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.

The candidate initially said the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation - a California charity founded by the printer andcomputer manufacturing giant - was bankrolling the talks. But after a Foundation representative contradicted Ms. May, the candidate referred further inquiries to "John Bennett at Climate Action Network" who is negotiating the tour funding on his own time.

"I have had no direct involvement in any discussions or budgeting, after agreeing to try to fit the tour in," the former Sierra Club of Canada executive director responded in an e-mail.

It turns out, though, that Ms. May's "AmEx card" is involved with financing those talks - this according to Mr. Bennett, the network's executive director and a senior policy advisor with the Sierra Club of Canada. He explained his former colleague is jetting across the country "on her own dime." And environmental groups are covering the cost of hosting the tar sands talks, forwarding the receipts to Mr. Bennett - who noted he isn't involved with the Ms. May leadership campaign - for future reimbursement.

And who will they be reimbursed by? Mr. Bennett said Ms. May was "confused" about the tour's funding source because the idea for the tar sands talks came from an unnamed energy expert "who advises a number of foundations in the States about what would be a wise place to spend their money" - including the Hewlett Foundation. Although, Ms. May said in a later interview "it wasn't any one person" who came up with the idea. "It was part of a gathering of climate activists"

Regardless, Mr. Bennett said he has written a grant proposal to the unnamed expert to cover the cost of the tour. And "I believe [the proposal] is going to go to the Tides Foundation" - a San Francisco-based group with a sister organization in Canada. "So we actually haven't closed the deal yet. We went ahead with the tour because we know him and we trust him" to deliver the required funding - which is expected to be somewhere in the "$30,000 range."

But if they don't receive that funding, Mr. Bennett said, "there will be a lot of fence mending to do" with the local organizations who hosted the tour. He added the expert contacted Ms. May about doing the tar sands tour in late April - "well before the announcement" that she was running to be leader of the Greens. And, for her part, Ms. May says she initially wanted to do the tour in the fall rather than now. The Canadian Press' Dennis Bueckert reported on April 15 that the prominent environmentalist was "seriously considering a run" for the Green leadership. A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

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."

But, following one of those talks, a prominent campaign supporter was selling Green memberships as part of that bid - a onetime occurrence according to Ms. May. Ms. May says Mr. Chernushenko filed the request after Public Eye earlier reported the tar sands talks were being advertised as "campaign events" on her website.

"I'm not worried," said Ms. May, referring to the investigation, which is also looking into how the tour is being financed.

Ms. May, who recently resigned as the Sierra Club's executive director but is still working under a part-time contract with the group, maintains the $30,000 tour is part of her everyday work. And that means it shouldn't be counted toward her $50,000 spending limit as a Green leadership candidate. Nor should it be included in the expense forms she'll file with Elections Canada - according to advice her team received from the government agency.

But the Sierra Club's acting executive director Stephen Hazell says his organization "didn't put a penny" into the tar-sands talks because "inevitably, in this tour, Elizabeth will be talking about her Green Party candidacy. It would be unrealistic for her not to talk about it."

An example: prior to giving one of those talks at the University of Victoria, Ms. May did a meet-and-greet on campus with Green members. Bruce Hallsor, a lawyer and election law expert, says the cost of travelling to that reception wouldn't have to be declared because she was in the city for work reasons. But, after she gave that tar sands talk, B.C. Green leader Adriane Carr set up a table outside the lecture hall to sell federal party memberships in support of Ms. May's campaign.

Ms. Carr, who is backing Ms. May, says those sales weren't "coordinated through [the] campaign. It was coordinated through me sensing an opportunity."

Mr. Hallsor says those membership sales - which occurred in the same foyer where Ms. May was doing a book signing - could make the tar-sands talk look like a campaign event. And "if that's happening everywhere or regularly" she Ms. May could be required to count the entire tour as a campaign expense.

But Ms. May says party memberships haven't been sold at other tar sands events. And, referring to the Victoria speech, she says "There's no way anyone who was actually there could see that as a campaign event."

"Other people had set up tables to collect names and petitions for other things," outside the lecture hall, Ms. May noted. And Ms. Carr's activities were not "connected to anything that was approved or discussed in advance."

Those talks were also - until recently - being advertised on the "campaign trail" section of Ms. May's website as "future campaign events." But they were removed last week after Public Eye questioned whether those advertisements were appropriate. At the time, Ms. May said she "hadn't noticed (the tar sands taks) were all described as campaign events." A version of this article was originally published in today's edition of 24 hours.

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."

Moreover, Ms. Dickie declined to name the roundtable's advisory group members, explaining "It's policy not to do that. The delegates aren't necessarily always willing to have their names released to the media." Nor would Ms. Dickie disclose the agendas for future roundtable discussions - even though they have already been set. And that has some activists wondering just how committed the government is to acting on the recommendation of that roundtable.

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.

Hello everyone,

You will find attached, for your information, a draft agenda for this Summer's Caucus meeting in Vancouver that will take place between Tuesday August 22 and Thursday August 24, 2006.

In addition, I would like to share with you some events that will take place in the evenings around that time (please note that some of them have not yet been announced or confirmed at this point) in case you want to organize something with your respective candidates.

Sunday August 20, 2006:
Currently open / Note: LPCO Boat Cruise in Toronto with Leadership candidates

Monday August 21, 2006:
Afternoon: Possible Caucus Golf Tournament to benefit the Young Liberals (TBC)
Evening: The 8 South Fraser ridings will host a Leadership Forum in Surrey, BC (Not announced yet)

Tuesday August 22, 2006:
10 am - 6:30 pm - Caucus and Critics meetings
Evening: Open

Wednesday August 23, 2006:
9 am - 4:30 p.m - Caucus meetings
Evening: Major National Caucus Event

Thursday August 24, 20006:
9 am - 11:30 - National Caucus meeting
Evening: The 3 South Island ridings will host Leaders BBQ Fundraiser in Victoria, BC (Not announced yet)

Friday, August 25, 2006: Currently open

Saturday, August 26, 2006: Currently open

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Chantal Bouchard
Director of Outreach

***

Tuesday, August 22, 2006:

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. National Caucus, Regency, E & F
1 :00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Women’s Caucus, Regency, E & F
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Rural Caucus, Regency, A & B
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Senate Caucus, Regency, D & C
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Meeting of Lead Critics, Regency, E & F

Wednesday, August 23, 2006:

9 :00 a.m. to 12 :00 p.m. Atlantic Caucus, Regency, A & B
9 :00 a.m. to 12 :00 p.m. Northern and Western Caucus, Balmoral
9 :00 a.m. to 12 :00 p.m. Ontario Caucus, Regency, E & F
9 :00 a.m. to 12 :00 p.m. Québec Caucus, Regency, D
12 :00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. LUNCH, Regency C
2:00 p.m. to 4 :30 p.m. National Caucus, Regency, E & F
6:30 p.m. on, Event - TBC, Hyatt Regency

Thursday, August 24, 2006:

9 :00 a.m. to 11 :30 a.m. National Caucus, Regency, E & F

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.

Speaking with Public Eye, New Democrat children and family development critic Adrian Dix called the ruling "one of the most significant in this area that we've ever seen and one that will have a profound impact on government policy" - opening doors for those have been denied access to community living services. "There are many, many, many cases of adults who clearly need those services - who need 24/7 care - who, not withstanding that, have relatively high IQs."

Mr. Dix warned Campbell administration against changing the law so that Community Living British Columbia can circumvent the ruling and continue to use the IQ screener. "That would be wrong. They need to take this opportunity to recognize IQ tests are no longer the right method to determine who has access and who doesn't have access to services for adults with developmental disabilities."

The judgement is the result of a petition brought forward by Fiona Gow, whose adopted teenage son was denied assistance from the corporation when he turned 19 because his IQ is 79 - this, despite a psychological report that found "although Neil (Fahlman)'s IQ scores were not in the range that defines eligibility for services from Community Living Services, his adaptive behaviour was markedly challenged...Health and safety issues are relevant here. Without the support now in place Neil would be extremely vulnerable to his own aggressiveness and impulsivity. He could do significant harm to himself and the community without support."

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."

"We cobbled the guest list (for the event) together. We sat down as a group - and I assume the responsibility for it - and we put names forward. And we came up with as broad a group as we could. We checked the prince and the countess's Website to see what interests they had. And we looked into bringing in the opera and bringing in the arts and bringing in the First Nations. And Mr. Lunn's name just didn't come up. And it was just merely an oversight - (there was) no other reason (for the omission) than that."

Added Mr. LeRoy "There was just absolutely nothing in it other than we didn't think of (Minister Lunn's) name. I know that's upset him...But there's not much more we can do aside from ensure he's invited (in the future)...We go through such extreme lengths to be totally apolitical. And I wouldn't want anybody to take on that this was any kind of a political message whatsoever."

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.

MCFD Transformation Workshop
Vision
* Respect and dignity
* Culturally appropriate and competent
* Community-based and child centred with youth and elder representation
* Provide services which are: Strength-based; integrated; (w)holistic; prevention-focused; and affordable/sustainable
* A healthy ministry that is proactive, highlights accomplishments and develops true partnerships.

Values for MCFD
* Child-centred, community-based
* Mutual decision-making
* Honesty and integrity
* Respectful and empathetic of all cultures, diversity
* Flexible and proactive and transparent
* Sustainable and affordable
* Holistic
* Integrated
* Adaptable (continuous learning)
* Courageous leadership
* Innovative
* Focused on the safety and well-being of children
* Service-oriented

Values with respect to provision of services
* Child-centred, community-based
* Choices for recipients, flexibility
* Integrated community-based services
* Accessible (flexible hours, locations) equal service delivery regardless of geography
* Competence (adequate training, resources and quality assurance)
* Culturally appropriate and respectful
* Proactive and prevention focused
* Flexible and responsive to change
* Accountable and consistent
* Guided by the wisdom of elders and advice of youth
* Collaborative, true partnership development
* Trusting and trustworthy
* Clear and understandable
* Cost-effective
* Ethical
* Research-based and innovative
* Addressing health and poverty "closing the gap"

Existing Best Practice Examples
* Child's Roots are Forever
* Cultural camps
* Transition houses in communities
* Alternate dispute Resolution
* Family-Group conferencing
* Prince George Urban Aboriginal Commission
* Out of care options
* Child and youth advocacy
* Youth Agreements
* Collaboration with non-profit service providers
* Child Youth Mental Health Friends program
* Safe Babies
* Family Healing program
* Safe Babies
* Family Healing Program
* Aboriginal adaptation of Infant Development Program
* FGC mediation
* Open Space Conferencing
* Regional planning teams
* Children, Youth, Mental Health planning
* Child and Youth Network Communities
* Protocol Agreements with First Nations communities
* Co-parenting by foster parents/natural parents
* Elders Council
* Family Development Response
* One Window Programs
* Women's Day celebration
* Family Conferencing Model
* Early Childhood Development community development
* Family Resource Centre in Prince George

Beginning of Framework
* Development of a continuum of services - no silos
* Co-location of services
* Integrated service delivery
* Take systemic issues into consideration i.e. poverty, underemployment, housing
* Strength-based, solution-focused
* Revisit existing policies to reflect both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal values and beliefs
* Cultural shift within MCFD needed first, framework second

***

Aboriginal Planning Session
Vision
As Aboriginal people, fully exercising our inherent title and rights through self-determination, we have strong and healthy children, youth and families.

Values
The relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Crown in the area of children, youth and families will be based on, but not limited to, the following values:
* Respect for Aboriginal peoples’ traditions, cultures and beliefs including governance structures and existing authorities
* Integrity
* Fairness and equity
* Transparency and accountability
* Consistency
Principles
* Aboriginal peoples will drive and implement their own process
* Commitment to:
- cultural identity, language and diversity,
- inclusivity
- including ongoing dialogue with elders and youth
* Ensure dual accountability at all levels of government and in the provision of services.
* We will provide the setting in which our children, youth and families can develop the fundamental attitudes and values which have an honoured place in Aboriginal tradition and culture.
* Child-centred, family-focused services, legislation and jurisdiction
* Recognition of Aboriginal people exercising our inherent right and responsibility in caring for our children and ensuring their safety and wellbeing
* Establish a mutually positive, respectful working relationship to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children
* All of our actions will be done in a timely, effective and responsive manner
* Committed to a learning cycle for continuous improvement based on action, reflection and renewed action.
* Existing policy and bureaucratic processes cannot be considered a rationale for not supporting the planning and delivery of services to Aboriginal children, youth and families in a manner determined by Aboriginal people.
Existing Best Practice Examples
Interior
* A Child’s Roots are Forever (see MCFD Service delivery Model for Roots Practice for details)
* Ktunexa Kinbasket CFS - integrated services on/off reserve to all Aboriginal families and satellite community based offices
* Community Tables - local design and delivery of services based on consensual decision-making
* Cariboo Friendship Centre - recognized as one of Canada’s “Top Employers” and the number 1 employer in terms of corporate citizenship
* “Long name” Society, Quesnel - has built a one window location for services with urban, Metis and First Nation Board of Directors
* MCFD Deputy Director position - hiring an Aboriginal person to mentor towards being the Aboriginal Director
* Lower Similkameen Indian Band - foster parent recruiting/ training project
* Aboriginal CYMH plan
* Supported Child Development service - joint MCFD/ APFA planning for service design and delivery

Fraser
* Xyolhemeylh Child and Family Services examples of best practices:
- Traditional counsellors
- Community development social workers
- Cultural camps
- Family homes
- Youth Emergency Placement Program
- Semi-Independent Living for Youth
- Sexual Abuse Intervention Program
- Prevention and Awareness Services
- Community Care Committees.

Vancouver Coastal
* The Aboriginal Mother Centre Society believes:
- in grassroots movement
- if you give women space, they will organize what they need in their communities
- every person has at least one gift (skills, cooking, cleaning, answering phones, sewing etc.) that they will learn to share in a Mother Centre
- we are a “child honouring” place
- food security is a priority, the AMCS provides breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinners to the most vulnerable children, youth and their families, 5 days a week, with over 1,700 meals served per month
- respect each other
- self help - you must take responsibility for your actions and changes in your life, with support from the AMCS

Vancouver Island
* Kwumut Youth Life Skills program - designed for children in care from ages 14-19. A group of 16 youth who are addressing issues from sexuality to anger management to budgeting. Intent is to give youth in care an opportunity to explore their Coast Salish culture’s history, language and traditions which are also part of the curriculum. The end result is a more easy transition into independent living within their communities of origin.
* Sulhween Snuw’uyulh (Elders Group) - Eighteen elders for our nine nations have come together to provide guidance for our agency’s operations/programs. They are currently active with our youth lifer skills program. Their role will be expanded once we reach C-6 (Level 15) delegation - Child Protection. They will provide guidance and information in areas such as child-rearing practices and the identification of potential caregivers of children in care.

Strategic Goals
Governance
* To ensure the recognition and /or development of Aboriginal governance structures and services that are responsive, accountable and relevant.
Legislation
* To develop and implement legislation for control and delivery of child and family services by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people.
Strategic Partnerships/Alliances
* To establish strategic linkages within provincial and federal ministries to develop a coordinated, coherent, and cohesive strategy to address the multiple needs of Aboriginal children and families.
Resources
* To secure the human, monetary and capital resources that is based upon expressed prevention, protection and community development needs
Evaluation
* To develop and implement culturally-appropriate evaluation mechanisms to strengthen existing services and inform emerging services
Inclusivity
* To actively participate in all aspects of the development and implementation of Aboriginal child, youth and family services

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.

C. Trevena: Mary, in your attachment that you've given with all the lists of 411 names...Are these suppliers to the industry?

M. Storry: Yes. They have supplied one manufacturer or one industry or one industry, one salmon farm. The shorter list of 120 has supplied three or more.

C. Trevena: I'm just intrigued, because on the top of one page it's got: "Conservative Party of Canada."

M. Storry: Ah well, there you go. I should have cut that one out.

C. Trevena: I just wondered how they had supplied….

M. Storry: Isn't that the donation page? Is that appendix three you've got there?

C. Trevena: I'm going through the list. It's the first list, alphabetically - attachment one.

M. Storry: I'm sorry. That definitely shouldn't have been in there.

C. Trevena: Thank you.

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.

In an interview with Public Eye, the prominent environmentalist explained "My normal life has included travelling and giving speeches and doing book tours for the past 17 years." And, because such activities aren't extraordinary but rather part of her work routine, Election Canada says her Cleaning the Air on Climate Change tour - which includes whistestops in Vancouver, Victoria, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Regina - shouldn't be considered a campaign expense.

But those tar sand talks, which are being funded by the California-based William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, are listed on the "campaign trail" section of Ms. May's Website as being "campaign events." And the Sierra Club's acting executive director Stephen Hazell says the environmental group "didn't put a penny" into the tar sands tour. The reason: "inevitably, in this tour, Elizabeth will be talking about her Green Party candidacy. It would be unrealistic for her not to talk about it." And "from my perspective, we don't want to be associated with any political party."

Asked whether she thought it was appropriate to list the tour events on campaign Website, Ms. May responded "Now that you raise it with me - and I certainly didn't draft that section - it would be much clearer if it didn't say (the Clearing the Air on Climate Change speeches are) future campaign events. Because they aren't campaign events."

"I honestly hadn't really paid any attention to the language on that site. I just forward my events (to the volunteer who runs my Website) as they get nailed down. And I know they're on the Website. But I hadn't noticed they were all described as campaign events. I'll get that changed. Those aren't campaign events. They're where I am and where people can hear me speak." The following is a complete copy of two recent versions of that event listing.

***

Campaign Trail

Ottawa launch: May 9

See the launch video on YouTube

Tuesday, May 23, 7:00 pm
Sandy Hill Community Centre, 20 Somerset St. East, Ottawa

Elizabeth will be signing copies of her new book
"How to Save the World in Your Spare Time".

All proceeds will be put towards the
Sierra Club of Canada National and Ottawa Group’s campaign
to protect the Leitrim wetlands.

Sponsored by independent bookstore Books on Beechwood.

Wednesday, May 24th, 7:30 PM
Centurion Conference & Event Centre, 170 Colonnade Rd., Ottawa

Elizabeth May will introduce David Suzuki at a book event in Ottawa. David Suzuki is currently touring to promote his new book - David Suzuki, the Autobiography.

This event will be held at the Centurion Conference & Event Centre, 170 Colonnade Rd.

Tickets are $10 and available from Leishman Books, 722-8313.

Tuesday, May 30, 7 PM - 9 PM
Halifax, NS
Scotiabank Auditorium, FASS/McCain Building
Dalhousie University
6135 University Avenue, Halifax

Free. All Welcome.

Elizabeth May will be giving a free public lecture on climate change, the Alberta Tar Sands and her latest book "How to Save the Planet in Your Spare Time." This is her first stop of her national speaking tour entitled "Clearing the Air on Climate Change" on the environmental impacts of a rapidly expanding Athabasca Tar Sands in Alberta and the latest federal government developments related to the Kyoto Protocol.

Wednesday, May 31, 9:30 am
Halifax, NS
Fundy Room, Westin Nova Scotian, 1181 Hollis Street

Halifax Press Conference

Elizabeth May, candidate for the leadership of the Green Party of Canada, will release information on the Sydney Tar Ponds cleanup.

Nick Wright, leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia, will provide information on the outcome of the official candidate nomination process. Wright will also be addressing the status of the 2006 provincial general election’s televised leadership debate.

Members of the media and the general public are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, May 31, 7:30 pm
Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, Ottawa, GO Manor Park

Our organization has as its mission to eliminate the cosmetic use of pesticide in our community.

Heart and Gardening with Soul : Panel on Good Gardening Practices

Come and hear some Elizabeth and other distinguished panelists discuss gardening from three different but related perspectives.

Thursday, June 1, 4:30pm - 5:30 pm
Toronto, ON
Isabel Bader Theatre, Victoria College, University of Toronto

The Natural City 2006 - A conference to rethink how urban & natural environments must be integrated to promote sustainability. May 31 - June 2.

Elizabeth May is the closing session speaker with a lecture titled
"Cities: Leaders in the Struggle for Planetary Survival”"

Thursday, June 1, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Toronto, ON
Wymilwood Cafe, Victoria College.
150 Charles St. West. South of Bloor
(Just East of Queens Park Crescent, directly across from the Royal Ontario Museum)

Elizabeth May gives her closing keynote speech at the Natural Cities
Conference, at the Isabel Bader Theatre, across the street.
Green Party of Canada supporters will get an opportunity to meet
Elizabeth for a short appearance at the Wymilwood Cafe right after the
conference.

Supporters can gather at the Wymilwood as early as 5:30 pm.

For Information call : Dan King 416-595-1782

Friday, June 2, 3pm
London, ON

Regional Social Forum 2006
Scouts Canada Grounds & Facilities
531 Windermere Rd., London, Ontario
www.regionalsocialforum.ca

Free Admission

How to be an Activist
Based on her more than 30 years of campaigning, particularly for environmental issues, Elizabeth May will talk about how and why people become politically active. May will describe how we can build and sustain our movements, and avoid the all too common burnout.

***

Campaign Trail/Evenements
Future Campaign Events

12 June:
* Green Party Leadership Debate, Ottawa ON (7:00 pm)

13 June:
* Cleaning the Air on Climate Change, Montreal PQ (7:30 pm)

14 June:
* Green Party Leadership Debate, Montreal PQ (7:30 pm)

15 June:
* K-W Members Reception and Talk, Kitchener ON (6:00 pm)

19 June:
* New Brunswick Events (9:00 am)

20 June:
* Clearing the Air on Climate Change, Winnipeg MB (7:30 pm)

21 June:
* Green Party Leadership Debate, Calgary AB (7:00 pm)

22 June:
* Clearing the Air on Climate Change, Edmonton AB (7:00 pm)

23 June:
* Guelph Greens EDA Meet Up, Guelph ON (8:30 pm)

24 June:
* Local event with Leeds-Grenville Green Party Association (10:00 am)
* Toronto, ON (7:00 pm)

25 June:
* Toronto Pride (2:00 pm)
* Port Hope Meet Up, Port Hope ON (8:00 pm)

27 June:
* Clearing the Air on Climate Change, Saskatoon SK (7:30 pm)

28 June:
* Saskatchewan Events (9:00 am)
* Clearing the Air on Climate Change, Regina SK (7:30 pm)

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.

He left the ivory tower of academia three courses short of a four-year honours degree in Canadian studies. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Lefoka - who is the Kennedy campaign's youth co-chair - explained, "It was one of those slip of the tongue things. It was a bit of a mistake on my part. Of course, I know (Mr. Kennedy) didn't graduate. What I was meaning to say was 'when he left university' It wasn't an attempt to spin anything."

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.

From: bc@liberal.ca
Sent: June 9, 2006 3:54 PM
Subject: Employment Opportunity at LPCBC

LPCBC Job Vacancy
Executive Director

The Liberal Party of Canada in BC is searching for a new Executive Director.

Key responsibilities:

Reporting to the Executive Committee, the Executive Director is responsible for:

Day to Day Operations of the LPCBC Office
Management of LPCBC Staff and volunteers
Oversight of all expenditures and fundraising
Elections Act Compliance
Election Readiness
Riding Development
Relations with Riding Association Presidents
Communications with members and the general public

Qualifications

You are a detail oriented individual and are able to work well with a diverse group of people. You have experience managing a small staff and can identify priorities and develop an implementation plan. You have a demonstrated commitment to Liberal values and experience working with a Liberal Riding Association or on election campaigns.

You have an undergraduate degree and have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in a demanding office environment. You have excellent computer skills. You have excellent oral and written communications skills.

Neutrality

The employee will be required to remain neutral throughout the Liberal Leadership campaign.

Salary is negotiable based on experience.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Application deadline is: 5:00pm, Thursday, June 15th, 2006

Please apply via fax or e-mail attention:

Personnel Committee LPCBC
c/o Jamie Elmhirst, President
jamie@lpcbc.com
f: 604-874-8966

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.

Asked why Mr. Barber contributed at least part of the cash to bankroll Mr. Gore's speech, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre communications officer Glenn Drexhage explained, "The event was held to honour (departing University of British Columbia president) Martha Piper. And she has a long-standing interest in global issues. So having Al Gore speak about topics like climate change and population growth was a fitting tribute to her at UBC." And, added the centre's managing director Catherine Quinlan, Mr. Barber made that contribution in "recognition of his work with Martha Piper."

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.

The reason: "It just doesn't fit into my agenda. I mean I'd be very honoured to represent the people in Vancouver-Kingsway. I represented the whole of South East Vancouver. And that's the same demographics. But I've been there-done that at the provincial level. And I don't see that happening." Mr. Simpson also noted "there's a candidate who is already madly signing up people there and I think she wants the nomination," refering to Ms. Yuan. But he said that membership drive played no role in discouraging him from seeking that prize.

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.

There was, evidently, no dramatic break-up conversation between the two men prior to Mr. Volpe Tuesday evening announcement that Mr. Dhaliwal was no longer backing him. But the fact John Delacourt, Mr. Dhaliwal's execuative assistant, bailed from Mr. Volpe's team last Friday was likely an early indication his boss might also be grabbing a parachute. Mr. Delacourt previously served as Mr. Volpe's press secretary. The following is a complete copy of the announcement.

***

From: Corey Hobbs
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 5:34 PM
To: coreyhobbs@joevolpe.ca
Subject: Press Release / Communique de Presse

Press Release

Volpe comments on Sukh Dhaliwal's departure from his campaign.

Ottawa, June 6, 2006 - The Honourable Joseph Volpe, Member of Parliament for Eglinton - Lawrence and Liberal leadership candidate today made the following statement about Sukh Dhaliwal.

"Last evening I had a long discussion with Mr. Dhaliwal, at which time he indicated strong support for my leadership and direction for the Liberal party. Sukh and I have been friends for many years, it was with shock and sadness that I learned he was no longer supporting my bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party. While all Liberals, including Mr. Dhaliwal, have the right to support any of the leadership candidates, I respect but disagree with his decision. I do hope that at some point, during the next six months, Mr. Dhaliwal rejoins my campaign and once again partakes of my vision for the Liberal Party. While it is good to have the support of Members of Parliament, the leadership of the party is decided by grass roots members, and I am pleased to see the great deal of support that I am receiving from all regions across the country."

-30-

For further information please contact: Corey Hobbs

Director of Media Relations

613-818-2337

coreyhobbs@joevolepe.com

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.

Asked for his impression of the exchange, Mr. Ignatieff's Western Canadian campaign manager David Hurford said "Michael did a lot of listening. Gurdev did a lot of talking - which is fine. That's what we're there to do - to listen. Michael listened to him. He gave him a response. And what I thought was a fairly sympathetic (response) in terms of his personal view - which was in-line with what Gurdev was talking about. I don't think they necessarily disagreed on the substance of the issue. But I think Michael was very cautious and said that he's just one person in the caucus. And, at the end of the day, this could be a good issue that the party could discuss."

But, in fact, Mr. Dhillon - who is backing Gerard Kennedy - says he wasn't happy with Mr. Ignatieff's commitment to simply discuss the issue in caucus. Said the president, "I was very disappointed. Because, if a leader is not going to make a decision by himself but is just going to listen to his caucus, how is he going to govern the country? I just feel he's a scholar. He's not a leader to run the country...Instead of giving an answer, he just walked away...So I hope to bring this issue up to some members of my faith and let them know that this guy wants to be the leader but he can't make decisions. He has to ask his caucus members for what he should do."

Responding to those comments, Mr. Hurford said "Gurdev's been in the party a long-time. He's a terrific guy in the sense that he's made a life-long commitment to the party. So has his family - his kids, his wife. We've got a ton of respect for Gudev. And you'll never hear us say anything bad about him." But he also added, "Gurdev had a good period of time to let Michael know his views. Michael did a lot of listening there. And I don't think that would be a fair characterization" that Mr. Ignatieff walked away from the conversation.

And what about the shouting that council members heard? Well, according to Mr. Dhillon, the ruckus was raised when former De-Elect David Emerson mover and shaker Kevin Chalmers got into the middle of the discussion. "He said, 'Why don't you let (Mr. Ignatieff) answer the question.' And I told him, 'I'm not finished. I'm trying to explain the issue.'" And besides, added Mr. Dhillon, Mr. Chalmers "is an observer. He's supposed to observe - not interfere with the presidents. And he tried to push, push, push. So I eventually told him to bugger off."

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.

Speaking to Public Eye, Mr. Walker confirmed the incident, adding he asked Mr. Volpe about those donations because "I was trying to take a leadership role. And my colleagues - everyone just sat there. And I think it's okay to challenge the errors that we make. And I think it's okay to challenge candidates around their behaviour. And, if it's unacceptable - as presidents at the president's council we need to deliver that message to them."

Mr. Walker, an adjunct assistant professor with the University of Victoria's school of child and youth care, said he walked out on Mr. Volpe because the candidate "didn't say what happened was wrong. He just didn't get the fact that taking money from children in that way is wrong. And it shouldn't have happened....I was embarassed. And I said so. And I left."

"The party is in a situation where we need win back the public trust. And we had just spent an entire day talking how we need to take the high road and rise above things and get back to business. And, unfortunately, in my opinion what happened with Mr. Volpe taking money from children sends the wrong message to Canadians," said Mr. Walker, referring to the fact Mr. Volpe's campaign accepted donations from grade schoolers. "It sends the wrong message to our party. And his excuse for it was not acceptable."

Mr. Walker also confirmed he was "hassled" on his way out of the room by one of Mr. Volpe's supporters - whom others identified as being the candidate's national campaign coordinator Jim Karygiannis. "He was very angry. He was angry that I raised the issue...And my response was this is about children and it is not open for debate. It involves children. It is wrong. And this is not what our party's about. And we need to step up and take responsibility. And, as a president, I don't expect to be harassed on my way out of a meeting by an observer."

Mr. Volpe said on Friday he will return the $27,000 he received from the children.

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.

Asked about the apparent conflict, Mr. Ignatieff's Western Canada campaign manager David Hurford explained, "We made president's council a priority to get Michael there. We contacted the organizers of the president's council meeting and said, 'Michael's coming. What would you like to do with him? He'd like to be able to speak - but more importantly take some questions from the delegates. But we want to work within the schedule. So you let us know what's good for you. We don't want to be disruptive. We'll just work around it.' And we were contacted back and said (Mr. Ignatieff) can speak at 2:00. No one ever talked to us about speaking at the working lunch. And if they would have said that, we would have done that" - a version of events backed up by council chair Paul McKivett.

Added, Mr. Hurford "The event that we're doing on Saturday before the remarks is an event where Liberals from Esquimalt, from Victoria, from Saanich - people who aren't going to be attending the president's council can come and meet Michael...And one of the things Michael will be talking about on Saturday is he'll be announcing his plans to do a tour of the province this summer."

"So the reception is separate from the presidents' council. And it's to give the Liberal members who are in the region a chance for them to come and just meet the candidate in an informal setting. No Union Clubs or anything like that," Mr. Hurford quipped. The following is a complete copy of the meeting agenda and the invite to Mr. Ignatieff's reception.

***

Agenda
BC Federal Liberal Council Meeting
Saturday, June 3, 2006, 9:00am to 4:00pm
Coast Harbourside Hotel - Victoria, B. C.

9:00am Approval of Agenda

9:05am Approval of Minutes of March 4 , 2005

9:10am Review of form and construction of Federal Council

10:30am Red Ribbon Task Force - Update and discussion - Mike Hillman and Steven MacKinnon

11:30am Leadership Update - Important Info for Riding Presidents - Steven MacKinnon and Kim Haakstad

12:00pm Working Lunch - Business Session:

1. LPCBC Presidents Report

2. Executive and Comission Presidents Reports

3. Remarks from Leadership Candidates in attendance

1:30pm Caucus update and Outreach Plans - Blair Wilson, Caucus Chair

CAUCUS Q and A

2:30pm Regional Update from Ridings

4:00pm Remarks from Leadership Candidates

***

Michael Ignatieff and Stephen Owen to host reception for Vancouver Island Liberals

Leadership Candidate will announce plans to tour British Columbia this summer

June 1, 2006

Victoria, BC - Federal Liberal leadership candidate Michael Ignatieff and his BC Campaign Co-Chair Hon. Stephen Owen will host a reception this weekend for Vancouver Island Liberals.

The details are as follows:

Date: Saturday, June 3, 2006

Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm

Location: Fairfield Room
Coast Harbourside Hotel
146 Kingston Street, Victoria

"British Columbia is one of the most dynamic regions of Canada," said Michael. "Over the past year I have been able to meet Liberals from all corners of the province and I am much better off for it. I look forward to traveling to many more communities over the summer to meet Liberals where they work and live."

"Michael is dedicated to ensuring all regions of Canada are treated fairly by the national government instead of being played against each other," said Stephen Owen. "He understands the urgency of issues facing our big cities and smaller communities. I look forward to joining Michael on his tour of the province this summer."

Michael will be attending the Federal Liberal Council meeting in Victoria. He will speak to the delegates and take questions during an afternoon session.

Michael Ignatieff is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore. He is a Canadian writer, scholar, journalist and lifelong Liberal. A recognized expert on human rights, democracy, security and international affairs, he has advised governments and world leaders on these issues and educated students at leading universities around the globe.

For more information on Michael's campaign in British Columbia contact 778.386.3166.

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.

BC Ferry Commission
Adequacy of BC Ferries Search to Replace Q. of the North
Transportation - Ground & Marine (see also Aviation)
Consulting Assignments - Transportation

For more information contact:
Crilly, Martin
Commissioner
BC Ferry Commission
PO Box 1497
Comox, British Columbia
V9M 8A2
Phone: 1 (250) 339-2714
Fax: 1 (250) 339-2753
Email: martin.crilly@bcferrycommission.com

Summary Details:

The BC Ferry Commission (www.bcferrycommission.com) seeks a qualified consultant to provide an opinion on the adequacy of BC Ferries' search to date for a suitable replacement vessel for the Queen of the North which sank March 22 2006.

BACKGROUND

Following the sinking of the Queen of the North, BC Ferries has reported that it has considered some 100 vessels as a replacement, but that none were suitable. Consequently the company has reduced service to northern routes below the normal northern summer schedule which began May 18 2006.

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.

ASSIGNMENT

Your task as a qualified consultant would be to provide an opinion on the adequacy of BC Ferries' search to date for a suitable replacement vessel for the period starting March 22 2006. If finding that BC Ferries' search has been thorough, and that a suitable replacement is un