirms they are eligible for early payment as defined in the Ministry of Management Services Invoices Payment Policy for Contractors.

The parties hereto have duly executed this agreement as of the 31 day of July, 2003

SIGNED AND DELIVERED on behalf of the Province by an authorized representaitve of the Province

Andy Orr (signature)
Authroized Representative

SIGNED AND DELIVERED by or on behalf of the Contractor (or by an authorized signatory of the Contractor if a corporation)

Kathy Springer (signature)
Contractor or Authorized Signatory

Read Terms on Reverse Side

***

Springer, Kathi - C0PRE422

Note to File (March 12, 2004)

This contractor has been retained to provide communications consulting services as directed by the Communications Director assigned to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Sustainable Resource Management. The contract was direct awarded in accordance with the exception criteria included in the Core Policy Manual section 6.3.3. The services required are of a confidential and privileged nature; the contractor chosen has the expertise required and is available to perform the Services.

The term of the contract will commence on July 31, 2003 up to and including December 31, 2003. The maximum contract amount is $23,500 (fees: $22,500, expenses: $1,000).

Note to File (October 1, 2003)

Amend the contract to allow for additional services to March 31, 2004. Increase maximum contract amount by $39,000 to $62,500 and transfer $500 from expenses to fees (fees: $62,000; expenses: $500).

Note to File (March 31, 2004)

No additional services required at this time.

Theresa Lumsdon
Manager, Advertising, Marketing and Human Resources

***

Office of the Premier
Public Affairs Bureau
4th Floor, 617 Government St.
PO BOX 9409 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9V1
General Enquiries: 250 387-1337

MEMORANDUM

Date: March 1, 2002
To: All Communications Directors; Senior Communications Counsellors
Cc: Claudia Wilimovsky, Irene Chanin, Andy Orr, Dave Cunningham
From: Moira McDermott

CONFIDENTIAL

Re: Pre-Qualified Suppliers List: Full-Service Communications Agencies

As you know, the Public Affairs Bureau conducted an RFQ for full-service communications agencies. This memo provides a synopsis of what we were seeking in the proposals, the evaluation criteria and methodology, and a reference chart for each successful proponent for your use.

In an effort to cut red tape and save time, these are the agencies that should be considered first for any major communications campaigns. These pre-qualified organizations can be used for contracts under $100,00. As you know, for contracts of more than $25,000 a formal tendering process must be used (three written quotes) and for contracts over $100,000 a formal RFP process must be used.

Please note that this does not mean that other firms cannot be considered. However, one should be prepared to explain why none of the pre-qualified firms were deemed appropriate suppliers.

Basic Requirements

The basic requirements outlined in the RFQ were to:

a) provide all manners of communication and marketing. This would include, but not be limited to:

* public relations
* media relations
* media training
* issues management
* event management
* stakeholder communications
* corporate communications
* community relations
* strategic communications planning

b) have the capacity to plan and implement a communications or a marketing plan in its entirety, including the possibility of managing advertising components

c) provide a single point of contact and a consolidated format and procedures for reporting the status of projects and for billing

d) provide weekly status reports advising the contract manager of progress, obstacles and any foreseen problems in meeting timelines and deliverables.

Evaluation

All responses to the RFQ were first screened by the Purchasing Commission to ensure all mandatories were met e.g. if the proposals were signed, and if they were received on time. The second stage involved evaluation to assess the proposal's strenghts in several categories of communications/marketing services, namely public relations; media relations; media training; issue management; event management; stakeholder communications; corporate communications; community relations; and strategic planning. Senior staff at the Public Affairs Bureau and a representative of the Purchasing Commission did the evaluation.

In considering the expertise of the proponents, the review committee took into account the following: formal training, professional accreditation, the years of substantially full-time experience (200+ hrs/yr.), and the revelance of areas of speciality to the work of the Province.

Proposals needed a combined average score of 70% to proceed to the next stage of evaluation. In stage three, the Purchasing Commission applied a pricing formula to the average hourly rate provided by each proponent who had passed stage two. This screened out any proposals that had marginally passed stage two, and had very high fees. Please note: the lowest average hourly rate provided by the proposals submitted was used as the denominator for this calculation.

Reference Chart

The RFQ provided a common format for submission of qualifications by each individual included in proposals, including communications and industry specialties, and years of experience. A summary of this information is attached. You can use this data to:

a) determine a secific area of communications in which a firm has a strenght, and/or
b) determine a specific area of industry knowledge in which a firm has strength.

A confidential copy of each successful proponent's proposal is on file at the Public Affairs Bureau. If you have any questions about using one of these firms, or if you wish to set up an appointment to read any of the successful proposals, please call either Claudia Wilimovsky at 356-5226 or Moira McDermott at 356-2087.

Thank you.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

If a pre-qualified bidders list is used:

- The ministry shall invite all contractors on the list to bid for each contract over $100k (GMOP 6.3.3, policy #3)
- Rotational bidders list are not permitted for contracts over $100,000 (GMOP 6.3.3, policy #3)
- Ministries shall advertise annually and nationally for contractors to qualify, however any unregistered supplier meeting the conditions for qualification shall be eligible to rgister at any time (GMOP 6.3.3, policy #5).

Selecting a Short List from a Bidders List

For contracts less than $100k, a ministry may select a short list from a bidders list if:

- The ministry has a properly constituted, up to date and applicable bidders list;
- The cost of preparing a bid or proposal, and administering the competitive process, are significant in relation to the value of the services to be performed: and
- Only a few contractors are likely to be qualified and competitive. (GMOP #6.3.5.1)

The short list shall contain at least three potential proponents/bidders, if available. If a valid bid or proposal is submitted and the potential contractor was not included in the short list, the ministry shall consider the bid or proposal.

Ministries should rotationally solicit bids or proposals from potential contractors on bidders lists to provide all contractors on the list with an opportunity to compete over time.

Provided it is made known to all potential contractors on the bidders list, ministries may take special circumstances or requirements into account when selecting candidates for a short list, for example:

- Special expertise that the firm may have in this type of assignment.
- Highly confidential nature of the assignment.
- Current workload of the firm, especially if the assignment is to address a bona fide emergency.

Yesterday, New Democrat caped crusader Rick Barnes suggested Public Eye spend less time looking at docu-porn and more time investigating The New Relationship - a proposed government-to-government agreement between the province's First Nations and British Columbia. Well, ask and you shall receive. According to a memo sent to First Nations leaders, the particulars of that agreement will be negotiated by a management committee and several working groups.

The exact number and nature of those groups is being secret. But according Public Eye tipsters, there are four committees each responsible for seperate components of the agreement: aquaculture, forest and range agreements, legislation and policy (formerly known as governance) and resource revenue sharing. No word yet on who's sitting on all those committees. And government has not yet responded to a request placed earlier this morning asking for confirmation of the above information.

It looks like Vancouver city councillor Tim Stevenson doesn't want to be an MLA after all. According to the rumour mill, Mr. Stevenson will soon be pulling out of the lawsuit he launched last month requesting a new election be held in Vancouver-Burrard because 71 ballots weren't counted in the final vote. That means our favourite backbencher Lorne Mayencourt will be serving another four years in the legislature - news that should bring smiles in the aisles among both New Democrats and Liberals.

Earlier, Public Eye reported cabinet ministers and their deputies would be making a strategic retreat to Lords Jim's Resort and Conference Centre to discuss the future direction of government and other nosestretching subjects. So what was the upshot of that meeting? Well, according to the rumour mill, private healthcare loomed large on the agenda. And there were significant differences among ministers about what exactly constitutes private healthcare. But, to the best of our knowledge, no agreement on that topic was reached. Also noticed at the retreat: Premier Gordon Campbell seemed somewhat disengaged during the entire process - perhaps suffering from post-election exhaustion.

Area 51: that's the name some wags gave to the basement office previously occupied by government caucus research - at least partially because the windows looking into that space had been blocked out with white paint. But, now that the provincial New Democrats have moved into that office, there's going to be a few changes. In an interview with Public Eye, Opposition caucus research director Don "Mr. Anderson" Anderson said he's getting the paint removed and putting in blinds. Says Mr. Anderson, "It looks like a prison in a bad, old movie. We don't do anything that secretive in here that you shouldn't be able to look through the friggin' window. Government isn't open and transparent but the friggin' Opposition is."

Admirable sentiments. And knowing Mr. Anderson, Public Eye is sure they are sincere (we're not even being sarcastic this time). But, to be fair, your humble organ also remembers an incident a few weeks back when regimental research officer Maura Parte, acting on her own initiative, shooed us out of that exact same office - even though it was completely empty! One can only suppose Ms. Parte, the wife of Victoria-Hillside MLA Rob Fleming, simply wanted to be alone. On a more serious note, Mr. Anderson said the New Democrat's will have hired the staffers who will be filling that space by August 5.

Last Wednesday, brother muckraker Russ Francis reported in Monday Magazine that now former deputy minister and merit commissioner Diane Rabbani "has some interesting connections. Her partner is Gary Cowan, until recently a director of B.C. Buildings Corporation. Cowan has had a colourful career himself, including an 18-year stint with none other than Marathon Realty, the developer for whom premier Gordon Campbell once toiled. Cowan ended up as Marathon's executive vice president." But equally interesting is the fact Mr. Cowan was a contractor for the provincial government while his lady love was heading up the public service agency. According to public accounts, the provincial government has transferred $212,687 to his company Westwynd Retail Consultants Inc. since fiscal 2003/04.

Payments to Westwynd

Fiscal 2004/05 - $118,992
Fiscal 2003/04 - $93,695
Fiscal 2002 - $0
Fiscal 2001/02 - $0

Speaking of Olga Ilich, rumours abound her election day chair Lisa Kadian may soon be working for the minister. Astute readers may remember Ms. Kadian as the British Columbia chief of staff for former federal cabinet minister Herb Dhaliwal. But, for the past year or thereabouts, she's been the administrative comptroller for the Richberry Group of Companies - whose chief executive officer is none other than the high and mighty Peter Dhillon. Mr. Dhillon chaired the Ilich campaign and is one of the new minister's closest allies.

So what does Ms. Kadian have to say about her rumoured depature from Richberry for patronage pastures? "I haven't heard anything like that. I'm working happily right now. And I don't think it would be something that I would jump at right away. I may discuss it and see what's there for me." She then added, without prompting, that the Ilich campaign "did very well in the election. I did my job there because I was able to take a break from work during the day and I came here and did my work during the evenings. I still had to do my job."

Last week, while profiling Terminal City councillor Jim Green, The Vancouver Sun reported "while getting a degree in social work" the future mayoral candidate "helped register black voters during the civil rights movement and organize farmworkers in Colorado." Inspiring stuff. But there's just one little problem. Mr. Green never purused a degree in social work - this according to a biographical email the councillor sent to one of his constituents. So what's the truth? In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Green explained the reporter made a mistake and phoned later to apologize - although a correction was not printed. The following is a copy of that email.

-----Original Message-----
From: Green, Jim
Sent: