June 2006 Archives

Earlier, Public Eye exclusively reported the federal Green's election fairness committee had been asked to look into party leadership candidate Elizabeth May's campaign operations. That review followed revelations Ms. May's cross-country tour discussing the impact of tar sands development - which she says isn't connected with that campaign - was being advertised as part of the "future campaign events" on her website. But there seems to be some confusion about who's funding that tour.

Federal Green leadership candidate Elizabeth May's campaign operations are being reviewed by the party's election fairness committee, Public Eye has exclusively learned. David Chernushenko, her principal opponent, has filed a request asking the committee to determine if the costs for "multi-purpose" events should be considered campaign expenses. At issue: Whether Ms. May's current cross-country tour discussing the environmental impact of tar sands development is such an event. Ms. May says the tour isn't connected to her leadership bid and shouldn't be counted as an expense, adding "I've never cut an ethical corner in my life and I never will."

Tommorrow, your humble organ will be going on vacation for the next two weeks - which will feature a roadtrip to exotic Edmonton. As a result, postings will be sporadic between now and next month.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, Keith Norbury and Brennan Clarke from the Victoria News join us to talk about the week that was in local politics and interview Garden City Councillor Bea Holland. Fiona Gow will be in studio discussing her successful fight against Community Living British Columbia. And Graham Dickson, director of the school of leadership studies at Royal Roads University, will be grading the federal Liberal leadership candidates. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel of pundits - Bob Russell, Bernard Schulmann, Allan Warnke and Brad Zubyk. 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.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca MP Keith Martin joins us to talk about foreign affairs and the man he'll be supporting in the federal Liberal leadership race. Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine will be discussing his bid to keep that job. And Saint Catharine's realtor Jim Fannon will tell us why he wants to be the leader of the federal Greens. Also on the show: the Liberal's former British Columbia president Billy Cunningham and Richmond MP Raymond Chan. And Saul Arbess will be talking about an initiative to convince the Canadian government to establish a department of peace. 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.

Those tracking federal Liberal leadership sign-ups in Lotusland may be interested to know the party's British Columbia headquarters has already gone through 30,000 membership forms. An initial run of 10,000 was printed prior to April. And a second run of 20,000 ran out last week. As our astute readers will know, those forms can purchased for $1 apiece. But riding presidents, their membership chairs and MPs are entitled to a pool of 100 free forms, which are replenished on a no-cost basis as they are filled-out.

Today, in Terminal City, the federal government held the first in a series of national roundtables discussing "issues of Corporate Social Responsibility in the mining, oil and gas sectors and their operations in developing countries." But, strangley, there seems to be something of a fog surrounding those discussions. In an interview with Public Eye, foreign affairs spokesperson Ambra Dickie said "It's my understanding that the media is not permitted access to the actual event itself. But they are welcome to do interviews with the participants during the breaks and before and after. In roundtables like this, it's best if everyone has the opportunity to speak openly and honestly. And, in this case, there are members of the public who aren't necessarily looking to be on television."

Blair Wilson's election win in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky Country was a narrow one. Just 986 votes separated the Liberal candidate from his Conservative competitor John Weston. As a result, there should be much interest in the Tory nomination race in that riding. In fact, in an interview with Public Eye, David L. Thomas Law Corp. founder David Thomas confirmed he's "had a lot of phone calls" encouraging him to step up to the starting line. But Mr. Thomas, who ran for the Progressive Conservatives in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky Country back in 1997, says "a final decision" on whether he'll run "has not been made at this point."

This weekend, federal Conservative's national council members will discuss a recommendation to hold the party's biennial convention at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The committee responsible for making that recommendation - which included party vice-president Richard Ciano, British Columbia councillor Byng Giraud and Saskatchewan councillor Sam Magnus - also considered the Calgary Telus Convention Centre. But accomodations are cheaper in Winnipeg. And there may have been some concern that celebrating the Conservative election victory in Sandstone City could give opponents another excuse to accuse the Tories of being an Alberta-based party. The convention is expected to be scheduled for March or May.

Last month, The Vancouver Sun's Peter O'Neil reported "the 167-person (federal) Liberal caucus will hold its annual summer retreat in Vancouver Aug. 21-24 to show the party still cares about B.C." And what will Grit MPs being doing while they're in Lotusland you may wonder? Well, according to an email from the party's outreach director Chantal Bouchard, the customary navel-gazing, lint-exploration sessions are scheduled to take place at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. The eight South Fraser ridings are also planning on hosting a leadership forum in Surrey. And there may also be a caucus golf tournament to benefit the Young Liberals. Also on the agenda: a leader's barbeque fundraiser in Victoria, organized by the three South Island ridings. The following is a complete copy of that email.

The courts have ruled Community Living British Columbia can't use IQ test results to decide who receives services for the developmentally disabled. In a judgment handed down on Monday, provincial Supreme Court Justice Eric Chamberlist found the Crown corporation - which restricts adult service access to those with IQs lower than 70 - doesn't have the statutory authority to use those results as a screener.

Last Friday, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones - the Earl and Countess of Wessex - graced Victoria with their presence - including a luncheon at Government House with Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo. As expected, more than a few local luminaries attended that luncheon - including Victoria New Democrat MP Denise Savoie. Not invited though was her Saanich-Gulf Islands colleague Gary Lunn, the Harper administration's natural resources minister. That curious ommission has been the source of irritation among some Tories. When asked why Minister Lunn wasn't invited, the lieutenant governor's private secretary Herb LeRoy said, "It's unfortunate that people are upset. As I explained to Mr. Lunn - and I personally apologized to him - it was just merely an oversight."

Earlier, we reported children and development's top bureaucrat Lesley du Toit would be gathering together community stakeholders to discuss "what values should guide our ministry in how we do our work." According to an initial government summary of that meeting, those values include the usual motherhood statements stressing the need for "respect and dignity," "honesty and integrity" and "courageous leadership" - etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. More newsworthy, though, is the recongition that ministry services should be "affordable and sustainable," as well as addressing "health and poverty" issues. Silo-busting also makes an appearance on the list - a favourite initiative among West Annexers. And so does the need to co-locate services. The following is a complete copy of that summary, which was obtained by Public Eye.

As some of our astute readers may already know, members of the legislature's special committee on sustainable aquaculture are presently touring the province to find out what British Columbians think about fish farming - nevermind the fact that issue has already been repeatedly canvassed in public opinion polls and by the provincial press pack. But the committee's travels haven't been entirely without merit - resulting in at least a few laughs and giggles along the way. A case a point: we draw your attention to its recent hearing in Campbell River, wherein local city councillor Mary Storry presented the committee with a list of 440 businesses in the area who "supply our aquaculture industry." But New Democrat MLA Claire Trevena noticed something a bit odd about that list because, "on the top of one page it's got: 'Conservative Party of Canada.' I just wondered how they had supplied..." To which the councillor replied, "I should have cut that one out...I'm sorry. That definitely shouldn't have been in there." The following is Hansard's complete transcript of that exchange.

Right now, former Sierra Club of Canada executive director Elizabeth May is crisscrossing the country, talking about the environmental impact of developing Alberta's tar sands. And, along the way, she's been meeting and greeting federal Greens as part of her bid for the party leadership. But the travel expenses associated with that tour isn't being paid for by her nomination campaign, according to Ms. May. Nor is the tour cost included as part $50,000 Green leadership candidates to allowed to spend during the race.

It seems our good friend Letlotlo "Coco" Lefoka, British Columbia's federal Young Liberal president, suffered from a bout of duckspeak last week. The renowned star and crescent standard bearer was recently interviewed by The Vancouver Courier's Mike Howell. And during that interview, Mr. Lefoka talked about why he's supporting former Ontario education minister Gerard Kennedy in the Liberal leadership race, explaining "I think he is the best person to be the best leader. He has the best vision for the country. I am fascinated and inspired by him. When he graduated from university, his first act was to go and work at a food bank and help out the most disenfranchised and sometimes forgotten people in our society." Stirring words. But there's just one itsy, bitsy problem with that statement. Mr. Kennedy didn't actually graduate from university.

Federal Liberals are bidding fond farewells to the party's British Columbia executive director Kim Haakstad. Ms. Haakstad has been with the Grits since the former provincial ministerial assistant departed the legislative precincts in December 2004. She's scheduled to leave her post effective July 5 - the day after the deadline for leadership race membership sign-ups - joining ex-provincial Liberal backbencher Karn Manhas's Karyon Group as a senior manager. The search for a replacement is underway. The following is a complete copy of the advertisement for that position, which was sent out on Friday.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, Canadian Coalition for Democracies president Al Gordon joins us to discuss Canada's role on the world stage and some script changes he'd like to make. Chief Bill Wilson will be talking about his bid to head up the Assembly of First Nations. And Robert Winters, president of the Legal Marriage Alliance of Washington, will bring us the latest from the frontlines of America's culture wars. Also on the show: we'll be discussing homeless outside the big cities with provincial New Democrat Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Michael Sather and the Salvation Army's Kathy Chui. Mining Watch Canada research coordinator Catherine Couman talks about corporate social responsibility abroad. And provincial Green Party leader Adriane Carr will be talking about her recent roadtrip through British Columbia. 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.

Elizabeth May may have resigned as the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada to campaign for the leadership of the federal Green Party. But what you may not know is that her part-time contract with the non-partisan environmental group is continuing until the end of June. In an interview, the group's acting executive director Stephen Hazell confirmed Ms. May is still working for the Sierra Club on a number of projects, explaining "We're in a period of transition. And she does have a couple hats she's wearing." And Ms. May says "the amount of time I'm spending on Green Party activities (right now) is a very small proportion of my overall time" and separate from her work on those projects. "So the board has just asked that I avoid speaking publicly to the media on behalf of the Sierra Club." The reason: "We do not want to be seen to be favouring one political party or another," says Mr. Hazell. "We've got a Conservative government in Ottawa. And we want to try to work with these people. So, if we're seen to be Green Party acolytes, then that really diminishes our effectiveness."

Further news about tomorrow's Vancouver City Caucus Meeting: according to our operatives, federal International Trade Minister David Emerson will join Premier Gordon Campbell for an early morning appearance at that get-together, which is being organized by the mayor's office. And there seems to be some disgruntlement among elected officials about the limited amount of discussion time scheduled at that meeting, which is set to happen after Minister Emerson and the premier have left the room. Said one, "I feel like we're being controlled. I don't understand why (the meeting) isn't open to the media and the public. Are they going to impose a confidentiality agreement on us to? I don't like this."

The woman who helped make Gordon Campbell than man he is today is backing Bob Rae in the federal Liberal leadership race. Mr. Rae campaign is set to announce that former Vancouver city councillor May Brown, who chaired the the provincial Liberal's 1996 election effort, will be putting her one-woman, powerhouse phone bank in action on behalf of the ex-Ontario premier. Ms. Brown, who has received both the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia, has been, in the past, described as both a "saint" and an "icon" by Grits. She'll be joined in supporting Mr. Rae by former provincial minister of state for resort development Patty Sahota.

Earlier, we reported on the star-studded cast of characters who attended former American vice-president Al Gore's global warming presentation at the University of British Columbia. But some environmentalists were gap-mouthed when they learned Ike Barber co-sponsored the event. After all, Mr. Barber isn't just a well-known philanthropist and Order of Canada recipient. He's also the founder and former chairman, president and chief executive officer of the Slocan Forest Products Ltd. which, beginning in the eighties, fought a protracted war in the woods with treehuggers over logging in the Slocan Valley's community watershed.

Earlier, we reported Order of Canada recipient and former provincial New Democrat MLA Bernie Simpson had "ruled out" running for the federal Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Kingsway. But British Columbia's former Liberal minister of state for immigration and multicultural services Patrick Wong is entertaining the notion. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Wong said "Several people did approach me" about running for the nomination "but I haven't made up my mind yet." However, he added, "I just got back to my normal life" as the managing partner at accounting firm Wong, Robinson & Co. "and I have to consult my wife" before making any decision about entering the race.

Terminal City's elected minds will be meeting tomorrow morning at the Segal School of Business, Public Eye has learned. Invitees to the Vancouver City Caucus Meeting, which is being organized by the mayor's office, include local, provincial and federal politicians. But those who have seen the schedule were somewhat surprised that less than an hour had been set aside solely for discussion purposes. The rest of the morning get-together is filled with a state of the city address from Sam Sullivan and presentations on Vancouver's vision for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, transportation priorities, homelessness and sustainability. It is rumoured Premier Gordon Campbell will also make an appearance at the event.

Earlier, we broke the news that Wendy Yuan would be running for the federal Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Kingsway. Some have suggested former United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society chairman Mason Loh and Royal Pacific Real Estate Corp. president and chief executive officer David Choi as possible competitors. And we've also heard rumours Order of Canada recipient and former Vancouver-Fraserview provincial New Democrat MLA Bernie Simpson may throw his hat into the race. Asked about those rumours, Mr. Simpson said, "Frankly that thought has entered my mind...But I certainly have never expressed that to anybody." However, the trial lawyer added he's "ruled out" running.

Earlier, The Globe and Mail's Campbell Clark noted "two dozen" former lobbyists cum Tory staffers have gotten back into the government relations business since the Harper administration took power - among them Geoff Norquay, who was Conservative leader Stephen Harper's communications director between October 2004 and June 2005. And it seems Mr. Norquay - who is now a principal with Earnscliffe Strategy Group Inc. - has built-up a rather substantial list of clients. According to the federal registry, he's now schmoozing on behalf of Astral Media Inc., Bell Canada Enterprises Inc., Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies Rx&D, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, Labatt Breweries of Canada Ltd., Microsoft Canada Inc, Suncor Energy Inc. and Transalta Corp.

Today, The Vancouver Sun's Peter O'Neil reported Sukh Dhaliwal has withdrawn his support for Joe Volpe's federal Liberal leadership bid. Mr. Dhaliwal is paraphrased as saying "his B.C. constituents don't support his continued involvement in Volpe's bid," adding that it was "wrong" for the former citizenship and immigration minister "to accept $27,000 from five children." And it is our understanding there was also realization among those close to Mr. Dhaliwal that the Newton-North Delta MP's continued association with Mr. Volpe's campaign might be a source of ammunition for the Conservatives in the next election.

Over the weekend, The Vancouver Sun's Daphne Bramham reported former American vice-president Al Gore wowed an "invited audience of 1,100 at UBC's Chan Centre" last Thursday with his global warming slide show presentation. As some of our astute readers may know, that event was in competition with the provincial Liberal's annual Dinner Under the Sails fundraiser. Nevertheless, according to our operatives, one Campbell administration cabinet minister made it to the event: Deputy Premier Shirley Bond. Also in attendance was Vancouver-Fairview New Democrat MLA Gregor Robertson, advanced education deputy minister Moura Quayle, Senator Pat Carney, Chretien government international trade minister Roy MacLaren and Charles Kelly, who was Prime Minister John Turner's special assistant in British Columbia. Others spotted Brad Bennett, son of Bill, in the audience, as well as headhunter Kyle Mitchell and spin doctor-for-hire James Hoggan.

Federal Liberal leadership candidate Gerard Kennedy has found a roadie for his campaign. According to our operatives, Jonathan Moser - who was the national tour director for the Grits in the 2006 election - will be doing the same job for the former Ontario education minister. Mr. Moser, who managed Paul Martin's leadership campaign tour in British Columbia, also ran unsuccessfully as the Liberal's Kamloops candidate in 2000. His resume includes a stint as a special assistant to Public Works Minister Alfonso Gagliano. And he served as Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh's parliamentary affairs director before becoming a senior special assistant to Prime Minister Martin.

Earlier, we reported on children and family development deputy minister Lesley du Toit's view that her employees should not "use this official email network to advertise or send unnecessary messages to all of staff." This, in response to a message promoting Bike to Work Week - a program that has been strongly supported by the provincial government for the past 12 years. Well, Ms. du Toit might be interested to know ministry employees aren't the only ones cheering for Bike to Work Week online. One of our helpful readers reports that - last week - a bulletin was posted on the legislative assembly's Intranet front page noting that "This is Bike to Work Week!" Included in the bulletin was a link to the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Week Society's Website.

Earlier, we reported on the dust-up between Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca federal Liberal constituency association president Jason Walker's leadership hopeful Joe Volpe. But that wasn't the only brouhaha at president's council. During the meeting, Michael Ignatieff also spoke with council members. But, due to time constraints, he wasn't able to take an extra question from Gurdev Dhillon. So he invited the Burnaby-New Westminster constituency association president to speak with him outside the room, after the bear pit session. According to our operatives in the room, raised voices were heard when Mr. Ignatieff and Mr. Dhillon took to the hall. At issue: in an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Dhillon explained he's concerned about new federal government safety regulations that make hard hat use mandatory for certain unionized jobs - limiting work opportunities for Sikhs wearing turbans. And he wan't to know what Mr. Ignatieff was going do about those regulations.

Earlier, we noted leadership candidates Martha Hall Findlay and Joe Volpe would be addressing British Columbia's federal Liberal council, taking questions taking questions from its members. But it seems that bear pit session didn't go so well for Mr. Volpe. On Saturday, one of our readers posted a comment reporting Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca constituency association president Jason Walker walked out of that meeting after Mr. Volpe said one of his speeches inspired three grade schoolers to donate thousands of dollars to his leadership campaign. The former citizenship and immigration minister said the same thing during an interview with the Edmonton Journal's editorial board last week, where he talked about the $27,000 his campaign has received from the children of former and current Apotex Inc. executives - including the aforementioned grade schoolers.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, Liblogs founder Jason Cherniak weighs in on the federal Liberal leadership race. David Gerry, executive director of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Community Circle, joins us to discuss the provincial government's drop in the bucket dedicated to fighting the syndrome. And former Independent Power Producers of British Columbia director Nigel Protter will be on the line from Vancouver to discuss why the Campbell administration has taken local governments out of the power project approval process. Also on the show: Meredith Egan with Simon Fraser University's Centre for Restorative Justice, who will commenting on the Prime Minister Stephen Harper's time and punishment approach to crime in Canada. 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 British Columbia's federal Liberal council would be meeting in Victoria this weekend at the Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel and Marina, bringing with them a gaggle of leadership candidates. According to a leaked copy of the meeting's schedule, those candidates will have an opportunity to address members at 12:30, during the council's working lunch, and at 4:00. But, somewhat curiously, Ivy Leaguer Michael Ignatieff has scheduled a reception at the same time as that working lunch, in the hotel's Fairfield Room.

Earlier this week, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea-to-Sky Country MP Blair Wilson was appointed the Liberal's critic for sport and the Olympics. Of course, our astute readers will be well aware what a superb choice Mr. Wilson is for that job - especially given his long association with the exciting and dangerous sport of bobsledding. An example: during the recent election campaign, the restauranteur's flyers featured a photograph of him standing behind one such sled, bearing the Olympic logo. That was a bit of a no-no. And, at the time, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games communications director Renee Smith-Valade informed us "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."

The British Columbia Ferry Commission is hiring a consultant to investigate "the adequacy of BC Ferries' search to date for a suitable replacement vessel for the Queen of the North which sank March 22 2006." This, according to an annoucement quietly posted earlier today on BC Bid. The posting notes that "After an application from BC Ferries, on May 17 2006 the Commission issued Order 06-02 authorizing a 60-day reduction in the normal summer service level on BC Ferries' northern routes, starting May 18 2006. Our Order may be extended beyond the 60 days (i.e. beyond July 17 2006) if we are satisfied that BC Ferries has carried out a thorough search for a suitable replacement vessel and remains unable to secure one." The consultant's finding will be key in making that determination. The following is a complete copy of that posting.

Promoting Bike to Work Week has become a long-standing tradition within the civil service. Bureaucrats routinely use their government email accounts to encourage colleagues to get out of their cars and onto their two-wheelers. But children and family development deputy minister Lesley du Toit seems to want to put an end to that electronic tradition. Responding to one of those emails last Thursday, Ms. du Toit notified her headquarters staff, "I would please like you to not use this official email network to advertise or send unnecessary messages to all staff. I appreciate the importance of the week however."

David Suzuki is a big fan of federal Green leadership candidate Elizabeth May. An endorsement from the award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster is splashed on the front page of Ms. May's Website. And, on Sunday, Mr. Suzuki and his wife/foundation president Tara Cullis, will be hosting a private reception in support of May's leadership bid at their Point Grey home. But some are questioning the optics of that event - which is being organized by provincial Green leader Adriane Carr. After all, the David Suzuki Foundation is a charitable organization. And charitable organizations are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity. But, in an interview with your humble organ, foundation executive director David Hocking explained "this is not a foundation initiative."

Earlier, we noted former provincial New Democrat caucus executive director Clay Suddaby roasted Gerry Scott by delivering a top ten list of things the retired party secretary would never say. On that list, according to our operatives: "God, I wish BCTV would stop being so hard on the Liberals!" Much hillarity reportedly followed.