Mayor Sam Sullivan's community relations director has resigned "to take on a new opportunity in the private sector." In a message sent to friends and colleagues, Anna Lilly writes that opportunity "will enable me to have more balance in my life" - a laudable enterprise which continues to elude your humble organ. Ms. Lilly adds that, although her resignation may come as a surprise to some, "those who know me well will also understand how much I miss the work I previously did in the community as a volunteer, and my desire to continue my own personal development through continuing education and creative pursuits." The following is a complete copy of that message.

Dear friends and colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that I have resigned as Director of Community Relations to Mayor Sam Sullivan. While the past 13 months have been exciting, challenging and rewarding, I have decided to take on a new opportunity in the private sector that will enable me to have more balance in my life.

Working with Mayor Sullivan and the members of his caucus has been a wonderful experience and a privilege. I am very proud to have been part of the Mayor’s team over the past year, and I am grateful for his support and understanding about my decision.

No doubt many of you will be surprised to learn of my decision, as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Mayor’s office. But, those who know me well will also understand how much I miss the work I previously did in the community as a volunteer, and my desire to continue my own personal development through continuing education and creative pursuits. As much as I will miss working with Mayor Sullivan, I feel that now is the right time for me to make this transition.

Due to my departure, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff will be seeking candidates for a new position in the Mayor’s Office - details will be posted in the coming days at www.mayorsamsullivan.ca.

You can continue to reach me in the Mayor’s Office until February 23rd, and I will be sure to forward my new contact details soon.

Thanks,
Anna

Anna Lilly
Director of Community Relations to the Mayor
City of Vancouver

A nasty cold - which your humble organ has been battling for the past few weeks - has finally taken hold. As a result, posting will be somewhat sporadic or non-existent today while we recuperate.

Tributes for the late American president Gerald Ford were barely over when news broke that distinguished political scientist Seymour Martin Lipset passed away on December 31 at the age of 84. He was a giant among political scientists for over the past half-century. But his towering stature was also well-known outside academia. The reason is obvious. Mr. Lipset knew the political culture of Canada and the United States like no other analyst. He knew what made a democracy work. And there were important lessons to be drawn here from his publications.

He once mentioned how awed he was "that a young man from New York City, who had literally not been more than a few miles west of the Hudson, could think of heading off to the Canadian prairies to study the political behaviour of wheat farmers."

But his book Agrarian Socialism gave more than a description of the politics of Saskatchewan. It also gave an understanding of why third parties emerge - and even form government - in Canada, while similar political movements in the States remain moribund.

In the case of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, for example, the party's success in winning a few constituencies in Saskatchewan provided them with a base to launch a serious bid to form government in future elections. But, south of the border, third parties like the federation were filtered out during the primary elections and absorbed into one of the country's mainline parties.

Therefore, the simple lesson for a new party such as the Greens is to accept and use our present electoral system to mount a strategy that could win them a respectable presence in a provincial legislature or the national parliament. It may be a more arduous route than the one offered by proportional representation. But a win under a first-past-the-post system is a win with lasting credibility, forcing the powers-that-be to pay attention to viable third parties rather than merely tolerating them.

And it's lessons like this that turn men into monuments.

Because, while tributes to statesmen may be embellished (such as United States vice-president Dick Cheney's claim that Mr. Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon concluded "the greatest constitutional crisis since the Civil War."), tributes to philosophers are far more honest.

And to say that Mr. Lipset's contributions to our understanding of American and Canadian politics are formidable may even be considered as an understatement.

Allan Warnke, a Malaspina University-College political science professor, served as the provincial Liberal MLA for Richmond-Steveston between 1991 and 1996.

Former provincial Liberal backbencher Sheila Orr present political activities have, for the most part, have been limited to patronage jobs. But the perennial rumour that Ms. Orr may be considering a run to be mayor of Victoria has bloomed. And what does she have to say about such talk? "It's not outside the realm of possibility," Ms. Orr replied in an interview with Public Eye, declining to provide further comment.

Earlier, we reported provincial New Democrat legislators would be holding their caucus officer elections next month. But who's in the race and who's out, you may wonder? Well, there's some talk environment critic Shane Simpson might run to be caucus chair - a post presently occupied by Jenny Kwan. And others suspect deputy caucus whip Diane Thorne won't be seeking re-election.

To say provincial New Democrat legislators are, without exception, satisified with their current leadership, would be...er...not entirely accurate. And MLAs may have an opportunity to act on some of their frustrations next month. The reason: caucus officer elections have been scheduled for February 9. As our astute readers may remember, last year's election saw maverick Yale-Lillooet legislator Harry Lali chosen as the caucus's deputy chair - which was seen by some as an indication of dissent. Mr. Lali has since become more outspoken in his belief that the New Democrats should be "pushing back much harder against the Liberals."

Community Living British Columbia says its residential options project will give developmentally disabled individuals a choice to move out of their group homes into more "person-centred and cost-effective" dwellings. But a leaked memo, which is being distributed widely, seems to be fanning suspicions that the project is more about cost-savings than people - suspicions the provincial government authority says simply aren't true.

According to the memo, which was sent by the authority's quality service vice-president Carol Goozh to her managers back in October, in order "to be successful, the residential options project is trying to create the conditions that will allow agencies to close group homes as a result of creating more individual and community based living arrangements."

Ms. Goozh also writes that, when residents are moved out of group homes, quality services managers will be given the "financial information that will allow us to keep track of the savings made." And that information is set to be incorporated into a report to the province's treasury board, the powerful cabinet committee responsible for budget and management matters.

In an interview, community living communications director Sally Greenwood maintained achieving cost-savings isn't the principle purpose of the residential options project. "The goal is to give individuals and families more freedom in how they choose their residential support and to enable us to collect the very best information," Ms. Greenwood explained.

"And when an individual expresses an interest in exploring an alternative residential option we're there to support them and their family or their network to see whether or not there is a different option that would be suitable. And if the outcome of this project results in cost-efficiencies, we're not going to run and hide from that."

That being said, Ms. Greenwood added, "It's also our responsibility, as a publicly-funded organization, to do the most with the money we have. But cost-efficiencies through this project are going to be allocated to support new residential options that may also allow for individuals who are currently waiting for support to receive it."

But if the project is about providing choice to developmentally disabled individuals, why has Ms. Goozh told her managers that future group home placements should only "done as a last measure after all other options have been explored?"

Responded Ms. Greenwood, "We want to ensure that everyone placed in a group home model - like any other kind of model - has first had an individual plan developed. Because historically, (group home placement) is the only thing people thought about. And what we are saying now is, before we move to that, make sure we have an individual support plan, make sure that all other options have been explored with the individual, make sure this is the best fit and then, by all means, yes that placement will take place."

Ms. Greenwood went on to reaffirm community living's commitment to ensure the safety of those moving out of group homes. "Safeguards is a huge component of everything that CLBC is undertaking, including informal and formal safeguards. We have a point person specific to safeguarding in this organization." So the fact the memo doesn't mention such safeguards, "in no way suggests it's not something that's being managed or overseen...It's an internal email to communicate a specific need around tracking information. So you can't take it out of context."

Earlier this month, Public Eye exclusively obtained a proposed service delivery plan suggesting community living could close up to 100 group homes. The authority didn't comment directly on that document. But it issued a news release a few days later discussing the residential options project. The following is a complete copy of the aforementioned memo.

***

TO: Quality Service Managers
FROM: Carol Goozh
DATE: October 27, 2006

SUBJECT: Monitoring Placement Activity in Shift Operated Staffed Residential Homes

This memo is to establish procedures for tracking all moves out of 24 hours staffed residential homes, and for ensuring that regions have procedures in place for the future filling of vacancies within staffed residential homes.

Step 1: Tracking moves out of 24 hour staffed residential homes

Please send via Email to Andrea Baker, or Jacinta Eni, any moves that have been made since April 01, 2006. Once we have the names Allan Lamoureaux will provide the financial information that will allow us to keep track of the savings made. The information required is as follows:

1. Name of Individual moved.
2. Agency name and location of group home.
3. Reason for move.
4. The month the Individual moved out of the residence.
5. Was the move at the request of the individual/family?
6. Is the vacancy still vacant?

If the Residential options program can reimburse the region for the cost of this new placement it will do so for the period of time the existing staff residential placement has remain vacant.

Please forward this information electronically to either Jacinta Eni or Andrea Baker. A report detailing placements out of staffed residential programs is required by November 4, 2006 to incorporate into a report to treasury board.

Step 2: Filling vacancies in Staffed Residential Resources (Group home):

To be successful, the residential options project is trying to create the conditions that will allow agencies to close groups homes as a result of creating more individualized and community based living arranagements. Quality service managers and staff will need to work with the service providers to ensure an overall plan for the agency is developed to allow for the closure of specific group homes. There is $1.1 million available through the residential options program to cover the costs of these vacancies, by paying for the costs of the new placement. Please contact Andrea Baker or Jacinta Eni for more details on how to receive these funds.

In the future I require assurance from QS staff that when a placement is made into a group home that it is done as a last measure after all other options have been explored. Such a placement is to have a plan that supports and recommends this type of placement. If the individual does not have a plan, the placement must be considered temporary and the plan must be developed within 60 days of placement. Ongoing quarterly reports are needed that detail any placements into a 24 hour staffed resource.

The report should include the following information:

1. Individual's name
2. Agency and location of resource
3. Reason for the move (planned or unplanned)
4. Date placement was made into the home

The first report is to be completed by the end of November and a financial report at the end of February, 2006, which should anticipate any planned placements that will be made in March, 2007.

What's this we hear about Gordon Ashworth being named the federal Liberal's national campaign director? Well, that's certainly the rumour circulating among party hacks west of the Rocky Mountains. And it would make a certain amount of sense. After all, Mr. Ashworth did that same job in 1980, 1993 and 1997. And he's known to be one of national campaign co-chair Mark Marissen's confidantes. But, then again, two plus two doesn't always equal four in politics.

As has been demonstrated in elections past, it's not unusual for New Democrats to be wooed to run for the Liberals. And who's the latest recipient of chocolates and flowers from the Grits, you may wonder? Why that would Steve McClurg, who was the New Democrat candidate in New Westminster-Coquitlam back in 2004. But, in an interview with Public Eye, Mr. McClurg said he's not sure whether he wants to pursue a relationship with the Liberals. "I have a lot of respect for (Grit leader) Stephane Dion," explained Mr. McClurg. "So I was kind of flattered when (some of members of the local Liberal riding association) asked me if I'd be interested. But I don't know for sure if I would or not. I'm leaning against it. But I'm still thinking about it." Mr. McClurg also clarified he has not been approached to run for the Conservatives, as has been rumoured in some quarters, nor would he considering running for the Tories.

Here's a bout of wishful thinking courtesy of the federal Liberals: it seems some party members are hearing rumours British Columbia Teachers' Federation president Jinny Sims is being wooed to run for the Grits against Fleetwood-Port Kells incumbent Conservative Nina Grewal. But, in an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Sims said "I think it's just a rumour. Well, I know it's just a rumour. Because I'm not talking to anybody about running in Fleetwood." So does that mean she's ruling out a run for the Liberals? "Well, right now I'm the president of the BCTF. And I'm really enjoying my job," Ms. Sims responded. Earlier, The Province's Ian Bailey speculated that, if Ms. Sims stepped down as president, it would "clear her to run for the NDP nomination in Newton-North Delta."

Last week, The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer reported provincial New Democrat leader Carole James "is still sorting out her party's position on the new generation of native treaties, three months after the first of them was made public." This, despite the fact New Democrat agriculture and lands critic Corky Evans has already expressed concern about the deal struck with the Tsawwassen First Nation - which will see up to 200 hectares removed from the agriculture land reserve. So you'd think that treaty would have been a topic of discussion at the recent Opposition caucus retreat in Courtenay. But you'd be wrong.

The reason: the retreat (which took place this past Wednesday and Thursday) was meant to be less about debating policy and more about giving "area citizens and stakeholders" a chance to meet New Democrat legislators. Moreover, a number of key caucus members - such as Adrian Dix, Mike Farnworth, Harry Lali and Diane Thorne - weren't able to attend. And there may been a reluctance to discuss the Tsawwassen First Nation treaty without some of those legislators in the room.

Back in December, we were the first to tell you the premier's special advisor Ken Dobell had registered to lobby the provincial government on behalf of the City of Vancouver. That curious arranagement became a source of controversy after The Province stuck the story - featuring a contested conflict of interest allegation from New Democrat leader Carole James - on its front page earlier this month. But it seems some of the tabloid's readers aren't as outraged by Mr. Dobell's lobbying activities as Ms. James.

In a letter published in The Province last Tuesday, Janet Fraser writes "Ken Dobell is a very astute problem-solver. He has been chief administrator for both the City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia. Who better to handle the most complex intergovernmental files? A $250-an-hour wage is standard for a senior consultant, lawyer or accountant. Dobell's advice is sought by two orders of government to serve only one client - the citizens." That's high-praise indeed. But perhaps not surprising. Because the letter writer has the same name as the woman who was Gordon Campbell's executive assistant when he was mayor of Vancouver. An astouding coincidence? Unfortunately, it seems we may never know. Because Premier Campbell's former aide hasn't yet returned a phone call and an email inquiring about the matter.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, Vancouver city councillor Kim Capri talks about her proposal to make sure what's said in an in-camera meeting stays in an in-camera meeting. Former federal Conservative Vancouver Centre candidate Tony Fogarassy talks about the upcoming election battle in that riding. And Canadian Federation of Students British Columbia national executive representative Shamus Reid discusses upcoming protests against high tuition fees. Also on the show: community living activist Dawn Steele with the latest from the developmentally disabled community. And our rabble-rousing panel - Troy DeSouza, Bob Russell, Allan Warnke and Brad Zubyk - discuss 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.

There's no such thing as mandatory retirement in politics. So it will come as no surprise to our readers that some federal Liberals would like to see former environmental minister David Anderson make another run for the party in Victoria. But what does Mr. Anderson have to say about those moonlight desires? In an interview with Public Eye, he told us "There's been all sorts of talk - the same talk you've heard. But I've consistently said I'm happy doing what I am doing. And, also, having been fired by (then Prime Minister) Paul Martin for my strong views on the environment, I imagine nobody really wants me." So the chances of him running are "very unlikely. You never say never. In politics I learned that. But I think I'm getting pretty close to that."

Earlier, we reported Alliance of Beverage Licensees of B.C. past president Dave Crown name isn't on the lobbyist registry - even though has spoken with government about dropping alcohol prices for his members. The reason: unpaid lobbyists don't need to register. But that's not the only loophole in the Lobbyists Registration Act - which was passed as part of the Liberal's 2001 election promise to run the most open and accountable government in Canada. Government relations professionals who spend less than 20 percent of their work hours each month arm-twisting politicians and bureaucrats don't have to register either. That may soon change, though.

Mary Carlson, director of the office of the information and privacy commissioner, tell us her boss wrote to Attorney General Wally Oppal on January 4 recommending his ministry "as soon as possible, undertake a full review of the Lobbyist Registration Act itself. The Act has been in force for four years and questions arise about its current state and whether it is consistent with current national legislative trends respecting lobbying activities" - a reference to the federal government, which maintains a more robust lobbyist registry.

Remember the big tip private liquor stores got from the provincial government last year? Of course, you don't. Because, as we reported earlier this week, the Campbell administration ignored past practice by not telling the public about its decision to cut alcohol prices for those stores. And now it looks like the industry didn't even have to ask the Liberals for that gratuity, which will cost taxpayers around $20 million annually. According to the province's lobbyist registry not a single representative from the booze business has signed-up to talk to the Liberals about that price break.

But that doesn't mean such discussions weren't going on. In an interview with Public Eye, Alliance of Beverage Licensees of B.C. past president Dave Crown confirmed his association chats "with government all the time. That's ABLE's job - to liaison with government and to deliver one strong message for the whole (private liquor store) industry to government consistently." In fact, Mr. Crown confirmed he's spoken to the Liberals in the past about reducing the price alliance members have to pay for liquor. So why then doesn't his name show up on the lobbyist registry? Well, Mr. Crown says he isn't paid for his work. And, under the Lobbyists Registration Act, that means he doesn't need to disclose his activities.

Vision Vancouver's founders may have divorced the Coalition of Progressive Electors in December 2004. But that doesn't necessarily mean the two civic associations can't be friends. With that in mind, coalition executive members unanimously approved a motion on January 18 to request an informal meeting with their estranged counterparts. Vision Vancouver has yet to receive that letter.

Last month, we reported Sam Sullivan and his supporters attended a private viewing of the controversial documentary about his successful bid to become mayor of Vancouver. Yes, the one which Maclean's Magazine's Brian Johnson described as a "portrait of naked ambition." And now the Disability Foundation - which Mayor Sullivan established - is organizing attendance at another screening for the movie. In an email sent out earlier today, the foundation's program coordinator Betty Cheung asked recipients to "email me as soon as you can if you would like to get tickets for this movie." Asked why the advocacy group was promoting Citizen Sam, Ms. Cheung explained the mayor asked them, "if we would like to contact our board of directors and send them information" about attending that screening. The following is a complete copy of the email.

From: BCheung
Sent: January 23, 2007 11:43 AM
Subject: Invitation: Feb 6 - movie " Citizen Sam Comes to Vancouver"
Importance: High

Please email me as soon as you can if you would like to get tickets for this movie - admission free.

Thank you!

Betty
Disability Foundation

----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Moulins
Subject: Citizen Sam Comes to Vancouver

Hi,

Wanted to let you know my film about Mayor Sam Sullivan is finally getting a public screening in Vancouver.

Brian Johnson of Maclean's Magazine had this to say after seeing the film at the Whistler Film Festival:

...an astonishing documentary called Citizen Sam, about Vancouver's quadriplegic mayor, Sam Sullivan, and his election battle one year ago.

I don't think I've ever seen such an intimate documentary about a politician that wasn't a puff piece. And this is no puff piece. It's a portrait of naked ambition.

And in the Globe and Mail, Gary Mason wrote:

...There has almost assuredly never been a film made about a mayor of a Canadian city quite as revealing as Citizen Sam.. Citizen Sam is one of the most compelling portraits of a person with a disability that you are likely to see.

Go to Myspace for a sneak peek of Citizen Sam.

Admission is free, but tickets are limited.

Call the number below to reserve yours, and please pass this note along to anyone you think might be interested.?

Hope you can make it!

Joe Moulins

If you didn't already know British Columbia was "The Best Place on Earth," you soon will. In an email sent out last Thursday, acting corporate operations director Anita Pangborne-LaHue advised employment and income assistance staff that the provincial government's new BC mark - "which features a rising sun, mountains and water," as well as the "The Best Place on Earth" motto - "will now be used consistently across government." As a result, the ministry is working to update all "external documents" to accommodate that mark. And that surely will be a comfort to the 134,000 British Columbians presently receiving employment or income assistance. The following is a complete copy of that email.

From: LaHue, Anita EIA:EX
Sent: Thu 18/01/2007 3:24 PM
Subject: Use of Government Logo

As you may know, government has been transitioning from using the government crest to using a new BC Mark on all government documents. We are now entering the next phase of implementation. The mark, which features a rising sun, mountains and water, the British Columbia wordmark "The Best Place on Earth".

Effective immediately, this mark will now be used consistently cross-government.

Please note that divisions who currently hold 'hard copies' of documents, such as business cards or letter head, which bear the crest or any other logo are to exhaust their current stock before new copies, with the new logo, are ordered. Staff are not required to provide the logo when new stock is ordered as Queens Printer has been advised to use the new mark on all government documents.

In order to accommodate these changes, Corporate Operations is currently working, in collaboration with Information Privacy and Records Management Branch, to update all internal ministry forms and templates available on the Inter/Intranet with the government mark. External documents and online copies of current ministry publications, such as brochures, will also be updated.

For your reference, a letterhead template and business card template, using the new logo along with an electronic version of the BC Mark are available at: http://icw.eia.gov.bc.ca/commun/index.htm .

Thanks

Anita Pangborne-LaHue
A/Director
Corporate Operations Branch
Corporate Planning and Operations Division

Earlier this month, the Times Colonist's Paul Willcocks revealed the Campbell administration "quietly offered private liquor-store owners yet another price break before Christmas, cutting the prices they will have to pay for wine, beer and other alcohol by five per cent across the board." The Liquor Barn Income Fund, which owns seven stores in British Columbia, issued a news release promoting that price break - which will mean "$20 million less revenue for the government" according to Mr. Willcocks. That's a lot of money. So some might find it curious the Liberals didn't make an announcement about this costly policy change. After all, that's exactly what public safety and solicitor general did when booze prices were dropped in 2003 and 2005. Fancy that!

Remember Chris Gainor? Of course you do. When the New Democrats were in power, he served as one of their caucus communications directors. And now it seems Mr. Gainor (who did some temp work for the Opposition back in 2005) is going to doing that job again - at least for the next five months. He's been hired as the New Democrat's top spin doctor, taking over from Jim Rutkowski. Mr. Gainor, a former reporter with The Vancouver Sun, is also the author of two recent books: Canada in Space: The People & Stories Behind Canada's Role in the Exploration of Space and Arrows to the Moon.

Over the summer, we reported former provincial minister of state for immigration and multicultural services Patrick Wong was considering running for the federal Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Kingsway. That didn't happen. But now we hear some Tories want him to run for their party in Richmond. Mr. Wong, a managing partner at accounting firm Wong, Robinson & Co., hasn't yet returned a call placed last week asking for comment on those discussions. Howard Jampolsky and Alice Wong are presently seeking the Conservative nomination in that riding.

Since Liberal MP Wajid Khan's formal defection to the Conservative frontbenches, there's been much buzz about how the New Democrats now hold the balance of power. But that's only if you can conjure up a scenario where both the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois together want to bring the government down - with Jack Layton and his caucus the only parliamentarians standing in their way. And since that scenario seems increasingly unlikely, the only winner here is Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The reason: because he now only needs one party, any party in the house, to support his government in order for it to survive. In other words, the Conservatives now have considerable more wriggle room to keep governing on an issue by issue basis.

Still, New Democrat leader Jack Layton is "hell-bent” on using his party's new strategic value to the Conservatives to take the government to task on the environment. But any belief that the NDP will be rewarded by drawing support away from the Greens will likely meet with disappointment. After all, the Green's popularity is drawn from across the political spectrum - not just the left. And it's the government, not the NDP, who will be judged on the environment file. Moreover, historically, when using the balance of power in minority Parliaments to effect change the NDP usually loses seats in the next election.

True, in the election following the last minority government the NDP was able to make gains because of a combination of a deep seeded contempt for the Liberals and a mistrust of the Conservatives. Since then, however, the Conservatives have made some progress toward appearing if not moderate, at least less scary. And every day the Liberals distance themselves a little further from their previous selves. So come the next election, Mr. Layton is less likely to have success positioning his party as a safe bet for those who have reservations about the alternatives.

In addition, since the prime minister can pick and choose among three parties to keep his government alive, the NDP will not have the power and profile it has commanded in previous minorities. So it will have even more trouble reaping any consequent electoral benefit.

As a result, once Mr. Layton has written the government's new environmental policy - one he will later claim "does not go far enough” - watch for him to do everything he can to stave off an election, claiming that he wants to make the minority Parliament work for "ordinary” Canadians. To do otherwise would bring on an election where the NDP will likely lose seats.

Of course, it's true that, between now and then, Canadians may be able to come up with reasons to vote "for” the NDP as opposed to voting against the alternatives. But that would require the NDP to understand, among other things, that their desire to redistribute wealth might be helped if it were prefaced by a credible plan to create or at least sustain it...and many Canadians don't like to be called ordinary.

Bob Russell, a businessman and former civil servant, was chief of staff for the provincial Liberals in Alberta from 1986 to 1989. In 2004, he ran for the federal Liberal nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Tonight, on Public Eye Radio, Equal Voice executive director Ann Wicks discusses federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion's commitment to ensure one-third of the candidates his party runs in the next election are women. Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin talks about her opposition to United States president George W. Bush's plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq. And local leading progressive councillors Dean Fortin and Vic Derman will tell us why it's important for municipal governments to tackle the global warming problem. Also on the show: former New Democrat deputy minister John Heaney tell us why he's opposed to a recent proposal to bring more secrecy to the province's council chambers. And our rabble-rousing panel - Troy DeSouza, Bob Russell, Bernard Schulmann and Allan Warnke - discuss 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.

The president of the union representing Vancouver municipal employees is seeking a written assurance that the mayor's new caucus coordinator "will not have access to our members' personal information, records and other confidential information pertaining to the employment of our members." This, according to those who have sent a letter sent by Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 15 president Paul Faoro to city manager Judy Rodgers this past Tuesday. In an interview with Public Eye, the mayor's community relations director Anna Lilly said it's her understanding Ms. Rodgers will be responding to the union's request shortly. But "to the question from Mr. Faoro - and it's a good question - as to whether the individual he's speaking about - George Higgins - will be working in our office or having access to any kind of personal records or any kind of confidential information pertaining to union members, the answer to that is no on both counts."

Community Living British Columbia may not be talking about its leaked proposed service delivery plan. But the New Democrats are. In an interview with Public Eye, the party’s children and family development critic Maurine Karagianis said, “CLBC has said we are not trying to shut down group homes. And yet all of the information I hear within the special needs community is pointing to the fact the government is definitely doing away with group homes. Now we clearly see there’s a statement here that they’re going to get rid of no more than 100.” Ms. Karagianis also slammed the authority for its plan to convert some group homes into community residences - but not count those changes as closures. “This is the most stealthy, underhanded way of shutting down services for special needs communities."

The provincial government authority charged with providing services for the developmentally disabled may close up to 100 group homes. This, according to a proposed service delivery plan obtained exclusively by Public Eye. In an interview Tuesday, Community Living British Columbia external relations advisor Lisa Gardonio declined to comment on the plan saying "It's a discussions document with our service providers. It's nowhere near final. And CLBC is certainly not going to comment on draft discussion documents." Thankfully, though, that document seems to speak for itself.

According to the plan, "no more than 100 group homes will be closed" between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2010. Around 680 are presently funded by the government. Some of the homes being closed will be converted into other kinds of residences for the developmentally disabled, such as semi-independent living units.

The plan also states that "where the number of individuals in a group home numbers three or less” it may be transformed into a so-called community residence. And that transformation won’t count as a closure. It’s unclear what the difference between a group home and a community residence is. But staff working at such residences will have "shifts of up to 16 hours in length and weekly hours in excess of 40/week" and sometimes receive "24hr shift assignments."

Community Living British Columbia is presently identifying developmentally disabled individuals who want to move out of their group homes into more “person-centred and cost-effective” residential options - such as living with a family, roommate or in one of the aforementioned semi-independent living units.

Last March, the authority's chief executive officer Rick Mowles reportedly told Community Living Coalition members "there is no secret policy on closing group homes. The policy of CLBC is to ensure people know they have choices" - this, according to meeting minutes posted on the advocacy group's Website. The following is a complete copy of the authority's proposed service delivery plan.

***

PROPOSED SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN

DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE

Definition: the use of the term "individual(s)" in this document refers to a person with developmental disabilities.

1. The parties to this draft agreement include CSSEA, CLBC and the CSSBA.

2. The parties recognize that the following Community Living Sector service delivery models are enabled by the Community Services Labour Relations Act.

(a) Home Living – individual(s) owns or rents accommodation in a family setting (could be single person family setting)
(b) Living with Roommate – individual(s) own or rent an apartment etc. with a live-in caregiver roommate.
(c) Cluster Apartment – individual(s) own or rent clustered apartments (i.e., apartments on same floor) and caregiver(s) lives in own separate apartment in close proximity.
(d) Semi Independent Living – individual(s) owns or rents an apartment/suite but separate from the caregiver (i.e., individual(s) lives in basement suite, caregiver lives upstairs).
(e) Other unknown models that share the principles embodied in the above.

Bargaining unit personnel that transfer to one of the positions noted above will continue to be in the bargaining unit. Where such a transfer occurs the employee will be classified as an Independent Contractor.

A very significant number of Community Living Services Collective Agreement ("Collective Agreement") provisions will not apply to such employees. We will need to discuss what provisions do apply.

Historically bargaining unit employees fill a significant majority of such positions and we do not anticipate this will change.

No bargaining unit employee will be forced to take a transfer to one of these positions.

The individual(s), or the family of that person, has the right to terminate the relationship with the family/caregiver providing the service but only through discussions with CLBC or the contracted service agency. Where such a request is made CLBC and/or the contracted service agency will attempt to reconcile the differences between the parties. If such efforts fail the employee will be classed as a laid off employee except where there are grounds for dismissal.

Respite Care to a family or caregiver providing a service will be provided by a bargaining unit employee from a CSSEA member agency if the community has such an agency. Respite workers are subject to the ongoing approval of the individual(s), that person’s family and/or the caregiver providing the service. A specific period of respite assignment, once approved, may only be terminated for cause or the early termination of the assignment.
The monthly allowance payable will be the standard monthly allowance paid for this type of service.

3. Community Residence - where the number of individuals in a group home number three or less, the group home may be converted to a Community Residence. Regular employees retained to provide such service will continue to be in the bargaining unit and will be reclassified as Dependent Contractors.

Community residences will incorporate shifts of up to 16 hours in length and weekly hours in excess of 40/week.
24hr shift assignments may be required in some locations.

Discussion will be required to consider the process that will apply when changing work schedules.

No employee will be forced to take a position in a Community Residence.

4. No more than 100 group homes will be closed or converted to a service delivery model noted in 2 above during the term of this Collective Agreement.

A conversion to a Community residence does not also count as a closure.

5. Regular employees displaced will be eligible to exercise their rights under the layoff provisions of the Collective Agreement or can elect participation in an Employment and/or Severance Program. The elements of this program are as follows. Details are subject to negotiation with the Union.

* Barring a circumstance where the family(s) of the individual(s) has made their own arrangements for a provider listed in 2 above the first opportunity to apply for individual services shall go to bargaining unit employees.
* Wage protection (i.e., no loss of income) for a specified period of time. (For example, 3 months.)
* Placement on a CLBC employment list guided by the spirit of the Continuity of Service and Employment Agreement.
* Where no alternative employment is available a severance allowance at the date of layoff at the election of the displaced employee. (For example, 3 weeks/year of service to a maximum of 24 weeks inclusive of the severance provisions in the Collective Agreement). The amount of severance is reduced by each week the employee elects to be on wage protection.
* Where the enhanced Employment and/or Severance program is elected and a period of time equivalent to the weeks of earnings paid has elapsed a displaced worker has a right of recall to their original agency pursuant to Article 13 of the Collective Agreement.

6. This Agreement shall be open-ended and nothing shall restrict the discussion of problems that arise during the term of the Collective Agreement. A Joint Committee, consisting of three representatives of CSSBA and three representatives of CSSEA, will be established for the resolution of such problems. The Joint Committee will set a meeting schedule. The Chair of the Committee shall alternate between the parties. Minutes shall be taken of each meeting and copies of such minutes shall be provided to CSSEA and CSSBA. Vince Ready will stay seized of this matter and can be called upon by either party to the Joint Committee to resolve such problems as may be referred to him for resolution.

The federal Conservatives ride a high horse when they talk about morals and ethics. But this story may knock them off their saddle a bit. Tomorrow, the party’s Saanich-Gulf Islands constituency association was scheduled to hold a high-priced fundraiser featuring Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Jim Prentice and Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn. There’s nothing extraordinary about that. But an email promoting the luncheon - which was limited to 15 people at a cost of $500 per plate - raised some eyebrows. According to those who have seen the email, Tories were told they would have an opportunity at the fundraiser to “put detailed questions” to the ministers and receive “frank, off the record answers” - as well as an “excellent first class” lunch at the Union Club of British Columbia. But it seems some senior party members didn’t think the wording of that email was appropriate. So the luncheon was cancelled.

Provincial Liberal headquarters is grabbing some cash from the party’s local constituency associations. In an email sent out on Sunday, operations director Brian Bonney reminded members that if a minister attends an association fundraiser - even if it’s just to have dinner - the party will deposit 40 percent of the money raised at the event into its own bank account. The rest will go into a separate account for the association, which is held by the party. And what’s the reason for this so-called speakers bureau levy? According to Mr. Bonney, funds raised will go to “pay down any debt and fund (head office) activities.” In an interview with Public Eye, Liberal communications director Chad Pederson explained the levy - which has parallels in other political parties - was introduced last year. He declined to say how much debt the Liberals are in. The following is an edited copy of Mr. Bonney's emails.

From: Brian.Bonney
Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 5:44 PM
Subject: Speakers Bureau, ANY minister, 40% and blackout - Remind your ridings!

Hi Presidents and MLAs ,

Thought I would send around this update on the speakers bureau. When I asked for clarification recently, I learned that ANY minister attending a fundraiser, for any reason, would constitute the speakers bureau fee being charged against that riding's fundraising event.

To clarify: If a minister attend 's , has dinner, does not speak in any way, and then leaves, even if you do not advertise this visibly, we would charge this event the 40%.

Be sure your fundraisers understand this. I was mistaken in telling couple of you that I thought the fee was only charged if the Minister speaks, or, is advertised as attending, even if they do not speak. This is not the case and I should have asked for clarification before this. I apologize.

Remember, 2007 is 40% ! - remind your ridings!!!!

Remember, Leaders Dinner is June 15th - BLACK OUT (no Fundraisers in BC) is April 15th - June 30th

If you have any questions let me know!

Cheers,

Brian
______________________________
BC Liberal Party
Brian Bonney - Director of Operations

Regional Organiser
Vancouver, West Van and North Van

***

From: Brian.Bonney
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:50 AM
Subject: Speakers Bureau - MLAs and Ministers speaking at their own fundraiser

Hello Presidents and MLAs,

I promise this is the last e-mail on this ! However, based on the feedback we received from you I am pleased to send a further clarification...and small change!

MLAs and Cabinet ministers will not be charged the speakers Bureau levy for speaking at their own fundraiser as long as another Cabinet minister is not in attendance.

If a cabinet minister attends, there will be the Speakers Bureau levy charged to the event.

If other MLAs are in attendance and not a Cabinet minister, then talk to Dallas Henault and he will make a decision based on a number of factors.

Please see the e-mail from Dallas on this below.

I think this makes it clear.

I have talked to a number of you and pleased that with this change you find this very fair and acceptable. We are all in this together and the speakers Bureau levy allows us to raise some funds to pay down any debt and fund HO activities, while at the same time offering you an option, especially the swings, if you should wish, to have the odd fundraiser where you keep all the funds for your riding.

Thank you all for your team spirit, It is always uplifting!

Cheers,

Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: Dallas Henault
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:33 AM
Subject: RE: Fundraiser

Hey Brian,

All right here it is! Even though there will be many grey situations that will come from these fundraisers, we will just have to deal with them on a case by case basis for the ones that do come up. But the standard is that if an MLA is doing a fundraiser for their riding, and they are the sole speaker (even if the MLA happens to be a cabinet minister), with no other MLA’s in attendance or Cabinet Ministers in attendance, the Speakers’ Bureau levy will not apply to them. Once other MLA’s begin to attend (non cabinet), this becomes one of those grey areas and as we discussed yesterday, I will deal with it on a case by case basis. Once a cabinet minister is in attendance, the Speakers' Bureau levy will apply.

Hope this all makes sense.

Dallas Henault
Speakers' Bureau &
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
BC Liberal Party

Remember Anne-Marie Delorey? She's the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union staffer who has been filling in for provincial New Democrat caucus researcher Maura Parte. Well, it seems her presence at the Rockpile has become somewhat more permanent. She's been hired as caucus's new research director, replacing Don Anderson who departed the precincts back in November.

Partnerships British Columbia's chief executive officer Larry Blain has been skewered and roasted by the press for his exorbitant salary, which came in at $519,448 in fiscal 2004-05. But, last month, during his presentation to the select standing committee on Crown corporations, Partnerships British Columbia chair Rick Mahler told legislators the government-owned company does "extensive reviews by third-party consultants to ensure that our salaries are in keeping with industry standards." And what do those reviews say, you may wonder? Well, to answer that question we filed a freedom of information request asking for copies of those reviews. But, according to a letter from the government-owned company, we might not get a chance to see them because they “contain information that may affect the interests of another business.” Fancy that! Partnerships British Columbia says it will make a final decision about whether it can disclose the records by February 15 - after consulting with the business affected.

More news from the Grits: in addition to speaking with British Columbia's federal Liberal council, former leadership candidates Martha Hall Findlay and Bob Rae will be kicking off a series of campaign platform consultations this coming Saturday. Those consultation will take place with grassroots party members at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus. Ms. Hall Findlay will also be making a swing through Victoria on Thursday and Friday - which will include meetings with tourism and business stakeholders. The following is a complete copy of her schedule, as well as an invite to the consultation event in Surrey.

Thursday, January 18th

2:00 - 5:00 PM
Media Availability

6:00 - 7:00 PM
Meeting with South Island Liberal Women’s Commission
University of Victoria, Elliott Building, Room 167

7:00 - 9:00 PM
Platform Consultation with Vancouver Island Liberals
University of Victoria, Elliott Building, Room 167

Friday, January 19th

8:00 - 9:00 AM
Meeting with South Island Chamber of Commerce Members
Grand Pacific Hotel

12:00 - 1:00 PM
Meeting with Tourism Stakeholders
Empress Hotel

2:00 - 3:00 PM
Meeting with Viatech
Vancouver Island Technology Park

7:00 - 8:30 PM
Public Platform Consultation
University of Victoria
Human and Social Development Building, Room A240

9:00 PM
Informal social at the Canoe Club

***

From: bc@liberal.ca
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 5:23 PM
Subject: Liberal Platform Policy Consultation

Dear,
Cher/Chère,

Liberal Platform Policy Consultation

You are invited to join Bob Rae and Martha Hall Findlay at SFU Surrey campus as they begin their first in a series of consultations with Liberals from all parts of the country.

For details please see below:

Where: Westminster Credit Union Savings Theatre Room 2600, SFU Surrey Campus 13450 102nd Avenue Surrey, BC

When: Saturday, January 20th

Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm

This event is open to all liberals and there is no cost.

Last we forget, during the federal Liberal leadership campaign, Stephane Dion promised one-third of all the party's candidates in the next election would be women. And so the estrogen search is underway in British Columbia for a few good females who will run in one of the 28 electoral districts that don't already have an incumbent Grit. And who are they looking at as potential candidates? Well, one name that has been making the rounds is that of former Sierra Club of British Columbia conservation chair Vicky Husband - who, according to The Vancouver Sun's Stephen Hume - was "ousted" from that post back in Octomber. But, despite that ousting, Ms. Husband ruled out a run for the Liberals.

In an interview with Public Eye, she explained, "I never run for political parties. I just don't do that kind of thing. I've avoided this for 30 years and I think I'll just continue to avoid it. I take a non-partisan stance because, as far I'm concerned, the environment is a non-partisan issue. That's what I do. I work with all parties because I have to. And I will not do anything of that kind." That being said, though, Ms. Husband added "There were some overtures. But I said very clearly, I've been asked in the past - I've been asked all the time - but I've always said the same thing."

Premier Gordon Campbell's policy coordination and issues management deputy chief of staff Tom Syer is leaving the Rockpile for the liquour industry. In an email sent to friends and colleagues, Mr. Syer wrote that he'll be taking over from Neil Sweeney as the Western Canada public affairs director for Labatt Breweries of Canada Ltd. Mr. Sweeney, who was once deputy chief of staff to the premier, recently became the company's corporate affairs vice-president. The following is an edited copy of that email.

From: Syer, Tom PREM:EX
Sent: January 16, 2007 1:19 PM
Subject: Announcement

Friends and Colleagues,

After 10 stimulating and very rewarding years working for Premier Campbell and the BC Liberal government, it is time for me to take on a new challenge. At the end of the month I will be the taking over for Neil Sweeney as Director of Public Affairs, Western Canada for Labatt.

The privilege of working my way up through the legislature from legislative intern, to opposition researcher to Deputy Chief of Staff has been remarkable and incredibly fulfilling. An enormous part of this enjoyment has come from the friendships that have developed over this time. I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with many of you and know that those relationships will continue well into the future. I will send you my new contacts when available, for the next 2 weeks you can reach me at my government account.

Cheers!
Tom

Former leadership candidates Scott Brison, Martha Hall Findlay and Bob Rae will be jetting into Vancouver this weekend to do campaign platform consultations with British Columbia's federal Liberal council. The three of them will be speaking to the council on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites in Surrey. Other speakers will include The Element Agency president Don Millar, who is scheduled to talk about Internet strategy. And national party president Senator Marie Poulin will be addressing the council on Friday evening - in advance of a reception at the hotel's Vista Room. But the main event will surely be a late Sunday wine-tasting at River's Bend Winery - Surrey's first and only winery.

As the first anniversary of the last federal election approaches, let's take stock of the political environment across Canada starting with a party that's been get a lot of attention recently and, apparently, rising rapidly in the polls - the Greens. Despite their best efforts to present themselves otherwise, you have to believe the Greens are still seen by the majority of voters as a single-issue party. The selection of a well-known environmentalist Elizabeth May) as their new leader pretty much ensured that.

That means, under our "first past the post" electoral system, the Green's the best chance for success - like any other single-issue party - would have been during a by-election at a time when their issue is at the forefront of voters' minds and the balance of power not threatened. Such was the case in Beaver River, Alberta in March 1989 when Deborah Grey became the first Reform MP at the height of national angst over the Meech Lake Accord.

The Greens had a similar opportunity presented to them when in the London North Centre during the by-election held on November 28 of last year. Ms. May, their candidate, was still in her honeymoon period as party leader. The by-election couldn't change the balance of power in Ottawa - so traditional loyalties could be set aside. And every poll was saying the environment - the Green's top priority - was a principal concern for Canadians.

While Ms. May and her party claimed afterward their second place showing (a full nine points behind) was a victory, it was a defeat - plain and simple - given the favorable conditions under which they lost. And this is likely the closest the party will ever come to electoral success.

Yes, the other parties may make a real mess of the environment file. But, despite falling poll numbers, New Democrat leader Jack Layton is showing signs he can steel some of the Green's thunder. The same goes for the Liberals as well who after all, just elected a new leader who has trouble talking about any other issue. And even Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper is going to try to convince Canadians that he takes this issue seriously - especially those living in seat-rich Quebec where the environment ranks highest among voters' concerns.

That means it's likely that, come the next election, the environment won't be a wedge issue. The reason: all the parties currently with seats in the House of Commons will be falling over each other in an effort to ensure they aren't left on the wrong side of the "wedge." As a result, the Greens perceived potential as an electoral force will dissipate. Nevertheless, given the new election financing laws, they can continue to have a presence in Canadian politics as a publicly-funded interest group - something anyone who cares for the environment can take comfort in.

Bob Russell, a businessman and former civil servant, was chief of staff for the provincial Liberals in Alberta from 1986 to 1989. In 2004, he ran for the federal Liberal nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Jamie Elmhirst has resigned as the president of the federal Liberals in British Columbia. Earlier, there had been talk he wouldn't be seeking re-election at the party's annual provincial general meeting - scheduled for April. But, in a letter sent to Liberal executives, Mr. Elmhirst writes, "With the potential for a spring 2007 federal election campaign still strong, it is not inconceivable that our convention could be delayed again until the fall." That coming election means the party "needs a president...completely focused and committed to winning more Liberal seats in British Columbia." And - because of "many important personal commitments over the coming year, including my wedding in July and the need to focus on my busines" - Mr. Elmhirst doesn't believe he can "deliver the level of commitment and focus that the organization deserves." His responsibilities will be transferred to British Columbia vice-president Rex Renkema. The following is a complete copy of Mr. Elmhirst's letter.

January 15, 2007

Member of the LPC (BC)
Provincial Executive

Dear Provincial Executive Members,

It has been an incredible honour and privilege to serve as President of the Liberal Party of Canada (BC) for the last two years. During that time we have faced the challenge of a tough federal election and an invigorating party leadership process.

As a result of our party leadership convention, our own LPC (BC) AGM was delayed until April 2007. With the potential for a spring 2007 federal election campaign still strong, it is not inconceivable that our convention could be delayed again until the fall.

At this time more than any, the LPC (BC) needs a president and a provincial executive completely focused and committed to winning more Liberal seats in British Columbia to help build a Liberal national government. With many important personal commitments over the coming year, including my wedding in July and the need to focus on my business, I do not believe that I can deliver the level of commitment and focus that the organization deserves.

Effective immediately, I am resigning my position as president of the Liberal Party of Canada (BC) and turning my responsibilities over to Rex Renkema, our Vice-President. I know all of you know and respect Rex tremendously, as do I. He will do an excellent job until our party membership has the opportunity to choose a new president.

I will of course, remain active in the party, especially locally on Southern Vancouver Island.

I want to thank all of you for being so supportive and working so hard. I especially want to thank all of the staff at LPC (BC) headquarters that I have had the opportunity to work with. The commitment and dedication you bring to your work is a large part of the reason why Liberals in British Columbia are regarded as having the one of very best political organizations in all of Canada.

Regards,

Jamie Elmhirst

Cc: Paul McKivett, Chair BCFLC

Earlier, we broke the news that provincial Liberal backbencher Lorne Mayencourt was considering running for the federal Conservatives. If that happens, there will be a by-election in Vancouver-Burrard. And that has some pondering who will succeed Mr. Mayencourt as the Liberal candidate in that riding. Well, former Non-Partisan Association Vancouver park board chair Duncan Wilson did run for the party in Vancouver-Burrard back in 1996. But his present post as the senior corporate communications and public affairs advisor at the Vancouver Port Authority would likely preclude him from seeking the nomination. But how about former Vancouver city councillor Lynne Kennedy? Well, in an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Kennedy ruled out a run. "I'm quite happy in my retirement." Although she, "It's kind of people to think that I could do the job. But I've very busy in business. And I've found that it's a busy life." So the Liberals may be in need of some candidate suggestions.

The federal Liberals in British Columbia seem to have a penchant for recruiting New Democrats as candidates. So your humble organ wasn't quite as surprised as we should have been when we heard rumours that some Grits would like to see former provincial cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull run for them in Victoria against incumbent New Democrat Denise Savoie. And what does Ms. Cull have to say about those rumours, you may wonder? Well, in an interview with Public Eye she quipped "I gather they're talking about every New Democrat that can breathe and string three sentences together." That being said, Ms. Cull added she's also heard her name being mentioned as a possible Liberal candidate. "And I've heard (the same rumours) about a number of other ex-MLAs or NDP supporters who have never been elected or are prominent in the community and the party...Can't they find Liberals? Is there that much of a shortage of good Liberals in B.C.?" Needless to say, Ms. Cull said she's not interested in helping the Grits out.

Mayor Sam Sullivan's administration hasn't been without its critics, as evidenced in recent columns by the Vancouver Courier's Allen Garr and former Non-Partisan Association board member Alex Tsakumis. And, in less public quarters, some members of the mayor's civic party have been expressing similar concerns. But, according to the rumour mill, he could soon be addressing some of that criticism head-on in a state of the city address - possibly as early as this coming Tuesday. And, if those rumours are true, that means you now have less than 48 hours to make a suggestion on what should be in that speech. Phone lines are open.