Topic
Billing citizens, Clark flies far more frequently than predecessor, mixes in fundraising.
Premier Clark has chartered a jet like this owned by Blackcomb Aviation (owned by BC Liberal Party donor David McLean) or London Air Services planes (owned by BC Liberal Party donor Brandt Louie).
Rio Tinto Alcan rep apparently flew for free with premier on airline owned by major BC Lib donor.
Stepping out of energy talks looks bold, but she's chosen a bad path for BC and Canada.
BC's premier criticized Alberta publicly while fundraising oil money there in private.
When Premier Christy Clark and aides flew to Calgary on Oct. 1, 2012 for her "frosty" 15-minute meeting about the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline with Alberta's Premier Alison Redford, the airfare was just under $10,000 and British Columbians picked up the bill.
It wasn't a futile trip by any means. Clark had other business to tend in the Stampede City. She was the featured attraction at an evening fundraiser for the BC Liberals in the Calgary Petroleum Club, hosted by Murray Edwards, the billionaire tarsands tycoon who chairs Canadian Natural Resources and is a a part-owner of the Calgary Flames. She also gave a speech the next day to university students.
When asked by reporter about the fundraiser, Clark said: "Well, I had a private dinner when I was in Alberta but I will say this -- there are a lot of people in Alberta who have made big investments in British Columbia."
The event was conveniently sandwiched between government business and taxpayers were charged $9,800 for the London Air Services charter jet and crew.
Clark prefers to fly in style. Between her March 14, 2011 swearing-in through Oct. 5, 2012, records obtained via Freedom of Information show Clark and company embarked on 37 charter jet trips worth $254,299.68.
'There's a protocol': Premier Clark
Government rules state ministers and their staff on government business can charter aircraft only when there is no scheduled service that can meet a minister's schedule, or if the cost of a charter is "economical" compared to scheduled service.
On the noon hour flight from a private terminal on Vancouver International Airport's south side, London Air Services carried Clark, her aide Gabe Garfinkel, press secretary Mike Morton and a person whose name was censored for security reasons (but thought to be an RCMP bodyguard). Deputy minister Neil Sweeney was only on the Vancouver to Calgary leg. His seat was taken by events coordinator Katherine Bergen for the return to Vancouver.
LAS is owned by Brandt Louie, chairman of London Drugs and donor of $22,210 to the BC Liberals since 2005. London Drugs and LAS CEO Wynne Powell chairs the Provincial Health Services Authority and Emergency and Health Services Commission and is a director of the B.C. Health Services Purchasing Commission.
During an Oct. 23, 2012 appearance on CKNW's Bill Good Show, Clark said "There's a protocol to make sure we get the best deal, the best value... It's no different from what other premiers have done."
Maybe it's not different, but Clark's frequency of flying is far greater and her destinations a tad more exotic.
During his last two full years as premier, Gordon Campbell flew on 17 B.C.-only charter trips, primarily via LAS. Clark's trips have included touchdowns in Olympia, Wash., Couere d'Alene, Idaho and Yellowknife, N.W.T., mostly via Blackcomb Aviation, the company owned by CN Rail chair and BC Liberal Party donor David McLean.
Clark planned trip to Calgary regardless of Redford
Clark sent an open letter to Redford on Sept. 26, reiterating her five-fold demands on the proposed Enbridge pipeline, ending with "I expect to be in Calgary next week should you wish to discuss this issue further." A speaking engagement with a public policy class at the University of Calgary had been proposed to the university in mid-September by Clark's staff.
While in Calgary, Clark was interviewed via phone by CBC Vancouver's Rick Cluff and she taped an interview on CTV's Power Play.
"Most citizens would rather have their premier focusing on the systemic challenges with our fiscal situation, addressing child poverty, addressing problems in communities right across B.C., that's not necessarily best done on charter flights in and out to raise funds or to raise political awareness," said NDP house leader John Horgan. "What we need is a government that will roll up its sleeves and address the challenges of the day and that does not require charter jets."
Clark racked up a $38,600 bill on Blackcomb last July when she took four trips, including a one-day, $15,470.07 visit to Premier Brad Wall in Regina and Redford in Edmonton on July 19, 2012 with Sweeney, Garfinkel and the bodyguard.
But even with a charter jet at her disposal, Clark has passed up at least one high profile opportunity to hop on it and go. She cancelled her appearance at the 2012 Western Premiers' Meeting on May 29 in Edmonton a week before the summit and sent Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell instead. She claimed she was needed in the Legislature for budget estimates, but NDP leader Adrian Dix said he would have accommodated Clark to reschedule the committee hearing.
Political airport connections
Clark did take one-day trips on Jan. 22, 2012 and April 23, 2012 to Burns Lake and Prince George, respectively, to comfort victims of separate sawmill explosions. At the end of June, she was in Kelowna, only a two-hour drive from flood-ravaged Sicamous. She skipped Sicamous until a July 30-Aug. 1 trip built around a political event.
On July 31, Clark appeared in Golden at the acclamation meeting for Columbia River-Revelstoke candidate Doug Clovechok. Clovechok, a former Calgarian, was the second Liberal candidate nominated for the 2013 election campaign and he hopes to knock off NDP incumbent Norm Macdonald.
One of Clovechok's campaign advisers is veteran Alberta Conservative strategist Rod Love. Love is coordinating a Jan. 17 $125-a-plate Calgary fundraiser at the Delta Bow Valley Hotel that features appearances by B.C. Deputy Premier Rich Coleman and Community Development Minister Bill Bennett. ![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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OhCanada
17 weeks ago
No surprise here
She is just another clown from the pack.
One more reason for me to not vote for her and her idiotic party.
Using the tool of elimination...when it comes to voting time I will vote for the party that can do the least amount of damage to our community and province.
This is no longer about right or left or centre. It seems they are all tainted, have hidden agendas and just want to have 'power'.
So voting for the least damaging party makes the most sense to me.
That time has gone when we voted for a politician based on his/her qualification, sincere desire to serve the public and make a difference in people's lives.
Perhaps we need a different way of selecting politicians who then governs a province or country.
Choosing a party or person based on what he or she said on TV, media or whatever source sounds totally idiotic to me.
I think to begin with any 'politicians to be' should pass a personality test, go through psychiatric evaluation and a criminal background check.
EcoCollectivist
17 weeks ago
I wish...
i was surprised...
Van Isle
17 weeks ago
With this fund raising in
With this fund raising in Calgary it's just another reason to make a law that political campaign funds can come only from BC voters. Not from any company, corporation, unions, or organization. And BC voters cannot give on behalf of anyone else or organization either.
Skywalker
17 weeks ago
I wonder which really came first the fundraiser or Redford?
Justifying the costly travel to a party fundraiser by putting in a 15 minute meeting with Redford as the primary reason is just what I would expect from Christy Clark. Enjoy it while you can Christy because it will all be over soon and you can go back to what you do best - flapping your gums.
anne cameron
17 weeks ago
i'm not surprised
[SEXIST COMMENT REMOVED. -MODERATOR.]
alive
17 weeks ago
Research, please!
A properly researched article would have included the alternative fligths she could have taken and what amount of money that was wasted.
puppyg
17 weeks ago
She's having the time of her life.
Hot-air balloon goes up. Hot-air balloon goes down.
marlonbrando
17 weeks ago
Mayor Villaraigosa
Let me begin by stating that I am a member of the BC Liberal Party.
I used to live in LA, and fly to Vegas on both business and pleasure. On one such flight I sat next to LA Mayor Villaraigosa and his bodyguard.
We started chatting and the subject came about as to why the Mayor of America's biggest city didn't charter a jet.
Candidly, he said that it was cheaper on the taxpayers for him to take short haul flights on a commercial airline.
By the way, we were flying south west, which is a no frills, economy-class only airline.
Ah, Ms. Clark...what are you thinking?
ps - population of Los Angeles (City) is about the same as BC. The GDP of Los Angeles is $735 billion and is $217 billion.
G West
17 weeks ago
@marlonbrando
Quick question: Why are you STILL a member of the BCLiberal party?
I don't mean that to be a flippant question; you seem like a thoughtful person and you clearly have problems with the current head of your party and the premier. It can't simply be a matter of dollars and cents for you. Surely most
Intelligent citizens must be entertaining serious doubts about Ms Clark's ability to do this job and represent and govern the province well. Why aren't more party members speaking out about her obvious shortcomings the way you have?
freebear
17 weeks ago
Liberal Party fund raising on taxpayer dime eh!
Christy; where will the polling station be set up in Calgary for the BC Election in May 2013?
Van Isle
17 weeks ago
What's next? BC Liberal
What's next? BC Liberal candidates knocking on doors around Calgary? Ya never know, they may get a better reception than in BC. Any money that is donated in Alberta to the BC Liberals; is that tax deductable? If it is, would the average Albertan taxpayer be happy to subsidize another provinces political party?
dave0ferg
17 weeks ago
Fair Air Fare
I flew round trip from Comox--Calgary last November: $444.29 WestJet.
RickW
17 weeks ago
daveoferg
But you can't forget the
"bodyguard"...er "entourage".bcguy
17 weeks ago
Ms.Photo Op is living the
Ms.Photo Op is living the life of the rich and famous and she is neither. BC used to have a small fleet of aircraft but it was shut down and sold. Wonder wht?
Bob Watts
17 weeks ago
A GREAT Idea!!!!!
How about this for an Idea!!!
So what if BC forms a new party in Newfoundland and we spend $500 million to get our new party elected.
We can then take over all the offshore Oil worth Billions.
Lets buy another Province! Why Not? Alberta is buying BC.
Nice to have a bidding war between China and Alberta....
As the Scotia Bank says I'm richer than I think, The last time I looked I had $60. left of my Disability Pension.
So if I vote Liberal I'll be sitting next to Crusty on the Jet or maybe just in a box in the Cargo Hold!
igbymac
17 weeks ago
What a shame
"So voting for the least damaging party makes the most sense to me."
How SAD that anyone can think this makes any sense at all in today's world.
One cannot expect to solve the out of control criminal problems of state by asking the system to regulate itself. That is precisely like asking the police to investigate their own crimes, and we all agree that is an abject failure.
This entire capitalist-democracy political paradigm is a fcuking joke, and high time people stopped perpetuating the problem by propping up the abusers with a capitulating vote.
If we want change, we demand change. That is how historic change in favour of the people has always occurred. There are no demands made with a vote. Today, voting is no more than begging.
Skywalker
17 weeks ago
OK so we decide not to vote....
...now what do you suggest we do, igbymac? You know it gets tedious expecting you to answer the question that begs to be asked.
igbymac
17 weeks ago
If you fail to learn, of course it sounds redundant
But far more tedious is my telling you over and over the need to command your voice be heard, to be a wrench in the gears of the machine -- and you again asking what to do other than vote.
Join a protest seeking human justice; join the tax revolt; barter with others; help those less fortunate; do not support the state by voting; educate others about state crimes and state lies; explain state excesses and the propaganda techniques it uses through institutional forces to make you act against your own interests; fight in court every traffic ticket; stop supporting corporate monsters; buy local; walk instead of drive; carpool; do not use credit or borrow from the banks; do not cross picket lines; and learn some history about power, propaganda, and the law .... want some more suggestions?
Feverish
17 weeks ago
Baby steps
igbymac - I particularly like the suggestion to get out of the car and walk. It is something everyone would benefit from and a good way to start connecting with people at a speed we are comfortable traveling. ANYONE can take this wee step and it will be a refreshing change if you are a constant driver.
And secondly - I like all the rest but most of these require more commitment to change than going for regular walks. But then hockey is back, so...
Start somewhere and build on your efforts because voting for either 'choice' aint gonna produce new results (based on the power of repetition) Same old, is getting very,very old.
We would be an awesome group of 'dangerous radicals' if no one voted in the next election. That would be worth all the lawyers fees to sort it out, just for the sheer joy!
AnnieP
17 weeks ago
Entitlements
I don't understand why Canadian politicians think they are entitled to these sorts of entitlements. The Prime Minister of Great Britian flies on commercial airlines and so does the Prime Minister of Australia. And all those pudgy cabinet ministers in Ottawa should be forced to walk to work. It might clear their heads.
Frank
17 weeks ago
igbymac
Many good ideas there but not voting perpetuates the status quo, it doesn't change anything.
Voting may not change things quickly enough, but it does lead directly to changes.
Unfortunately, you lose a few elections and things you won are lost again.
On threehundredandeight, Eric Grenier points out that if natives had turned out to vote in the last federal election Harper wouldn't have his majority and wouldn't have been able to ram through those omnibus bills that have made them so upset.
Voting and not voting both produce results. I just happen to prefer the results of voting over those of not voting.
Unless it was the Right you could convince not to vote. That would be great. But I see no benefit to me of the Left not voting.
Dannyboy
17 weeks ago
Frank
So there we were on the Tieleman thread discussing you know what when you abandoned me.
Indigestion?
GWest seems to have found something else he needed to do also but thats secondary.
Anyhow Skywalker has a question for you back at that thread, wants to know who the true believers are.
I would too, if you have time of course.
Frank
17 weeks ago
Dannyboy
I thought that thread was dead and didn't update. I'll go back.
igbymac
17 weeks ago
I can't reply in a kind way Frank
to your mindset. Go vote. I have no expectations from the government.
I don't just think you are mistaken, grossly so. I think the problem is one of indoctrination without inquiry. And I can't solve that for anyone.
Cheers.
Skywalker
17 weeks ago
If that igbymac...
...is how YOU command your voice be heard,it is a pretty hopeless attempt - like the sound of one hand clapping.
Skywalker
17 weeks ago
Actually Dannyboy, the question was for you.
You read the post and should have understood who Frank was referring to as the "true Believers".
igbymac
17 weeks ago
Skywalker
Leave me alone. I no longer have time for you. Henceforth, you will be talking to yourself should you feel compelled to post up on anything I say.
Skywalker
17 weeks ago
Good Idea.
Kinda hard to pour hot air isn't it.
SharingIsGood
17 weeks ago
Luke and Kredit
I wonder why Luke and Kredit don't weigh in on this topic?
The topic is Premier Clark's waste of tax-payer dollars to routinely travel in a manner and expense that the vast majority of her constituents could never consider possible for themselves.
Just the one $9800 one-hour flight to Calgary (that had been planned well in advance) cost 1/2 of what a person working for minimum wage earns in a year! Talk about pork! I am appalled!
Dannyboy
17 weeks ago
I did understand Skywalker
The true believers are those who think LNG pipelines for export are a great idea.
Now who would that be.... besides the Liberals that is?
Dannyboy
17 weeks ago
Pork is right
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/07/13/ms-frank-corbett-travel-expenses.html
Skywalker
17 weeks ago
Say Dannyboy...
...Then why ask Frank? Not being a true believer I am surprised that all I keep reading, that is suppose to be the NDP position, is from liberals and greens. Since all NDP policy must at some point be debated at a convention - at least that is how it used to be - I can see all these folks wanting to get the NDP to reveal its election platform before we get into the main event. That billion dollars the fat cats want to spend to prop up Christy has to focus on some thing. Still why should the NDP play their game.
It is always a bit of a crap shoot when choosing who you vote for. The best party for me would be the one I controlled but that won't happen so it is always the lesser of the evils. If I can't stomach any of them - and the jury is still out - I might not vote.
As it stands there is no evil that even comes close to the major evil of Christy's thugs so This time I may vote. As a sign on a road once red, "It is bound to be better, since it cannot be worse."
Dannyboy
17 weeks ago
Skywalker
There won't be any conventions between now and the election. If there were it would already be scheduled.
Yes, lets just wait for the agenda, can't be long now. Anything I've posted on the subject has come from the Horgan, Dix or the NDP website, not the Liberals or Greens.
It's a million that that business group was reported to be spending to prop up Cristy, not a billion.
SharingIsGood
17 weeks ago
dannyboy
$18,000 over a number of months for airfares to save a an MP the 5 hour car ride home for all the times the NS legislature convened compared to $250,000 for the premier to attend a fundraiser for the Liberal party in Calgary. Ha Ha Ha - give me a break!
I'm not even 60, and I can't handle driving a car for 5 hours without becoming a danger to myself and others. Give me a break! Everyone has their own tolerances. Not everyone was cut out to be a cab driver.
Further, Nova Scotia is not British Columbia! It's provincial expenses have nothing to do with BC. Ha Ha Ha - give us all a break!
Dannyboy
17 weeks ago
ha ha indeed. Read it again
First Sky says a billion when it was a million.
Now you say 250,000 for a junket when it was 10,000.
Noted, you have no problem with a politician spending 18,000 taxpayer dollars in seven months to travel home on weekends. Okee-dokee.
Yes, Nova Scotia isn't BC. It would fit into a corner and it's flat.
Cheerio
SharingIsGood
17 weeks ago
oops
Yes, Dannyboy, I goofed a bit with my not writing $10,000 for just one of Ms. Clark's flights to Calgary (of typing $250,000). It was time for me to go to dinner and I got a bit distracted from my typing by talking with my family, but you get the point. My apologies.
Like the NS MP said, he couldn't drive to Halifax from CB and be fresh for meetings. This sounds reasonable to me. I believe he also said the airline was charging more than seemed reasonable.
G West
17 weeks ago
@Dannyboy
You're correct.
I responded to your mistaken observation. Further comment would be a waste of time for me. I have better things to do and I'm a firm believer in the notion that it is pointless to argue on the Internet. Like the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still 'retarded'!
Frank
17 weeks ago
Dannyboy
If you read the article's comments from a year ago its pretty obvious that the "true believer" I'm referring to is Luke. After all, he's been campaigning in support of LNG for years on here.
I have called him a "true believer" more times than I can count.
Skywalker
16 weeks ago
You are right this time.
I stand corrected. It is a million, I type with two fingers and sometimes don't preview. It happens. A million to peddle the corporate view in BC is still a lot of BS on the airwaves.
Surely if you had read all of Franks post way back, you could have figured out that he was talking about Luke. Whi incidentally has not posted a single comment here - or has he?
Skywalker
16 weeks ago
Dannyboy re: Horgan or Dix or NDP website
All the "interpretations" of what is meant are coming from BC Liberal, Greens, and some of the media. When the website mentions a "complete review" on the bases of the environment and whether it is sustainable in the long-term that is interpreted as "no change". That is a bit disingenuous. Whatever happens it really becomes a question of which group might listen to the voter more than the other. We do have the sale of BC Rail and the introduction of the HST as examples of how the BC Liberals work.
In the case of the federal Liberal, they campaign like the left but govern like the right. In the case of the BC liberals, the campaign with lies and then govern like the right. Not much difference is there?
Jeff Munroe
16 weeks ago
New Liberal Boss . . . same as the old boss
Not terribly surprising. After all, she's got one hand on the 'pulse of the public', and the other in the pocket of big oil, just waiting to hear the number she likes after the election.
This shouldn't be a surprise any more than what Harper's government is doing to Canada as a whole . . . she's virtually fighting this election exactly the same way, using the same tactics against Adrian Dix, using the same 'Job Strategy' campaigns that target largely trades jobs.
What sort of jobs? Trades. Not research and developement of tech . . . at least not tech in the sort you see in innovation other than something a resource-based economy can use. Seems to me that she's gearing up to put BC to work building pipelines that prior to the election, she's seemingly against. I say 'seemingly', because she's put a dollar-figure on approval. Neither the TransCanada nor the Gateway are being denied . . . just delayed.
Kinda like the HST was.