November 2005 Archives

Today, Public Eye reached the 1,000 story mark. This would usually be the cause of much jubilation at the converted walk-in closet/office your humble organ calls home. But there has been some consternation. Due to problems with our server, readers aren't presently able to post comments. We're working on the problem (as well as implementing our long-awaited re-design) and should be fully operational shortly.

Earlier, we reported rumours former forestry chieftain Rick Doman had been sniffing around for a federal Liberal nomination. But it turns out its the Grits who have been sniffing after him. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Doman stated "For six to eight months the federal Liberal party has asked me to run. And I have consistently said, 'First of all, I want to get back into a business. Secondly, I will help however you choose and I'll recommend some candidates. And, thirdly and most importantly, my dad is not well. And I'm 70 percent of the time in Vancouver at the hospital with him. And I just can't do it - even if I wished to. And I said I don't wish to. And what frustrated me most was that they were calling me up on Saturday and they had their convention here. And I've been in the hospital. I have not gone. And they said, 'The prime minister wants to meet with you. And will you run?' And I said, 'Look. My dad is in critical condition. I can't even come to your convention.'" He then added, "I've never asked for anything to run and I never would. If I do it, I'd do it out of the goodness of my heart."

Who's that we see challenging the "proven leadership" of Port Moody-Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam Conservative MP James Moore? Why it's none other than independent candidate Greg Watrich - once a proud member of Mr. Moore's constituency association executive. And what possible reason could he have for wanting to knock Mr. Moore off? Here's a hint: Mr. Watrich was once president of the Unity Party, running for them in the last provincial election. And his resume also lists him as being on the pastors advisory council of Foursquare Church and a Sunday school teacher. Still can't guess?

Earlier, Public Eye reported Radio Punjab news director Harjinder Thind and former Vancouver South Liberal candidate Shinder Purewal were being targetted by the Tories as possible replacements for Newton North Delta Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal. And now, another name has turned up: Phil Eidsvik executive director of the British Columbia Fisheries Survival Coalition. Mr. Eidsvik, who has campaigned against the establishment of a First Nations-only commercial fishery since 1992, recently ran for the Tory nomination in Burnaby-New Westminster and lost.

At this hour, news is breaking that embattled Newton North Delta Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal will not be seeking re-election. According to our operatives, the Tories are presently targetting two names as a possible replacement for Mr. Grewal (although neither have yet been approached). They are: Radio Punjab news director Harjinder Thind, who was courted to run for the provincial Liberals, and Shinder Purewal. Prior to the last election, many had expected Mr. Purewal would win the Vancouver South Liberal nomination. But he reluctantly stepped aside to make way for star candidate and former premier Ujjal Dosanjh. Since then, he has been appointed a citizenship judge by the federal government. Messrs. Thind and Purewal are known to be friends.

Earlier, we reported on those who will be staffing the federal New Democrat's British Columbia campaign team, which will be managed by retiring party secretary Gerry Scott. But who's running the race for the Liberals in this province? According to our operatives, Kim Haakstad is the campaign director. Mike Witherly, who heads the prime minister's western desk, is the campaign spokesperson. And party outreach officer Thomas Marshall is the riding services manager. There are also presently four operations managers, responsible for coordinating various regional campaigns throughout the province. They are: the Liberal's British Columbia president Jamie Elmhirst (Vancouver Island), Industry Minister David Emerson's parliamentary affairs director Adam Johnson (Surrey), Senator Jack Austin's special advisor Forrest Parlee (Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Interior), Minister Emerson's chief of staff Bill Varvaris (Burnaby-Douglas, Burnaby-New Westminster and New Westminster-Coquitlam) and Earnscliffe Strategy Group Inc. principal Bruce Young (North Shore).

This just in from the world of news that isn't going to happen anytime soon: those who drink from the federal Liberal watering hole are gabbermongering about former Doman Industries Ltd. chief executive officer Rick Doman. According to said gabbermongers, Mr. Doman has been sniffing around for a Grit nomination. But, for some reason, the Liberal brass didn't roll out the red carpet. And, in any case, his olfactory glands have since lost interest in the nomination.

Public Eye readers, astute and otherwise, will already be aware provincial New Democrat conventioneers voted this weekend in favour of an emergency resolution approving the "statement by (party leader) Carole James that ended support of Bill 17." And who was responsible for throwing that softball, you may wonder? Well, the motion credits the Burnaby-Willington and Oak Bay-Gordon Head constituency associations.

Earlier, Public Eye pithily reported provincial New Democrat conventioneers debated an emergency resolution approving the "statement by (party leader) Carole James that ended support of Bill 17." But what was the substance of that ornery debate? Due to the timing of the resolution, most print organs didn't cover it. So Public Eye, with the assistance of a tape graciously provided by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s Jeff Davies, has prepared a rush transcript of that...er...lively discussion.

So has federal New Democrat leader Jack Layton personally spoken with failed Terminal City mayoral candidate Jim Green about running for the party nomination in Vancouver Centre? Mr. Layton was mum about the subject yesterday. But, speaking with my comrade-in-ink Irwin Loy at 24 hours (who also runs an excellent blog, by the way), Mr. Green confirmed Mr. Layton had approached him about running but he was "strongly leaning towards no...I don't think there's any possibility about it. But I haven't told them flatly no. I'm not quite over the last election...so I'd really have to consider it."

Earlier, Public Eye reported senior New Democrat operatives have been seriously discussing recruiting failed Vision Vancouver candidate Jim Green to run for the party's federal nomination in Vancouver Centre. In fact, we've been told party leader Jack Layton has personally spoken to Mr. Green about the matter. And what does Mr. Layton have to say about those rumours? Cornered by your humble organ earlier this morning, the leaders's mustache said, "Look, we've only..." before re-starting his response: "I'm a longstanding friend of Jim's. I wanted to commiserate with his loss. I ran for mayor of Toronto. And had the same experience he just had. So we've certainly been commiserating. I don't know what his plans might be going into the future." So you've haven't talked to him about the nomination, we pressed? "That's all I'm willing to say," answered Mr. Layton with a non-denial, denial "because Jim has been a friend of mine for many, many years."

In a textbook example of democratic socialism inaction, the party brass-picked "momentum slate" has won each and every chair on the provincial New Democrat's executive council - in most cases, by acclamation! Surely, this is an election result Fidel Castro, Kim Jong-il or any number of other communist dictators past and present would be proud of. The one exception to that rule was the race for the executive's three member-at-large seats, where the slate's candidates were challeged by independent Jennifer Burgis and her team of women's rights committee supporters. Ms. Burgis, who is running in Saanich-Gulf Islands for the federal New Democrats, lost that challenge by 13 votes. The following is a complete copy of the glossy colour flyer "advertising" the New Democrat's "winning" executive council slate.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s Jeff Davies was partying like it was 2000 at the British Columbia New Democrat convention. On Saturday, the mischevious bearded radioman was spotted frightening unassuming delegates with his vintage provincial campaign shirt. According to Mr. Davies, most have reacted to that shirt - which reads "Making History Ujjal Dosanjh and the NDP" - with a mix of "shock and horror."

Provincial New Democrats conventioneers weren't the only ones living the Terminal City high life yesterday evening. As we earlier reported, those covering the party convention ditched an offer to attend the Dippers' fundraising dinner and instead went for a "vegeterian" meal at Memphis Blues Barbeque House, chowing down on three of the restaurant's trademark $64 Elvis Platters. Also getting their carnivore fix at the event were caucus communications director Jim Rutkowski, New Democrat leader Carole James's press secretary Scott Perchall and Trish Webb - who occupied the same post when Glen Clark was premier.

With a non-confidence vote just a day away, New Democrat conventioneers and their tongues are wagging about the upcoming campaign and those who will be running the party's show in British Columbia. According to our operatives, strategist-for-hire Brad "Darth" Zubyk and former provincial caucus executive director and Vision Vancouver communications director Clay Suddaby have been assigned to the candidate support desk - whose operations will be coordinated by New Democrat communications officer David Bieber. Ex-Canada Now reporter Marcella Munro, who worked as a fartcatcher for the party during the last provincial election and was a member of the Vision campaign's research squad, has jetted off to Ottawa to join the New Democrat war room's quick response team.

Earlier, your humble organ reported provincial New Democrat rank-and-filers would be paying up to $100 to attend tonight's Celebration 2005 fundraising dinner with party leader Carole James, her big federal brother Jack Layton and his mustache (Public Eye passim). But those weren't the only luminaries at the dinner. Former interim provincial party leader Joy MacPhail was spotted, as were ex-premiers Dave Barrett and Dan Miller (guess his new boss doesn't mind him schmoozing with the socialists). Gord McAdams, the government ecologist who was fired for leaking confidential documents to save a painted turtle habitat, turned up. And so did (drumroll please) Marc Emery, Canada's prince of pot.

The provincial New Democrat constitution may still embrace the principles of democratic socialism. But you can be guaranteed the party's bobos won't be serving borscht tonight, at Celebration 2005 - a $100 ticket fundraiser being held at the Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina's ballroom. Attending said fundraiser will be party convention delegates, their provincial leader Carole James, her caucus and Ms. James's big federal brother Jack Layton. Meanwhile, those covering the New Democrats this weekend (as well as some caucus staffers) will be munching at the Memphis Blues Barbeque House.

British Columbia Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer and dinosaur lover Angie Schira is not running for re-election as the provincial New Democrat's labour vice-president, Public Eye has learned. And, according to our operatives, the party's labour caucus will be filling that chair with federation policy director Lynn Bueckert. She'll be running tomorrow as an endorsed member of the party brass-picked's "momentum slate." Some New Democrats are interpreting the fact Ms. Bueckert is a staffer rather than an elected union official (and, therefore, less senior) as some kind snub.

Back in October, while commenting on the United Steelworkers of America's opposition to de-affiliation, The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer referred to the union's district three director Steve Hunt as "Mr. Brontosaurus." And now it appears some labour movement members are working hard to change that prehistoric descriptor from an insult to a badge of honour. Public Eye has noticed a number of unionists sporting dinosaur stickers on their provincial New Democrat convention delegate passes. And we're told British Columbia Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer Angie Schira has affixed two small plastic dinosaurs to the shoulders of her shirt.

Last week, Public Eye floated a rumour that failed Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green may run against Lord of the Rings Svend Robinson for the New Democrat nomination in Vancouver Cenre. At the time, those close to the former Terminal City councillor pooh-poohed that rumour. But the push to recruit Mr. Green seems to be getting serious discussion today by senior party operatives attending the British Columbia New Democrat convention.

It seems federal New Democrat patriarch Ed Broadbent has some stern words for provincial party leader Carole James...sortof. In a statement republished in the Dippers' newsletter and distributed to conventioneers, Mr. Broadbent outlines a seven point ethics plan for federal politicos. Point number one: "Democratic accountability should mean no MP can ignore his/her voters for personal gain." Mr. Broadbent, of course, is referring to MPs who "change parties, cross the floor, and become a member of another party without first resigning their seats and running in a by-election." But, a number of delegates are wondering whether that same principle should apply to MLAs who negotiate secretive deals to enrich their own bank accounts?

As has been already been reported far and wide, provincial New Democrat conventioneers had a lot to say last night about party leader Carole James's earlier support for a MLA pay raise. But Ms. James wasn't nearly as talkative about that support when she addressed those delegates earlier this morning: "Last week, when we made a mistake, you spoke up. You told us we were wrong. And you were right. But we cannot allow it to overshadow our incredible success." Full stop.

Yesterday, British Columbia New Democrat conventioneers debated an emergency resolution approving "the statement by (party leader) Carole James that ended support of Bill 17." As has already been reported by provincial broadcasters, that resolution was passed 294 to 190 - although some ornery delegates took to the microphones to condemn caucus for supporting that pay raise package in the first place. And now, some delegates are curious why that debate happened on Friday at 8:00 - past The Vancouver Sun's weekend edition deadline and the six o'clock news. After all, traditionally, emergency resolutions have been discussed on Sunday - a much more convenient time for the press pack. But, in an interview with Public Eye, party secretary Gerry Scott explained that tradition was changed two years ago, prior to the leadership convention. Now, those document are debated at the same time as non-emergency policies. The following is a copy of that resolution.

It seems some liquour distribution branch employees got into a spot of bother during a long service award ceremony at Government House on October 19. Speaking with Public Eye, the lieutenant governor's private secretary Herb LeRoy explained "The long service award is a recognition of "longtime, good public service (for civil servants). And it's the big event of their career. They come well-behaved and very excited about being presented to the lieutenant governor (Iona Campagnolo) and their minister. It's a big deal. And some of those who got too exuberant about the evening tended to ruin it for the others. Instead of clapping and hooting and cheering for their co-workers - which happens all the time - (the evening) had a bit of an edge to it. And that's the part that concerns us. But, as far as any fallout from it, it's really up to the organization - the ministry - to deal with it internally. The lieutenant governor isn't making an issue about it."

Earlier, your humble organ reported former provincial backbencher Sheila Orr had won the federal Liberal nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands. But who's won the...er...prize of being the Grit campaign manager in that riding? Come on down, David Kelly! Mr. Kelly, of course, will be well-known to those bureaucrats working at British Columbia's health ministry - he was once their deputy minister. And, in the (recent) past, he's been touted as a possible Liberal candidate.

Your humble organ has written at length about the federal legal work awarded to once and present Grit candidate David Mulroney. But, today, Public Eye has learned his firm - David Mulroney and Company - resigned as an agent of the Crown. In an interview, the candidate explained, "I think it would be incompatible with my running for office for me to still be doing the work. It may not be legally incompatible. But there might be a perception that, if I'm doing work for the government while I'm running for office, it might look like or be perceived by some as an indirect form of assistance. So I want to avoid that possible perception."

Want to celebrate the end of the fall legislative session but don't have anywhere to go? Well, worry not because if you're a provincial government staffer, Earnscliffe Strategy Group Inc. has taken care of everything. Just show up to the Irish Times Pub, where the Ottawa lobbying firm is hosting a drink-up for ministerial and executive assistants and associated hanger-on-ers. Meanwhile, New Democrat members and staffers are already partying in the Opposition's caucus chamber, embedded deep within the fortified office known only as 201.

The weekend's Terminal City election results mean Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green will soon be checking the classifieds. But he's not the only one. Mayor Larry Campbell's executive assistant Geoff Meggs will also be out on the job market. But the question is, who'll be picking him up off the politico shelf? According to our operatives, the British Columbia Federation of Labour - where Mr. Meggs once worked as a communications director - is rumoured to be interested. But don't expect to see Mr. Meggs at 5118 Joyce Street until the New Year.

On Friday, The Peace Arch News's Steven Addison reported the federal Liberals conducted a poll of four potential South-Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale candidates last month. Among those named in the survey was Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. And, according to our operatives, senior Grits are still mulling the possibility of recruiting Mr. McCallum - even though he lost the recent civic election to Dianne Watts by 10,423 votes. Meanwhile, rumours are circulating that defeated Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green could seek the New Democrat nod in Vancouver Centre. But those close to Mr. Green pooh-poohed such gossip, noting back-to-back campaigns would be too much of a strain for anyone. The nomination meeting for Vancouver Centre has yet to be scheduled, with former MP Svend Robinson having announced his intention to seek the nomination in that riding back in October.

Columbia Power Corp. president Lorne Sivertson may be retiring. But perhaps he should consider pursuing a second career - as a stand-up political comedian. According to our operatives, Mr. Sivertson entertained the 100 or so guests at his retirement party last night with a number of delicious one-liners directed at the eyebrow-raising actions of the Columbia Basin Trust. An example: "My personal dispute with the Columbia Basin Trust, not to put to fine a point on it and with all due respect, was a matter of principle." We'll let you use your imagination to fill-in what Mr. Siverston had to say about his principles versus those of the Columbia Basin Trust. Also in attendance at the party, which was hosted by Victoria's Queen Mother Waterside Cafe, was provincial New Democrat MLAs Katrine Conroy and John Horgan, as well as energy, mines and petroleum resources deputy minister Greg Reimer.

Once again, Public Eye fills a vaccuum created by the provincial New Democrat's Website: your humble organ has obtained a much sought-after and not-yet posted copy of the agenda for this weekend's party convention, scheduled to be held at the Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina. Of most interest to the assembled press pack will be Friday's caucus introduction (how will delegates greet party leader Carole James following last week's MLA pay raise fiasco?) and Sunday's emergency resolution debate (will there be an attempt to condemn Ms. James and her colleagues for supporting that raise?). The following is a complete copy of that schedule.

The province's second electoral reform referendum may be three years away. But fundraising for that campaign is already underway. In an email sent to fellow travellers, conservative legal mastermind Bruce Hallsor, who co-chaired the Yes to STV campaign, invites electoral reform supporters to attend an "intimate wine and cheese" event with former capital-r Reform leader Preston Manning. Tickets to the event, which will be held at the Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites on January 7, are $40 - with the money going to support "Fair Vote BC and the Victoria Chapter of Fair Vote Canada in their efforts to organise for a Yes vote in the next referendum on electoral reform." The following is a complete copy of that invite.

Sheila Orr wasn't the only former provincial Liberal MLA to win a federal Liberal nomination over the weekend. On Sunday, once (and hyped future) cabinet minister Joyce Murray beat out Coquitlam tourism director Barb Stegemann for the Grit nod in New Westminster-Coquitlam, 346 to 202. Meanwhile, in an interview with your humble organ, Ms. Murray's old executive council colleague Brenda Locke said she'll soon be seeking the Liberal nomination in Fleetwood-Port Kells: "I'm certainly interested. I'm certainly looking at it. I certainly have been approached by many, many, many people to do it. And my arm is being twisted very aggressively. Am I going to be doing it? You bet I'm going to be doing it."

Senior staff churn in the provincial government has been comparatively pacific over the past couple months. But from the shores of the health ministry comes this rogue wave: two weeks ago, deputy minister Penny Ballem announced she was "pleased...(ministry chief information officer) John Schinbein has accepted our offer to lead an important eHealth program initiative." Translation: Mr. Schinbein is no longer the ministry's chief information officer. And, in what surely is an astounding coincidence, his two lieutenants - architecture and standards senior manager Mike Leavy and healthnetBC director Stuart Frampton - have also left to...um..."pursure other opportunities." And why, you may wonder, is this important? Well, one of Mr. Schinbein's successors (Peter Durrant) will be taking over responsiblity for laying down British Columbia's stretch of the Canada Health Infoway - a controversial $100 million federally-funded health survelliance system. The following is a complete copy of Ms. Ballem's memo.

Today, in the legislature, Liberal backbencher Joan McIntyre announced she will have "pleasure of attending the opening of Dundarave's redeveloped MarketPlace IGA. While the opening of a new supermarket may not be too significant to some, what the developers incorporated should be, as they have a concept that incorporates the new variety of housing that West Vancouver so badly needs...I hope that here in the House today, you'll help me congratulate all those involved from the property owner, the architects, the developer, H.Y. Louie Co. in rebuilding their MarketPlace IGA." Not mentioned in that speech though was the fact the former pollster once worked for IGA Canada operator H.Y. Louie Co. via her husband Andrew Pottinger's consulting company, AJ Pottinger & Associates Ltd. And Mr. Pottinger presently serves as a community relations advisor for London Drugs, which has been owned by H.Y. Louie Co. since 1976.

As your humble organ (and the rest of the provincial press pack) earlier reported, the legislative assembly management committee's members were principally responsible for negotiating the MLA pay raise. That commitee meets in secret but publishes its minutes - a document that might provide some insight into why our elected representatives thought they could get away with this porkbarrelling. Pity those minutes aren't available. A jaunt down to the clerk of committees' office reveals that body's members haven't approved publication of those minutes since January. Although staffers noted that approval is expected come through later this week.

Earlier today, in a scrum, provincial Liberal Whip Randy Hawes defended last week's MLA pay hike saying, "I don't think that what we did was unjustified." Nothing surprising there. After all, Mr. Hawes is a member of the legislative assembly management committee - the body principally responsible for negotiating that hike. But what is interesting is that Mr. Hawes is also a member of the so-called "31 percent club" - the MLAs who would receive the biggest pay raises from Bill 17. Others in that exclusive clubhouse include Liberal and New Democrat caucus chairs Gordon Hogg and Jenny Kwan, as well as New Democrat House Leader Mike Farnworth. And guess what - they just so happen to be members of the legislative assembly management committee too (a point made by pundit David Schreck on Public Eye Radio this weekend). Speaker of the House Bill Barisoff and Liberal House Leader Mike de Jong also sit on that committee.

So what happened at yesterday's Saanich-Gulf Islands federal Liberal nomination meeting? Well, speaking on Public Eye Radio last night, contender Sheila Orr announced, "I managed to get enough support that I won the nomination. I have to say that Mr. (Jag) Dhanowa put up an excellent campaign. And, at the end, I can say truthfully that we were very united." Of equal interest, though, was the fact the constituency association's best-known member David Basi showed up to vote - resulting in a number of raised eyebrows. Ms. Orr wasn't able to say what her margin of victory was. But we are: the former provincial backbencher won by 71 votes, with 476 ballots cast.

Public Eye readers - astute and otherwise - will be aware that, last week, provincial MLAs (both New Democrat and Liberal) approved a bill that will increase their base salary by 15 percent and boost the special allowances awarded to executive council members and caucus officers. But that bill may have one other unintended consequence: three years from now, when British Columbians vote again on electoral reform, this porkbarreling will have made more of them "dissillusioned with the system. And they may think any change may be better. It does not make me happy. But that may be the result," said pundit David Schreck - who advocated against the single-transferrable vote system during the last election.

Do you remember our good federal Liberal friend Jag Dhanowa? Of course you do. He's the guy who's running against former provincial backbencher Sheila Orr for the party nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands. But did you know Mr. Dhanowa is also a mind-bending psychic with the power to see into the future? After all, why else would his Saanich Plaza campaign office/victory bunker be plastered with signs reading "JAG DHANOWA Liberal candidate for Saanich-Gulf Islands www.jagdhanowa.ca" - even before that nomination meeting (set for high noon today at Lochside Elementary School) has happened.

Earlier, we (not to mention the rest of the provincial press pack) reported on provincial New Democrat leader Carole James's pay raise flip-flop. And now, our operatives confirm party MLAs have been notified, within the past couple hours, that there will be an emergency caucus meeting tomorrow night at 6:00. The likely topics of discussion: who thought having the New Democrats vote for the raise with the Liberals was a good idea and why didn't Ms. James notify large swaths of caucus before flip-flopping? Meanwhile, our operatives tell us a number of constituency associations are preparing emergency resolution for next weekend's New Democrat convention, condemning caucus's recent actions.

The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver was the site of much Liberal hobbing and nobbing last Thursday, as the faithful gathered for a fundraising dinner hosted by the provincial party's women's commission. The estrogen count at the $100 ticket event included former MLAs Joyce Murray and Gillian Trumper, as well as Non-Partisan Association candidates Elizabeth Ball, Eleanor Gregory and Heather Holden. To the surprise of no one, Janet Fraser, Gordon Campbell's executive assistant back when he was mayor of Vancouver, was there - as was former city councillor Sandy McCormick and party matriarch May Brown. But there was also some testosterone in the room. Premier Gordon Campbell made an appearance. And former backbencher Bill Bellsey was on hand. But the man drawing the most attention was association board member Alex Tsakumis, who was singled out by commission chair Robin Wilson for purchasing an entire table at the event. Others singled him out for having North Vancouver federal Conservative candidate Cindy Silver seated at his table.

So what does Premier Gordon Campbell have to say about New Democrat leader Carole James's pay raise flip-flop? Well, in a statement emailed out to the province's press corp, he writes "it is disingenuous for Ms. James to intimate that her withdrawal of support is somehow the result of a revelation that the public would have 'serious concerns' about 'the process we took to arrive at the decision to increase MLA salaries, pensions and the resources to serve constituents.' That has always been understood by all members of the legislature. The bill was unanimously passed notwithstanding that consideration, as both parties maintained yesterday in their news release, because it was deemed to be fair, reasonable and sensible."

We know some of you out there in cyberland follow the movements of federal Liberal power couple Christy Clark and Mark Marissen with the same scrutiny reserved for British royalty. So, in the interesting of keeping our voracious readers sated, we bring you this development: reached on his cell phone, Mr. Marissen confirmed the couple (and wee Hamish) have now moved into their new Vancouver home - just one day before the civic election. "I'm sitting in my new house watching my new TV" even as we speak, the arch-politico said. "We packed up everything yesterday and we moved today. And we sold our house a few weeks ago for almost as much as we're paying for the new house." When Ms. Clark announced she would be running for the Non-Partisan Association's mayoral nomination back in August, the now former Port Moody resident promised she would be moving to Vancouver.

As a rule, your humble organ doesn't report on news in news releases. But sometimes rules need to be broken: earlier, we told you provincial New Democrat MLAs would likely suffer more than the Liberals as a result of their joint decision to increase member salaries. But now, bowing to public and party pressure, Carole James has backed down from supporting that increase. In a statement issued moments ago, Ms. James (who is presently in Saskatchewan) wrote she is urging government "to withhold Royal Assent and Proclamation of Bill 17. I am also calling for the full package to be referred to an independent panel for full public review and input with a report to the legislature in the spring." According to our operatives, if the Liberals don't go along with that recommendation, rumour has it the New Democrat MLAs are prepared to refuse the pay raise in Bill 17. The following is a complete copy of Ms. James's statement.

Astute Public Eye readers in the capital city will be well-acquainted with capitalist extraordinaire John Asfar. He's the president and chief executive officer of Traveller's Inn Inc. - the man whose casino proposal was thwarted by Mayor Alan Lowe and Victoria's city council. Well, rumours have been circulating for weeks (if not months) that Mr. Asfar has been searching for a means of defeating Mr. Lowe. And now, in an interview with Public Eye, Victoria Civic Electors mayoral candidate and socialist politician Ben Isitt confirmed his office received a letter from Mr. Asfar last week, offering to donate to his campaign. Mr. Isitt says his campaign manager Morgan Stewart telephoned Mr. Asfar and told the hotelier he could donate up to $1,000 to the campaign. But that contribution has yet to be made, said Mr. Isitt. Mr. Asfar is presently suing the city for voting down his casino proposal.

Earlier, Public Eye reported Xentel DM Inc. phoned Vancouverites on Thursday to ask them a few (loaded) questions about the upcoming civic election. Which makes one wonder who paid for that poll. In an interview with Public Eye, Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan's campaign manager Colin Metcalfe said "It sounds like a Sun poll to me. But I don't know. We're not doing any polling that I'm aware. It sounds like they're doing it for a story. That's my guess."

From one of our astute readers comes this piece of news: Xentel DM Inc., a Concord, Ontario headquartered "integrated benefit event planning, marketing and production services" company, phoned Vancouverites on Thursday to ask them a few questions about the upcoming civic election. Number one: "The Vancouver Sun today says that the campaign is getting dirty and scare tactics are starting to fly. Does this make you more or less likely to vote?" Two: "It says in the Sun that Jim Green left COPE in tatters and with a great big debt. Does this make you more or less likely to vote?" And three: "Both Sam Sullivan and Jim Green are accusing each other of dirty tricks and negative campaigning. Does this make you more or less likely to vote?" Clearly, these are questions are more loaded than Rambo. But to what aim? And who paid for the poll?

Both provincial Liberal and New Democrat MLAs will benefit from yesterday's raise. But it's the New Democrats who will likely suffer the most in the short-term. Their caucus includes more members of the so-called "31 percent (pay increase) club" than the Liberals. The New Democrat's support base includes public sector unionists who have had to make due with years of pay freezes and cuts. So they're not going to be too happy with MLAs scratching their own backs - as is evidenced by labour quotes in the morning papers. And the party membership generally believes their MLAs should be sticking up for the working man, rather than working to become "the man." But, perhaps more importantly, those unionists and party members will be able to vent their spleens about the issue in front of many, many television cameras and microphones during next weekend's New Democrat convention and the British Columbia Federation of Labour's subsequent annual general meeting.

Yesterday, your humble organ - and the length and breadth of the province's broadcasters - reported on the British Columbia MLA pay raise. Also included in that $3.79 million package was a $35,000 or 41 percent increase in funding for constituency offices, boosting their total budget to $119,000. And what was the reason for that increase? Well, in a news release, Opposition House Leader Mike Farnworth is quoted as saying, "This package also means that MLAs are better able to proide the best service possible to citizens, ensuring that offices are open and accessible in communities and that concerns are responded to in a timely way." Not mentioned, though, is the fact the collective agreement covering New Democrat constituency assistants expired three days ago. And said assistants (who presently make between $34,548 and $39,317 annually) are demanding (perhaps justifiably) a pay increase from caucus. So does that demand have anything to do with the constituency office budget boost? Said Mr. Farnworth in a scrum, "That is completely separate from this particular package."

On the same day provincial government disclosed it failed to review 713 child deaths, New Democrat and Liberal MLAs united to vote for an increase to MLA salaries and caucus and constituency office funding. The total cost: $3.79 million - around $200,000 less than the pricetag for running the independent children's commission (axed by the Campbell administration in 2002). The pay raise will see base MLA salaries increase $11,180 or 15 percent to $86,580, effective April 1. That increase will maintain their status as the country's third highest paid provincial legislators. But the real winners are those who get special allowances, such as cabinet members and caucus officers. Because those bonuses are going up, sometimes as much as 166 percent.

Yesterday, British Columbia New Democrat organizer Ryan Stewart sent out an email urging party members to volunteer for Vision Vancouver and the Coalition of Progressive Electors - in part, because the Non-Partsian Association has "close ties to Stephen Harper's Tories." One wonders then what he will think when socialist icon Harry Rankin's widow Connie Fogal-Rankin comes out endorses the association's mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan? According to our operatives, she's just one of several "non-traditional" supporters who will be showing up at an afternoon press conference to give Mr. Sullivan their thumbs up. The following is a copy of the media advisory for that conference.

Looks like paid British Columbia New Democrat organizer Ryan Stewart has his fingers buried deep in the civic election pie. Writing from his work email address but identifying himself as being from the "COPE/Vision Vancouver Election Day Campaign," Mr. Stewart notifies Vancouver Dippers the two civic parties are running a "joint" get-out-the-vote operation to ensure "we beat the NPA and return a progressive majority to City Hall." And why might that be important, you may ask? Well, according to Mr. Stewart, the Non-Partisan Association has "close ties to Stephen Harper's Tories" and - wait for it - "anti-gay and anti-choice activists who do not share our values." The following is a complete copy of that email, which was leaked to Public Eye.

Attention Saanich-Gulf Islands Liberals nomination hopeful Jag Dhanowa! Do you remember Bob Russell? Of course you do. Not only did he run for that same nomination prior to the last election - he's also the veteran political operative who attracted accusations of racism back in 2004 for making the shock-shock-shocking statement, "There are a lot of good, hard-working, decent people in this party, and they're tired of being minimized by busloads of instant Liberals who show up whenever it's time to make an important decision." Well, Mr. Dhanowa, if that statement got you hot and bothered, retreat to an air-conditioned room before reading Mr. Russell's recent endorsement of your competitor Sheila Orr. The following is a complete copy of that email, which was leaked to Public Eye.

The Vancouver Firefighters union is taking some heat from the city's fire and rescue services department. At issue: the union has rented a privately-owned fire truck to carry around signs promoting their endorsement of Vision Vancouver mayoral hopeful Jim Green and a number of other council candidates (as was reported to us by an astute Public Eye reader). No worries there. But the signs state the endorsement comes from "Vancouver Firefighters" and "Your Vancouver Firefighters," not the union specifically. And that resulted in a phone called from the department's deputy chiefs to group vice-president Joe Foster. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Foster said the chiefs spoke to him Tuesday morning because they "were concerned that it sent the wrong message to citizens" that it was an endorsement from the fire department. "But I think if citizens read (the sign) they'll know it's the firefighters and the union local (identification) is on there," in the form of a giant logo. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

The chief medical health officer for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has good things to say about New Westminster mayoral canidate Casey Cook's help in developing a Lower Mainland drug strategy. And John Blatherwick says he doesn't mind Mr. Casey quoting him in his campaign advertisements. But, following inquiries from Public Eye, the good doctor has asked the candidate to stop using his title when that quote is used in print and online advertising. "My position can't be used" to endorse candidates during a political campaign, said Dr. Blatherwick. "So I phoned Jan, his wife, who I've known for a long time. And said, 'Jan could you take that off. It'd make my life easier.' No one told me I had to take it off. It's just the right thing to do." A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

If you oppose same-sex marriages, you're "bigoted." So says Coalition of Progressive Electors councillor Ellen Woodsworth. During an editorial board meeting with 24 hours (which included your humble organ), Ms. Woodsworth - who attended with fellow council member David Cadman - also classified such views as being "anti-fundamental (to) human rights." And, when it was pointed she might be calling an "awful lot of people" bigots (27 percent of Canadians, according to an Ipsos-Reid survey last year, which also found 32 percent thought same-sex unions "should be allowed to exist in civil law but not have the same legal weight as a conventional marriage"), Ms. Woodsworth responded "You know, it used to be that if you were black and white you couldn't get married, if you were Protestant and Catholic you couldn't get married."

Believe it or not, ho-ho-ho season is almost upon us (and not a moment too soon, judging by the monotonous nature of Question Period). So, if you're planning your winter vacation around the premier's comings and goings, you might want to mark December 10 on your calendar. According to our operatives, around that date is when Gordon Campbell is set to take his holidays.

Many trees have died bringing British Columbians the story of just how snafued their government is when it comes to protecting children in care. And now, according to Rockpile gossipmongers, senior bureaucrats with children and family development, the attorney general's ministry and the solicitor general's ministry will be meeting tomorrow to discuss how the Province reports out on the deaths of those children, what's working, what isn't working and what changes might be needed. A worthy discussion to be sure. But one who's outcome will likely be trumped by upcoming recommendations from a government-appointed blue ribbon panel reviewing British Columbia's children protection system.

More troubled waters over at the British Columbia Ferry and Marine Workers' Union: back in August, A-Channel's Stephen Andrew reported the group's president Jackie Miller wouldn't be running for re-election. And, according to our operatives, she's not the only one leaving the union's executive offices. Secretary treasurer Darren Cottingham, first vice-president Chris Abbott and second vice-president Kevin Hall have also told members they won't be putting their names on the ballot at the union's annual general meeting, scheduled to be held from April 3-6 at the Coast Bastion Inn in Nanaimo.

Back in January 2003, when Jack Layton was still just one of six candidates running to be the federal New Democrat's grand poohbah, the National Post's Bill Curry commented that his promise to freeze military spending "could cause him headaches should he win the leadership vote." Now, more than two years later, Randall Garrison, the party's candidate in the armed riding of Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, is reaching for some aspirin. Last week, his Conservative competitor Troy DeSouza ran an advertisment in The Times Colonist criticizing that freeze on the grounds it would "harm military families, scale back our bases in CFB Esquimalt and CFB Comox and cost local jobs!"

The Greens have unleashed a new weapon in their bid to win two seats on Victoria's city council: a giant terd. Speaking on Public Eye Radio, activist Adam Blainey announced the party has produced a Web-commercial featuring anti-raw sewage activist Mr. Floatie and the party's two civic candidates Sonya Chandler and Phillipe Lucas. Explained Mr. Blainey, the commercial's director, "Originally, I was working with the campaign and thinking about what we could do to garner a bit of media attention...And, in this case, we had an opportunity to bring in an international star" to promote Ms. Chandler and Ms. Lucas, without spending a whole lot of money.

Earlier, we reported National Defence Minister Bill Graham and National Defence Parliamentary Secretary Keith Martin attended a reception at the Shark Club Bar and Grill last week, organized by the Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, Saanich-Gulf Islands and Victoria Liberal constituency associations. Interesting but not especially newsworthy - except when you consider this party political occured on...um...Remembrance Day. Last night, on Public Eye Radio, Mr. Martin's New Democrat challenger Randall Garrison said "I think that's a day for honouring those who have served our country and not for partisan political activities...But that's one of the problems with this federal Liberal government. And that's one of the reasons why I believe we need to...get to an election."

Over the summer, Canadian Heritage Minister Liza Frulla announced the appointment of Victoria resident Jagtar Bains as a part-time director with the secretive National Capital Commission. That's the government organ responsible for the planning and control of federal lands in Ottawa. The news release notes Mr. Bains "has been Development Coordinator for the Corporation of the District of Saanich since 1974." And his biography on the commision's Website describes him as being "well known and respected in the Greater Victoria community." But what, exactly, is he "well known and respected" for, astute Public Eye readers may wonder? Well, the aforementioned biography notes Mr. Bains "volunteers with the India/Canada Cultural Association of Victoria and the Sikh Temple in Victoria." But a review of The Times Colonist's archives reveals not a single mention of that service or his role as the district's development coordinator. However, his role as the president of the Liberal's Saanich-Gulf Islands constituency association has been reported eight times since 2003 - a post not mentioned in Ms. Frulla's news release.

Following two weeks of research, one failed hard drive and a $375 repair bill, we now return to our regularly scheduled muckraking.

Earlier, Public Eye told you about Bambi Fernando - the independent Colwood mayoral candidate whose past was being used as a punching bag by backroom gossipmongers. And now the candidate has informed us that, last night, many of her campaign signs were vandalized at a cost of more than $4,000, with the hoodlums cutting out Ms. Fernando's photograph. The candidate says she is offering up a $500 reward to anyone who can identify the cultrips. Ms. Fernando is running against sitting mayor Jody Twa and challenger Terry Robinson.

Retiring former cabinet minister Lord David of Anderson received one final wave today at Victoria's Golden City Restaurant, where the Victoria MP was bid (a much anticipated) adieu by local fellow travellers and elected representatives, past and present. According to our operatives, British Columbia federal Liberal president Jamie "The Incredible Shrinking" Elmhirst showed off his svelt new figure as the event's master of ceremonies. Other noteworthy attendees included former Victoria-Hillside backbencher Sheila Orr, the riding's sitting New Democrat MLA Rob Fleming, provincial Liberal caucus executive director Jeff Bray, Victoria federal New Democrat candidate Denise Savoie and her Grit competitor David Mulroney.

This morning, The Vancouver Sun reported Coalition of Progressive Electors councillor Tim Louis wants the city "tell the Vancouver police department to stop laying criminal charges against prostitutes while a study of the sex trade industry is underway," open a Vancouver-run "not-for-profit brothel to help drug-addicted prostitutes" and establish a red light district. According to the broadsheet, Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan later said "he was appalled by Louis's comments. 'The goal should be to help these women get out of the survival sex trade, not keep them in it,' he said. 'I'm running to be mayor to help people, not to get into the business of being a pimp.'" But that response has appaled at least one of Mr. Sullivan's supporters - independent city council candidate Jamie Lee Hamilton.

Last month, we reported Mayor Doug McCallum's embattled Surrey Electors Team had brought in two high-powered, Toronto-based political consultants to help them win the upcoming civic election. And now, Public Eye has learned members of the competing port-leaning Surrey Civic Coalition are fighting back by drawing their own hired gun: Victoria-based strategist Brad "Darth" Zubyk. Mr. Zubyk, who provided media relations counsel to the provincial New Democrats during the last election, is known for weaving his dark political arts in support of quirky, moderate and underdog causes - including former party leadership candidates Corky Evans and Nils Jensen.

Earlier, Public Eye reported the federal Liberal nomination meeting for Saanich-Gulf Islands had been set for November 20. Also scheduled to nominate their candidate on the same day: the Grits of New Westminster-Coquitlam, who will be choosing between former provincial Liberal cabinet minister Joyce Murray and Coquitlam tourism (wat dat?) director Barb Stegemann, who works under contract for the city.

As has been reported far and wide, a federal election could just be days away. So it should come as no surprise to our astute readers that Liberal government ministers are glad-handing and fundraising their way across the country. But rarely are their visits heralded by a poetic tribute. In an email sent to supporters and leaked to Public Eye, Victoria Grit candidate David Mulroney used rhyme to encourage party members to attend an upcoming pass-the-hat event featuring National Defence Minister Bill Graham. A sampling: "Come to hear the Minister's story - Come to get the inside scoop on those Tories - Come to complain, to get out of the rain - Come hear about Ottawa, usual or sane." The following is a complete copy of Mr. Mulroney's literary stylings.

Earlier, Public Eye reported former provincial Liberal backbencher Sheila Orr and ex-party multiculturalism chair Jag Dhanowa would be running for the federal Liberal nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands. And when will this rumble in the hobby farm jungle take place? According to our operatives, the candidates were notified last night that the nomination meeting will be held on November 20.

Earlier, Public Eye reported the federal Liberals in British Columbia have 11 ridings with nominated candidates and 25 ridings without. But how, you may wonder, are the New Democrats doing when it comes to election readiness? Well, the party led by Jack Layton and his mustache (Public Eye passim) has 21 ridings with nominated candidates in this province. Of the remaining 15, some have scheduled nomination meetings for late November/early December while others have yet to set a date. The following is a complete list of those ridings with and without nominated New Democrat candidates.

Today, federal New Democrat leader Jack Layton told Empire Club members "there's no basis for our party to express confidence in this government." With the Tories and the Bloc Quebecois spoling for an election, that means Paul Martin's Liberal minority government could be brought down as early as November 15 (although December 8 seems more likely). But are the Grits in British Columbia ready to go to the polls? Well, numerically speaking, the party has nominated just 11 candidates to-date. That includes all their sitting MPs except Raymond Chan who wants to have his nomination meeting closer to or during the writ period. Meanwhile, 25 ridings have yet to schedule such a meeting. The following is a complete list of those ridings with and without nominated Liberal candidates.

Since provincial New Democrats are generally supportive of the Campbell administration's New Relationship with British Columbia's First Nations, one could reasonably assume Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Tom Christensen would get through his estimates debate rather easily. In fact, Opposition critic Scott Fraser even said "I did express to the minister that I would not be obstructive if I saw true relationship-building and reconciliation." Thank goodness then for Liberal Bulkley Valley-Stikine backbencher Dennis MacKay.

Earlier, Public Eye reported Reputations Corp., which has a number of staffers helping out the Non-Partisan Association, previously worked for Wal-Mart Canada Corp. Astute readers may remember that company was blocked by city council back in June from setting up shop in Vancouver. According to Wal-Mart's public affairs director Andrew Pelletier, the mega-chain plans on revisiting that development proposal following the election. And when that happens, the chain and Reputations (if they are again involved with that proposal) might want to read this entry from the councillor Peter Ladner's blog: "Wal-Mart missed the boat by not mobilizing the majority ethnic communities of south Vancouver. These are people who for some reason were under-represented at community visioning processes, public hearings and letter-writing campaigns to council. They are also very important communities for Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart, and most likely to be more focused on the merits of the applications than whether Sam Walton contributed to George Bush's campaign. Members of the Punjabi Market were in favour of the two stores, expecting increased business from the dreaded increase in local traffic." Mr. Ladner, whose campaign manager Allen Langdon joined Reputations Corp. back in July, was one of three council members who voted in favour of Wal-Mart's development proposal.

Earlier, Public Eye reported the embattled Surrey Electors Team had hired high-profile Toronto-based political consultants to bail out their leaking campaign. But who's captaining the ship for the port-leaning Surrey Civic Coalition? Well, according to one of our astute readers, that would be none other than veteran New Democrat campaigner and Gibsons-resident Joanne McNevin, who recently managed Nicholas Simons successful election bid in Powell-River Sunshine Coast. Said Ms. McNevin, who has been doing electioneering work for the past 40-years, "I have never, ever been in your lovely little publication. I don't go in anybody's publications ever. The only time it ever happened to me was when I met (The Globe and Mail's) Jeffrey Simpson when he was about 22-years old. And he grew up to be a journalist. And he ended up writing some stuff. But never before or since." So we're breaking a trend. Ms. McNevin also confirmed Surrey-Panorama Ridge MLA Jagrup Brar's constituency assistant Neera Ritcey is also volunteering on the campaign in her off-time.

What do Wal-Mart Canada Corp. and the Non-Partisan Association have in common? Answer: fartcatchers Allen Langdon and Wayne Hartrick. In an interview, Mr. Langdon - Reputations Corp.'s public affairs director and the campaign manager for councillor Peter Ladner, confirmed his public relations firm has worked for the mega-chain - which was blocked by city council back in June from setting up shop in Vancouver. And Mr. Hartrick, the firm's president, is the association's campaign communications director and a close ally of mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan.

The food fight among Victoria's federal Conservative members continues: earlier, Public Eye reported Jim Collins suceeded in passing a motion requesting party regional organizer Andrew Jackson make sure visiting MPs were aware of the constituency association's official Friday lunch. Of course, this motion has nothing to do with the fact Mr. Collins and his wife Faith started that lunch following his excommunication from the Octagon, a rival noontime political gabfest. But now, we've learned, he's emailed association president Paul Holmes complaining that fellow board member "Andrew McVie wishes to highlight the (constituency association) meeting discussion (about that motion) in the minutes as the actions of 'petulant children'." For the record, Mr. McVie says his understanding is that the reference to "petulant children" won't be in the minutes and he's "okay with that." The following is a complete copy of the email exchange between Mr. Collins and Mr. Holmes.

Due to research commitments, postings on Public Eye will be sporadic over the next few days. But keep your tips rolling in.

Local politicians and candidates are oft known for overstepping their jurisdictional bounds - promising policies they don't have any authority to make. But few have overreached as much as independent Vancouver mayoral candidate Scott Yee. In an advertisement posted on the online classified service Craigslist, a writer claiming to be Mr. Yee explains "ever since I was 16 years old, I wanted to become the 1st President of Earth, which means the creation of an Earth Government." The writer also notes "I want the creation of the UFP-The United Federation of Planets. If you have ever watched StarTrek, you know what I'm talking about. I'm also trying to start up the CEG-The Coalition for an Earth Government. This will be a world wide coalition in every country, to put pressure on all governments to take part in an Earth Government." And he adds "if possible, I would like to become the new Secretary General in 07' I doubt Kofi Annan will step down before then."