Former provincial Liberal backbencher Jeff Bray has abruptly resigned as the executive director of government caucus, Public Eye has exclusively learned. He is reportedly leaving the legislative precincts in order to seek other employment opportunties. Mr. Bray, who earned $68,500 as an MLA, made headlines when he was appointed caucus executive director a month after the 2005 election. At the time, the premier said that post would pay around $90,000.

The Campbell administration's continued tinkering with the ministry of children and family development has been the cause of considerable stress amongst the sector's service providers. And, as executive director of the Federation of Child and Family Services of British Columbia for the past four years, Craig Meredith has been responsible for managing much of that stress. But, yesterday, in an email sent to federation members, Mr. Meredith announced he would be retiring.

"I have always been a project person by nature - one that loves meeting a challenge and moving on to the next one. My time with the Federation has been an incredible journey - using my skills and your support in promoting excellence in services to children, youth and families. You couldn't ask for much more," wrote Mr. Meredith.

"My wife, Alison and I have been talking about the rest of our lives and we agreed that I still enjoy the challenge but it is time for more flexibility and a return to focusing on time limited projects that I have always loved. With this in mind, I have advised the Board that I will be resigning my position as ED early in the New Year. Your Board and I are committed to making a seamless transition to your new ED."

The following is a complete copy of that letter.

***

October 30, 2006

To: Federation Members & Friends
From: Craig Meredith

I am retiring...sort of

Recently I have passed two significant milestones: I am into my 61st year and the second is that I have been in the employ of the Federation for more than four years, which is a 20 year record for me. As far as the first milestone, my body may be beginning to recognize it but my mind has not.

I have always been a project person by nature - one that loves meeting a challenge and moving on to the next one. My time with the Federation has been an incredible journey – using my skills and your support in promoting excellence in services to children, youth and families. You couldn't ask for much more.

My wife, Alison and I have been talking about the rest of our lives and we agreed that I still enjoy the challenge but it is time for more flexibility and a return to focusing on time limited projects that I have always loved.

With this in mind, I have advised the Board that I will be resigning my position as ED early in the New Year. Your Board and I are committed to making a seamless transition to your new ED. We are confident that the Federation's challenges, self sustainability and reputation will attract candidates that bring superior skills and a community conscience to support the community social service sector goals of keeping kids safe and strengthening families in BC

A date has not yet been set for my final day, so it will be business as usual. My only two hopes are:

1. I can be sitting in the audience with no responsibilities at the February 2007 General Meeting in Victoria and go out for a game of pool with Shane et al.
2. I can continue to have an association with the Federation in some way. You are a truly the greatest group of people I have ever had an opportunity to work with.

And please, no final good byes until you see my backside half way out the door.

Love You! Craig

CKNW bills its newscast as "live, local and late-breaking." But, yesterday - when prominent political analyst Norman Spector called federal Liberal parliamentarian Belinda Stronach a "bitch" on-air - the station didn't run a news story about the gaffe until 3:30 in the afternoon. That's five hours after the comment was made on the Bill Good Show and four hours after Public Eye reported on the incident.

In related news, Mr. Good said today on his show, "I didn't anticipate (Mr. Spector's) comments would end up on the Mike Duffy Live program and the CTV national news. I didn't expect the story to lead my own newscasts for that matter - and, if you're wondering, that wasn't my decision."

But, yesterday, when confronted with a caller upset Mr. Good "didn't step in and say something" about Mr. Spector's comments, this was the broadcaster's response to a demand that he put the gaffe on the news: "I suspect it will make the news what Norman said. And, if I said nothing, it was in part because I was shocked by what he said. Norman, do you expect to be on the cover of the front page of The Globe and Mail tomorrow?"

Who will be paying Partnerships British Columbia to conudct its new mandatory municipal capital project reviews? Is the province footing the bill or are municipalities picking up the tab? That's the question we posed to the government-company yesterday. In an email response, Partnerships British Columbia communications and government relations director Jennifer Davies wrote "the approach to budgeting and how the reviews will be paid for will be assessed on a project-by-project basis." And what will the fees for those reviews be? Well, it seems that too will be "assessed on a project-by-project basis" with the company's clients.

Earlier, we reported on Premier Gordon Campbell’s controversial announcement that all new municipal capital projects costing more than $20 million would have to be reviewed by Partnerships British Columbia if they receiving provincial funding. As some of our astute readers may know, that government-owned company operates an internal consultancy, charging public sector clients for its services. Which begs the question: will municipalities be footing the bill for the premier’s mandatory reviews or will the provincial government? Partnerships British Columbia has yet to respond to that question - which we posed to them yesterday afternoon. But, regardless, this development is extraordinary good news for the company.

According to its most recent service plan, Partnershps British Columbia includes remaining "commercially viable" and encouraging the "development of the public private partnership market in British Columbia" among its principal goals. And, coincidentally, the premier's announcement will help develop of that market. Funny old world, eh?

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney's then chief of staff Norman Spector thinks federal Liberal parliamentarian Belinda Stronach is a "bitch." Speaking with CKNW's Bill Good this morning about Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay's refusal to apologize for allegedly suggesting Ms. Stronach is a dog, Mr. Spector said, "I think she's a bitch. It's as simple as that. And I think that 90 percent of men would probably say she's a bitch for the way she's broken up (retired hockey player) Tie Domi's home and the way she dumped Peter MacKay. She is a bitch."

24 hours's Bill Tieleman, who was sharing the airwaves with Mr. Spector, took issue with that statement saying "I think you're taking a lot of liberty there. We don't know what happened in the Tie Domi case. We do know that she broke up with Mr. Mackay. And we don't call (Vancouver South MP) Ujjal Dosanjh or (Liberal leadership candidate) Bob Rae or others with names like that. So I don't think that's a fair characterization. I think it's fair to say you don't like her politics. And I don't either personally. But I think that crosses the line myself."

But Mr. Spector later defended his use of the term, asking "Why is it unacceptable? That's what I think about her. I think it was much worse - a few years ago - when one of the Liberal members referred to (former Edmonton North MP) Deb Grey as a slab of meat quite frankly. I think that was totally unacceptable. But bitch is a word that I would use to describe someone like Belinda Stronach. It is a word that I use regularly."

Earlier in the show, Mr. Spector said one of the reasons Minister MacKay's alleged insult continues to be covered "is that the Opposition are doing a good job. And the other thing that's changed in Ottawa is half the press gallery now are women. And women find this very offensive. You and I might have a different word for a dog - at least I would have a different word for a dog to describe her and what she's done with the Domi family and how she handled Peter Mackay. But those are personal characterizations. And politics is a different game. And it's a rough game."

Last month, Ms. Stronach released a statement about suggestions she was involved in the breakup of Mr. Domi's marriage, saying "Any problems between Tie and Leanne Domi are not related to me."

Last week, we reported the federal Conservatives would be hosting a reception at the British Columbia Liberals upcoming biennial convention in Penticton - featuring local parliamentarian Stockwell Day. But it seems the provincial party wants the welcome mat rolled back up. Last week, the Liberals asked and the Conservatives agreed to cancel the hospitality suite.

Last week, Premier Gordon Campbell announced all new municipal capital projects receiving provincial funding will have to be reviewed by Partnerships British Columbia if they cost more than $20 million. The reason: perhaps he doesn't think local governments are competent enough to determine whether they need the government-owned company's consultation services? After all, the premier is a big believer in the doctrine of subsidiarity, which states: "It is wrong for a superior body to hold to itself the right to make decisions for which an inferior is already well qualified enough to make for itself.'"

Meanwhile, least one prominent New Democrat is questioning why his party hasn't made more of a ruckus about that announcement. Writes 24 hours's Bill Tieleman, "Surprisingly, the NDP opposition doesn't seem to have grasped the huge significance of Campbell's decision - that's the only way to explain the lack of a news release when one might expect them to scream blue bloody murder."

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, freelance journalist Stanley Tromp discusses ivory tower secrecy. University of Western Ontario professor emeritus Denis Smith talks about his recent book Ignatieff's World: A Liberal Leader for the 21st Century?: And critic and anthologist Gary Geddes shares his thoughts about poetry and politics. Also on the show: Co-Intelligence Institute founder and co-director Tom Atlee chats with us about the wisdom of wisdom councils. And our rabble-rousing panel - Ariel Lade, Troy DeSouza, Bernard Schulmann and Allan Warnke - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. 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.

Have you ever suspected business and government are in bed together? Well, those looking for evidence of an ongoing affair would have went apoplectic yesterday when Premier Gordon Campbell announced all new municipal capital projects receiving provincial funding will have to be reviewed by Partnerships British Columbia if they cost more than $20 million. Speaking to Union of British Columbia Municipalities conventioneers, the premier explained the agency will be taking a "hard look at how that project might be built as a public-private partnership." As has already been noted by freelance columnist Paul Willocks, "some municipalities - especially on sensitive projects like water systems - are likely to balk at provincial interference." But not to worry. Because Partnerships British Columbia is teaching the private sector how to push those projects through - irrespective of those concerns.

Next month, the agency's communications and government relations director Jennifer Davies is scheduled to offer "advice on the importance of establishing well thought out communications strategies to handle the inevitable campaign against" water and wastewater public-private partnerships at a conference in Toronto. The conference is being organized by The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships - whose board of directors includes Ken Dobell, the premier's special advisor and former deputy minister.

Ms. Davies is a member of a panel discussing "water and water procurement rights in Canada." Other panelists include Veolia Water NA customer relations vice-president Mark Sanderson, EPCOR Water Services Inc. British Columbia and Pacific Northwest development vice-president Karim Kassam and OMI Inc. sales director Wally MacKinnon.

The federal Liberal leadership campaign trail has not been kind to Michael Ignatieff. The latest disappointment: today, the Canadian Press's Joan Bryden reports Susan Kadis, his former Toronto campaign co-chair, "has endorsed chief rival Bob Rae." But that's okay. Because, according to an email distributed by the Ignatieff campaign to supporters, "the press are saying" wonderful things about the Ivy Leaguer. For example, consider this quote: "A Michael Ignatieff government would be committed to helping Canada's aboriginal people by encouraging entrepreneurship, settling outstanding land claims and improving health care and housing...." But there just one little problem. There's seven words missing from the end of that sentence: "...the federal Liberal leadership candidate promised Monday." In other words, that's not what the press is saying about Mr. Ignatieff. That's what he's saying about himself. The following is a complete copy of that email.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: What the press are saying about Michael this week / Ce que les médias ont dit de Michael cette semaine
From: Michael Ignatieff

October 27, 2006 * le français suit l'anglais

What the press are saying about Michael this week...
"Ignatieff is an intellectual and a visionary. Given a chance, he will produce ideas. If the Liberals want to be a party of ideas and vision, they should regard him as a real asset."
(Don Lenihan, The Hill Times, October 23, 2006)

"A party aiming low at a minority government will be attracted to Bob Rae's experience while one shooting high at a majority will be tempted by Michael Ignatieff's groundswell potential."
(James Travers, The Toronto Star, October 26, 2006)

"This weekend, Ignatieff sealed his Quebec advantage. He will show up at the Montreal convention next month with the most Quebec delegates and backing a concept whose support in the province extends well outside the ranks of his own supporters."
(Chantal Hébert, The Globe and Mail, October 23, 2006)

"A Michael Ignatieff government would be committed to helping Canada's aboriginal people by encouraging entrepreneurship, settling outstanding land claims and improving health care and housing..."
(Canadian Press, October 24, 2006)

"Liberal leadership candidate Michael Ignatieff is promising to improve the lives of Canadian women and get more of them in Parliament... Employment Insurance reform, a national housing strategy and pay-equity legislation for federal employees are also ideas Ignatieff said he will fight to implement if elected leader of the Liberals."

(Meagan Fitzpatrick, CanWest, October 25, 2005)

Why did a provincial New Democrat caucus meeting on Wednesday that was scheduled to last an hour run for almost three? Could it be because MLAs were discussing caucus staff issues? Was there some talk about restructuring? Maybe the New Democrat's future strategic direction came up for debate - an issue that was reportedly raised at a party community conference last weekend by Yale-Lilooet legislator Harry Lali? Are these answers posed in the form of a question? Inquiring minds want to know!

Back in August, the Telecommunications Workers Union released a bulletin notifying members that "several weeks ago numerous TWU Delegates brought forth and laid charges against President Bruce Bell. Following the process as set out in the TWU Constitution a Trial Board was then struck, and a hearing was held. After deliberations the Trial Board rendered their decision Sunday August 6th 2006 and as a result effective immediately Mr. Bruce Bell has been removed from the office of President." That removal was prompted by dissatisfaction with the collective agreement the telecommunications workers signed with Telus Corp. last year. - an agreement endorsed by Mr. Bell.

But the bulletin added the ousted president would have an "opportunity to appeal the decision to an Ombudsperson of the Canadian Labour Congress." And, now Public Eye has learned the ombudsman appointed to handle that case - former British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union president John Shields - has reinstated Mr. Bell. That decision - which has yet to be made public - came down on Monday. But, as of publication time, the telecommunication workers' Website has yet to reflect this latest development.

Last Thursday, Port Coquitlam's city council was scheduled to discuss a several issues of some import - including the cost of the Coast Meridian Overpass. But, according to The Tri-City News's Lara Gerrits, councillor Greg Moore was "absent from the council meeting." Which begs the question, where was he? The answer: in an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Moore confirmed he instead attended the provincial Liberal's Winning the Tri-Cities fundraising dinner at the Executive Plaza Hotel. When asked why he skipped council, the former Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain election candidate explained he "had contributed to it via email prior to the meeting - providing my comments, thoughts and questions." And was this a case of putting party business ahead of civic business? "I wouldn't judge it that way. Your always trying to juggle your schedule and do the best you can," responded Mr. Moore. Tickets to the fundraiser were $225.

Back in July, the provincial government announced it had "launched a major initiative focusing on the future of post-secondary education" called Campus 2020. Former attorney general Geoff Plant was named special advisor to the initiative's leadership team. But there's at least one other old friend working on that Ivy League exercise. Inland Strategies Communications Management Inc. co-owner Laurie Best has been hired as the executive director of Campus 2020. Ms. Best, as our astute readers may recall, made headlines when The Times Colonist's Les Leyne reported in May 2003 that a contract awarded to her company by the health ministry included "her fee plus 20 per cent for expenses, which involve routine commuting between Kamloops and Victoria." But, in an interview with Public Eye, advanced education communications director Paul Wooley said Ms. Best would "be picking up those (commuting) expenditures" in her new civil service post.

Your humble organ has reported at length on federal Liberal leadership candidate Michael Ignatieff's attempt to "negate most of chief rival Bob Rae's delegate support in British Columbia." The success of said attempt will be determined by the party's permanent appeals committee. And when will that determination be made, you way wonder? Well, we're told the committee has called a conference call meeting for November 1.

Last month, The Georgia Straight's Charlie Smith reported University of British Columbia associate pyschiatry professor Kerry Jang was planning on seeking the federal New Democrat nomination in Vancouver-Kingsway. But, in an interview with Public Eye, Prof. Jang said he's since put the kibosh on those plans. "I have a huge amount of responsibilities at UBC that I really couldn't neglected," he explained. "I run the second year medical program. And, as you know, the med school has expanded quite a bit. And I thought that, being the responsible guy I am, that I would stay there because I was one of the people involved in the expansion from the start. So I've decided to stay there and see the expansion through for the next couple years."

Yesterday, British Columbia's chief and youth officer distributed an open letter asking for a "complete and public retraction" from provincial New Democrat MLA Maurine Karagianis. At issue: a suggestion by the children and family development critic that Jane Morley gave the public "exactly what the government told her to" in a report recently released by her office. In her letter, Ms. Morley writes that suggestion constitutes "an attack on my integrity that is completely unacceptable and unfounded." But this isn't the first time Ms. Morley has moved to protect her reptuation and that of the office she holds.

Back in March 2005, when three former senior provincial officials released a letter expressing their concerns about British Columbia's child protection system, Ms. Morley penned a column in which she wrote, "It is simply untrue to say that I 'answer to the attorney general,' as one of the three authors stated in a CBC interview...I am free to say publicly what I think about government-funded services for children, youth and families, or about any other issue related to children and youth. I have not, in the two years I have held this position, felt threatened in this independence or been directed by the attorney general in how to fulfil my statutory responsibilities."

Then, about a year later, came this article by The Province's Michael Smyth: "In an earlier column, I was critical of Morley's performance as a watchdog...saying she wasn't digging her teeth hard enough into the government's backside. But I believe now, after speaking at length with her, that I was the one who sunk my fangs in too deeply. I want to correct several important points from that column and retract any wrong impressions." The column concluding with Mr. Smyth writing "I regret that I went after her the way I did. It didn't do justice to her record, and it did little to help the voiceless victims of a broken system."

The following is a complete copy of the aforementioned open letter to Ms. Karagianis.

***
October 24, 2006

OPEN LETTER TO MAURINE KARAGIANIS, M.L.A.

In an article by Jeff Rud, Youth officer calls for 'multi-agency teams' Vancouver Sun, B06 - October 24, 2006 and Multi-agency teams could prevent deaths Times Colonist, A02 - October 24, 2006, you are quoted as saying of my report: "It's given us exactly what the government told her to." This echoes a voice clip on CBC radio 12:00 pm October 23, 2006, in which you stated with reference to me: "I think she's narrowed in and tried to give us exactly what the government told her to."

You are of course entitled to criticize my report. The columnist Les Leyne, and a few other journalists, do not like the "beyond blame" approach that I have taken in this report and during my tenure as the Child and Youth Officer. Fair enough. I am always prepared to discuss and debate my approach to influencing child welfare reforms. Your statements, however, constitute an attack on my integrity that is completely unacceptable and unfounded.

An obligation to function independently is an overriding responsibility that infuses and encompasses my role as Child and Youth Officer, including in conducting the investigation and preparing the report into the circumstances surrounding the continued placement of the brother and other children in the home of the caregivers where the Nuu-chah-nulth child died. To suggest otherwise, as you have done, is to impugn my character, and you have done so without a shred of evidence to substantiate your assertion.

The Attorney General, to whom in accordance with the provisions of the Office for Children and Youth Act my report was directed, understood my independence. At my specific request in November 2005, the Attorney General set terms of reference for my investigation and report. At no time was I "told" by the Attorney General, or any other government official, how to conduct my investigation or what to say in my report.

I was provided, at my request, with additional and sufficient funds to retain outside counsel and to interview the witnesses and to conduct a thorough investigation. My 135-page report of that investigation contains what I decided was necessary and most significant after consideration of evidence from many files and other records, from the examinations of 31 witnesses and from representations received from individuals and organizations potentially affected by my report.

The report, which was delivered to the Attorney General on September 29, 2006, was my report alone. It was not driven in any way by what anyone within government "told" me to say. On October 20, the Attorney General made public my complete report, as I wrote it and as I delivered it to him.

In the circumstances, I expect from you a complete and public retraction.

Yours truly,

Jane Morley, Q.C.
Child & Youth Officer
Province of British Columbia

Earlier, we reported on the Liquor Stores Income Fund's plans to "build on its market position (in British Columbia) by "by adding new stores through acquisitions and new store developments." And it looks like the income fund - which made former finance minister Gary Collins a trustee - has more than enough money to execute that plan. On October 2, the fund announced it had raised $35.7 million through the sale of trust units to "repay current indebtedness, to fund acquisitions and new store development, and for general corporate purposes."

Earlier, we noted the Liquor Stores Income Fund made former provincial finance minister Gary Collins a trustee and director of Liquor Stores GP Inc. last month. But he's not the only political personality with that group of companies. Former Alberta treasurer Jim Dinning - who is presently running to succeed Ralph Kelin as the leader of the Progressive Conservatives in that province - just so happens to be the income fund's chair and a fellow Liquor Stores GP board member. And what do Messrs. Collins and Dinning have in common - other than their background in elected politics? The answer: Paul Taylor - who served as Mr. Dininng's executive assistant and Mr. Collins's deputy minister. Small world, eh? Mr. Taylor left British Columbia's finance ministry in 2004 to become the president and chief executive officer of the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia.

Gary Collins has joined a company that could be profitting from decisions made by the Campbell administration when he was finance minister. Last month, the Liquor Stores Income Fund announced it had made Mr. Collins a trustee and a director of Liquor Stores GP Inc. The fund makes its money in the retail booze business via its 72.3 percent interest in Liquor Stores LP - the largest liquour store owner in Wild Rose Country. But it may soon be looking westward for more moneymaking prospects. According to a circular released back in April, the fund management "believes that British Columbia offers significant opportunities for expansion and intends to build on its market position" - which includes three outlets in the Lower Mainland and two elsewhere in the province - "by adding new stores through acquisitions and new store developments."

And why does British Columbia offer "significant opportunities" for expansion? In an interview with Business Edge's Gyle Konotopetz, the fund's president and chief executive officer Irving Kipnes explained "it's tough to get into (the province). Yet, once you get in, the business is very good because there is only about one store for 4,000 to 5,000 people in B.C., whereas in Alberta it's one store for about every 3,000 people or less."

It should aso be noted the Liberals announced regulatory changes in November 2003 allowing private liquour stores to better compete with their government-owned counterparts. And, although the administration has backed away from plans to privatize those public liquour stores, the effort did result in a brief lifting of the moratorium on private store applications in 2002.

That increased the number of those stores from 295 when the Liberals first formed government to 604 today - which has presumably created the kind of investment opportunities the income fund is now looking for. And, at the same time, the government has closed and consolidated its own operations - going from 222 stores to 206.

Fund trustees and Liquor Stores GP directors receive $20,000 per year and $1,250 for each meeting they attend. Fund management didn't respond to an interview request placed this morning. Mr. Collins, who is president and chief executive officer of Harmony Airways, has also not yet returned a call from Public Eye. The income fund amassed $6.1 million in net earnings between January and December 2005, according to its most recent annual report.

The provincial Liberals may have bought labour peace with the public sector unions. But that hasn't stopped party members are bringing forward a number of provocative resolutions at their upcoming convention aimed at reducing the power of labour movement leaders. This, according to a delegate package obtained by Public Eye. For example, Coquitlam-Maillardville and Victoria-Beacon Hill Liberals are calling on the party to "support a prohibition of unions using the mandatory union dues of their members for any purpose other than collective bargaining or strike pay without the annual written consent of each member" - an attempt to hamstringing unions that want to make political donations.

Also making their way to the convention floor will be resolutions proposing changes to the school system - including supporting the development of schools that will allow for a "specific focus for in-depth study" and establishing an education reform commission. And the premier's constituency association is suggesting the "creation of a Climate Change Forum to engage government, industry and the B.C. community to discuss all ramifications and consequences of climate" - a subject the government has previously shown a keen interest in.

Other noteworthy resolutions include ones supporting debt reduction, independent power producers, offshore oil and gas development, salmon aquaculture and...er...uniform firewood. The following is a complete copy of those resolutions.

***

BC Liberals Convention 2006

Convention 2006

Dear Registrant:
Thank you for registering for BC Liberals Convention 2006 to be held from the evening of Thursday, November 2nd through the afternoon of Saturday, November 4th at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (273 Power Street, Penticton).

We have had an overwhelming response to our call to Convention, and we appreciate your continued commitment to the Party and the BC Liberal Team.

Please find enclosed your registration package consisting of the current Convention 2006 agenda, as well as the policy proposals and constitutional amendments received by the Party in accordance with the Constitution.

If you have yet to book your hotel accommodations for Convention 2006, contact Okanagan Reservations today at 1-800-663-1900. Rooms are filling up fast!

See you in Penticton!
Sincerely,
Mickey Patryluk
President, BC Liberal Party
BC Liberals Convention 2006

Convention 2006 Agenda
Penticton Trade & Convention Centre
273 Power Street, Penticton, BC
(All events are held at the Trade & Convention Centre unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, November 2, 2006
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Premier's Welcome Reception *
Friday, November 3, 2006
8:00 am - 9:00 am Breakfast *
9:15 am - 9:30 am Convention Opening
9:45 am - 12:00 pm Policy Break-Out Sessions
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch *
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Policy Break-Out Sessions
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm Break
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Cabinet Minister Session
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Cabinet Minister Session
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Cabinet Minister Session
Adjourn Formal Proceedings for Friday
(*) Asterisks note ticketed events over-and-above the delegate fee
BC Liberals Convention 2006

Convention 2006 Agenda Continued

Friday, November 3, 2006 Continued
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Club 300 Reception *
(Club 300 Contributors Only)
Ramada Hotel, 1050 Eckhardt Avenue West
7:00 pm Banquet Dinner, "Let’s Rock ’n’ Roll" *
Featuring the music of "The Timebenders"
Dress: Casual

Saturday, November 4, 2006
9:00 am - 10:30 am Caucus Breakfast *
10:45 am - 12:00 pm Address by Premier Gordon Campbell
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch *
1:45 pm - 2:15 pm BC Liberal Party Biennial General Meeting
2:15 pm - 3:45 pm The Conversation on Health
(*) Asterisks note ticketed events over-and-above the delegate fee

BC Liberals Convention 2006

Convention 2006
Received Policy Submissions
Group A: The Economy
Group B: Education & Community Services
Group C: Health Care & the Environment
Group D: Public Safety & Labour Relations
BC Liberals Convention 2006

Group A - The Economy

Asia Pacific - Necessary Infrastructure
BCYL

The Problem: China is the world's fastest growing economy and the Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region in the world. At a 10% economic growth rate, China’s output will double every seven years. Asia-Pacific container traffic to North America is forecast to expand by 300 percent in the next 15 years. However, BC's Ports are currently operating at or near capacity.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party is committed making BC Canada's Gateway to the Asia Pacific.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports the Gateway strategy and the province's efforts to work with the federal government, other provinces and municipalities to recognize that the expansion of our transportation infrastructure, including BC's Ports, should be at the centre of a national economic strategy.

Opening the Gateway to the Asia Pacific
North Coast

The Problem: BC’s biggest trading partner continues to be the United States, but trade disputes such as the softwood lumber dispute, have highlighted the need to diversify our economy and foster better and bigger trading relationships with other nations to lessen our reliance on the U.S.

BC Liberal Values: Recognize that we are North America’s gateway to the Asia Pacific, and maximize our strategic location to provide more opportunities for all British Columbians.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports the development of the Gateway program to improve the movement of goods across the Province and encourages the provincial government to work with and support the Asia Pacific Trade Council’s work to develop an Asia Pacific strategy for the province, and furthermore, a specific commitment of financial support for the expansion of the Northern Corridor beyond Phase 1 of the container port expansion at the Port of Prince Rupert, through to the Alberta border including all communities along the route. This expansion will be of benefit to all British Columbians and Canada as a whole.

Olympic Programs and Legacies
Comox Valley

The Problem: The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games is an opportunity to make sure that our young people understand the value of good physical fitness and can share in the excitement of the games, that all communities see benefits from the games and that businesses are able to leverage all opportunities regardless of where they are located in the Province and that these opportunities are not limited to the lower mainland and the sea to sky corridor.

BC Liberal Values: To see the benefits of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games reach every corner of the Province.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports the continued investment in youth programs and community projects that will leave legacies for future generations and encourages the Province to enhance the 2010 Commerce Centre in order that businesses across the Province are able to capitalize on the opportunities available over the next four years

Technology Award Competitions
Richmond Center

The Problem: One mode of encouraging innovation in business can be implemented through establishing prizes for technological discoveries which is not currently being done anywhere in Canada.

BC Liberal Values: The party believes that innovation can be fostered through open competition between groups for the benefit of all.

The Solution: The party should encourage the government to establish an award council, which would be responsible for the establishment of explicit and measurable criteria of innovations for prizes in areas of science concerning British Columbia. Similar examples of prize-induced innovation include the Discovery of Longitude at Sea Act (UK Parliament 1713), the Ansari X Prize, and the H-Prize Act of 2006 (US House of Representatives).

Energy Policy
East Kootenay

The Problem: British Columbia has become a net importer of electricity. Last year BC Hydro imported over 13% of its supply in order to meet the needs of domestic consumers. Relying on imports increases British Columbia ratepayers' exposure to volatile prices.

BC Liberal Values: Access to a secure reliable supply and avoiding volatile prices are important for maintaining and developing a strong economy.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports efforts to make British Columbia electricity self sufficient within the decade ahead.

Alternative Energy
East Kootenay

The Problem: British Columbia’s demand for electricity is estimated to increase by 50% over the next 20 years. While some of this demand can be met by increasing energy efficiency new sources of supply will need to be developed while protecting the environment.

BC Liberal Values: Independent Power Producers are in the best position to develop innovative, environmentally friendly, cost effective, energy solutions.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports efforts to expand the role of Independent Power Producers in meeting BC’s future demand for electricity.

Electric Power Generation Self-Sufficiency
Richmond Center

The Problem: BC Hydro has become a net importer of electricity in the past decade, as it has not increased electrical generation significantly since the 1970's.

BC Liberal Values: The party believes that many opportunities exist to develop electricity generation facilities in the province and they should be utilized.

The Solution: Encourage BC Hydro to investigate and plan capital construction projects that will increase power generation through traditional and alternative means in a cost effective manner with a goal of domestic electricity generation capacity equaling or exceeding consumption.

Pacific Coast Exploration
Richmond Center

The Problem: BC's Pacific Coast is suspected to contain oil and gas reserves, which cannot be quantified due to a federal government moratorium on offshore exploration.

BC Liberal Values: To provide jobs for British Columbians by facilitating the expansion of our natural resource industry.

The Solution: The BC government should lobby the Federal government to allow offshore exploration to quantify the potential energy reserves available off the Pacific Coast.

A Proposal to Support Energy-Efficient Automobiles & Contribute to Provincial Energy Conservation
West Vancouver-Capilano

The Problem: B.C. Hydro does not provide adequate tariffs for private parties to connect to and deliver electricity to the provincial electrical grid.

BC Liberal Values: lug-in hybrids (grid to vehicle) are retrofitted Prius type automobiles that can have their batteries plugged in to the grid. It allows them to be charged at off-peak power, and provides the equivalent of gas at a fraction of the cost of gas at the pump. The first 60 km or so of driving could be handled entirely electrically. Estimates are that 80% of daily traffic in cities could be powered by electricity alone. Dual plug-in (grid to vehicle and vehicle to grid) vehicles can also generate power for the network. Further, they offer benefits in regulating power quality and spinning reserves.

The battery and electronics expertise required to do this can be developed locally, and fosters fuel cell applications since less fuel cells are needed to power the car.

The downstream benefit is that these vehicles can also be used to power the grid at peak times. So B.C. Hydro would have a sophisticated means to load-shift, while reducing air pollution. And we would develop world class expertise.

At present there is no facility to enable such vehicles to be developed and operated in B.C.

The BC Liberal Party supports energy conservation and efforts to reduce consumption and to restore BC's energy self-sufficiency.

The Solution: We support an initiative to encourage B.C. Hydro to establish special tariffs and facilities for private parties to contribute electricity to the provincial power grid by plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as other micro-generating facilities.

Renewable Energy
Burnaby-Edmonds

The Problem: Currently there are no large scale existing sites in British Columbia utilizing Bio-Mass Energy Production to meet the growing need for additional energy supplies with an inexpensive and renewable resource.

BC Liberal Values: Promoting alternative energy sources to help meet BC's growing energy needs while allowing for sustainable environmental management.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Government should enable/encourage Independent Power Producers the opportunity to apply for licenses to install, wherever viable, Bio-Mass Co-Generation Units to sustain our growing need for energy.

Formalized Debt Management Plan
Richmond Center

The Problem: Currently, the government pays $2.3B in annual debt servicing expenses. This represents over $500 for each British Columbian, each year.

BC Liberal Values: The party believes through balanced fiscal management, debt can be reduced which strengthens the province's financial position.

The Solution: Enact a formalized debt management strategy to commit to a reduction of taxpayersupported debt each fiscal year when the real GDP is positive.

Post Graduation Educational Subsidies for Resident BC Workers
Richmond Center

The Problem: The BC Government subsidizes post-secondary education, but a proportion of students do not engage in employment in the province.

BC Liberal Values: To incentivize British Columbians educated in the province to remain in BC after receiving their post-secondary education.

The Solution: Encourage the government to establish a tax deduction for a proportion of tuition paid over a five-year period, providing that employment takes place in BC during this interval.

Tax Incentives for Home-Grown and Home-Based Businesses
New Westminster

The Problem: Some jurisdictions provide tax incentives for homegrown and home-based businesses that retain their profits within the local economy, which in turn gives them a financial incentive to establish their head office in that jurisdiction.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals strongly support the development of B. C. based businesses.

The Solution: We recommend that the Government establish a "BC Business Certification" program which, for those companies that meet the guidelines, would qualify them for tax breaks, such as an exemption from, or reduction in, the Provincial Corporate Income tax.

Debt Reduction
Burnaby-Willington

The Problem: Despite the positive progress made in recent years, BC's provincial debt has increased over the last few decades. BC's youth and future generations will be burdened by past generations' fiscal mismanagement if nothing is done now.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberal values fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets under generally accepted accounting principles

The Solution: BC Liberals support committing a portion of each year's budget surplus to paying down the provincial debt.

Consultative Budget Process
Port Moody-Westwood

The Problem: Government, in its first term, brought fiscal balance to British Columbia through financial prudence that encouraged economic renewal and expansion. It is important that Government proceed with new goals that remain adequately balanced to continuously meet the needs of the people of the province.

BC Liberal Values: We value open government that regularly seeks the views and opinions of British Columbians in the budget planning and development process.

The Solution: We support continued, proactive, effective consultative process that provides the opportunity for British Columbians to provide their input to the budget development process.

Property Transfer Tax
Victoria-Beacon Hill

The Problem: The Property Transfer Tax places a burden on British Columbians who have to move for employment purposes, and who have to move due to changes in their family circumstances. The Property Transfer Tax also discourages people from moving to British Columbia to contribute to our provincial economy;

BC Liberal Values: Taxation levels that keep our provincial economy competitive with other jurisdictions. Taxation that treats all taxpayers fairly, and does not discourage mobility in the province

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party recommends that the Government of BC implement a plan for the gradual abolition of the Property Transfer Tax as funds allow. This could begin with an exemption for amounts in residential purchases for the portion of the purchase price which is the below the value of a principal residence being sold by the purchasers.

No Plastax
Port Moody-Westwood

The Problem: Measures being promoted to encourage responsible use of plastic bags would be damaging to the financial resources of middle and lower income families; vis-à-vis the plastax.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals do not support unnecessary taxes that negatively impact middle, lower and fixed income families.

The Solution: We support measures that encourage recycling and appropriate reuse of plastics without imposing financial tax burdens on British Columbians

Debt Reduction and Tax Relief
Port Moody-Westwood

The Problem: Despite progress under this government, BC's tax rates remain higher than those of Alberta and Ontario and the Provincial debt remains more than $6000 per British Columbian.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals hold to a common-sense conservative economic philosophy, which maintains that people should be allowed to keep as much of their own earnings as practical and that we should not pass debt on to our children.

The Solution: We support the application of unanticipated budget surpluses to debt reduction and tax relief

Softwood Lumber Agreement
Victoria-Beacon Hill

The Problem: The BC Forest Industry has found itself embroiled in the longstanding trade dispute over softwood lumber exports to the United States. The many years of litigation before NAFTA and the WTO has failed to resolve this dispute. This dispute has significantly harmed the forest industry with punishing tariffs and continued uncertainty over the export of softwood lumber to the United States.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Government values the health and economic viability of the BC Forest Industry since Forestry is and has been throughout our history the most important industry in British Columbia. BC Liberal Government believes that reliable access to the United States market for our forest products is of fundamental importance to the economy of this Province.

The Solution: Given that the BC Liberal Government has supported the Softwood Lumber Agreement reached this year between the Federal Government and the United States, the BC Liberal Party supports the government of Canada's obtaining of a Softwood Lumber Agreement on favourable terms from the United States thus ensuring the viability of the BC Forest Industry.

Small Business
BCYL

The Problem: Small businesses are the major employer and job creator in the BC economy. Small businesses often do not have the same time and resources as large companies to navigate government regulation. In order to continue stimulating small business job creation and improve small investor confidence, government should continue addressing red tape.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party is committed to cutting red tape and easing the regulatory burden on business without reducing health, safety or environmental standards.

The Solution: British Columbia has the most confident small business sector in Canada. To ensure this confidence level continues into the future, the BC Liberal Party supports the small business roundtables and the ongoing citizen centered regulatory reform initiative that the government is currently undertaking.

Tourism and the Chinese Market
Vancouver-Fraserview

The Problem: BC’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism. China is becoming a major source of tourists, in fact total outbound travel from China has increased by 85% over the last ten years. Last year 32 million Chinese traveled abroad. However, over 70% of these tourists are visiting countries with Approved Destination Status (ADS) - a status that Canada currently does not have.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party is committed to doubling tourism by 2010.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party encourages the province to continue to support the federal government in working to achieve approved destination status for Canada.

Support for the Gateway Program
Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain

The Problem: The population in the Lower Mainland has grown by 750,000 people over the past 20 years and is anticipated to grow to over three million by 2031. The number of automobiles is increasing at a rate of 20,000 per year. This population, automobile growth, and goods movement is creating gridlock on Greater Vancouver's road network, which has had no significant improvements since the 1980s. Greater Vancouver residents consistently rate transportation as the number one issue in the region. (http://www.gatewayprogram.bc.ca/)

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals recognize the need to improve on our transportation routes across the province - to make them safer for our residents and improve the flow of our goods to market.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports the Gateway program and encourages the provincial government to continue to develop sustainable transportation improvements for the greater Vancouver area that will improve the safety of our roads, incorporate a variety of transportation options, including bike lanes and public transportation while ensuring the free flow of goods to market.

Interchange Construction
Richmond Center

The Problem: Many high-volume highways contain at-grade intersections, restricting the free flow of traffic.

BC Liberal Values: The party believes that the free flow of transportation on BC's road network reduces the amount of time, money and fuel wasted on road congestion.

The Solution: Encourage the transportation ministry to construct grade-separated interchanges at highvolume intersections on the provincial highway network, with the ideal of building them to freeway standards.

Inter-Regional District Transit
Burnaby-Willington

The Problem: Regional districts operate transit systems within their own boundaries, but little exists in terms of transit options between regions.

The Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Regional Districts are only linked by morning westbound and evening eastbound public transit surface rail.

BC Liberal Values: The party values the economic and social links between communities throughout British Columbia.

The Solution: We support the expansion of public transit bus routes linking the eastern municipalities of the Greater Vancouver Regional District with the western municipalities of the Fraser Valley Regional District.

Burrard Inlet Automotive Pollution Reduction
Burnaby-Willington

The Problem: Automotive traffic between Vancouver and its northern suburbs is at rush hour capacity for many hours throughout the day and the daily number of hours will continue to grow if no change is made.

BC Liberal Values: The party values efficiency and stewardship of the environment in communities where British Columbians live.

The Solution: We support funding a third bridge span crossing Burrard Inlet, when the province's fiscal situation allows it. We reinforce our interest in the environment by establishing high-occupancy vehicle lanes on this
crossing.

We wish to pursue further public transit initiatives through further funding to bus transit and the SeaBus.
BC Liberals Convention 2006

Group B - Education & Community Services

Skills Development
BCYL
New Westminster
North Coast

The Problem: The latest figures from the Major Projects Inventory list estimates that 711 major construction projects, worth and estimate $90.6 billion, are either under development or planned across the province. Our booming economy, fuelled in part by the incredible growth in the construction industry, has put pressure on the availability of skilled trades people and are increasing the cost of building.

BC Liberal Values: Comprehensive strategy to address the need of skilled workers now and in the future in order that we meet the needs of all communities as they grow.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports continued investment in skills training through the Industry Training Authority to meet the needs of industry and communities in every corner of the Province. The implementation of the training tax credit introduced in Budget 2006 should be implemented as soon as possible in order to maximize the number of trades people completing their training and entering the workforce.

Post-Secondary for Low-Income Students
Richmond East
New Westminster

The Problem: 73% of forecast employment opportunities in 2011 will require some form of postsecondary education and/or training. Students from low-income backgrounds typically perceive the cost of education to be higher than it is, and they perceive the graduating incomes to be lower than they are.

Consequently, many of these individuals do not even start post-secondary education and training. Many of those individuals who plan on working after graduation to save money for school don't return to school, and far fewer of those who do return stay on to completion of their training or education.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberals value accessibility to post-secondary education and training. The BC Liberals value a knowledgeable and skilled workforce

The Solution: We support the development of innovative student funding and investment strategies that will allow students from low-income backgrounds to build savings and credits to be used for the purposes of post-secondary training and education. These strategies can include things like tying bursaries to Advancement Via Individual Determination BC programs, or to the Community Service Programs in high schools. These bursaries could be delivered in the form of credits within the institution being attended.

Another option is to modify the RESP program to extend the age to which you can contribute to an RESP and allow for individuals to contribute to their own RESP, and benefit from tax savings if used for education and training. These initiatives should be actively communicated to high school students to ensure awareness and utilization.

Mandatory Booster Seat Use for Children under the age of 8, and under 36 kgs
Port Moody-Westwood

The Problem: Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of serious injury and death for children 4-8 years old in British Columbia, injuring over 850 small children each year. Studies consistently demonstrate that the use of Booster Seats by 4-8 year old children provides 60% more protection than seatbelts alone since seat belts are engineered for use by a person with the height and weight of the typical adult male. However, BC's laws and regulations do not adequately address the safety needs of 4- to 8-year olds. Further, Booster Seats are inexpensive and easy to use, transfer and store, and increasing the use of Booster Seats by children between 4 and 8 years of age will result in a measurable decrease in the risk of serious injury and death for them.

BC Liberal Values: There is a role for government in ensuring there is a strong framework in place to protect children and enhance safety on our roadways, while at the same time ensuring that regulations reflect common sense and do not place undue hardships on families.

The Solution: We support changes to legislation and regulation to clarify booster seat definitions, to expand their mandatory use to include children 4 to 8 years of age and under 36 kilograms (80 lbs), and to eliminate various exemptions that currently exist.

Child and Family Development Authorities
Vancouver-Point Grey

The Problem: We know and the research tells us that what we are doing now for children in care is not in their best interests. Taking young children out of their families, away from their extended families, their schools, their neighborhoods, their culture, has a devastating effect. They do not do well in school, employment, and as adults. We are all responsible for these little children. They are dependent on us to provide the support and resources that may save their lives. There is need for an intense community engagement.

BC Liberal Values: The 3rd great goal for a golden decade states: To build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, special needs, children at risk and seniors. This government is restructuring the Ministry of Children and Families towards a community governance model including Aboriginal peoples. This model would place the child at the center and engage all communities in supporting abused and neglected children to be the best they can be physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally and needs to have legislative power under the Family Development Authority.

The Solution: The B.C. Liberal Party supports the B.C. Government in the re-engagement of communities in the care and protection of vulnerable children and youth, and supports the enactment of legislation to establish Child and Family Development Authorities.

B.C.'s 150th Anniversary
BCYL

The Problem: In 2008 British Columbia will mark its 150th anniversary, the sesquicentennial. This anniversary marks a unique opportunity to celebrate British Columbia and its history in the lead up to 2010.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party values the history of this province and believes it is important to both recognize and celebrate.

The Solution: The BC Liberal party encourages the provincial government to develop a plan to mark, and celebrate our share 150 years of history.

Affordable Housing
North Coast

The Problem: Many British Columbians struggle to find affordable housing such as single parent families, lower income families and seniors. There is a need to look for innovative solutions, such as the SAFER program for seniors to ensue people have access to affordable, quality housing

BC Liberal Values: Flexible, innovative, affordable housing for all British Columbians The Solution: The BC Liberal Party encourages the Provincial Government to develop innovative solutions, based on regional requirements, to ensure all British Columbians have access to affordable housing. With new options and expansion of programs such as the SAFER program for seniors, more families will have better access to quality, affordable housing.

Seniors Housing and Investing in Alternatives to Residential and Hospital Care
Vancouver Kingsway

The Problem: B.C. is currently home to about 600,000 seniors. By the year 2031, the seniors' population will be more than double to 1.3 millions, and will make up 23 percent of the total population. It is a fact that B.C. seniors are living longer, healthier lives, and want to remain independent as long as possible. As seniors age, their health needs can change and many need help with activities of daily living. Until recently, most people had just two options when they needed support: home care or residential care. Seniors deserve more options to allow them to maintain their independence as long as possible.

BC Liberal Values: Providing seniors with flexible housing and supportive living options that offer seniors to remain independent for as long as possible.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports:
1. That the Government continues it’s program to build 5,000 new beds or more by the year 2008,
2. Continues to design and implement home and community care by providing more options for seniors,
3. Continues to enhance progressive programs such as assisted living, continuing care and senior housing that maximize the independence of seniors in the community.

Senior Care Funds
Burnaby-Edmonds

The Problem: Over burdened Seniors Care Funds.

BC Liberal Values: It is important that seniors receive care and support in their later years, and at the same time the costly burden of their maintenance is removed from the Public Health System.

The Solution: Provide financial incentives, such as tax breaks or monthly incomes, to extended family members who would take care of the seniors in their own homes. They can make sure that they receive the care and attention necessary in a familiar environment.

Veterans Policy
Richmond East

The Problem: Canadian veterans represent an aging demographic within society, with the average age of WW II vets being 82 years. As is the case in the larger senior population, veterans are faced with challenges in accessing support services and in maintaining a fully functional lifestyle. Furthermore, the spouses of veterans are experiencing additional difficulties in accessing services and supports after the passing of their spouses.

BC Liberals Values: BC Liberals greatly value and appreciate the contributions made to Canada by veterans and support improved services for all seniors.

The Solution: We call upon the provincial government to develop accountability frameworks to ensure the effective provision of services and resources to veterans and their spouses. These accountability frameworks should be evaluated over a 3 year period.

Community Based Arts and Culture Funding
Port Moody-Westwood

The Problem: Community arts and cultural organizations in BC for the most part lack a stable and consistent source of financial assistance.

BC Liberal Values: Arts and culture are essential components of our society, and BC Liberals value the health and breadth of such activities as indicators of BC's progress and quality of life.

The Solution: We support a BC Cultural Policy that creates a firm, significant, and consistent provision in the Annual Budget for the support of community-based arts and cultural organizations, together with a clear policy for the allocation of such funds.

FSA Testing
Langley

The Problem: The BCTF has urged all teachers to boycott the Foundation Skills Assessment, an annual test in reading, writing and numeracy for students in grades 4 and 7. They have created a brochure for parents titled: "FSA testing can be harmful for students."

BC Liberal Values: Make BC the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent by 2010. Support measures that increase accountability by allowing the public to measure the success of public services.

The Solution: BC Liberal Party supports FSA testing, as it is an important tool in measuring progress and ensuring the best programs are in place to reach our goal of making BC the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent by 2010.

Teacher Registry
Maple Ridge-Mission

The Problem: In British Columbia school districts do not have access to teacher's employment history making it difficult for districts to verify applicant's credentials.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals realize that a safe and quality learning environment is vital to the wellbeing of our children. Districts need access to teacher's employment to ensure they are hiring the best possible candidates for teaching jobs.

The Solution: BC Liberal Party strongly supports the establishment of a teacher registry.

Use of Community Schools
BCYL

The Problem: Taxpayers invest literally billion of dollars in schools throughout the province. However these building often sit empty in the evenings, weekends, and through the summer.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party is committed to transforming schools into vibrant community centres.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports the development of community schools and encourages the government to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure this infrastructure can be utilized by communities on a year round basis.

Class Size
Victoria-Hillside

The Problem: Class size is one of several important considerations in constructing an optimal learning environment for children. There is ongoing public debate about who should establish class size parameters.

BC Liberal Values: Children are the leaders of the future - an excellent education is critical to their success. BC Liberals value the input of all education partners. Our education system should reflect the values and needs of everyone involved in the wellbeing and growth of children.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party fully endorses the active and on-going participation of parents in School Planning Councils and in every aspect of their children's education. This involvement must also extend to the fundamental issue of class size.

Independent School Grants
Saanich North and the Islands

The Problem: Independent schools receive 50% of the per student public school grant, and must have expenditures commensurate with the local public school districts. At the same time, most independent schools charge annual fees of $2000 to $4000, and some of the non-religious schools have waiting lists of up to 3 years.

BC Liberal Values: The contribution independent schools make to children's education and our education system.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports increased financial support of Group 1 independent schools.

Education Reform Commission
Port Moody-Westwood

The Problem: While the BC Liberal Government has done fine work in improving our education system - including restoring labour peace with teachers, increasing funding, and working to make the system more accountable to parents. Nevertheless, the structure of the present system is more than a century old and it is time for a review.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals want to make British Columbia the, "best educated, most liberate jurisdiction on the continent."

The Solution: We support the establishment of a legislated commission including legislators, parents, educators, students, and concerned citizens to examine the need for fundamental reform of British Columbia's school system.
BC Liberals Convention 2006

Magnet Schools in BC
Richmond East

The Problem: Currently most public secondary schools offer a comprehensive program within the mandated BC curriculum to their geographic community. While this provides choice across a range of studies, it does not allow for a specific focus for in-depth study of a discipline such as science, environmental design, writing or cultural arts and humanities or a particular focus on a learning need or predisposition such as trades, high level sports, or gifted learners

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals value diverse opportunities in education for all students groups.

The Solution: We support the development of magnet schools as one more educational choice for BC's students to address the unique needs or desires of learners. Magnet schools would identify and offer a particular focus in addition to the regular comprehensive program. Such schools would be encouraged to establish partnerships with colleges, universities, professional associations, trades and business to access expertise or specialized resources to support their programs.

Lifelong Learning
North Vancouver-Lonsdale

The Problem: Many high school graduates complete their basic education with no real plan for the future:

* Without a clear agenda, students ‘go through the motions' towards completion
* Many discover their career path after being out in the world for a period of time
* When these students apply to college or university, they find their grade-point average (GPA) for entry to be deficient because of their previous inattention
* Returning to school to upgrade marks is prohibitive because school districts charge high tuition fees to graduated students; for example, the Continuing & International Education division of the Vancouver School Board charges adults $425 per course to upgrade their marks These fees prevent students from successfully upgrading their marks, which then prevents them from attending post-secondary education, which then denies them the opportunity to pursue their newfound career path
* ‘Late blooming' should not be a deterrent to post-secondary education

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals support students and the concept of "lifelong learning", and value the role of education in creating opportunities for British Columbians

The Solution: We support amendments to the BC School Act that would allow students who have graduated high school to return to adult secondary, or equivalent, schools to upgrade their completed courses tuition-free, so as
to enhance their post-secondary opportunities provided that:

* Only courses with grades below 60% will be eligible for upgrade
* No new courses may be added to the transcript; only previous courses may be retaken.

Assessment Testing
New Westminster

The Problem: The only way parents can have access to an external evaluation of how well their children are doing in reading, writing and numeracy are the Foundation Skills Assessment test run each May,

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals believe in the parent's right to be fully informed in matters relating to their children's education.

The Solution: We endorse the continuation of this assessment testing and propose that the Ministry continue this support.

Income Assistance
Oak Bay-Gordon Head

The Problem: People receiving income assistance often require job training and improved life skills to enter, or re-enter the workforce.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals believe that income assistance clients should be supported in moving towards a culture of employment and self-reliance. We want people on income assistance to be optimistic about their future and their place in society.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports that those on income assistance continue to be provided job training and life skills courses so that they, and their families, can take full advantage of the many jobs available in our booming economy.

Homeless Outreach Program
Vancouver-Burrard

The Problem: There are particular challenges in reaching some of the people who are homeless in our communities. The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance has piloted an initiative to send members of that ministry to work with homeless individuals to gain their trust, sign them up and do an emergency intake on them so that they can get access to welfare, and on that very same day help them find a place to live. In Downtown Vancouver, it took 150 homeless people off the street.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals value looking after youth, the homeless, and those most vulnerable in our society.

The Solution: We support provincial implementation of the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance initiative piloted as the Homeless Outreach Program.

Immigrant Settlement Funding Multiculturalism
Richmond Center

The Problem: While British Columbia is the second most popular destination for immigrants in Canada after Ontario, in 2005 our per capita funding for immigration settlement was only $1,006 compared to $3,400 in Ontario and $3,800 in Quebec.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party believes that new Canadians should receive the support they need to fully take advantage of the liberties and freedoms all British Columbians enjoy.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports the BC Government to lobby the federal government to increase immigration settlement funding comparable to the levels of Ontario and Quebec.

Group C - Health Care & the Environment

Training of Health Care Providers
BCYL

The Problem: After the previous government failed to add one new doctor training space and reduced nurse training spaces, the BC Liberal Government committed to double the number of doctor training spaces and increase the number of nurse training spaces by 3000 since 2001. These expanded training opportunities are being offered in post-secondary institutions across British Columbia including UNBC, UVIC and UBC Okanagan. Even with these tremendous gains in the numbers of front line health care professionals being trained, we will continue to face challenges in recruitment and retention as the additional health care professionals take up to 10 years to train.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party is committed to maintaining an accessible public health care system with well trained health care professionals.

The Solutions: The BC Liberal Party supports the Provincial Government actions that have substantially increased the number of health care professionals trained in the province. The BC Liberal Party recognizes that increased training spaces for health care professionals are a key part of ensuring a sustainable health care system.

Support for Health Conversation
BCYL

The Problem: The BC Liberal Government has increased the health care budget by $3.6 billion to $12.1 billion since 2001. This increased funding has resulted in new and upgraded facilities, more surgeries and diagnostics, and more front line health care professionals. However, even with increased funding and services, population, technological innovation and demographic growth put tremendous pressure on the sustainability of the health care system.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberal Party is committed to protecting our public health system by encouraging transformative change that renews the health care system, updates and strengthens the Canada Health Act and fundamentally addresses new challenges.

The Solutions: The BC Liberal Party supports the need to ensure British Columbians are fully engaged in a conversation aimed at preserving public health care over the long term. The BC Liberal Party encourages a broad dialogue in all regions of the province in support of this conversation.

Investing in New Health Technology
Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain

The Problem: The people of BC deserve to have access to the best medical technology possible. It is imperative for the health and welfare of our citizens that the health system continues to adopt new IT and medical technology strategies to enhance the quality of care in BC. More investments should be made to ensure we enjoy a modernized and efficient technology system to improve patient care.

BC Liberal Values: A state of the art health care system that embraces technology to improve the efficiency and quality of our health care system.

The Solution: That the BC Liberal Party supports:

1. Continuing to develop programs such as Telehealth that improve access to health care by overcoming geographic barriers.
2. Developing, in partnership with provincial and national stakeholders - to create a network of electronic health records that will eventually link to doctors' offices, laboratories, clinics, hospitals and pharmacies.
3. Working with health authorities, physicians, and other health professionals to deliver faster, safer and more effective patient care via information technology.

End of Life Care
Richmond Center

The Problem: As the population ages, standards for end-of-life care need to be established that are appropriate for individual situations.

BC Liberal Values: The party believes that British Columbians are entitled to die with dignity and in relative comfort.

The Solution: Have the government, in consultation with the public, develop standards for end-of-life care with respect to public healthcare delivery.

Medical Issues Per Patient
Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain

The Problem: Medical professionals in BC have a tendency to allow only one medical issue to be handled during each patient's visit and that results in additional patient visits and work productivity lost.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberals value quality health care for all British Columbians and believe in effective management of tax payers' money.

The Solution: We support that the Medical Profession in BC be required to handle a minimum of three medical issues per patient, if so required by a patient, during a patient's visit, in order to assist the patient more efficiently and in order to save tax payers' money.

Disclosure of MSP Fees
Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain

The Problem: Patients in BC generally are not aware of the fees paid to Medical professionals in BC for their individual visit(s) to their physician, and as tax payers they deserve to know.

The BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberals value quality health care for all British Columbians and believe in effective management of tax payers' money.

The Solution: We support that the Medical Profession in BC be required to disclose to individual patients
the fees that will be charged to MSP for their visit.

Medical Record Collection
Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain

The Problem: The medical profession in BC currently uses a method of collecting and maintaining patient records that is time consuming, costly, and less efficient than it should be.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberals value quality health care for all British Columbians and believe in effective management of tax payers' money.

The Solution: We support that the medical profession in BC be encouraged to create a secure intranet based patient medical record system, built with privacy safeguards, which will allow physicians more accurate and more efficient access to BC patient records.

New Health Initiatives
West Vancouver-Capilano

The Problem: British Columbia's health care system is over-stretched, with costs climbing to an everhigher proportion of the provincial budget, which is an unsustainable trend; and

Although British Columbians enjoy excellent health and an excellent health care system, there are a number of serious deficiencies, both real and perceived, which contribute to a lack of confidence in the ability of the system to provide the care British Columbians, particularly seniors, need; and

Demographics, accelerating medical technology, and rising consumer expectations, seem destined to place even greater demands on the system in the future.

BC Liberal Values: In accordance with the principles of the Liberal Party of British Columbia, members of the West Vancouver-Capilano constituency have conducted a forum and debated issues of concern within the health care system as presently organized, and formulated the following proposals;

The Premier has proposed that the goal of sustainability should be included as an underlying principle of the Canada Health Act.

The Solution: We propose that the BC Liberal Party support initiatives to encourage the health professions to participate with the Health Authorities in generating greater efficiencies and capacity by:

a. Becoming more flexible in accepting foreign trained personnel as doctors and nurses, developing programs permitting less expensive personnel such as nurse practitioners and midwives to perform routine or simpler tasks, and increasing available training programs for medical and nursing staff;
b. Reducing waste by better management of resources such as home care workers, hospital beds and the like, including the organization of home care on a cluster organization basis in each community.

Pharmaceuticals
West Vancouver-Capilano

The Problem: British Columbia's health care system is over-stretched, with costs climbing to an everhigher proportion of the provincial budget, which is an unsustainable trend; and
Although British Columbians enjoy excellent health and an excellent health care system, there are a number of serious deficiencies, both real and perceived, which contribute to a lack of confidence in the ability of the system to provide the care voters, particularly seniors, need; and
Demographics, accelerating medical technology, and rising consumer expectations, seem destined to place even greater demands on the system in the future.

BC Liberal Values: In accordance with the principles of the Liberal Party of British Columbia, members of the West Vancouver-Capilano constituency have conducted a forum and debated issues of concern within the health care system as presently organized, and formulated the following proposals; The Premier has proposed that the goal of sustainability should be included as an underlying principle of the Canada Health Act.

The Solution: We propose that the BC Liberal Party support an initiative to revisit the present system for selection and approval of new pharmaceuticals, add "quality of life" medication for oncology patients to the approved list, and require pharmacists to monitor prescriptions to avoid over-medicating and adverse interactions.

Direct Funding for Health Authorities
West Vancouver-Capilano

The Problem: British Columbia's health care system is over-stretched, with costs climbing to an everhigher proportion of the provincial budget, which is an unsustainable trend; and
Although British Columbians enjoy excellent health and an excellent health care system, there are a number of serious deficiencies, both real and perceived, which contribute to a lack of confidence in the ability of the system to provide the care voters, particularly seniors, need; and
Demographics, accelerating medical technology, and rising consumer expectations, seem destined to place even greater demands on the system in the future.

BC Liberal Values: In accordance with the principles of the Liberal Party of British Columbia, members of the West Vancouver-Capilano constituency have conducted a forum and debated issues of concern within the health care system as presently organized, and formulated the following proposals;
The Premier has proposed that the goal of sustainability should be included as an underlying principle of the Canada Health Act.

The Solution: We propose that the BC Liberal Party support an initiative to change the way hospitals and health authorities are funded and accountable, moving away from bloc funding and instituting a payment system based on the number of procedures performed and patients treated, and providing more funds to the Health Authorities in each region for operating purposes, provided such funds are better managed and directed to specific areas of need.

Community Education on Health Care
BCYL

The Problem: BC's health care system is burdened by a high demand for service that has increased costs and strained resources. Many of these demands are for services that do not require the attention of medical professionals or access to medical facilities.

BC Liberal Values: The BC Liberals value an accessible public health care system that provides high quality and timely service for all British Columbians.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports funding for education programs in communities that will enable citizens to treat common illnesses.

Second-hand Smoke
Vancouver-Hastings

The Problem: We know that every year in BC nearly 6000 people die as a result of tobacco related illness. We also know that health care costs for tobacco related illness in this province is nearly $1.25 billion annually. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is just as deadly outdoors as in and children can be particularly susceptible to the affects of second hand smoke.

BC Liberal Values: The 2nd great goal for a golden decade is to lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness. The BC government has already taken some important steps to accomplish this goal in regards to tobacco use with its ambitious tobacco control strategy "Targeting Our Efforts". It has also introduced legislation through Worksafe BC that protects workers from the harmful affects of second-hand smoke and has launched an won a civil action against the tobacco industry for the recovery of treatment costs for tobacco related illness.

The Solution: We support any further measures to ensure non-smokers are protected from second-hand smoke.

Healthy Eating
BCYL

The Problem: Unhealthy eating has created increased pressures and demands on an already strained health care system, and produced a trend that threatens the lifestyle of British Columbians and the capacity of health care resources.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals value healthy living and an innovative approach to health care that ensures stability and sustainability for all generations.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Party supports incentives that will make healthy foods more affordable and encourage British Columbians to purchase supplements, functional foods and other products that will ensure a healthy lifestyle.

The BC Liberal Party supports the Act Now Program and encourage the Government to expand Healthy Eating Educational Programs into the K-12 Programs.

Act Now BC
North Vancouver-Seymour

The Problem: British Columbians need a healthier lifestyle:

* Adult and child obesity levels are increasing with all of the attendant health care challenges.
* A number of communities have undertaken complementary initiatives targeted at encouraging British Colombians to be more active.
* Province wide leadership on this issue would be welcome

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals value healthy living and local initiative:

* True ‘health care' is the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
* The best initiatives are the ones closest to home.
* A province-wide initiative that would contribute positively to individual community programs would be a double-win'

The Solution: An ‘Active BC' Passport program would be:

* A program in which British Columbians would have access to the recreation and community events throughout the province just by signing up for a passport in their own community.
* An adventure game that would encourage individuals and families to travel to other communities in the province.
* Supported by a website that would coordinate the program across the province and provide information and guidance for the program.
* A program that should be up and running well before the 2010 Games.

Patient Safety
Burnaby-Edmonds

The Problem: There is no appeal process on the part of health care professionals to overturn a Mental Health Patient's release after they have successfully received a discharge from the Mental Health Review Board.

BC Liberal Values: It is essential that both patients, and the public, are protected when individuals are released from a Mental Health Facility.

The Solution: The BC Liberal Government should institute a broader review of the Mental Health Act with special attention to community safety. Allowing a provision for healthcare workers with information pertaining to a specific case to have the right to appeal a patient's release, in the name of public security.

Residency for Foreign Trained Doctors
Burnaby Willington

The Problem: Many foreign trained doctors, who have had their medical credentials recognized in British Columbia, still cannot practice medicine due to a shortage of residency spaces. There are only six residency spaces available for foreign trained doctors in BC every year.

BC Liberal Values: BC Liberals want to allow every British Columbian to contribute to their full potential. BC Liberals want more doctors to be working in our public health care system.

The Solution: We support dramatically increasing the number of residency spaces available for foreigntrained
doctors in BC.

Mental Health and Addiction
Port Moody-Westwood

The Problem: The number of people suffering from mental health illnesses, substance addiction and related dual diagnoses has reached a disgraceful level which contributes to the perception of a callous society that ignores the desperate needs of many of its seriously ill members. This is the situation at a time when the eyes of the world are increasingly turned our way.

BC Liberal Values: We value supportive, nurturing communities that encourage the development of productive citizens who lead meaningful lives and have positive relationships.

The Solution: We support the enhanced implementation of the Government's key strategies relating to mental health and addiction outlined in the Ministry of Health's current Service Plan, by developing and aggressively funding comprehensive and measurable programs that aid and enforce community driven and managed activities designed to help people suffering from mental health and/or addiction issues.

Air Quality - Transportation
North Vancouver-Lonsdale

Problem: 40% of BC Greenhouse gas emissions are produced by transportation

BC Liberal Values: To lead