January 2006 Archives

It looks like columnists Bill Tieleman and Paul Willcocks aren't the only members of the chattering classes to take a dim view of provincial Liberal supporter Louise Burgart's appointment to the electoral boundary commission. From Dave Paulson, managing editor of Prince George Citizen, comes word that his broadsheet - the largest daily newspaper in New Democrat leader Carole James's old stomping grounds - has also come out against Ms. Burgart. In his editorial, which was published last week, Mr. Paulson writes "Whether Burgart could park her Liberal loyalties while working on the commission isn't the issue. Transparency is. To maintain the commission's integrity and ensure public confidence in a critical process, Burgart must be replaced." The following is a complete copy of that editorial.

Last week, The Vancouver Sun's Peter O'Neil reported Conservative provincial campaign co-chair and Senator Gerry St. Germain as saying "he's prepared to resign and run for a seat in the upper chamber, but only if there are major constitutional reforms to give B.C. more seats." But before that happens, some senior Tories in this province would like to see him appointed as the government's Senate leader, giving Vancouver a voice at the cabinet table. Of course, Senator St. Germain isn't the only possible contender for that post. Other names being babbled about include David Angus, Marjory Lebreton, Hugh Segal and David Tkachuk.

Attention provincial Liberal staffers - some of your colleagues may soon be headed to Ottawa. According to our operatives, senior Conservatives are eyeing at least four Rockpile residents as possible Harper administration flacks/hacks. The Tories won't be headhunting those staffers without first consulting the premier's office. But it's hoped West Annexers see the value in having some of their underlings working in the nation's capital.

Your humble organ has done much fussing and bothering about the appointment of provincial Liberal supporter Louise Burgart to the electoral boundary commission - which has now decided its executive director doesn't need to come from a non-partisan background. That surreal decision has prompted my colleague Bill Tieleman to consider competing for the job - as noted in his 24 hours's column today. Freelance pundit Paul Willcocks also weighed in last month against Ms. Burgart's appointment to the commision. But still no word of complaint from New Democrats. The following is a complete copy of Mr. Tieleman's op-ed.

Last week, we reported Ted Hughes wouldn't be releasing the public submissions made to his B.C. Children and Youth Review. The reason: according to review executive director Maureen Nicholls "there was some sense of unease (by social service agencies) in terms of the ministry knowing" their views. But special needs advocate Dawn Steele isn't afraid of publicizing her concerns.

Much backslapping must have ensued when provincial New Democrat MLAs received the results of an internal poll showing them four percentage points ahead of the Liberals - this, according to our operatives. The poll, which was conducted by the running dog capitalists at IdeaWorks Consulting back in December, gave the Opposition around 45 percent support - providing statistical proof Carole James's leadership will take the socialists to victory in the next election. Which, of course, explains the present collegial atmosphere in caucus.

Astute Public Eye readers will be aware of the Campbell administration's Gateway Program - a $3 billion infrastructure project which the government claims will "help create a comprehensive, effective transportation network that supports improved movement of people and goods, facilitates economic growth, increases transportation choice and provides better connections to designated population growth areas." But one wonders what Finance Minister Carole Taylor thinks about those claims. Over the summer, The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer tantalizingly mentioned Ms. Taylor "during her term as a Vancouver city councillor, strongly opposed building freeways into the city to please commuters in Surrey." In fact, when the Vander Zalm government rolled out its ten year highway expansion plan (entitled Freedom to Move), she was quoted by the broadsheet's Denny Boyd on December 3, 1988 as saying "When I see words like...better port access, they're like red flags. They alarm me." The following is a complete copy of that quote, which was excavated by Public Eye.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, Democracy Watch coordinator Duff Conacher will join us to talk about whether Tory Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Accountability Act will put him out of a job. Provincial New Democrat social housing critic Doug Routley is also coming on the program with The Times Colonist's Jody Paterson and Marlene Goley from The Cridge Centre for the Family to discuss proposed changes to the way social housing is delivered in British Columbia. Federal Liberal gadfly Jonathan Ross and Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca MP Keith Martin will give their thoughts on the upcoming Grit leadership race. And our rabble-rousing political panel - Will McMartin, Bob Russell and Brad Zubyk - will be weighing in about the week that was in politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:00 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.

Provincial New Democrat MLAs are back from their excursion to sunny Prince George. But what did they talk about at their meeting? Well, according to our operatives, there was some discussion about the election of the party's caucus officers (excluding the house leader post occupied by Mike Farnworth) - who were initially appointed by Carole James following the campaign. But the fact two MLAs weren't at that meeting scuttled plans to cast ballots then and there. And no date was set for a future vote tallying exercise. But there should be much interest in the results when caucus members do go to the polls.

Last month, we reported the Non-Partisan Association's caucus would be meeting on January 28. But that schmooze-fest has since been postponed without being re-scheduled. Could this be the result of the recent bout of bloodletting on the association's board of directors, which culminated in an extraordinary phone call between Alex Tsakumis and brother muckraker Allen Garr? Meanwhile, in other daytimer news, the provincial New Democrats will be having the first provincial council meeting since convention on February 19 at The Empire Landmark Hotel. That meeting will be preceded by a party executive strategy session on Febuary 4, where bigwigs will be doing some deep thinking on how to keep the New Democrat membership occupied for the next four years. Might we suggest shiny things as one option? The following is a copy of the email announcing the council meeting.

Earlier, we reported rental and construction representatives have been lobbying the Campbell administration for the past four or five years to introduce rental supplements for lower-income families. But those efforts have been paralleled by a similar campaign on the national stage. The Canadian Federation of Apartment Association has long made those supplements one of its principal political goals. The Canadian Home Builders' Association and the Urban Development Institute of Canada - which represents property developers - have also been supporting that campaigning. And, in a 2005 memorandum, the federation crowed its "activities had a direct influence on Housing Minister (Joe) Fontana's decision to allow federal funding to be used for rent supplements or housing allowances. That was a specific goal CFAA set at our 2004 Conference and AGM." That decision meant unused funding allocated under federal-provincial-territorial housing agreements could now be used for those programs. And we can likely expect more discussion of supplements when the country's housing ministers meet in Vancouver this June - a pow-wow that will be co-chaired by our very own Rich Coleman.

Earlier, we asked the provincial electoral boundary commission whether their executive director would be required to come from a non-partisan background. After all, the citizens' assembly on electoral reform refused to hire future New Democrat MLA Claire Trevena as their communications director because of her politics. But, apparently, the boundary commissioners - who include Liberal supporter Louise Burgart - have decided the same standard doesn't apply to their senior staffer. The reason: in an email sent to Public Eye, the members wrote the executive director will be "responsible for providing the Commission's infrastructure and coordinating the activities of others" but will not be "in a position to make recommendations on behalf of the Commission." And that means anyone from Gerry Scott to Kelly von Reichert (Public Eye passim) could conceivably be hired to that post. The following is a complete copy of that email.

Earlier, we reported British Columbia New Democrat provincial secretary Gerry Scott would be heading off into the sunset. But who's replacing him? According to our operatives, former Alberta party secretary Laura Nichols - who worked as Carole James's anchor during the recent election campaign - is the winning candidate. Others considered for the posting were former Vision Vancouver campaign manager Ian Reid and party organizer Sandra Houston.

Yesterday, we reported rumours some federal Liberals think David Emerson should run as a leadership candidate - providing a rallying point for British Columbia party members. But not everyone is happy Mr. Emerson, who was re-elected in Vancouver-Kingsway, made it back into Parliament. According to the rumourmill, some provincial Liberals were hoping for his defeat - not because they bear him any ill will but because they wanted the former deputy minister and forestry executive back on their team.

Astute readers will remember that, last year, the provincial government appointed respected former jurist and conflict of interest commissioner Ted Hughes to head an independent review into British Columbia's much criticized child protection system. As part of that review, Mr. Hughes received more than 200 public submissions commenting on the state of that system. But don't expect to be able to read those submissions without the assistance of a freedom of information request. In an interview with your humble organ, the review executive director Maureen Nicholls confirmed the documents won't be made public.

Rental housing and construction industry representatives are cheering changes to the way the government shelters its most vulnerable citizens - a proposal that was questioned earlier this week by social housing advocates. In an interview with Public Eye, Rental Owners and Managers Association of British Columbia chief executive officer Al Kemp said he was "100 percent in favour" of public statements by provincial Housing Minister Rich Coleman that seem to suggest the province will shift focus from funding social housing to handing out supplements so low-income families can live in private sector dwellings.

Terminal City will host the upcoming federal Liberal leadership convention if Jamie Elmhirst has his way. In an interview with Public Eye, the British Columbia party president confirmed he'll be submitting such a request to the party's executive. Meanwhile, our operatives report there's some thinking in Grit Lotusland that said conference should be scheduled no sooner but no later than this fall. The reason: that's enough time to give candidates a chance to organize and debate the issues but not enough time to let the leadership race fester. Meanwhile, famed Grit gadfly Jonathan Ross is reporting whispers that the executive will set that date sometime this week. Also treading on the rumourmill: thoughts that David Emerson should be encouraged to run for the Liberal leadership - not necessarily because he'd win the race but instead because he'd be a rallying point for British Columbia Grits, thereby keeping the provincial voting block intact.

Yesterday, we told you the province's three principal social housing groups were raising serious questions about Housing Minister Rich Coleman's plans to change the way the province shelters some of its most vulnerable citizens. And now it seems provincial New Democrat housing critic Doug Routley has thrown his two cents into the debate. In a news release posted earlier this morning, Mr. Routley slammed suggestions the government should "shift from owning (and building) housing projects, which stigmatize and ghettoize low-income people, to providing rent subsidies toward privately owned units." According to Mr. Routley "Affordable housing is a complex issue that cannot be solved with only targeted rent supplements. This decision is not only bad for families, but for all British Columbians."

Conservation Voters of British Columbia coordinator Matt Price is waving the warning flag in front of the premier's decision to contract labour negotiations work to former deputy minister Lee Doney. Noting that Mr. Doney's company RLD Strategies Ltd. contributed $500 to the provincial Liberals during the last election campaign, Mr. Price wrote in an email to Public Eye that Mr. Doney's contract "raises the spectre of what has been considered, until now perhaps, a federal issue: donors getting contracts. Not only should non-voter donations be banned in order to avoid these kinds of things, but anyone who has financial dealings with the government should be prohibited from campaign contributions as an individual for a period of time in order to avoid the perception of corruption."

Earlier, we reported on former deputy minister Lee Doney's double-dipping - collecting a government pension while working under contract for the premier's office. That practice is by no means a rarity. But it's unlikely New Democrat MLAs will be raising much of a hue and cry about the matter. Last month, brother muckraker Russ Francis wrote Uncle H.A.D. Oliver, British Columbia's conflict of interest comforter/commissioner, ruled MLAs who had been elected to the legislature following an absence could continue collecting their old MLA pension package while being paid for their present work at the Rockpile.

Earlier, we reported former deputy minister Lee Doney would be collecting his pension while working on a 10-month, $200,000 contract for the premier's office. As your humble organ has already observed, many senior retired bureaucrats do the same thing. But what does Mr. Doney think about the practice? In an interview yesterday with Public Eye, he defended such contracts, noting government is "asking (former civil servants) to come in and give up the opportunity to make money working in the private sector. And it's for short-term work. It's not like you're going to get five years of work out of this. We're talking ten months - shorter maybe." Mr. Doney also said his present contract "isn't a rich contract by any means...If you work 22 days a month, divided by a $20,000 retainer, it's less than $1,000 in an eight-hour day. And it's $150 an hour. As a deputy, I was probably making more than that."

The province's three principal social housing groups are raising serious questions about Housing Minister Rich Coleman's plans to change the way the province shelters some of its most vulnerable citizens. Based on public statements made by the minister, those plans would appear to shift the province's focus from building such housing to giving low-income families rental supplements so they can live in private sector dwellings. But Tenants Rights Action Coalition executive director Martha Lewis said it was, "dangerously simplistic to say that the option is either subsidies or funding social housing." Rental supplements, she explained, are "not a long-term solution. They're a Band-Aid. It's more expensive, in the long-run, to use taxpayers' money to subsidize landlords." The reason: social housing may cost a lot to build in the short-run. But, unlike an apartment building, it doesn't need to turn a profit.

Former deputy minister Lee Doney may now be working in the premier's office as a special advisor on labour bargaining. But it appears this isn't his first job with the provincial government since retiring. According to public accounts, government transferred $111,469 to his company RLD Strategies Ltd. in fiscal 2004/05. Not bad. And it seems Mr. Doney has been generous with that money. According to Elections British Columbia, RLD Strategies contributed $500 to the Liberals during the recent provincial campaign.

Earlier, your humble organ reported former deputy minister Lee Doney would be collecting his pension while under contract with the premier's office. Of course, Mr. Doney isn't the first nor will he be the last senior civil servant to do so. After all, the provincial government presently has no policies preventing such perceived double-dipping. But the federal government's contracting guidelines do include strong language surrounding the hiring of civil service pensioners. According to those guidelines "contracts with a former employee receiving a government pension may prompt accusations that public funds are being abused or that influence was improperly exerted in the contract award, particularly if those involved occupied more senior positions or took early retirement." And "if the contract work is substantially like that performed by the pensioner before retirement, contracting authorities should ensure that they can justify why the work is not being done by a successor." For example, a former labour deputy minister being hired as the premier's special advisor on labour bargaining?

Our astute readers will, of course, be familiar with the sainted Lee Doney. A senior bureaucrat with more than 30 years of experience in the civil service, the craggy deputy minister of labour retired back in April 2004 - an occasion commemorated with a column penned by The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer. But a little more than a year later, the premier's office has announced he'll be working under contract as Gordon Campbell's special advisor on labour bargaining. And how much will he be making as a special advisor, you may wonder? Well, it turns out Mr. Doney will earn a maximum of $200,000 over the ten months covered by that contract - which was awarded to his company RLD Strategies Ltd. A fair sum perhaps - given his experience and the fact he will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But let us not forget that, while working on this contract, he will continue collecting his collecting his government pension - which could be perceived as double-dipping.

Wanted: executive director for the electoral boundary commission. Qualifications: "managing complex multi-million dollar projects or enterprises" - this according to an advertisement posted on BC Bid. But no mention is made of the successful applicant being non-partisan. That's somewhat curious. After all, our astute readers will remember the tragic episode (reported by The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer) wherein the citizens' assembly on electoral reform refused to hire future New Democrat MLA Claire Trevena as their communications director. The reason: she had been a senior member of the Green Party, which was advocating for proportional representation. So shouldn't the executive director for the boundary commission have to meet a similar standard of non-involvement when it comes to their past political background?

Earlier, your humble organ reported Community Living British Columbia board Joan Rush told a First Call meeting the agency was asking for a $40 million budget increase for special needs children services in its Treasury Board submission. But, since then, we've been informed Ms. Rush asked First Call to strike her statement from the meeting minutes because she could not be sure about that number - which, we're assured, is incorrect.

Our astute readers will, of course, be familiar with the Community Living Coalition - the lobby group that was fathered, in part, by Doug Walls and ultimately gave birth to the provincial government's independent authority for developmentally disabled adults. Established in November 2001, the group's "immediate goals were 1) address threatened cutbacks to community living services and supports; 2) develop a new governance structure for community living; 3) promote Individualized Funding as an option for individuals and families." But with at least two of those goals being accomplished, there was some discussion among members that the coalition should be disbanded. And that proposal came up for debate at a group meeting earlier this month. But, according to those familiar with the debate, it was decided the coalition would "carry out in a relatively quiet role" except around the role of community councils at Community Living British Columbia - as well as budgetary and access issues.

What happens when you put the woman responsible for the province's purse strings in the same room as the man in charge of British Columbia's labour movement? We'll find out Friday, when Carole Taylor and Jim Sinclair are scheduled to discuss the upcoming round of public sector labour negotiations, which are expected to dominate government's spring agenda. No actual bargaining will take place at that meeting. But Mr. Sinclair will be seeking further clarification on the new negotiation framework Minister Taylor rolled out on November 30.

Public Eye has made much ado about provincial Liberal supporter Louise Burgart's appointment to the supposedly non-partisan electoral boundary commission. Up until now, though, the provincial New Democrat caucus leadership has seemed somewhat reluctant to make much of a public fuss about Ms. Burgart - despite the fact former boundary commissioner Katherine Hough, ex-premier Bill Vander Zalm and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association have been ringing alarm bells about her appointment. We won't dwell on the reason for that silence. But those who are concerned about the possibility and perception of gerrymandering created by Ms. Burgart's presence of the commission will be somewhat relieved to know former party president and Surrey-Whalley MLA Bruce Ralston has been assigned to look into the matter.

Our astute readers will, of course, be familiar with Lorne Sivertson. He's the aspiring stand-up comedian who recently retired as president of the Columbia Power Corp. - the hen house to the Columbia Basin Trust's den of foxes. And what, you may ask, is he doing with his retirement years? Well, like so many of his counterparts in the provincial government, Mr. Sivertson has put up his shingle as a consultant. The following is a portion of his sales pitch.

Taxpayers will be spending millions on a computer system mega-project allowing doctors to request lab tests and access the results online. In an interview, health communications director Marisa Adair said she couldn't confirm the exact value of the contract due to competitiveness concerns except to say "It's in the tens of millions" of dollars. But two insiders familiar with that multi-year deal (which will cover development and ongoing maintenance and administration costs) estimated the number considerably higher, with one calling it a "$400 million adventure" - information Ms. Adair says is incorrect. And what about the privacy concerns surrounding a system that will be carrying such sensitive information? Ms. Adair didn't specifically address those worries, except to say, "Privacy and patient confidentiality - as in all our e-health initiatives - is a critical component of the project. So it's got to be compliant with FOIPPA. And we have tough privacy measures that are among the strongest in Canada in terms of ensuring this." The lab contract, which will be jointly funded by the provincial and federal governments, is expected to be posted sometime next month. The following is a copy of the day-after-Boxing Day news release announcing that contract.

Is the provincial government preaching labour peace while preparing for war? That's what our operatives are wondering, after receiving reports Ipos-Reid Corp. is polling on public sector labour issues. Among the questions: under what conditions would you support the government imposing a contract? If there was a minor service disruption, a major service disruption or if a mediator determined no deal was possible? In an interview, Ipsos-Reid public affairs vice-president Kyle Braid said he could neither confirm nor deny whether the company was conducting such a survey or who the firm might be working for. "We're in the field all the time on public issues and we may or may not be doing that right now." Although he did add "it's a topic we've done before...but mostly for ourselves." Mr. Braid also said, if Ipsos-Reid was doing such a poll for themselves rather than a client, he would be able to confirm the survey's existence.

A former electoral boundary commissioner is calling for the removal of a Liberal supporter who was recently appointed to do the same supposedly non-partisan job. In an exclusive interview, Katherine Hough, an Anglican priest, also said it was "inappropriate" for Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Bill Barisoff to have made that appointment because he received campaign donations from the new commissioner's company. Ms. Hough, who noted Mr. Barisoff was upset when her 1999 boundary commission chopped up his riding, explained "the legislation calls for a non-partisan appointment to do that work. And (the Liberals) have discovered they have erred in that. So they need to take the high road, rescind the appointment and get someone who fits the criteria...Or, better yet, (Louise Burgart) should withdraw once she realizes that this is a non-partisan appointment."

Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy and her longtime supporter Gerrie van Ieperen appear to have been involved with an initiative to counter the media's perceived left-wing bias via the blogosphere, according to a collection of emails leaked to Public Eye. The emails, which date back to early last year and have not yet been verified as authentic, discuss a document entitled "Exposing the left-wing media filter." The document, written by then Victoria constituency association director-at-large Eugene Parks, proposes organizing a team of writers and analysts who would "point out instances of unbalanced or biased news reporting" via a "respected and credible blog site."

Canada's prince of pot may be backing federal New Democrat leader Jack Layton. But one of his vassals is volunteering for Vancouver South Liberal incumbent candidate Ujjal Dosanjh, the Martin administration's health minister. In an interview, Sotos Petrides - who ran for the Marijuana Party in Ottawa West-Nepean during 2000 election - explained he was now helping Dosanjh because "I've been a proud Liberal for many, many years. I've helped Sheila Copps. I've helped Paul Martin. I've helped candidates in Ontario - Carolyn Parish...And I'm also helping other candidates here in Vancouver." Mr. Petrides explained he used to be involved with the Marijuana Party because "I was a hemp advocate - industrial hemp. And my view was that if the overall issue was liberalized then it would be easier for hemp farmers to get permits to grow hemp." Mr. Petrides was also formerly president of Wiseman Noble Sales & Marketing Ltd., a firm that organized industrial hemp conferences.

Our readers, astute and otherwise, may remember November's MLA pay raise fiasco, wherein British Columbia's elected representatives waddled up to the public trough for a 15 percent salary hike - a feast that was ultimately cancelled due to public outrage. But questions remain as to why the legislative assembly management committee's members (who were responsible for working out the particulars of that deal) thought they could get away with such porkbarrelling. At the time of the fiasco, we were told the committee's 2005 meeting minutes - which might answer some of those questions - hadn't been approved for publication. But that approval was expected before the end of November. Now it's the New Year. And those minutes still aren't available. Which means the committee is sitting on 12 months worth of documention, detailing its secret deliberations.

On Friday, The Vancouver Courier's Allen Garr quoted former Non-Partisan Association president Paul Barbeau as saying there there could be "some manipulation of the process" when the civic party holds its annual general meeting this spring and elects a new board of directors. And it looks like that manipulation process may have gotten underway. Tongues are wagging with rumours that some want the board to endorse a slate of successors at that meeting - something which hasn't happened in the last two years. But it's unlikely interim association president Matt Taylor, who has been spending most of his time making the telephone rounds with caucus members, will endorse that proposal.

It looks like provincial New Democrat caucus members are going on a field trip to their leader's old stomping grounds. According to our operatives, MLAs are in the midst of flocking back from vacation to attend their first meeting of the New Year - scheduled for January 25 and 26 in Prince George at the The Coast Inn of the North. Meanwhile, Carole James's chief of staff David Perry is already back on the job, having taken a well-deserved respite in Cuba.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be joined by Living Oceans Society executive director Jennifer Lash. She'll be talking about a detente that has been reached between fish farmers and environmentalists. University of Victoria earth and ocean sciences professor Michael Whiticar is coming into the studio to discuss the renewed possibility of offshore oil and gas development in British Columbia. And our regular band of rabblerousers - past New Democrat deputy minister John Heaney, former Liberal operative Bob Russell, ex-provincial MLA Judi Tyabji-Wilson and University of Victoria social policy professor Michael Prince - will be discussing the latest from the campaign trail. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 7:00 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.

Back in June, Community Living British Columbia assumed temporary responsibility for delivering services to children with special needs. The reason: at the time, community living staffers from the ministry of children and family development were being transferred to the new authority. And, even though the authority's mandate is limited to caring for those with developmental disabilities, many of those staffers were also working with special needs children. But responsibility for special needs children without developmental disabilities was supposed to be handed back to the ministry the following year. So our operatives were somewhat surprised to hear Community Living British Columbia board member Joan Rush tell those attending a First Call meeting that the authority had requested a $40 million increase for special needs children services in their Treasury Board submission. This, in response to a question posed by the coalition's chair Michael Goldberg. And Ms. Rush's answer has some wondering whether the authority is planning on making a play to permanently deliver those services - a program area whose budget is presently held by the ministry. The following is a copy of the internal government memorandum detailing the services' temporarily transfer to Community Living British Columbia.

Earlier, we reported former school trustee Surjit Kooner became the Liberal candidate for Surrey North after Baldev Nijjer was replaced bowed out for family reasons. But, perhaps there's another reason why Mr. Nijjer didn't run? Back in 1992, then provincial New Democrat cabinet minister Penny Priddy rose in the legislature to introduce "Raj and Baldev Nijjer. I am fortunate to have both Raj and Baldev as friends and political colleagues. They are strong activists in the area of multiculturalism. They stand strongly beside people from the Indo-Canadian community and other communities who are contributing to British Columbia's future." Ms. Priddy is, of course, now running in Surrey North.

Blair Wilson is in the running for something. It isn't the Olympics. But that didn't stop the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky Country Liberal candidate's campaign from putting a picture of Mr. Wilson, standing behind a bobsled prominently featuring the 2010 Winter Olympics logo, on the the back page of his campaign brochure. And, according to Renee Smith-Valade, communications vice-president for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, that's a no-no. In a message left on our answering machine, Ms. Smith-Valade said, "We are aware of the use of the Vancouver 2010 emblem in Mr. Wilson's brochure. As soon as we were made aware of the brochure, we immediately spoke to Mr. Wilson's campaign manager who apologized for the use of our emblem. And he has - in fact - taken immediate steps to comply with our request to discontinue all use of the logo and destroy any remaining material that contains the logo. And we have every reason to believe they have complied and we have communicated that request formally in writing."

Right now, there's two important dates in Vancouver Centre federal Conservative candidate Tony Fogarassy's calendar. The first is January 23 - election day. And the second is April 26 - when the prominent oil and gas lawyer is scheduled to speak about "Pacific Offshore Oil & Gas: Present Status and How to Move Forward" at the fourth annual Pacific Canada Oil and Gas Development Forum. Of course, advocating offshore development is consistent with past Tory policy. During the 2004 election, The Vancouver Sun's Kim Pemberton noted the party's "environment critic Bob Mills said as long as the environmental and safety concerns were met, the Conservatives would allow offshore drilling to commence if elected." But one wonders how the latte sippers living in Mr. Fogarassy's riding would feel about drilling platforms in the Hecate Straight.

It looks like British Columbia Southern Interior federal Conservative candidate Derek Zeisman may soon be suffering some additional damage as a result of the car accident he was involved in last month. In a letter to the editor, published today in the Trail Daily Times, J. Campbell writes Mr. Zeisman "has the nerve to say that 'Despite his close call, the accident had not been an over(ly) traumatic experience. Rather than a bad experience, in some ways it was a very good experience.' Well, it certainly has been a traumatic and not very good experience to the young lady he hit while he was driving recklessly in poor weather. He appeared to be passing when unsafe to do so and was in her lane when he hit her oncoming car." The following is a complete copy of that letter.

Federal Conservative candidate Darrel Reid's past as a professional Christian activist has been reported far and wide. So, given that background, it seems only appropriate Mr. Reid's campaign Website would feature his smiling face plastered next to a pastoral picture of Heaven on Earth. But there's just one little problem. It looks like that photograph wasn't brought to you by Supernatural British Columbia. Instead, Richmond voters may be interested to know the picture is actualy a stock image taken by shutterbug Andrzej Tokarski - who is located in Radom, Poland.

Despite rumours of war, it appears the spirit of detente may have made an appearance at last night's Non-Partisan Association board of directors meeting. According to our operatives, Matthew Taylor, who is married to former mayor Philip Owen's niece, was unanimously voted the association's interim president, following Paul Barbeau's abrupt resignation.

Will there be more Non-Partisan Assocation blood-letting at tonight's board of directors meeting? As has just been reported by agent provocateur Jamie Lee Hamilton, speculation among senior civic party members is that there could be an attempt to replace Yvonne De Valone and Andrew Graham as the association's vice-president and treasurer. Our astute readers will, of course, be aware Mr. Graham was the best man at former president Paul Barbeau's wedding and a childhood friend. And Ms. De Valone is said to have questioned the validity of the resolution appointing Doug Leung and Colin Metcalfe to the board and whether they should attend said meeting.

Earlier, your humble organ reported on the appointment of Doug Leung to the Non-Partisan Association's board of directors. And, based on an email written by Dale McClanaghan promoting that appointment, he sounds like quite a catch. According to the past president, Mr. Leung "has served as a national co-chair and provincial chief (for the federal Liberals) during several elections." But there's just one little problem. That information is plain wrong. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Leung said "that's not correct. I have no idea where they got that from...And it was quite embarrassing actually." So what exactly has the new appointee done for the Grits? Well, in 1997, he was New Westminster Liberal candidate Celso Boscariol's campaign manager. And, from 2000 onwards, he filled the same post for Vancouver Quadra MP Stephen Owen. Mr. Leung also added "I've done some modest things (for the provincial Liberals). I was largely involved with Point Grey for the premier's campaign, going back to the 96 campaign."

Earlier, we reported Paul Barbeau abruptly resigned as president of the Non-Partisan Association. At issue: a resolution, passed on Sunday, appointing Doug Leung and Colin Metcalfe to the association's board of directors. Also included in the email containing that resolution was a "discussion on the direction of the NPA in 2006" by board member Dale McClanaghan. According to Mr. McClanaghan, rather than "reverting to the pre-2001 style of low activity during non-election years...the NPA should be active particularly as our new elected officials learn their new roles."

Paul Barbeau has abruptly resigned as president of the Non-Partisan Association, Public Eye has learned. The resignation was the direct result of a resolution passed on Sunday appointing Doug Leung and Colin Metcalfe to the association's board of directors. The resolution was introduced by Dale McClanaghan and passed via email without waiting for comment from the president. And Mr. Barbeau apparently interpreted that lack of consultation as a vote of no-confidence in his leadership. Board member Judy Baldwin has also resigned over the handling of that vote - occuring just two days before the directors were set to meet in person. Mr. Leung is park board commissioner Heather Holden's significant other and Mr. Metcalfe was Mayor Sam Sullivan's campaign manager. In recent weeks, Mr, Barbeau had expressed concerns Anna Lilly and Anna Lucarino would be remaining on the board, despite accepting paid staff positions in the mayor's office. Messrs. Leung and Metcalfe will be filling seats vacated by Janet LeDuc and Greg Wilson last year. Mr. Barbeau will retain his position as a board member.

Politicians and babies go together like brussel sprouts and gravy: one is a lot easier to stomach when it's accompanied by the other. So it comes as no surprise the federal Liberal One Leader television advertisement features a young mother, whose child is being wooed by Paul Martin. Equally not surprising, though, is the fact that mother is none other than University of Victoria Young Liberal mafia alumna Jennifer Schlotter, former special assistant to Vancouver Centre Grit backbencher Hedy Fry and the wife of Farris, Vaughan, Wills and Murphy partner James Hatton. Mr. Hatton was appointed last May to the National Research Council.

Earlier, your humble organ reported Community Living British Columbia doled out $304,815 in directly awarded information technology contracts during the holiday season. And it seems provincial New Democrat children and family development critic Adrian Dix is taking a rather dim view of that decision. In an interview, on Public Eye Radio, Mr. Dix noted those running the agency seem to believe "that only a few companies are able to manage information technology in the community living sector. And I just don't believe that's the case. I think, in terms of managing files and managing information, there're lots of companies" capable of doing that...But, as frequently as not, there's no competitive bidding (for those contracts). And we should expect an agency that's managing $600 million a year in taxpayers money to engage in a competitive bidding process." He then added that Community Living British Columbia also needs to manage that process better because "the problem with competitive bidding in this sector has been that, when there is competitive bidding, the same old companies always get the contracts regardless of their past performance."

Attention Budd Campbell! David Basi has a message for you. In an interview with Public Eye, the former provincial minister assistant took issue with a posting by the Public Eye regular that seemed to suggest Mr. Basi's drug charges may have been stayed because he made a "deal with the prosecution around testimony." Said the once-upon-a-time Liberal bigwig: "I have not, will not and would never consider making any deal to lie to save my own hide. And the marijuana cultivation and possession for the purposes of trafficking charges were dropped because I was completely innocent."

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be joined by Paul Martin & Companies: Sixty Theses on the Alegal Nature of Tax Havens author Alain Deneault. University of Victoria environmental law clinic legal director Calvin Sandborn and Shawnigan Lake Watershed Watch president Mary Desmond will be discussing their fight to free provincial government information. And New Democrat child and family development critic Adrian Dix is coming on the show to talk about the recent contracts handed out by Community Living British Columbia.

The federal New Democrats may have been snubbed by Canadian Auto Workers Union president Buzz Hargrove. But Canadian Union of Public Employees provincial president Barry O'Neil is putting bells on in support of Jack Layton and his mustache. In an unsigned email sent last week and obtained by Public Eye, the union notified members its campaign supporting the New Democrats has "switched into high gear...the plan is to help the party expand significantly from its current base of five sitting Members of Parliament in B.C." As part of that effort, the union will be running "phone banks in Burnaby, Surrey, Victoria, Terrace and Trail (coordinated by the staff assigned and the member organizers), with small phone banks set up in the North Island and Smithers." The following is a complete copy of that email.

Next week, federal Liberal-appointed Senator Larry Campbell will be leaving the cushy red confines of the batting cage that is the Canadian Senate to make a swing through Victoria. Details on the Thursday/Friday tour have yet to be worked out. But, according to our operatives, a breakfast meet-and-greet and an event supporting safe injection sites are possibilities. Last month, The Province's Ian Bailey reported Conservative leader Stephen Harper suggested "the outgoing Vancouver mayor's approach to drug policy has been given the thumbs-down by voters."

Pssst...who's that managing federal Liberal candidate and former Coquitlam mayor Jon Kingsbury's campaign? Why it's none other than Marnie Plant, the younger sister of former provincial attorney general Geoff Plant - now a partner with Heenan Blaikie LLP. Of course, this isn't her first time out on the hustings. In the past, Ms. Plant campaigned on behalf of the provincial Liberals. And she managed the Burnaby Voters Non-Partisan Association's 2002 civic election effort.

Earlier, we reported on the mutually disagreeable parting of ways between federal Liberal Victoria candidate David Mulroney and his campaign manager Wendy McMahon. Since that breakup, British Columbia party president Jamie Elmhirst has been acting in Ms. McMahon stead. But now it seems Mr. Mulroney has found a permanent replacement in the form of provincial campaign co-chair Sharon Apsey.

Earlier, we reported former Reform leader Preston Manning would be the star attraction at a Fair Voting BC fundraiser this afternoon. As expected, the pass-the-hat event was attended by the usual cast of electoral change actors. But a number of federal election candidates made guest appearances, including Conservative hopefuls Robin Baird, Troy DeSouza and Gary Lunn - as well as their Green counterparts Ariel Lade, Mike Robinson and Andrew Lewis.

By now, most of our readers are familiar with the Octagon, an influential association of capital city conservatives who have been having lunch every week for the past seven years. But what smoke-filled bacrkoom would dare to host these dangerous minds, you may wonder? Well, until recently, Pounders Mongolian Style Stir-fry Restaurant was the group's watering hole. But, last Friday, the Octagon showed up the restaurant only to discover it had closed its doors. And now we're told members have called in the Mounties to find out whether the closure was part of a Liberal conspiracy to deprive this Tory braintrust of the nourishing red meat they need to stay in fighting shape. Stayed tuned.

This morning, federal New Democrat Jack Layton and his moustache were out watering the party's grassroots - addressing union rank and filers at the swish Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Those who spoke at the rally included Telecommunication Workers' Union vice-president Hope Cumming, International Longshore and Warehouse Union president Tom Dufresne, Canadian Labour Congress president Ken Georgetti, Canadian Union of Public Employees national president Paul Moist and dinosaur lover Angie Schira (the event's master of ceremonies). Also notable among the orators was Janet Sinclair, who some of our astute readers may remember as the daughter of former Liberal cabinet minister James Sinclair and sister to Margaret Sinclair Trudeau Kemper. But equally tongue-wagging was this quip from British Columbia Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair: "You may notice there's a large number of RCMP officers here. I want to assure them there's no Liberals in this room."

Unions may only be able to donate $1,000 in cold hard cash to the federal New Democrats in this election. But a great number of warm labour movement bodies can be found managing many of the party's campaigns in this province - this, according to a list obtained by Public Eye. The most notable unionists, past and present, include New Westminster and District Labour Council secretary-treasurer Carolyn Chalifoux, British Columbia Federation of Labour research director Glen MacInnes and communications director Jessie Uppal, as well as former British Columbia and Yukon Building and Construction Trades Council executive director Tom Sigurdson. Those without labour connections include former Coalition of Progressive Electors campaign manager Sean Hill and ex-Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell's executive assistant Stephen Learey. The following is a complete copy of that list.

Earlier, your humble organ reported rumours the federal Liberals would be running commercials this Thursday featuring Industry Minister David Emerson and Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh. And now, those commercials - with one featuring a positive message and the other a negative - have appeared on the Grit's British Columbia Website, complete with transcripts for those who like to follow the bouncing ball.

Could a tempest be brewing in federal Liberal hopeful Blair Wilson's teapot? That's what some of our operatives think, having noted Liz Wood is no longer the candidate's campaign manager. But those close to the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky Country campaign say there's no fire to be seen amidst that smoke. Ms. Wood is still an ardent backer. But when the writ was dropped, the campaign was split into five regional operations (Lower Sunshine Coast, Upper Sunshine Coast, Squamish, West Vancouver and Whistler), each with its own manager. And that meant Ms. Wood's services were no longer needed.

Back in August, A-Channel's Stephen Andrew reported the president of the British Columbia Ferry and Marine Workers' Union wouldn't be running for re-election. But that was then and this is now. In an interview with your humble organ, Jackie Miller confirmed she's reversed course on that decision. "I have been convinced by a number of factors in my personal life - as well as from my members - that it's probably useful for the continuity of the fleet for me to run again. Because we're not even finished with the collective agreement yet...It's just a matter of practicality - in terms of how much stuff is left to be done and how much we haven't finished off from these three years." Ms. Miller also said a number of executive members who had previously announced they wouldn't be seeking office again may change their minds. But she added, "It's very tempting for us to say, 'That's it. We're out of here.' And some of that involves personal issues as well."

Earlier, we reported rumours the federal Liberals in this province would be rolling out campaign advertisements tomorrow in support of the second installment of their made-in-British Columbia agenda. And who is starring in those ads, you may wonder? Well, word has it Industry Minister David Emerson and the New Democrat's favourite Grit - Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh - will be the ones getting primetime facetime. Although, personally, we would have preferred to see a commercial featuring Liberal candidate and former union leader David Haggard frolicking around in Jamie Lee Hamilton's glitzy feather boa.

The Crown has stayed charges against one of the men connected with the raid on the provincial legislature, we have learned. Mandeep Sandhu, a former executive member of the Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca federal Liberal constituency association, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in marijuana in September 2004. His laywer, Richard Peck of Peck and Co., confirmed those charges were stayed on or about November 7. Mr. Sandhu's cousin, Victoria police Constable Ravinder Singh (Rob) Dosanjh, was also charged in December 2004 with obstruction of justice for allegedly counseling Mr. Sandhu "make false statements to law-enforcement officials" about the origin of money seized during a police search of his residence. A trial date for former provincial Liberal government employees Dave Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi is expected to be set on Friday. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

Sporting a leather jacket and open-collared blue shirt, Liberal leader Paul Martin tried to play both defense and offense today during a campaign whistlestop in Victoria. Speaking to a packed conference room of supporters at the swanky Hotel Grand Pacific, Martin told the Garden City faithful that a re-elected Liberal administration would eliminate the federal government's $975 immigrant landing fee - an announcement that would have likely won more votes and ethnic media attention in multicultural centre that is Vancouver. But, as it stands right now, the news value of that gainesburger will likely expire at tomorrow when Mr. Martin makes a number of major and expected healthcare announcements. The Grit's grand chieftain, who is headed to Terminal City, also tried to monger some fear against Conservatives, noting the "fundamental difference" between himself and Stephen Harper was that the Tory leader would "leave Canadian families to fend for themselves." Meanwhile, rumours were circulating at the event that the Liberals will be rolling out a round of made-in-British Columbia advertising on Thursday - supporting the release of their region-specific platform on Friday.

Most of those campaigning for the Liberals in this election aren't receiving a dime. But it looks like two Ontario software companies are drawing some pretty pennies from the party's coffers. Those managing Grit campaigns will be familiar with the Liberal's national riding services package. The package, which costs $1,500 and is valued at $2,100, includes two pieces of software - ManageElect, and u-phone - to assist those campaigns in identifying voters. ManageElect, which is used by Liberal parties across the country, was developed by David Sawh's firm The AIT Corp. More interesting, though, is the Ottawa company behind u-phone - Campaign Gear Inc.

Federal Conservative candidate John Sprovieri may be running in the Ontario. But he sure seems to care a lot about Surrey. In the issues section of his Website, the candidate references the city 19 times. For example, under the heading auto theft, Mr. Sprovieri notes "It is a shame that Surrey is known as the auto theft capital of North America...The criminal Code needs to be strengthened to include minimum mandatory prison sentences for auto thieves." And later, while discussing Tory policies on crystal meth and drug crimes, Mr. Sprovieri writes "Recent statistics show that up to 1 in 10 Surrey youth are using or have tried crystal meth...I am committed to cleaning up the streets of Surrey, and helping to make Canada a safe place to live."

Former public service agency deputy minister Vince Collins may have cut British Columbia's civil service by one-third. But it looks like he's been helping pick up some of the extra workload he created. As our astute readers may remember, Mr. Collins - who was also the government's merit commissioner - departed the bureaucracy in September 2003 for opportunities in the private sector. But those opportunities turned out to be more of a public-private partnership, with Mr. Collins coming back to work as hired gun for the Campbell administration. And how much money has he earned as a consultant, you may wonder?

Earlier, your humble organ reported an automated telephone survey conducted by Equicom Management Corp. for Liberal candidate Joyce Murray showed the Grits had the support of 23.4 percent of respondents in New Westminster-Coquitlam. By comparison, the New Democrats had 21.9 percent support, with the Conservatives coming in 20.1 percent. And just who is Equicom, you may wonder? Well, Google had nothing to say about the company. But a search of the provincial government's corporate registry reveals Equicom's sole director is Gerard Lenoski - who just so happens to be Ms. Murray's campaign manager.

Speaking of the Non-Partisan Association, we're told its caucus will be meeting for the first time on January 28 from 9:00 to 1:00. A location for the pow-wow has yet to be determined. But its content will surely include some discussion about last month's city council meeting, where four of Mr. Sullivan's five association colleagues voted against a proposal to disband Vancouver's 21 citizen advisory committees while their role is reviewed.

Earlier, your humble organ broke the news that Non-Partisan Association board member and former Anna Lilly had been appointed as Mayor Sam Sullivan's director of community affairs. But she's not the only new hire at 453 West 12th Avenue. Effective December 22, Anna Lucarino became Mr. Sullivan's special assistant - responsible for liaising with association caucus members and keeping the mayor's schedule. Of course, it will surprise no one that the 27-year-old Ms. Lucarino also just so happens to be chair of the civic party's youth wing. She also most recently worked for Comptons International Fundraising Ltd., which has raised money for local governments and charities.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be joined by former provincial Liberal MLA Judi Tyabji-Wilson, who will be talking about racism and sexism in politics. One of the United Kingdom's leading economists, Andrew Oswald, is also coming on the show to discuss a recent paper he co-authored showing people who have daughters are more likely to vote for left-wing parties. And incumbent Saanich-Gulf Island federal Conservative candidate Gary Lunn and Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca Green hopeful Mike Robinson will be chatting about their election campaigns. Also on the show: the regulars from our rabble-rousing political panel: former federal Liberal operative and candidate Bob Russell, political analyst Bernard Schulmann and Malaspina University College professor Alan Warnke. 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.

Get out your measuring sticks ladies and gentlemen! Last night, in an interview on Public Eye Radio, federal Liberal British Columbia president Jamie Elmhirst said Industry Minister David Emerson will likely be releasing the Grit's second made-in-British Columbia agenda "very, very soon" - perhaps before the end of the week. Mr. Elmhirst was mum about the contents of that document. But he did confirm the agenda will be at least ten times longer than the Conservative's platform for British Columbia, which prints out at three pages.