CRANBROOK – A B.C. NDP candidate says Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell must answer for a cabinet minister's attack ad that he says targets him for being First Nations.
Troy Sebastian, a member of the Ktunaxa First Nation who is running for the NDP in the East Kootenay riding, says the ad for Liberal incumbent Bill Bennett is in direct contrast to Campbell's call for a new relationship with aboriginals.
The ad running this week in a Kootenay newspaper, says voters "want someone who pays taxes and is concerned about how that money is being spent."
Beneath it is a photo of Bennett with his family and a slogan that reads, "He's one of us."
Bennett said the ad was not an attack on First Nations but Sebastian said he wants the premier to provide some kind of an explanation himself.
Other First Nations leaders have asked Campbell to apologize.
"For me, the focus is on questioning the premier, who said that the future should not be one of denial or through the old relationship of conflict or institutionalized inequity, and that's straight from their platform," he said today.
"I think the premier needs to be asked if he's in favour of that or this approach."
It's not the first time Bennett has been in hot water.
In February 2007, he resigned from cabinet for sending a rude email to a constituent and spent a year on the back benches, before returning to the cabinet last year.
He defended the ad today, saying it's part of a series that shows him fishing, golfing and spending time in the Kootenays with his family.
"The whole idea with these ads is to show people that I'm not somebody that wears a suit and goes to Victoria. I actually understand the people here in the Kootenays, I'm one of them."
However, he said other ads did not include any text about paying taxes, which some First Nations are exempt from paying.
Bennett said he has a strong record of supporting First Nations initiatives, including every treaty.
He said his NDP rival, "who I like, he's a nice young guy," has hired "big-city" campaign organizers.
"This to me smacks of big-city politics and they're trying to stir up a big controversy just as we go into an election and to me, it's unfortunate," he said.
Grand Chief Doug Kelly, of the First Nations Summit, called Bennett's remarks ignorant and troubling.
"It shows Premier Campbell has to educate his own caucus about the new relationship (with First Nations)," Kelly said.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, went further, saying Campbell must apologize.
He said the ad is clearly offensive because it implies First Nations don't have any knowledge or understanding about the government's management of services through taxes.
"The unspoken part is, 'My aboriginal opponent would not have any knowledge of these matters.'"
Stewart said Bennett may have resorted to using such a negative ad because he's desperate to win his seat for a third time in a riding that also has a strong B.C. Conservative party candidate.
Reported by The Canadian Press.
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Rod Smelser
3 years ago
Don't expect the Globe to say anything
This ad, as described sounds extremely borderline, like one of the US ads that implicitly appeals to race.
But don't expect the Globe to say anything about it. In today's G&M, their political reporter Justine Hunter was claiming that Carole James was embarassed because Jenn McGinn disclosed the property holdings of Margaret McDairmid. That, according to Hunter, was a smear. This isn't.
Frank
3 years ago
Rod
That Justine Hunter column is par for the course for her.
She ignores the big issues and then tries to smear the NDP.
gamedev
3 years ago
and the BC Liberals sink lower...
Lets see, there are four full days left before the election. Can the Campbell Liberals lower the bar, again?
Who can limbo better than Bill Bennett?
Will Gordon give more of his views on women and their place?
Perhaps the environment minister could dump a couple of barrels of oil into a local pond?
We'll have to wait, but as the Liberals get more desperate, the smear campaign will get worse. CanWest will likely lead off, in the next day or two, with some completely unsubstantiated attack on the NDP. Perhaps it will be "TEACHERS WILL STRIKE IF NDP IS ELECTED!" Oh, wait, that was the LAST election. Maybe it will be "THE PRICE OF BEER WILL GO UP IF NDP ELECTED!!". Oh, wait, they used that one LAST week. I guess we'll have to see what their creative minds can manufacture...
secret cove
3 years ago
Bill Bennett is desperate....
Last week Bennett was offering "FREE" beer for young people at Bulldog`s pub......
The poster read -(Join Bill Bennett at Bulldog`s pub,learn how to vote,free beer).....
Bill Bennett is toast,especially since the BC Conservative party is polling over 7% in that riding.........
Guees you will have to get a real job eh Bill Bennett.
Cheers-Eyes Wide Open
secret cove
3 years ago
Troy Sebastian is a ...........
Fine upstanding citizen.......Adios Bill Bennett.
Anyone interested in what Troy Sebastian looks like......
Here is his picture........
http://troysebastian.bcndp.ca/
Janie Jones
3 years ago
Long Live the Republic of Freebeeria!
That's pretty low life stuff alright.
Gonna be interesting to see what happens in a four way split.
secret cove
3 years ago
Angus reid poll just out.....
44% Liberals --42% BC NDP........Greens 10%........
NDP Leading big on Vancouver island......
NDP leading by 3 points in the interior....
Liberals leading in the fraser valley.....
Vancouver ridings a toss up.......
Carole James is up up up in all catagories,including tied with Campbell as to who would make the best leader.....
Campbell is still seen as NOT HONEST or TRUSTWORTHY........
The big momentum is on Carole James side...
I stand by my prediction,this election is over,Crongratulations premier Carole James
ME2
3 years ago
Bah!
it seems that the Greens are poised to be the spoilers in this election. If they succeed in this lunacy, I hope people will see that if they ever win an election, they will be just as pig-headed and doctrinaire when making decisions on our behalf.
RussellCollier
3 years ago
Lack of FN issues, generally
This is virtually the only reference anywhere that talks about First Nations issues. It's just a non-issue with the two lead parties - it's like we're forgotten all over again.
I don't see enough difference between the two parties in terms of their platforms this election to warrent voting for either of them.
Disappointed too, that despite a decent contribution to The Tyee, nobody has done more than re-post this CP story. I was hoping to see at least ONE story investigated and posted regarding First Nations issues, particularly around recognition and accommodation of aboriginal rights and title.
There being insufficient difference between the two parties, I suspect I will simply spoil my ballot.
Russell Collier
near Smithers, BC
DPL
3 years ago
Aboriginal Title exists said
Aboriginal Title exists said the top court in the land, but din't state just where it is. They gave two ways to resolve title. Prove it in court, or negotiate it. with the preference being negotiate. As anyone even close to the treaty system knows, each item of interest gets resolved and the end result is a bundle of rights. Well defined. The province talking about recognition really doeasn't solve much, beyond making some folks feel good. Indians are the responsiblity of the federal Government according to the Charter and was in the BNA Act. Gordo can offer the moon but can't deliver. The adds, were stupid, and aimed to some folks who might vote for the guy. He proves nothing by talking about taxation. Most of us know about the Self Taxation program set up by the feds years ago. Many of us know that an off reserve Indian pays taxes same as everyone else. Those on reserves don't. The members individually often don't own their own home , the land they live on is still crown land. In some reserves members won't pay rents because of the communal nature of the system. The feds spends a lot of time worrying about the possibilty of a loss of reserve land. Gordo should thump Bennett for doing his red neck talk. Why upset folks for no real purpose. as for not voting, well up to you but the old saying goes "If you don't vote don't bitch" I can't believe you figure both major parties are almost the same. But hey it's a democratic country.
freebear
3 years ago
Fiberal Aboriginal candidates
What do Liberal Aboriginal candidates think of Bennett?
Wonder what Marion Wright (fiberal candidate for North Island) thinks of Bill Bennetts thinly veiled racist ad?
Is (former Chief) Marion Wright demanding an apology like Chief Stewart Phillip?
Must be hard to run under the Liberal flag when it seems home to racists like Bennett!
Does Bennett think First Nations have title to the province?
Does he 'recognize'aboriginal title?