May we draw your attention to one of the more curious advertisements we've ever seen in the The Vancouver Sun: yesterday, on page B5 of the broadsheet's Westcoast News section, veteran reporter Glenn Bohn took out space to announce he's leaving the paper on "April 30, but not to retire. He's looking for work as a communications specialist or freelance writer."

Today, The Vancouver Province's editorial board declared, "Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy. It enables newspapers like our to be the watchdogs of government and its spin doctors. Press freedom, however, is not an absolute right. And it is constantly under attack from government agencies, including human-rights commissions and the courts themselves." Those are laudable words, to be sure. But it's also worth noting The Province is owned by CanWest Global Communication Corp. - the same company that recently launched lawsuits against The Tyee (British Columbia independent daily online magazine) and those allegedly connected to the publication and distribution a four-page parody newspaper.

The Province's Michael Smyth seems to be having a bit of fun with federal Liberal national campaign co-chair Mark Marissen. Last Tuesday, while commenting on the Grit's marginal victory in Vancouver-Quadra, Mr. Smyth told CKNW's Philip Till, "Bottom line, the Liberals are very, very lucky they lost only one seat last night. Christy Clark's boy toy there Mark Marissen nearly crapped the bed last night and lost a safe seat to the Liberals." And then yesterday, while guest hosting the Bill Good Show, Mr. Smyth again mentioned how the Liberals almost lost the riding despite the fact the party has "got this wunderkin, the mastermind Mark Marissen running the show there....He couldn't get his wife elected mayor. Now he almost blows a safe Liberal seat." Ms. Clark hosts an afternoon talk show on CKNW.

At five kilograms, the conversation on health's 1,466-page summary of input catalogues the Campbell administration's attempt to "talk to British Columbians openly" about the "risings costs of health care and the future pressures on the system." But it seems that report, which was released this past Friday, didn't carry much weight with CanWest Global Communication Corp.'s major provincial daily newspapers. To date, The Province's John Bermingham is the only reporter from those papers to have written a story about its release - although columnists Michael Smyth and Les Leyne have shared their opinions on the conversation's findings.

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

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

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT & PHOTO EDITORS

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

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

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

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

Date: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007

Time: 12-1 p.m.

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

-30-

British Columbia Magazine's editor says her publication likely won't run a story about the controversial Flathead Valley because a competitor beat them to the punch. In an interview with Public Eye, Anita Willis explained the award-winning magazine (which is owned by Tourism British Columbia, a Crown corporation) doesn't "like to run things where there's already been significant coverage" - referring to a similar article that appeared in the Summer 2007 edition of Westworld Magazine.

And because of that, it's unlikely the British Columbia Magazine article will see the light of day. "If we could find a way to do it that would make it significantly different enough or if something major and new was to happen that would make our story different enough from their piece then maybe," Mr. Willis explained.

But were there any concerns expressed about running a piece on the Flathead? After all, coal development projects in the region have stirred up opposition from both environmentalists and the Montana government. "That's not really the issue," responded Ms. Willis. "We have a conversation about sort of every editorial line-up that's coming up. And we look at that internally. I think you might be looking for something that isn't there. That's the sense I get." The following is a complete transcript of that interview.

***

Public Eye I understand B.C. Magazine was going to publish an article on the Flathead. But that article was pulled. I'm just curious as to why that might have been?

Ms. Willis That's actually not quite the case.

Public Eye What happened?

Ms. Willis I'm interested to know why you're interested in our editorial line-up.

Public Eye I'm just fascinated by that decision that's all. I mean, the Flathead is a beautiful area of British Columbia. One might think B.C. Magazine would be interested in profiling it.

Ms. Willis Well, we cover all parts of the province. Again, I'm interested in whether the timing or publication of our articles is general news?

Public Eye My fascination extends far and wide. I'm a curious reporter - as most reporters are. So I'm curious as to what might have happened with the article?

Ms. Willis I'm not really comfortable talking about our line-up. We tend to not share our editorial line-up because we tend to get scooped on stories when we talk about things publicly.

Public Eye You mentioned that wasn't entirely accurate - that the article wasn't going to run. So what exactly did happen to the article?

Ms. Willis Well, we actually still have a piece. We haven't decided what to do with it. One of the issues is that another magazine scooped us. Which, obviously, is not desirable. So it's kind of sitting in the bank at the moment.

Public Eye Which magazine was that?

Ms. Willis That's Westworld - which is one of our direct competitors.

Public Eye Primary competitors. So that article was originally scheduled to be in the coming edition of B.C. Magazine. And because a similar article appeared in Westworld it was killed?

Ms. Willis Well, we don't like to run things where there's already been significant coverage. So we're sort of looking at different ways to deal with the Rocky Mountain area. We have a couple other things we're going to be looking at.

Public Eye I understand. I totally understand. So do you anticipate B.C. Magazine will run a piece on the Flathead in the future or probably not given the fact Westworld already did?

Ms. Willis I'm not sure. If we could find a way to do it that would make it significantly different enough or if something major and new was to happen that would make our story different enough from their piece, then maybe.

Public Eye Possibly. But it likely wouldn't be the same piece that was written?

Ms. Willis Probably not.

Public Eye Interesting. Was there any concerns expressed at a higher level regarding running a piece on the Flathead? I mean, obviously this is a pretty contentious area of the province in terms of development and environmental sensitivities and Montana.

Ms. Willis Yeah, that hasn't stopped us from doing other types of stories. We had a story on Betty Krawczyk in a recent issue. She's pretty contentious. That's not really the issue.

Public Eye Okay. Was there any concern expressed from the top about that?

Ms. Willis I don't… We have a conversation about sort of every editorial line-up that's coming up. And we look at that internally. I think you might be looking for something that isn't there. That's the sense I get.

Public Eye Right. Right. I'm always curious. I always have to ask these questions. So that means there wasn't any concerns raised about that particular issue?

Ms. Willis That wasn't the reason why we decided not to go with it.

Public Eye But there wasn't any concerns raised though?

Ms. Willis We talk internally about all of our stories. I don't want to suggest that we don't ever talk about whether a story has ramifications or not.

Public Eye I'm just curious because it's two separate questions. One is whether or not the decision to not run the article was because of Westworld. That's one question. And the other question is whether there were any concerns raised from Tourism British Columbia, for example, about the political sensitivities involved in that particular region.

Ms. Willis I wouldn't say that was an issue.

Yesterday, in an internal email sent to staff, Black Press Ltd. British Columbia chief operating officer Rick O'Connor acknowledged executives spoke with Victoria News reporter Brennan Clarke and editor Keith Norbury about "the impact a potential loss of advertising from the automotive sector" would have on the company. This, after the newspaper published a story about a cross-border car shopper. But Mr. O'Connor has assured staff Mr. Norbury's firing wasn't based on the "writing of this article." Nor was Mr. Clarke asked to resign. And, in an subsequent interview with Public Eye, Mr. O'Connor stressed Black Press's editorial staff don't need to consider the impact their articles can have on advertising.

In his email, Mr. O'Connor writes that Mr. Clarke's story, "caused the publisher, Penny Sakamoto and Island group president Mark Warner, concern for valid reasons. The article wasn't balanced in our opinion and didn't explain the pitfalls of buying a vehicle in the U.S. Mark and Penny had a meeting with the reporter, Brennan Clark, regional editor, Keith Norbury, and group editor Brian Lepine to express their concerns and explain the impact a potential loss of advertising from the automotive sector would have on these newspapers."

"Neither Penny nor Mark knew the article was scheduled to run and asked to be apprised in future when potentially controversial articles or editorials were to run," continued Mr. O'Connor. "This is common practice in all of our newspapers. We did not ask for anyone to resign as a result of writing this article. Not did we base our decision to change editors on the writing of this article."

Indeed, according to Mr. O'Connor, it was "another incident" later in the week that led to Mr. Lepine's resignation "and our decision to make a change with respect to regional editor Norbury. The details of what transpired remain confidential and our treatment of Mr. Norbury is very fair given his long years of service to Black Press."

But what about Mr. Warner's earlier statement that Mr. Norbury's firing was, in part, connected to an advertiser complaint? Speaking with Public Eye, Mr. O'Connor said, "I don't know what he said to you. But, at the end of the day, the single incident of running that article and the ramifications that the paper suffered as a result of it...did not lead to any consideration of the decision to make a change at the top with Keith."

Asked whether editorial staff need to consider the impact their stories have on advertising, Mr. O'Connor said, "No. But they need to understand that, if they don't have balance, then we're wide open to whatever criticisms come our way - whether it's related to advertising or not. In this case, the story was related to an advertising sector we're very strong in. And we took the brunt of their unhappiness" - referring to the fact advertising from the automotive sector dropped the week after Mr. Clarke's article was published.

But is it appropriate for executives to talk to editorial staff about the impact their stories can have on advertising, as happened in the case of Messrs. Clarke and Norbury? "Do you think that there is no link between advertising and editorial," responded Mr. O'Connor. "I think there's a huge difference between paid daily newspapers and free community newspapers" - like the Victoria News.

"In a paid daily newspaper upwards of 30 percent of the revenue comes from subscriptions or circulation - where people are making the decision to buy that paper based on what they like and what kind of editorial materials is in that product," he explained. In a free community paper where you're putting out 100,000 copies, you're dependent on one source of advertising - and that's display advertising, classified advertising or insert advertising."

"The financial health, which pays for the salaries of everyone involved in the enterprise, is involved in making sure you have a healthy advertising product. And if you purposely go out and run editorial that could seriously jeopardize that, your business is in jeopardy. So there is a direct link. Unfortunately, I don't get 30 percent of my revenue from paid circulation like The Times Colonist does."

The following is a complete copy of the aforementioned email.

***

To all editors, publishers and reporters

From Rick O'Connor,
Chief Operating Officer,
Black Press

As you may be aware, we have recently gone through a difficult editorial situation with staff at three of our five Victoria based community papers. We had a Victoria News reporter and our Vancouver Island Group Editorial Manager resign and provided a buy-out offer to a long-time regional editor. Normally we don't comment on personnel matters, however, because of the media interest in the Victoria market and some of the e-mailing, phoning and online blogging which has taken place, I felt it was important to respond internally and provide you with the facts of what transpired.

Our Victoria News ran a front page article on "the ease of car buying in the U.S." This article caused the publisher, Penny Sakamoto and Island group president Mark Warner, concern for valid reasons. The article wasn't balanced in our opinion and didn't explain the pitfalls of buying a vehicle in the U.S. Mark and Penny had a meeting with the reporter, Brennan Clark, regional editor, Keith Norbury, and group editor Brian Lepine to express their concerns and explain the impact a potential loss of advertising from the automotive sector would have on these newspapers. Neither Penny nor Mark knew the article was scheduled to run and asked to be apprised in future when potentially controversial articles or editorials were to run. This is common practice in all of our newspapers. We did not ask for anyone to resign as a result of writing this article. Not did we base our decision to change editors on the writing of this article.

Reporter Clarke turned in his resignation notice the next day and outlined to us that he had been considering this decision for quite some time. Later in the week another incident occurred which led to the voluntary resignation of group editor Brian Lepine and our decision to make a change with respect to regional editor Norbury. The details of what transpired remain confidential and our treatment of Mr. Norbury is very fair given his long years of service to Black Press. Our relationship with Brian Lepine is also respectful of what he has accomplished during his years with Black Press. He is remaining with us during this transition phase until new editor Kevin Laird of the Nanaimo News Bulletin takes over.

Our Victoria papers have recently started to prosper after many years of difficult operations. Being "free community papers" in a large urban market competing against a strong daily means that we have to be constantly working to find a readership niche which will give us a competitive advantage. We believe strongly there is a role for community newspapers to play in this market and take very seriously the issue of editorial integrity and overall editorial quality. Our goal in Victoria is to obtain a minimum of 60 per cent readership, much like the rest of our B.C. markets. With the proven leadership ability of new editor Kevin Laird working with publisher Penny Sakamoto, we feel we have the right ingredients for future success of our Victoria community newspapers.

Black Press has grown and prospered in Western Canada through the development of quality community newspapers and we will continue to do so.

If you have any questions on this matter, feel free to contact me at any time.

Regards,

Rick

Earlier, we reported the firing of Victoria News editor Keith Norbury was connected, in part, to an advertiser complaint concerning a story about a cross-border car shopper. This, according to Vancouver Island News Group publisher Mark Warner. But, in a subsequent email interview with Public Eye over the weekend, Dave Wheaton Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. dealer principal Dave Wheaton added, "I never did complain about the article until I was asked (about it by a news group representative) and it was several days after it had run. My opinion was solicited and I gave it to them in an honest, straight-forward manner, in a meeting, at their request, in my office. They phoned me. I never called them.” Asked for comment, news group vice-president Kirk Freeman said Mr. Norbury's firing "is an internal personnel issue. And what has transpired had nothing to do with Dave Wheaton." In an earlier interview, Mr. Wheaton also stated he hadn't and wouldn't pull any advertising with the news group as a result of the story.

Earlier, we reported on the controversial firing of Victoria News editor Keith Norbury. And now, Public Eye has learned Black Press Ltd. - which owns the newspaper - is looking for a Greater Victoria editorial director. This, according to an internal job posting distributed yesterday. Brian Lepine is presently the company's Vancouver Island editorial director. Publisher Penny Sakamoto hasn't yet responded to an email requesting comment nor has Mr. Lepine returned repeated calls from Public Eye.

The Vancouver Island News Group has declined further comment on Victoria News editor Keith Norbury's controversial firing. Earlier today, we provided publisher Penny Sakamoto an opportunity to respond to criticism levelled against the group by Canadian Association of Journalists president Mary Agnes Welch. Her response: I "understand you were able to reach (president) Mark Warner (last week), so I (think) that should do it from our company's point of view."

Earlier today, Canadian Association of Journalists president Mary Agnes Welch questioned the controversial firing of Victoria News editor Keith Norbury - which was, in part, connected to an advertiser complaint. But she's not the only one raising a red flag. In an interview with Public Eye, associate professor Klaus Pohle, a specialist in media ethics and newspaper management at Carleton University's school of journalism, said, "You'd like to think that these things don't happen. But, obviously, they do. But, when they do happen, it comes as kind of a shock...If you start caving-in to advertisers complaints or anybody's complaints, based on the kind of discussion that went on - that this was one person's opinion and so-on and so-forth - then you're going to be publishing nothing but fluff and PR pieces that don't serve the public but serve the advertiser. And that's not what journalism is supposed to be all about."

"It may be true that this is one person's opinion," Prof. Pohle continued, referring to the source of the complaint - a story about a cross-border used-car shopper who saved $13,000 buying by purchasing a Mercedes ML350 in Portland rather than from a local dealer. "But so what? The response of the car dealer" who complained about the story "is also one person's opinion. That's what journalism is. It's reporting people's opinions. And this opinion didn't sit well with an advertiser. And, unfortunately, the journalists seem to have paid a very heavy and sad price for this." Prof. Pohle added the fact the dealer's opinion wasn't included in the piece doesn't, to his mind, constitute a firing offence in and of itself.

The president of the Canadian Association of Journalists is weighing-in on the controversial firing of Victoria News editor Keith Norbury, who was forced out after publishing a story about a cross-border used car shopper. In an interview this morning with Public Eye, Mary Agnes Welch said, "We don't know all the details of the relationship between the editor and the newspaper. There could have been exacerbating circumstances. But, if in fact, it was this story - and one angry advertiser - that led to the departure of the editor and possibly one of the senior reporters I think this really calls into question the credibility of the paper. And, if I were a reader, I would wonder how many stories got either spiked because of an advertiser complaint or downplayed or soften because somebody complained or because the paper was fearful of offending an advertiser. As a reader, I would really start to question the independence of the paper."

"It's really so petty in many ways," Ms. Welch added. "Newspapers are a business. We are, to some degree, at the mercy of advertisers. It's just really unfortunate that - over such a small story - the newspaper would apparently cave like that."

In an earlier interview with Public Eye, Vancouver Island News Group president Mark Warner confirmed Mr. Norbury's firing was, in part, connected to a complaint by Dave Wheaton Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. dealer principal Dave Wheaton. Reporter Brennan Clarke, who wrote the offending article, resigned earlier last week. The Victoria News, which is owned by Black Press Ltd., is part of the Vancouver Island News Group.

Earlier, we exclusively reported on the controversial firing of Victoria News editor Keith Norbury. The firing - which happened Friday - was, in part, connected to an advertiser complaint about an article written by reporter Brennan Clarke. Mr. Clarke resigned earlier in the week. And those departures are going to leave the Vancouver Island News Group's capital city newspapers a bit short-handed. After all, fellow reporter Thomas Winterhoff also cleaned out his desk last week, having been hired as a communications officer at the University of Victoria. And Messrs. Clarke and Winterhoff's coleague Andrea Lavigne, who is leaving on a trip to Asia, is scheduled to say her goodbyes this week. Meanwhile, former Esquimalt News editor Vern Faulkner - who had been effectively working as an assistant editor for the Oak Bay News, the Saanich News and the Victoria News - departed on July 25 to become managing editor of The Prince Albert Daily Herald. And Victoria News reporter Mark Brown packed his bags on May 1 to teach English overseas.

Victoria News editor Keith Norbury was fired today, Public Eye has exclusively learned, two days after one of his senior reporters - Brennan Clarke - resigned. The firing follows an advertiser complaint about an article published earlier this month by the newspaper. In an interview, Vancouver Island News Group president Mark Warner confirmed Mr. Norbury's forced departure was, in part, connected to the complaint. "There were a number of issues," he said. "But that was certainly one of them." Mr. Warner declined to say what those other issues may have been. Nor would he elaborate on how the complaint was connected to the firing.

The article, authored by Mr. Clarke, discussed the case of a Broadmead resident who saved $13,000 by purchasing a Mercedes ML350 in Portland rather than from a local dealer. The woman, Rebecca Schevenius, and her friend are "planning to publish an 18-page how-to pamphlet entitled 'How to Import a Car into Canada' for others interested in testing the cross-border used car market."

In a interview with Public Eye earlier this afternoon, Dave Wheaton Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. dealer principal Dave Wheaton said, "I was upset with the paper for doing it because it was one person's opinion" - referring to Ms. Schevenius. "And they are by no stretch of the imagination an expert at it. And why that was news I don't know."

"From a customer's perspective, the risk of buying a U.S. car over buying a local Canadian car is just not worth it. The declaration of history and accidents and ownership and state registration is just not the same as it is in Canada," he explained, adding most cross-border car shoppers don't get "as much of an edge" in price as Ms. Schevenius.

As a result of the article, Mr. Wheaton said, "I barked at them. But that's normal. They have a responsibility to their readers. But they also have a responsibility to the business community as well. And that was a poor article. And it's just not true."

And did he get a favourable response to that barking? "Oh absolutely. Oh sure. They understand. I just don't know how that gets past an editor's desk. I think they know perfectly well, if you read it, it's one person's experience. It's just not right." Mr. Wheaton confirmed the news group offered to publish a follow-up piece. "But I just feel it adds more fuel to the fire. So I'd just as sooner (the story) fades away."

Asked whether he had pulled or would pull any advertising dollars in the future, he responded, "No. I'm a quiet protester. No." He later added, "I don't have a contract with any of the medias - none. I am a by-the-day business. Somedays I advertise and somedays I don't. I don't run a very sophisticated business from that perspective. So I do it as I see fit."

For his part, Mr. Warner declined comment on the specifics of his conversation with Mr. Wheaton. "I'm not going to discuss that - about what I talk to with a client," he said. Mr. Warner said he didn't know whether Mr. Clarke's resignation was connected to Mr. Wheaton's complaint.

Update: In a subsequent interview with Public Eye, Mr. Wheaton stated, "I never did complain about the article until I was asked (about it by a news group representative) and it was several days after it had run. My opinion was solicited and I gave it to them in an honest, straight-forward manner, in a meeting, at their request, in my office. They phoned me. I never called them."

The following is a complete copy of the aforementioned article.

***

Strong Canadian dollar encourages car buyers to cross the border

Rebecca Schevenius has always been willing to go that extra mile for a good bargain.

Or, in the case of the Mercedes ML350 she purchased last month, an extra 300 miles.

Schevenius, a Broadmead resident, says she saved about $13,000 by shopping for the vehicle on the Internet and then flying down to Portland to pick it up.

Prices for quality used cars in the U.S., historically lower than in B.C. to begin with, have become even more attractive due to the strong Canadian dollar.

"With the foreign exchange rate the way it is, it really is on the purchaser's side to go down to the states and buy a car," Schevenius said. "I love a good bargain."

The Mercedes, listed at $22,000 in Portland, would have cost closer to $38,000 north of the border. Even after the taxes were paid, the savings more than justified the time and airfare it took to bring the vehicle back.

Vehicle importers do not have to pay duty on car made within the borders of the North American free Trade Agreement, she said.

Schevenius and a friend are planning to publish an 18-page how-to pamphlet entitled "How to Import a Car into Canada" for others interested in testing the cross-border used car market.

She said it's important to sign a purchase agreement ahead of time stipulating the vehicle must pass a mechanical test. If the deal in Portland fell through, Schevenius had a list of other possible vehicles to buy in the area as a back-up plan.

Peter Tolsma of Sussex Insurance in Langford said the rising Canadian dollar - sitting at 95 cents US as of Friday - has piqued interest from cross-border buyers of in both new and used cars.

"There is way more interest and it's probably not as difficult as most people think," he said.

"A lot of it is just sheer number. Take California, it has about 25 million people and there's just a lot more cars available."

However, new car dealers say the market isn't big enough to have an impact on them.

"I haven't really come across that many because we're on the Island so it's a bit different, but I know some of the dealers near borders are conscious they are losing a few deals to that," said Saunders Subaru sales manager Edie Foster. "Most of those people are going down for really exotic or expensive vehicles."

Industry Canada estimates that Canadians purchased more than 112,000 cars from the U.S. in 2006.

In today's edition of The Vancouver Sun, former top provincial bureaucrat Doug McArthur criticizes the New Democrat caucus for keeping secret its decision to support the Tsawwassen First Nation treaty. But, writes Prof. McArthur "the real source of the trouble and the larger failing was the inability of the NDP caucus, under pressure from a small group of extremist columnists and activists, to understand and accept aboriginal rights and the compromises necessary to achieve treaty settlements. Without this, the political stunt giving rise to the problems now facing the NDP would never have been attempted in the first place." Of course, given that view, it might have been helpful if the Sun had told readers that Prof. McArthur - who was the deputy minister to two New Democrat premiers - has been working as a treaty negotiation advisor for the Tsawassen First Nation. But, curiously, the broadsheet simply identifies him as a "professor of public policy at Simon Fraser University." Er...okay.

The Vancouver Sun's Victoria correspondent Miro Cernetig will be "returning to the Sun newsroom to write a regular column on Urban Policies and the Lower Mainland." This, according to an email distributed to the broadsheet's staffers. "The column will examine how the people and the decision-making at all levels of government affect our cities and lives," the email continues. "It will touch on cultural and economic influences and provide insight into how we are viewed by those on the Pacific Rim and in other parts of Canada." Mr. Cernetig, who will assume his new responsibilities in the fall, has been covering provincial politics for the Sun since 2005. The following is a copy of the aforementioned email.

We are pleased to announce that Miro Cernetig will be returning to the Sun newsroom to write a regular column on Urban Policies and the Lower Mainland.

The column will examine how the people and the decision-making at all levels of government affect our cities and lives. It will touch on cultural and economic influences and provide insight into how we are viewed by those on the Pacific Rim and in other parts of Canada.

Fresh from Victoria and with a strong background in national and international reporting, Miro has the unique perspective to make this column a success. He also has a great ability to work his sources to gain insightful, contextual understanding of issues, scoop the competition and consistently land big stories.

Born in Glasgow, Miro went to The Globe and Mail early in his career and continued on to head its bureaus in Alberta, B.C., China and New York. He has been nominated for three national newspaper awards, winning the NNA for international reporting in 2001.

After serving as The Toronto Star's Quebec bureau chief he returned to The Vancouver Sun in 2005, where he had worked as an intern way back in 1986 to 1988, to become the Sun's correspondent in Victoria. Along with the Sun's Lori Culbert, he was nominated for both a Webster award and a Michener last year for a series on the death, while in government care, of foster child Savannah Hall.

Miro will take up his new responsibilities early in the fall.

Peter O'Neil, The Vancouver Sun's Ottawa bureau chief, is taking a two-year leave of absence to become CanWest News Service's European correspondent. Mr. O'Neil will be hopping across the pond in August - although the European bureau isn't scheduled to open until September. The Sun is not presently planning on filling Mr. O'Neil's old job.

Those who follow provincial politics (and we assume that's most of our readers) will be familiar with This Week in BC, a weekly editorial broadcast on Shaw TV - and now the Internet. Starting this week, the segment (which is hosted by CKNW bureau chief Sean Leslie), will be available on YouTube. The editorial is produced and edited by Kristina Verruyt.

As some of our astute readers may know, Ian Bailey, The Province's politics reporter, departed the tabloid on the week of April 16 to join The Globe and Mail's British Columbia bureau. So who's going to replacing Mr. Bailey on that beat, you may wonder? Well, the answer arrived at the press gallery today in the form of John Bermingham, who is best known for his coverage of civic issues for The Province.

Monday Magazine's Russ Francis is saying "au revoir" to the Georgia Straight. In today's edition of the Vancouver alternative newspaper, Mr. Francis, one of British Columbia's best known muckrakers, writes "this is my final (Victoria Secrets) column for the Straight. Over the last year and a half, I’ve enjoyed working with the Straight’s staff." So why is he leaving? Speaking with Public Eye, editor Charlie Smith made it clear he's been "happy with Russ's work." In fact, Mr. Francis is welcome to continue contributing articles for publication in the Georgia Straight.

But Mr. Smith says wants to run world affairs journalist Gwynne Dyer's opinion pieces more frequently. "Vancouver, as I see it, is becoming much more of an international city," he explained. "And my feeling is that the bonds between Vancouver and the rest of the province are diminishing and increasing in-terms of internationally." And there simply wasn't enough space in the newspaper for both Mr. Francis and Mr. Dyer.

That being said, though, Mr. Smith says "it wasn't a pleasant or thrilling" decision to shutter Mr. Francis's column and "I'm not happy about it." But he added the Georgia Straight will still continue to cover provincial politics "through feature articles and with a multitude of voices" - focusing on how the Campbell administration's policies "are playing out on the ground" in Vancouver.

"The world unfolded exactly as it was meant to in Saturday's political thriller, with Montreal MP Stephane Dion snaring the Liberal party leadership after four gruelling rounds of balloting." That's how The Vancouver Sun's Barbara Yaffe summarized the former environment minister's win. Continued Ms. Yaffe, "As I first predicted on July 22, Dion prevailed against his two main rivals, Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae, both party newcomers." Indeed, the scribe devoted a whole column to making that prediction. But a win by Mr. Dion wasn't the only possibility she contemplated. On November 23, Ms. Yaffe informed readers "The next Liberal leader, to be announced Dec. 2, almost surely will be either Stephane Dion or Bob Rae." And a month earlier, she wrote "the former Ontario premier is now looking like the best shot to win."

Premier Gordon Campbell was showing his usual respect for the press gallery today. As early as last Wednesday, gallery members had requested comment from the premier on the Harper administration's motion recognizing the "Quebecois as a nation within a united Canada." But it seems he didn't want to talk to them about that issue. Instead, the premier choose to articulate his position - that the federal government should also recognize Canada's aboriginals as a nation - by releasing an opinion-editorial to the The Globe and Mail and the National Post. Needless to say, the legislative press pack was less than enthusiastic about the West Annex's communications strategy.

Premier Gordon Campbell dished out double helpings of news at the provincial Liberal's biennial convention - announcing a $1,000 post-secondary education investment for each new baby born in British Columbia, a ban on smoking in indoor public spaces and lower taxes. But some of the province's most prominent news outlets didn't send reporters to cover the proceedings. Curiously, The Globe and Mail, The Vancouver Sun, The Canadian Press/Broadcast News, BCTV and CKNW were all no-shows.

Freelancer Paul Willcocks's opinions are published in community newspapers across British Columbia. But soon, Mr. Willcocks will also be lending his voice to The Times Colonist. The Garden City broadsheet has hired their former publisher as an editorial page writer. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Willcocks confirmed he will continue penning his freelance column.

Can't get enough of progressive pundit and prognosticator Bill Tieleman in 24 hours and on CKNW? Well, insatiable fans are advised to visit Mr. Tieleman's new blog, where he will be posting his columns - as well as his thoughts on the day's political follies.

Earlier, we reported the Manning Centre for Building Democracy would be holding a three-day seminar next month in Vancouver to teach religious activists how to "communicate your values and faith wisely in a political setting." Among those scheduled to speak at that conference: Vancouver Sun national affairs columnist Barbara Yaffe, who will be part of a session called "practising effective communications with and through the media." Or perhaps not. In an interview this morning, Ms. Yaffe explained she agreed to speak at the seminar "out of total respect for (former federal Reform leader Preston) Manning. He was a superb man of integrity." But when we told her media wouldn't be allowed to cover seminar workshops, she said "That I had no idea. I don't like that. This is something new to me." She then added, "I won't do closed sessions. Everything I stand for is openness. And I'm asking people all the time to answer for things. So how can I do something like this? It's inconsistent. And I'm going to have to call and tell them that if it's closed I can't do it."

Longtime Public Eye readers will remember that, last year, staffers working at The Times Colonist were notified food and beverages would no longer be allowed in the newsroom. Why that was, who knows? Perhaps management has mistaken the newsroom for a laboratory, library or some other kind of archival institution? But happy days are here again for liquid lovers on the broadsheet's payroll. Late last month, management lifted the ban on beverages. Which means word slaves may starve at their desks but they won't dehydrate.

British Columbia's punditocracy may soon have a new member. In an interview with Public Eye, North Shore News managing editor Terry Peters confirmed he's looking at having former North Vancouver councillor and alderman Bill Bell write a weekly political column for the newspaper. But Mr. Peters added, "It's not a done deal yet." Mr. Bell was the federal Liberal's North Vancouver candidate in the 2000 election. And, in 1990, he ran for the provincial New Democrat nomination in North Vancouver-Lonsdale.

But the former New Democrat backroom boy is also known for having been a principal at Pradinuk Advertising and later a senior consultant with Profile B.C. When the Dippers were in office, Pradinuk received a $50,000 contract from the tourism ministry and Profile was retained to do work for the Ebco-Hamilton Partners, the company running the province's AirCare program - prompting the usual suggestions of favourtism from Opposition benchers and the press pack. Mr. Bell presently operates a Website offering "a comprehensive travel guide for RVing, camping, driving by car and golfing" in Mexico.

For those following the Vivian Smith affair, here's the latest: in a news release from the Canadian Association of Journalists, CanWest Global Communications Corp. executive vice-president David Asper states his company shares the group's "concerns regarding the lines between editorial and advertising and work(s) vigilantly to ensure our readers are provided with unencumbered journalism, and where there are the occasional slip-ups...we are committed to remedying them quickly." Meanwhile, the association's Ottawa chapter has written to Times Colonist publisher Bob McKenzie commending his decision "to rescind the indefinite suspension of Vivian Smith both as a columnist and a writing coach." And The Tyee's Shannon Rupp is quoting CanWest communications director Dervla Kelly as saying Dennis Skulsky, who heads up the company's newspaper publishing arm, was "'very upset' when he learned about the way Smith's contract had been handled." Ms. Smith's contract with the newspaper was cut short after she wrote a column criticizing the high cost of Victoria's tourist attractions. The following is a complete copy of the Ottawa chapter's letter.

Richard Cleroux
President, Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Journalists Parliamentary Press Gallery, Ottawa

Bob McKenzie
Publisher, Victoria Times-Colonist
Victoria, BC

Dear Mr. McKenzie:

On behalf of the members of the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Journalists I write to commend you on your decision to rescind the indefinite suspension of Vivian Smith both as a columnist and a writing coach.

Ms. Smith is a nationally-respected journalist, editor and journalism educator, and her presence as a contributor brings credit to your newspaper. I am glad that you see it that way.

Your decision supports your declaration that advertisers do not influence the editorial policies of your newspaper - and I might add, the human resources policies either.

I am sure many of your readers will applaud your decision.

I urge you as well to make every effort to appeal to Ms. Van Leuven and Janis Ringuetteto return to the Times Colonist as well, so that we can all put this entire episode behind us and get on with the business of publishing a fine newspaper of national acclaim.

Richard Cleroux,
President, Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Journalists

Earlier, we reported Times Colonist publisher Bob McKenzie sent an email to the broadsheet's staffers, apologizing for putting Vivian Smith's column on hiatus. But he's not the only one who's writing about the affair. CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. president Dennis Skulsky has weighed in on the matter, telling employees the company "takes the issue at the Times Colonist very seriously and has acted to address this situation. Vivian Smith's column has been reinstated and our journalists have been reassured that they are free to cover any organization or subject with the full support of their Editor and Publisher. We believe that the rigorous adherence to these principles is a public trust and a precondition for the credibility of any media outlet." The following is a complete copy of Mr. Skulsky's email. In related news, the Canadian Association of Journalist has put out a news release referencing Ms. Smith's axing.

There have been a number of rumours and concerns circulating about the relationship between the Victoria Times Colonist and its advertising clients, and on behalf of CanWest MediaWorks I would like to clarify our position on this issue. While advertisers are a very important part of our business model, our readers expect and deserve an impartial reporting of the news. We value the editorial independence of each our news outlets and under no circumstances should advertising influence the content of newspapers.

CanWest MediaWorks' management takes the issue at the Times Colonist very seriously and has acted to address this situation. Vivian Smith's column has been reinstated and our journalists have been reassured that they are free to cover any organization or subject with the full support of their Editor and Publisher. We believe that the rigorous adherence to these principles is a public trust and a precondition for the credibility of any media outlet.

Dennis Skulsky
President, CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.

Earlier, we reported Times Colonist publisher Bob McKenzie wrote an email to the broadsheet's staffers, apologizing for putting Vivian Smith's column on hiatus. In an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Smith, who was also a writing coach for the newspaper, responded to the news this way: "I got a call from (the newspaper's editor-in-chief) Lucinda (Chodan) on Friday morning, asking me to consider starting to write my column again. And I said I would do that but I'd like to consider that. I needed to know what their terms were. So I had a short meeting with her on Friday evening during which she assured me that the column could continue on as it had - that I would be able to write with the constraints that would be typical of a newspaper reporter" or columnist - i.e. that it be fair and accurate. "And she did repeat to me that the publisher was not influenced by advertisers. So I heard her out and I told her I would let her know (my decision) by Monday morning."

"Over the weekend, I thought about it. And I decided that I could go back to the column." But, Ms. Smith added, "My concern about going back was that, in the absence of any explanation or credible explanation (as to why my contract was cut short) how could I move forward with the T-C? And if they were going to continue to be publicly silent about the suspension of the column and publicly silent about the return of it, it would be as if nothing had happened. And that would not be acceptable to me."

"But, if they were prepared to give me a reason - and they wouldn't necessarily have to deliver it in a public way because, frankly, they didn't issue a public statement when they let me go and I wouldn't expect them to publicly talk about it - but if I could be public myself about it then that would be acceptable. So that was last night. And this morning, the statement - which I assume you have - came to me and to the staff. And it more than satisfied what I need to return to work as a columnist. And Lucinda and I have agreed separately that we will resume the coaching in some shape or another in the fall...So I'm pleased with this statement. And I am pleased to be able to contribute whatever I can contribute to the readers of the Times Colonist."

The tenative return date for the column is August 20, after Ms. Smith's summer holidays wrap-up. Although, she added, it could end up being a week or two later.

Public Eye has reported at length on the Vivian Smith affair. As early as this morning, the Times Colonist declined to discuss why Ms. Smith, a columnist and writing coach at the broadsheet, had her contract cut short. But, within the last hour, publisher Bob McKenzie sent out an email to staffers writing that "the recent decision to place Vivian Smith's column on hiatus was an error in judgment for which I apologize." The email notes "there have been a number of rumours circulating about the relationship between the Times Colonist and its advertising clients. I would like to underscore our policy on this matter: we do not allow advertisers to influence the content of this newspaper. I value the editorial integrity of the paper and the important role it allows us to play in the community." The following is a complete copy of that message.

From: Bob McKenzie
Date: July 24, 2006 10:20:05 AM PDT
Subject: Publisher's Statement

To all staff:

There have been a number of rumours circulating about the relationship between the Times Colonist and its advertising clients. I would like to underscore our policy on this matter: we do not allow advertisers to influence the content of this newspaper. I value the editorial integrity of the paper and the important role it allows us to play in the community. The recent decision to place Vivian Smith's column on hiatus was an error in judgment for which I apologize.

Bob McKenzie
Publisher

The Canadian Association of Journalists will soon be weighing in on the Vivian Smith affair, Public Eye has learned. In an interview, president Paul Schneidereit confirmed the association will be releasing a statement - perhaps within the next hour - "on the larger issue of editorial independence." But that statement will specifically reference the axing of Ms. Smith by the Times Colonist. That controversial decision was made after Ms. Smith wrote a column criticizing the high cost of Victoria's tourist attractions. Tourism representatives subsequently met with the newspaper's publisher Bob McKenzie. And, according to one account of that meeting, Mr. McKenzie told those representatives he agreed Ms. Smith's column "should have never run" and that her contract would "probably" be cut short.

This morning, the newspaper's editor-in-chief Lucinda Chodan continued to decline comment on the reason Ms. Smith is no longer writing for the broadsheet. When asked about the recent decision by two freelancers to pull their columns for the newspaper in protest, Ms. Chodan responded "What I would like to say is that I have a great deal of respect for Lynne Van Luven and Janis Ringuette. And I'm sorry to loose their contribution to the newspaper. They're terrific people."

Yesterday, Public Eye reported University of Victoria journalism professor Lynne Van Luven had decided to stop writing columns for the Times Colonist "as a sincere protest against the way TC Management has dealt with" Vivian Smith. Ms. Smith had her contract with the newspaper cut short after she wrote a column criticizing the high cost of Victoria's tourist attractions. And now, Public Eye has learned another freelancer is joining Prof. Van Luven's protest. In an email addressed to Times Colonist staff and management and forwarded to Public Eye, Janis Ringuette - who also writes for the newspaper's Sunday Monitor section - states "Smith's column rightly reported that many tourist attractions are very expensive...A reasonable response to complaints about Smith's column from business interests with different opinions would have been to provide space in the newspaper for those other views to be presented. Terminating Smith was unfair. A deep chill has descended on freelancers and regular staff alike."

Ms. Ringuette also writes that the correction the Times Colonist published to Ms. Smith's column was "misleading." That column suggested Butchart Gardens might not be of interest to the pre-schooler set. But the correction countered that the gardens has "numerous activities" for children, including "fireworks" and "skating in winter." However, Ms. Ringuette points out "during regular summer day visits, there are no activities for children." The following is a complete copy of her email.

***

To: Times Colonist management and staff,

I regret to inform you that I will no longer contribute freelance articles to the Times Colonist. After writing twenty-eight feature articles for the Islander section of the Sunday Monitor, I am ending my association with the newspaper in protest against the recent termination of columnist Vivian Smith.

The column Smith wrote on July 2, 2006 was printed under the heading "Monitor/Comment" and bore her photo, so it was clearly an opinion column. According to Public Eye Online, she was fired when business people complained about that the painful truths in that column.

Though some tourist businesses don't want it said out loud, Smith's column rightly reported that many tourist attractions are very expensive. Not every visitor can afford them. Smith was also correct to point out that Butchart Gardens isn't the best activity choice for small children. (From 24 years of public school teaching, I know the Bug Zoo, for example, is a much better choice.)

The "Correction" printed on page one on July 5 countered that the Gardens has "numerous activities" for children, including "fireworks" and "skating in winter." This is misleading. During regular summer day visits, there are no activities for children.

A reasonable response to complaints about Smith's column from business interests with different opinions would have been to provide space in the newspaper for those other views to be presented. Terminating Smith was unfair. A deep chill has descended on freelancers and regular staff alike.

I hope that action will be reconsidered. I also hope the TC will decide to print the views of all sides of this important issue.

I want to thank the excellent editors and staff at the TC who have worked with me. A special thanks to Liz Pogue for all her good work.

Janis Ringuette

The controversial axing of Times Colonist columnist Vivian Smith has prompted one of her colleagues to quit working for the newspaper, Public Eye has learned. University of Victoria journalism professor Lynne Van Luven, who freelances a regular column for the broadsheet's Sunday Monitor section, tendered her resignation in an email sent earlier today to features editor Bruce MacKenzie and books editor Liz Pogue. In that email, Prof. Van Luven explains she's resigning "as a sincere protest against the way TC Management has dealt with" Ms. Smith, whose contract was cut short after she wrote a column criticizing the high cost of Victoria's tourist attractions.

"Vivian Smith wrote an informative and reasonable column in the July 2/06 issue of the newspaper," continued Prof. Van Luven. "Smith's sole error about Buchart Garden's fees for children was minor and duly corrected. That she should be suspended so summarily seems greatly disproportionate to whatever complaints the column sparked within the Victoria business and tourism sector."

As we previously reported, Times Colonist publisher Bob McKenzie met with tourism representatives to discuss those complaints. And, according to one account of that meeting, Mr. McKenzie told those representatives he agreed Ms. Smith's column "should have never run" and that her contract would "probably" be cut short.

Prof. Van Luven's email goes onto note Ms. Smith's dismissal "also suggests a harsh 'one strike and you are out' mentality that does not bode well for staffers at the TC itself...as a senior journalist with a long-standing association with Canwest Global, I am dismayed by this blot upon the Times Colonist's integrity."

Times Colonist representatives have yet to comment on the reason for Ms. Smith's axing, except to confirm the former Globe and Mail editor was told the newspaper doesn't base editorial decisions on advertiser complaints. The following is a complete copy of Prof. Van Luven's email.

***

ATTENTION: Bruce MacKenzie, Features Editor, and Liz Pogue, Books Editor

Hello Bruce and Liz:

I feel awkward sending this note to two people I so admire, at a time when newsroom morale may be somewhat shaky.

Nevertheless, I feel impelled to notify you that I have decided to resign from my position as freelance columnist for the Books and Ideas pages of the Monitor. Perhaps freelancers cannot really resign, in which case, I want to withdraw my column and cancel my contract with the TC. I do so after much serious thought. I do so as a sincere protest against the way TC Management has dealt with a respected fellow journalist.

Vivian Smith wrote an informative and reasonable column in the July 2/06 issue of the newspaper. Smith's sole error about Buchart Garden's fees for children was minor and duly corrected. That she should be suspended so summarily seems greatly disproportionate to whatever complaints the column sparked within the Victoria business and tourism sector...It also suggests a harsh "one strike and you are out" mentality that does not bode well for staffers at the TC itself.

As a teacher of future journalists, I would feel hypocritical if I were to continue my column under a publisher who appears to have so little respect for freelancers' autonomy and freedom of expression, and who appears to value only the business aspect of his newspaper's intimate and vital role within its community.

I would be happy to work for the TC again in the future, as I have been treated with nothing but respect and professional conduct in my own dealings with the TC. Furthermore, the paper's staff includes many hardworking professionals who do the best job possible and will surely also find these events distressing.

However, as a senior journalist with a long-standing association with Canwest Global, I am dismayed by this blot upon the Times Colonist's integrity. My most direct means of protest is to withdraw my column and byline from the newspaper.

Earlier, we noted the Canadian mainstream media has yet to report on the controversial axing of Times Colonist columnist Vivian Smith - although the story was picked up by the British press yesterday. But we may have spoken to soon. Today, former Globe and Mail and Maclean's managing editor Geoffrey Stevens, a columnist with The Record and the Guelph Mercury weighed in on the issue. After canvassing the facts of the case - which have been covered at length by this organ - he notes "although the bloggers are having a field day, none of this was reported in the 'TC' or the Vancouver Sun or Vancouver Province. All three are owned by bottom-feeding CanWest Global. As they say, freedom of the press is reserved to those who own it." Mr. Stevens, a friend of Ms. Smith's, is one of Canada's most respected journalists.

Here at Public Eye, we've spilled much ink reporting on the axing of Times Colonist columnist Vivian Smith. That axing occurred a day after tourism industry representatives met with the newspaper's publisher to complain about a column by Ms. Smith in which she encouraged out-of-towners to explore Victoria's no-charge attraction rather than its more pricey visitor venues. And, according to one account, Bob McKenzie "agreed" during the meeting "that (the column) should have never run" and indicated Ms. Smith's contract would "probably" be cut short. So far, there's hasn't been a peep about this story in the Canadian mainstream media. But, across the Atlantic, it is getting some attention. Yesterday, The Guardian's media commentator Roy Greenslade - a journalism professor at London's City University - referenced the controversy on his blog, calling it "an extraordinary tale." Times Colonist representatives have yet to comment on the reason for Ms. Smith's axing, except to confirm the former Globe and Mail editor was told the newspaper doesn't base editorial decisions on advertiser complaints.

Your humble organ has reported at length on the axing of Times Colonist columnist Vivian Smith. That axing occurred a day after tourism industry representatives met with the newspaper's publisher to complain about a column by Ms. Smith in which she encouraged out-of-towners to explore Victoria's no-charge attraction rather than its more pricey visitor venues. In an interview with Public Eye, associate professor Klaus Pohle, a specialist in media ethics and newspaper management at Carleton University's school of journalism, said it wasn't surprising publisher Bob McKenzie declined to comment on the situation, explaining "I would be totally embarrassed to admit" to canceling such a contract just after meeting with "the vested interests in Victoria...It's a terrible conflict. A terrible conflict. And it sends a terrible message - not only to the journalists at the paper but to the other media and the readers and the advertisers. It sends a message (to the advertisers) that I can interfere anytime. And that's a very, very dangerous situation to be in."

Prof. Pohle said articles that criticize established tourism venues and suggest alternatives - such as Ms. Smith's - are "a legitimate exercise. And, in a way, it's a service for tourists. So this is nothing particularly new." He added, that such pieces will upset obviously "the people who charge an arm and a leg to visit a bunch of flowers. And that's fine. But I can't imagine - as fantastic as the Butchart Gardens are - that for toddlers they'd be all that exciting" - referring to Ms. Smith's suggestion that the gardens might not be interesting to the five and under set . "They look for different things. So, unless you have a section where they can pull out flowers from a flowerbed" toddlers won't be entraced by the attraction - which also offers Saturday evening summer fireworks, skating in the winter and live entertainment options.

Prof. Pohle also pointed out that, recently, The Times (of London)'s Times 2 supplement published a cover story that "took apart some of the most well-known tourist attractions in England and just slagged them because they were too expensive, they offered nothing for the money. And they were boring. And, actually (in the case) of two or three of them or several, (the writers) gave alternatives which cost nothing." And "from what I could tell - there may have been complaints. But I didn't see any public complaints in the letters to the editor and other places in the paper."

Earlier, we exclusively reported Vivian Smith, a biweekly columnist and summer writing coach at the Times Colonist, had her contract with the newspaper cut short. That decision was delivered a day after tourism industry representatives met with the newspaper's publisher to complain about a column in which Ms. Smith encouraged out-of-towners to explore Victoria's no-charge attraction rather than its more pricey visitor venues. According to Butchart Gardens public relations director Alison Partridge, the publisher "agreed" during the meeting "that (the column) should have never run." And, says Ms. Partridge, Bob McKenzie "did indicate" at the time that Ms. Smith's contract would "probably" be cut short. Mr. McKenzie declined to comment on Ms. Partridge's statements via a representative. But, in an interview with Public Eye, Ms. Smith said "I would once again defend my column on the basis of the facts and fair comment. My idea was to give people alternatives if they want to enjoy this wonderful city." And she added that "if it's true, what (Ms. Partridge) says, it's a sad day for the kind of reporting and fair comment that serves readers best. And that's the kind that's done without fear or favour."