July 2008 Archives

When last the press asked about the provincial government's lackadaisical efforts to repair its broken lobbyist registry, Attorney General Wally Oppal said his deputy had issued a position paper reviewing the legislation. So has any progress been made since March? Well, speaking with Public Eye on Tuesday, Attorney General Oppal said he has, "met with the privacy commissioner" - who's responsible for the lobbyist registry - "and he has given us a report. And we'll have to study the report and move forward from there." So is there any timeline for moving forward on David Loukidelis's recommendations? "Not really. I just received it about a week and a half ago. We had quite a fruitful meeting. And he's made some suggestions. And we'll have to look at them."

Earlier, we reported the Campbell administration spent $149,726.71 producing videos for the premier's fourth annual innovation and excellence awards. The contract to do that production was given to Big Red Barn Media Group Inc. following a competitive bid process. But not every contractor for the awards ceremonies had to go through such a process. Western Pro Show Rentals Ltd. - which organized the provincial Liberal leader's tour during the 2001 and 2005 election campaigns - was directly awarded the $90,000 contract to provide audio visual services for the awards ceremonies.

Our good friends at Maximus Inc. - the American firm that won the privatization contract to administer PharmaCare and British Columbia's Medical Services Plan - aren't getting much comfort from the southern state of Tennessee. Earlier this month, The Commercial Appeal's Tom Bailey Jr. reported 25th judicial district attorney general Michael Dunavant wouldn't be renewing a five-year, $7.3 million child support services and enforcement contract with the company. According to new release announcing that decision, the contract wasn't renewed because of "declining efficiency in performance measures" and "numerous complaints from clients of the program that the current private company is not effective in serving the best interests of the children of this district." Fancy that! The following is a complete copy of that release.

The B.C. Pavilion Corp.'s most recent annual report concedes the number of days out-of-province delegates spent attending events at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre was "marginally" lower than forecast in fiscal 2007/08. But that difference - 152,000 versus 147,119 delegate days - would have been less marginal if the corporation hadn't lowered that forecast.

The Campbell administration spent $587,791.06 on parties to celebrate civil service achievements, Public Eye has exclusively learned. But the government says such celebrations are needed to help retain and recruit employees in a tight labour market. According to documents obtained via a freedom of information request, the government paid out at least $77,564.63 catering to the dining desires of the 1,813 bureaucrats and guests who were scheduled to attend the premier's fourth annual innovation and excellence awards.

Earlier, we exclusively told you about Sergio and Wendy Cocchia's efforts to develop the government's promised autism education and research centre. But not everyone is supportive of those efforts. In an open letter to Premier Gordon Campbell, Moms on the Move reported that parents surveyed using an informal Web questionnaire had "serious concerns about the process and parameters" used to "notionally" allocated $20 million in government funding toward the centre. But the Autism Community Training Society has conducted it's own consultations with "key individuals in the autism community" and found "the general response to the prospect of having an Autism Centre for B.C. was positive. The general sentiment was that this was an exciting project with enormous potential to improve the situation for families and individuals with autism of all ages." The following is a complete copy of both documents.

Earlier this year, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business welcomed former provincial Liberal operations director Brian Bonney as their new British Columbia director. And, since then, Mr. Bonney has made a number of comments that have put him off-side of the Campbell administration. For example, last month, in an interview with The Province's John Bermingham, Mr. Bonney said, "The dramatic rise in energy prices since the 2008 B.C. budget makes additional taxes unnecessary and even punitive for some" - a reference to the government's new carbon tax. Speaking with The Vancouver Sun's Brian Morton, Mr. Bonney also called on the Campbell administration to "address" flagging small and medium-size business confidence in British Columbia. And, in February, Mr. Bonney called on B.C. Transit to "reconsider" its controversial proposed Douglas Street busway project in Victoria. This, according to the Times Colonist's Andrew Duffy. Fancy that!

Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen says the provincial government has "notionally allocated" $20 million toward the construction of its promised autism education and research centre. In a scrum just before this morning's cabinet meeting, Minister Christensen stated, "It's a throne speech commitment. And it's certainly within the responsibilities of MCFD. And it's something I know there's some good discussions going on about. But we're really waiting to hear back from the community about them fleshing out the idea, in terms of where it might go." In fact, said Minister Christensen, "It's not part of MCFD's budget. What we've looked at is the potential capital cost of a project. But it really does need to be fleshed out. It's very early days in terms of what the project might be." Yesterday, Public Eye exclusively reported on hotel and spa owners Sergio and Wendy Cocchia involvement with the centre.

Former public service agency deputy minister Vince Collins's company continues to receive big transfers from the provincial government - $363,950 in fiscal 2006/07 and $401,867 in fiscal 2007/08. But the company owned by his old civil service colleague Lee Donney - RLD Strategies Inc. - received even bigger transfers in this past fiscal year - $579,241. That's an increase of $292,289 over fiscal 2006/07.

In an interview with Public Eye, hotel and spa owner Sergio Cocchia said he's discussed having the provincial government commit $20 million toward building a autism education and research centre with Premier Gordon Campbell. Mr. Cocchia says he doesn't know whether that funding has been approved. But he and his wife Wendy have already started raising money for that centre. Last month, The Vancouver Sun's Malcolm Parry reported Ms. Cocchia's annual Women's Media Golf Classic "raised the tourney's reported $2.7 million past earnings by '$90,000 and counting' for a new Pacific Autism Family Centre." Attendees at the fundraiser's banquet included Premier Campbell.

Earlier, Autism Community Training Society executive director Clair Schuman told us Premier Gordon Campbell had approached hotel and spa owners Sergio and Wendy Cocchia about developing an autism education and research centre. But, in an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Cocchia said it was actually the other way around. "Wendy and I have approached the premier on many, many occassions and spoke to him about the need for more services and more help for families with autism and had spoken to him about our thought of building an autism centre for British Columbia," said Mr. Cocchia, who has an autistic son. "We've been speaking to the premier about this every opportunity we get."

Premier Gordon Campbell has reportedly approached hotel and spa owners Sergio and Wendy Cocchia about developing a promised autism education and research centre. And he's committed $20 million toward building that centre, which was announced in the government's February 2008 throne speech. This, according to an account of a meeting that took place last Thursday at the couple's Century Plaza Hotel and Spa.

British Columbia Railway Co.'s president and chief executive officer has been pummelled by the press for making $569,975 to preside over a Crown corporation with 30 full-time equivaliences that missed two of its key performance targets and posted operating losses of $17.3 million in its most recent fiscal year. But at least Kevin Mahoney seems be sharing his largess. Because, according to Elections British Columbia, a contributor with the same name made two $2,990 donations to the provincial Liberals in 2005. Mr. Mahoney didn't return a call requesting comment made last week.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, past and present Vancouver school trustees Jane Bouey and Eleanor Gregory discuss the provincial government's recent decision to give itself the power to deny services to developmentally disabled adults with IQs over 70. Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society presdient Dave Neads discusses the risks associated with British Columbia's new bioenergy strategy. And information and privacy commissioner David Loukidelis talks about why the government can't seem to process freedom of information requests on time. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - will 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 or leave a comment below.

In June, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported "a $3.5-billion proposed class-action lawsuit has been launched on behalf of addicted gamblers who allege they asked to be barred from Ontario's casinos, but were still allowed in. The suit was filed against the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. in Toronto on Tuesday, claiming the corporation did not do enough for those who signed up for 'self-exclusion,' a program that allows people to have themselves banned from casinos so that they can curb their ruinous gambling habits." So, last night on Voice of BC we asked Social Development Minister Rich Coleman whether he thought the British Columbia Lottery Corp. was doing enough to enforce its own responsible gambling program.

One of Premier Gordon Campbell's former top advisors says the government needs to "let the reigns go a bit" if it wants British Columbians to support its controversial carbon tax. In an exclusive interview with Public Eye, Louise Comeau said government, instead of doing all the work itself, should be "investing" in community groups that can get people involved with the administration's climate action initiative.

We've spilled much ink ruminating on BC Railway Co. president and chief executive officer Kevin Mahoney's compensation package. But, as reported today by the Times Colonist's Les Leyne's, Mr. Mahoney isn't the only one earning big bucks at that Crown corporation. All totalled, it's five highest paid executives - including the president and chief executive officer - made $1.6 million. To put that in perspective, that's 40 percent of the corporation's labour costs and 9 percent of its revenue. Mr. Leyne also reported the fact BC Railway executives have previously had discretionary allowances, as well as lunch club and golf memberships. But the corporation's board resolved to discontinue those policies on April 2, 2008.

You might be excused for not noticing the premiers' agreement on labour market mobility at last week's meeting of the Council of the Federation. Scant media attention gets paid to what might seem to be mundane matters of public policy or government pronouncements that actually constitute good news. But it was one of the more important public policy developments in Canada in some time for at least two reasons.

Earlier, we exclusively reported the Pacific Carbon Trust expects to be annually purchasing between 600,000 to 900,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission offsets by 2010 to compensate for the provincial government's greenhouse gas emissions. But what does that mean to taxpayers? Well, in an email to Public Eye, the finance ministry acknowledged the price of those offsets can "vary quite widely." So "full cost information will not be available until the market has been fully tested through a procurement process." Nevertheless, the province earlier announced public sector organizations will initially be required to pay the trust $25 for each tonne of emissions they need offset. "From this revenue," the finance ministry added, it's expected the trust will "recover all costs (offset acquisition, operational expenses, administration overhead) associated with acquiring qualifiying GHG offsets and providing them to PSOs." Which means government could be spending up to $22.5 million each year on carbon credits by 2010.

Back in March, the Times Colonist's Lindsay Kines reported fixing the government's broken Lobbyists Registration Act wasn't "high on the government's priority list." Although Attorney General Wally Oppal did say his deputy had issued a position paper reviewing the legislation. So what does that paper say? Well, according to a heavily blanked-out copy obtained by Public Eye via a freedom of information request, the ministry acknowledged "the 'search' and public reporting features of the registry produce limited information." And "a frequent criticism of the province's legislation is that it does not provide the registrar with powers of...enforcement. Compliance with the Act is reliant on self-disclosure on the part of lobbyists." The government has severed sections of the paper detailing what it may do about those criticisms. Although a half-severed sentence notes "...pacity for the office of the registrar and could heighten public expectations of...forcement activity." The nine-page paper, which was still in draft form at the time Attorney General Oppal spoke with Mr. Kines, is dated December 6, 2007.

BC Railway Co. president and chief executive officer Kevin Mahoney has a base salary of $275,000, receiving $137,500 in incentive plan payments and another $157,475.46 in other benefits. That's a smaller compensation package than his predecessor Bob Phillips, who had a base salary of $350,000 and was eligible to receive a performance bonus of up to $210,000. But it's bigger than Mr. Phillips' predecessor Mark Mudie. According to The Vancouver Sun's Neal Hall, Mr. Mudie was making "a base salary of $270,000 a year and expected a year-end performance bonus of $108,000" at the time he was fired, on August 23, 2002. "BC Rail also paid him $900 a month car allowance and membership at the Terminal City Club as part of his benefits package. In a court affidavit, he said he was accustomed to making $400,000 a year in salary and benefits."

The Campbell administration's Pacific Carbon Trust expects to be annually purchasing between 600,000 to 900,000 tonnes of carbon offsets by 2010 to compensate for the provincial government's greenhouse gas emissions. And the trust is looking for organizations to buy those offsets from. This, according to a document quietly posted on BC Bid this past Friday. The trust hasn't said what price it will pay for those offsets - which must be "credible" and "BC-based." But, according to May 2008 report on the voluntary carbon market by Ecosystem Marketplace and New Carbon Finance, the range of prices for offsets "again showed huge variation" in 2007 - ranging from $1.80 and $300.27 per tonne.

Earlier, we reported on how the Pacific Northwest Economic Region has been restricting access to its annual summit - this, despite a claim by British Columbia's then minister of state for intergovernmental relations John Van Dongen that it would be "open to the public." And here's another example: according to the summit's program, there will be three invitation-only roundtables - including one on border issues moderated by Minister Van Dongen, the province's new solicitor general. Fancy that! The following is a complete copy of the descriptions of those roundtables.

Back in May, the ministry of children and family development stated it "publicly reports on 17 performance measures." At the time, only 15 of those measures were available - with two scheduled for inclusion in its forthcoming annual service plan report. But it seems those two new measurements aren't yet ready to make their big appearance. According to that annual report, which was released last week, the ministry will now be monitoring whether its regional governance models "align with unique community-based strengths, priorities and challenges." And it will be making sure its employees "are fully engaged, healthy and contributing to transformation in their work environment." But the indicators for those performance measures are still "under development."

Earlier, we reported BC Railway Co. chief executive officer Kevin Mahoney was paid handsomely for his services during the Crown corporation's most recent fiscal year - receiving $569,975 in salary and benefits. But, despite that compensation package, BC Railway missed two of its key performance measures. As part of its commitment to "wind down or exit" the corporation's assets, BC Railway committed to transfer 95 of its property titles in 2007 and gain $75.4 million from the disposal of that property. Instead, the corporation transferred just 20 titles and gained $19.8 million. All but three of BC Railway's performance measures concern monitoring and reporting out on the Crown corporation's lease agreements.

Last week, we gave a number of reasons why it wasn't apt to justify BC Railway Co. president and chief executive officer Kevin Mahoney's $569,975 compensation package by comparing him to Canadian Pacific Railway Co. president and chief executive officer Fred Green. After all, Canadian Pacific, unlike BC Railway, is a functioning railway company with revenues 259 times higher than the Crown corporation. And here's another reason such a comparison is unwarranted: the corporation has 30 full-time equivalencies whereas Canadian Pacific has 15,382 or 513 times more. Fancy that!

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, provincial New Democrat citizens' services critic Katrine Conroy shares her thoughts on the government's most recent outsourcing initiative. No One Is Illegal organizer Harsha Walia discusses why she's going to be protesting the Pacific Northwest Economic Region's annual summit. And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - will 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 or leave a comment below.

The British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union was one of Carole James's biggest backers during the 2003 provincial New Democrat leadership, with its staff fund contributing $4,600 to her campaign. And Ms. James received a personal endorsement and $500 donation from union president George Heyman. But the New Democrats are still ten percentage points behind the Liberals according to the latest Mustel Research Group Ltd. poll. So, last night on Voice of BC, we asked Mr. Heyman, "Five years after, how do you think your investment is doing?"

BC Railway Co. may have leased its tracks to Canadian National Railway Co. and ceased its freight operations. But, according to executive compensation figures released today by the Campbell administration, BC Railway's president and chief executive officer Kevin Mahoney - who manages a corporation that had revenues of $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 - is the fourth highest paid public sector employee, receiving $569,975 in salary and benefits. In an apparent attempt to justify that compensation package, a provincial government backgrounder compared his salary to Canadian Pacific Railway Co. president and chief executive officer Fred Green, who earns $2.9 million and manages a corporation that had revenues of $4.7 billion over the same time period.

It's been four months since the Campbell administration fired former Sierra Club of Canada president Louise Comeau, the outreach and strategic engagement director for the government's embattled climate action initiative. That post, according to the government's directory, remains vacant. This, despite the fact government launched a search to find a replacement for Ms. Comeau. But the climate action secretariat is now hiring an executive project director who will be "responsible for directing, implementing and coordinating across government the integration, delivery, and communication of the Climate Action Plan, the Green Cities initiative and the Water Plan - where these three plans overlap." The following is a complete copy of that posting.

Earlier, we exclusively reported the provincial government has put the knife in a major potential information technology deal with IBM Canada Ltd. In an email to Public Eye, the ministry of labour and citizens' services declined to elaborate on the reasons it couldn't "reach a satisfactory contract" with the company because "the procurement process is still in progress." And that's also why the ministry has declined to reveal the value of that contract. Although the labour and citizens' services did say there was "no mechanism or obligation to make any payments" to IBM as part of the negotiation process.

Back in November 2004, EDS Canada Inc. was awarded a controversial contract by the provincial government to maximize British Columbia's revenue collection services. This being the same contract that awarded EDS "unexpected 'windfall' profits thanks to inaccurate baseline information from the ministry of health. But, despite the "delays and increased costs" that resulted in EDS "negotiating an extension to certain delivery deadlines," the ministry of small business and revenue still won an award for that project. In November 2007, the Canadian Information Technology Productivity Association gave the ministry a gold award of excellence "for exceptional application of information technology to transform processes and bring benefits to its stakeholders." Fancy that!

The Campbell administration has put the knife in a major potential information technology deal with IBM Canada Ltd., Public Eye has exclusively learned. On January 31, the administration told staff it had select the company to provide mainframe, hosting and data center services to the provincial government. At the time, workplace technology services assistant deputy minister Jill Kot said "in the next steps of the project we will undertake due diligence and commence contract negotiations" with the company. But that's when the deal went sour.

In an earlier interview with Public Eye, then minister of state for intergovernmental relations John Van Dongen rejected suggestions the Pacific Northwest Economic Region providing additional access to its summit sponsors. Because, according to Minister Van Dongen, that summit - which gets underway in Vancouver next weekend - will be "open to the public." But attendees will have to pay at least $100 for that privilege. And at least one applicant has had her request for a complimentary press pass denied.

Last week, The Vancouver Courier's Sandra Thomas quoted Non-Partisan Association councillor Kim Capri as saying she's had people "encourage" her to seek the provincial Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Fairview, adding "it's too early to say anything else." But if she did run, would Rick Peterson
- who's already making a bid for that nomination - step aside? In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Peterson said he's received a number of emails today suggesting Ms. Capri won't actually be putting her name on the ballot. But, even if Ms. Capri does enter the race, Mr. Peterson says he won't be dropping out. "We're fully committed to running and not really paying attention to who's looking at coming in or not. We're out selling memberships. We've got people on the streets now, meetings that we're holding. It's going really well Sean. So we're full-speed ahead." Moreover, Mr. Peterson, confirmed "no one has ever talked to him about stepping aside."

More Vision Vancouver council nomination news: Dimitri Douzenis is announcing tomorrow that he'll be seeking a slot of the civic association's slate. Mr. Douzenis, the vice-president of the Hellenic-Canadian Congress of BC, "completed an Arts & Science Diploma at Langara College before pursuing further undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Québec, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Australia. His international education includes multiple languages, political science, sociology, diplomacy, and law - expertise that can be directly applied to the high demands of governance in Vancouver." This, according to the Facebook group promoting his candidacy. The following is a complete copy of the invite to the aforementioned announcement.

Last week, respected Pivot Legal Society lawyer David Eby announced he would be running for a Vision Vancouver council nomination. And he's not the only headlining British Columbian seeking a slot on that slate, rather than making a bid for provincial office as a New Democrat candidate. Also in the running are BC Society for Public Education chair Catherine Evans and former British Columbia Federation of Labour executive director Geoff Meggs. This, despite the fact Vancouver councillors make $55,629 annually - $20,471 less than a New Democrat legislator. So why did they choose to act civicly rather than provincially? The following are their answers.

So if Heather Harrison isn't going to run for the provincial New Democrat nomination in Vancouver-Fairview, who will? Well, our understanding is former Coalition of Progressive Electors parks board candidate Jenn McGinn is considering making a bid to be the party's by-election candidate. Ms. McGinn, the president of the New Democrat's Vancouver-Burrard constituency association, is presently an account manager with Vancity Credit Union's community business banking team.

Earlier, we reported Heather Harrison might run to be a Vision Vancouver council candidate - or the New Democrat's Vancouver-Fairview by-election candidate. So which will it be? Well, in an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Harrison said it would be "fair" to say won't be politicking provincially. And as for her civic ambitions? "Let's put it this way: I'm working on an announcement."

The province's chief nurse executive has been restructured out of her job. In an email sent to staff last week, health services deputy minister Gordon Macatee told them "the work currently carried out within the Patient Safety, Clinical Innovation and Chief Nurse Executive Division would fit more appropriately in other areas of the Ministry. As a result, Paula Bond is leaving the Ministry and her ADM role will not be refilled. I want to thank Paula for her contributions to the ministry, to nursing in the province and to the system redesign projects she has lead." The following is a complete copy of that email, which was distributed last week.

North Vancouver city councillor Bob Fearnley is refusing to say if he's helping West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country parliamentarian Blair Wilson polish his tarnished image. "I can't tell you anything about it right now," he told Public Eye - adding his reason for not anwering our question will "become clear in the next little while. But, anyway, I don't really have anything to say right now."

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, provincial New Democrat housing critic Diane Thorne shares her thoughts on the concerns surrounding the construction of five and six storey wood-frame buildings. Council of Canadians British Columbia regional organizer Carleen Pickard and former federal Green leader Joan Russow share their thoughts on the Pacific Northwest Economic Region's upcoming annual summit. And Pivot Legal Society lawyer David Eby discusses why he's running for local and not provincial politics. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - will 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 or leave a comment below.

Earlier, we reported on the seismic concerns associated with allowing the construction of five and six storey wood-frame buildings. But that's not the only controversy surrounding such buildings. Last month, the United Kingdom's Building magazine noted on May 17, "a six-storey building in Edinburgh became the seventh large multistorey timber-frame structure in two years to be destroyed by fire." One such fire in Colindale prompted the country's Fire Protection Association to question whether "timber construction should be used for high-rise buildings."

Senior engineers are raising questions about the government's recently-announced promise to allow the construction of five and six storey wood-frame buildings. In an interview with Public Eye, University of British Columbia earthquake engineer facility director Carlos Ventura said he's not aware of any international guidelines for the construction of earthquake-safe wooden buildings of that height. "It's possible," he added. "But we haven't seen any technical documentation that will help engineers have some peace of mind or not be so concerned."

Last month, Vancouver planning commissioner Mike Klassen created the Axe the Carbon Consumption Tax Axers - a now defunct Facebook group supporting the Campbell administration's carbon tax. And now another such has such group has been formed - Lead the Way - to "stand up for the environment." According to the group's description, "What Carole James, the NDP, and other BC Carbon Tax dectrators don't understand is that this tax is bigger than just a tax - it's a tax aimed at changing the lifestyles of British Columbians." Indeed, according to group admin James Plett, "What the NDP has done has made the environment a political issue when it isn't - it is a moral issue, one that we should all actively want to fix. While the B.C. Liberals have enacted legislation to make BC a greener place, the NDP has done absolutely nothing - not just nothing in fact, but the exact opposite. The NDP has, by voting against every piece of green legislation introduced, voted against the environment." Harsh words, indeed - although perhaps not surprising. After all, Mr. Plett is the young provincial Liberal's communications director. The following is a complete copy of the group's description.

Back in March, The Vancouver Sun's Frances Bula reported "one potential (Vision Vancouver) council candidate who won't be running is David Eby, the lawyer for Pivot Legal who has been such an articulate champion on Downtown Eastside housing issues. Eby said it's just not the right time for him, for personal reasons." But our understanding is that may have changed. And now a Facebook group - David Eby for Vancouver City Council! - has been established by BC Health Coalition medicare campaigner Leslie Dickout to "encourage" him to make the run. The following is a complete copy of the description of that group.

Long-time education advocate Patti Bacchus isn't the only one announcing her intent to run for a Vision Vancouver nomination tomorrow. BC Society for Public Education president Catherine Evans is also going to be launching her campaign for a seat on the civic association's council slate. Last year, Ms. Evans ran for the federal Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Quadra against Joyce Murray. The following is a complete copy of the invite to that launch.

Last month, Vision Vancouver chosen Gregor Robertson as its mayoral candidate. But who will be the non-incumbent candidates running on the civic association's slate, you may wonder? Well, Geoff Meggs has already declared he'll be running for a council nomination - as has Kerry Jang And, as of tomorrow, they'll have some company. Because that's when long-time education advocate Patti Bacchus will announce her intent to run for a Vision Vancouver school board nomination - having already launched a Website to promote that bid.

By 2015, 45 percent of provincial government managers will be eligible for retirement. But it looks like the Campbell administration is already having trouble filling those posts. For example: last month, labour and citizens services quietly announced it would directly awarding a contract worth up to $75,000 to Nancy Keehr, who was retiring as the information systems director with the ministry's accomodation and release services division. According to a document posted on BC Bid, "attempts to fill the position of Director were unsuccessful." And, because Ms. Keehr "possesses unique knowledge about ARES and it's current projects" she's been re-hired to transfer her knowledge to "the current acting Information Systems Director of Information Management" and "provide mentoring to IS staff" among other services. The following is a complete copy of the notice to intent to award that contract, which has an end date of September 30 with an option to renew for an additional six months.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, Victoria mayoral hopeful Stan Sipos discusses his candidacy. Canadian Office and Professional Employees Local 378 communications director Mike Bruce talks about BC Hydro Corp.'s attempt to increase support for independent power producers among First Nations leaders.And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - will 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 or leave a comment below.

Last month, incumbent candidate Sam Sullivan lost the Non-Partisan Assocation's mayoral nomination to councillor Peter Ladner. So it should come as no surprise the mayor's chief of staff Daniel Fontaine is also departing politics. In an email to friends, Mr. Fontaine writes "that effective August 18th, I will be moving on from the Mayor's Office and will start my new position as the Vice-President of Communications and Marketing for MITACS (The Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems)." The following is a complete copy of that email.

There's been a lot of criticism about Carole James's performance as provincial New Democrat leader. So, last night, on Voice of BC, we asked legislator Leonard Krog - who ran against her for the party leadership - whether he thinks he could have done a better job. The response: "That is a cheeky question, Sean...I think Carole's doing a good job, and I think British Columbians, the more they get to know her, appreciate that. Frankly, I'll take Carole James over Gordon Campbell any day."

On Wednesday, TransLink announced Thomas Prendergast, who ran subway and commuter rail systems for New York's Metropolitan Transportation, had been hired as the regional transportation authority's new chief executive officer. That quite a catch. So it seems somewhart coincidental that, yesterday, TransLink quietly began looking for an "external independent professional compensation consultant" to advise its human resource and compensation committee on "compensation matters, particularly as they relate to the Chief Executive Officer and other Officers of TransLink." But, in an interview with Public Eye, TransLink corporate and public affairs vice-president Bob Paddon assured us that contract is "not related at all to Tom. We do compensation reviews from time to time - looking at executive compensation in the organization. And that has no relationship to Tom's arrival here." Mr. Prendergast's starting salary will be $325,000 per year.

Last year, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called for a "moratorium on all private power facility development on rivers and streams." And, as recently as February, union president Stewart Phillip told The Tyee's Colleen Kimmett such development "flies in the face of everything we consider important." But it looks like BC Hydro Corp. is trying to soften those hard feelings. In an letter sent last month to aboriginal leaders, the corporation invites them to attend a "Clean Power Call information session that is specifically for First Nations on July 10, 2008 at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel." And BC Hydro must really want those leaders to attend. Because the corporation "will cover travel and accommodation costs for one participant from a First Nations community to reduce the expenses associated with attending this meeting so that First Nations representatives from across the Province are able to participate." The following is a complete copy of that invite.

Last month, Joan McIntyre was appointed the Campbell administration's new minister of state for intergovernmental relations. So, given her new responsibilities, we thought it might be prudent to ask Ms. McIntyre what measures she intends to take to ensure there isn't a conflict between her role as a member of British Columbia's executive council and her husband Andrew Pottinger's activities as a registered lobbyist.

British Columbia's new tourism, culture and the arts minister is owed money by a Cranbrook guide outfitting company. This, according to Bill Bennett's most recent public dislcosure statement. In an interview with Public Eye, Minister Bennett explained he was a Height of the Rockies Adventure Co. Ltd. shareholder prior to the 2001 election. "I sold my shares. But the company couldn't afford to pay me my shareholder loan. So, in corporate terms, the loan converted from being a shareholder loan to just a straight term loan with no conditions of repayment. So the company owes me - and, again, I don't have my records - but I think it's between $60,000 and $70,000. And I obviously would like to get paid. But the company doesn't make a lot of money. So they haven't been able to repay me."

The Harper administration has appointed a communications consultant with federal Conservative connections to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. In a news release announcing the appointment, Canadian Heritage Minister Josee Verner said Steve Simpson's "varied experience in broadcasting and information technology will be highly useful to the CRTC." But what that release doesn't mention is the fact that experience includes doing advertising for the Conservatives in British Columbia. Nor does it mention the fact, Mr. Simpson has worked on at least three political campaigns headed by Colin Metcalfe, the Harper administration's regional affairs director in this province. Those campaigns include the Knowwards Coalition and Sam Sullivan's successful bid to become Vancouver's mayor in 2005.

Earlier, we reported Coalition of Progressive Electors external co-chairperson Ellen Woodsworth took an apparent poke at Vision Vancouver in a recent fundraising email - noting her party's finances "are not supplemented by money from the developers or the gambling industry or big businesses." But, in an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Woodsworth said that wasn't her intention. According to the former councillor, the email "wasn't meant to be directed at Vision. The NPA takes gambling and developers money. Most of the major parties do...I think all I'm trying to say is that we don't have access to big chunks of funding. We're funded mainly by individuals and, at election time, the unions do make contributions. But mostly our day-to-day funding comes from individual people giving donations to us."

Unfortunate news for readers of The Vancouver Sun: in a posting today on her blog, Frances Bula announced she has resigned from the newspaper. Ms. Bula didn't give any reasons for her departure. But she promised she'll be "continuing with other forms of journalism, including blogging." And what will those other forms be, you may wonder? Well, our understanding is she'll be contributing a civic affairs column to Vancouver Magazine.

Given the provincial Liberal's propensity for hand-picking candidates, there was never any doubt Moira Stilwell, the head of nuclear medicine at Saint Paul's and Surrey Memoiral hospitals, would be running for the party in Vancouver-Langara during the next election. Nevertheless, in an email to supporters, Dr. Stilwell writes she could have never done so "without your help." Which is why she's invited them to a party on July 8. The following is a copy of that invite.

The Coalition of Progressive Electors claims it's looking forward to sitting down with Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson to discuss a "joint mayor, joint slate, co-operative campaign and common platform." This, according to an email sent to coalition members by the association's external co-chairperson Ellen Woodsworth. So eyebrows were raised when Ms. Woodsworth from seemed to take a poke at Vision Vancouver in her invitation to the coalition's upcoming summer barbeque fundraiser.

Provincial Conservative leader Wilf Hanni has confirmed he may be running as a candidate in the upcoming Vancouver-Fairview by-election. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Hanni said he's considering "whether I can devote the time to it. And whether our party can raise enough money to mount a reasonable campaign. And I think probably we'll be able to do both those things." Mr. Hanni said he'll making a decision about running "probably by August."

Last month, Vision Vancouver mayoral hopeful Gregor Robertson resigned his seat in the provincial legislature. Rick Peterson is already running
for the provincial Liberal nomination in that riding. But who will be New Democrat candidate in Vancouver-Fairview when the by-election is called? Could it be former Kwantlen University College philosophy instructor and former Vision Vancouver executive member Heather Harrison? Well, in an interview with Public Eye, "My understanding is there's lots and lots of women interested in running. So I don't feel compelled to do so. I'm thinking about it. But I'm also very, very excited about the Vision Vancouver team that's coming together. And I think it looks like we've got a very good chance of taking city hall. So I'm still thinking about my options" - a reference to earlier suggestions she run to join Vision Vancouver's city council slate.