The war of words has officially started as B.C.'s major political parties roll out their advertising campaigns heading into May 12's provincial election.
The opposition NDP released its latest TV ad yesterday, a 30-second spot that slams what it sees as the governing B.C. Liberals' moves towards privatizing former Crown corporations and resources.
The ad claims the government is pushing for further privatization of energy resources and health care; it also highlights the controversies over the B.C. Rail affair - a deal the NDP claims was "tainted by corruption."
"We want to make this part of the campaign," said NDP campaign co-manager Gerry Scott.
The tone of the ad stands in contrast with a B.C. Liberal spot that has already hit the airwaves. The Liberal ad takes a positive tone, using the tagline "keep B.C. strong." Click here to find out more!
But Scott rejected characterizing the NDP's ad as being negative.
"It's not so much a negative ad, but a controversial issue where we have a position that's diametrically opposed to [B.C. Premier Gordon] Campbell," Scott said.
SFU marketing professor Lindsay Meredith says political parties walk a tightrope when dishing out attack ads.
"If the ads stick to very factual issues, it could turn out to be a very powerful weapon," Meredith said. "But if you fall over the line and you get into just plain mudslinging, that's going to turn around and hurt you."
Irwin Loy reports for Vancouver's 24 hours.
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Fiat lux
3 years ago
What's wrong with pointing
What's wrong with pointing out the deep corruption going on, not only here in BC, but right across the whole world, with a handful of corporations poised for global dictatorial power, blessed by the priesthood of brainwashed economists and bought politicians.
The BCLibs, as well as the federal Conservatives, are part of this racket and somebody must point out the facts.
After all, isn't total moral corruption why Hitler et al, have been defeated?
Neoclassical market economics, the Bible of our governments, are now destroying more of the environment and killing more people on the yearly basis than both World Wars and the death camps of Stalin, Hitler and Mao put together, adding up to about 130 million, in about 40 years.
Neoclassical economics are killing the same number, with starvation, bad water etc. in about 4-5 years.
Ed Deak.
frenchy mcswede
3 years ago
right, keep bc strong, give
it to the americans for nickels on the dollar. As our unemployment rate increases the fastest of any place in canada, our last mill shuts down and the bc liberals are flat broke after 3 years of record revenue from high commodity price...let's fix things by whining about carol james...wonder what campbell will sell if he gets in again to "balance the budget" our human rights perhaps, or what's left of them after 8 years...but lets; all bash carol james...that's the smart thing to do...as I just saw on another thread...too bad some of those people couldn't have run for ndp leader...probably too busy sneering though, only in canada, you say, PITY...
seth
3 years ago
free Neocon ad program
Any of you listen to chicken dub's free three hours of Liberal party advertising from the "POWER UP CONFERENCE ON GREEN ENERGY"
To start Neocon minister and attorney Barry Penner got a 10 minute love-in with Bill (the two shoulda got a room) followed by a 4 minute spot with NDP's Shane Simpson.
Next we have 10 minutes or so with Patrick Moore pushing nuclear then spending 10 minutes answering Bill's leading questions showing he agreed with Liberal Da Gucci Suzuki that private power was OK if environmental concerns are met.
Next we had a good 20 minute round with Gwen Barlee, Western Canada Wilderness Committee doing a pretty good job politely kicking some pirate power butt. Was Bill being deliberately that obtuse or is he really that stupid. I can never tell.
That was followed by 2 hours of solid Neocon pirate power advocates. The only high point was at the end when a caller contradicted some of Bermans's mistruths then pointed out that Gordo's 80 billion in public purchase commitments were at 12 cents a kwh when the current market price was between 2 and 5 cents and a new solar technology was coming in at 1 cents. Caller was cut off (as Bill hates people who disagree with him) and the callers points were ignored.
So 15 mins for the good guys 2 hours 35 minutes free ads for Gordo's pirate power buds.
This doesn't count as campaign advertising. There oughta' be a law.