December 2005 Archives

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be bringing in the New Year with Western Canada Wilderness Committee Victoria executive director Ken Wu. Federal Liberal British Columbia president Jamie Elmhirst will be on the blower talking about the Grit's wartorn campaign plans. And 24 hours columnist Braeden Caley and provincial Conservative president Ryan Warawa are phoning in to give us their take on the federal election. The Tyee's David Beers will also be taking some time away from the evening's festivities to talk about his magazine's election blog. And strategist Brad Zubyk is coming on the show to pontificate about the provincial political year that was and what we can expect in the coming months. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 6:00 and 9:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us, leave a comment below or phone (250) 386-1161 during the show.

Joyce Murray, the mother of infamous, establishment-side political rapper Baba Brinkman, might have a shot at winning New Westminster-Coquitlam for the federal Liberals. At least that's what an internal and unscientific poll is saying. According to an automated telephone survey conducted by EquiComs Management Corp. for the Murray campaign between December 18 and 19, when asked "Which party will you support?" 23.4 percent of riding residents responded that they would be casting their ballots for the Liberals. By comparison, the New Democrats had 21.9 percent support, with the Conservatives coming in at 20.1 percent. But, significantly, 34.6 percent were still undecided or would be voting for another party. A total of 3,077 residents responded to the question, which was obtained by Public Eye.

"The final three weeks of this campaign are going to be, to quote Thomas Hobbes, 'nasty, brutish, and short.'" - that's the view of federal Conservative national campaign co-chairs Michael Fortier and John Reynolds in an email sent to candidates earlier today. Messrs. Fortier and Reynolds also attribute the Tories' present success to party leader Stephen Harper, his advisors and "the discipline and professionalism of our local campaigns." Translation: there have been no foot-in-mouth incidents to-date. Absent from that list - but perhaps more relevant - is the Liberal's astounding talent for committing anatomically impossible acts. But we digress. The email concludes with a commitment to continue to "run a positive, ideas-based campaign" - which surely explains the menacing music accompanying the party's latest online commercial. The following is a complete copy of that message.

Much ink has been spilled reporting on Michael Walker's decision to step down as the Fraser Institute's executive director. But what is Mr. Walker - who spent more than 30 years in that post - doing with his golden years, you may wonder? Well, in addition to serving as president of the Fraser Institute Foundation, our operatives report the former think tank swimmer has joined federal Conservative West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country candidate John Weston's communications and policy committee.

MARTIN'S BC PREZ JAMIE ELMHIRST PULLS A KLANDER: that was one of the headlines posted today on Bourque Newswatch. At issue: an entry in Mr. Elmhirst's blog noting Industry Minister David Emerson described federal New Democrat leader Jack Layton as having a "boiled dog's head smile." But, in an interview with Public Eye, the senior Liberal operative dismissed any comparison between that description and an earlier blog posting by the party's Ontario executive vice-president Mike Klander which included offensive comments about Mr. Layton's wife Olivia Chow. Explained Mr. Elmhirst, "Boiled dog's head smile is an old Cantonese saying that refers to someone who is forcing a smile or trying too hard to smile. So it's hardly a vicious comment as far as I'm concerned - well within the bounds of political taste."

Three hundred and seven - that's how many candidates have been nominated to run for the federal Liberals in this election. An impressive number, to be sure. But, as astute Public Eye readers may know, that tally is one hopeful short of a full slate. The reason: it seems the Grits of Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon have had a spot of trouble finding someone to throw themselves against the sword that is incumbent Conservative candidate Chuck Strahl. But now we've learned a volunteer has stepped forward: everyone say hello to institutional parole officer Myra Sweeney. Ms. Sweeney, of course, is not exactly a name brand candidate (although she is a member of the Fraser Valley Institution for Women's emergency response team - which means she can and will kick your ass). But she brings with her a whiff of nostalgia, having been a card-carrying member of the University of Victoria's Young Liberal mafia - whose alumni includes your humble organ.

Under the cover of holiday cheer comes this announcement from our efficient friends at BC Health Inc.: according to an internal email sent on December 16, the Maximus Inc. subsidiary has hired a(nother) new chief executive officer. Astute Public Eye readers may remember the company's first head honcho Richard Mason resigned in August after BC Health was repeatedly fined by the government for failing to meet performance targets for handling phone calls and processing Medical Services Plan and PharmaCare applications. Mr. Mason, who was on the job for just four months, was replaced back on an acting basis by Maximus's managing director of Canadian operation Brian Pollick. And now Mr. Polick is stepping aside to make way for Duff Lang. The following is a complete copy of that email which was leaked to Public Eye.

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring - except the clever elves at Community Living British Columbia. On December 19, the agency quietly announced it would be directly awarding $304,815 worth of contracts to eight separate firms. Ho! Ho! Ho! Of course, a number of those contracts are extensions to existing agency favourites. And some of the companies receiving awards went through earlier competitive bid processes. But, according to documents posted on BC Bid, three didn't - Gateway Consulting Services Ltd. ($35,000), L. Guest Management and Project Consulting Ltd. ($29,750) and TP Systems Ltd. ($30,000) - apparently because they are the only firms capable of meeting the agency's demanding information technology needs. And what do we know about these companies, you may ask? Quite a bit, it turns out.

Garden City readers, astute and otherwise, will remember the bizarre spectacle that was "Canadian socialist politician" Ben "Che" Isitt's bid to unseat Alan Lowe. Nominated as the Victoria Civic Electors mayoral candidate over the objections of slate leaders, Mr. Isitt's campaign was completely independent from the one run by the party's council hopefuls - featuring its own platform and office space. And it looks like the post-election period has done little to bring these two solitudes together.

"I can't believe this. I can perhaps see politicians going close to the wire from time to time. But they've stepped over it so far that it's unbelievable" - that's how former premier Bill Vander Zalm is reacting to the appointment of Liberal supporter Louise Burgart to the supposedly non-partisan electoral boundaries commission. Said Mr. Vander Zalm, in an interview to be published in tomorrow's edition of 24 hours, "This appears to me to be not only a conflict but rather dumb because it's so obvious. And it's rather dangerous because - even if this person does a perfect job - there's always the perception it might not have been."

Earlier, we quoted electoral boundary commissioner Louise Burgart as saying that Speaker of the Legislature Bill Barisoff appointed her to that position, in part, because she "could represent rural British Columbia." Malaspina University College political science professor Allan Warnke blasted that rationale on Public Eye Radio saying, "She has to have a perspective of the province as a whole - taking into account all population and regions. She is not to be an advocate." But the fact Mr. Barisoff wanted a rural representative on the commission shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who knows how to search Hansard.

Your humble organ has spilled much ink reporting on the appointment of provincial Liberal supporter Louise Burgart to the electoral boundaries commission. After all, this is supposed to be a non-partisan body. But don't take our word for it. In his final report, Judge Thomas Fisher - who headed the 1988 Royal Commission on Electoral Boundaries for British Columbia - stressed that, in the future, "a successful boundary commission must be completely open and non-partisan. Only if those principles are followed will there be complete confidence in the fairness of the proposals for needed boundary changes." This statement coming from Premier Bill Vander Zalm's former personal lawyer.

Has West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country federal Conservative candidate John Weston got a bit too much spit and polish on his campaign resume? You be the judge. According to the biography posted on his Website, "in the 1980's John served as a Canadian diplomat." But, speaking with Public Eye, Mr. Weston confirmed he hasn't been a member of the government's diplomatic corp. - although he did take the foreign service exam and pass. Instead, between 1986 and 1987, Mr. Weston was the assistant to Bob Kelly, the first director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. That office was established by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce under an arrangement with the federal government.

Public affairs bureau media monitoring/media relations director Kelly Gleeson wasn't the only one getting a new job today. Also announced to bureau staffers was the appointment of Jim Stanton as the British Columbia Olympic and Paralympic Games secretariat's communications director. That appointment has raised some questioning eyebrows at the bureau. After all, Mr. Stanton is said to make a rather comfortable living as the president of Jim Stanton and Associates Inc. - a company providing crisis communications advice to numerous public sector agencies across the country. But some things are more important than money. And the opportunity to work on the Olympic Games was reportedly too good to pass up - as is this question: can you think of an appropriate caption for the photograph on the front page of Mr. Stanton's Website?

Last week, your humble organ reported children and family development communications director Theresa Lumsdon was shipping herself post-haste to the meat-eating ministry ruled by small business and revenue king Rick Thorpe. According to our operatives, an internal competition was undertaken to determine who would have the somewhat dubious honour of replacing her. And now we've learned the crown has been handed to Kelly Gleeson, director of media monitoring/media relations for the public affairs bureau. Mr. Gleeson, we salute (but do not envy) you.

You knew her as the provincial Liberal's caucus chair. But to federal Liberal Victoria candidate David Mulroney, Wendy McMahon was his campaign manager. That is, until this past Sunday, when the former Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA exited that job under mutually disagreeable circumstances. A replacement is expected to be appointed next month. In the meantime, party president Jamie Elmhirst is filling the position.

Christmas has come a couple days early for Public Eye readers. Thanks to the incredible efforts of Ian King, we are now pleased to pull the curtain back on our new look and feel - as created by Art Department Design's Victor Crapnell. Thanks to both of you for all the hard labour and sleepless nights that have been poured into this project. Some tweaking still remains (such as centering the pages and making sure our archives display properly). But everything should be working. Meanwhile, the comments feature has been reactivated. So feel free to post away. And, for those who are interested, you can now syndicate Public Eye's content.

Richmond federal Conservative candidate Darrel Reid hasn't yet been elected to Parliament. But it looks like he's already got an office on the Hill. His campaign Website lists a single contact point for all inquiries: "Room 551 Confederation Bldg. House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 tel: 613-992-1157 fax: 613-943-1823." Interestingly, that space space is presently occupied by Langley MP Mark Warawa. Mr. Reid's campaign manager Robbie Robertson hasn't responded to a query - sent earlier this afternoon - as to why Mr. Reid might be using Mr. Warawa's office as a contact point.

The executive director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is calling for a review of the process by which a Liberal supporter was appointed to the electoral boundaries commission. "The designing of electoral boundaries requires absolute public confidence in the fairness of the distribution of those boundaries. And, consequently, you want the people that are involved in making recommendations and designing boundaries to be above and beyond reproach in their independence in avoiding any conflict or even any perception of having political partisan connections," said Murray Mollard in an interview with your humble organ.

Earlier, your humble organ reported one of the provincial government's most powerful and controversial deputy ministers - Andrew Wilkinson - was leaving the bureaucracy to work with a major Vancouver law firm. And what firm might that be, you may wonder? Well, according to our operatives, Mr. Wilkinson's patron is none other than McCarthy Tetrault LLP. The firm is also presently hosting former (and future) federal Liberal leadership contender John Manley and once upon a time Alberta energy minister John Zaozirny. It was also previously the home of Prime Minister Paul Martin's chief of staff Tim Murphy, paying him a $19,616.68 salary during his boss's leadership campaign. Mr. Wilkinson is expected to depart no later than mid-January.

Last night, on Public Eye Radio, Malaspina University College political science professor Allan Warnke declared that recently appointed electoral boundary commissioner Louise Burgart's partisan background (specifically the letter she wrote to the Prince George Citizen praising the Campbell administration) "really should eliminate her as a prospect for serving on the commission. Because the commission has to be perceived as being non-partisan. And, if anyone wants to say we've had commissioners before who've had their connections to the government...I'd say, 'Yeah, but we're trying to get away from that" and have been since 1999.

One of the Campbell administration's most controversial and powerful deputy ministers is leaving government, Public Eye has learned. Andrew Wilkinson, a former provincial Liberal president and Rhodes scholar, was one of the administration's first hires - this, despite an earlier promise from the premier to appointed civil servants on the "basis of their expertise, not their political stripe." Mr. Wilkinson was also touched by scandal during the recent election campaign when your humble organ, reporting in The Vancouver Sun, discovered he attended a party event in Terrace on the taxpayer's dime. At the time, Mr. Wilkinson said he went to the northern economic diversification conference without knowing it had been organized by the Liberal constituency association in Skeena. Mr. Wilkinson, who most recently headed up the ministry of economic development, is said to be departing to join a major law firm. Before he became a civil servant, he worked for Harper Grey Easton LLP - specializing in health law.

A scant ten months after being hired, Kelly MacDonald - British Columbia's deputy child and youth officer-aboriginal services - has departed Jane Morley's office. The announcement was made in a curiously worded email sent to bureaucrats on Friday at 4:10 - a time customarily reserved for dumping out bad news. According to the somewhat brief email, authored by Ms. Morley, her high-profile deputy is "moving on to other alternatives that are available to her" - suggesting a rather sudden departure. Ms. MacDonald, a lawyer and single mother, was hired in partnership with the province's principle aboriginal political organizations: the First Nations Summit, the Metis Provincial Council of British Columbia, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs and the United Native Nations. According to the Times Colonist's Judith Lavoie, she was chosen for the position from a list of 48 applicants following a gruelling interview process. The following is a complete copy of Ms. Morley's email.

Tomorrow night, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be joined by the usual suspects from our rabble-rousing political panel: former provincial New Democrat deputy minister John Heaney, political consultant Mike Geoghegan and once-upon-a-time federal Liberal operative Bob Russell. Saancih-Gulf Island Green hopeful Andrew Lewis will also be chatting with us about his chances in the riding. And we'll be discussing the recent electoral boundaries commission controversy with former provincial Liberal MLA and Malaspina University College political science professor Allan Warnke. Also on the show: Port Moody-Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam incumbent Conservative candidate James Moore, who will be promoting his party's recently released made-in-British Columbia platform. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 6:00 and 9:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us, leave a comment below or phone (250) 386-1161 during the show.

Earlier, we reported on the not-so non-partisan background of electoral boundary commissioner Louise Burgart, who was appointed this week by Speaker of Legislative Assembly Bill Barisoff. As one of three such commissioners, Ms. Burgart - a Liberal campaigner whose company (Apex Mountain Resort (1997) Ltd.) contributed $2,900 to the party and $1,000 to Mr. Barisoff's 2001 election run - will be responsible for making recommendations for the redrawing of British Columbia's constituencies. And how much will she get paid for this sensitive task, you may wonder?

This just in from the public affairs bureau: a rumoured communications director shuffle has happened sooner rather than later. Children and family development's Theresa Lumsdon will be moving to revenue, where she'll report to Minister Rick Thorpe (we'll let you figure out which posting is the fire and which is the frying pan). Meanwhile, Ms. Lumsdon's predecessor at revenue, Kirk Smith, has been handed responsibility for special projects at the bureau. And executive directors Marisa Adair (attorney general) and Carol Carman (health) switch jobs. No word yet on who will be replacing Ms. Lumsdon at children and family development.

It looks like there's some trading action going down at the Rockpile: according to our operatives, Community Services Minister Ida Chong's senior aide Steven Puhallo is switching seats with Ian Maclean, who is presently labouring for Tourism, Sports and the Arts Minister Olga Ilich. No word on the reason for the trade. But earlier, your humble organ reported locker room talk that Minister Ilich was experiencing some growing pains as one of the Campbell administration's top rookie recruits.

Following much technological pain and agony, Public Eye is back online. Our appreciation goes out to Ian King, who did yeoman work piloting us to the safe digital harbour provided by TransitionalMedia Inc.'s Paul Holmes. The comments function is disabled to block the massive spam attacks that shutdown the site yesterday. But it should be back up and running shortly. In the meantime, please enjoying reading our lastest expose about the not-so non-partisan electoral boundary commissioner Louise Burgart.

Earlier this week, we broke the news that one of the provincial government's supposedly non-partisan electoral boundary commissioners appeared to have some partisan connections. Specifically, Louise Burgart's company Apex Mountain Resort (1997) Ltd. donated $2,900 to the Liberals (apparently, without her knowledge). And, just before British Columbians went to the polls, she had a fawning letter praising the Campbell administration published in the Prince George Citizen. But now, your humble organ has exclusively learned Ms. Burgart did a lot more than just write cheques for the Liberals and say good things about them. During the last election, Ms. Burgart was an organizer for now government backbencher John Rustad, focusing on getting the party's vote out in Fort St. James. And she worked unsuccessfully to secure a Liberal nomination in Prince George-Omineca for Fort St. James mayor Jim Togyi prior to the 1996 election.

Earlier this month, agent provocateur Jamie Lee Hamilton reported rumours former Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers of Canada president Dave Haggard would be seeking the federal Liberal nod in Vancouver East. And now, your humble organ has learned Mr. Haggard has submitted his nomination papers - although they have yet to be approved by the party's provincial green light committee. Already approved by that committee is Bill Yuen - a candidate whom the party hopes will assist them in winning Chinese votes in the riding. Mr. Yuen was a two-term Non-Partisan Association school trustee but dropped out of politics after failing to win a slot on the party's city council slate in 2002. A nomination meeting for the constituency is scheduled for tonight - as is a possible bout of rabble-rousing by the aforementioned Ms. Hamilton.

Conservative candidate Derek Zeisman is a long way from becoming prime minister. But he's already figured out what he's going to do if he gets there. As has already been reported on Babble, Mr. Zeisman's essay "We Stand on Guard for Thee: A Canadian Blueprint for the Twenty-first Century" was published in the 1998 edition of As Prime Minister I Would... Among the plans in that blueprint: abolishing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which "has fractured our once unified nation into warring groups of special-interest advocates with narrow-minded goals and no sense of individual responsibility or accountability," and examining "the possibility of a North American monetary union." Other delights include ensuring all new infrastructure will be "based on the 'user pay' concept of revenue generation. Examples of this include road tolls, water and utility development fees, and user access charges for new communication services."

British Columbia Southern Interior Conservative candidate Derek Zeisman wants Paul Martin to be his leader. At least that's what he wrote back in March 2000, in a column published in the Nelson Daily News and dusted off by your humble organ. The former opinion journalist commented "it seems to me that Paul Martin," who is now leading the Liberals but was then finance minister “would make a fabulous (Canadian) Alliance leader. He has impeccable credentials as a fiscal conservative, having almost single-handedly slain the evil Deficit Dragon, while offering up a few moderate tax cuts along the way - which I suspect would have been a lot deeper, if Martin hadn't been held back by the prevailing left tilt in the Chretien cabinet." Mr. Zeisman then went onto praise Mr. Martin as being "charismatic and a superb public speaker" with "strong credibility not just in Ontario and the Maritimes, but even in the Western Reform Heartland."

Earlier, your humble organ reported one of the provincial government's supposedly non-partisan electoral boundary commissioners (Louise Burgart) appears to have some partisan connections. Moreover, in a stunning display of due diligence, government didn't even fly her down to Victoria for an interview before Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Bill Barisoff appointed her. All this, of course, is deserving of further investigation. But here's one question that should also be answered: why did New Democrat leader Carole James go along with Ms. Burgart's appointment? Because, according to our operatives, we're assured she did.

Earlier, your humble organ reported one of the supposedly non-partian electoral boundary commissioners announced today by the provincial government appears to have some partisan connections. But how did Louise Burgart get that posting? In an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Burgart explained, "Well, I don't really know other than I know they were looking for someone. The speaker (Bill Barisoff) was speaking to a couple people he knew. I guess he must have mentioned to them they were looking for someone. And did they know of somebody in the province who number one: already didn't already have a full time job and number two: might have some of the skills that it would take to do it. And I was quite surprised when I had the phone call to ask if I would consider it. It's not something I would have even considered until it was put to me. And then I definitely had to think it over."

Today, the provincial attorney general's ministry announced the three members of the electoral boundaries commission - whose recommendations will guide government in redrawing British Columbia's constituencies. Among those appointments was one from Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Bill Barisoff: Apex Mountain Resort owner/director Louise Burgart. In an interview with your humble organ, University of Victoria political science professor Norman Ruff said the speaker's appointment is supposed to be someone who "represents ordinary British Columbians without any partisan connections." But it appears Ms. Burgart, whose resort is located in Mr. Barisoff's riding, does have such connections.

From the radioactive no-man's land of children and family development comes this report from the frontlines: according to our operatives, ministry communications director Theresa Lumsdon has completed her tour of duty and will be transferring to another theatre of war. No intelligence yet on who's going to replace her or where Ms. Lumsdon is headed in the bureau. But we're told she's not the only spin doctor who will be patching up media relations wounds in a different ministry. And the bureau must still find a replacement for health communications director Michelle Stewart, who departed for the Vancouver Island Health Authority in October. All of which means we could be in for a spot of public affairs staff churn over the coming months.

Next month, the federal Conservatives will release their version of the Liberal's made-in-B.C. policy document, spelling out exactly what a Tory government would do for the good people of Lotusland. Astute readers will, of course, remember the Martin campaign did the same thing with some success during the last campaign - the source of much puff-chestedness on the part of Grit bigwig Mark Marissen. But backroomers are whispering that the Tory document was actually penned in Ottawa. And those whispers, it turns out, are true. But, according to our operatives, it would be a stretch to say British Columbians have been shut-out of the drafting process for those policies.

Earlier today, Public Eye regular Budd Campbell noted federal Conservative candidate Phil Eidsvik was among those who attend the British Columbia New Democrat's $100 per plate Celeberation 2005 fundraising dinner. Which begs this question, why was Mr. Eidsvik - who was most recently executive director of the British Columbia Fisheries Survival Coalition and is now running in Newton-North Delta - at the event? In an interview with your humble organ, the candidate explained, "I don't think that everything the New Democrats do is wrong. And I'm probably closer to the New Democrats then I am to the Liberals. And I have some friends in the New Democrat party who asked me to come. And I said, of course I'd go. If you look around the fishing fleet, you'll see fishermen in every party." He later elaborated on that answer in an email which we have, in part, posted below.

If toeing the party line was a competitive sport, South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale federal Liberal hopeful Jim McMurtry appears to be in training to become an Olympic champion. In a telephone interview, the former New Democrat candidate revealed when he's "out on the hustings, I'm not representing Jim McMurtry. I'm representing my riding association." An example: during his pre-acclamation interview with association executives, the candidate told us he was asked how he felt about the Gomery Commission. "And I said, 'Well, I'd like to sit down and hear what you people think about Gomery. But I can tell you right now how I feel. I think it was wrong." But, while campaigning, he said "my view on Gomery would be - and I'm just going to page 26 (of the campaign briefing book) - based on what is said there, that the party has accepted responsibility all the way."

Last Sunday, The Province's Ian Bailey reported the federal Conservatives had two prospective nomination candidates in Newton-North Delta "one of whom stepped aside to clear the way for the acclaimed candidate - Phil Eidsvik" - this, according to national campaign co-chair John Reynolds. And who was this mystery candidate, you may wonder? We can't say for sure. But, in an interview last week, Jesse Johl told your humble organ, "It is true I handed in my (nomination) papers. And it is true I was the first person to hand them in well before the deadline." The former Vancouver-Kingsway candidate declined to comment on whether he stepped aside for Mr. Eidsvik. And now one of our readers is reporting Mr. Johl "has filed a complaint with the party." And our operatives confirm party headquarters shipped Mr. Johl an appeal package on Thursday. For that appeal to go forward for review by the party secretariat, those papers must be signed by at least 10 Conservative members.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Press's Sharon Lindores quoted former Tory prime minister Kim Campbell as saying federal Conservative "positions are too socially conservative, I think, (for the party) to form a government in Canada. People may like their fiscal policies, but they're frightened by their social conservatism." But it looks like Ms. Campbell isn't adverse to being a patron (saint) for that same supposed lost cause. According to our operatives, the rumourmill is churning with reports Ms. Campbell is contributing behind-the-scenes to Conservative candidate Tony Fogarassy's campaign in Vancouver Centre - her old riding. Coincidentally, that campaign is being chaired by Ray Castelli, Ms. Campbell's former chief of staff. Which begs the question: could an endorsement be far behind?

Provincial Liberal House Leader Mike de Jong's career as a talk radio host is getting a little help from the government, Public Eye has learned. Yesterday, we told you the labour and citizens' services minister has been co-hosting, for the past month, a hour-long public affairs program on Sher-e-Punjab with station owner Sukh Badh. That program includes discussions on everything from politics to social issues. And now, Parm Bains - a Vancouver-based media relations officer employed by the government's taxpayer-funded public affairs bureau - has confirmed he was involved in getting the show to air.

Do you admire the job Jane Morely has been doing as the provincial government's child and youth officer? Would your company or organization benefit from her skills in crisis management, perhaps? Well, apparently, you can hire her for the bargain basement price of "$200 to $260 (per hour) depending on the nature of the mediation" - this, according to her personal Website. The site notes, on top of her duties as the child and youth officer, "I am a lawyer, a mediator and an arbitrator. My private practice is based both in Vancouver and Victoria. My experience, and interests, in the law and in court and alternative-to-court processes has been varied. As Bob Marley put it: 'I like it, I like it this way'." And how, you may ask, does she find the time to like it that way, maintaining her practice while being paid "a per diem of $1,300, to a maximum amount of $182,000 per year" for her government work? Well, based on those numbers and the assumption Ms. Morley will be working a standard seven hour civil service work day, it looks as if she was hired on the equivalent of a half-time basis. That may have changed. And Ms. Morley could have given up her private practice since updating her Website. But she has not yet returned a phone call inquiring about the matter because she's been, according to her staff, too busy. The following is a complete copy of Ms. Morely's employment contract.

Earlier, your humble organ suggested some possible Christmas reading for the West Annex: Rip-Off! The scandalous inside story of the management consulting money machine. But just how much money is the provincial government throwing in vain at those consultants? Well, British Columbia's auditor general actually surveyed three ministries to answer that question and concluded government was "receiving value for money from the majority (about 74%) of the management consulting contracts...In the other 26% value for money was not received. In these situations, inadequate planning, inappropriate contractor selection, poor contract management or a combination of these factors usually accounted for the results. We also concluded that in most cases the ministries lacked action plans with which to ensure that consultant recommendations are acted upon and not lost or forgotten." Not bad. But there's just one tiny problem. The audit was released back in June 2001 - just one month after the Campbell administration swept into office. And Wayne Strelioff's fourth follow-up to that report - published back in March - notes that "since our (most recent) review was limited to the policies and management practices implemented since our audit, we cannot answer the original two audit questions: 1) Is government receiving value for money from its management consulting engagements; and 2) Is it awarding these contracts in a fair and open manner?"

The Campbell administration's fetish for hiring management consultants, be they former bureaucrats or creatures from the private sector, is (at least anecdotally) the source of much consternation among the more fiscally-responsible members of civil service. A small example: last year, The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer reported on a lucrative government deal awarded to Bill Gipps. According to the columnist, his one-man firm Gr8 IDEAS was "being paid $1,200 a day. For 18 months work. Maximum payout under the term of the contract: $550,000. And the government directly awarded the contract, bypassing the 'fair and open tendering' promised by the B.C. Liberals in their election platform." So, it is with some amusement, we noticed the legislative library has placed Rip-Off! The scandalous inside story of the management consulting money machine in its popular readings section.

Provincial Liberal House Leader Mike de Jong will be the serving the good people of Abbotsford-Mount Lehman for another three years as their elected representative. But that hasn't stopped him from pursuing a second career - as a talk radio host. For the past month, the labour and citizens' service minister has been co-hosting an hour-long English-lanaguage public affairs show on Sher-e-Punjab every Friday at noon with station owner Sukh Badh.

On Monday, we reported our comments feature was working again. Sadly, our operatives (as they sometimes are) were misinformed. But, thanks to Ian King (who will be paid handsomely for his yeoman work), that feature should now be back in service. So post away and let us know if your messages don't make it onto our front page.

Like a multitude of Dutch boys, the federal Liberals continue plugging holes in the half-finished dike that is their British Columbia election slate. Tonight, construction work is being done in Surrey North where the party's original candidate, real estate developer Baldev Nijjer, bowed out for family reasons. Running is his place: constituency association president and former school trustee Surjit Kooner, who is being acclaimed as the party candidate in that riding. In 1999, he was the first Indo-Canadian elected to Surrey civic office, running as a member of the Surrey Electors Team. And, in a fascinating campaign footnote sure to be of interest to opposition researchers, Mr. Kooner told The Province's John Bermingham he supported the incumbent school board's refusal to approve three children's books depicting same-sex relationships for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms. Explained the candidate: "I am against those books strongly...I would like to support the parents' rights. Those books should not be taught at the lower grades."

Did you know taxpayers are going to give Gordon Campbell a salary boost this year? If not, don't worry - because even the premier himself doesn't seem aware of your generosity. Commenting on his government's decision to abandon support for last month's controversial pay raise package (which would have seen the basic compensation for MLA increase by 15 percent), Premier Campbell told CKNW's Bill Good last Monday "That's past us. It's gone...basically wages have been frozen for MLAs for another bit of time." But, basically, that's not the case. In 1997, the Clark administration passed a miscellaneous statutes amendment act allowing the legislative assembly management committee to implement the recommendations of a citizens' panel on MLA compensation. Among those recommendations: that a formula should be "used in the future as the basis for (annually) adjusting the basic compensation of MLAs." The following is a copy of that formula, which was first suggested in the 1992 review of MLA remuneration by the late Chuck Connaghan.

Pomp, circumstance and all the usual cliches were trotted out to describe yesterday's swearing-in ceremony for Mayor-elect Sam Sullivan and his councillors. Not suprisingly, our correspondents report a number of Non-Partisan Association operatives were on hand to witness the coronation, including campaign communications director Wayne Hartrick, fundraising committee chair Jodi Norrison. Mr. Sullivan's campaign manager Colin Metcalfe was also spotted sporting a cast on his foot (surgery was evidently the reason but some suspect ass kicking is to blame). And Geoff Meggs, former Mayor Larry Campbell's executive assistant, made an appearance (although his boss, those councillors that lost their seats and Vancouver chief constable Jamie Graham didn't). Other notables included federal cabinet ministers Ujjal Dosanjh and Stephen Owen, as well Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, Vancouver-Fairview MLA Gregor Robertson and Vancouver Anglican Bishop Michael Ingham. And the man who administered the oath of office was none other than provincial court judge Kenneth Ball, councillor Elizabeth Ball's brother.

Earlier, your humble organ reported former Vancouver city council candidate Colleen Hardwick-Nystedt could run for the federal Liberals in Vancouver East. But it appears there's at least one more daydream believer interested in attempting to dislodge the immovable electoral object that is New Democrat incumbent Libby Davies (who has held the riding with no less than 42 percent of the vote since 1996). According to our operatives, Lee Johnson has requested but not yet completed a nomination package for that riding. Astute readers may remember Ms. Davies from his previous bid for office in 2000, where he ran and lost against Liberal Hedy Fry as the Progressive Conservative candidate in Vancouver Centre, coming in fourth with 11.8 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, in related news, senior Grits are pooh-poohing rumours failed Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green may run for the party in Vancouver East.

The high society that is Vancouver's Non-Partisan Association is scheduled to hold a volunteer party tonight for those who helped out on the civic campaign (and even some of those who didn't). Around 400 time donors have been invited for a drink-up at Steamworks Brewing Company, which gets underway at 7:30. The association's elected officials will also be in attendance, with city councillors and Mayor-elect Sam Sullivan having been sworn-in earlier in the day.

Christmas at the Rockpile means the ministry of children and family development is no longer being raided on a daily basis by the provincial New Democrats. So deputy minister Alison MacPhail has taken advantage of this lull in the conflict to climb out of her bombed-out office/bunker to pen a message to her troops. She writes: "It has been a few months since my last message to you, and I apologize for not being in touch as often as usual. This fall has been a challenging time for each of us in the ministry and, as you know, there has been significant attention paid in the Legislature and the media to MCFD and to the issue of child deaths and reviews."

Attention federal Liberal operatives! Are you having some trouble recruiting candidates to campaign in British Columbia? Do you need to add a dash of extra special somethin' to your courting and wooing department? Well, not to worry because Jamie Lee Hamilton is coming to the rescue! In an email sent to supporters this morning, the flamboyant sex trade activist writes, "Another strong candidate is willing to stand for the Liberal party for Vancouver-East, if there is enough support for her candidacy." And who might that candidate be, you may wonder? Survey says Colleen Hardwick-Nystedt, who made an unsuccessful bid for a seat on Vancouver council during the recent civic election. Ms. Hamilton goes onto to write Ms. Hardwick-Nystedt "brings impressive credentials and would be well suited to provide stiff competition to (New Democrat incumbent) Libby Davies." The following is a complete copy of that email.

Checking the calendar, your humble organ notes the federal election campaign has been underway for six days now. Federal Conservative leader Stephen Harper seems to be aware of this numerical fact, serving up heaping helpings of gainesburger to the hungry press. Meanwhile, the Liberals in British Columbia are fighting hard - to find candidates. Here's the latest news from the frontlines: as was earlier reported by The Peace Arch News's Steven Addison, Princess Margaret Secondary school teacher and athletic director Jim McMurtry will be acclaimed tonight as the Grit hopeful in South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale.

Huzzah! Thanks to a dose of duct tape and some technical know-how, Ian King has gotten our comments feature working again and upgraded the Website's backend. And, after Mr. King gets some much-deserved sleep, he'll be freshening up Public Eye's muckraking look and feel with a re-design provided by Victor Crapnell.

This morning, Newton-North Delta streets are streaming with crocodile tears. Local Tories are simply overwhelmed by the news that former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum botched his bid to run for the Conservative candidacy in that constituency. After all, Mr. McCallum lost his civic seat by 10,423 votes. So there was some question as to whether he could hold that riding for the Tories. And his political fortunes are still clouded by questions concerning how he handled a series of sexual harassment complaints at city hall. But, according to a review of press clippings by your humble organ, the man who will be running in that constituency for the Conservatives - fisheries activist Phil Eidsvik - is not without some of his own baggage.

In an interview, former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum confirmed he has been blocked from running for the federal Conservative nomination in Newton-North Delta. Speaking with Public Eye, Mr. McCallum said "I was phoned this morning by (constituency association president) Jim Holt. And he said that national (headquarters) said I'm not a member (of the party) and that part of my papers weren't in on time."

Will Surrey mayor Doug McCallum be running for the federal Conservative nod in Newton-North Delta tomorrow? That's the question some Tories are asking at this hour after hearing rumours Mr. McCallum's nomination papers weren't submitted by Friday's deadline. When asked about that talk by your humble organ, constituency association president Jim Holt said "I can't speak to the issue right now. I'm sorry," requesting we phone him back in about 90 minutes. When pressed, Mr. Holt responded, "That's between us and Doug McCallum," before hanging up. If Mr. McCallum isn't able to run, related rumours say could mean an acclamation for British Columbia Fisheries Survival Coalition executive director Phil Eidsvik.

Earlier, your humble organ reported rumours GPC International Inc. public affairs consultant Anna Lilly would be joining Vancouver Mayor-elect Sam Sullivan's office. Daniel Fontaine, the mayor-elect's chief of staff, didn't return a phone call requesting confirmation of those rumours. But now, our operatives have acquired an email from Ms. Lilly in which she writes "I am excited to share the news that I have accepted the position of Director of Community Relations" for Mr. Sullivan. The following is a complete copy of that email.

Yesterday, former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum announced he would be running for the federal Conservative nomination in Newton-North Delta. But, in what will surely be seen as a tit-for-tat move, our operatives report the Liberals have recruited another unseated mayor - Coquitlam's Jon Kingsbury - to run for them in Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam. Interesting fact: Mr. Kingsbury lost the recent civic election to Maxine Wilson by 52 votes. By comparison, Mr. McCallum lost to Dianne Watts by 10,423 votes.

In 30 minutes, everyone who wants to run for the federal Conservative nod in Newton-North Delta will need to have submitted their nomination papers to party headquarters. But who will be on that list? Well, yesterday, former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum announced he would be seeking the nomination. And earlier, your humble organ reported the Tories have also been targetting Radio Punjab news director Harjinder Thind, former Vancouver South Liberal candidate Shinder Prewal and Phil Eidsvik, executive director of the British Columbia Fisheries Survival Coalition, as possible replacements for Gurmant Grewal. But, according to our operatives, many more are considering running. Eighteen nomination packages have been requested from the party to-date. A candidate selection meeting for the constituency is being scheduled for this Sunday.

Last night, Vancouver's well-heeled Urban Development Institute - the folks representing the interests of the provincial development community - hosted its annual invitation-only Christmas reception at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel. According to our operatives, those who showed up to soak up the atmosphere (and other related beverages) included former provincial Liberal backbencher and Maple Ridge councillor Ken Stewart and Burnaby-New Westminster federal Liberal candidate Mary Pynenburg, as well as Vancouver councillor Raymond Louie and councillor-elect Suzanne Anton. The capital city contingent included Premier Gordon Campbell, as well as Health Minister George Abbott and Vancouver-Fairview New Democrat MLA Gregor Robertson. Noticeable by his absence was Vancouver Mayor-elect Sam Sullivan, who appeared to have received less financial assistance from the development community during the recent civic election than his Vision Vancouver opponent Jim Green.

A lot of crap was thrown around during the recent Victoria civic elections. But its disposal is the responsibility of the capital regional district, which is presently dumping raw sewage into the Juan de Fuca Strait. And that's why environmentalists will be paying attention next Wednesday when the district's 22 board members select their chair. According to our operatives, the race has come down to Victoria mayor Alan Lowe and Langford councillor Denise Blackwell. Mr. Lowe, who was endorsed by the Conservation Voters of British Columbia, is being supported by those in favour of secondary sewage treatment. While Ms. Blackwell, who chairs district's liquid-waste management committee, has the backing of those opposed to such treatment.

Earlier, Mayor-elect Sam Sullivan announced former 2010 LegaciesNow communications director Daniel Fontaine would be his chief staff. And now, your humble organ is hearing rumours Non-Partisan Association board member Anna Lilly will also be joining Mr. Sullivan's office. Ms. Lilly, who chaired the association's communications committee, is presently a public affairs consultant with GPC International Inc. and is known to be allied with councillor Peter Ladner. She was also master of cermonies for the association on election night. Mr. Fontaine has not yet returned a phone call inquiring about said rumours.