October 2005 Archives

Earlier, your humble organ reported the author of Victoria Civic Electors mayoral candidate Ben Isitt's Wikipedia entry appears to have been none other than his personal secretary Morgan Stewart. But one of our astute readers wondered whether he also had a hand in writing the article about Mr. Isitt's competitor Alan Lowe. And it turns out he may have. Back in October 2004, a user sharing the same name as Mr. Stewart's email address added that Mr. Isitt managed "to surprise many observers by gaining more votes than any second place mayoralty candidate in the City of Victoria's history and more than several winning mayors" and further noted "his second term in office has been haunted by lingering doubts about a new arena." All of that is true, of course. But one wonders how Mr. Lowe feels about his opponent's long-time ally editing his biography?

It is oft said that history is written by the victors. But it turns out the defeated can also make a contribution via Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia whose articles are written and authored by ordinary Internet users. Consider this example: an entry detailing the epic story of re-running Victoria Civic Electors mayoral candidate Ben Isitt. Weighing in at 510-words, including sections on Mr. Isitt's early life and later life, the article describes him as a "Canadian socialist politician" whose left-wing views became "radicalized" following a backpacking trip through the United States. Surely another Che Guevara in the making! And who might be the author of this screed? Well, according to Wikipedia, the entry was written and has been repeatedly edited by a user named Veenoghu. Coincidentally (and somewhat entertainingly), veenoghu@uvic.ca is listed as being the email address for Morgan Stewart, who was recently described by brother muckraker Russ Francis as "a long-time ally, adviser and general confidante" to the candidate (Mr. Stewart just calls himself Mr. Isitt's personal secretary).

By now, most of our loyal readers are acquainted with Colin Metcalfe, Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan's campaign manager. Lesser known though is Mr. Metcalfe's Madison Avenue magician Steve Simpson, the chairman and chief strategist for Vancouver-based Identity Mangement Inc. In an interview with your humble organ, Mr. Simpson, once a Social Credit communications director and now the association's top ad man, said, "Colin and I have sort of hunted as a pack for years because we're both federal Conservatives." In fact, Mr. Simpson's portfolio includes work for every political operation Mr. Metcalfe has recently run from Mr. Sullivan's mayoral nomination bid to provincial Liberal candidate Joan McIntyre's election campaign, as well as the Knowwards Coalition. He also did advertising for the federal Conservatives in British Columbia during the last election.

Earlier, Public Eye reported the British Columbia New Democrat's provincial council will be discussing a proposal that could reduce the number of labour movement delegates at convention. So is that compromise a big win for party leader Carole James? That seems to be the spin twisting around the corridors of the legislature. But that heroic tale has gotten some members of the labour movement a bit hot and heavy. Said one well-placed union insider: "That's not what happened. (British Columbia Federation of Labour leader Jim) Sinclair brokered the deal. Carole couldn't get (the majority report) past convention. So we said, 'First of all, we won't back down. If you think we're going to go to convention and then curl up like a possum it's not going happen. So you sit down and make a deal.' They refused. And it looked like the ship was sailing. And Sinclair pulled it out of the fire. That's what happened. The affiliates have agreed to this. There's no opposition at this point. The affiliates are going to pass (the compromise proposal)."

The provincial New Democrat's oh-so-painful attempt to birth a harassment policy continues. Loyal Public Eye readers may recall, at their last meeting, provincial council delegates voted to refer that policy to the Dippers' constituonal and party affairs committee for further development (where many hoped it would stay). But now it seems the committee has thwarted those hopes, drafting what some would consider a wet dream for the party's political correctness crowd.

Looks like Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green could soon be suffering from a self-inflicted wound. Earlier this week, during a scrum, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reporter Stephen Quinn questioned Mr. Green about Non-Partisan Association council candidate Ronald Leung's alleged opposition to gay marriage. In response to those questions, Mr. Green was clipped on the broadcaster's Radio One Tuesday newscast as saying "What if somebody were making comments, for instance, that Hitler didn't go far enough in dealing with the Jewish question? Would we not be concerned about that person's ability to lead a multi cultural city like this? I certainly would." That comment has raised some eyebrows - as well as having been the cause of much gleeful hand-rubbing among association members. So we called Mr. Green to see if he wished to clarify that statement.

Who's that we saw heading into the legislature, looking shaved-head stylish in a fashionable black sports jacket and oversized-collar shirt? Could it be Daniel Igali, the famous wrestler and former provincial Liberal candidate for Surrey-Newton? Why yes, it turns out it was. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Igali confirmed he was roaming the Rockpile's corridors yesterday. Said the Olympian, "I was going to see a couple of my friends - the people who worked on my campaign stuff." But no talk of any government appointments, we inquired? "No, no, no," responded Mr. Igali.

Of course, the aforementioned compromise (or the unions will whip your ass) proposal wasn't the only document circulated to the provincial New Democrat's executive council on Wednesday night. Also included in that package was a memo from party president Jeff Fox detailing a constituional amendment that will introduce a one member, one vote system for selecting party leaders. The following is a complete copy of that memo.

Earlier, Public Eye reported rumours the British Columbia New Democrat's provincial council would, this weekend, "discuss a last-minute compromise proposal" concerning the party's relationship with the labour movement. And now, your humble organ has obtained a copy of that proposal. According to the document, unions will still be permitted to affiliate with the New Democrats. But the number of delegates they send to convention will be calculated according to the total number of individual party members belonging to that union - not the union's total membership, as is presently the case. That will likely reduce the number of labour movement delegates at convention - although not as dramatically as the affiliation committee's majority report had initially recommended. Suprisingly, the proposal also increases the number of labour representatives on provincial council for four to six - a recommendation also contained in the majority report. The following is a copy of that proposal.

Mayor Doug McCallum's embattled Surrey Electors Team has hired two high-profile Toronto-based political consultants to help them win the upcoming civic election. In an interview with Public Eye, Stew Braddick confirmed that flew into town on Thursday, joining the campaign as a senior advisor. Mr. Braddick, a principal with research/strategy firm Navigator Inc., served as the provincial Liberal's caucus secretary back in 1997 and was the party's operation director during the 1996 election. Mr. Braddick, who is working under a personal contract with the team, said he had been approached to help out civic party by its candidates and uber-provincial Liberal backroom boy Patrick Kinsella's wife Brenda - who is friends with one of those running for office. Mr. Braddick also confirmed the Surrey electors have commissioned polling from the Innovative Research Group Inc. Innovative Research is the home of Greg Lyle, who was the Liberal's campaign director during the 1996 election and is rumoured to have been briefly been a member of the party's 2005 super-secret campaign committee. Mr. Lyle was previously a principal at Navigator. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

It is oft said in political circles that Young New Democrats go to convention to make policy, Young Conservatives go to convention to make contacts and Young Liberals go to convention to get laid. Certainly, based on documents leaked to Public Eye, the New Democrats (both young and old) are living up to that reputation. At next month's party convention, members could be debating at least 132 resolutions, submitted by committees, affiliates and constituency associations from across the province. In addition to perennial favourites calling on the New Democrats to reverse the government's privatization initiatives, put a moratorium on aquaculture expansion and introduce a guaranteed annual income for all British Columbians (among other delights), a number of newsworthy proposals could also be making their way to the convention floor.

The in-boxes of those who work in the public eye are often stuffed with emails from masked ranters - complaining about this or that policy. Those emails are often best ignored and deleted. But it looks like outgoing Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell decided last week to take the bait. In an email sent to the mayor, a ranter identified as phoebe poofay wrote "Every street I turn down, there is a picketer. Maybe if people were paid better, then they can get back to work. I swear that nobody works in Canada." To which Mr. Campbell eventually replied "Thank you for your kind comments. They are so deep and original. I suspect it must have taken a long time for you to string all os (sic) those words together. Again, all of my thanks Pheebe (sic)." The following is a complete copy of their mildly amusing exchange.

The backroom brawl over the labour movement's relationship with the British Columbia New Democrats continues: earlier, we reported an internal committee had recommended reducing the number of voting delegates unions can send to party conventions - where NDP leaders are selected and policy made. That recommendation has been met with a strong dose of push back from British Columbia Federation of Labour, Canadian Union of Public Employees and United Steelworkers of America representatives. And now, Public Eye has learned North Island New Democrats are recommending a convention vote on the matter be delayed until 2007. That motion will be coming up for debate this weekend at the party's provincial council meeting. Rumours abound the council may also discuss a last-minute compromise proposal recommending the New Democrats vote on adopting the so-called federal model of union affiliation. If approved, that proposal would likely be considered a major victory for labour movement members opposing de-affiliation.

Independent mayoral candidate James Green was the target of at least five small claims suits prior to 2000. This, according to a court record search conducted by your humble organ. During background interviews, the aggrieved parties we were able to contact say Mr. Green paid up on those claims. When asked for an explanation, Mr. Green initially said those suits were filed 15 years ago "and I can't say I remember anything like that...pratically anybody I know who does business in (the entertainment) industry has someone who's sued them. It's a very sueable industry" because of its volatility and the amount of money involved. In an interview yesterday, Mr. Green - who said he was experiencing serious health problems at the time of those suits - also claimed he was being targetted by a smear campaign. And he said those suits had nothing to do with him but rather the previous owner of a company he had purchased for $1 sometime in the mid-90s.

Last week, your humble organ reported former provincial attorney general Geoff Plant had been retained - through his law firm Heenan Blaikie LLP - to assist the provincial government on a number of aboriginal treaty negotiations issues. Under the Members' Conflict of Interest Act, former executive council members are usually restricted from being offered such contracts within two years of leaving office. But government used a loophole built into that legislation to allow the hiring. Asked for his opinion on the matter last night, Public Eye Radio guest Leonard Krog, said "There is a sense out there that Geoff Plant is a very intelligent, able, competent guy - not the kind of person you'd want to go after. That this is a fellow who's sort of above public reproach." But the New Democrat MLA added "I think that hiring Mr. Plant in a position like this so soon after the election - claiming that it gets past the legislation that restricts cabinet ministers from doing this in the two years of leaving office - I think it leaves a pretty bad taste in the public's mouth."

Former Non-Partisan Association councillor Alan Herbert is raising questions about council candidate Ronald Leung's views concerning gay marriage, Public Eye has learned. In an interview, the openly-gay Mr. Herbert said he spoke with Mr. Leung at a reception last Wednesday for mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan. And during that reception, he says Mr. Leung told him he is opposed to gay marriage and would never attend a pride parade.

Last night, Colwood mayoral candidate Bambi Fernando told us she wants to change the suburb from being a bypass to being a real community. Speaking on Public Eye Radio Ms. Fernando - who is putting $20,000 of personal savings into her campaign - said "We need to make Colwood a place that you want to stay - that you don't necessarily want to leave. A family community." And she added, "I want the Colwood residents to finally have a voice and be able to talk to their mayor. And I will make myself accessible, if I do become mayor, 24 hours a day. They don't get a secretary. They get to talk to the mayor."

Terminal City powerbrokers were out in force Thursday evening at the Jack Webster Foundation's annual awards ceremony - celebrating the best of journalism in British Columbia. Everyone who's anyone was there: from government and media relations firms to major corporations...and the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation? In an interview with Public Eye, foundation vice-president Laurie Tetarenko confirmed the group purchased a $1,250 table at the event, as it has done a number of times in the past.

Pomp and ceremony were on the plate yesterday evening at The Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina, as the city's luminaries gathered for The Jack Webster Foundation's annual awards dinner: a celebration of journalism for journalists (and those with an interest in journalism). According to a seating plan obtained by Public Eye, 23 of the 116 tables at the event appear to have been wholly-reserved/occupied by members and owners of the fourth estate. By comparison, 45 appear to have been wholly-reserved/occupied by those wanting a piece of the fourth estate - from government and media relations firms to major companies. Among the more interesting table-warmers were Accenture Ltd., the British Columbia Federation of Labour, Great Canadian Casinos Inc., the Cambie Surgical Centre, Vancouver's Non-Partisan Association and Terasen Inc. Also on hand was the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation - as well as the BC Housing and the BC Hydro and Lottery corporations (all of which are owned by the Crown). Tickets for the celebration were $125, with a table of 10 costing $1,250. The following is an enhanced copy of that seating plan.

Terminal City's fourth estate is rife with rumours Pacific Newspaper Group president and publisher Dennis Skulsky could soon be joining the wide world of sports. According to our operatives, Mr. Skulsky is considering abdicating is feudal throne to become president and chief executive officer of Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment Corp. - owner of the Vancouver Canucks hockey club and General Motors Place. Mr. Skulsky is also presently chairman of the Grey Cup 2005 Committee and communications co-chair for 2006 World Junior Hockey Championships.

On Wednesday, The Province's David Carrigg reported "Vancouver council was forced to abandon its chambers last night after (Bus Riders Union members) stormed city hall" - angry about possible transit-fare increases. Of course, those who pay attention to Terminal City politics have seen this episode before. Back in October, union protesters halted a TransLink directors meeting where they got into a shouting match with Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell. Interestingly, according to one of our readers, those protestors included former union organizer and now Coalition of Progressive Electors parks board candidate Spencer Herbert. So what does Mr. Herbert think about this newest demonstration? The following is a transcript of our interview with the candidate.

Earlier today, Public Eye reported rumours that former attorney general Geoff Plant was now working for aboriginal relations and reconciliation. Scrummed by your humble organ and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s Jeff Davies, Minister Tom Christensen confirmed Mr. Plant had been retained - through his law firm Heenan Blaikie LLP - to assist government "with some legal and policy advice with respect to treaty negotiations and aboriginal issues specific to the New Relationship." Mr. Christensen also said the ministry was "talking to him as to whether we may be able to retain him as a senior advisor to provide some assistance" at the Haida Nation negotiating table.

In the house today, Opposition MLA Harry Lali continued to hammer the provincial government over a $360,000 contract that was directly awarded to the husband of a top bureaucrat back in 2003. Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen defend the contract, saying the direct award was made following an earlier "independent" competitive process that selected Gary Cowan, a former senior real estate developer and manager, as the best candidate to do the work. Later in the day, government acknowledged the B.C. Leadership Centre had been "involved" with that process. That likely means the centre hired the headhunting company (Pinton, Forrest and Madden/EMA Partners International) that managed that competitive process - as is the case with most government executive searches. At the time, Mr. Cowan's wife Diane Rabbani was the deputy minister in charge of the centre. A version of this article will be published in tommorow's edition of 24 hours.

Earlier, Public Eye reported former senior real estate developer and manager Gary Cowan received a $75,000 payout when his $360,000 provincial government contract was prematurely terminated. And now we have learned his wife Diane Rabbani, the government's former merit commissioner and head of the public service agency, also received a severance package when she left government earlier this year. According to the terms and conditions of her contract, which was obtained via a freedom of information request, the value of that package would have likely been 15 months of pay or $208,750 (assuming $167,000 in annual compensation). That depature coincided with an attempt by the premier's office to change Ms. Rabbani's title from deputy minister to associate deputy minister. Suspicious minds may wonder why someone who apparently left government under their own power received a severance. But it might have something to do with the fact her employment contract states "if your appointment as Deputy Minister is eliminated...the government may offer you an alternate position as a Deputy Minister."

Kit Spence and his pet hat will not be running for the Saanich-Gulf Islands federal Liberal nomination, Public Eye has learned. Mr. Spence, who has been working as political party development expert with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Afghanistan (another kind of war zone), had earlier contemplated throwing his head scarf into the ring. But the fact he isn't should ensure Jag Dhanowa won't be accidentally venting his spleen during the nomination battle. The two are known to have a river of bad blood between them, flowing from earlier election contests in the riding.

Looks like Small Business and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe will soon be searching for another ministerial assistant. Derek Rolstone is departing the Rockpile to become a senior human resources manager with Suncor Energy Inc. in Fort McMurray, Alberta - which will surely be both warmer and colder than his present post. Also of interest: Suncor bills itself as "a caring company."

Rumours abound that former attorney general Geoff Plant has been asked by the provincial government to be their new chief negotiator at the Haida Nation treaty table. When asked about those rumours this morning, Mr. Plant - now a partner with Heenan Blaikie LLP - said "You need to ask the government about things like that. Because the issue of what I'm doing for clients is sometimes a subject for privilege - their privilege. So you might want to phone the folks at MAR...and find out what they think is appropriate to say." But when Public Eye previously contacted the public affairs bureau at aboriginal affairs and reconciliation earlier this summer and asked about Mr. Plant's possible involvement with the ministry, they refused to comment - citing attorney-client privilege. Perhaps the New Democrats should ask about this matter in Question Period?

The provincial government directly awarded the husband of a top bureaucrat a contract worth up to $360,000, Public Eye has learned. Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen says the direct award was made following an earlier competitive process that select Gary Cowan, a former senior real estate developer and manager, as the best man for that job. But Opposition MLA Harry Lali is calling that a "lame explanation" for awarding a "sweetheart" deal to a Liberal government friend.

Memo to children and family development communications director Theresa Lumsdon: someone is gunning for your ministry in the online classifieds. Earlier this month, an anonymous poster took out a want ad for "Ministry of CHildren (sic) and Families Horror Stories" on Craigslist. The ad asks readers "if you have or are currently going through issues in dealing with the ministry of child proctection (sic) services, please forward your stories to ruinedmylife@hotmail.com and we can get yours (sic) story hear (sic) loud and clear" - minus a few grammatical and spelling errors, of course.

On Saturday, The Vancouver Sun's Frances Bula reported "planning for the Whitecaps soccer stadium could have started a lot sooner if Mayor Larry Campbell had not told the owners he supported a site on False Creek Flats that the city's planning department ultimately put the brakes on, say the Non-Partisan Association's two councillors. The piece goes onto quote Sam Sullivan, the association's mayoral candidate, as saying he is "embarassed at how we have dragged these investors through our processes." Fair enough, But, in a bizarre and entirely coincidental twist of fate (we're not being sarcastic here folks), astute Public Eye readers may remember Mr. Sullivan's campaign manager Colin Metcalfe was the Whitecap's media relations director until he departed the team in 2003 following implementation of a new business plan.

Many column inches have been plowed reporting on the British Columbia Federation of Labour's support for striking teachers - which includes a demonstration tomorrow at the provincial legislature. But what you may not know is that the federation may have an unreported personal, political and financial interest in backing the teachers' union. Astute Public Eye readers will remember the teachers voted in 2003 to affiliate with the federation - costing them an estimated $248,000 annually, plus a $15,000 contribution to the group's campaign and defense fund. But that affiliation agreement was only for a three-year trial period. And teachers will be voting at their upcoming March annual general meeting as to whether they want to remain federation members - which would mean paying out an addition $248,000 annually to join the Canadian Labour Congress. So, given those stakes, it's not surprising the federation is playing Starsky to Jinny Sim's Hutch.

On Saturday, The Vancouver Sun's John Mackie reported Rafe Mair's show on CKBD was silenced because "it was not generating the revenue that we needed to make it pay for itself" - this, according to station manager Gerry Siemens. But what does Mr. Mair have to say about that decision? Interviewed on Public Eye Radio, the famed broadcaster wanted to make it clear CKBD was a "wonderful, wonderful place to work" and that the "management was very, very good to me." But, in retrospect, he said "I don't think the station gave (the show) the support it needed" to be a ratings winner. The following is an partial transcript of that interview.

Last year, then Victoria-Hillside provincial Liberal backbencher Sheila Orr was caught parking in a handicapped stall at the Rockpile - not once but twice. At the time, The Times Colonist's Lindsay Kines reported Ms. Orr "said that she is eligible for a disabled sticker on her car, but has chosen not to get one." But next time she pulls into one of those stalls, it won't be a headlining event. Speaking on Public Eye Radio, Ms. Orr explained she finally "went to the disability resource centre. And spoke to the staff in there...And the doctor wrote me a note and did all the things you have to do to get a disability sticker. And now I have one!"

Federal Liberal nomination races in Saanich-Gulf Islands have always been something of a Gong Show. The most recent featured a winning candidate who entered the race less than three days before the nomination meeting - requiring a last minute change to the party's rules. But, speaking on Public Eye Radio, former provincial Liberal backbencher Sheila Orr - who is seeking the Grit nod in that riding - promised "We are going to have a regular, bonafide nomination. The gentleman I'm up against - Jag Dhanowa - is a good Liberal Party member. He is a friend." And, when asked, Ms. Orr confirmed she told the party's green light committee she would not run unless Mr. Dhanowa's nomination papers were rubber-stamped. According to our operatives, some hierarchs wanted to throw those papers out because Mr. Dhanowa had earlier fronted a press conference where he claimed the media was using the legislature raid scandal to "smear the entire Indo-Canadian community."

Last week, we reported Bruce Hallsor, the legal mind behind numerous conservative causes across the province, was preparing to launch a class action lawsuit against the British Columbia Teachers' Federation. But would that lawsuit receive funding from Canadian Taxpayers Federation, which is presently financing a similar action against the Hospital Employees Union? On Public Eye Radio, we posed that question to the taxpayers' British Columbia director Sara MacIntyre who told us "That's been an issue that we've been examining over the past few days as an organization. What we learned from the HEU case, of course, is that these suits are not inexpensive. They require a significant amount of resources. And we have to make sure we're able to do that and see it through. We're not just going to pick it up and drop it in a couple of months...I'd say probably we should have some definitive answer for you Sean by Tuesday morning or so."

Earlier, Public Eye reported federal Conservative campaigners would be converging on Langley this weekend for a regional party conference to discuss election preparedness. But what topics will be included in that discussion? Glad you asked, because Public Eye has obtained a copy of the conference agenda, which lists courses on everything from budget and financing to advertising and strategy. Celebrity instructors will include 24 hours columnist Erin Airton and her "big brother" Colin "Leather Jacket-Cool" Metcalfe, who's record as a campaign manager includes leading the Knowwards Coalition to victory and winning the Non-Partisan Association's mayoral nomination race for Sam Sullivan. The following is a copy of that agenda.

The provincial New Democrats and Liberals don't agree on much. In fact, you don't even want to be in the same room with them if the issue of privatization or labour relations comes up. But both sides of the house seem to agree tobacco sales should be banned in pharmacies. In an interview with The Vancouver Sun, New Democrat Mike Farnworth said "there's something slightly oxymoronic about having tobacco products in pharmacy. Pharmacists are there to help people, to care for people. Tobacco products kill people." And Liberal Colin Hansen backed the Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA up adding, "The reality is that tobacco is killing people and costing our health system many hundreds of millions of dollars." There's just one little problem though: the MLAs made that commitment two elections and five years ago, back when Mr. Farnworth was health minister and Mr. Hansen was his Opposition critic.

Much ado is being made about the Non-Partisan Association's annual dinner, being held tonight at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. According to our operatives, more than 900 are expected to attend the $195 per plate feast and fund event - organized by association fundraising committee chair Andrew Graham. In addition to the usual black-tie suspects, we're told the crowd will include those reflecting the "broad diversity" of Vancouver. The sold-out dinner, which usually attracts between 500 and 550, is thought to be the most successful event of its kind ever.

Earlier, Public Eye reported federal Conservative leader Stephen Harper would be dropping into Vancouver this morning for a kiss and makeup breakfast with Lower Mainland party activists. According to our operatives, between 250 and 300 candidates and campaigners showed at the glee club session. And, for their trouble, they received a color photograph of former Chretien cabinet minister David Dingwall, who recently resigned as head of the Royal Canadian Mint following revelations that he racked up more than $740,000 in expenses last year. Printed on that photo, in green lettering, was the following text.

Should someone whose children have attended a private school be running to become a Vancouver public school trustee? That's the question some critics are asking of Eleanor Gregory, a Vancouver lawyer and nominated member of the Non-Partisan Association's civic slate. In an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Gregory said she is running to make sure parents don't have to pull their children out of the public school system - a decision she made nine years ago when her high-functioning autistic son was swarmed, pushed and yelled at by his grade four classmates during a game of capture the flag.

The British Columbian Teachers' Federation could soon be facing more courtroom trouble because of its decision to stage an illegal strike. Earlier today, CKNW reported Sidney lawyer Denis Berntsen announced he was in the process of certifying a class action lawsuit claiming $25 million in damages. And now, Public Eye has learned Bruce Hallsor, who has been the legal mind behind numerous conservative causes across the province, is also preparing class action papers on behalf of British Columbians who are losing employment opportunities and paying childcare fees because of the federation's work stoppage. Mr. Hallsor is also the lawyer for a similar lawsuit being undertaken against the Hospital Employees Union for their illegal strike in 2004. That lawsuit has been partially financed by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. In an interview, Mr. Hallsor said he did not yet know whether the taxpayers would be kicking in any financing towards the lawsuit against teachers. A version of this article was will be published in tomorrow's edition of 24 hours.

Former Socred Forests Minister David Parker is spending his retirement working for the ministry he used to run. In an interview with Public Eye, the 65-year-old Terrace resident confirmed he's been skippering launches for the provincial government's forest service. In 1999, his company Aquaterre Project Services Ltd. won the contract to man the Peace Ranger, which ferries staff around the Douglas Channel and Gardner Canal. And then just this year, Aquaterre picked up another contract to run the Coast Ranger, which services the North Coast Forest District.

Provincial government cabinet ministers and backbenchers will be receiving some unexpected visitors tomorrow evening. The British Columbia Federation of Labour is organizing demonstrations across the province in support of teachers. And, according to an email distributed across the federation's mailing list, constituency offices seem to be a favourite rallying point. The following is a complete copy of that email.

Today, The Globe and Mail's Ottawa Notebook column featured Canadian sitcom Corner Gas as a hot selection on its hot and not list. The reason: "During a discussion about protection of Canadian culture with the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal this week in New York, the Prime Minister launched into a dissertation about Corner Gas. He called it the 'funniest show in Canada' and urged the board members to lead the charge to bring it to the U.S. Later, he confessed that he had ulterior motives, given that he has appeared on the show." Pity the column's writer didn't disclose the Globe might have an ulterior motive for promoting the sitcom in its pages. Corner Gas is broadcast on CTV, the television network operated by the newspaper's owner Bell Globemedia Inc.

By now, most of our readers are familiar with the Octagon - an influential association of capital city conservatives who have been having lunch every Friday for the past seven years. As we reported earlier, former federal Tory candidate Faith Collins organized a competing lunch at the Sticky Wicket Pub and Restaurant after her husband Jim was excommunicated from the group. That lunch hasn't exactly been packed with politicos. But on Wednesday evening, Mr. Collins launched an aggressive bid to...er...increase attendance.

As some of our astute readers may already know, the Non-Partisan Association is presently in the process of contracting out its voter identification work. Of course, there's nothing unusual about that. After all, Terminal City dwellers go to the polls in just over a month. But some suspicious minds find it curious the association's voter identification committee contacted four companies (Nordic Research Group, GPC Research, iTrend Research Group Inc. and Total Impact Communications Inc.) about bidding on that contract yesterday - and then expected them to respond with quotes by 5:00 today. That's not a whole lot of time - suggesting the association might already have a preferred contractor in mind. And who would that be, you ask?

A post-secondary institution, which receives hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding from the provincial attorney general's ministry each year, is giving a public safety award to officeholder Wally Oppal. When asked whether the Justice Institute of British Columbia was simply trying to curry favour and future funds, the school's marketing and communications manager Valder Belgrave said that wasn't the case - although he conceded there was "discussion about the optics."

At 10:00 tonight the British Columbia Teachers' Federation will announce their response to the labour contract imposed on members by the provincial government. The federation has been polling those members to determine what that response should be. And, as has been reported far and wide, the expectation among scribes and yakkers is that teachers have been asked to approve a one-day walkout. But, according to the rumour mill, federation members are actually voting on a strike action with no defined back-to-work date. Members would then be required to take a second vote to return to their jobs.

It seems federal Conservative leader Stephen Harper can do no right these days. The latest evidence: some Tories in British Columbia are hissing and pissing about Mr. Harper's decision not to attend an upcoming regional party conference at the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre in Langley, where around 300 grassroots activists are gathering to discuss election readiness issues. Instead, the leader will be spending the weekend of October 15 hobnobbing with provincial Conservatives in Newfoundland at that party's annual convention. Mr. Harper has tried to salve those hurt feelings by hosting an invite-only breakfast for Lower Mainland Conservative candidates and their campaign teams on October 12 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel. But the words too little, too late seems to be tickling some Tory tongues.

Earlier, we reported the United Steelworkers of America have been opposing an initiative to change the relationship between the provincial New Democrats and the labour movement. Of course, some operatives find it more that opposition more than a little curious. The reason: at the November 2004 New Democrat leadership convention, the Steelworkers endorsed Oak Bay councillor Nils Jensen - the one candidate who was most unequivocable in his support for change. In fact, in an interview prior to that convention, Mr. Jensen told Public Eye a new relationship with labour was necessary "because part of the perception people have of the NDP is its close connection with labour. And some often feel they can't support us because of the perception that the party is beholden to labour. And I think Vaughn Palmer said it interestingly a number of years ago when he quipped that (then British Columbia Federation of Labour president) Ken Georgetti was the nineteenth cabinet minister. Now that we're in the 2000s, I think that kind of perception has to be dealt with." Mr. Jensen was also endorsed by the Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers, its secretary-treasurer David Tones and its second vice-president Wilf McIntyre. That union is now part of the Steelworkers.

Two defeated provincial cabinet ministers may end up running for the federal Liberals in the next election, Public Eye has learned. In an interview, former minister of state for mental health and addiction Brenda Locke confirmed she's looking at entering the nomination race in Fleetwood-Port Kells. That riding is presently held by Conservative MP Nina Grewal. Rumours also abound former management services minister Joyce Murray is filing papers to run in Conservative MP Paul Forseth's New Westminister-Coquitlam riding. Ms. Murray has not yet returned a phone call from Public Eye. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

Independent city council candidate Jamie Lee Hamilton and provincial Conservative president Ryan Warawa are being sued by Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green and council candidate Heather Deal. In a statement of claim filed yesterday morning with the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Mr. Green and Ms. Deal allege statements published on the sex trade activist's Website "are false and defamatory." And they further allege Mr. Warawa attempted to "increase the number of people accessing" Ms. Hamilton's "libelous words" by linking several Internet domain names to that site. In an email sent to friends and supporters, Ms. Hamilton writes she plans to "vigorously" defend against herself against those allegations. Speaking with Public Eye, Ms. Hamilton also denied she libeled Mr. Green and Ms. Deal.

The grass is never greener in the world of government communications jobs. But sometimes the paycheque is. With that mind, we report Michelle Stewart, the communications director at health services and planning, is bailing to become the Vancouver Island Health Authority's chief communications officer - a post where, as an added bonus, she'll be doing media relations for just one health region rather than all six. She's replacing (effective October 20) Lianne Peterson, who left during the summer to become the administrative manager for the University of Victoria's medical sciences division. Meanwhile, the indispensable Max Cleeveley, communications director at environment, did the switchero with his counterpart at forests, Don McDonald, last week.

Today, The Vancouver Sun reported "a bid for a class action lawsuit by patients whose health care was interrupted and delayed by an illegal Hospital Employees Union strike moved forward Monday. The Supreme Court of B.C. rejected an application from the HEU to quash an earlier decision of the Labour Relations Board that declared last year's strike by more than 40,000 health support workers illegal. That means the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, which is organizing and funding the lawsuit on behalf of affected patients, can proceed with efforts to have the lawsuit certified as a class action." Public Eye broke that story on Friday - the day the decision was, in fact, handed down.

Public Eye is heading to talk radio. On Saturdays and Sundays, between 6:00 and 9:00, your humble organ will be hosting an evening chat show on CFAX 1070, Victoria's news authority. Politics - both federal, provincial and municipal - will be the main course on the menu. But we'll also be turning our muckracking attentions toward other big institutions, looking out for the little guy. So be sure to turn in and continue sending us your leaks and story ideas. This site will remain online and operate as it always has, bringing you stories from the backrooms of British Columbia politics. Our first show will be this coming Sunday.

The United Steelworkers of America is campaigning to stop provincial New Democrat leaders from dramatically changing the party's relationship with the labour movement, Public Eye has exclusively learned. In a letter sent to British Columbia MLAs, MPs and party officials on September 23, Steelworkers district three director Steve Hunt writes "we believe that such a change would in fact do great harm to both the New Democratic Party and the labour movement, not only in BC but across Canada."

Earlier, your humble organ reported the British Columbia New Democrat's women's rights committee was pushing for the adoption of a party harassment policy that would apply to "issues of race, politics, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities as well as sexual harassment." And what happened to that policy when it was discussed at provincial council, you might ask? Well, according to our operatives, the motion looked like it would be rubber stamped. The provincial executive passed a motion of concurrence. And representives from the women's committee spoke in favour of the motion. But, just as a vote was about to be called, something happened - Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain delegate and former federal election candidate Charlie King opened his mouth.

New Democrat warhorse Gerry Scott is putting himself out to pasture. In an interview with Public Eye, the provincial secretary confirmed he would be resigning his post in Decmeber. "I have the view that about three or four years is the right length of time. There's no rule in these things. But I feel that it's just the right time to move on. I feel good about what we did. The election's over. The convention will be over. So it's a good time for a change. We'll get a new face here with some new ideas in a different period."