Earlier, we exclusively reported on the provincial education ministry's job search for a research analyst with some very particular qualifications - specificially, a "Bachelors degree in a related discipline and two years related experience (Julie does not have 2 yrs yet)." So what does merit commissioner Joy Illington make of the matter? "I did talk to Emery Dosdall - the deputy - about this. And I received his explanation. And I'm pretty satisified (the position description) hasn't been written for one person," Ms. Illington stated. "And I won't be looking into this any further."

Last month, the government revealed the "Cabinet Committee on Climate Action has had 177 presentations from scientists, public servants, environmental organizations, academics and industry sectors." And now it looks like your elected representatives finally want to find out what everyday British Columbians think about the global warming problem. Today, the Campbell administration's secretive climate action secretariat announced it would be undertaking research "better understand how British Columbians think about climate change to support the development and successful implementation of strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in B.C." This, according to document posted on BC Bid looking for a contractor to conduct that research, which must be completed by December 15. The following is a copy of the relevant portions of that document.

1.0 Summary of the Requirement

The Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) wishes to undertake research in support of the province’s greenhouse gas reduction objectives, including a BC-wide public outreach and strategic engagement strategy. The strategy’s goals are to:

* Support achievement of 2012, 2016 and 2020 greenhouse gas targets
* Encourage a personal conservation ethic
* Increase support for effective policies and collective and individual action
* Facilitate long-term, sustained and effective behaviour change

The requirement is to conduct qualitative and quantitative public opinion research on policies related to climate change. CAS seeks to better understand how British Columbians think about climate change to support the development and successful implementation of strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. As part of this research initiative, proponents should be capable of:

* undertaking province-wide qualitative and quantitative research;
* targeting priority population segments; and
* demonstrating a proven track record in qualitative and quantitative research.

1.1 Qualitative Opinion Research

Qualitative Opinion Research includes, but may not be limited to:
a. The development of a research plan, with timelines and a work plan;
b. Recruitment of participants;
c. Preparation of a moderators guide;
d. Development of the questionnaires;
e. Facilitation of focus groups throughout the Province;
f. Provision of video tapes of the focus groups;
g. The development of longitudinal studies that measure a given set of indicators across time; and
h. Draft reports, including cross tabulations, statistical and written analysis, summary tables, graphs, interpretative commentary, preliminary conclusions and recommendations, and presentation of findings.

1.2 Quantitative Opinion Research

Quantitative Opinion Research Services include, but may not be limited to:

a. The development of a research plan, with timelines and a work plan;
b. Sampling participants throughout the Province;
c. Development of the questionnaire;
d. The development of longitudinal studies that measure a given set of indicators across time;
e. Draft reports, including cross tabulations, statistical and written analysis, summary tables, graphs, interpretative commentary, preliminary conclusions and recommendations, and presentation of findings; and
f. Provision of electronic copy of data sets (with identifiers removed) in a format to be agreed in advance and with appropriate documentation.

1.3 Evaluation Methodology

For both Qualitative Opinion Research and Quantitative Opinion Research, Proponents should have appropriate research design methodologies that are specific to the scope of work described in section 3.0 and that address:

a. Development;
b. Testing;
c. How the Proponent structures its samples to get a clear read on those sub-sets of interest;
d. Statistical methodologies; and
e. Reporting and presentations.

With respect to Quantitative Opinion Research, Proponents should also have procedures that address follow-up and tracking methodologies.

2.0 Ministry Situation/Overview

The B.C. government has committed to reducing the Province’s greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent (from 2007 levels) by 2020. This is an ambitious target, supported by a series of climate change initiatives now underway or in development. Making these initiatives work will require the effort of all British Columbians. To coordinate and support these efforts, the Province has established a Climate Action Secretariat.

The Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) is the provincial agency coordinating activities to meet the B.C. government’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Specifically, CAS:

* coordinates and facilitates best practices research and policy on climate action across government ministries
* establishes consultation processes with First Nations, local governments, other governments, industries, environmental organizations and the scientific community
* assesses incentives and other fiscal and financial mechanisms to lead and drive the change envisioned
* identifies actions to achieve government greenhouse gas emission reduction targets
* recommends the allocation of federal EcoTrust funding to support British Columbia projects that will significantly reduce GHG emissions
* leads and coordinates the carbon neutral public sector initiative
* coordinates development of a public outreach and strategic engagement program to mobilize citizens and partners
* develops necessary adaptation strategies and procedures for the province.

3.0 Project Scope

This research will support development of a range of policy, program, public outreach and strategic engagement recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action. Research outcomes will help to inform public education and outreach approaches that would be included in a public outreach and strategic engagement strategy in support of government’s climate action strategies.

Specifically, the research will evaluate a range of options that may include:

* policy options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
* options for removing barriers to targeted behaviours
* proposed models for explaining the human causes of global warming
* understanding of the links between global warming and fossil fuel emissions
* solutions, particularly related to transportation and homes

4.0 Requirement

Project must be completed by December 15, 2007.

Mining Association of British Columbia senior policy and communications director Byng Giraud will soon be resigning as one of the province's two federal Conservative national council members. Speaking with Public Eye, Mr. Giraud said he will be leaving council within the next 30 days, barring an election. "It's just become too time consuming. In the last 60 to 90 days, it's become apparent to me that I just don't have time for my work, my family, my many other volunteer commitments and this. So it's been two-and-a-half years - which is longer than it should have been in in the first place. And we're riding high. So it seemed an appropriate time to go." National council will appoint an interim replacement for Mr. Giraud following consultations with caucus members and constituency association presidents.

In 2001, the provincial Liberals promised to "restore a professional, non-partisan public service founded strictly on merit." But six years later, questions remains as to whether all "staffing decisions are based on fair and equitable treatment of all applicants." To wit, last week, the education ministry announced it was looking for a new research analyst with some very specific qualifications.

According to the position description, which was posted on Wednesday, a successful applicant will have a "Bachelors degree in a related discipline and two years related experience (Julie does not have 2 yrs yet); or a Master’s degree and one year of related experience; or an equivalent combination of related experience, education and/or training." Yes, you read that right. "Julie does not have 2 yrs yet." Whatever could that mean?

Asked for comment, education ministry media relations and issues management manager Lara Perzoff delivered the following written statement: "The posting in question was published on the B.C. Public Service's website containing an error. The error was noticed shortly after publication and the posting was immediately removed from the website. Ministry staff are following up on the matter. Every competition held in the B.C. Public Service is fair and open, and all hiring at the Ministry of Education is done based on merit. The Merit Commissioner ensures that all competitions in the B.C. Public Service are conducted in a fair and open manner."

***

Position Description
Ministry of Education

Position Title: Research Analyst, Surveys and
Data Exchange
Division: Information Department
Position Number: 34194
Unit (e.g. Region): Surveys and Data Exchange Unit
Location: Victoria
Supervisor’s Title: Manager, Surveys and Data Exchange
Position Number: 33990
Supervisor’s Classif: RO-N27
Phone Number: 356-0275

SELECTION CRITERIA
Education
Bachelors degree in a related discipline and two years related experience(Julie does not have 2 yrs yet); or a Master’s degree and one year of related experience; or an equivalent combination of related experience, education and/or training.
Experience
Two years experience in the following: (2 yrs)
* Data collection and use of databases and data management, including gathering, synthesizing, evaluating, reporting and interpreting data and information from diverse sources
* A public or private sector data, quantitative analysis and information reporting role or other area related to Survey
* Leading or supporting a diversity of projects, following accepted project management techniques
* Contributing to the development of policy, procedures, and corporate data or information management practices
Knowledge
* Knowledge of, and expertise in, the use of current data and reporting tools and software (i.e. MS Project, MS Visio, SPSS, SQL, Hyperion, Access, Oracle, etc.) in order to understand the technical feasibility of data linking projects and to provide support to ministry staff and school personnel who require assistance
* Knowledge of project management methodology and techniques
* Knowledge of data warehousing
* Knowledge of Intranet and Internet tools, systems and processes
* Knowledge of data administration and best practices with data quality and integration
Skills/Abilities
* Analytical and problem solving skills and the ability to provide advice in the implementation of solutions to teams, internal staff, and external stakeholders
* Ability to provide leadership and supervision to team members and consultants
* Demonstrated competency in written and oral communications, including delivering presentations to management and external partners (e.g., school districts)
* Ability to work as a member of a larger research team in a matrix management structure

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, North Vancouver-Seymour provincial Liberal legislator Dan Jarvis joins us to discuss why he voted against the Tsawwassen Final Agreement. Green leader Jane Sterk talks about her future vision for the party. And Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Michael Sather shares his thoughts on the present legislative session. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Alex Tsakumis, Bob Russell 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 8:30 and 10:00. 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.

Matthew Taylor has told the Non-Partisan Association's board of directors he won't be running for re-election as the civic party's president. The reason: Mr. Taylor recently resigned as an associate with Heenan Blaikie LLP to become corporate counsel for the Quigg Group. And his new responsibilities at the development company won't leave much time for politicking. Mr. Taylor, whose term expires in April, made the announcement at the board's last meeting, on October 10.

Newspaper letters to the editor, web pages and blogs, have all been in receipt of opinions decrying the loss of 207 hectares of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve with the ratification of the Tsawwassen Treaty. And these fora are doing a great service in trying to get some public engagement concerning treaty discussions - the lack of which threatens the very legitimacy of the Tsawwassen Final Agreement and all that follow. Unfortunately, they have also become a soap box of misinformation and partisanship for those who would oppose the treaty process, the port expansion and its related transportation links or the Campbell government in its entirety. And they use the proclaimed sanctity of the agricultural land reserve to do so.

As has been repeatedly pointed out, the Tsawwassen First Nation have a memorandum of agreement with Deltaport to permit the use lands within their traditional territory for port expansion. And yes, they will be paid for the use of that land. And yes, that land is in within the agricultural land reserve. But what is not mentioned is that all of these things would happen regardless of the ratification of the treaty.

The memorandum is explicit that the provincial government would remove the land from the agricultural land reserve if this exclusion is not accomplished at the treaty table. There is no conspiracy here, no double dealing, no hidden agenda. Everything that has been proposed for the use of the Tsawwassen First Nation lands for the port has been in the public domain for years (including when the New Democrats were in power).

Indeed, the very reason for the memorandum is that the Tsawwassen First Nation was heading to the British Columbia Supreme Court to prevent the port authority from expanding Deltaport into their traditional territory without consultation or compensation. To claim otherwise is simply fatuous.

The notion that Chief Kim Baird and her people have been duped by Premier Gordon Campbell (with the implicit cooperation of the federal government) or that Ms. Baird has sold out her people is not only disrespectful but is, I fear, thin cover for those who would prefer we fail to find resolution to the historical injustice that is lived daily by First Nations peoples. And while the motivations of those who oppose the treaty are varied - and in many cases their opinions honestly held - the result is the same: the perpetuation of inequality and denial of full participation of aboriginal peoples in our communities, province and country.

So, I say to those who prefer hyperbole to fact and pandering to reasoned debate, oppose the treaty if you must but at least be honest about your motivation. Public discourse is important if, as a province, we are to find common cause in the management and development of our resources and the responsible growth of our communities. But that discourse is undermined when bluster and narrow partisan interests replace our quest for justice.

Don Anderson was the caucus research director for the provincial New Democrats.

Former federal Liberal national vice-president Mike Hillman says he presently has no plans to reprise his role as the Non-Partisan Association's campaign director during the next civic election. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Hillman said "there has been some discussion with regards to that. But I will be focusing my time on Vancouver-Kingsway." Mr. Hillman is chairing Liberal candidate Wendy Yuan's campaign in that riding.

The Burnaby New Democrat's equity proposal isn't the only controversial resolution submitted for debate at the New Democrat convention, which will take place in Vancouver next month. Back in September, party leader Carole James got a black eye for her position on the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge. Speaking at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention, Ms. James said "Let's put in transit now. Will we need a bridge across the river? Yes, I'm certain we'll need a bridge across the river. But not now."

That equivocal statement seemed to be at odds with some members of Ms. James's own caucus, who appear to be more supportive of that twinning project. But now it looks like New Democrats in Vancouver-Kensington - the riding represented by former transportation critic David Chudnovsky - will be giving her an opportunity to revisit the issue. The constituency association has put forward a resolution calling on the party to "publicly opposes the proposed plans to widen the #1 Highway and build a second Port Mann Bridge."

Still, twinning proponent Jordan Bateman - a provincial Liberal executive member and Langley township councillor - doesn't think that resolution will clarify the New Democrat's position on the bridge project. "But the main thing is, take a stand. If you're going to oppose it, oppose it and let the people of the South Fraser region in particular know exactly where your party stands and exactly what a Carole James in the premier's office is going to mean to the interests of the South Fraser."

***

OPPOSE TWINNING OF PORT MANN BRIDGE
WHEREAS
* the BC Liberal government plans to widen the #1 Highway between 200th Street in Langley and McGill Street in East Vancouver as part of The Gateway Transportation Strategy
* this would include building a second Port Mann Bridge and widening the highway to
eight lanes
* the price tag for this expansion would be $1.5 billion
* there has been no public consultation and no consideration of alternatives
* concerns of East Vancouver residents over increased traffic flow into their neighbourhood have not been addressed
* the Livable Region Strategic Plan (LRSP) adopted by the GVRD Board in 1996 includes the major objective of achieving a Compact Metropolitan Region, whereas the #1 Highway capacity expansion encourages urban sprawl
* the LRSP also includes the major objective of increasing transportation choice – with the
aim of encouraging transit use and discouraging the growth in single-occupant vehicle travel
* over two-thirds of vehicles using the #1 Highway during rush hour are single occupancy vehicles
* no public transit bus currently crosses the Port Mann Bridge
* capacity expansion inevitably results in induced demand that causes the same congestion problems that were present prior to the capacity expansion
* the triple convergence principle postulates that capacity expansion on one route will attract users who previously traveled on different routes, at different times, and by different modes
* the Port Mann Bridge was widened in 2001 at a cost of $60 million in order to “reduce congestion on the Lower Mainland’s worst traffic bottleneck” according to a 2001/02 Ministry of Transportation report, clearly demonstrates these principles in action
* the health costs resulting from the increased traffic contributing to air quality problems have not been factored into the costs of the project
* “A Long-Range Transportation Plan for Greater Vancouver” by Transport 2021 (a joint project of the GVRD and the Province of BC) noted that “the region’s citizens expect their transport system to meet social and environmental goals, such as: to provide transportation equitably to a diverse population (30% of whom are either too young or too old to drive) and to help reduce its negative impacts on the region’s livability (e.g. to limit urban sprawl and land consumption, preserve green space, limit congestion and intrusion into local neighbourhoods, and cut air and noise pollution).”
* Transport 2021 also noted “Greater Vancouver has concluded that heavy reliance on the private automobile is unhealthy. The desire for greater choice in mode of transport is a recurring theme in public meetings and opinion polls.”
* Transport 2021 also noted “congestion is usually considered an evil; however, allowing congestion to deteriorate for the single-occupant vehicles is a practical method for promoting transit and carpools.”
* the BC NDP has avoided taking a stand on this critical issue;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC NDP publicly opposes the proposed plans to widen the #1 Highway and build a second Port Mann Bridge.

The provincial New Democrat's affirmative action plan for the next election is getting a negative response from at least one of the party's constituency associations. Back in June, Public Eye was the first to tell you about that plan, which would see 40 percent of the New Democrat's non-incumbent ridings set aside for women or other affirmative action candidates - such as gays, lesbians, persons of colour and the disabled. Party members must still approve that scheme at their upcoming convention. But Burnaby New Democrats have submitted a resolution leaving little doubt as to how they're going to vote.

The resolution, which will likely be debated at the same convention, recognizes the party has always encouraged "the participation of women and members of minority groups." But it calls on New Democrats to reject the affirmative action plan because it does "not support a Constituency Association's ability to democratically select and nominate a candidate of their choice." The following is a complete copy of that resolution.

***

NOMINATION REVIEW COMMITTEE EQUITY MANDATE

WHEREAS the New Democratic Party of British Columbia has always promoted the equality of all persons; and

WHEREAS the members of the NDP encourage the participation of women and members of minority groups involved at all levels of the Party; and

WHEREAS the members of the NDP thank the Nomination Review Committee for its work on behalf of the Party to support the participation of women and members of minority groups to get nominated; and

WHEREAS the members of the NDP support the selection and nomination of candidates by members of Constituencies; and

WHEREAS the Nomination Review Committee Final Report does not support the selection and nomination of candidates by members of Constituencies, but instead gives that power to the Provincial Executive;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that members of the NDP undertake to continue to encourage the participation of women and members of minority groups at all levels of the Party including in the selection and nomination of candidates by Constituency Associations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the “Equity Mandate” section as presented in the Report of September 5th, and any wording substantially similar which replaces it, does not have the support of the members of the NDP and is to be deleted, as it does not support a Constituency Association’s ability to democratically select and nominate a candidate of their choice but instead gives that power to the Provincial Executive; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the removal of the “Equity Mandate” section from the Report takes precedence, such that any ambiguity remaining in other sections of the Report does not allow for the “reading in” of the Equity Mandate provisions (and any wording substantially similar which replaces it) but instead is meant to be a “reading out”; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the recommendations from the Nomination Review Committee expire after the next general election.

Earlier this year, the Campbell administration splashed out at least $92,856.33 to throw a flashy party for British Columbia's civil servants. This, according to records obtained by Public Eye via freedom of information request. But documents posted on BC Bid this Monday suggest the premier's innovation and excellence awards ceremony next year is going to be an even bigger to-do.

The documents state "the program is undergoing a significant expansion in 2007/08. Four regional ceremonies and dinners will be held around the province prior to the culminating provincial awards event in Victoria on March 10, 2008." The government hasn't yet said how much more those new regional ceremonies and dinners would cost.

But, in an interview, Canadian Taxpayers Federation provincial director Maureen Bader said, "It's extremely irresponsible of the government to expand a ceremony like that when they're already spending too much money and it already is a bit extravagant. A much better use of taxpayer dollars would be a tax cut so that taxpayers can decide what they want to do with the money and not have the government spending it on these extravagant ceremonies for government employees."

This past weekend's Dream Vancouver conference at the Jewish Community Centre brought together some of the region's most prominent citizens for "a discussion designed to bring them to a collective vision of what the city could be." But two of the conference's attendees talked about a somewhat more divisive topic. In an interview with Public Eye, provincial New Democrat legislator Gregor Robertson confirmed Coalition of Progressive Electors city councillor David Cadman spoke with him "about a range of issues" including Mr. Cadman's "interest in running for mayor."

Mr. Robertson said Mr. Cadman "hasn't made any formal decision about running." Asked whether Mr. Cadman requested an endorsement, the Vancouver-Fairview MLA responded , "It was more just information sharing. The city politics scene is complicated. And he's obviously in the midst of it all. So we're just keeping in touch." Mr. Robertson is also seen as a prospective mayoral candidate.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, Whistler mayor and provincial Green supporter Ken Melamed discusses the party's future. Environmental researcher Howard Breen shares his thoughts on greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry. And Peace River Environmental Association member Bob Cameron talks about how development is threatening his favourite waterway. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Alex Tsakumis, Bob Russell 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 8:30 and 10:00. 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.

On Monday, aboriginal leaders assembled in Victoria to protest a treaty process they say will extinguish their land-title and self-government rights. But they weren't the only ones on the front lawn of the legislature. Spotted amongst signs reading "We Demand Fairness," "We Need Justice" and "No to Genocide," was Saanich-Gulf Islands federal Liberal candidate and prominent environmentalist Briony Penn.

In an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Penn explained she had been asked attend by members of the Sencoten Alliance - a political/cultural organization representing four southwest British Columbia First Nations. The alliance is concerned its members weren't consulted about the soon-to-be ratified Tsawwassen First Nation final agreement - an agreement that may infringe on their treaty rights.

"I was just there to gather information and be informed on the issue at this stage," explained Ms. Penn. "As they've put forward, they'd like to have further consultation. And I support their need for further consultation."

But couldn't such information gathering have been done without attending a demonstration? "I was wearing two hats (at the protest). I'm actually a journalist," she responded - referring to her gig as a columnist for Focus Magazine. "So I was there to interview and get all parts of the story."

And what about her position on the treaty process as a whole? "I have no comment other than that. I can't comment on the treaty process at this stage. But, as the candidate, I do support people's desires to make sure they are fully consulted."

Corky Evans, one of the provincial New Democrat's most prominent members, is giving thought to not running in the next election. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Evans said an old friend of his in Slocan recently reminded him that "the next generation of leadership is now the same age that we were when our generation took over this party." And that he should "leave early enough that the next generation fills the vacuum - even if we were to lose the constituency."

Moreover, Mr. Evans said, "I no longer fit with the technology of the times. I came into public life when it was an oral job. And when the written word was required it was the written word and I wrote it and I said it. And, for 20 years off and on, I've come here and never spoken words written by somebody else."

Continued the former party leadership candidate and cabinet minister, "I have tremendous pride in that although it's nothing anybody else would give a damn about. But anyway, it's no longer an oral job. And it's no longer a written job. It is now an electronic job. And discourse is irrelevant and your words are assumed to be written by somebody else and they're assumed to be sterile so that you can't get anybody in trouble...And I'm not sure if I continue to serve that I won't fall even further behind in acceptable behaviour."

But he said there are a number of reasons why he would run again. "One is two years into it I still feel like a failure at finding a way to articulate to the people of British Columbia in the midst of economic boom why this is the worst government in the history of B.C. and a sell-out of everything that Social Credit and the NDP ever built." As a result, "often I think I've got to run again because to leave without figuring out how to tell that story so regular people can understand it constitutes failure in my life's work here - in my favourite job."

Mr. Evans also says financial considerations might also influence his decision to seek another term in office - a decision he'll make sometime this spring. The following is an edited transcript of his remarks.

***

Mr. Evans Firstly, on the side of yes I should run again, there's a couple of things. One is two years into it I still feel like a failure at finding a way to articulate to the people of British Columbia in the midst of economic boom why this is the worst government in the history of B.C. and a sell-out of everything that Social Credit and the NDP ever built. It eludes me to tell what I think is a very simple story which is that selling the farm and living on the cash of the sale is a false economy.

Historically, people tried to make the farm pay. They ran the railroad, they ran the ports, they logged the trees, they fished the fish and governments would rise and fall according to the price of fish and trees and their managerial capacity to run the farm. At present, we're selling the farm and passing out the largess. And everyone is going, "Wow, look at all the cool money." And they think it's going well. But back to your question, often I think I've got to run again because to leave without figuring out how to tell that story so regular people can understand it constitutes failure in my life's work here - in my favourite job.

A second answer to why I might run again is much more pedestrian and almost embarrassing. As you know, the committee that redesigned the pension said you have to be 65 to collect the thing. And, if you quit before that, there's a year-by-year penalty. And, at the time of the next election, I'll be 61 years old. Bill Bennett, remember, when he ran said, "I'll run for ten years." And when ten years was up he said, "I told you so" and walked out the door. I think this is like, using a sports analogy, being a linebacker. Your knees give out and you're not expected to stay till your 65. But the committee didn't agree. They saw this like working in the sawmill and you should hang-in there. And I don't know if I can live without a cash flow because I'm not 65.

Now on the side of quitting, my arguments for quitting, a very wise New Democrat and dear old friend who lives in my community in Slocan said to me a few months ago, "You know Cork, the next generation of leadership is now the same age that we were when our generation took over this party and essentially upset the older people by a whole bunch of 30 year olds taking it over and nominating a candidate and beating their candidate." And that was me. And it was a big fight. There was 1,000 members. And the party where I live was rejuvenated by the struggle. And then those people who then were 30 have followed along and been the energy source for the NDP in Nelson-Creston ever since and, even today, constitute the majority of the executive. And she said, "You gotta leave early enough that the next generation fills the vacuum - even if we were to lose the constituency." And I did lose the first time. In 1986, I lost to Howard Dirks.

And what Rita was saying to me is, "It's not a question of we need you to win. It's better to lose and have the younger people take over then to have you stay too long at the dance." And, boy, I think that's a cogent argument - a really strong argument. And I wish she had been speaking to the pension commission so she would have heard the importance of not staying too long...

I guess there's one other thing I'll say to you just because it's interesting. I no longer fit with the technology of the times. I came into public life when it was an oral job. And when the written word was required it was the written word and I wrote it and I said it. And, for 20 years off and on, I've come here and never spoken words written by somebody else. I have tremendous pride in that although it's nothing anybody else would give a damn about. But anyway, it's no longer an oral job. And it's no longer a written job. It is now an electronic job. And discourse is irrelevant and your words are assumed to be written by somebody else and they're assumed to be sterile so that you can't get anybody in trouble. And it's immediate.

It used to be that a problem would come to you - as MLA or as a minister or something. And you'd talk to all the people and try to figure out what was right and see if you could sort it out and put some things together and go try something. Now it's electronic and people think that you should know the correct answer to an issue in ten seconds of it being put before them. And your profession is equally guilty. You figure out something that I don't know anything about and never heard of, put a microphone in front of my face and say, "What you going to do about x?" And if I say, "Never heard of it" you just look stupid. And if you give an answer, you're committed to that answer forever. And I don't want to sound like I think there was a good ol' days. But I am part of a generation that pre-dates electronic communication. And I'm not sure if I continue to serve that I won't fall even further behind in acceptable behaviour.

Former provincial New Democrat chief of staff David Perry is getting into the government relations business. Mr. Perry, who resigned back in August, will soon be doing contract work for Kimanda Jarzebiak's firm Ascent Public Affairs Inc. As our astute readers may remember, Ascent is the same company that recently hired former public affairs bureau executive director Andy Orr as its vice-president.

Provincial New Democrat leader Carole James has taken a drumming in the newspapers for her decision to oppose the Gateway Program. For example, take this recent letter to the editor, published in Tuesday's edition of the Vancouver Sun : "Intriguing, isn't it? For years there has been a public clamour about how long it takes to commute in Metro Vancouver. The New Democratic Party provincial government didn't look after the situation 15 years ago when the population began to increase. Everyone else was aware of it. Builders provided housing; city councils provided infrastructure; community groups provided support. It must have caught the NDP off-guard because no one realized that these same people would need to get around. So, now the current Liberal government is addressing the problem, but NDP leader Carole James opposes the Gateway Project. Does she not understand that without roads and bridges there is no public transit?" Of course, what's also intriguing is the fact the letter writer is Ann Mayo, who wasn't identified as Burnaby-Willingdon Liberal legislator John Nuraney's former constituency assistant.

Saskatchewan organic farmer and anti-free trade activist David Orchard says he's been approached about running for a federal Liberal nomination in British Columbia. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Orchard, who twice ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives, explained, "I've given all the various different invitations consideration. And that's probably about as far as I can go at this moment."

But, he noted, "In British Columbia, during both my leadership runs, I had more votes than any of the other candidates. We already had a wonderful base of support for British Columbia - in part because of environmental issues but also because of sovereignty issues."

Mr. Orchard, who endorsed Stephane Dion during the recent Liberal leadership race, declined to say where he was considering running in British Columbia. Although rumour has it Burnaby-New Westminster is one possibility.

The provincial government authority responsible for providing services to the developmentally disabled has been getting guidance from what some may consider an eyebrow-raising source. Back in January, Laurie Geschke, the national president of REAL Women of Canada, was made a member of the 10-person committee charged with advising Community Living British Columbia's board of directors.

REAL Women of Canada, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this coming May, champions a number of social conservative causes - including a commitment to "promote, secure and defend legislation which upholds the Judeo-Christian understanding of marriage and family life" and "support the right to life of all innocent individuals from conception to natural death."

In an interview with Public Eye, New Democrat children and family development critic Nicholas Simons described Geschke's appointment to the committee as "quiet disquieting." Added Mr. Simons, "you know where she stands on every issue. And she's guilelessly open about it. But I don't think she fits in the mainstream of our society. And maybe that should be who's advising our board is someone who fits within the mainstream."

But the authority's acting communications director Roslyn Ingram says she doesn't see a conflict between Geschke lobbying and the activities of the advisory committee - which is presently focused on addressing transportation access issues for the developmentally disabled. "And if there was, we're aware what her position is. And she would have to advise us of the conflict."

Steve Simpson, the Non-Partisan Association's ad man during the last civic election, isn't sure whether he'll be packing his bags for the next campaign trial. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Simpson - the chairman and chief strategist for Vancouver-based Identity Mangement Inc. - explained, "I'm on the horns of a dilemma because I'm on the board of the Vancouver Port Authority. And, as a federal entity, it would be frowned upon for me to take an active role in any political activities." But the amalgamation of that board with the Fraser River and North Fraser port authorities means Mr. Simpson may loose his appointment. As a result, he says, "If I'm able to (campaign) as a result of the unfortunate event of not making it back onto the board, I probably will get involved. If I do stay on the board, I know I can't. And my foot is twitching because I love elections. But I'm also loving what I'm doing on the ports at the same time."

Last April, the Campbell administration rolled out its Asia Pacific Initiative - "a long-term strategy to diversify B.C.'s economic ties" with the region. And now the provincial government is quietly erecting a monument of sorts to that initiative. Last week, on BC Bid, the government quietly announced it would be soliciting proposals from four firms to plan and design an Asia Pacific Business Centre, located at Robson Square in Vancouver. According to that announcement, the objective of the centre "is to support government initiatives with the Asia Pacific, house the Ministry's Asia Pacific Unit, receive foreign delegations, promote BC in Asia (and Asia in BC), with the overall intention of creating new long term trade and investment opportunities for the Province in the Asia Pacific." The following is a complete copy of the aforementioned notice of intent.

NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) TO CONTRACT
NOI # ON-001360

Notice is hereby given by the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services - Accommodation and Real Estate Services (ARES) of its intent to solicit proposals from the following firms for facility planning and design services for the Asia Pacific Business Centre, located at Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.
* BBA Design Consultants Inc.
* Group 5 Design Associates Ltd.
* Orca Creative Group Inc.
* Zeidler Partnership Architects Inc.
The objective of the Asia Pacific Business Centre is to support government initiatives with the Asia Pacific, house the Ministry's Asia Pacific Unit, receive foreign delegations, promote BC in Asia (and Asia in BC), with the overall intention of creating new long term trade and investment opportunities for the Province in the Asia Pacific.

The Ministry has chosen not to issue a public Request for Proposals (RFP) at this time for the following reasons:

* A Request for Fee Proposal was issued by ARES on July 27, 2007; however was cancelled due to no suitable proposals received. A new RFP was issued publicly on BC Bid on September 5, 2007 (RFP #ON-001339) with a modified scope of work. No responses were received.
* The Ministry is familiar with the services of the above mentioned firms, and has gained their interest in providing a response to the RFP.

The Ministry has issued the RFP directly to the above mentioned firms, and will be conducting an evaluation of proposals received in order to determine a lead proponent and award a contract.

Other service providers interested in submitting a proposal must contact Cheryl Akey, Procurement Specialist by facsimile at (250) 387-7309 or email pcadmin@gov.bc.ca to request a copy of the RFP, which closes on October 23, 2007 at 2:00 pm.

Mark Jiles, Premier Gordon Campbell's long-time constituency campaign manager, is telling American companies the Campbell administration doesn't have a big problem awarding 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic contracts to businesses south of the border. Speaking to Washington State entrepreneurs earlier this month, Mr. Jiles - a partner with The Progressive Group - said, "At first there was a big push for having just Canadian companies, but there has been a change in philosophy by the government." Instead, according to a report by The Bellingham Herald's Dave Gallagher, "there is more of a focus on whether a company can handle the project, get it done on time and offer sustainable solutions." The Progressive Group was founded by Pat Kinsella - arguably one of British Columbia's most powerful provincial Liberal backroom boys.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, Simon Fraser University political science professor Patrick Smith discusses the lack of openness and accountability in local government. Chris Vallee, past president of British Columbia's Qualified Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, talks about the Campbell administration's decision to cover acupuncture treatments for low-income British Columbians. And British Columbia Chiropractic Association executive director Don Nixdorf shares his thoughts on what other proceedures the government should be paying for. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Alex Tsakumis, Bob Russell 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 8:30 and 10:00. 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.

Today, the provincial government announced bureaucrats would be holding their third annual "Cookies for a Cause" contest - which "pits provincial ministry staff against one another in a good-natured battle to sell the most cookies." But this year, there's a difference. According to the media advisory, "public servants have expanded their usual range cookies to include treats for dogs." Which is great. However, given that your humble organ is on the panel of media judges evaluating those cookies, we're a bit concerned bureaucrats are trying to send us a none too subtle message. The contest takes place tomorrow at noon in the courtyard outside the Greater Victoria Public Library. The following is a complete copy of the aforementioned advisory.

MEDIA ADVISORY
Oct. 3, 2007
Provincial Employees Community Services Fund

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT & PHOTO EDITORS

VICTORIA - Attention, cookie lovers! Reap the tasty benefits of a bake-off of colossal proportions. 'Cookies for a Cause' pits provincial ministry staff against one another in a good-natured battle to sell the most cookies.

One hundred per cent of money raised goes to local non-profit organizations through the Provincial Employees Community Services Fund (PECSF). This year, public servants have expanded their usual range cookies to include
treats for dogs.

A panel of judges from local media outlets will be on-site to ensure top cookie quality and will present an award to the ministry team that make the tastiest healthy cookie.

For more information about PECSF, visit www.bcpublicservice.ca/communityfund.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Location:
735 Broughton Street
In the courtyard outside the Greater Victoria Public Library

-30-

Earlier, we reported the provincial government will be spending up to $2 million to hire a contractor "to lead and manage a comprehensive assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the 2010 Games." But provisions included in the bid document for that contractor open up the assessment process to the possibility of significant interference by the British Columbia Olympic and Paralympic Games secretariat. And that has New Democrat legislator Harry Bains concerned. In an interview with Public Eye, the opposition's Olympic critic noted the document also doesn't guarantee the assessment results will be made public. “This is the trend," he commented. "The trend is to allow the taxpayer information in a very controlled fashion. And the only information that they like people to have is the information they allow to get out.” The Campbell administration hasn't yet responded to a request for comment placed yesterday.

File this story under the category of "Do you really want an answer to this question?" In the September 2007 edition of The Nanaimo New Democratic Party Bulletin, legislator Leonard Krog writes "Liberals friends prosper, the homeless huddle in the doorways of our communities, workers' rights are trampled, the environment gets lip service with no money and yet they are at fifty percent and we are at thirty two percent. Something is decidedly wrong in BC politics! We had a very good spring session in the legislature and I personally was proud of our Caucus and how it held the Libs to account. Clearly we need to do something different and I am asking all of you to deluge me with your thoughts in whatever form you choose." Hmmm...could that something different have anything to do with a certain party leader whose initials are C and J? Inquiring minds want to know!

Members of the provincial government's media shy climate action secretariat will be hobnobbing with the Sierra Club of Canada's British Columbia chapter next week. Public Eye has learned the environmental organization will be hosting a reception for the secretariat on October 11 at the offices of The Pinch Group. The group's namesake, financial advisor Brian Pinch, is a member of the chapter's executive committee.

The capital city's political classes flocked to Saturday's speech by former American vice-president Al Gore. So it wasn't surprising the New Democrat's purchased a ten-seat table for that speech, located in the back-half of the Victoria Conference Centre's Carson Hall. But not all of the party's members were seated there. Malahat-Juan de Fuca legislator John Horgan was at the front of the room at Three Point Properties Ltd.'s table. Asked about that arrangement, Mr. Horgan "I have no responsibility for zoning or rezoning or land-use decisions in my constituency. I'm a provincial elected representative. (Three Point) invited me to hear a topic that I was interested in. I accepted. But, in an abundance of caution, I will be declaring it as a gift as I'm obliged to under the (Members') Conflict of Interest Act. But I have no decision-making powers that effect that company or any other company doing land development in my community." Three Point was one of the event's sponsors.

Federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion once said, “Perception is a word you hear a lot in politics. My word is conviction.” This, according to a new Facebook group created to encourage party members to "respond in a concerted, positive way" to Mr. Dion. And it's good the leader feels that way. Because that means he won't care the group's name - "A United Party, A Unity Canada" - appears to include a typo. After all, the rest of the text on their Facebook page refers to the group as "A United Party, A United Canada." Fancy that!

Federal parliamentarian Dominic LeBlanc, vice-chair of the Liberal's policy and platform committee, says the party's platform will be ready in just over two weeks - coinciding with the Harper administration's Throne Speech. In fact, a version of that document was available for release back in Apri. But when talk of a spring election turned out to be just that - talk - the party spent the summer revising the platform to come up with "a number of coherent, cohesive national themes that reflect concrete policy proposals that can be understood by the vast majority of Canadians."

Speaking with Public Eye earlier today, Mr. LeBlanc said the fact the Liberals aren't in government has allowed them to develop a more innovative platform. "Frankly, it's a lot more exciting to work on policy proposal when you don't have the straightjacket of some Ottawa bureaucrat telling you successive governments have only been able to do a, b, c," he explained. "We're finding it much easier to be enthusiastic when you can sit down with a group of people in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, who are concerned about gun crimes in their community and look at how to make their community safer and not be lectured by some bureaucrat in Ottawa."

Mr. LeBlanc stated there will be a "very heavy emphasis on sustainable development and climate change" in platform. And he praised the British Columbia government's climate action proposals, noting his party will be staking out "a very aggressive position that Premier (Gordon) Campbell needs a partner in Ottawa that's willing to do something serious around the climate change crisis and not join a group of climate change deniers in Washington and in Canberra as did Mr. (Stephen) Harper last week." The following is an edited transcript of that interview.

***

Public Eye What is the present status of platform development for the Liberals right now?

Mr. LeBlanc After Mr. Dion became leader in December he, in early January, asked Bob Rae, Scott Brison, myself and a woman called Joan Bourassa from Alberta to basically bring together a group of people that would start to shape a national election platform for an election that we all thought was going to be in the spring. At the time, the working assumption was that it was very likely we would be in a national election sometime after the last Conservative budget. So we were working on a timetable which said we needed to have a platform ready for the leader to make final decisions on by the beginning of April. And we met that deadline. In other words, we had this spring a platform that was largely finalized. He had sort of a few remaining decisions to make - because there's often too many ideas and not enough money. But then, when we realized we didn't have a spring election, we sort of parked that document on the shelf and took a fair bit of time over the summer - both Mr. (Stephane) Dion himself and Brison and Rae and I, including some of the stuff I'm doing in Vancouver tomorrow - to try and add to it or refine it. And, of course, the government's fiscal circumstances changes. We saw some of these surplus numbers last weekend. They're playing a game that they criticized us for doing - hiding big surpluses. Which means the government has more fiscal room than we were budgeting in our platform. So we're going to revise it again. And we will be ready with a platform document for the leader by the time the Throne Speech document is delivered. So in two and a half weeks, we need to be ready again as we were in April with a platform. Sean, there aren't going to be many surprises let's say - in the sense that Mr. Harper has, in our view, failed to deal with the high cost of post-secondary education. He has not done enough, in our view, around poverty - working families and poverty, senior citizens on very modest incomes (many of them widows) or a million children that live in families below the poverty line. He obviously hasn't done enough on climate change. This province is leading the way, in many ways, with Premier Campbell's announcement last week which - in our view - is absolutely in the right direction. Mr. Dion himself and his leadership has talked about three pillars. The platform is going to reflect those ideas. But a very, very heavy emphasis on sustainable development and climate change. And, as I say just in conversations even this morning, we're going to be taking, I hope, a very aggressive position that Premier Campbell needs a partner in Ottawa that's willing to do something serious around the climate change crisis and not join a group of climate change deniers in Washington and in Canberra as did Mr. Harper last week.

Public Eye Now, you mention a very strong focus on the environment and sustainable development (in platform). I wonder how useful that is though from a political, from an election standpoint given the fact that all political parties in this country - including the Conservatives - are making representations on this particular issue? It seems like a motherhood issue at this particular juncture in time.

Mr. LeBlanc Yeah, Sean, that's a fair question. But I think if you ask people, do they believe for a minute that Mr. Harper is sincere about wanting to deal with the climate change crisis or is he simply responding to public opinion polls which show massive support - particularly amongst younger generation voters and arguably people on the West Coast who are, in many ways, leading the issue in terms of Canadian public opinion - I don't think Mr. Harper is sincere at all. If you look at the David Suzukis and the Al Gores and some of the people that seem to be quite positive about the provincial plan here, they have all said that Mr. Harper's intensity based targets, this Pacific group of companies, is basically a refuge for climate change deniers. All the code words are there. Mr. Harper is not interested in hard caps. He's not interested in carbon trading systems. He's not interested in tackling issues as difficult as the oil sands.

Public Eye You mention that, over the summer, you've been further tweaking, further refining the platform. What specifically has that involved - what specifics changes have you made other than simply reacting to government's fiscal position?

Mr. LeBlanc What it probably did Sean is help us over the summer come to terms with the fact that a national election platform can't answer every problem and speak to every regional issue. We have to come up with a number of coherent, cohesive national themes that reflect concrete policy proposals that can be understood by the vast majority of Canadians. Previous platforms - when the Liberals were in government - tended to look like Throne Speeches or federal budgets. A Liberal Party campaigning from opposition needs to realize that we're not tied to every department of finance memo that was ever sent around three years ago.

Public Eye So you're saying there's more blue sky territory in this particular document?

Mr. LeBlanc There's more blue sky and there's a greater opportunity to listen to the grassroots of the Liberal Party. When you're in government - and I can say I've never been a minister - you tend to think that the Ottawa bureaucrats have simple answers to complex problems. They often don't. And we've had to make some tough choices. We'd obviously like to spend very, very large amounts of money on infrastructure. In order to do that, we'd probably have to make some choices around other areas where we're either willing to reduce spending or not move as quickly as we'd like in some other area. In other words, the summer gave us a chance to really sharpen what is the fiscal circumstance of our platform - to make sure it's responsible. And things like a further GST cut down to five percent are completely irresponsible because it's going to take six billion dollars out of the government coffers disproportionately from wealthier people then from lower income people. And it means the government may not have the money to, for example, partner with Premier Campbell on climate change or deal with some of the infrastructure or Gateway challenges that this province is facing.

Public Eye You mentioned the involvement of grassroots. Now, of course, the Red Ribbon Taskforce recommended strong participation from the grassroots of the Liberal Party when it comes to development of the platform. How has that occurred?

Mr. LeBlanc Well, for example, last Friday and Saturday in Ottawa we had a very, very productive two day meeting with the national policy committee of the party which brings together 15 elected policy chairs from each province and territory in Ottawa. These are volunteer party members - but elected to that particular function in their particular province and territory. We had a very good working discussion with those people - and out of that will come some changes to some of the draft documents we prepared. Tonight I'm sitting down with the VP for policy of the Liberal Party of Canada in British Columbia, Nancy Singh. We've brought together from different constituency associations the policy reps. We've been trying to do that. Scott Brison and Bob Rae have done that extensively - as has Mr. Dion. I hosted, for example, in Shediac, New Brunswick on two occasions this summer working groups with local business people - one with Mr. Goodale this past Wednesday and with Mr. Dion himself in Halifax. So, frankly, it's a lot more exciting to work on policy proposal when you don't have the straightjacket of some Ottawa bureaucrat telling you successive governments have only been able to do a, b, c. We're finding it much easier to be enthusiastic when you can sit down with a group of people in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, who are concerned about gun crimes in their community and look at how to make their community safer and not be lectured by some bureaucrat in Ottawa.

Public Eye Are you planning on having regional platforms, as has happened in the past in B.C.?

Mr. LeBlanc Yes, we hope so. I know that the group here has been working on a number of sort of drafts. Mr. Dion has told us that we should encourage the B.C. agenda that has been - to our view - very successful in the past. I know some colleagues of mine from the caucus in this province have been working on with some of the party people. So that answer is yes. Some regions tend to do it - others don't. B.C. and Alberta have traditionally been amongst the most structured and organized (party wings). And, in this province, it's led to considerable success.

Public Eye How useful is it consulting with the grassroots? I'm thinking, in the past, the Kingston Liberal Conference, for example, which was so influential in shaping the future of the Liberal Party...

Mr. LeBlanc ...and the Aylmer Conference.

Public Eye ...that's right - for the most part simply involved, for lack of a better term, big brains not the rank and file. So is this really a helpful process to involve the grassroots?

Mr. LeBlanc I think there's room for both. In other words, you're right. You've identified two of these meetings that were sort of turning points in Liberal Party thinking. But a great deal of the identification of problems and issues is done at the grassroots. In other words, if you bring a group of policy experts together to deal with issues like child poverty, it's only because you're seeing in communities across the country - including this province - way, way too many families with children struggling to pay rent and cover family expenses. Grassroots is sort of a patronizing term, to be honest. I'm not sure that is the right one. We all tend to use it. But public consultations - or even consultations with party members - are most helpful in identifying common problems and frequently common solutions. There's no doubt there's also room for, as you say, big brains or some leading thinkers that get together around a particular problem. And we have done one around the auto sector in Ontario. We're looking at doing one around the forestry industry. This province can teach the rest of the country a lot about some of the challenges here. There's room to do both. Mr. Dion himself has spent a great deal of his life in those policy think tank kinds of discussions. The experience of him going out and doing ordinary, grassroots policy consultation has been very helpful for him. He, perhaps, hasn't been exposed to a great deal of that in his professional career. So he, I know, has said to us over the last six months that for him to get out and have an evening in somebody's kitchen with a group of local businesspeople talking about challenges around infrastructure and urban communities has been good for him too.

Mr. LeBlanc Final question for you: you've spoken a lot about climate action, obviously. But, of course, there is always the issue of healthcare which, arguably, to most Canadians is a more immediate and pressing issue. Where does the party currently stand when it comes to the prominence of healthcare in its platform?

Public Eye You're right to identify that - it's obviously going to be a big part of our platform because it's so important to every part of the country, Canadians in every region of the country. One of the difficulties, from our perspective, is a pretty serious shortage of doctors, nurses and health professionals. It's more acute in some regions of the country than others. It's a big problem in some rural communities. But access to trained healthcare professionals is a problem. The high cost of prescription medication is a problem. And, for example, some parts of the country don't have any catastrophic drug coverage. The big challenge around the delivery of healthcare is it’s a provincial jurisdiction. The federal government has tended to simply be a financial partner - in our view a partner that can be more generous. But it's also got to be in a way that brings about change. To spend more on a healthcare system that doesn't bring about some fundamental restructuring around homecare, community care and PharmaCare and prevention and wellness issues, in our view we're be missing the boat. And, again, my layman's knowledge of British Columbia would tell us we have a lot to learn from this province around some wellness initiatives. My sense is that B.C. is ahead of other jurisdictions in terms of trying to focus resources on health prevention and wellness. Even look at issues as difficult as the drug problems. This province is a leading jurisdiction in trying to tackle difficult questions like illegal drug use in a way, frankly, that's more enlightened than other parts of the country.

The provincial government will be spending up to $2 million to hire a contractor "to lead and manage a comprehensive assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the 2010 Games." But provisions included in the request for proposal for that contractor will open up the assessment process to the possibility of significant interference by the British Columbia Olympic and Paralympic Games secretariat.

According to the document, which was posted on BC Bid last week, the contractor will be responsible for "tracking various economic and social measures, analyzing the results and preparing a series of relevant reports on the findings."

But the "BC Secretariat reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine" which of the measures proposed by the contractor "will be tracked, analyzed and reported. And "the BC Secretariat reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify such economic and social measures and specify additional economic and social measures to be tracked, analyzed and reported by the Contractor as part of the Project."

Moreover, the secretariat "may provide the Contractor with data compiled from other sources from time to time, and that the BC Secretariat may require the Contractor to use such provided data in the Measures." The following is a complete copy of the relevant portion of that document.

***

B. Requirements and Response

1. Summary of the Requirement

The BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat is seeking a response to this Request for Proposals. The BC Secretariat, along with its Partner, the Government of Canada, is interested in a contractor to lead and manage a comprehensive assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the 2010 Games, and of the steps taken by the Partners to maximize the benefits for Canada and British Columbia, by tracking a variety of economic and social measures, analyzing the results, and preparing a series of relevant reports on the findings.

The BC Secretariat is seeking a contractor who is able to provide full-service research and benchmarking services, including both the gathering of data/information and the subsequent analysis and modelling of such data/information, from now through to May 31, 2013. The Contractor will enter into a Contract with the BC Secretariat, but may be asked to liaise with the BC Secretariat’s Partner in this Project.

This Request for Proposals is available in both English and French, with equality of standing.

2. Additional Definitions

In addition to the Request for Proposals Definitions set out in paragraph 1 of Section A, throughout this Request for Proposals, the following definitions will apply:

a) "Partner" means the Government of Canada;
b) "Partners" means, collectively, the BC Secretariat and the Government of Canada;
c) "2010 Games", "Games" and "2010 Winter Games" means the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games;
d) "Approved Economic/Social Measures" means those economic, social, cultural, sport development, and environmental measures approved by the BC Secretariat to be tracked, analyzed and reported by the Contractor as part of the Project;
e) "Benchmark Data" means benchmark data that shows the position for each data point in relation to the Approved Economic/Social Measures as close as possible to the date when the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were handed from Torino to Vancouver (February 27th, 2006);
f) "Scenario Projections" means projections, using the Benchmark Data as a starting point, for each fiscal year ending March 31 from the present through to May 31, 2013, of each data point in relation to the Approved Economic/Social Measures based on the following three scenarios: 1) Had the 2010 Games not been held, 2) Had the 2010 Games been held, but no incremental activity was undertaken by either of the Partners, and 3) Had the 2010 Games been held with full incremental participation by the Partners; and
g) "Project" means the proposed project to be conducted from now through May 31, 2013 whereby the Contractor is to lead and manage a comprehensive assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the 2010 Games, and of the steps taken by the Partners to maximize the benefits for Canada and British Columbia, by tracking a variety of economic and social measures, analyzing the results, and preparing a series of relevant reports on the findings.

3. Ministry Situation/Overview

3.1 The Partner Context

The BC Secretariat and the Government of Canada provide certain funding for the 2010 Games related to such matters as venues and security. The Partners each have an interest in achieving lasting benefits from the hosting and organizing of the 2010 Games. The Partners wish to ensure that the economic, tourism, cultural, sport, and social and environmental opportunities associated with hosting an Olympic event are identified early and realized before, during and after the 2010 Games, and that the realization of such opportunities evolves into enduring legacies for communities and businesses in British Columbia and Canada.

The Partners wish to ensure that the Games reflect and contribute to their priorities and result in sustainable legacies for Canadians across the country. In particular, the Government of Canada’s Federal Policy for Hosting International Sport Events (http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/sc/pol/accueil-host/index_e.cfm) stipulates that the Government of Canada can invest only in events that reap significant sport, economic, social and cultural benefits and, as a result, the Project will measure the 2010 Games against this performance objective, as well as other economic and social measures as discussed below.

3.2 Project Scope

The purpose of this RFP is to select a Contractor to lead and manage a comprehensive assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the 2010 Games, and of the steps taken by the Partners to maximize the benefits for Canada and British Columbia, by tracking various economic and social measures, analyzing the results and preparing a series of relevant reports on the findings. These various economic and social measures to be tracked, analyzed and reported by the Contractor will relate to all of the following topic areas:

a) Economic Development;
b) Business Development;
c) Tourism;
d) Employment;
e) Social Development;
f) Sport Development
g) Environmental Sustainability; and
h) Arts and Culture.

The BC Secretariat is seeking a Contractor who is able to provide full-service research and benchmarking services, as noted above, including both the gathering of data/information and the subsequent analysis and modelling of such data/information, from now through to May 31, 2013. The Contractor will also be expected to liaise with the BC Secretariat, as well as the other Partner as may be required by the BC Secretariat, throughout the duration of the Project.

Appendix B sets out examples of various economic and social measures relating to the above topic areas; however, the BC Secretariat will be relying on Proponents to propose appropriate economic and social measures in relation to the above areas for approval by the BC Secretariat. The BC Secretariat reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine which of the proposed economic and social measures will be tracked, analyzed and reported by the Contractor as part of the Project, and the BC Secretariat reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify such economic and social measures and specify additional economic and social measures to be tracked, analyzed and reported by the Contractor as part of the Project. The economic and social measures proposed by Proponents should also measure the performance of the 2010 Games against the objectives of the Federal Policy for Hosting International Sport Events (http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/sc/pol/accueil-host/index_e.cfm).

A key deliverable of the Project will be for the Contractor to provide the BC Secretariat with a set of benchmark data that shows the position for each data point in relation to the Approved Economic/Social Measures as close as possible to the date when the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were handed from Torino to Vancouver (February 27th, 2006). In relation to pre-existing data, whether owned by the Contractor or acquired/accessed from a third party, the Contractor will ensure that such data is available to be provided to the BC Secretariat for it use and that the BC Secretariat can provide the data to its Partner for the Partner’s use. The Contractor acknowledges that the BC Secretariat may provide the Contractor with data compiled from other sources from time to time, and that the BC Secretariat may require the Contractor to use such provided data in the Measures.

The Project will involve extensive primary and secondary data collection by the Contractor, with such data collection to be fully supported through full disclosure of the sources and relevancy of the data. Proponents will identify in their proposals the economic and social measures that they propose for measuring impacts in the above topic areas and will identify the method(s) that will be employed to measure them.

The use of formulae and modelling tools will be fully disclosed and described in a comprehensive and easily understood manner. If Proponents propose the use of proprietary or confidential methodology, Proponents should be aware that such proprietary or confidential methodology will likely not remain proprietary or confidential, as the various data collection and modelling methods will be disclosed in each of the reports to be prepared and delivered as part of the Project, and the BC Secretariat will likely release such reports to the Partners’ stakeholders, including the general public, the news media, various levels of government, and the business community.

Where applicable, the data collection standards to be employed by the Contractor will meet the standards described in the March 2007 versions of the following documents (available at http://tourismbc.com/template_list_research.asp?id=7147):
a) Guidelines: Survey Procedures for Tourism Economic Impact Assessments of Gated Events and Festivals,
b) Guidelines: Survey Procedures for Tourism Economic Impact Assessments of Ungated or Open Access Events and Festivals, and
c) Guidelines: Survey Procedures for Tourism Economic Impact Assessments of Gated, Permanent Attractions.

The BC Secretariat is looking for a Contractor with expertise in socio-economic research and data analysis and modelling, that demonstrates through examples of previous work that it is able to deliver all deliverables (including the benchmark report, the 5 annual reports, and the final report, all as discussed in the following section) in accordance with the required timeframes, and demonstrates its financial and commercial resilience to complete the Project.

3.2.1 Reporting

The Contractor will prepare annual reports at the conclusion of each fiscal year ending March 31 in which the Contractor will present the actual data points in relation to the Approved Economic/Social Measures for the previous fiscal year(s), ending March 31. The Contractor will also prepare a final comprehensive summary report that includes the actual data points in relation to the Approved Economic/Social Measures for the period beginning February 27, 2006 and ending March 31, 2013 and that summarizes the results for this entire period.

3.2.2 Scenario Projections

Based on the Benchmark Data described above, the Contractor may be required as part of this Project to present Scenario Projections as a means to measure progress. At the sole discretion of the Province, the Contractor may be required to show projections for each fiscal year ending March 31 from the present through to March 31, 2013 of each data point in relation to the Approved Economic/ Social Measures based on the following three scenarios: 1) Had the 2010 Games not been held, 2) Had the 2010 Games been held, but no incremental activity was undertaken by any or all of the Partners, and 3) Had the 2010 Games been held with full incremental participation by the Partners.

The Contractor will present updates/revisions to the Scenario Projections based on these actual data points. These Scenario Projections will provide an updated estimate of what can be achieved, given what has already been achieved to the date of the report.

3.3 Timelines / Deliverables

The Contractor will prepare and deliver a total of 7 reports to the BC Secretariat as part of the Project.

The first comprehensive report, to be prepared and delivered no later than November 30, 2007, will set out the Approved Economic/Social Measures, the collection method and modelling techniques in relation to the Approved Economic/Social Measures, the Benchmark Data, and if required, the Scenario Projections.

The annual reports, to be prepared within 30 days of the conclusion of each fiscal year ending March 31 during the term of the Project other than the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 (that is, the fiscal years ending in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012), will present the actual data points for the previous fiscal year(s) ending March 31. If the Contractor is contracted to provide yearly scenarios projections, the report will also present updates / revisions to the Scenario Projections based on these actual data points.

The final comprehensive summary report, to be prepared and delivered no later than April 30, 2013, will present the actual data points in relation to the Approved Economic/Social Measures for the period beginning February 27, 2006 and ending March 31, 2013 and will summarize the results for this entire period.

After delivery of each report to the BC Secretariat, the BC Secretariat will have 60 days to review each report and provide comments from which the Contractor will make appropriate revisions.

4. Requirements

4.1 Corporate Capability

The BC Secretariat requires a Contractor cap