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No Shows Common for BC Liberal Candidates
Halfway through the election, BC Liberal candidates have ducked debates in about half of BC’s ridings.
Premier Gordon Campbell will debate NDP leader Carole James and Green party leader Ardiene Carr for one hour tonight. (Democratic Reform leader Tom Morino was excluded.) The hour begins at 7 p.m., and the televised debate will be broadcast province-wide.
Voters who miss the hour won’t likely get a second chance to see the leaders together. Campbell has refused repeated requests for a second televised debate. (A radio debate is expected next Tuesday.) The BC Liberal Party is running the most tightly scripted campaign in provincial history, and restricting access to the unpopular premier has proven central to their strategy.
Campbell is not the only BC Liberal avoiding debate. A survey by The Tyee has found that BC Liberal candidates – most of whom are incumbents – have ducked out of debates, radio appearances or all-candidates forums in at least 39 of the province’s 79 ridings. Though most are appearing at pro-business functions such as local chamber of commerce debates, BC Liberals across the province are declining invitations to forums about education and heath care.
BC Liberal spokesman Mike Morton confirmed that candidates from his party are avoiding debates they think will be biased against them. “We look at who is sponsoring the event,” Morton said. “We’re not going to participate in any forum at which the moderator or the host are not objective.”
On this basis, Liberal candidates have boycotted dozens of all-candidates forums organized by teachers associations and health care workers, as well as just about any event sponsored by a union. Using this same argument, Liberals have also declined invitations to events organized by the Cooperative Housing Federation and even the Sierra Club.
‘No direction’ from headquarters
Morton said most Liberal candidates will appear at between three and five all-candidates events over the course of the four-week election period. “Each individual candidate makes his or her own decision,” he said. “There is no direction whatsoever from the central campaign.”
However, Diana Johnstone – who manages Nanaimo-Parksville candidate Ron Cantelon's campaign – told the (Victoria) Times Colonist that Cantelon is trying to limit his participation to “three or four” all-candidates events, “at the advice of the Liberals' regional association.”
The Tyee survey confirms that most Liberal candidates plan to appear at an average of four events during this four-week election period. (A partial list of The Tyee’s findings follows this article.)
As is the case with any average, exceptions exist. Liberal newcomer Iain Black has already made at least five appearances in Port Moody-Westwood, for example, and Tom Wood tried to turn the tables on his Esquimalt-Metchosin by issuing a news release accusing the NDP of ducking debates. But exceptions like these are offset by incumbents such as Bill Barisoff, who has said he will not even attend the chamber of commerce forum in his own home town.
CBC: ‘It’s been a struggle’
Many liberal candidates’ are limiting their face time with opponents to a chamber of commerce debate, at which local business leaders pose the questions, and a handful or multi-candidate forums on local radio or television, at which the discussion topics are often agreed upon in advance.
“It has been a bit of a struggle in terms of coordinating candidates,” said Laura Palmer, who produces CBC radio’s “The Early Edition. There have been numerous recent instances in which host Rick Cluff announced appearances of candidates who never wound up on the program.
Palmer said that the cancellations were merely a result of numerous “schedule conflicts,” though when pressed she agreed that Liberal schedules had proven more conflicted during this election period. “In some cases,” she added, “the issue we had chosen to discuss wasn’t an issue the candidate wanted to talk about.”
Palmer denied that promoted appearances by Adriane Carr and Carole James were cancelled because Gordon Campbell declined to appear. After bringing in former lawmakers as stand-ins, Palmer said “we backed off” the idea of putting candidates for whom listeners might actually vote on the airwaves. Palmer said, “We were getting better stuff from the former politicians.”
Stand-in balloons and pot plants
While CBC is filling its airwaves with former politicians, local event organizers have found creative ways to fill the empty seats on their stages.
A marijuana plant stood in for no-show Liberal Gillian Trumper in the mid-Island riding of Alberni-Qualicum. BC Marijuana Party candidate Mick Mann filled the former Port Alberni mayor’s empty chair with an 18-inch glass bong, put a flowering pot plant in front of her name tag, and told the crowd, “we need a pot plant instead of Gillian Trumper.”
A smiley-faced balloon was tied to the chair marked "Liberal" at a Victoria all-candidates forum organized by the BC Association of Social Workers, which was boycotted by both Victoria-Hillside incumbent Sheila Orr and Victoria-Beacon Hill incumbent Jeff Bray.
And in the premier’s Vancouver-Point Grey riding, Green Party candidate Damian Kettlewell has advertised for a Gordon Campbell doppelganger – to be named Gordon Campbell 2.0 – who would attend the numerous local events in the premier’s absence.
But few of the thousands of British Columbians who have found themselves stood-up by Liberal candidates during the past few weeks were amused.
“The people sitting in that audience were appalled,” said Carol McNamee, the NDP candidate who faced off against a happy-face balloon late last month. “There were kids in the audience. There were old people in the audiences. They certainly didn’t leave feeling like the Liberals care about them. “I thought the idea was that when you’re elected, you’re elected to represent the entire population of your riding,” McNamee said, “not just the chamber of commerce.”
SIDEBAR: Where BC Liberals Failed to Show
Here’s a list of 40 ridings in which Liberal candidates did not appear at local events and/or media discussions at of May 2nd. This list is drawn from a combination of original and secondary reporting. Also, The Tyee welcomes anyone to report any errors or omissions in the comments fields that follow this list.
Alberni-Qualicum --- Incumbent Gillian Trumper did not attend an April 27 all-candidates meeting in Qualicum Beach sponsored by the Oceanside Coalition for Strong Communities. (Marijuana Party candidate Mick Mann put a pot plant in her place.)
Bulkley-Valley Stikine --- Dennis McKay has reportedly said he will not attend education forums in Smithers and Hazelton on May 9.
Burnaby-Edmonds --- Liberal incumbent Patty Sihota did not attend an all-candidates meeting on April 27 at the Still Creek Education Centre, organized by the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion.
Columbia River Revelstoke --- Liberal candidate Wendy McMahon did not attend forum organized by two local teachers’ associations.
Comox Valley --- Incumbent Hagen did not participate in an April 9 forum organized by the Denman Island Residents Association, or an April 10 all-candidates meeting organized by Earth Save.
Coquitlam-Maillardville --- Liberal candidate Richard Stewart did not attend an all-candidates forum on education held April 27 at Gleneagle Secondary School, sponsored by a teachers’ union. Stewart did send a representative, who read a prepared statement.
Delta North --- Liberal candidate Jeannie Kanakos has said she will not attend a May 4 all-candidates meeting sponsored by the teachers’ federation.
East Kootenay --- Liberal incumbent Bill Bennett did not attend an April 27 all-candidates forum in Cranbrook sponsored by the BC Teachers' Federation.
Kamloops --- Incumbent Claude Richmond did not attend a joint forum at the Farmer's Market sponsored by the Council of Canadians. Kamloops-North Thompson --- Incumbent Kevin Krueger also did not attend a forum sponsored by the Council of Canadians.
Kelowna Mission – Incumbent Sindi Hawkins did not attend a forum at the Rutland Senior Center on May 2.
Langley -- Incumbent Mary Polak did not attend an April 29 all-candidates forum organized by the Langley Teachers Association and supported by other unions.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows --- Liberal candidate Ken Stewart has declined to attend a May 12 all-candidates meeting organized by The Ridge Meadows Citizens Coalition. Nanaimo-Parksville --- Liberal candidate Ron Cantelon did not attend an all-candidates meering organized by the Oceanside Coalition for Strong Communities.
Nelson-Creston --- Liberal candidate Blair Suffredine did not attend an April 26 forum on health care sponsored by the Nelson Area Societies for Health, the Regional Health Task Force, and other groups. He wrote a letter two weeks beforehand stating that he will not attend single-issue forums. New Westminster --- Liberal MLA Joyce Murray did not attend an April 26 all-candidates meeting organized by the New Westminster Teachers' Union, CUPE and the BC Federation of Labour. The meeting conflicted with a premier's dinner hosted by Gordon Campbell.
North Island --- Liberal candidate Mike Hunter did not plan to attend an April all-candidates meeting sponsored by the BC Nurses Union. Oak Bay-Gordon Head --- Liberal incumbent Ida Chong reportedly did not attend at an April 26 forum sponsored by the British Columbia Association of Social Workers on Tuesday.
Penticton-Okanagan Valley --- Incumbent Bill Barisoff has not attended several local forums, and has said he will not attend a May 11 public forum at the Chamber of Commerce in Oliver – his hometown.
Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain --- Liberal candidate Greg Moore did not attend an April 27 forum at Glengarry School sponsored by teachers unions.
Port Moody-Westwood --- Liberal candidate Iain Black did not attend an April 27 forum at Glengarry School sponsored by teachers unions.
Powell River Sunshine Coast --- Liberal Maureen Clayton skipped an all-candidates forum on April 27 organized by the council of Canadians.
Prince George-Mount Robson --- Shirley Bond did not attend an April 19 all-candidates meeting sponsored by the Hospital Employees’ Union, and did not attend an April 25 forum at New Caledonia sponsored by community groups calling themselves the Active Voice Coalition.
Prince George-North --- Incumbent Pat Bell did not attend the April 19 meeting sponsored by the Hospital Employees’ Union, nor the April 25 forum at New Caledonia.
Prince George-Omineca --- Incumbent John Rustad did not attend the April 19 meeting sponsored by the Hospital Employees’ Union, nor the April 25 forum at New Caledonia.
Skeena --- Incumbent Roger Harris did not attend an April 27 education forum in Terrace, which was hosted by a coalition of organizations including Northwest Community College, the University of Northern BC, Simon Fraser University, and two area First Nations bands.
Surrey-Panorama Ridge --- Liberal candidate Bob Hans reportedly cancelled a May 2 debate appearance on a South Asian TV program, and forced the rescheduling of a debate at Princess Margaret School.
Surrey-Tynehead --- Liberal incumbent Dave Hayer has twice rescheduled a debate at Kwantlen College.
Vancouver Burrard --- Incumbent Lorne Mayencourt reportedly did not attend an all-candidates forum organized by the Vancouver Community College students association.
Vancouver Fairview -- Liberal nominee Virginia Greene did not attend an April 11 all-candidates meeting organized by the False Creek Residents’ Association, and cancelled two appearances on CBC’s “Early Edition.”
Vancouver Kensington --- The Little Mountain Neighborhood House Soceity cancelled a May 11 all-candidates meeting at Tupper School because Liberal candidate Patrick Wong would not participate.
Vancouver-Kingsway --- Incumbent Rob Nijjar did not participate in an April 20 appearance on Michael Smythe’s radio show alongside his NDP and Green opponents. CBC’s Early Edition cancelled a segment involving all three candidates after Nijjar would not appear.
Vancouver Langara --- Liberal “star” candidate (and former CBC head) Carole Taylor did not attend an all-candidates meeting on April 29.
Vancouver Mount Pleasant --- The Vancouver East Cultural Centre has reportedly cancelled a May 15 all-candidates forum after Liberal candidate Juliet Andalis refused to attend, and an all-candidates debate on child care scheduled for May 4 at Britannia Community Center was modified after she declined an invitation to attend. Vancouver Point Grey --- Kitsilano Neighborhood House cancelled an all-candidates meeting after Premier Campbell declined to attend.
Victoria Beacon Hill --- Liberal candidate Jeff Bray did not attend an April 27 all-candidates meeting organized by the BC Association of Social Workers. A happy-face balloon was tied to his empty chair.
Victoria Hillside --- Liberal candidate Sheila Orr did not attend an April 27 all-candidates meeting organized by the BC Association of Social Workers. She also skipped an April 16 all-candidates meeting at Fernwood Community Centre.
West Kootenay-Boundary --- Liberal candidate Pam Lewin did not attend a May 1 forum organized by Greater Trail Health Watch and Castlegar District Health Watch. She also missed an April 12 forum on education at Selkirk College.
West Vancouver Garibaldi --- Liberal candidate Joan McIntyre did not attend an April debate at the West Vancouver Library.
Yale Lillooet --- Lloyd Forman did not attend a Logan Lake seniors’ meeting.
Monte Paulsen is managing editor of The Tyee’s political blog, Election Central. With files from Jhenifer Pabillano. ![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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JIm
7 years ago
Comments on "No Shows Common for BC Liberal Candidates"
I see this as a good overall strategy. They are framing the debate and controlling what is done. They are going at this under their own terms and no one else’s.
Instead of giving their opposition the control by going to all debates. They have retained the power by deciding which they feel they need to participate in. If the Liberals went to every debate they would be in the control of the NDP. If they hold out and only go to select ones, then the NDP is at the mercy of the Liberals. Now each debate that the Liberals go to is on their terms and not on the NDP’s terms. The debates that were on the NDP’s terms are meaningless and the meaningful ones are on the Liberals terms.
Also there are a lot of Liberal candidates that will no be re-elected. That is a fact, one I’m sure you guys are loving.. I have a feeling they don’t want a backbencher, who has no chance of being re-elected, giving the opposition sounds bites to use against the Liberals on a province wide basis. Or for that matter a candidate who has victory in the bag doing the same thing. This is about control. When your leading you don’t want a mistake filled campaign. You want as boring of a campaign as possible.
The NDP needs to get their message out, far more so than the Liberals. The ones who benefit the most from these debated tend to be the oppositions as well. As a Liberal strategist this is really a no brainer. You may not like the fact that they aren't going to every debate proposed, but it is a good election strategy. The Liberals are not giving the NDP any more power than they already have. The Liberals are running the campaign the way they want and aren’t going to let third parties dictate what they do.
TyeeModerator
7 years ago
I like the happy face. it makes me feel good.
wstander
7 years ago
It really is discouraging isn't it. While the CBC clearly has less of an agenda than does the Global/CanWest empire, there have been few mornings for the last year when I felt that the producer of the Early Edition wasn't bending over backwards to stay on the good side of the Campbell Liberals. (Maybe Carol Taylor was looking over her shoulder?) This went back to their coverage of the Ferry lock out, and has increased during the run up to the election, and the campaign itself. However, given that the material was still much beter than CanWest's I even entertained the thought that I might be a little paranoid about the Early Edition's desire to be balanced in their reporting and commentary. But not after reading this article. I believe Mr. Paulsen when he says that it was only "when pressed" by him that Palmer agreed the Liberal schedules had been more conflicted. And I challenge Palmer to make the following statement while attached to a polygraph.
"Palmer denied that promoted appearances by Adriane Carr and Carole James were cancelled because Gordon Campbell declined to appear. After bringing in former lawmakers as stand-ins, Palmer said “we backed off†the idea of putting candidates for whom listeners might actually vote on the airwaves. Palmer said, “We were getting better stuff from the former politicians.â€"
verso
7 years ago
JIm, I have a different take on this, though I do agree with you that this is about who controls the debate. I think this will equal a net loss for the Liberals (perhaps costing them a few seats in those tight races). Yes, some of these events are put on by sympathizers of opposition parties, but, more than likely, the people watching theses debates come from all political stripes (not to mention the undecideds). Health care and education are important issues for all voters.
No-shows suggest arrogance, candidates who are afraid to debate the "merits" of their government's record. This can't be seen as a positive to an undecided or soft Liberal supporter. People talk, the media reports and the "boy in bubble" starts to look more and like a "party in the bubble" out of touch with the average voter.
jesterjogger
7 years ago
Whats new. The fascist, corporately funded sham of a political party called the bc liberals continues to thumb their noses at the democratic process. They have clearly demonstated that not only do they have contempt for true democracy but for the environment and well being of the majority of our citizens.
If I was responsible for the shameful record they have accumulated over the last four years I probably would'nt want to face the electorate either! (I mean the true electorate, not a hand-picked gaggle of yes-men and partisan flunkies that attend their disgraceful republican-style pro-liberal pep rallies.)
sirjohna
7 years ago
'the fascists' like wally oppal, carole taylor, geoff plant, christy clark, shirley bond, tom christensen, etc. great comment jester. typical leftist garbage rhetoric. god you're boring.
Sue Clark
7 years ago
If business meetings are the only meetings that BC Lib candidates are planning to attend, then they are unfit to govern. If they cannot speak about health care, education, women's issues or any other issue, then they are not portraying themselves as moderates (at the political centre).
They have proven in the last four years that they do not care about any other issue but business and increased wealth to those who are already the wealthiest 5% in BC. The BC LIberals are right wing extremists who are painting themselves as mild sheep.
Sue Clark
7 years ago
All of wally oppal, carole taylor, geoff plant, christy clark, shirley bond, tom christensen spout the same nonsense rhetoric lies. None of them are small 'l' liberals, not even Christy Clark. Christy is right wing and bears ZERO traits of a federal Liberal. Read what each of them has said.
tommymoore
7 years ago
sirjohna: fascism has many faces. A government which ignores the people is, by definition, fascist. You can spew socialist/communist labels, suggesting people who differ from your views would prefer Cuba, yet justifiable criticism of the fact that half the liberal candidates refuse to enter into public debates is: "..typical leftist garbage rhetoric.."? Please excuse the ad hominem here, but you sir, are a jerk.
sonic931
7 years ago
"I see this as a good overall strategy"
-Fair enough Jim,but don't you think a government that campaigned on a promise of "honest and open government" should promote democracy by actually engaging in it rather than undermining it by refusing to debate?
BC Mary
7 years ago
JIm, the cynicism is appalling!
You're triumphantly in favour of controlling the electorate for private gain, right?
You have contempt for British Columbians willing to attend public meetings to hear all the candidates before they vote. You just want to make sure Your Guy dominates the Other Guy -- or, if he can't do that -- he hides!
You see the people of British Columbia as commodities which maybe you can buy and sell! And if Your Guy stumbles over a question, Your stock goes down. No profit there. Hide the candidate, quick!
You think elections aren't the ritual of a free people -- they're simply dogfights -- or some kind of poker game.
You're not even generous enough to notice that democracy depends upon an informed public. Or perhaps you do know that -- and your team has decided that it prefers another method -- the Oligarchy -- where a small and privileged group governs for corrupt or selfish purposes. And for that you definitely must keep the people helpless and worried!
And for God's sake, JIm, you're not only willing to do these dastardly deeds ... you boast about it!
Then you have the unmitigated nerve to try to make this sound as if it's the other party's fault! They're forcing you to do it!! Haha. Grrrr. No way, JIm. Your fault. The Socred/Reform/Liberals' chose to run the election this way. Shrivel with shame, you Right-Wingy-Dingy troll.
Well, at least now I can stop wondering why the David Basi trial gets that same protective barrier of silence.
JIm
7 years ago
I find it interesting that you guys comment on how the liberals should run their election. I hate to break it to you, but they aren't courting your votes. The Liberals are trying to get re-elected, not pander to their fiercest opposition.
This is a game to get as many votes as possible. They made the decision that is in their best interests. Just like Carole James made the decision that she's not going to tell the public what her plans are after the first year. Or her decision to not reverse any of the Liberal changes. Or the fact that she deflects every question until after the election. That way all parties can have a meeting. That’s how she thinks the NDP is going to win.
If the Liberals went into public debates. Would you change your vote no matter what the Liberals or the NDP said? My guess is no. So why would they take the risk. They’re putting the onus on the NDP to win. You, the opposition, desperately want the Liberals to debate. The Liberals can smell this desperation and won’t give you any more ammunition.
Sue Clark
7 years ago
Bill Bennett used the same strategy of avoiding the public.
There are still some people deciding on how to vote and It is true that actual debate can change people's minds more towards voting for the NDP. Nevertheless, the frontrunning BC Liberals are not going to win new converts by not showing up. Do they have enough of a lead to be able to pull this off?
Banquos ghost
7 years ago
Jim, the most telling thing you just said was in your first sentence.
"I find it interesting that you guys comment on how the liberals should run their election." (italics mine)
By that statement it's appears that you consider, and by extension the BC Liberal Party and their supporters, that an election no longer is a fundamental democratic process that belongs to the citizens and not to the political elites.
Fascinating.
JIm
7 years ago
Sorry I forgot the word campaign. Next time I'll make sure that my editor gets that.
Te Aro Arahina
7 years ago
The Liberals have the most to lose by showing up for debates. Easy to figure out why.
sirjohna
7 years ago
tommy; you'd better pull out the dictionary that you abandoned after grade 4 and look up the word 'fascist'.
as for the rest of your comments: 'blather blather blather....'
Banquos ghost
7 years ago
Sir John A. in the flesh was a drunkard who corruptly manipulated various projects for his own personal gain.
Quite apt, really, for our grunting bottom feeder here.
He's rather like a pet with a terrible case of halitosis isn't he? One wants to love him but he's actually so hideously repulsive once you get close that it's all one can do not to gag.
sirjohna
7 years ago
ghost; my bowler cap is off to you. that was a good post.
p.s. who's Sir John A.?
allan
7 years ago
Sirjohna, what are your people hiding from?
And by the way, someone asked in one of these threads the other day why Wally Oppal the former Supreme Court judge hasn't said one word about the shady pressure tactics used by his "new" party to get campaign contributions.
I mean those econ-dev conferences were really little more than a shakedown by the local block captains.
Pay up and your windows won't get blown out now reads like pay up and your municipality may not lose more government services and jobs or you might get a government grant.
Any answers there, sirjohna?
I also find it interesting that a man of such impecable credentials as being above reproach would risk all that to bed down with politicians who have no qualms about hiring and giving fraudsters, cheat and drug dealers free run in the legislative buildings.
He ought to know more than most of us that when a fellow Supreme Court judge refuses to lift a gag order on evidence around alleged wrong-doing by politicians that there must be more than just puffs of smoke behind the curtain.
Now, let's take a look at Carol Taylor who has been living quite well off the Liberal patronage trough since her youth began slipping away so many elections ago.
Yup, fresh of the CBC gravy train right into another Liberal thingy. It must be habit forming.
As for your other stars, Christy Clark and Geoff Plant. Aren't they among the suddenly family oriented group of insiders who are abandoning ship lest, I suspect, some of that smelly stuff shows up while the Libs are still in office.
And that leaves us with your true Libs pal, Shirley Who and Tom Who.
But then one thing we do agree on is that Gordon Campbell certainly isn't part of that star team now is he sirjohna?
Gee, sure hope he shows up for tonight's debate.
freebear
7 years ago
Wow, and people wonder why fewer people are voting!
What if they had an election and nobody came!I suggest nobody vote to illustrate many people's disgust with a the political system that includes avoiding the electorate, attending only positively biased debates/forums, incessant name calling and bullying.
For those that say not voting is wrong, or not fulfilling a civic duty is irresponsible and so on.... remember while I have a right to vote, I also have a right not to.
Mel from Calgary
7 years ago
By only appearing at venues sympathetic to the B.C. Liberals they are surrounding themselves with fans, which will lead them to overestimate the amount of adoration the public feels for them.
jesterjogger
7 years ago
Webster's Riverside University Dictionary defines fascism as: "A philosphy or governmental system marked by stringent socioeconomic control and a strong central goverment usually headed by a dictator.."
Gee does anything here sound familiar??
Banquos ghost
7 years ago
sirjohna, you're on ignore until you find the wherewithal to string together words of greater than one syllable into cogent thoughts that extend beyond your eyebrows.
Joyous MacPhail interviewed today has said that after touring the province for the last while, a farewell tour no doubt, she has become convinced that the polls are not telling the story and that the NDP are going to be returned to office.
I don't know about that but I will say that close examination of all the polls I have seen where the undecideds are questioned for leanings that the NDP are around 2 and sometimes 3 to 1 favoured over the Liberals. That doesn't mean that people are going to vote that way of course but when undecideds lean toward the underdog it usually portends at the bery least a surprise.
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
Jean Binette writes: Allan - sirjohna is a nobody. Why don't you ask Wally Oppal?
ripponfalls
7 years ago
Sadly, I have to concur with the comments of the Liberals on this forum: in essence, they will make more running with their advertising than they ever could with their debating. Of course, the fact that they have borrowed George Bush's playbook for this campaign should raise some question as to exactly how much of Liberals they actually are. Just as they will claim that there is no connection with the Federal Liberal party because of the Sponsership scandal.... although they earlier claimed that all the increased Federal funding was due to them belonging to the.... Liberal party.
Therefore, I leave you with a question: The premier is claiming in some way a connection between his tenure and high job creation in B.C. Now, last year there was very little tourism (the roads were empty), Fisheries has been dead for some time, they fired a large number of government employees, interest rates (which have given rise to a housing boom) are set by the US Federal reserve bank, and not even in Ottawa, and all the increase in exports were in forest products products, yet the Liberals had to create a program to retrain woods workers.... We know that BC is a nice place to live. No secret there. However, that was true before the Liberals were elected. This leaves only one area that has enjoyed a rebirth under the Liberal government: agriculture. So I ask, Is the premier claiming responsibility for the amazing rise in grow ops in the last four years????
I know there are some Liberal supporters here, and I would really like to know.
Name
7 years ago
It's not just the all-candidates meetings...
One provincial children's services association circulated an election brief highlighting what they see as the important issues and asking Liberal, Green and NDP candidates in each riding to comment on how they would tackle these issues.
Despite assurances from individual candidated that they would like to respond, they're reporting that the HiveMind at BC Liberal HQ has just sent out a directive stating that individual Liberal candidates will not be allowed to comment on these issues, not even as they relate to their own communities. (The NDP and Greens don't seem to have the same problem about letting their candidates comment.)
...it's a bit scary, really, this unexpected insight into their idea of open, transparent government in action, and it just goes to prove what I've suspected all along--that the spin doctors are the ones who are really running things, and that it's all about style and nothing to do with substance.
Banquos ghost
7 years ago
dearpremier.ca and jean binette: good for you!
Your capacity to say absolutely nothing while inferring even less is overwhelmingly masterful.
Do your children stand over you with sharpened knives while you sleep?
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
Jean Binette writes, not anymore my friend, as I explained earlier on another Tyee thread, we ate them all during the last great NPD Depression.
bigEd
7 years ago
tOMMYMOORE,
I THINK YOU MEANT ASSHOLE.
sirjohna
7 years ago
jester; good to see you know how to use a dictionary, now you need to figure out what the words in the definition mean. otherwise all you're really saying in your post is more blather blather blather.
ghost; and to think i complimented you. joy macphail? you mean the other converted socialist. hasn't she joined dannie miller, glennie clark, ujjie dosanjh and mikey harcourt on the dark side. isn't socialism wonderful? dream on brother.
allan
7 years ago
Hey, good idea Binette.
Would you be so kind as to send this to the good former judge through your party's network.
I'm hopeful Wally will be anxious to express his opinion on the small cloud that continues to linger over the arrest of party insiders and paid political staff following a shocking raid by police on Cabinet offices.
Perhaps he could reassure all of us that it's really just a police error and that suspicion has now shifted to a garbage man or something.
I mean, he's the expert in law, isn't he. And he surely would beome a star for voters.
Wow, what an opportunity for a little bit of positive energy when the public is reassured there was nothing crooked going on.
What do you think, Binny?
Can you sell it to them?
sirjohna
7 years ago
hey big fat ed. you may want to take advantage of living in such a beautiful province by getting a life.
Brent
7 years ago
Hey folks! It's really very simple...the Lying Liberals are not showing up for these debates because they are in fear of answering to their record of lies and deceit, and fear the light of truth shining on them. Why else would they limit their exposure to the general public, with the exception of pro-Liberal chamber of commerce luncheons, etc, etc.
Their actions speak louder than any words or excuses they may say. Period.
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
Jean Binette writes: Thanks for the support Allan.
However I think you should ask him yourself using the Tyee "ask a candidate" link on this site.
But before you do it would be helpful if you were to attempt to frame a coherent question you are seeking the answer to.
allan
7 years ago
You're welcome Binny.
SMitchell
7 years ago
JIm, I agree, it's an excellent strategy - if your party has a track record so atrocious it can't stand up to debate.
If on the other hand, you have a party with a strong track record and a solid platform, debating can only help you. As Carole James found out last night.
james III
7 years ago
All I see in Suds Campbell's campaign or lack thereof, is a man and a party running scared.
They can't face the facts. And the disinformation is hilarious.
The liberal government inherited a 1.5 billion dollar surplus from the NDP.
They are riddled with scandal and obviously are in the pocket of big business.
Just don't vote for the idiots, period.
BTW, Jim are you an asshole, but then you probably already know that.
Burgess
7 years ago
There are two types of liers in this world.
The ones with a white stripe.
The ones with a yellow stripe.
The white ones lie a to cover up minor sins.
The Yellow ones (the cowardly type)lie to cover up political sins to gain undeserved advantage.
Which stripe does Mr. Campbell have?
Just remember Mr. Campbell and his minions took over the Liberal Party by making an issue of Gordon and Judi. (Refer to articles in Google about Campbell's sins true or otherwise but none the less the same tactic that was used to pull the rug from under Gordon Wilson.)With the connivance of Howe Street money they then 'turfed' from the party all who did not fit their image and brought in the Basi Boys and their federal ilks. (Why else have so many high profile cabinet ministers bailed?) By the way if you believe that the BCRail deal was not a sale then I guess you also believe he is not going to sell BCHydro and ICBC the next time around. For all you liberals out there porking at the taxpayers expense because this note is anti-liberal it doesn't make me NDP as this voter voted Liberal for years until the corruption took over in Ottawa and BC.
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
Jean Binette writes: You ought to get your facts straight Burgess.
Wilson was a sinful crybaby!
chuckstraight
7 years ago
Out here in the heartlands there seems to be a problem getting Sindi Hawkins to debate the issues. Back when there was a uproar locally regarding the Campbell gov`t. trying to sell the Coquihalla highway, a meeting was held in a local theatre. The only MLA that showed was Joy MacPhail- not one of the 3 Liberal MLA`s showed up. It seems to be a bit of a trend-not face any questions from the public. On another note- there is a suggestion making the rounds that the new bridge in Kelowna be called the "Al Capone" bridge
chuckstraight
7 years ago
Chuckstraight writes: Actually, the best crybaby goes to Gordon Campbell himself:on television crying about driving a vehicle 70 miles per hour at .16 alcohol. "Priceless"
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
Jean Binette writes: Which will pale in comparison to the legions of NDP crybaby's expected at Tyee headquarters on May 18th.
chuckstraight
7 years ago
The biggest crybaby will be Gordo on election night. And might we expect a tear or two from our spinnette?
Vidiot
7 years ago
I think dearpremiere has become our resident right-whinge troll. Neither informative nor funny nor up to the task. Boring.
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
Jean Binette writes: Coming from the village idiot, I'm not surprised.
Vidiot
7 years ago
"Jean Bidet can't writes: Nothing"
A result. Prior post proof of point.
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
I'm guessing that the lightbulb just came on - vidiot
Colin
7 years ago
I know some very right wing people that live in Sevend Roberson old riding. Despite disagreeing with him on a number of issues, they all agreed that he was one of the best local politicians who listened to and acted on the behalf of the people in his riding.
Not showing up to debates will hurt them in the long run as people who were borderline on whom they vote for will feel insulted and ignored. The voters in this province have already trashed two governments in recent history, a third will not be a surprise.
dearpremier.ca
7 years ago
Is old Sven the jewel thief in a "swing" riding?
Mel from Calgary
7 years ago
Sven fessed-up more than Gordon (Maui) Campbell did.
sirjohna
7 years ago
let's get real mel. the story i heard was that svendo fessed up b/c he was tipped off that the whole theft was on tape and he was going to be busted. probably a rumour, right? do you think it was the first time he stole something. do you think people start with $50k rings?
trulib
7 years ago
I can understand why Liberal MLA's are shying away from public debates. Behind closed doors,Gordon Campbell, his small inner circle, and out-of-province far right-wing consultants are determining the direction the Province will take as far as what assets will be privatized or sold off in the future. It would be quite difficult for the MLA's to effectively debate, when they aren't being apprised of what the future holds for the Province. To Campbell's inner circle, they are mainly 'numbers' needed to win an election.
Colin
7 years ago
I am not a Sevend fan, but I suspect that the theft was indeed the result of stress or illness. It’s not that uncommon for someone to steal/break something they know they will be caught for. In fact the real purpose is to get caught, as the person has reached a point where they can’t break whatever cycle they are in and need some sort of outside intervention.
Aargh
7 years ago
Our liberal incumbent Dennis McKay in the Bulkley-Stikine won't do any all-candidates that aren't organized by a Chamber of Commerce. So what happens when a community in the riding doesn't have one? He doesn't show. As was the case in Hazelton where all of the other candidates showed up. This isn't about the Liberals not following an NDP led-campaign, it's about completely disregarding the democratic process. The above example was one of 3 all-candidates meetings organized in the riding; hardly a taxing demand for a five week campaign.
Good ole' Gordo just popped into town recently as polls are showing when you're fed by fish farms and won't speak to the general public, you're in danger of losing your seat.