Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog said he's unsatisfied with the response he received from interim chief electoral officer Craig James about the restructuring of Elections British Columbia that saw a senior official lose her job.
“It doesn't really answer the question,” the NDP's Krog said of James' Sept. 22 letter. “It doesn't put the issue to rest, quite frankly.”
“The organizational adjustments I have made will result in more efficiency, effectiveness, economy and responsiveness and advance the managerial capacity of Elections BC,” James wrote. “The changes I have made will offer better opportunities for emerging leaders within the office.
“I am confident that with the current structure, the office will be able to better execute its statutory mandate, a goal that will serve the interests of anyone who may hold the position of Chief Electoral Officer.”
Krog said James' response to his letter was bureaucratic and failed to explain what triggered the restructuring or why he felt the timing was right to make changes. “I would have liked to see a more fulsome response for the public,” he said. “He is in charge and I think he owes a duty to explain. That's what I asked him to do.”
Elections B.C. spokesperson Don Main said James won't be commenting on the matter beyond what James said in his letter to Krog.
Asked for more details about the restructuring, Main said the only other changes he's aware of at Elections B.C. are the promotions of two executive directors, Nola Western and Anton Boegman, to assistant chief electoral officer positions.
An all-party committee is seeking a new CEO to replace Harry Neufeld, whose term ended in June. The Liberal government appointed James to act as CEO until a new CEO is found.
The Tyee reported two weeks ago that the restructuring of Elections B.C. eliminated the deputy electoral officer position which Linda Johnson had held for 19 of her 28 years with the non-partisan office.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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Skywalker
2 years ago
Well that explains everything...
...when he says, "“The changes I have made will offer better opportunities for emerging leaders within the office". So someone within the office, except for the one that was terminated, will emerge as a leader. So what was it about the one terminated that made her so unfit to possible emerge as a leader? Was it her decision on the government's HST mailer? Will the emerging leader be more favorable to the government's mailers?
And then there is: “I am confident that with the current structure, the office will be able to better execute its statutory mandate, a goal that will serve the interests of anyone who may hold the position of Chief Electoral Officer.” What the hell does that mean and why couldn't that decision be made by the new leader? What was the urgency besides the Great Gordo had hid knickers in a twist?
GuyinVic
2 years ago
The Boss has spoken
According to James " will result in more efficiency, effectiveness, economy and responsiveness and advance the managerial capacity "
Does that mean the senior officer in question was not efficient or effective ? What she not management capacity ? I believe Mr. Krog & the NDP should demand the process of a replacement get underway sooner than later. It's time to show Craig James the door.
Curt
2 years ago
In all my years I have never
In all my years I have never seen/heard anything like it.
Here you have some guy put in there by who knows who (mmhmm) fires a long term employee (I gather she's the only one who is gone) and this means more efficiency, effectiveness etc. And he's A TEMP. Who the heck does he think he is? And as a "public servant" WHAT ARE WE PAYING HIM? I want to know that as a taxpayer, and I would like to know on whose authority can he do all of this? Unfricken believable.
Gary
2 years ago
Meddling
First I don't see where the ACTING CEO has the authority to make the change.
Second:it appears to me like they fired the person who has the most experience and would be the natural successor. Get her out of the way so they can promote a lap dog.
I sincerely hope she can sue their asses.
SharingIsGood
2 years ago
Questions for James
RE: "will result in more efficiency, effectiveness, economy and responsiveness and advance the managerial capacity"
Do the promotions mean that the two new assistant cheif electorial officers now make more money than they had before? How much more money?
What about the old positions, have they been filled?
How much in severance pay had to go to Linda Johnson? Is the granting of severance pay an efficiency? Was Ms. Johnson asked to do things differently but unable/unwilling to comply?
Do you believe that the firing of a civil servant (without cause) after nearly 30 years of work is not beyond the scope of the duties of a temporary CEO?
off-the-radar
2 years ago
effective scare technique
have to admire Craig James effectively reaching into an "independent" office (and BC Elections no less) to fire and punish the long standing CEO, Linda Johnson.
Well you know what they say, "kill a chicken to scare the monkeys". No offense to the effective and long-serving Ms. Johnson (or the equally hard-working public service members.)
And Mr. Krog? please go talk to Adrian Dix right now to get pointers on how to make your point effectively.
How about "What the hell is a temporary LIBERAL appointee doing firing a long-standing CEO of an independent office that is supposed to be neutral and completely free of political interference?
This is the office, Elections BC, that will be governing the referendum and possibly recalls too. The people of BC need an independent Electoral Officer and office and we need one NOW."
just sayin'
rantnic
2 years ago
THE RULES OF ENGAGMENT HAVE BEEN BROKEN
Ms. Johnson was probably offered a very hard to refuse "early retirement package" coupled with a "severe" non-disclosure clause. This would have been a "gloves off" offer. One not to be refused, without reprisal.
Should the "committee" actually consider her for the position of "Chief Electoral Officer", a position in which she is eminently qualified, she would now have to decline.
We can only thank her for the service she has done, especially of late, where she stood up for the principals and the mandate of Elections B.C.
G West
2 years ago
This is disgusting
The man is the interim chief electoral officer - holding the office only until a committee of the legislature finds, selects and appoints a new chief.
James spent his whole career at the Legislative Buildings cow-towing to MLAs as the clerk of committees.
This action, along with his unlawful holding up of a certified petition shows clearly the man is out of his depth.
He's much more interested in serving time and travelling around to functions 'related' to his career as a lap dog to the legislature.
He hasn't a clue about what it means to be an independent officer charged with following the law and doing the peoples' business.
Shame Mr. James - be gone.
off-the-radar
2 years ago
Liberal appointee
yes, he is a temporary appointee
AND
Craig James is also the temporary LIBERAL appointee . . . to an "independent" office which will be governing recalls . . .
crankypants
2 years ago
Connect the dots.
Craig James is installed as acting Chief Electoral Officer by the BC Liberal Party without any consultation with the NDP.
He messes around with the FightHST Initiative, fires the person who was second in command and probably has more knowledge about Elections BC business in here baby finger than Craig James will absorb in his temporary assignment and then trots off to Kenya will the speaker of the Legislature, Bill Barisoff.
The only logical conclusion is that Craig James was installed as acting CEO to do the bidding of Campbell & Co.
And finally, where is the MSM on this story? I would bet that 95% of the citizens of BC are totally unaware about this.
offended
2 years ago
The person who was fired
signed the letter disallowing the distribution of the government's propaganda brochure (ya know, the $780K one) on the HST.
She paid the price for going against the government.
possam
2 years ago
Campbell's Lies
Just more BS piled on the heap ...Gordon Campbell is the very definition of a dishonest man . All Liberals should be ashamed they follow this A-Hole....
DJT
2 years ago
"Does that mean the senior
"Does that mean the senior officer in question was not efficient or effective ?"
Gee, I know if I had an employee that was inefficient and/ or ineffective, I'd sure keep her around for 28 years.
eight
2 years ago
Another Institution Sullied by Campbell
When he isn't busy firing people, James is turning out back of the envelope estimates about the cost of initiatives and recall proceedings.
First, he says the referendum will cost $30 million. Then he reflects on it and comes up with $24 million. Now he's warning that each MLA's recall attempt will cost the taxpayer $500K.
I think it's time he gave us some detailed analysis to support his cost musings. After he finishes answering Mr. Krog's question properly, of course.
DouginSooke
2 years ago
Why not have the NDP recommend
re-hiring Linda Johnson as the new head of elections BC? I think that would be interesting. I find the silence by the NDP on the selection of the temporary head of elections BC a bit disturbing. IMO they should be howling at the moon over this !!
Terrys_Hot
2 years ago
Elections BC
Everyone should know that Gordon Campbell doesn't play fair so he got rid of the head of Elections BC because she probably isn't one of his team players he is stacking the deck in his favour which is the Gordon Campbell way. Then you thnk of the old saying "Never trust a Campbell"
Luck
2 years ago
why do people .................
why do people complain so much. You voted these crooks in for 2 maybe 3 terms coming up.
Everyone we meet says no I didn't vote them in. Well somebody did.
Once you all stop lieing to yourself and pay attention to voting or be stuck with what you don't want.
Get out and vote the NDP in, they are not as bad as the rich party for they are the poor party that represents the poor like you and me.
With 10% unemployment(poor people) in BC we can not afford not to vote NDP as they have always stimulated jobs especially in bad economies. They hold the record for employee owned companies in BC and Canada.
Check it out for yourself people and get out and vote in the next Provincial election in 2013.