Railgate: Unearthed E-mails 'Out of this World' Says Defence
'Very critical stuff' from premier's 'inner circle.'
Robert Virk and David Basi.
Special Prosecutor Bill Berardino dropped a bombshell in B.C. Supreme Court Friday, asking Justice Elizabeth Bennett to exclude defence counsel from attending an application on whether secret witnesses could testify in camera in the B.C. legislature raid trial.
Lawyers for David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi appeared stunned by the submission by Berardino, telling Bennett they will make arguments against their exclusion when the application is made Dec. 3. The media and public would also be excluded.
And a defence lawyer described thousands of e-mails obtained from key Crown witness and former provincial lobbyist Erik Bornmann as "out of this world."
There was no discussion of who the secret witnesses who do not want to be identified were and outside court Berardino and defence lawyers declined all comment on the issue, citing the justice's ruling in court.
Berardino told reporters after the hearing that he cannot comment in any way on the in-camera secret witness application.
When asked how reporters should find out how to deal with or challenge the possibility of being excluded, Berardino said: "I think like every good citizen, you should consult a lawyer."
Kevin McCullough, defence counsel for Bob Virk, had little more to say.
"With in-camera applications lawyers can't say anything," McCullough said outside the courtroom. "Historically in-camera issues have been around safety issues, organized crime."
Vague allusions
Bennett had earlier told Berardino, before the request to exclude the defence counsel was made, that the in-camera application would be heard in court on December 3.
"You have to notify the media if you intend to hold an in-camera hearing," Bennett said.
When Berardino seemed to object, Bennett asked him if there was "another issue."
Berardino then passed Bennett a previous case judgement and asked her to read "paragraph 46."
"Yes, there is another issue," he said.
After reading the document Bennett replied: "I understood you were talking about people we've discussed before. This is something else."
The most likely case Special Prosecutor Berardino was referring Bennett to is Named Person v. Vancouver Sun at the Supreme Court of Canada, which rendered a judgement on Oct. 11, 2007. Several media outlets joined forces in an effort to identify a secret witness.
That case arose out of the investigation into the bombing of Air India Flight 182 that killed all 329 aboard on June 23, 1985.
The issue in question was whether a police informant could give testimony without being identified. That informant was also fighting deportation to a foreign country to face criminal charges there.
McCullough told Bennett that the application to exclude defence lawyers from the in-camera hearing would be opposed.
What is the B.C. legislature raid case?
Also known as "Basi-Virk," it stems from an unprecedented search of the B.C. legislature on Dec. 28, 2003, that police at the time ominously linked to drug dealing, organized crime and corruption said to extend to the highest levels of government.
Subsequently it became clear the search was in fact connected to the $1 billion privatization of B.C. Rail by BC Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell.
Two former ministerial aides -- David Basi and Bob Virk -- now face charges of breach of trust and fraud for allegedly passing confidential government documents on to lobbyists representing OmniTRAX, one of the corporations that bid for B.C. Rail. Aneal Basi, a former government communications aide and cousin to David Basi, faces money laundering charges.
The case has exposed the extensive political connections between the B.C. and federal Liberal parties, provincial lobbyists, the leadership campaign of former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin and even the RCMP.
The B.C. legislature raid case is currently in the pre-trial defence application stage at B.C. Supreme Court. The trial itself is expected to last six months or more and call dozens of witnesses, including powerful former B.C. Liberal cabinet ministers, political staff, lobbyists and many others.
-- Bill Tieleman
"If he [Berardino] intends to go in camera without defence counsel, you'll hear arguments from me," he said.
Then a very interesting interjection occurred.
Michael Bolton (legal counsel for David Basi) to Bennett: "We'll deal with defence counsels' right to be present."
McCullough: "I think we've figured it out...."
Bennett: "No, just don't say anymore."
Bornmann e-mails 'out of this world'
The secret witness issue wasn't the only new ground broken in the hour-long session.
In court, McCullough told also Bennett that e-mails from key Crown witness Bornmann, which have recently been disclosed to the defence, are highly relevant and should have been previously provided.
"The Bornmann e-mails are out of this world. There are thousands of them," McCullough said. "How these materials were not disclosed before June 4, 2007 will have to be dealt with -- I'm trying to be constructive here."
"Dates, times, lobbying connections, what high officials are telling them," McCullough continued.
'Premier's office inner circle'
Michael Bolton told the court the Bornmann e-mails were highly relevant to their defence, which in part argues that Basi and Virk, both former provincial government ministerial assistants, were merely following the orders of higher ups in government.
In the Basi-Virk case police allege Bornmann bribed Basi and Virk to obtain confidential government documents related to the $1 billion privatization of BC Rail in 2003. Basi and Virk face breach of trust and fraud charges, while Aneal Basi, Dave's cousin and a former government communications officer, faces money laundering charges alleged related to the payment of bribes.
"The e-mails pertain in particular to the conduits of information between the premier's office inner circle and the Ministries of Finance and Transportation and the Pilothouse lobbyists," Bolton said. "Passing information to key members of the premier's inner circle. This is very critical stuff and we don't know how much more of it there is."
'Confidential informer'?
But it was the issue of excluding even defence lawyers from an in-camera hearing that drew the most attention in court.
The "Paragraph 46" that Special Prosecutor Berardino referred Justice Bennett to was almost certainly from Named Person v. Vancouver Sun. That paragraph and the ones immediately before and after, read as follows:
D. The Procedure to Be Followed45 The interface between the informer privilege rule and the open court principle in the context of a hearing where a party claims to be a confidential police informant must at the same time allow for the protection of the identity of the informer from any possibility of disclosure and the maintenance of public access to the courtroom to the greatest extent possible.
In order to best illustrate how this can be achieved, I will in what follows set out a procedure to be followed in a case such as the one before the Court, where an individual who is in the midst of criminal or quasi-criminal proceedings for some reason discloses to the court his or her status as a confidential informer.
46 In such a proceeding, the parties before the judge will be the individual and the Attorney General of Canada (or the Crown). If the individual wishes to make a claim that he or she is a confidential informer, he or she should ask the judge to adjourn the proceedings immediately and continue in camera.
The proceedings will proceed in camera, with only the individual and the Attorney General present, in order to determine if sufficient evidence exists to determine that the person is a confidential informer and therefore able to claim informer privilege.
47 While the judge is determining whether the privilege applies, all caution must be taken on the assumption that it does apply. This means that under no circumstances should any third party be admitted to the proceedings, and even the claim of informer privilege must not be disclosed. The only parties admitted in this part of the proceeding are the person who seeks the protection of the privilege and the Attorney General. It is the responsibility of the judge at this stage to demand from the parties some evidence which satisfies the judge, on balance, that the person is a confidential informer.
Once it has been established on the evidence that the person is a confidential informer, the privilege applies. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of this last point. The judge has no discretion not to apply the privilege: Bisaillon v. Keable, at p. 93. If the person is an informer, the privilege applies fully.
That leaves some obvious questions -- is there a "confidential informer" who supplied police with evidence of wrong doing? And who is that person? Are they involved in other criminal activities, as the Air India informant was?
And it should also be noted that there appear to be two separate applications for in-camera witnesses, with previous mention of applications coming at the last pre-trial hearing, Nov. 16. There was no mention of excluding defence counsel at that time and Justice Bennett clearly appears to say that there are different applications to be heard.
Pre-trial calendar
The pre-trial hearing also dealt at length with ongoing disclosure of evidence problems that have delayed the trial several times.
Bennett ended the court session by outlining the upcoming schedule of pre-trial hearings.
Starting Dec. 3 the in-camera application will be heard after, presumably, dealing with the issue of exclusion of defence counsel, media and the public. Bennett is expected to hear media arguments against banning reporting and attending the hearing.
Starting Dec. 10 there will be hearings on the issue of provincial government documents where solicitor-client privilege is being claimed.
Starting Dec. 17, depending on the earlier hearings, there may be meetings between the Special Prosecutor and the defence to resolve other disclosure issues.
And starting Jan. 7, 2008 the court will hear arguments on "vets" of the BC Rail and federal Department of Justice documents -- that is, what information should or should not be disclosed to the defence and its relevance to the case.
Of course, one other important date should be mentioned -- on Dec. 28 this case celebrates its 4th birthday.
On Dec. 28, 2003 the B.C. Legislature was raided by police in an unprecedented action that has yet to result in a trial.
Related Tyee stories:
- Railgate: Judge Blows Stack
25,000 new pages of evidence; defence pursues dismissal. - Basi, Virk 'Hung Out to Dry': Lawyer
But Crown says aides acted on their own. - Spiderman in a Web of Intrigue
The Basi-Virk-BC Rail probe may yield BC's biggest scandal yet. If so, meet the Crown's mysterious star witness: 'Spiderman' Erik Bornman.
![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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murdock
4 years ago
Timing suspect?
Once again the icky sticky trash that stinks the most is dumped out late on a friday afternoon so as to avoid the weekend 'media cycle'.
With only one week left in the Legislature 'official' calendar, I suspect that no-one of consequence will be available for any sort of comment until NEXT YEAR!
This is total unmittigated crap that is being done with the assistance of the BC Provincial Courts. It is a subtle and gentle re-direction game done so that the current legislature members can stay clear until it is TOO LATE to do anything meaningful about the situation.
Justice, in this case, has been delayed FAR TOO LONG.
Grumpy
4 years ago
There is no justice in BC.......
What we see with this case is that the government and the elite wealthy class are treated differently than the common man.
If this case collapses, it will confirm that here is no justice in BC, government can't be held accountable and the wealthy elites can do what ever they wish, knowing in full knowledge that the courts will be on our side.
Corruption in endemic in BC and Canada, what used to be a 'wink' and a 'nod' and a few hundred dollars is now been upped to selling railways for 999 year leases for ???.
Well this is why we must see this case through, if not, it will give politicians full reign to sell off the province to their political friends.
Jeffrey J.
4 years ago
Explosive and Incredible Evidence
Imagine for a moment if you will...that the Tyee didn't exist. Neither would today's column. It certainly won't show up on the CanWest monopoly. Nor elsewhere. This is vital, significant and deeply disturbing evidence of the failure of our elected government. But at least we're reading about it. Thank you again Mr. Tieleman and the Tyee!!
BC Mary
4 years ago
800 Smyth Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
What's preventing people, on December 3 from finding a place in the public gallery to watch the B.C. Rail Case in this critical moment?
Wouldn't that be the kindest, gentlest, most affirmative way of demonstrating to B.C. Supreme Court that the public does have a keen interest in this case? and that secret witnesses or secret testimony isn't going to go down easily unless it sheds light on the case?
We rely so heavily upon Bill Tieleman for court reports. Maybe there's a way we can help. If you can posibly be there, I hope others will attend.
BC Mary
4 years ago
Well, maybe not change the whole wide world, but ...
Just stumbled across this:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
Grumpy
4 years ago
For BC Mary to think about
Some questions, re: BC Rail deal that will be not asked, but I will.
Why did CN Rail want to buy the steeply graded BC Rail in the first place? The steepest grade on the CN mainline, from Vancouver to Edmonton, was the climb to the Fraser river rail bridge.
Was Amtrak rebuffed by the BC Liberal government, in starting a Portland to Whistler passenger service.
Why was a downtown Vancouver to Whistler rail service only looked at without any additional track work added? This is important because a study was done, looking at a downtown Vancouver to Whistler rail service, where all passenger train had to travel to New Westminster to 'y' reverse to continue to North Vancouver. This added over 1 hour to the journey time.
Why was 'tilt' trains (could cut travel time as much as 40%), like Talgo never used in a passenger study, rather unwieldy bi-level commuter cars?
What is the relationship between the Campbell Liberals and the head of the Rocky Mountaineer (Whistler Mountaineer) and their relationship with CN Rail.
Is CN Rail planning to abandon the Squamish to Vancouver rail route?
Has CN Rail paid any money to the BC Liberal Party?
Is it true only empty trains use the BC Rail route, a prelude to mothballing large sections of line?
Why does the Liberal government think it is ok to subsidies SkyTrain at over $200 million annually; RAV at over $40 million annually, but not a 'heritage' and world class (one of the top ten rail journeys in the world) passenger rail service from Vancouver to Prince George, for about $6 million annually?
Questions, more questions, revealing questions.
Budd Campbell
4 years ago
"What is the relationship
"What is the relationship between the Campbell Liberals and the head of the Rocky Mountaineer (Whistler Mountaineer) and their relationship with CN Rail."
"Why does the Liberal government think it is ok to subsidies SkyTrain at over $200 million annually; RAV at over $40 million annually, but not a 'heritage' and world class (one of the top ten rail journeys in the world) passenger rail service from Vancouver to Prince George, for about $6 million annually?"
A couple of excellent questions, Grumpy. In answer to the first, I have heard that the principal player in the Mountaineer company is a close relative of Grace McCarthy, the one time Socred powerbroker who played a key role in pulling the plug on that party by giving critical data to Gordon Wilson's 1991 insurgency. McCarthy had always been considered a Grit element in the Liberal/Conservative Coalition that was doing business as "Social Credit" from 1952 to 1991.
In answer to the second question, this isn't exclusively a BC Liberal attitude. It's really one more extension of the avaricious, ripper philosohpy that underlies the fake urbanist politics of "Vancouverism". It's a mindset that allows middle and upper class Canadians to rationalize substantial subsidies to public transport that help to support their Vancouver property prices, but not a relatively minute expenditure of "scarce tax resources" to run public service passenger trains through the hinterland/Heartland.
It's pure, raw, unadulterated regional politics of the "heads we win, tails you loose" variety. And it's served up by the COPE/Vision people as well as the NPA crowd. On this point at least, the Heather Deals and David Cadmans would differ little from Gordon Campbell himself, except that they would be willing to continue spending the six million on a BC Rail type service. They would not be willing to expand the West Coast Express service, however, since that's a direct challenge to the kind of Metro Vancouver they desire, one where its public policy to make commuting from suburbs east or south of Burnaby as difficult and unpleasant as possible.
G West
4 years ago
Political contributions to BC Liberals
This Charlie Smith article is the best quick reference to Campbell donors, although this info applies to 2005 in most of its specifics:
http://www.bcpolitics.ca/left_puppeteers.htm
G West
4 years ago
And of course there's this Tyee article
Which deals more directly with Campbell, his friends and Canadian National:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2005/05/09/DavidMaclean/
BLONDE PITBULL
4 years ago
Hey, G ...
So being monday I'm looking for a good laugh today how many of those companies and individuals would like to adopt my idea of dividing donations? LMAO.
Gerhardius
4 years ago
Defence says...whatever is in their client's interest
at least in theory. I will wait until I can read the emails to decide if they are "out of this world." Didn't the Sun or Province have a similar headline last week regarding a statement by the Pickton defence?
Grumpy: good questions! I have a friend in Seattle who was a consulting engineer on some of the improvements to the tracks from Seattle to the Border and he had a little info and was able to point me in the right direction for other snippets. I had to chop the questions, sorry.
Earlier this year an agreement was reached between Amtrak and the Provincial Government regarding improvements from the border to Vancouver. This will increase the capacity from one train a day to two, with the goal being 4 trains possibly for 2010. Could any of the four be sent to Whistler bypassing Vancouver? The trains would use the switch at Willingdon and then take the 2nd narrows bridge to the North Shore and onward to Whistler. This option was not formally discussed, but the Olympics were mentioned as being a contributing factor to the planned upgrades. Even with a basic track change, a stop in Vancouver would add about 80 minutes to the trip. The Rocky Mountaineer people have a deal with CN regarding track use from North Van to Whislter, the duration and terms may give an idea of what the future is for rail to Whistler.
Not sure which study you are referring to, but there was a study in 2001 regarding service from Vancouver to Whistler. That study mentioned routing through the New West area as being an option if the trains used Waterfront Station. One of the other options included using the CN station and putting in a new switch at Willingdon so an East bound train could get onto the track that heads North without reversing. There was another option that called for a new tunnel from Waterfront Station to the North Shore.
The study I am aware of did consider the Talgo as an option. They calculated a savings of @18 minutes over the double deck trains on the Vancouver - Whistler run. The Talgo would need some track work done, mostly minor but there were some issues with the distance between tracks on certain curved sections. This study included intermediate stops along the way from North Vancouver to Whistler.
The estimated time from Pacific Central to Whistler using a new switch at Willingdon and a Talgo train is approximately 2 hrs and 52 mins. The commuter train option makes the trip @ 3 hrs and 10 mins.
The biggest hurdle is getting trains from Vancouver to the North Shore. The only bridge is at the 2nd narrows, and the only way to access that is via tunnel from near Gilmore and Dawson in Burnaby. There is no shorter viable route without a new tunnel or bridge.
Grumpy
4 years ago
From Charlie Smith's article, in 2005
Canadian National Railway Company $61,630
Grumpy
4 years ago
More from 2005!
Great Canadian Railtour Company $57,170.
CanWest is also on the list at over $50,000. The fix is in.
Grumpy
4 years ago
Thanks G...
But a saving of 18 minutes of double decker commuter cars over Talgo, is nonsense. My sources indicated to me that Talgo could have a trip from downtown Vancouver to Whistler, via the 2nd Narrows Bridge in 2-1/2 hours or faster depnding on the amount of track improvements. but it is all dust in the wind now.
lynn
4 years ago
Location, location , location
I don't think "the 990- year sale" of BC Rail was a rail deal. I think it was a land deal that was set up.... to unfold "sometime" later "down the line"....when people wouldn't be paying quite so close attention. What better than access to right of way and rail land that snakes through so much of BC previously inaccessible and prime real estate?
Makes you think of how the inaccessible (think ALR land) became suddenly and conveniently accessible through the use and manipulation of the FN treaty process.
"Six hundred thousand dollars" was spent on real estate advisors for the sale of BC Rail.
Behavior becomes predictable after awhile.
I'd like to thank Bill Tieleman for this article and especially The Tyee for their continueing coverage of this most important story.
The Tyee's Richard Warnica wrote an interesting article some time back on Gordon Campbell's long standing friendship with David McLean.... the chairman of the board of CN Rail:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2005/05/09/DavidMacLean
lynn
4 years ago
Marked down to a dollar
Joy MacPhail revealed in the legislature that the government paid CN's property-transfer taxes in the deal - a grand total of $24-million courtesy of BC taxpayers. Yes, the BC public paid a private company's taxes.
Even more mind-boggling, it also came to light that the government would pay CN's property-transfer taxes should the government "transfer ownership" of public lands to CN for the price of one dollar.
Now, that's what you call a steal of a deal!
Gerhardius
4 years ago
Dust now
Here is the report I checked out: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Publications/reports_and_studies/Sea-to-Sky_Reports/High-Speed_Passenger_Rail.pdf
The travel time on this side to the North Shore is pretty difficult to improve, as getting to the bridge is the problem. Construction of another access route to the 2nd narrows RR bridge was not going to happen except in some fantasy world. Improving the track in the tunnel to the bridge in order to take advantage of the Talgo's speed would also be very expensive.
The time saving of the Talgo is its speed, and that is not taken advantage of in either the US or Canada on the current route due to regulations and infrastructural limitations. It is all well and good that the Talgo is faster by X but operating speeds are often lower than potential. I am not sure about track speeds in Canada but I understand in the US the Talgo is limited to 80 MPH. True high speed rail needs dedicated tracks and realistically getting a high speed rail corridor to the US border is going to be difficult enough without the added expense of a Whistler extension.
Your source for the travel time seems to be using the time from North Vancouver to Whistler that takes into account the most extensive construction on the line from the North Shore and up the coast while adding in the time from Vancouver over the 2nd Narrows.
Grumpy
4 years ago
Umm no........
Comment: "I am not sure about track speeds in Canada but I understand in the US the Talgo is limited to 80 MPH."
Not quite true, except for designated high-speed passenger routes on the East Coast, passenger trains in the USA are limited to a speed of 89 mph, a speed Talgo reaches on portions of the Vancouver to Seattle route.
Comment: "The time saving of the Talgo is its speed."
Not quite true again, Talgo tilts, thus is able to take curves, without reducing speed. A fact for its longevity on the Paris to Madrid service, on the winding tight curvatures through the Pyrenees. (Also an interesting note, the European Talgo could automatically change track gauge as well.)
Talgo is able to maintain constant higher speed, thus eliminating speed restrictions on winding track.
Comment: "Your source for the travel time seems to be using the time from North Vancouver to Whistler...."
This was over 10 years ago, but the chap I talked to wanted to sell the province on a Downtown Vancouver to Whistler passenger line, using four Talgo sets. The cost (he estimated then, would have been around $200 million) would have included an east switch from the Vancouver main to the 2nd Narrows Bridge; signalling & track improvements in North Vancouver; and about $100 million in track along the proposed line.
As far as I can remember he was predicting a 2 hour train service.
What really pissed him off was that not only did the government of the day (A NDP government in its death throws?) commissioned a study from an outfit that had no real rail experience and absolutely no knowledge about 'tilt' trains, rather they wanted to use the Bombardier bi-level commuter cars as the NDP were wedded to Bombardier Inc. Because of a high centre of gravity, bi-level cars would have to take the curvature very slowly lest the punters on the top be thrown out of their seats! No one he talked to in the bureaucracy gave a damn at all!
Just to think that about 150 years earlier, the likes of Brunnel and Stephenson built railways that ran faster and on routes where the experts of the day said it was in possible.
Lefty
4 years ago
Repeal the deal
Considering that the BC Rail deal is so corrupt is it not possible to have the deal rescinded? Cannot Carol James bring in legislation to do just that?
Bailey
4 years ago
The taxpayers owned it
I think that's a wonderful idea, Lefty.
I believe it is possible to recover the property stolen by fraud, in many cases. One would have to prove the fraud, so this case would be critical in setting the case up. Then I would guess the signatory of the fraudulent deal, that would probably be the premier or the minister here, would either have to be a complainant or a defendant in the application.
If this case goes forward successfully, that should be possible as well. Just prove they took money as bribes to sell the property, either personally or as a 'criminal' organization. Possibly a new minister could be an applicant while a former one would be a defendant. Or maybe not.
Then the applicant would have to have some standing. Recognizable by the court. Maybe a citizen's group that calls itself a taxpayers association could argue that. Especially a non-profit group.
The claim would be difficult to frame, since this is a rare type of action. And it would be complicated by the fact that the (alleged)fraud was perpetrated by legal authorities of the crown who had authority to do the deal.
I think it would hinge on whether an actual officer of the crown has the right or authority to make a crooked deal. The pre-election promises by the Liberal party absolutely not to sell the railway would be key evidence.
A complicated case, it might or might not be arguable.
But I would contribute large to any taxpayers coalition who would put it on. Win or lose, it would really let in the fresh air and set the rats to scurrying.
'On behalf of the people of British Columbia; an application to recover the proceeds of crime, to wit: the British Columbia Railway, it's property, equipment and appurtenances, along with the profits flowing therefrom, said railway and goods having been unjustly and unlawfully alienated from public ownership and uses through a criminally fraudulent and corrupt process.'
Skywalker
4 years ago
The big question.
If an industrial sector or specific commercial sector give the Liberals a donation in the range of $50,000 + and the Liberals turn around and give them legislation that benefits no other group but that sector, why is that not a conflict of interest or vote buying and illegal?
Because if labour in general gets legislation which makes it easier to unionize or negotiate better wages or fairer treatment for all their members - no direct cost to provincial coffers, that is a problem? So much so that the NDP has to feel it needs to cater to the media and get rid of union delegates at a convention.
In the case of BC Rail the donation came followed by a gift of BC Rail to the "donater" and this was never considered wrong?
DJT
4 years ago
Not just a "steal of a deal"
You're right, Lynn, this was a "steal of a deal". Or maybe it was a "sweetheart deal". Yeah, that's it, a sweetheart deal. Oh, wait, I forgot. Only Unions get them- right Mr. Campbell?
vera gottlieb
4 years ago
Railgate
Keep digging away Bill Tieleman...this ilk doesn't deserve any mercy. And who is footing the bill for all this? Let me guess...
G West
4 years ago
further discussion
This forum will soon, if current practice runs true to form, be closed.
I'd remind those who are interested that, as always, there is another forum for discussion of this issue available; a place, moreover, where anyone can speculate - and consider the speculation of others - at your leisure.
http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/
Budd Campbell
4 years ago
"Talgo is able to maintain
"Talgo is able to maintain constant higher speed, thus eliminating speed restrictions on winding track."
Well Grumpy, maybe that's the kind of rolling stock that WCExpress should order to improve times to Ridge-Meadows and Mission. And why isn't Translink interested in exploring better speeds and more times for WCE, and the installation of more WCE services to the area south of the Fraser?
Aurora
4 years ago
A REAL Olympic legacy
Thank you to Gerhardius and Grumpy for revealing some fascinating insight on the history of the consideration of rail transit to Whistler. I have often wondered at the "real" story behind how the rail option was very handily and speedily dropped from all consideration in the original Vancouver Olympic bid proposal. Then to have added insult to injury with the sale of BCR following immediately after Vancouver being awarded the Olympics - then not long after that the awarding of the line to Rocky Mountaineer. What does this government take us for? Honestly. It is perhaps only the audacity of the chain of events that truly begs belief.
This information, however, really reveals the acute shortsightedness, then, of both the former and present provincial governments when considering the post-Olympics potential of new rail infrastructure for the provision of a rail transit link to the North shore. Now that's a legacy that would have really meant something - future public rail transit between the North shore and Vancouver. To know what we got instead is to know the true disgust with this entire event. It is the same kind of corrupt planning now promising us "The Gateway" proposal.
Thanks again to The Tyee and Bill Tielman for continuing to provide top coverage on this explosive case - that yes, were the government NDP, would have been garnering front page coverage in the mainstream press since Dec 29, 2003. To Judge Bennett, please don't cave. We, the public of BC, DO indeed want this case heard and DO want to see justice served - no matter how long it takes.
village
4 years ago
In railroad parlance...: the very ideas being discussed here as
per our PROVINCIAL GOVERNANCE model.. and how this particular issue of RAILS having been sold.. could be framed in the context of BOARDS OF DIRECTORS..( elected officials ) who have a fiduciary duty to perform..when it comes to transactions that involve them..,and CORPORATIONS or in this case GOVERNMENTS which we are owners of.., as people of this province..
Indeed ,though I am not familiar with this particular sale.. BC RAIL., but from what I've been able to gather in MSM and of course THE TYEE's very own unique ..,take on things..,( let us say that within this forum.., there is emerging a fascinating array of THINKING , that produces cause and effect reflections ,which in turn encourages additional INTELLIGENCE GATHERING on the subject matter at hand being discussed.., PRODUCING consequentially a powerful template and communications matrix of additional IDEAS .. ( and related information ) that spurs all participants on.. NOW THERE'S A RAILROAD TERM , if I've ever used one..
I am proud of the coverage of this issue..,and the depth and heart and also caring that people are voicing*.. ON THESE MATTERS... , ( and mind related questions )..
So , as I weigh in on the larger questions and minute detailing that are put forth..,I can only surmise that ..., as this particular case moves forward..,
( and even if it is stopped dead in it's TRACKS..).. I still feel that I am witnessing the unfolding of a brand new chapter in the POLITICS of this PROVINCE..*
For indeed, the issues go to the very core and depth of the GOVERNMENT itself.., when one thinks of what is now being revealed .., ( hence, political tactics aside..,what is emerging is a PUBLIC AWARENESS of .. something being amiss..and needing to be brought out in the OPEN..*..)
( continued.... )
village
4 years ago
Hence I would like to add my caution to JUSTICE BENNET , as per
Hence I would like to add my caution to JUSTICE BENNET , as per her role , in navigating the outcome of this particular INVESTIGATION*.., ( though called a court action , is quickly becoming something bigger )..and needing to be AIRED ,thoroughly..,
A comparison can be made.., at the NATIONAL LEVEL.. as per the most recent developments with new declarations that bring the matter of the AIR BUS SCANDAL.., at the forefront of the political will and identity of CANADA ..
By comparison.. the recent events at the VANCOUVER AIRPORT.. ( taser incident )..,is adding to not only tarnish the reputation of CANADA but this province*... as it pursues it's completion of creating the infrastructure TO HOLD THE WINTER OLYMPICS of 2010 .
With this backgrounder and ever transformative visions that come with tectonic plates experiences.., ( such as the great pressures now grinding away at our false sense of .., fair play.., and common decency.. that we've always taken for granted.., in context of our IDENTITY).. is unfolding before our very eyes , a moment of epiphany, a moment of awakening.
We are at a moment of truth*.. here ladies and gentleman..( and JUDGES of the BC SUPREME COURTS..).. ..
All eyes on the first week of December then..
I'll be waiting with great interest on the installements that are to follow.., and BC MARY .. your web site also is of great value for those who want CLARITY eventually... to this sale, and raid on the legislature..,
Thanks all,
Village.
village
4 years ago
Hence I would like to add my caution to JUSTICE BENNET , as per
Hence I would like to add my caution to JUSTICE BENNET , as per her role , in navigating the outcome of this particular INVESTIGATION*.., ( though called a court action , is quickly becoming something bigger )..and needing to be AIRED ,thoroughly..,
A comparison can be made.., at the NATIONAL LEVEL.. as per the most recent developments with new declarations that bring the matter of the AIR BUS SCANDAL.., at the forefront of the political will and identity of CANADA ..
By comparison.. the recent events at the VANCOUVER AIRPORT.. ( taser incident )..,is adding to not only tarnish the reputation of CANADA but this province*... as it pursues it's completion of creating the infrastructure TO HOLD THE WINTER OLYMPICS of 2010 .
With this backgrounder and ever transformative visions that come with tectonic plates experiences.., ( such as the great pressures now grinding away at our false sense of .., fair play.., and common decency.. that we've always taken for granted.., in context of our IDENTITY).. is unfolding before our very eyes , a moment of epiphany, a moment of awakening.
We are at a moment of truth*.. here ladies and gentleman..( and JUDGES of the BC SUPREME COURTS..).. ..
All eyes on the first week of December then..
I'll be waiting with great interest on the installements that are to follow.., and BC MARY .. your web site also is of great value for those who want CLARITY eventually... to this sale, and raid on the legislature..,
Thanks all,
Village.
Dave2
4 years ago
Whistler trains from Pacific Central
It looks like completing the wye at willingdon would require some expropriation
http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=&ie=UTF8&ll=49.264213,-123.009228&spn=0.006917,0.019956&t=k&z=16&om=1
But does a Whistler bound train really need to leave from "Pacific Central"? The only thing that sucks is that the North Van station is over in the middle of nowhere instead of at the Seabus at Lonsdale
(actually, as a slightly right of centre train geek, what really sucks is that there is no more Dayliner service on the BCR, but i digress)
((Wow, that google satellite i posted above is several years out of date, Gilmore/Brentwood has seen a lot of growth since 2002), da*m Millenium Line's getting too crowded)