"the NDP decided not to comment"

So the temporary Liberal appointee is blatantly screwing with an independent office right before recalls start and "the NDP has decided not to comment". The NDP needs to grow a set and act while the Globe and Tyee are covering this story.

With or without the NDP, we citizens and the anti-HST team will have to stop the Liberal corruption and restore democracy to BC.

It's Time....

It's time to get rid of these arrogant, over the top demanding Herr Campbell and Co. Gimme a break, this does not appear to look like any sort of re-structuring. This appears to be more of a "We don't like you or trust you any longer" type of scenario. No surprise as Herr Campbell and Co have not remotely grasped the concept or idea of democracy. This government seems to think that it sits alone on top of some elite type of compound too far away from the people's rebuke and or scorn. This is just Gordon Campbell fantasy and nothing more. When the recalls begin I think that some people within this government will truly regret following/supporting thier leader.

Was It Appropriate to Misinform Public

Call it a lie, call it being misinformed was it appropriate for the Liberals to do so to win an election, especially when the public was affirmative it didn't want the tax, no way, no how until Liberals have it shoved down the throats of British Colombians by Election BC. Why was she let go for doing her job? Is it appropriate for Government to fire Johnson as just think of the message being sent to all others who try to get in the way by doing their job. That is just low down and dirty and a lousy way to keep a job, don't do it.

Such passion from Palmer.

Even Palmer can't bring himself to call a spade a spade. Such kid glove treatment for liberal arrogance is getting to be all too common. I mean if you can admit that "Here was the government, unilaterally appointing a new temporary head of the office, without even the courtesy of consulting the opposition in advance." then all you do is wonder "whether the government was putting James in an awkward position." Really is that all there is to the arrogance, a liberal sensitized civil servant feeling awkward. Boy Palmer you really brought out the knives this time!

Abuse of Power

Craig James's position is similar to that of a caretaker prime minister appointed after the resignation of the government and pending the holding of fresh elections. It's also analogous to the position of a PM during an election campaign. In both cases, such the PM must refrain from making key policy decisions until a new parliament has been elected and a new government formed. In the meantime, the PM should only be making decisions of a routine nature.

A major restructuring of Elections BC is NOT a routine matter. It should await the appointment of a new CEO. The NDP should be denouncing this abuse of power and demanding that the changes be reversed forthwith.

Recall James's earlier refusal to refer the HST petitions to a legislative committee in deference to a politically motivated (and irrelevant) legal action launched by the Liberals' business cronies. His conduct in this case only sullies his reputation further and does damage to the integrity of Elections BC.

Mind boggling

This is mind boggling. First, what is an interim chief doing reorganizing the office and making major changes? It is an awful lot for an interim chief to take on on his own initiative. And as an irregular appointee he does not have a mandate from the legislature to do it.

Second, does he, or whoever is giving him orders, not realize how bad this looks at this time when the Liberals are in full PR damage control mode over their handling of the HST issue? Whether this is his initiative or someone else's, regardless of whether it is right or wrong, it looks like the Liberals taking petty revenge on someone who embarrassed them.

An Offer You Can't Refuse

Do your job the way you know the Liberal government would prefer or get fired. Nothing subtle about that.
But for Carole James and her girlie men to stand mute is either deeply deluded or downright duplicitous.
'In the end, it isn't the hurtful actions of your enemies you will remember, but the silence of your friends.' MLK

apalling!

it is simply apalling that the Liberal/fascists under der Fuehrer, Herr Campbell can get away with this blatant abuse of public trust and reckless abuse of power. Firing someone because she followed the rules, which just happened to be contrary to the will of the B.C. Cabinet Cabal!!! it's time to start the recalls....maybe he'll listen to that?

the Liberals should change their name to perhaps NDSAP (in German), or perhaps, they could simply state the bald truth and call themselves:
"The Voice of Busniness, B.C.", or "The Arm of Business" or something obvious like that...after all that is their role. they are not the rulers...Business is...big business. they listen alone to the voice of the business elite...the oligarchy who actually rule the province secretly from their penthouse offices in downtown Vancouver or, less likely, Victoria.

The select standing committee on legislative initiatives

will be disappointed to hear that Mr. James is unavailable until the 20th. Aren't they expecting him to show up on Monday with a cost estimate for a provincial referendum?
Maybe they'll send someone else they can fire if the estimate doesn't fit Campbell's agenda....

Oh Brother James Where Art Thou?

"Elections B.C.'s spokesperson Don Main declined to say what the conference was about, but said it had something to do with James' volunteer work."

I have some experience dealing with government doublespeak. Does "volunteer work" mean that James is away on his own time and dime? Or has he volunteered to spend more of the public's money on some exercise that does not serve the public interest? If the latter, then would it not be revealed in his expenses?

It's time to remove these idiots from the building ...

but the public still thinks the political system can work.

Mass delusion.

There is only one solution and that involves the people fighting for their right to live in a free world. We have been drifting toward a totalitarian world for 140 years or more. We have now arrived, and the 'best and the brightest' are preparing our demise.

Who is prepared to act and fire the first shot of the revolution?

Cleaning house

The LIbERalS are just cleaning house. They know next November they're doomed so clean house now. When the next government takes over and tries to clean up the mess, they can scream foul. What a bunch of losers!

By the way, where is the MSM? Have they bothered to mention it? Oh, just noticed it's the weekend and of course they, the LIbERalS, do their dirty work just before the weekend so they can hide out until Monday.

What the?

What the hell is going on here?

Where did Craig James get the authority to reorganize Elections BC? What qualifications Does he have to even tackle such an endeavor?

Where is the MSM coverage on this story? There was no coverage in either The Vancouver Sun or The Province. Nothing on the newscasts of CTV or Global. CKNW did mention it on a couple of newscasts on Thursday, but with very little details. Today on Cutting Edge Of The Lege neither Bill Good, Vaughn Palmer nor Keith Baldry said one thing about it. I was hoping a caller might bring up the issue, but none came forth.

And finally, why isn't the official opposition not raising a stink about this?

AAARGH!!

camero409

It's dangerous thinking that the BC Liberals "know next November they're doomed". If too many people start believing that, they won't be as diligent in making sure it becomes so. Especially if the election falls on a good TV night.

Does anyone believe the following scenario is implausible:

1- Campbell resigns to a cushy private-sector appointment, admitting on the way out that while his ideas were wonderful, they could have been implemented better;

2- a fresh face comes in to lead the party and tell the people what they want to hear (pre-election, of course);

3- the MSM-fed masses buy into the "new-and-improved" BC Liberals, and the more things change, the more they stay the same.

khed67

You may be right, too much of a perceved sure thing can result in the opposit happening. Let me assure you of one thing though, I have never seen people so upset with a government, ever. I've been involved in politics, directly or just helping out in campaigns for a long time and the anger of the people has never been more palatable.

I'm involved in one of the recall campaigns and we have no shortage of volunteers. We're just waiting, having our organisation meetings and keeping interest high. That, I believe is the danger. If we don't keep up interest in what's happening with the HST, BC Rail and other issues, the issues will slowly move to the back burner.

my worry

My biggest worry is that too many people are blaming Gordon Campbell for everything, when he is just an agent implementing this "free-market" agenda here on behalf of a much larger group of like-minded, powerful people/organizations around the world.

Whenever I hear or read someone calling for Campbell's head, I fear that the person believes ousting the premier is the solution to what ails us. Put anyone else in charge of the BC Liberals, and the result will be the same. Campbell is not the problem. He's only one of the hydra's many heads.

I really hope people are not fooled by the lipstick they're going to put on this BC Liberal pig before the next election.

Twits, Turncoats and Tyrants

If you read the first two links in the Reported Elsewhere column in The Tyee, it is very clear that those in the BC Liberals calling for Campbell to resign, are not asking for his resignation out of any kind of outrage over his ruthless anti-democratic policies, they want him to resign because they do not want to lose the next election. They fully support his policies, as do the members of his cabinet, as do his MLA"s if you look at their voting record in hansard - they have enthusiastically supported and voted for a long, long list of repressive policies and legislation that have dismantled the best gems of BC and decimated human rights in the process.

So don't be fooled - this is no sudden development of conscience or change in policy, no sudden epiphany over accountability, no dawning of integrity....no admission of how they have sold this province down the road.... shattering our autonomy over the future by intentionally destroying public assets, resources and vital social infrastructure.

No, this is the same willful arrogance and ugly authoritarianism that has marked the BC Liberal party since its inception. They have disgraced themselves and our province through the mockery they have made of democracy here.

Turf them all!

lynn

I do believe the traditional term is called "scapegoat":
In the Old Testament, a goat that was symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and then killed on Yom Kippur to rid Jerusalem of its iniquities
Senior Liberals just need someone to "burden" with the sins of the Liberal Party - but instead of killing the sacrificial beast, they will set him up to live off the fat of the land for the rest of his life. Some "sacrifice"............

the independent, non-partisan body

Elections B.C. is the last stop in what is left of democracy in British Columbia. If we can't trust the independent, non-partisan body that provides the one chance we have every four years to take power, then it's mission accomplished for whatever international banking corporation is running this show.

Where are the critics?

The only thing worse than the Campbell governments arrogance is the silence of the NDP and mainstream media. It's their rights that are being trashed too, BUT THEY DON'T CARE!!!
I bet that by the next election none of them even remember any of this.

CNDJoe2, x4estworker

Maybe this is why Gordon feels he can give the public the equivalent of the finger and still hang on for the next election. Maybe lynn is right but I'd go one further. I'm inclined to not vote for any incumbent. Period.

Stop blaming the NDP

It is time to stop blaming the NDP for the disasters the BC Liberals are bringing to this province. If they attack the BC Liberals, they are attacked for attacking the Libs. If they aren't aggressive enough, a very subjective opinion; the NDP are attacked for being to meek. I have heard several reports and interviews where the NDP pointed out the flaws in the omitted issues the Libs have since brought forward. I attended NDP rallies during the election campaign where the NDP slammed the liberal performance. None of that was reported, in fact the MSM did not even attend these political events. Nor did a lot of you. The public did not hear what the NDP was saying due to this boycott. And most of you missed it as well. These policies, HST, IPP's, cutbacks to health and education etc. were not discussed during the campaign by the Liberals, but the NDP did raise them. Blame the liberals for their own short comings.
Last night on the news, the broadcasters commented that Campbell was lower in the polls than any other premier in the country. Campbell was shown starting a bike race. Then they mentioned Carole James and said she was low in the polls, but still higher in than Campbell. But as they showed her talking with some other people, they did not ask her what she thought about any issue. They make sure no policy viewpoint gets out. If you want to know, you must go to their web-site as the MSM will not tell you what their position is or they ignore it. Remember what happened in the last election. Carole James took some reporters up in an airplane to look at the damage the Run of the River projects were doing to the environment. They wouldn't look out the window to see the damage because it was too windy. Did they investigate this issue any further? No! All they did was attack James and they did not investigate and report on this issue. There is the problem!

North of Hope - response

It is one thing to bring issues forward. It is quite another thing to bring those issues forward in such a way that they get reported in the mainstream media and reach a majority of voters. In this case, the NDP did not provide any response, and missed an opportunity to "strike while the iron was hot".

I am not a fan of environmental groups, but I do recognize that they are very good at marketing their message in such a way that it hides their true ideology, but appeals to the general public. They know how to package and present a message that gets picked up by the media and reported. (That is so even though the messages from these groups often has little substance.)

The NDP seems to have a poor communications strategy. They have an important role to play but failure to capitalize on situations like this leaves the NDP looking weak and ineffective.

North of Hope

You're absolutely right! The MSM is purposely not mentioning NDP policy for fear people will like it. Instead they show unflattering pictures of James et el, so that they will never be shown in a positive light. If you want to know what the NDP are all about, do as NoH suggests, look up the website or go to a meeting when the NDP are there. I can assure you that the NDP will be at political meetings but not the LIbERalS.

Craig James and the NDP

The problem here is more complex...Craig James worked for years in the legislature as the Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees. During that time he slavishly served the MLAs and got a reputation for that kind of 'service'.

The NDP has been gob smacked by James's behaviour since he was elevated to acting chief electoral officer. MLAs expected better from James because of his tradition of thoroughgoing boot-licking.

I think you can expect the Opposition to begin to recover from its disappointment fairly soon and start to call James buy the kinds of names he so richly deserves.

I have a notion that they, and members of VanderZalm's group all got a rude awakening by the incompetence with which James has exercised his new duties.

They'll get over it! Had they asked some senior professional civil servants who are more than familiar with James's reputation as a sycophant and a toady they wouldn't have been so surprised at what he's up to now.

Respect is earned - not doled out like pabulum.

X4estworker

So you are suggesting that Carole James pull a stunt like Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center to get the media's attention?

Gordo and his band of cutthroats

I was reading the province news paper this morning and Gordo still thinks he is No. 1 as far as the people of BC goes. He is dislusional and arogrant which makes him very dangerous but we the people of BC need to stand together and turf the BC Fiberals right out of office. Gordo and Hansen should be the first to go in November. And then let the rest of the Lemmings follow the leader into the ranks of the unemployed

Well we had better do something soon

I heard that BCTC is owned by the rich americans now and if that is rightly so then BC Hydro won't be far behind if it is true

North of Hope

It seems that the NDP must accept some of the blame for their image. They let Van der zalm eclipse them on the HST and I still am puzzled by why there was not a single leaflet from the NDP MLA sent out to households. They could have capitalized on the issue a lot more. I also wonder sometimes at how long it takes them to respond and when they do it just doesn't resonate. Just saying that you are going to "hold Campbell accountable" or "hold his feet to the fire" isn't quotable. Surely they have research staff, surely they have communication resources. Our local NDP MLA is close to useless.

Hell hath no fury like a

Hell hath no fury like a dictator dissed by one of his minions...

Terrys_Hot

I don't know the source of you info but it sounds pretty far out. Secretly selling a major public asset like the BCTC without and public notice or consultation should have people demanding the LG step in and call an election.

@ Skywalker

The HST petition is a non-partisan position. Individual NDPer's worked on it but the party did not.

For those wondering where the NDP are

NDP questions Elections shake-up

The NDP wants to know why the second-in-command at Elections BC was fired last week.

Attorney-General critic Leonard Krog has sent a letter to acting Chief Electoral officer Craig James asking for an explanation for Linda Johnson's dismissal.

Krog says the firing comes at an odd time, with the agency embroiled in the HST debate and the legislature still looking for a permanent chief electoral officer.

****

It is unlikely government will report on what is a human resource/personnel issue with one of it's agencies.

Out of all of this, I have to say Ms. Johnson is a class act. She's a career bureaucrat, she's served under many administrations. She knows the score and she's acted with integrity throughout her twilight career with Elections BC and she's leaving on a note of confidence in those left behind to pick up the pieces. There are many who could learn from her example. Thanks for your many years of public service Ms. Johnson and may you enjoy your much deserved rest and relaxation once all is said and done.

Rick W - Response

There is no comparison between Carole James and that crackpot from Florida who the mainstream media should be completely ignoring.

Carole James needs to have a communications strategy that presents the NDP position on the issues of the day in a way that resonates with voters. Bill Vanderzalm has been able to milk the HST issue because he was able to tap into a huge pool of voter dissatisfaction with the manner in which the HST was introduced, and his message has appealed to voters. The NDP, who should be leading this campaign, have been largely invisible.

It's called "spin", and while that term has a certain negative connotation, it does mean presenting a message in a way that favourably reflects on the messenger.

I note that the NDP has now commented publicly on the firing that is the subject of the above story. Next time, I hope the NDP is much quicker off the mark. Saying "no comment" as they did initiially here, is unacceptable.

North of Hope

True but is it not the job of the MLA's to inform constituents of current and important issues? You would have thought that they might have done more instead of sitting on their duffs doing nothing. I think it was pathetic and I'm not sure that a debate in the legislature would not have been an embarrassment.