Opinion

Christy Clark by the Numbers

How does British Columbia's new premier add up so far?

By Bill Tieleman, 19 Jul 2011, TheTyee.ca

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"Becoming number one is easier than remaining number one." -- former basketball star Bill Bradley

How does Christy Clark add up as British Columbia's new premier? Here are all the numbers you need to decide.

0: Number of debates Clark accepted with political opponents. She turned down a debate with New Democrat leader Adrian Dix on the Harmonized Sales Tax and at least two debates with Vancouver-Point Grey NDP candidate David Eby in the May byelection campaign.

1: B.C. Liberal MLAs who supported Clark's leadership bid. Backbencher Harry Bloy got his reward -- a cabinet job at last.

2: Positions Clark took on the Metro Vancouver mayors' proposed two cent a litre gas tax to pay for the Evergreen Line and transit improvements. First she said it wasn't a good idea -- but then it was.

"When British Columbians say that they're not really excited about paying more gas taxes, I get that. Because my focus as premier is how do we make life more affordable for people, rather than less affordable," Clark said on July 11.

But by July 13, Clark was back onboard the bus, and Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom was cleaning up her flip-flop.

"I can't speak for the premier. What I can speak to is the fact that I've spoken with the premier about this and I talked to her about the comments she made," Lekstrom said. "We're very clearly on the same page."


3: Positions Clark held on the HST. First, it was to take a free vote in the legislature on the HST to kill it, then to hold a binding referendum without changing the 12 per cent rate, then to change the rate.

"We aren't going to be talking about trying to reduce it by a point or two before the referendum. I mean, I think people will see that as buying them with their own money," Clark said in March.

Then Clark promised in May she would reduce the rate by one point to 11 per cent in 2012 and a further point to 10 per cent in 2014.

4: Months Clark has been premier.

4: Days Clark has spent in the B.C. legislature as premier.

22: Months until Clark faces voters under the province's fixed election date of May 14, 2013 -- unless she scraps the law and calls an early ballot.

3,000 to 12,000: Scalper market dollar value range for two free tickets Clark was given to attend the final game of Stanley Cup playoffs by Vancouver Canucks' owner Francesco Aquilini. Face value was in the hundreds of dollar per ticket and the gift was cleared by the province's conflict of interest commissioner.

20,000: Dollars given to Clark's leadership campaign by BC Liberal backroom operative and registered lobbyist Patrick Kinsella's Progressive Group. Kinsella's wife Brenda also donated $3,000.

25,000: Dollars donated to Clark's campaign by Aquilini's development and construction company.

50,000: Dollars given to Clark's campaign by developer Wall Financial Corporation and owners Peter and Bruno Wall.

324,000: Number of Google search hits linking "Christy Clark" with "Vancouver Canucks".

199,000: Google search hits linking "Christy Clark" with "Twitter".

38,000: Hits linking "Christy Clark" with "B.C. Rail".

6,140: Hits linking "Christy Clark" with "photo op".

4,880: Hits linking "Christy Clark" with "flip flop".

2,080: Hits linking "Christy Clark" with "education policy".

979: Hits linking "Christy Clark" with "economic strategy".

113,000: Number of extra jobs the HST would create in 10 years according to a B.C. government-commissioned report by economist Jack Mintz.

24,400: Extra jobs the government-appointed "Independent Panel" of experts said the Harmonized Sales Tax would create by 2020.

9,400: Number of jobs actually lost in B.C. in June 2011, one year after HST implemented, according to Statistics Canada.

7.3: Percentage of British Columbians unemployed in June, higher than all western provinces without the HST -- Saskatchewan 4.9 per cent, Manitoba 5.5 per cent and Alberta 5.6 per cent.

So there you have it, B.C.'s new premier by the numbers.

The question is, when the next election is called, will Christy Clark's number be up? [Tyee]

Bill Tieleman is a regular Tyee contributor who writes a column on B.C. politics every Tuesday in 24 Hours newspaper. E-mail him at weststar@telus.net or visit his blog.

27 Comments:

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  • seth

    31 weeks ago

    Election Please

    [UNSUBSTANTIATED, SEXIST COMMENTS REMOVED. PLEASE REVIEW COMMENT CODE OF CONDUCT -- MODERATOR.]

  • NicS

    31 weeks ago

    Minister Lekstrom allowed back in, only to be...

    ...made a fool of by his leader. Is it that hard to stay on the same page as your cabinet ministers? [UNSUBSTANTIATED COMMENT REMOVED.]

    Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the premier who can't keep her story straight!

  • Dan the socialist

    31 weeks ago

    Lekstrom flipped flopped as

    Lekstrom flipped flopped as well. Isn't that why he quit the Liberal Party under Campbell???

    Christy will probably win next election. The BC propaganda machine (the media) just loves her..The only question is will she wait until next mandated election in may 2013 or rescind the law and call one early? Personally I know the law can be rescinded but morally it is wrong to do that. What is the sense of having them if they are not honoured?

  • pianosaurus rex

    31 weeks ago

    not hot only hot air

    Christy is HOT? Man, you really have to get out more and have a look at women of real beauty.
    Or perhaps have your lenses checked at London Drug optical……….
    As far a Clark goes…..the question is asked in the comments below…..this video

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3uH-vamqJg

  • Skywalker

    31 weeks ago

    pianosaurus, you got that right!

    The only male I heard similar comments from is a real loser. Seth might take his own advice. I saw Christy being interviewed on the increased gas tax for Vancouver transit. She was blabbering on and barely intelligible. A typical bobblehead.

  • seth

    31 weeks ago

    Dufus'

    OK this is the Tyee. Hopefully nobody in the PAB reads it.

    What is the matter with you dufus's. Don't you want Christy to call an election?

    If she does Dix can win it for us.

    But she is not going to do it, if you idiots keep running her down making her think she might lose it!!!!

    If the NDP and Dix look weak and ineffective the BCLibs will be confident in victory and call an election. If the NDP and Dix are lookin' good - no election - and BC suffers under the yoke for 3 more years.

    Dix is playing the wounded bird role recently, guys like Tieleman need to get wise to the strategy.

  • Ramona777

    31 weeks ago

    You're Missing One Very Telling Number Bill

    Where's the $130,000 figure that Clark is handing over to former Miss Teen Queen Pamela Martin?
    I thought Clark's line was "Families First" not "Friends First."

  • ASKBiblitz.com

    31 weeks ago

    Yes, but what's the alternative?

    Christy and the boys are kidding themselves if they think voters have forgotten the very dubious (I am trying to be tactful) result of the Basi-Virk influence peddling case involving the sale of BC Rail - a case that mysteriously ended the day before the former premier and senior cabinet officials were slated to testify - officials who are YET in positions of power.

    Nevertheless, we have no reason at all to believe the NDP will provide better govt. They've been utterly ineffective Opposition even against fundamental health cuts. And let's not forget it was the NDP who famously neglected to adopt ANY of recommendations of the two Barrett Inquiries, thereby preventing a much-needed end to the leaky condo/co-op epidemic eco-disaster still costing ALL Canadians mightily.

    It was also the NDP who created an 'employment' disability benefits tribunal process that makes a mockery of Charter due process protection. Interestingly, only the govt in an effort to reduce benefits, has access to previous decisions, making the hurdle for claimants like going to court when your opponent has exclusive access to the case law.

    The NDP last election received a hefty donation from a U.S. insurance giant that makes its money in Canada mostly from unions buying extended health benefits to replace cuts to public services. That's right! Our former premier, wee Davie Barrett is featured at the company Web site extolling the virtues of PRIVATE rather than public health care. So we know where the party stands on protecting universal health care.

    The reality is that here in Billyville B.C.., most of us vote with a clothes peg on our nose. If the Liberals have failed us, the NDP has provided NONE of the opposition we had a right to expect.

  • pianosaurus rex

    31 weeks ago

    Misguided strategies

    I think the plural of dufus is Dufii…oh and that is Mr. Dufus to you…… ;)

    Dix doesn’t play the victim role well……does the pit bull thingy better…….

    Referendum win for the HST……. early election call… a loss for the HST……… election later on……

    I have been wondering about the way that Baldry has been defending the premier on NW and in other places … [UNSUBSTANTIATED COMMENT REMOVED.]

    Alternatives? Big hole in the middle for another party just like how the Socreds invented themselves in the 50’s….

  • dashwood

    31 weeks ago

    if i were a reporter, i

    if i were a reporter, i would be inclined to ask christy how long she expects to hold the opinion she just expressed.

    so far she has performed as i expected.

    gordo in a skirt, totally unbelievable on every level, and seems not to notice.

    the only sure thing with christy is: what she says is not what she means.

    different from seth, as i do not know what he means.

  • carioca

    31 weeks ago

    and the liberal saga

    and the liberal saga continues in BC. any party that stays too long starts to smell just like fish.
    Interesting that the party gets contributions from developers and construction companies while condo owners still has no rights against corruption and lies when buying a condo in BC.

  • sunshine coast girl

    31 weeks ago

    [MEAN COMMENT DIRECTED AT OTHER COMMENTER REMOVED.]

    [MEAN COMMENT DIRECTED AT OTHER COMMENTER REMOVED.]

    Jeez - some people's kids......

  • Ramona777

    31 weeks ago

    I Think Seth ...

    Is pulling some people's legs.
    His very first phrase, "Christy is beautiful and all male BC voters will support her because she is so HOT!!!" is obviously drenched in irony.
    Come on readers, read between the lines and use your critical faculties.

  • sunshine coast girl

    31 weeks ago

    Oh,

    my apologies Seth.

  • gsarahs

    31 weeks ago

    Please Please Christy...

    I was wondering when someone would catch on about Seth's post! It was 'dripping' with irony and sarcasm and so sickly sweet too! LOL

  • Skywalker

    31 weeks ago

    If that be the case Seth.

    Irony in print does not work very well cause we can't see or hear the tongue in your cheek. Try another method.

  • cboo44

    31 weeks ago

    OTHER numbers missed

    -Number of private jet flights provided to Clark by the CEO of CN Rail, for her leadership campaign.
    -Number of months before she is charged with Breach of the Public Trust for her leaking of cabinet specifics relating to the sale of BC Rail.
    -Number of caucus members ALREADY fed up and ready to boot her buns out the door.

  • fed-up

    31 weeks ago

    Tielemen throws numbers

    Tielemen throws numbers around the way BCLiberals and Conservatives throw around patronage appointments. It's interesting, though, that for a guy so committed to numbers and percentages, he never seems to mention the 59% of British Columbians who voted for implementing proportional representation; nor does he mention the amount of cash he and/or his company pocketed for leading the campaign to defeat the STV.

  • Skywalker

    31 weeks ago

    2 fed-up

    Why should he? It isn't germane to the issue of the article. Now if you want to write one on Teleman, that might be a number you would use. Then I would give you the number "1". That is the number of people of that 59% Tieleman represents or the number of posters at this point who disagree with the above article. I haven't yet figured out where Seth is so it might be for #2

  • notdarkyet

    31 weeks ago

    Seth and irony

    I thought Seth was being completely ironic. However, for irony to work there has to be some truth in what is being said.

    My fear is that many people WILL be fooled by "Ms. Cuteness" and her "I'm a mom and families first" sloganeering.

  • realisticman

    30 weeks ago

    28

    Percentage of reduction of the provincial component of the Harmonized Sales Tax (from 7 - 5) Christy Clark has said will be implemented if voters vote to keep the present system.

    Since the HST is bringing in more than expected the plan is to reduce it and increase corporate taxes.

    Even hairdressers like it.

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-politics/for-these-small-businesses-the-hst-is-a-winner/article2105774/

  • morechatter

    30 weeks ago

    Like I said

    If Clark isn't fracking she is backtracking on what she just said.
    It is a women's prerogative of course to change her mind but I do have a problem with Baroness Clark adding her 2 cents to every litre of gas. Are we making the Oil Baron happy, Morgon Clark's top adviser or British Colombians who have a perfectly useless carbon tax that should be used for public transportation instead of tax breaks for big polluters, like him.

  • morechatter

    30 weeks ago

    Seth is passionate

    About what he says although at times I may not agree.

  • morechatter

    30 weeks ago

    Oh I forgot Is Clark Going to Get An Environmental Award also?kH

    For her two cents and fracking of course? Perhaps once the BC Environmental Assessment office is up and running and actually does the job the NDP will be able to get some answers on the damage fracking can do on the environment.
    Although I would not hold my breath or is that hold your breath because you should have to get a wiff of a fracking gas storage area to know it isn't the thing to do.

  • G West

    30 weeks ago

    Far less jobs but far MORE revenue -

    A government-appointed panel has undermined several of the government’s own selling points in favour of the HST ahead of the coming provincewide mail-in referendum on the controversial consumer tax.

    The four-member panel found the HST will bring no more than a modest benefit to the B.C. economy, create nowhere near the 113,000 new jobs hoped for when the tax came into effect last year, and is far from revenue neutral.

    The government's own panel said the 12-per-cent tax is already adding hundreds of millions of extra dollars to the treasury, DESPITE the government’s initial prediction that tax breaks and rebates would balance off new tax revenue from the HST.

    The HST is raising more revenue … than was predicted... (wait for it) because it taxes a broader base of goods and services.

  • WC Hermit

    30 weeks ago

    Long time ago

    Anybody want to ask "Pammie" about snow golf in Prince George?
    Things do come back to bite the buns.
    I think Both Pammie and Crusty would look good in the MooseTurd Leis permanently

  • Bailey

    30 weeks ago

    Deeply corrupt

    I know of no possible way to cure our cultures, no possible way except to end political corruption.

    We are utterly without hope as long as our public servants are for sale, and the "donations" listed above are nothing less than the purchase price.

    The enormous profits fuelled by prohibition, by unregulated corporate misbehaviour, and by corporate officials who are nothing but insider traders, who are constantly claiming that they, not national governments are the true leaders of our world, allow them to use the money to subvert the duty public servants owe to the electorate, the people of all the nations of the world.

    It's a pattern that starts with the Mafia in the 20s, reaping the untaxed wealth of alcohol and using it to buy police and governments and continues today in the organizations built with that money.

    As long as we permit it, we will be paying the salaries and benefits of the same people our enemies are paying to work against the best interests of the societies we all live within.

    And the interests of those corporate bodies will continue to drive us.

    Right over the edge. Because money is power.

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