May 2009 Archives

Sunday morning, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be speaking with children and youth representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond about her advice for the third Campbell administration. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shawn Atleo discusses his bid to become the assembly's national chief and the proposed Recognition and Reconciliation Act. And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Eleanor Gregory, Bob Russell and The Tyee's Andrew MacLeod - 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 8:00 and 10:00. Or check us out after the show by downloading our podcast. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

In April, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson explained his praise for Premier Gordon Campbell at a sports and environment conference this way: “I was over-exuberant in introducing the premier to an international audience.” So was he being over-exuberant when he described federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff as "hopefully our next prime minister"? This, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Joel Connelly.

The Economist has taken a shot at the Campbell administration. In an article entitled "British Columbia or Colombia?," the prestigious newspaper reports the fact local gangs are fighting over the city's drug trade in "broad daylight demonstrates the feckless response of the provincial government and police, despite reports dating back more than 30 years giving warning of the growth in organised crime." Ouch.

Former attorney general Geoff Plant involvement with the independent power production industry now includes representing the Canadian Wind Energy Association. Mr. Plant registered as a lobbyist for the association on April 14, 2009. Earlier, Mr. Plant also registered to assist Plasco Energy Group Inc. - "a private Canadian waste conversion and energy generation company" - in "developing facilities in BC." And he also chairs Renaissance Power Corp.'s board of directors.

Provincial Liberal candidate Donny Van Dyk may have lost his recent bid to become Skeena's MLA. But he's now running for another elected office: president of the party's young wing. In an email obtained by Public Eye, the sitting president Chris Sandve has announced he won't be seeking re-election. As a result, Mr. Sandve is encouraging party members to support Mr. Van Dyk, who "has indicated his intent" to run for that position at the wing's upcoming annual general meeting. The following is an edited copy of that email and Mr. Van Dyk's response.

The lieutenant governor's dinner for the media has become an annual tradition. But this year, the guest list for the June 10 event has been limited to members of the legislative press gallery. And the formal dinner has been replaced with a barbecue at Government House. So what's the reason for the change? In an interview with Public Eye, Government House's communications and events coordinator Adrienne Dunton explained lieutenant governor Steven Point, while reviewing the event, asked his private secretary Herb LeRoy "how it all started, how long it's been going on, that kind of thing."

Yesterday, Fair Voting British Columbia president Arjun Singh told Public Eye critics of the organization's recent electoral reform campaign can voice their concerns at its upcoming fall annual general meeting. But they'll also have an opportunity to vent next month, when Fair Voting British Columbia members meet in Surrey for a two-day campaign post-mortem. Public Eye has learned that conference has been scheduled to place on June 20 and 21 at the Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre.

In the recent election, provincial Liberal East Kootenay legislator Bill Bennett took fire from the First Nations community for running a campaign advertisement encouraging constituents to vote for "someone who pays taxes and is concerned about how that money is being spent." The tourism, culture and arts minister has said that wasn't a shot at his New Democrat competitor Troy Sebastian, a member of the Ktunaxa First Nation. Nevertheless, there's some who wonder whether the controversy surrounding that advertisement means the MLA's days at the cabinet table are numbered. Asked about the matter, First Nations Summit Grand Chief Edward John told Public Eye, "Well, I'm sure the premier will take into account those pretty oblique words in the advertisements in making his selections."

Earlier, Divestor Investments Inc. owner and managing director Sacha Peter reported Plutonic Power Corporation Inc.'s shareholders were the "biggest financial winner" in the recent provincial election, with their stock jumping about 20 percent the day after the Campbell administration won another term in office. But Plutonic isn't the only independent power producer benefiting the Liberals' win. Run of River Power Inc., which donated $5,900 to the party between 2007 and 2008, stated in its most recent news release, "The outcome of the May 12 provincial election in British Columbia provides political certainty for the Corporation's run of river and biomass renewable energy development projects."

Earlier, we exclusively reported electoral systems expert David Huntley has sent Fair Voting British Columbia executive members a petition demanding they apologize and resign. This, after British Columbians voted overwhelming on May 12 against the single-transferable vote system. But it looks the executive isn't going to be giving in to his demands. In an interview with Public Eye, Fair Voting British Columbia president Arjun Singh told Public Eye, "We haven't talked about it as an executive or as a board. But my personal feeling is the AGM will be coming up (in the fall) and if people want to run for the board or express different points of view, that's the appropriate time to do so."

We're pleased to announce Public Eye Radio - featuring our rabble-rousing political panel - is now available at the iTunes Store. So be sure to subscribe to our podcast by clicking on the following link.

In 2008, Attorney General Wally Oppal said the Campbell administration might amend its flawed Lobbyists Registration Act - perhaps before the election. But, according to emails obtained exclusively by Public Eye via a freedom of information request, that statement appears to frustrated his top political aide. On March 17 of that year, CFAX 1070 reported the New Democrats were demanding changes to that legislation which would ban deputy ministers and political appointees from lobbying the government for two years after leaving its employ.

Electoral systems expert David Huntley has sent Fair Voting British Columbia executive members a petition demanding they apologize and resign. This, after British Columbians voted overwhelming on May 12 against the single-transferable vote system. At issue: according to the petition, the executive - which was responsible for organizing the campaign in favour of that system - ignored "clear professional advice" which would have given former citizens' assembly on electoral reform members a leading role on the yes side. The petition, which also criticizes Fair Voting British Columbia for not responding to "misleading information provided by no-stv" - has been signed ten individuals. Among them is Craig Henschel - one of the members of the assembly that recommended British Columbians adopt BC-STV. The following is a complete copy, which was exclusively obtained by Public Eye.

Last week, we reported on the pre-election formation of a Facebook group promoting provincial New Democrat legislator Adrian Dix as a replacement for Carole James. But some might question whether creator of that group, Jay Horde, is interested in what's best for the New Democrats. After all, in a status update posted on May 13, she wrote, "Hooray! BC Liberals Win 4 More Years..." Mr. Horde didn't respond to a Facebook message placed last Thursday requesting a telephone interview. Although, in a May 9 posting on her wall, Mr. Horde asserted, "To set the record straight, I have been with the NDP in good times and bad, but I have always spoken my mind."

Federal Liberal British Columbia election readiness committee co-chairs Sharon Apsey, Jatinder Rai and Andrew Wilkinson will be doing bridge-building exercises tonight at the Vancouver Public Library. Up to 100 Lower Mainland Grits have been invited to 5:00 meeting tonight at the library's Alma VanDusen and Peter Kaye rooms, as part of an effort to increase party unity in advance of an expected election.

Two years ago, an independent commission recommended provincial legislators should receive a 29 percent increase to their base salary - in part, to ensure the best and brightest run for public office. But, despite that increase, the bulbs on the ballot during the most recent election weren't any brighter than those who were on the ballot in 2005. For example, we didn't see any environmental leaders lay down their protest signs in a bid to become a MLA. This, despite the fact a 2008 survey shows most of them make $37,000 less than our legislators.

Last week, in an interview with Public Eye Radio, former provincial Green campaign co-chair Andrea Reimer said her former party shouldn't run a full-slate of candidates in the next election. Instead, the Green should focus their efforts on a few winnable ridings. "It seems quite logical, when you sort of look at the resources available and public support that the way to win those seats is to concentrate resources and support," she explained. But the party's present leader Jane Sterk disagreed.

"My wife has just called the fashion police having walked in just now and seen Jane Sterk's odd outfit." That's was 24 hours' columnist Bill Tieleman's reaction to Ms. Sterk's attire during the provincial leaders' debate. And, among the chattering classes, Mr. Tieleman wasn't alone in that reaction. But does the Green leader think her apparent wardrobe malfunction mattered? "Well, I don't really think it mattered," said Ms. Sterk on Public Eye Radio. "And maybe another time I would dress differently because it became an issue. I mean, for me, it was a statement that you don't have to dress like a man to be a leader of a political party in this province. And maybe you do. But, in the end, it's history."

In the recent election, provincial New Democrat Saanich South MLA-elect Lana Popham was endorsed by the Conservation Voters of British Columbia. But that's the same organization that encouraged Victoria-Beacon Hill constituents to vote for anyone but her party leader Carole James. So was that awkward for her? "Yeah," Ms. Popham said with a laugh. "Yes it was. It was really awkward. I really like the conservation voters. And I felt very proud to be endorsed by them because I know I've been working very hard as an environmentalist. And, to be acknowledged in that way is very good. And, in Saanich South, it's very important in a provincial election because it's important to the voters there."

Provincial New Democrat Saanich South MLA-elect Lana Popham said yesterday she will donate at least a portion of the pay raise legislators received in 2007 to charity and publicly report those contributions. This, after Jenny Kwan exclusively told Public Eye a policy mandating such donations was only intended to last until the election and isn't expected to be continued.

Provincial New Democrat Saanich South MLA-elect Lana Popham said yesterday her party should call on the government to fix rather than axe the carbon tax. In an interview with Public Eye Radio, Ms. Popham said, "The carbon tax is going up in July. Is that changing our behaviour? It's not changing our behaviour. What I want to see, what I would like to see is for us as a party to say to the Liberals, 'When that tax goes up, the increase in that tax needs to go specifically into alternative transportation choices and infrastructure. That would make a difference."

Last week, The Times Colonist's Paul Willcocks pointed out, "If Green voters had shifted to the Liberals or New Democrats, the outcome (of the election) could have been much different - from an NDP majority government to a more dominant Liberal one. There were 18 races close enough that Green votes, redistributed, could have changed the outcome." But the party's provincial leader Jane Sterk took umbrage with that analysis.

On May 22, The Province's John Bermingham quoted provincial Green leader Jane Sterk as saying, "I believe that the Green Party can win under any electoral system." This, after the party failed to win a seat in the legislature on ten days earlier. But, ten days earlier, Ms. Sterk told The Times Colonist's Judith Lavoie, "It's hard to predict a result in the first past the post system that would favour a Green." So isn't there an inconsistency in those statements? Speaking on Public Eye Radio, "Those aren't inconsistent in my mind at all," said Ms. Sterk. "Now I have a very unusual way of thinking about the world. But it is hard under first past the post because it has this ability, this repetitive ability to distort a minority into a majority."

Sunday morning, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be speaking with provincial Green leader Jane Sterk about the election results and her party's recent annual general meeting. Saanich South New Democrat MLA-elect Lana Popham will also be in studio. And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Eleanor Gregory, Bob Russell and Allan Warnke discusses 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 8:00 and 10:00. Or check us out after the show by downloading our podcast. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

Provincial New Democrat legislators are ending their caucus-wide policy of donating controversial pay raises for politicians, scrapping a practice that leader Carole James pointed to as recently as the televised election debate. In an interview, caucus chair Jenny Kwan said yesterday she expects that donation policy - under which Opposition members donated their extra pay, but kept their increased pension benefits - will not be continued, adding caucus intended it to last only until the election.

In March, New Westminster-Coquitlam federal New Democrat parliamentarian Dawn Black announced she would be resigning to run for the party's provincial nomination in New Westminster. Ms. Black has since won that seat. But who's going to be running replacing her in the house of commons. Well, there has been talk Coquitlam city councillor Fin Donnelly is interested in running for federal office. Asked about that talk, "I am considering that. And your timing is good. Next week, I'm going to be making an announcement." Mr. Donnelly confirmed he wouldn't be seeking the Liberal nomination in New Westminster-Coqutialm but declined to give further details.

One of the pollsters working for British Columbians for STV encouraged his Facebook friends to vote against the single-transferable vote system during last week's referendum on electoral reform. In a Facebook status update, Angus Reid Strategies Inc. public affairs research director Hamish Marshall wrote, "if you live in BC vote NO to STV."

In the coming weeks, British Columbians will find out who's going to be appointed to the first cabinet of the third Campbell administration. Until then, much time will be spent speculating on which first-term legislators will be named to the executive council and whether any of its existing members will be demoted.

In February's throne speech, the Campbell administration announced it would hold an Open Skies Summit this September at the new Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. But the venue for that event, which is expected to attracted around 400 attendees, hasn't been secured. This, according to a document posted on BC Bid as government's request for proposals from contractors interested in organizing that summit. And a ministry spokesperson has confirmed the exact date for the event is still up in the air. The following is a complete copy of that document.

Today, Carole James announced she'll stay on as provincial New Democrat leader and run in the 2013 election. But not everyone thinks she should stick around. According to the members of one Facebook group, which was established prior to election day, Ms. James, "has done a terrible job leading us in the last BC Election. We need a leader that is positive and thinks about all people living in BC." And who might that leader be, you may wonder? Well, Vancouver-Kingsway legislator Adrian Dix, of course!

"The reluctance to really go negative on (the first past the post system) was a fatal error." That's the opinion of British Columbians for BC-STV volunteer James Douglas Roy, who has distributed a 17-page report analyzing why electoral reform failed at the ballot box. "Instead of directly highlighting and attacking the absurdities of the current system, we seemed to take it for granted that most British Columbians know what is wrong with FPTP. Well, they don't. And the referendum results reflected that," wrote Mr. Roy. "Instead, we explained how the transfer of surplus votes in the second round of counting would proceed under BC-STV."

Provincial New Democrat organization director Nikki Hill will be leaving her post at the end of June, Public Eye has learned. In an interview, Ms. Hill - who has been the party's organization director since February 2004 - explained, "I've intended to leave for a while. I actually meant a few years ago to go and do my masters and do different things and I never intended to be here forever. I don't think it's one of those jobs you do forever. But I just haven't had time to leave with all these elections. So I kind of decided late last year that this would be my last election" as a party staffer.

Last week, The Tyee's Will McMartin's stated the provincial Liberals' made a risky decision by making Gordon Campbell the focus of their election advertising because of his "high disapproval ratings and palpable unpopularity." But the fact that gamble paid off could have long-term consequences for British Columbia's political future. The reason: some may now say the Liberal leader won a personality contest between himself and New Democrat leader Carole James. So, if Ms. James doesn't resign before 2013, that could embolden those who want the premier to run for a fourth term in office.

With her provincial Liberal opponent Wally Oppal in the lead by just three votes, independent Delta South candidate Vicki Huntington could still win a seat in the legislature after all the ballots are counted. But Ms. Huntington wasn't the only independent who performed well in the recent election. In Peace River North, Arthur Hadland won 31.95 percent of the vote - coming in second to Liberal Pat Pimm at 43.50 percent. By comparison, in 2005, Mr. Pimm's predecessor Richard Neufeld won 59.37 percent of the vote. So what happened?

Earlier, on Voice of BC, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said he had "no such ambitions" when asked if he would be interested is running for the leadership of the provincial Liberals when Gordon Campbell steps down. Nevertheless, that didn't stop the formation of Facebook group on May 11 promoting Minister Hansen as a candidate for that job. "Gordon Campbell will cost us this election and a third term," the group's description read. "He has lost his way and we need a new leader to regain the confidence and respect of the voters. Colin Hansen is that person."

Political consultant Brad Zubyk, who was a member of the provincial New Democrats' campaign team in 2005, confirmed today the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association was among his clients during the recent election. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Zubyk stated, "I provided advice to a number of business, environmental and public relations third party firms on how to effectively spend the (campaign advertising) limit, which was $150,000. There were business groups - including the ICBA. But there was also locals of the (Canadian Federation of Students) and environmental."

British Columbia - I am disappointed in you. Last week, just 52 percent of you voted in the election, according to preliminary results. I don't think that means you supported the status quo. Instead, I believe you thought there wasn't any difference between the Liberals and the New Democrats. That neither party represented your interests. That one was just as uninspiring as the other. In short, you thought there wasn't any reason to vote. But there was.

In a pre-election interview with Public Eye Radio, provincial Green leader Jane Sterk said it was her intention to head the party in the 2013 campaign. But not everyone thinks she should. Andrea Reimer, who co-chaired the party's campaign in 2001, said Sunday, "I didn't back her in the last race and I haven't seen a lot to indicate that I should have backed her. I think it's a really tough job. And I have a lot of respect for anyone who wants to lead a very under-resourced party that's at 8 percent or 9 percent. But, given that, you need to find someone who - in my opinion - has a lot more fire in the belly. And then you've got to draw some attention to yourself. She has a lot of skills. But I don't think that's the skills she has."

Provincial Conservative leader Wilf Hanni told Public Eye Radio on Sunday is party has seen a surge of support since British Columbians went to the ballot boxes last Tuesday. "One of the things that I've been pleasantly surprised with in the days since the election is how many people have come forward saying they were dissatisfied with the election results and they want to help our party build for the future," said Mr. Hanni.

During the recent election, provincial Conservative leader Wilf Hanni announced he would be "starting a petition under the 'Citizens Initiative Act' to force the Government to hold a referendum on the Recognition and Reconciliation Act." So, now that the election is over, will Mr. Hanni be moving forward with that plan? "We are very probably going to do that," he said, speaking on Public Eye Radio. "I want to talk to the candidates and board members and I want to find out if other organizations are interested in getting involved as well."

Sunday morning, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be speaking with provincial Conservative leader Wilf Hanni about Tuesday's election results. And former Green campaign co-chair Andrea Reimer shares her thoughts on the future of that party. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Eleanor Gregory, Bob Russell and The Times Colonist's Rob Shaw - 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 8:00 and 10:00. Or check us out after the show by downloading our podcast. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

Provincial New Democrat legislator Harry Lali said today he hasn't heard any calls for Carole James to resign. Nor does he think the party needs a new leader. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Lali said, "If you've heard those calls I haven't. I haven't heard those calls. We just came off actually a great election campaign. I mean, we didn't win government. But I'm not hearing those calls. It's full speed ahead. We'll regroup. And we'll go after the government."

With just two votes separating provincial Liberal Delta South candidate Wally Oppal and his independent opponent Vicki Huntington, there's a chance the attorney general might not be returning to the legislature once the absentee votes are counted. So, if that happens, who's going to replace him as the province's top lawyer? Well, assuming Premier Gordon Campbell wants to appoint a lawyer, he has three options in caucus: Bill Bennett, Mike de Jong and Barry Penner. But Mr. Bennett's off-message election campaign rules him out. And it's likely the premier will want Mr. de Jong to remain house leader. Which means Mr. Penner could be the next attorney general.

According to preliminary results, on Tuesday incumbent Saanich North and the Islands Liberal candidate Murray Coell held onto his riding with just 1.43 percentage points more of the vote than his New Democrat competitor Gary Holman. So what happened? Well, the advanced education and labour market development minister's vote share actually increased by 1.25 percentage points when compared to the 2005 election. But the New Democrats' share also increased - by 6.46 percentage points. What decreased was the Greens' share, with their candidate Tom Bradfield winning 10.91 percent of the vote - 4.21 percentage points less than the last election. So did Mr. Holman succeed in stealing some of Mr. Bradfield's support?

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president Stewart Phillip and Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shawn Atleo may have disagreed on whether to stay out of the provincial election. Nevertheless, Grand Chief Phillip, who endorsed the New Democrats, is also backing Mr. Atleo's bid to become the assembly's national chief. According to an invite to the regional chief's campaign launch, Grand Chief Phillip is one of his campaign co-chairs, along with First Nations Summit Task Group member Doug Kelly and British Columbia Assembly of First Nations chief of staff Rhonda Sim. The following is a complete copy of that invite.

Just eleven months ago, the Campbell administration restructured the provincial government to "provide more integrated services across government" - resulting in the creation of the ministries of community development, healthy living and sport, housing and social development and technology and trade. But, even though the Liberals didn't make any major new commitments in their campaign platform, that doesn't mean that ministerial structure will remain stable.

Earlier, we exclusively told you the provincial government is predicting the bureaucracy could be reduced by up to 57 percent as a result of demographic forces. But, at a news conference today, Premier Gordon Campbell said his administration isn't looking at outsourcing or privatization options to address that challenge.

In the politeness that follows defeat, demands for provincial New Democrat leader Carole James to resign will be kept out of the headlines - at least for the time being. Nevertheless, this is the second election in a row the party has lost, despite the Campbell administration's strong negatives. And the party's failure to effectively exploit those negatives - and present British Columbians with a compelling campaign narrative - is cause for the New Democrats to reassess the party's leadership and its approach to politics over the past six years.

Tonight, Public Eye will be offering colour commenting on the provincial campaign results as a member of CBC's election night panel, along with former Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Jennifer Clarke, Mustel Research Group Ltd. owner Evi Mustel and David Schreck from Strategic Thoughts.

British Columbia's 2009 election campaign may yet yield a surprise - but only on election night. The fact the seventeen percentage point spread between the two parties has diminished should shock no one. And, if there was any momentum in this campaign, it hasn't been with Gordon Campbell. But the New Democrats haven't race along the rails either. They will have to pass the Liberals on the outside, a harder task to accomplish.

Last week, we reported the Campbell administration is projecting demographic forces will reduce the bureaucracy by 30 to 57 percent by 2019. This, as "many of us age and plan to retire," according to the premier's deputy minister Jessica McDonald. But what's interesting is the Campbell administration's top-line prediction is significantly more than the forecast the government used three months ago for 2018. At the time, the public service agency's service plan stated "it is projected that within the B.C. public service, we will lose 44 per cent of managers and 33 per cent of bargaining unit staff through retirement" by that date.

Last week, the province's public opinion research firms released their final round of poll results before the election. But the Conservation Voters of British Columbia actually went into the field on Sunday with one last survey. In an interview with Public Eye, the group's chair Will Horter explained, "We were just trying to identify how important the environment was to (voters) and what issues were important to them in relationship to this election and going forward."

Vancouver-Fairview provincial New Democrat legislator Jenn McGinn has announced she has the endorsement of her predecessor Gregor Robertson - on the day of the election. In an email to supporters early this morning, Ms. McGinn wrote, "As you prepare to vote in today's critical election, we are pleased to announce three major endorsements," including Vancouver's mayor. The following is a complete copy of that email.

The province's pollsters say most of you won't be voting for electoral reform tomorrow. According to Mustel Research Group Ltd., 43 percent of British Columbians want to stick with the system we've got, while just 33 percent want to see a change. But why? Do you prefer politicians who put their party ahead of their principles? Do you like legislators who only represent your interests behind closed doors - if at all? Or maybe you want to live in a province where democracy is treated like a Christmas ornament - taken out to be admired once every four years and then stuffed back into whatever box or closet it came from. Because that's what a vote against electoral reform means.

Last week, we reported the Campbell administration is projecting demographic forces will shrink the bureaucracy by 30 to 57 percent over the next ten years. In response, the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union issued a news release stating, "the BC Liberal government is planning to reduce the public service by up to 57 percent over the next 10 years." And that news release prompted this response from the premier's deputy minister Jessica McDonald: "I want to clarify unequivocally that this information is absolutely untrue - there are no such plans," she wrote in a Saturday morning email to civil servants.

If the provincial Liberals launch a wider consultation process surrounding their proposed Recognition and Reconciliation Act, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president Stewart Phillip said today the First Nations community must be involved. "I guess the short answer is no," said Grand Chief Phillip when asked on Public Eye Radio if he would oppose such a consultation process. "Again, I have no idea what position the BC Liberals will take in the event that they prevail in this election and we get back to dealing with this issue. I think it should be understood - and no doubt it is - that there is a tremendous amount of time and effort and work that has went into this. And it was a joint undertaking. And I would suspect that, if the province were to engage in a wider consultation, that I would think in some way we would be involved in that process also."

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president Stewart Phillip told Public Eye Radio today he hasn't yet receive the apology he demanded last week from provincial Liberal leader Gordon Campbell. This, after Mr. Campbell's East Kootenay candidate Bill Bennett ran a campaign advertisement encouraging constituents to vote for "someone who pays taxes and is concerned about how that money is being spent." Mr. Bennet has said that wasn't a shot at his New Democrat competitor Troy Sebastian, a member of the Ktunaxa First Nation.

Yesterday, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president Stewart Phillip announced his support for the provincial New Democrats. But, three years ago, speaking at the provincial Liberal biennial convention in Penticton, he described Premier Gordon Campbell as "an exceptional, extraordinary, visionary leader." Asked about that apparent contradiction, Grand Chief Phillip stated, "It's interesting how people interpret an individual's public comments and so on and so forth. I think what the press automatically assumed after I made those statements in Penticton in 2006 that somehow I'd become a born-again BC Liberal or something along those lines. But that's not the case."

Federal Conservative parliamentarian John Cummins is predicting members of his party will move to support the provincial Conservatives after the election. In an interview on Public Eye Radio, Mr. Cummins said, "It's something that does float by every once in a while. And it has. It hasn't really taken legs I would say until this election. In the last couple of months - probably in the last six months - I've been hearing increasing demand from British Columbians to get involved and support this provincial Conservative party." And I declined to do that because I said, 'Look, I'm a federal politician. I've got these federal issues to worry about. I can't sort of immerse myself in these issues now and I simply don't have the time. And I declined to get involved. But the pressure has been mounting."

Earlier, in an email circulated by Save Our Rivers Society spokesperson Rafe Mair, Delta-Richmond East federal Conservative parliamentarian John Cummins stated he couldn't "support Gordon Campbell's Liberals in this provincial election." And, in an interview with The Delta Optimist's Sandor Gyarmati he announced his support for independent Delta South candidate Vicki Huntington. But who is Mr. Cummins recommending British Columbians vote for if they don't live in that riding?

Sunday morning, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be speaking with Delta-Richmond East federal Conservative parliamentarian John Cummins about why he can't support the Campbell administration in this election. Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip joins us to share his thoughts on the campaign. And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Allan Warnke and Monday Magazine's Jason Youman - 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 8:00 and 10:00. Or check us out after the show by downloading our podcast. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

Ten years ago, provincial Liberal leader Gordon Campbell told those attending a party fundraiser he would run "the most open and accountable government in Canada." He repeated that pledge in his 2001 election platform. And, after winning a landslide victory, Mr. Campbell told reporters, "We intend to open up our legislative institutions and we intend to be the most open and accountable government in the country." But, eight years later, the Liberals haven't quite managed put their money where their mouth was.

Last year, Bear Mountain spokesperson Trish Lees told us a group of local businessmen organized a $10,000 per plate provincial Liberal fundraiser at resort developer and former National Hockey League player Len Barrie's residence. But the party's latest annual financial report - which is supposed to list all of its fundraisers - doesn't include any reference to that event. So why is that? Well, because it wasn't actually fundraiser, according to Liberal communications director Chad Pederson. "I've talked with our accounting staff and I've learned the function that you're referencing was, in fact, a thank you dinner for those that had made previous contributions for showing their support," he said, adding "there was no cost associated with (attending) the dinner."

Tonight, on Voice of BC we'll be joining host Vaughn Palmer and CKNW legislative bureau chief Sean Leslie as British Columbia's election campaign comes to close. So be sure to tune in tonight at 8:00 on Shaw TV.

The premier's deputy minister Jessica McDonald has stated provincial civil service layoffs, if they do occur, will be under five percent of the workforce. But the Campbell administration is projecting demographic forces will reduce the number of bureaucrats by 30 to 57 percent over the next ten years. This, according to a government document obtained exclusively by Public Eye. That's why the administration announced in February it would be establishing a $75 million public service transformation fund to find ways of delivering "quality services to citizens with fewer staff." Although, at the time, it wasn't specific about those projected reductions. The following is a complete copy of the relevant portions of that document.

Earlier, provincial Conservative Skeena candidate Mike Brousseau told us his 2004 cross-country trek to protest Bill C-250 - which extended hate-crimes protection to gays and lesbians - wasn't "relevant." Instead, Mr. Brousseau - who was concerned the legislation would limit freedom of speech and freedom of religion - said, "I think there are bigger issues at stake" such as the economy. Nevertheless, today The Terrace Standard reported the candidate tried to ask Liberal leader Gordon Campbell a question about sexual orientation information being part of the public school curriculum while the premier was visiting the northern city. And, according to the paper, "He also tangled with Skeena NDP incumbent Robin Austin on the same subject at an April 28 all candidates meeting here."

Earlier, we reported Stikine voters were receiving calls from a polling firm telling them non-incumbent provincial Liberal candidate Scott Groves was the constituency's MLA. At the time, his campaign manager Klye McCreary assured us Mr. Groves's team wasn't responsible. But, in an advertisement placed yesterday on front page of The Northern Daily, voters are encouraged to "re-elect" the Liberal hopeful. Asked for comment, Mr. McCreary stated, "That is entirely my fault. It was a typo that I missed on the ad proof. It wasn't intentional. I was tired and I missed it on an ad proof. If you see all of our other ads nothing else has it."

Provincial Liberal leader Gordon Campbell has been repeatedly described by the media as having patronized his New Democrat opponent Carole James during Sunday's leadership debate. But do British Columbia see him that way? Well, we'll find out when Angus Reid Strategies Inc. releases the results of its latest online poll, which was being fielded yesterday. The reason: according to a copy obtained by Public Eye, respondents are now being asked whether "patronizing" is one of the "qualities and characteristics" they would use to describe Mr. Campbell, Ms. James and Green leader Jane Sterk. The following is a complete list of the questions in that survey which have not been included in Angus Reid's past polls.

You can add the Australian government to the list of powerful foreign and corporate interests assisted by provincial Liberal leader Gordon Campbell's former constituency campaign manager. But Mark Jiles didn't receive any compensation for giving the land down under a helping hand. According to records obtained exclusively by Public Eye via a freedom of information request, on September 25, 2007, Jiles sent an email to then economic development minister Colin Hansen's office requesting a meeting for Peter O'Byrne - the chief executive officer for the Australian Trade Commission or Austrade.

On April 30, the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce used paid space in the North Shore Outlook to promote $225 million in recent local infrastructure investments. The advertisement specifically thanked provincial Liberal legislators Katherine Whittred, Joan McIntyre, Ralph Sultan and Daniel Jarvis for working with "senior levels of government" to secure that funding. And it featured a quote from chamber president Naomi Yamamoto, who had earlier taken a leave of absence to run for the Liberals in North Vancouver-Lonsdale. But chamber chair Stephen Joyce told Public Eye the content of that advertisement has nothing to do with the election.

If the provincial New Democrats lose the election, May 18, 2007 might be the date they lost it. That's when party leader Carole James announced her caucus would be voting against a controversial MLA compensation package - but opting-in to its "gold-plated" pension plan. At least that's how a mechanic from Vernon described it on Sunday evening's debate, when he asked Ms. James and Liberal leader Gordon Campbell, "Why did politicians support a two percent wage increase for the workers" while giving themselves a bigger piece of the taxpayer pie.

The province's slot machines have been paying out too much to British Columbia's casino-goers, according to the government agency responsible for gaming. Last year, the corporation found those machines were keeping 6.93 percent of all the wagers played over the entire life of the game. But those machines are supposed to keep 8 percent of those wagers. As a result, in March, British Columbia Lottery Corp. "made some adjustments to align the actual average slot machine payout with BCLC's targeted average slot machine payout." Although, a corporation spokesperson stated "it is too early to tell what impact this will have on BCLC's revenue given the adjustment was made recently."

As was in the case in 2005, the provincial Greens are hoping to win a seat in the legislature. But, statistically, there's little difference between the party then and the party now. When the election was called four years ago, Mustel Research Group Ltd. reported the Greens were polling at 10 percent. In 2009, that number was 12 percent. The Greens raised $136,871.77 in 2008 - just $34,291.77 more then they did in the year before the last election. And, according to the Canadian Newsstand database, between the time the writ was dropped and May 1, 2009 party leader Jane Sterk's name has been mentioned in the press 138 times. By comparison, over the same period in 2005, her predecessor's name was mentioned 130 times.

Surveying the morning's headlines, the big take-away from last night's televised leaders' debate was Gordon Campbell patronizing attitude toward his New Democrat opponent Carole James, with the provincial Liberal leader at one point "stopping just short of, 'now see here, little lady.'" This, according to The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer. And that attitude stands in sharp contrast to the way the Liberals' summarized Mr. Campbell's performance during the 2005 debate.

In politics, the winners are those who can tell the best stories. And the provincial Liberals delivered a bestseller during the last election. This was the plot: British Columbia went through some tough times when the New Democrats were in power. As a result, the Liberals needed to make some tough decisions. But those tough times are over. And the Liberals - if re-elected - will lead British Columbia into a Golden Decade of Great Goals.

In the 2005 election, provincial Green leader Adriane Carr released her party's first proposed budget. That three page document summarized how much each of the Greens' 10 platform priorities would cost and where the money would come from. So some might find it surprising Ms. Carr's successor, Jane Sterk, didn't cost out the party's 2009 election promises. Asked why, Ms. Sterk told Public Eye Radio, "The budget that was produced in 2005 was not a comprehensive budget."

The provincial Greens' election platform states the Liberals' constant restructuring has undermined the "ability of the ministry of children and family development to adopt a proactive and positive approach to child protection" - an opinion shared by Ted Hughes in his independent review of that system. But, in the same plank, the party promises to launch its own restructuring process, which would decentralize the ministry by establishing "local social trusts." Confronted with that apparent inconsistency, leader Jane Sterk told Public Eye, "There is a need to do something different. And it can happen as a transition - nothing can be abrupt, But if you're getting a result you don't want - a stable level of children in care in perpetuity than you need to do something different."

If the provincial Greens win a majority, their administration will gradually phase-out the most addictive forms of gambling and halt the export of coal, oil and gas in 11 years time. That would blast huge holes in government's revenue. So what masonry will the party use to fill them? The answer: new taxes, according to Green leader Jane Sterk.

As the only party leader in the debate unburdened by MLAs, the Greens' Jane Sterk should have been able to use legislators' lavish new compensation package against the Liberals and New Democrats. But, during tonight's debate, Ms. Sterk wasn't quite able to do so.

...participated in Public Eye's live blog, so now what should you do? Well, we recommended checking out The Tyee, where their election team is filing rapid response stories on tonight's proceedings.

Sunday morning, on Public Eye Radio, we'll be speaking with provincial Green leader Jane Sterk as she prepares for the evening's television election debate. And our rabble-rousing panel - Eleanor Gregory, The Tyee's Andrew MacLeod, Bob Russell 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 8:00 and 10:00. Or check us out after the show by downloading our podcast. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

On Sunday evening at 5:00, provincial political leaders Gordon Campbell, Carole James and Jane Sterk will be going head-to-head-to-head during the campaign's televised debate. And Public Eye will be live blogging the event along with 24 hours columnists Bill Tieleman and Alex Tsakumis, along with former Non-Partisan Association school trustee and provincial Liberal constituency association president Eleanor Gregory. So join us at 5:00 for some of the smartest commentary on the election debate.

We're sure this news is going to come as a shock to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon: in an interview yesterday with CFAX's Murray Langdon, provincial Liberal Victoria-Swan Lake candidate Jesse McClinton stated, "I'm hearing on the doorsteps another thing that's important to people is transit and issues around that. You know I'd like to start that discussion there, that, you know, the party's made no commitments on that, specifically. I mean that's something where I'd definitely like to start talking about."

The provincial New Democrats have oft been criticized for not being able to dig up enough dirt about the Campbell administration, relying instead on the media for question period content. Indeed, that criticism was particularly pointed during the abbreviated fall sitting of the legislature in November 2008. And the government's freedom of information data may partially explain why. According to that data, in fiscal 2008/09, political parties filed just 176 freedom of information requests. By comparison, in the fiscal year prior to the 2001 election - when the Liberals were still in Opposition - those parties filed 562 requests. Meanwhile, the media filed 422 requests in 2008/09 compared with 271 in 2000/01.