The Hook

I agree, G West

Further, I wonder why the PAB isn't signing in on this? After all, the orders came through their office. Where is that Luke when the the chickens come home to roost? If he isn't banned (as I believe it is he who should be - if anyone is), then why isn't he here defending the Premier and the PAB? I want to see the MSM on this - front page. Is this not proof of winning an election through fraudulent means?

From the Wikipedia:
"In criminal law, fraud is the crime or offense of deliberately deceiving another in order to damage them – usually, to obtain property or services unjustly. [5] Fraud can be accomplished through the aid of forged objects. In the criminal law of common law jurisdictions it may be called "theft by deception," "larceny by trick," "larceny by fraud and deception," or something similar."

Carole, where is the law suit? This is more proof of inexcuseable criminal acts by the Campbell government. It's time you found some backbone. You ran to oppose, now please do your job - no more playing nice to the bully.

6 PM, Global News

I just saw this story published on air on the Global news. It took about 2 minutes of time approximately 14 minutes into the newscast. Disturbing, but not shocking was the headline image, while the newscaster was speaking: "NDP accusations". Once again, the visual image did not match the message. The visual was that the NDP were complainers or possibly accused of someting. Why did the story heading not say, "BC Liberal PAB manipulated election"? Democracy is a joke in BC.

No Surprise

Politicians lying, missleading, missdirecting, etc. How is this any differnt than an other day. The only way you know their not lying is their lips aren't moving.

@ West........

Yes,I agree,whoever is the head-honcho of the NDP must get the message out............

And in this last election the NDP needed a subtle message that went something like this...........

"Gordon Campbell is a lying,theiving,con man who has cooked the books and he will sell BCs soul for a plug nickel"

That message should of been on every NDP lawn sign.

Cheers

the smoking gun

The smoking gun is the e-mails, and I watched the early news on Global, and I don't believe they were mentioned in the story, just accusations, but on CTV at 6:00 the e-mails were certainly mentioned. This is a coverup, really, and if the NDP had done it, can you not imagine the outrage?

There was a time..

.. in BC when an opposition would filibuster on an issue until the media took notice. Even if they reported nothing more than why the filibuster (maybe an all night sitting or two) was taking place details would get out. The opposition now is neutered. They agreed to set times for sittings, all in the interests of being more civil. Like they wanted the job to be more pleasant or perhaps they all wanted a pay cheque without the grief that comes with being tough on the government, being opposition, and doing the job. You can thank Carole and her handlers for this. Maybe grinding government business to a halt is a way to show that they have enough passion to do something. That alone would be worth reporting. Carole is the best asset Campbell has.

Delayed reports

All reports should continue to be released on schedule during election campaigns. The public is entitled to all information available in order to frame their vote. The government should be prohibited from delaying info. in future elections.

"The housing and social

"The housing and social development ministry did not have anyone prepared to comment by posting time".

You mean the PAB hadn't finished writing the official "spun" response yet?

delayed welfare stats

I doubt the withholding of the statistics showing a significant increase in the welfare rolls would have affected the election. BC'ers don't really seem to care about the poor.
However, the larger issue is, as referenced by Ms James, the secrecy. It is almost a requirement for any government employee these days to find ways to keep a secret.
Not to go too far afield but the Braidwood Inquiry has fallen on the sword of secrecy and lack of disclosure. Is this any different?
Given that the ability to keep secrets is much more difficult these days what with the array of technologies available, those who are ethically compromised (or open to such compromise) will seek increasinly duplicitous ways to protect the doubtful integrity of their political masters.
Iran in technological restraint...BC in stupidly high security...RCMP managers covering their rosy red serge butts...good luck.

Get off the air James

Don't you have a critic who could handle this sort of press release. Adrian Dix is far more articulate than you and is not afraid of Bill Good.

You are a millstone around the NDP's neck. Everytime you speak you lose more votes.

also part of larger trend

If you can stomach it, read the linked Mark Hume article "The Dog Ate my Homework" in BC Mary's The Legislature Raids:
http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/

We have been made a banana republic.

Both parties kept information from the public

Wasn't it David Schreck who obtained the documents through FOI - not the NDP. Is Carol James trying to take credit for obtaining this information when in fact, it had to be handed to her on a silver platter.

Just like Carole James based the NDP campaign on the false and inaccurate economic platform released by Gordon Campbell. The NDP didn't even check to ensure what the BC Liberals were releasing was correct - - even after the correct information was again given to her - - she refused to use it during the campaign. NDP members should be demanding her resignation for knowing the facts but refusing to inform te public. Perhaps the people of BC should file a lawsuit against James and the NDP for deception and fraud.

Following the election, Carole James commented that she understands why the voters of BC wanted to elect an experienced person.

Really, I think Carole James is afraid to be Premier - she doesn't have the skills and she basically admitted it. She is content to be the leader of the opposition - where she decided not to oppose (remember, when she was elected in her first term she said the NDP were going to do things differently). Well, for a opposition not to oppose is certainly a different tactic isn't it? People forget the taxpayers are paying her salary too. Yet, she is just sitting back waiting to collect that golden pension. Does she have a secret deal with the BC Liberals or is she just plain incompetent?

The NDP should have had this information before the election - through their own FOI requests if necessary.

Oh come on!

You can't blame Carole James for the fact that we have a government which lies, cheats and steals as second nature.

This is simply another case of political manipulation by the progaganda arm of Gordon Campbell's Office.

Have a look at what David Loukedelis says about the effectiveness of the current government's performance on FOI:

http://www.fipa.bc.ca/library/News_Archive/Commissioner_faults_govt_FOI_performance.pdf

James has plenty of problems, to blame her for this is just silly...she may never get to be Premier, but to suggest she's afraid to try to better the record of the current criminal bunch of yes men and women and assorted banana slugs is nonsense.

Its ridiculous

Do that math

$850 x 3 months on welfare = $ 2550

$550 x 6 months on welfare = $ 3300

What I am saying is, and some of these right headed anal retentive know it all's in government should really try to capital 'l : listen..

is that on average I can nail down a job
in a month and skip happily off of welfare: I really don't need the loss of social capital, self esteem and so forth

The trouble is when one applies for welfare it feels so difficult, the recipient is prone to feel that one is in for some type of long haul, not a temporary interim measure (like a safety "net")

Whereas I could probably get a job in a month with the right financial supports...not worrying over my next meal or budgeting for bare necessities...employers like for an applicant to feel prepared and welfare is not providing that support where its needed.

Too much cash on organization. Same old people getting the same money and look whats going on now?

The last time a report like this was issued it showed that people who came off of welfare and landed jobs were POORER than
the time previously when they actually had to apply for welfare

Take this in conjunction with the latest report, add in that the latest stats show the rich get richer in Canada and the poor: poorer

and you don't need a Phi Beta Cappa from M.I.T to see how we arrived at these crossroads.

Campbells problem is that he thinks or thought that investing in the biggest capital pool of all was somehow wrong and now its biting him in the arse.

People are our greatest investment. To rally potential is to invite long term prosperity.

Money woes are not necessarily attacked by people with the smartest brains, but people with the most power, and unfortunately for everyone (too often a cloyed and cliched saying: "unfortunately")
...Campbells government is suffering the biggest imbalance on the ledger sheet right now for those two: brains vs power.

Campbell should have invested in people.

He would make a fine Republican.

Accompianeed by a raise in the minimum wage I contend that if welfare rates were upped for 850 you would see a lot people off of welfare.

a larger trend...

"'It's disturbing', said James".

Gut-wrenching, even. How to explain this in a country suposedly at the top of the list in safeguarding democratic rights? Funny, PAB is beginning to look very similar to election manipulations in Iran. No similar citizen outrage here, though.

One can only be tempted to wonder what would happen if British Columbians flooded into the streets en masse to protest the disinformation. But one thing that is for sure - the mainstream media would probably report it as a spontaneous outpouring of joy over the coming Olympic games.

The "Best Place on Earth" is enough to make you weep, these days.