September 2008 Archives

Tomorrow morning, on Public Eye Radio, Saanich-Gulf Islands Green hopeful Andrew Lewis talks about his bid to oust incumbent Conservative candidate Gary Lunn. 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.

Today, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell released a booklet to "inform global markets and consumers about B.C. forests and how they produce renewable, climate-friendly products that sequester carbon." That booklet also "highlights forest industry accomplishments with respect to climate change." which is all well and good. But let's not forget this booklet does exactly what the industry wanted government to do. Back in February, International Forest Products Ltd. vice president Ric Slaco delivered a presentation to a Campbell administration climate action meeting. And during that presentation, he argued "Climate Change represents opportunity to revitalize and reposition forest industry." And he urged urged government to "profile forests and forest products as important carbon sinks," "put BC's practices in a world context" and expand "international market development activites."

Federal Liberal Delta-Richmond East candidate Dana Miller says she wasn't comparing the Harper administration's propaganda to that of the Nazis. At issue: on September 5, in a blog posting entitled "John Cummins' Propaganda Part I," Ms. Miller wrote the word propaganda is defined by the Canadian Gage Dictionary as the "systematic efforts to spread opinions or beliefs, especially by distortion and deception: The Nazis were experts in propaganda." The candidate then detailed how the Harper administration has broken three of its 2004 campaign promises, accusing Mr. Cummins - the incumbent Tory candidate - of being "complicit with the distortion and deception of this Conservative government."

In December 2005, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Bill Barisoff appointed provincial Liberal campaigner Louise Burgart to the supposedly non-partisan electoral boundaries commission. But that appointment didn't work out too well because - three months later - Ms. Burgart resigned following sustained coverage of her partisan background. Still, don't feel too sorry for the Apex Mountain Resort owner. After all, last Thursday, the Campbell administration appointed the former BC School Superintendents' Association president to the University of North British Columbia's board of governors. Fancy that!

Earlier, we reported the "apolitical" Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre donated four tickets that were auctioned off at the provincial Liberal's annual Leader's Open Golf Tournament. But this isn't the first time the aquarium, a registered charity, has made political headlines. In 2005, The Georgia Straight's Charlie Smith reported the aquarium's president and chief executive officer John Nightingale sent an email to the charity's members prior to the last civic election "highlighting" statements made by various park board candidates. According to Mr. Smith, Mr. Nightingale noted "the aquarium couldn't tell its members which candidates to support." Although the aquarium president did state, "If you care about your Aquarium, and the animals that live there, don't let a small group of activists decide our future. Vote wisely on November 19 and ask your friends and family to do the same."

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, a registered charity, bills itself as "apolitical." But it donated free tickets to a provincial Liberal fundraiser. And, as a result of the incident, the aquarium says it will now be reviewing its donation policy. Four tickets (valued at $19.95 each) were part of a silent auction at the provincial Liberal's annual Leader's Open Golf Tournament, held earlier this month and attended by Gordon Campbell. In an interview with Public Eye, aquarium spokesman Kent Hurl explained, "We had a prizing request that actually came through one of our partner PR firms" - PACE Communications Group Inc., the company headed by prominent Liberal supporter Norman Stowe. "So we donated prizing to that event in the same way we donated prizing to hundreds of other community and charity events through the year...It's just based on a promotional opportunity."

The Campbell administration's climate action secretariat has hired some extra help. New Direction Resource Management Ltd. president Bill Bourgeois has been awarded an untendered seven month contract to advise on forestry issues, as well as the "throne speech commitment to involve First Nations in economic opportunities provided by the transition to a low carbon economy." As a consultant, Dr. Bourgeois has been "a strategic advisor for coastal forest companies regarding the implementation of ecosystem-based management and industry-NGO-First Nations relationships."

Earlier, we reported the maximum payable salary gap between assistant deputy ministers and their immediate subordinates is now $84,684.26. That's $35,000 or 70.44 percent higher than it was before last month's compensation framework adjustments. So is Premier Gordon Campbell concerned about that gap? In an interview with Public Eye, Premier Campbell said, "the executive directors are covered by the contractual agreements that we've already got in place - which puts them about number three in Canada. Secondly, I think you've got to remember the executive directors and people that are covered by those contracts get an annual increase in their salaries. That's not something that happens with us, automatically, in the public sector leadership. Finally, it's important to say they will have a re-negotiated contract in 2010 as well."

The provincial government has increased the salaries of its top bureaucrats by an average of 7.38 percent or $14,960 to $217,758. That announcement follows the Campbell administration's controversial decision to increase the maximum payable salary range for deputy and assistant deputy ministers by 34.93 and 21.88 percent respectively. The government has refused to release the names of which deputy ministers are getting raises because those selections were made on the basis of job performance. But, for her own part, Jessica McDonald, the premier's deputy minister, "has opted not to accept any increase at this time...as a gesture to show that this was never about money." This, according to an information bulletin released by the government.

Earlier, we reported the provincial government would be delivering a technical briefing concerning its controversial decision to increase the maximum payable salaries for deputy and assistant deputy ministers. That 90 minute briefing took place at 10:00. But there was concern from some members of the press gallery that the briefing was conducted on a not-for-attribution basis. In fact, reporters weren't even allowed to tape the meeting. And the government appears to also be limiting its exposure by offering reporters one-on-one interviews with Premier Gordon Campbell regarding the matter, rather than holding a press conference - which could result in more aggressive questions from the media.

The children and family development ministry refused Public Eye access to controversial correspondence between its top bureaucrat and the province's independent child protection watchdog. That correspondence - which included allegations the government left vulnerable children in homes it judged unsafe - was obtained via a separate request filed with the children and youth representative's office. The ministry denied Public Eye's earlier freedom of information request on the grounds the records were prepared for the representative - an independent officer of the legislature. Under section 3(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, that means those records are exempt from disclosure.

Tomorrow morning, on Public Eye Radio, Victoria federal New Democrat incumbent Denise Savoie talks about her bid to return to Ottawa. 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 week, The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer reported the provincial government is "individually reviewing each of the more than 100 deputy and assistant deputy ministers" to determine how much of a pay hike they'll receive. This, after the government made a controversial decision to increase their maximum payable salaries - by up to 21.88 percent for assistant deputies, 34.93 percent for deputies and 42.91 percent for the deputy to the premier. According to Mr. Palmer "the Liberals say the actual increases" for individual bureaucrats "will be nothing like the maximums," with the result "scheduled to be release this month." And our understanding is that announcement - which could be made early next week - may include a technical briefing for the media, followed by comments from a public official.

Look who's been appointed to the province's small business roundtable! Why it's none other than Retail Council of Canada British Columbia government relations and member services director Max Logan. The news release announcing that appointment refers to Mr. Logan as having "worked as a communications director in several government ministries." But our readers will better know him as Carole Taylor's senior aide when she was finance minister. In October 2007, the then minister said neither she nor her office would have any contact with Mr. Logan for one year. This, upon learning that he would be joining the council.

Provincial New Democrat leader Carole James says Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen has some "explaining" to. This, following an exclusive report by Public Eye that the province's independent children and youth watchdog concluded last year that the ministry's top bureaucrat had abandoned the Hughes Review recommendations. The recommendations were made by former conflict of interest commissioner Ted Hughes to improve the province's child protection system following the tragic death of toddler Sherry Charlie.

Last year, the province's child protection watchdog concluded the ministry of children and family development had abandoned the Hughes Review recommendations. This, according to correspondence exclusively obtained by Public Eye via a freedom of information request. The ministry's top bureaucrat disputed Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond's conclusion. Although, Lesley du Toit conceded those recommendations weren't being used as "blueprint."

The province's top children and family development bureaucrat appears to have had a conflicted relationship with British Columbia's independent child protection watchdog. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is the children and youth representative - a post that was created in 2006 to safeguard the child protection system following the tragic death of toddler Sherry Charlie. Lesley du Toit is the deputy minister of the ministry of children and family development - which was criticized by Ms. Turpel-Lafond in November 2007 for being slow to enact reforms. Evidence of the conflict emerges from correspondence exclusively obtained by Public Eye via a freedom of information request. Among the examples:

The Campbell administration left vulnerable children in homes it judged unsafe, according to British Columbia's independent child protection watchdog. Public Eye exclusively learned about the controversy in records obtained via a freedom of information request. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond says she's launched an unprecedented audit that will investigative this and related matters. But the ministry of children and family development says it's already responding to the children and youth representative's concerns.

Last month, while speaking at the opening of provincial Liberal Juan de Fuca candidate Jody Twa's campaign office, Premier Gordon Campbell told supporters the New Democrats "represent a party that's voted against every single one of the 103 tax cuts" the Campbell administration has introduced since 2001. And, at the Leader's Open Golf Tournament on Friday, Premier Campbell rolled out the same numbers while addressing attendees. So perhaps this will become a major part of the Liberal's message box during the lead-up to the next election - pushing back against carbon tax critics on the right and reminding his base that the New Democrats aren't tax-cutters?

Last Thursday, Rick de Jong officially announced he would be running against Quails Gate Okanagan Valley Winery owner Ben Stewart for the provincial Liberal nomination in Westside-Kelowna. Mr. de Jong is arguably best known as the brother of the Campbell administration's house leader and aboriginal relations and reconciliation minister. So some might find his campaign slogan - "The face of real change" - passingly odd, given his relationship to Mike and the fact he wants to be a candidate for British Columbia's governing party.

In July, we reported Western Pro Show Rentals - which organized the provincial Liberal leader's tour during the 2001 and 2005 election campaigns - had been directly awarded the $90,000 contract to provide audio visual services for the premier's fourth annual innovation and excellence awards. And, according to a document posted last Tuesday on BC Bid, "sound and technical support" for the fifth annual regional and provincial ceremonies will also be "provided by ProShow." Fancy that! Pro Show was directly awarded its earlier contract because "a competitive process would interfere with the ministry's ability to maintain security or order or to protect human, animal or plant life or health."

Last week, incumbent Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca federal Liberal candidate Keith Martin accused his competitors of "misleading people" by suggesting this would be his last election. This, despite telling the National Post's Julie Smyth in May that, "Unless the system changes, unless it becomes more efficient and productive, if it continues in this death spiral, this will be my last election." So yesterday, on Public Eye Radio, we asked Mr. Martin to explain his earlier statement to Ms. Jiles. The response: "I was being provocative. I was being provocative, basically, to get this issue to the forefront by making such a statement, by challenging the status quo - because it was a provocative statement. And if I did not make that provocative statement, this issue would have never come to the forefront and (wouldn't) have been able to put these articles forward."

Tomorrow morning, on Public Eye Radio, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca federal Liberal incumbent Keith Martin tells us why he should be-relected. 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.

Earlier, we reported the provincial government had promised to allocate $500,000 to the yes and no sides during British Columbia's upcoming referendum on electoral reform. But the lead organization on the yes side has reaffirmed its earlier recommendation that "it is crucial to have a single funded advocacy group on each." And, in a letter to the ministry of attorney general, Fair Vote BC president Bruce Hallsor says that's an opinion shared by his "counterparts on the anti-STV side" - in particular Bill Tieleman and David Schreck." And the group continue to oppose restrictions on how that money - and any donations the yes and no sides receive - can be spent. A similar letter was sent by the yes and no sides to the ministry last month.The following is a complete copy of the latest missive.

Yesterday, we noted the provincial Liberals would be holding their biennial convention on Halloween weekend - a troublesome date for parents with grade schoolers. But this isn't the first time the party has appeared tone deaf in its scheduling of events. Because this year, the Prince George Premier's Dinner took place on February 14 - Valentine's Day. Fancy that!

On Tuesday, we exclusively told you the British Columbia New Democrat provincial executive had designated 15 constituencies as affirmative action ridings. At the time, party president Jeff Fox acknowledged some constituency associations had expressed concern about that designation. But he said, "I think we're in pretty good shape on the issue" adding that all of those association "are moving forward." So it comes as a surprise to see The Daily News's Cam Fortems paraphrase Kamloops-South Thompson riding president Michael Fane as saying "talks are ongoing with party headquarters and nothing is settled." Indeed, Mr. Fane doesn't seem to much of a fan of the affirmative action initiative, stating "To be perfectly frank, I think the system requires we have the best candidate, without regard to anything. The system works best when everyone who wants to play, gets to play."

As part of the provincial Liberal's Halloween biennial convention, the party will be hosting a Friday night "Ghosts and Goblins Halloween Gala Dinner" attended by "the Premier and MLAs." Of course, it goes without saying such a dinner - if Gordon Campbell and his caucus come in costume - is fraught with peril. After all, can you imagine how delighted the New Democrats would be if the premier was photographed wearing, for example, a vampire costume? We can. And that should be a scary thought for those staffing the West Annex.

The provincial Liberals could soon be making some grade schoolers very unhappy. Their upcoming biennial convention has been scheduled to take place on October 30 to November 1 at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler - Halloween weekend. And we're already hearing grumbling from those who would rather stay at home with their trick-or-treating children then attend at political function. Asked about the matter, party communications director Chad Peterson explained, "Our constitution states we have to hold our convention sometime between the second week of October and the second week of November every second calendar year. So we're bound by the factor. But, on top of that too, we didn't want to hold it too late into November - with the municipal elections coming up - because some of our supporters may be volunteer there or running. Who knows? So, for us, it was a matter of trying to find the most appropriate weekend possible out of the options that were available. So this was the best weekend that was available for us. And, with the advent of the current federal election that's underway, it's probably a good thing that we didn't hold it earlier."

Earlier, we exclusively told you the British Columbia New Democrat provincial executive had designated 15 constituencies as affirmative action ridings. In some cases, those ridings volunteered for that designation. But, in at least one case, it was only by a narrow margin. On July 21, the Vancouver-West End constituency association executive voted to run a member of an under-represented group as their candidate in the next election. But that resolution passed by one vote.

On Tuesday, Renaissance Power Corp. made headlines when The Vancouver Sun's Scott Simpson reported on Anmore's efforts to generate clean electricity for their village by harnessing hydro, solar and wind energy. That project - which is being managed by Renaissance - is the result of "partnership involving all three levels of government." So it seems appropriate to mention that the company - like other independent power producers such as Plutonic Power Corp. Inc. and NaiKun Wind Development Inc. - has. Harper administration appointee and federal Conservative campaign worker Steve Simpson is Renaissance's government and community relations vice-president. And former provincial attorney general Geoff Plant chairs the company's board of directors. Fancy that!

Since the eighties, it has become reasonably common in Canada to see political party election wipe-outs. Federally we saw the Liberals reduced to 40 seats in 1984 and the Progressive Conservatives to two n 1993. In British Columbia we saw the same thing happen to the Socreds in 1991 and the New Democrats in 2001. And there is an increasingly likely scenario in the present federal election where the Grits could be reduced to a rump.

It hasn't been a good month for some of the Campbell administration's favourite outsourcing contractors. Maximus Inc. - the American firm that administers PharmaCare and British Columbia's Medical Services Plan - has agreed to pay $5 million to the City of Houston after designing "a problem-plagued computer system" for its municipal courts. This, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Stiles. And EDS Inc. - which was awarded a controversial contract by the to maximize British Columbia's revenue collection services - got into a spot of trouble when the News of the World reported the firm had "confessed to losing a portable hard-drive disk containing sensitive private information about" United Kingdom jail governors and guards. Oops!

Yesterday, we exclusively reported provincial New Democrat legislator Jagrup Brar wouldn't be running in his present riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge in the next election. So where will he be on the ballot. In an interview this morning, Mr. Brar said, "I will be running in Surrey-Fleetwood in the next provincial election in 2009." The reason: according to the legislator, Surrey-Panorama Ridge has been "fundamentally" changed by the re-distribution of the province's electoral boundaries. Mr. Brar also says many of the issues he's been fighting for - such as improving the care at Surrey Memorial Hospital - are "more relevant to that area that I've been living and working" which is in the new boundaries of Surrey-Fleetwood. And the Surrey-Fleetwood constituency association passed a unanimous resolution asking Mr. Brar to run in their riding.

Earlier this month, the British Columbia Utilities Commission approved BC Hydro Corp.'s new carrot and stick rate system - which rewards those who conserve electricity and punishes those who don't. That new system is being phased in over the next six months, beginning on October 1. But the corporation must be wondering how British Columbians feel about those rate increases. Because Angus Reid Strategies Inc. is polling on behalf of BC Hydro to find out the answer to that question.

Provincial New Democrat legislator Jagrup Brar won't be running in his present riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge during the next election, Public Eye has exclusively learned. According to a letter from party president Jeff Fox and secretary Laura Nichols, that riding has been reserved for a female candidate. And since Mr. Brar is male, we asked him whether that means he would be running in a different constituency. "It looks very funny," he conceded. "First of all, I commend your research skills highlighting this situation. But yes, your judgement is true. I will be making an announcement later this week. I will be more than happy to contact you if you want. But all I can tell you is (I will be making an announcement) later this week, early tomorrow."

Conservative candidate Salomon Rayek wants to represent the riding of Vancouver-Kingsway, where - according to the 2001 census - 41.8 percent of the population is Chinese. So those voters may be interested to know that, just last year, Mr. Rayek sounded off in the Richmond News when his strata council conducted its annual general meeting in Cantonese. At the time, Nelson Bennett reported a majority of the townhouse owners spoke Cantonese. And the meeting was translated into English. But one of the owners, according to Mr. Bennett, suspected much was lost in translation. And Mr. Rayek, another owner, was quoted as saying, "Definitely we feel that we lost more than half the meeting. I don't have anything against Chinese. But when I feel discriminated against, as a minority by being singled out - because that's the way I feel - something is wrong." Indeed, Mr. Rayek added, "I've been in Canada for about 10 years, and I have never felt so discriminated against. I was really upset by the situation." Mr. Rayek hasn't responded to a request for comment placed this morning. The following is a complete copy of Mr. Bennett's June 29, 2007 article.

Today, Vancouver-Centre federal Conservative candidate Lorne Mayencourt described a Grit attack ad aimed at him as being a "little disingenuous" because it cherry-picked clips from a video-taped conversation between him and a Young Liberal Insite supporter. Well, the Grits are shooting back. Because they've called a press conference "to rebut Lorne Mayencourt's allegations of misrepresentation and selective editing" by releasing the video in its entirety. The following is a complete copy of the media advisory for that presser.

Last year, the British Columbia New Democrats passed a controversial resolution setting aside 40 percent of the party's non-incumbent seats for affirmative action candidates. And now New Democrat president Jeff Fox and secretary Laura Nichols have released a list of which ridings have been designated for women and under-represented groups. But not all of those ridings volunteered for the job.

Vancouver-Centre federal Conservative candidate Lorne Mayencourt says he has "nothing to say about" about the legal fight over Insite. This, according to a soon to be publicized advertisement prepared by the Liberals and already posted on YouTube. But, in an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Mayencourt says the advertisement is a "little disingenuous," cherry-picking clips from a longer conversation.

Vancouver-Kingsway candidate Salomon Rayek hasn't made many headlines prior to running for the federal Conservatives. But he has penned a number of letters to the editor on some of the province's most controversial issues. Commenting on the signing of the Tsawwasen Final Agreement in Ottawa by Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl - along with provincial counterpart Mike De Jong and Chief Kim Baird - Mr. Rayek wrote in The Delta Optimist that he was "hard pressed to understand all the celebration surrounding one of the most ominous legal agreements ever undertaken in this country." Mr. Rayek has also opposed Insite, telling Burnaby Now readers that injection site supporters aim to "legalize hard drugs and get rid of law enforcement."

Last month, Angus Reid Strategies Inc. released a headlining online survey reporting the provincial New Democrats had "surpassed the governing BC Liberals by a slim margin." But British Columbians will have a while to wait before the province's brick and mortar polling firms release their own polls, proving or disproving those numbers. In an interview with Public Eye, Ipsos-Reid Corp. public affairs vice-president Kyle Braid said, "I would have loved to have done a poll to take a look where preferences are. And normally we would do one in September. And it would be very timely. But there's just no point in doing it when a federal election is on. If we get numbers that match the Angus poll, we'd never know if it was because of the change in mood or just the impact of the federal election. So you just never know how to read the numbers when they come out. So it probably won't be until late October, early November."

Earlier, we exclusively reported on hoteliers Sergio and Wendy Cocchi's efforts to develop the government's promised $20 million autism education and research centre. But the Campbell administration isn't alone in its plans to establish such an institution. The Canadian Back Institute Ltd. Partnership, a Toronto-based rehabilitation services company known as CBI Health, will be setting up its own 20,000 square foot autism centre for excellence that will open its doors in January 2009.

Earlier, we reported Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca federal Liberal incumbent Keith Martin has apparently backed off of a commitment to make this his last election unless the country's political system changes. This, in an interview with CFAX 1070's Adam Stirling. And now we've obtained a tape of that interview, in which Mr. Martin tells Mr. Stirling, "It's up to public actually. The people will make that decision for me. I'm just a public servant and offering to do a job for the community. So we'll see. But I have no intention of leaving unless the public wants me to leave. And we'll see what happens in the future. As long as I'm useful to our community, then I'll stay with their blessing. But if they people don't want me or I don't feel I'm doing a good job then, for the community's sake, things will have to change."

"Unless the system changes, unless it becomes more efficient and productive, if it continues in this death spiral, this will be my last election. The whole machinery of Parliament has ground to a halt." That's what Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca parliamentarian Keith Martin told the National Post's Julie Smyth back in May. But, yesterday, CFAX 1070's Adam Stirling paraphrased him as saying "he will continue to serve as the MP for Esquimalt-Jaun de Fuca as long as the electorate gives him the opportunity to do so."

Earlier, we reported Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP partner Clark Roberts was considering running for the provincial Liberal nomination in Saanich South. But Mr. Roberts has since burst that thought bubble. So if he's not running for the nomination, who is? Well, in an interview with Public Eye, outgoing Victoria mayor Alan Lowe confirmed he has "been asked. And, essentially, at this point I don't know whether or not I'd rather take a break from politics for a little while first. But politics is all about timing too. And it's something I have been asked to look at by quite a few people. And, at this point, I haven't really made up my mind." So when will he make up his mind? "Hopefully, before the election," he joked.

Last month, independent parliamentarian Blair Wilson announced he was joining the Greens, becoming the party's first MP. But, in doing so, he also threw a wrench into deputy leader Adriane Carr's campaign machine in Vancouver Centre. After all, Ms. Carr has been promoting her candidacy in that riding by urging voters "to elect Canada's first Green MP." Asked for comment, campaign media liason Kevin Dale McKeown said, "Obviously we now have a Green MP. And we're excited about that. We have been promoting Adriane as an opportunity to elect Canada's first Green MP. And the materials we have, we're just about out of. So the material we have will reflect the new reality."

Earlier, we exclusively reported the province's pro- and anti-single transferable vote forces had united to oppose the Campbell administration's proposed funding formula for the upcoming electoral reform referendum. And now we're told Attorney General Wally Oppal has responded to those concerns, giving Fair Voting BC and Know STV until Friday to submit an alternative formula.

In January, we exclusively reported a unionized constituency assistant had filed two grievances against employer provincial New Democrat legislator Sue Hammell. So what happened to those complaints, which included disputes over short-term sick leave and overtime pay? Well, in an email to Public Eye, British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union communications director Mary Rowles confirmed the complaints were resolved without arbitration over the spring, with the assistant received a payment of $2,800 to settle the matter.

Today, the federal Liberals will be releasing a review of the Tory's 2006 British Columbia platform. Located at the Internet address promisebreakers.ca, the so-called audit accuses the Tories of having failed to deliver on its commitments to the province "in spectacular fashion." The Grits will be publicizing the site within the next hour.

On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson announced he wouldn't be seeking re-election as the Conservative parliamentarian for Vancouver-Kingsway. So who's going to run for the Tories in that riding? Well, Public Eye has learned the answer to that question will be Delta-Richmond East constituency association president Salomon Rayek.

Earlier, we broke the news former British Columbia Medical Association president Margaret MacDiarmid would be running for the provincial Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Fairview. And, last night, she won that nomination, beating Rick Peterson by 179 to 119 votes.

Tomorrow morning, Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca federal Conservative and New Democrat challengers Troy DeSouza and Jennifer Burgis make their case for unseating incumbent Grit parliamentarian Keith Martin. Former Liberal British Columbia president Billy Cunningham talks about the party's campaign kick-off in British Columbia. 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.

Earlier, we reported a number of Vision Vancouver parks board candidates have been sharing resources and working together to win slots on the civic association's slate. And now we've learned council hopefuls Kashmir Dhaliwal, Kerry Jang and Andrea Reimer are printing a mailer jointly promoting their candidacies, which will soon be sent to association members.

Last night, around 80 button-down shirts attended Jody Twa's first event as the provincial Liberal candidate for Juan de Fuca - including Premier Gordon Campbell. Gathering in the parking lot outside his campaign office, the supporters cheered on Mr. Twa's candidacy and partook in the free booze provided by the Colwood mayor. The following is a complete copy of our notes from that event.

Steve Tannock has sent an open letter to Vision Vancouver members, warning that it's possible the civic association "will end up nominating only one female candidate at each level" - school board, parks board and council. As a result, the parks board nomination candidate is calling on members to "consider whether the list of nominees you are supporting includes women, and how the slate you're choosing represents Vancouver's gender balance, Vision's progressive ideals, and the issues directly affecting the women of Vancouver." And he's recommending the party's executive "strike a committee to investigate electoral gender parity issues and to present the committee's suggestions to the Vision membership for a vote on at our next AGM." The following is a complete copy of that email.

Today, federal Green leader Elizabeth May revoked Newton-North Delta hopeful John Shavluk's candidacy "following revelations that he made comments in 2006 on an online discussion forum that are (allegedly) anti-Semitic." But, in a May 2007 interview, Mr. Shavluk told Public Eye he was only alluding to information posted on another Website when he wrote a message that referred to the World Trade Centre a "Jewish world bank headquarters."

Last month, Vancouver-Kensington provincial New Democrat legislator David Chudnovsky announced he wouldn't be running for re-election. So who's going to be replacing him? Well, in an interview with Public Eye, Hospital Employees' Union secretary-business manager Judy Darcy said she had considered making a bid to succeed Mr. Chudnovsky. But "I've decided to stay where I am. My heart is in healthcare. I have spent my life working for working people. And it's what I love the most. I'm flattered to be asked and it would be a great honour. David Chudnovsky has not just been a fabulous MLA but he is also one of my oldest and dearest friends - and I mean oldest. I mean we went to university in the sixties together. But there's a lot to do in my job. There's huge challenges coming in healthcare - including bargaining in 2010. And I love what I do. And I'm committed to staying here."

Yesterday, we broke the news the premier's former deputy minister and special advisor Ken Dobell had been appointed government relations firm Hill and Knowlton Canada Ltd.'s British Columbia chair. But, in an interview with The Globe and Mail's Mr. Dobell says he doesn't expect to register as a lobbyist on behalf of the firm. According to Mr. Dobell, "My role will be mostly to work on the public policy side and mentor some of the bright young sparks they have around here. I don't anticipate doing any lobbying. If some comes up, we'll deal with it at the time."

The Non-Partisan Association has been Vancouver's governing civic party since November 2005. But the association's mayoral candidate Peter Ladner seems determined to rewrite history. Because, in a fundraising email distributed today, Mr. Ladner tell recipients they can "help give Vancouver the change it wants and the experience it needs by making a quick and secure donation" to his campaign. Fancy that! The following is a complete copy of that email.

Yesterday, the Vancouver Courier's Mike Howell reported Vision Vancouver council hopeful Vaune Adams Kolber "wasn't too happy" with him for using the headline "Girl Power" in an article covering her candidacy. According to Mr. Howell, she found the term "disrespectful." But Ms. Adams Kolber - and the civic association's other female candidates - could soon be showing off their political muscles for the camera. Efforts are being made to schedule a photo shoot with those candidates for publicity and posterity purposes.

Remember the provincial government's controversial promise to allow the construction of five and six storey wood-frame buildings? You remember, the ones that could be especially vulnerable to earthquake and fire damage? Well, the Campbell administration is having a stakeholder meeting on September 17 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Vancouver to "help ensure that all the potential issues involved in this change are carefully considered." Gee, what a grand idea! The following is a complete copy of the invite to that meeting, which will be attended by Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman.

The provincial Liberal women's commission has a treat for delegates attending the party's upcoming biennial convention. According to the agenda for that convention, the commission is sponsoring a breakfast featuring "internationally accredited" speaker Margaret Hope who will be presenting...er..."You're Speaking, but are they listening?" Of course, given the Campbell administration recent snafus, perhaps a more apt topic would be "They're Speaking, but are you listening?" But we digress.

Yesterday, we reported Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn's campaign manager would be appointed this weekend. But that appointment was made earlier than anyone expected. And we've now learned Bruce Hallsor has been tapped to hold Saanich-Gulf Islands for Minister Lunn. Byng Giraud, meanwhile, will be helping out but not managing that campaign.

Last month, the provincial New Democrats announced Jenn McGinn would be the party's Vancouver-Fairview by-election candidate - running to hold the riding Gregor Robertson won in 2001. Ms. McGinn won that candidacy by acclamation - being the only hopeful to have submitted her papers by the August 15 nomination deadline. Of course, as reported by 24 hours' Alex Tsakumis, outgoing Non-Partisan Association school trustee Eleanor Gregory was also approached to run for the New Democrats. And Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 15 president Paul Faoro may have considered running, were it not for the party's controversial affirmative action policy. Which has some wondering whether this policy, coupled with the New Democrat's spotty reputation, could mean candidate recruitment problems for the party in advance of the next election.

Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn won Saanich-Gulf Islands with just 37.15 percent of the vote during the 2006 federal election. So who's going to be managing his constituency campaign during the upcoming election, when he'll be running against Liberal headliner Briony Penn? Well, Tories will be meeting on Saturday to discuss the matter. Although there's talk former Conservative national councillor Byng Giraud may be named to that post.

Earlier, we exclusively reported the provincial government had hired Queenswood Consulting Ltd. to review Community Living British Columbia's service delivery model. As part of that review, Queenswood has been conducting interviews with a number of stakeholder. And it's also developed an online questionnaire asking clients and families about their experience with the authority's "service delivery system, its policy tools and processes, and any guardianship functions that CLBC may have served. Queenswood has put a 250 word limit on answers to its questions. The following is a complete copy of that survey.

Ken Dobell, Premier Gordon Campbell's former deputy minister and special advisor, has a new paymaster, Public Eye has exclusively learned. He has been retained as government relations giant Hill and Knowlton Canada Ltd.'s British Columbia chair. Mr. Dobell received an absolute discharge in March for violating the provincial Lobbyists Registration Act.

Earler, we reported Philip Steenkamp would be replacing Bruce Okabe as the deputy minister of tourism, culture and the arts effective October 1. Of course, that means Mr. Steenkamp - who was seconded to the Ontario civil service in 2006 - is returning to British Columbia. And that has some wondering whether tourism, culture and the arts will be his final destination or just a stop-over on his way to another more senior post in the provincial bureaucracy.

The provincial New Democrats have already announced Jenn McGinn will be running for them in the upcoming Vancouver-Fairview by-election. But who will represent the Liberals? Will it be Margaret MacDiarmid or Rick Peterson? Well, we'll find out this Saturday at the Park Inn and Suites Vancouver Broadway where the constituency association is scheduled to hold its nomination meeting.

This morning, Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson handed out flyers and spoke with bus riders at the Commercial Drive B-line stop. But Mr. Robertson was running a bit behind schedule, showing up about 15 minutes late to the planned 7:30 event. Meanwhile, his Non-Partisan Association competitor Peter Ladner arrived at the same bus stop for his own 7:30 event about 10 minutes early. Fancy that!

Another squib from the Vision Vancouver nomination race: our understand is that parks board hopefuls Constances Barnes, Sarah Blyth, Raj Hundal and Aaron Jasper - along with Tony Kosovic - are sharing resources and working together to win slots on the civic association's slate.

Here's some news for the federal Liberals in our audience: remember the party's former national communications vice-president Shannon Salter? Well, as some of you may know, Ms. Salter is now a litigation associate with Farris, Vaughan, Wills and Murphy LLP. And, according to the Campbell administration's board resourcing and appointment office, she was appointed on August 31 to the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia as public/lay member.

Last year, we requested access to the "meeting minutes and agendas" for the provincial government's deputy ministers' council since September 1, 2006. At the time, the Campbell administration said there were "no records that fall within the scope of your request." But a subsequent freedom of information request for such records dating back to June 1, 2005 has turned up two agendas dated June 6, 2005 and June 16, 2005. So does that mean the government stopped prepraing agendas after those dates? The following is a complete copy of those records.

Let us take a moment of silence to witness the departure of tourism, culture and the arts deputy minister Bruce Okabe, whose appointment was rescinded effective August 31. Acccording to the ministy, Mr. Okabe resigned to "pursue other opportunities." The order in council rescinding that appointment was passed on August 21 - just 13 days after the Campbell administration announced the maximum payable salary for deputy ministers was increasing 34.93 percent to $299,215. Mr. Okabe joined the administration on May 15, 2006, having been the business solutions vice-president for Telus Corp. He's been replaced by Philip Steenkamp, the premier's social development strategic policy deputy minister.

Earlier, we reported Rushbrooke Communications principal Mike Witherly would be the federal Liberal British Columbia campaign director during the upcoming election. But Mr. Witherly started work as British Columbia Transmission Corp.'s communications manager on August 25. So, instead, party leader Stephane Dion's senior special assistant Tony Roy will be doing that job. Meanwhile, Ku Group founder and former Ballard Power Systems Inc. external affairs and government business development director Stephen Kukucha has been named the provincial tour director. And Brad Zubyk will be the Liberal's communications director in British Columbia.