Will McMartin
Will McMartin, a long-time political consultant and commentator who has been affiliated with the Social Credit and BC Conservative parties, is a contributing editor at The Pacific Political Report.
Stories by Will McMartin
Must Win Battlegrounds: How New Dems Can Wrest Victory
Here are the Conservatives' most vulnerable ridings across Canada.
Note to New Dem Strategists: Dig Deeper than Polls
Byelections reveal Conservative strength in election fortresses.
Why Harper's Tories Remain Best Bet to Win
No time to coast New Dems! To gain victory in October, still more lift needed in key regions.
Don't Underestimate Religion's Role This Election
Fast changing faith has forged a whole new campaign playing field in Canada.
NDP Offers Clear Choice in Corporate Tax Debate
New Dems, unlike Tories and Grits, aim to raise rate after years of deep cuts.
Ssssss… BC's Economy Is Leaking Jobs
Checking in on our deflating market, punctured by Christy Clark's big plan.
Turns Out, Alberta Tax Math Isn't That Difficult
Notley's proposed corporate tax hike won't kill investment or jobs.
'Balanced Joe' Gives Bland Budget Speech Designed for the Hustings
But lots of goodies earmarked for Tory constituencies.
Tories Promise Balanced Budget, But So What?
Obsession with bottom line no guarantee of fiscal competence.
Numbers Win Elections, and Here Are the Key Ones
To start, Canada's 42nd general vote is only 200 days from today.
The Potent Economy Booster BC's Premier Insists on Ignoring
How a serious hike in the minimum wage would revive prosperity for all citizens.
The Era of Tax Cut Stupidity that Starved BC
Will McMartin details how the BC Liberals squandered a historic chance to strengthen this province.
Smart Meters, Boondoggle in the Making
Why this doomed to fail, billion-dollar mega-project should make BC taxpayers tremble.
More on Liberal Insiders and BC Hydro's Smart Meter Gold Rush
Peter Restler and his investment firm CAI have a long history in BC politics.
Christy Clark Advisor Building Prison for Gadhafi's Use
Gwyn Morgan of incoming premier's transition team chairs SNC-Lavalin, constructor of 'state of the art' jail likely to house opponents of Libya's dictator.
First to Profit from $1 Billion Smart Meter Program: Liberal Insiders
Firm winning $73 million contract is connected to BC Hydro director, has close ties with Libs.
How Christy Got to Front of Line
Between bites of crow, our pundit maps Clark's win, and some challenges she faces.
Everyone Seems to Pick Christy Clark, but not Will McMartin
And if your inner wonk is up to it, here are calculations that make our pundit a contrarian.
Budget 2011: False Deficit and Carbon Tax Smokescreen
Bottom line with BC Liberals is their bottom line is easily manipulated.
BC's Most Likely Next Premier? George Abbott
Why the farmer, historian and career politician is favoured to succeed Gordon Campbell.
For Kevin Falcon, Next Stop Premier?
Business backs him, even though he oversaw a massive jump in debt. So what are his odds?
Christy Clark's Chances? Will McMartin Sets Odds
She's first in opinion polls to be next premier, but where is her 'base'?
BC Banking Jobs Declined after Bank Tax Was Killed
Libs forfeiting over $100 million in tax revenue didn't stop drain of 1,600 big bank positions.
Test Your Baloney Detector
Should you bite on what BC Lib leader hopefuls are serving? Take this quiz!
Want a Real Issue? Try BC's Lagging Health Funding
Will BC Liberal leadership hopefuls explain why our province is falling behind in health care spending?
Making Sense of a Brutal Political Season in BC
Watching Carole James toppled by former supporters in her own party may seem shocking, but it was just (nasty) business as usual.
Ottawa Pocketed $25 Billion from BC Since 2001
Under BC Liberal reign, we've paid $25 billion more to feds than came back. That's unprecedented.
Ida Chong Should Worry
Chances for recall success in her Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding are better than many pundits think.
Will McMartin Shoots Down Squawking Gaggle of Campbell Praisers
A 'great' premier whose fiscal skill made BC 'great' for business? The facts say no.
You're Paying for Campbell's Faulty Prescription
British Columbians use tax cuts to buy health care formerly provided by the government.
Wooing Business Leaders Is Futile for New Dems
Under NDP in 1990s, BC's corporate profits and GDP soared. But hallucinating captains of industry still see scary 'socialists.'
Worst Fudge-it Budget Proven, but Free Ride from Media
On Thursday we learned Campbell's Liberals ran for election on an impossible budget promise that inflated tax revenues by $2.5 billion. Why are media selling this as good news?
Accenture's BC Hydro Contract Way over Budget
British Columbians paying hundreds of millions of dollars more than promised.
Accenture's BC 'Cornerstone' Looks to Be Crumbling
Favourite private outsourcer for Campbell government takes series of hits.
The Truth about BC Health Spending, Made Easy
It's static and under control. So why do so many, like The Globe's Jeffrey Simpson, spout the opposite?
BC's Energy Independence? Don't Believe It
Minister Lekstrom is wrong. Most new energy projects controlled by big firms outside BC.
How Libs Made BC Rail's True Value a Fake Train Wreck
'Absurd' it was to call the public asset a money loser. Premier Campbell did it anyway.
Is This Any Way to Finance Clean Energy?
BC Hydro borrows capital at 1 per cent, private power firms pay 12 per cent or more. Campbell chose builders sure to make green power far more expensive.
General Electric and BC's Private Power Gold Rush
When cash-poor Finavera needed backers for its Peace River wind farms, who stepped up? First, an aging Irish tycoon cut his sweet deal, then giant GE gained the 'lions share' of profits.
BC Liberals Owe Us a $65 Million Apology
They blew that much of our money on their failed BC Transmission Corporation privatization, now scuttled.
Edmonton Profits Big from BC Private Power
For trio of independent power plants, net-profit margin is a whopping 26.8 per cent.
Plutonic Tops List of Power Firms Donating to Libs
Of the 14 successful firms in BC Hydro's latest call for power, 10 have made contributions to the Liberals totaling nearly $385,000.
Vancouver Law Firm a Big Player in BC Hydro's Clean Energy Call
Stikeman Elliott partner sits on Hydro board; another a major player in Finavera Renewables.
Liberals, Stop Lying about BC Rail
No Minister Bond, it wasn't 'bankrupt' or debt-laden or 'in disarray'. Here's proof BC Rail was very healthy when Campbell got it.
Former Accenture Execs Score Big in BC Hydro Clean Power Call
Struggling penny stock firm with light cash reserves lands major wind power agreements.
Why March 24 Will Define BC's Fiscal Managers
That's when the Campbell government might defy its own contract with Ottawa, costing BC taxpayers millions.
Scare Stories about High BC Spending Are False
Province's outlays compared to GDP aren't up, but the Sun wants us to believe otherwise.
In Tight Times, Campbell Gov't Chooses to Help Big Banks
Inept budgeters axed $100 million yearly tax revenue from fat financial institutions. And it gets worse.
Taylor Hired by Bank After Killing BC's Bank Tax
BC is broke but she could make $145,000 to $350,000 as a TD director.
BC's Bizarre Fiscal Plan
The government seems to be jamming its feet on both the brake pedal and accelerator.
Liberals' Biggest Campaign Gamble Paid Off
They made unpopular Campbell a star. And more notes on a weird election.
A New BC Rail Cover-Up?
The Campbell government put money from its BC Rail sale into a trust, but a shift to riskier investing likely lost $25 million. We can't know for sure, because trust directors are breaking the law by not posting statements.
Huge Pay Raises, the Silent Issue
Libs gave selves big pay hikes, zero to minimum wage earners. But NDP can't complain.
BC's Economy: Whose Was Best?
Socreds. NDP. Libs. Who oversaw the strongest economy? (Hint, not Gordon Campbell).
NDP Has History on Its Side, But Not Smart Messaging
In BC races, diving economies usually turf governments.
Balanced Budget Bozos
BC politicians keep passing, then changing, laws against deficit spending. Are we nuts?
Who Will Be Next BC Senators?
Harper's short list ranges from Wai Young and John Reynolds to Jerry Lampert and Tung Chang.
BC Then, Ottawa Now: Who's Crazier?
Province's wild political history offers context for current crisis.
The Great Depression in BC
The crash of '29 and how it laid waste to the province's finances. First of three.
Between Lines of Campbell's Speech: A New 'Fudge-It Budget'
He'll have to jigger the books to not show a deficit.
McMartin's Very Own Winners and Losers
The election victors, the vanquished and why Harper is grinning.
The Higginbotham Curse
In which McMartin braves his editor's wrath to float a humble election theory.
Charting May's Chances against MacKay
Green leader a long shot to unseat Tory stalwart in Central Nova.
Charting the Votes for Hedy Fry
Vancouver Centre's Grit incumbent faces strong foes -- and the Dion factor.
Charting the Vote for Incumbents
Four or five will lose their jobs, if this election is true to form.
Charting the Votes where Tories are Strongest
Conservative support in BC skews to North, Interior and south Fraser Valley.
Charting the Vote for Grits in BC
In recent elections, Liberals hovered at 28 per cent. Now they’re falling short.
Myth: Tax Cuts Fuel BC's Surplus
Fact checking the finance minister. The dirty job goes to our man McMartin.
Spending on BC Politicians Explodes
Total cost of MLA compensation soars over 50 per cent since 2001.
BC Health Spending Exploding? Don't Believe It
The real story is a provincial budget skewed by deep cuts to welfare, local government and transportation.
BC Legislator: Nice Gig!
MLAs got full-time pay for nine week session. Gordon Campbell is arranging a raise.
Cosy Business Ties Exposed by Health Budget Turmoil
BC's Health Authorities: Who gets hired (and fired).
Could You Be Finance Minister? Take Our Quiz!
And learn how Carole Taylor made $446 million seem like nearly $2 billion.
Dosanjh's Biggest Donors Run Medical Firms
Vancouver MP raised bulk of his funds in Ontario in 2004.
School Stalemate: How We Got Here
Verbatim, nearly two decades of politicians' wrangling in the Legislature.
Biz to BC Libs: Thanks a Billion!
Corporate windfall hits milestone. And why the pre-election budget wasn't truly balanced.
Budget Battlers Ready to Rumble
It's been five years since a muscular opposition swung hard at a BC budget.
Last call! Liberals, 51 seats; NDP, 28 seats
Now is your chance to bet against McMartin and win a prize.
McMartin Gives BC Libs 51 Seats
Tyee analyst finalizes his projections, invites readers to bet against him.
Remember the NDP’s Supposed $5 Billion 'Structural Deficit'?
The story behind the big headlines that served their purpose four years ago.
Polak's One of Three Seats Now Solidly Liberal
Langley, Penticton-Okanagan, and Vancouver-Point Grey upgraded from 'likely'.
The New Democratic Party and 'Polarization'
Lots of parties running, but this election is a two-party tilt.
The New Democratic Party: A Look Back
Will traditional NDP supporters who’ve abandoned the party return in 2005?
Two Kootenays Seats Go Opposite Directions
Columbia River-Revelstoke moves 'likely NDP' while East Kootenay is 'solid Liberal'.
Tight Vancouver Races Diverge
Vancouver-Burrard now 'likely NDP', Vancouver-Fairview is 'likely Liberal.'
Three Ridings Moved in Vancouver Island North Coast Region
No longer ‘up for grabs’: Powell River-Sunshine Coast, Alberni-Qualicum, Comox Valley
Poll Shifts Odds for Kamloops Area Libs
Krueger's seat downgraded to 'likely' while Richmond's solidifies.
The Green Party in BC: Provincial Elections
Carr is making a spirited but likely doomed run for a first Green seat.
The Green Party in BC: Reading the Federal Elections
Scant evidence to expect a breakthrough on May 17.
Okanagan-Vernon and Shuswap Shift 'Solid' for Libs
Unity Party not around to siphon off conservative voters this time.
Surrey-Panorama Ridge Now 'Likely Liberal'
NDP’s big byelection win probably won’t be repeated.
More on the North: Three Seats Go 'Likely Liberal'
Skeena, Prince George North and Prince George-Omineca no longer 'up for grabs.'
More on the North: Cariboo North, Cariboo South and North Coast
Two seats move to 'Solid Liberal' and one to 'Solid NDP'.
The North: Liberals Hard to Dislodge
The Greens and NDP got whipped in this region in 2001.
Vancouver Eastside Go 'Solid' NDP
Kensington and Kingsway move over from 'Likely'.
Maple Ridge tilts toward Liberals
Rising incomes push Frasier North ridings to the right: Port Moody-Westwood and Maple Ridge-Mission
NDP looks solid in New West, likely in Burnaby-Willingdon
Tax cuts, hospital closure help New Democrats
Two Victoria Area Seats Moved to ‘Solid NDP’
Victoria-Beacon Hill and Victoria Hillside firm up for the New Democrats.
Vancouver Island South: Household Incomes and Vote Shares
Last election, Greens’ strongest showing was in this region.
Two Surrey Area Ridings No Longer ‘Up for Grabs’
Surrey-Newton is now ‘likely NDP,’ Delta North shifts to ‘likely Liberal’.
Two Surrey Ridings Solidify Liberal and NDP
The Tyee is moving Surrey-Tynehead into the ‘solid Liberal’ column while Surrey-Green Timbers goes ‘solid NDP’.
North-Central Surrey: Pocketbook Voting Patterns
Wealthier zones of this region go Liberal, poorer go NDP.
Nanaimo and Nanaimo-Parksville Moving Left, Right
The Tyee is shifting Nanaimo into ‘solid NDP’ and Nanaimo-Parksville into ‘likely Liberal.’
Vancouver Island North-Coast: Pocketbook Voting
In this region, like most others, average household incomes correlate strongly with vote-shares.
Campbell Misled Public on NDP Finances
In 2001 the incoming premier called NDP finances “worse than we anticipated.” His briefing binders, gained by The Tyee through an FOI, told him the opposite.
West Kootenay-Boundary and Nelson Creston Move into ‘Solid’ NDP column.
Two NDP strongholds firm up.
Looks Bleak for Third Parties
Don’t Expect Minor Parties to Elect an MLA
Vancouver Island South: Carole James Territory
For the first time in decades, the NDP was shut out here in 2001.
Vancouver Island North-Coast: Leaning Left Again
But Alberni-Qualicum, Comox Valley, Nanaimo-Parksville and Powell River-Sunshine Coast are up for grabs.
Feeling Polarized
The May 17 vote is likely to reveal a clearly split BC electorate. To read our political future, gaze into the past.
Richmond: Solidly Liberal
Last time the NDP won anything here: 1972.
North Shore: Another Lib Sweep?
Looks like it, but North Vancouver-Lonsdale might be interesting.
Vancouver Westside: Premier’s Stomping Ground
Two seats nailed down for Libs, but watch Vancouver-Fairview.
Home Values: Pricing the Voters’ Neighbourhoods
North Coast homes are, on average, a half million dollars less than in Vancouver-Quilchena.
Vancouver Eastside: The NDP Stronghold
But Mayencourt vs. Stevenson makes a close race in Vancouver’s West End.
Seeking Shelter: Campaigns Scrutinize Home Ownership
Voting patterns can be tied to whether citizens own or rent their abodes.
Fraser North: A Wild Ride
New Dems likely to re-take New West and two more, Libs to get one, and six up for grabs.
North-Central Surrey: A Key Battlefront
Traditionally left-leaning, swept by Libs in 2001, six ridings in serious play.
Fraser Valley South: Nine Liberal Seats Likely
Social conservative Mary Polak should find a warm embrace this time in Langley.
The Kootenays: Good Hunting for NDP
Liberals swept all four seats in 2001. Not likely this election.
Big Gap between Rich and Poor Ridings
Voting patterns tend to reflect household income. It’s three times higher in some ridings than others.
The Okanagan, a Liberal Stronghold
Region anchored by Kelowna is fast growing and right-leaning.
Seniors with Clout: Ridings Where Elderly Voters Hold Sway
You’ll find them in the sunny parts of the province.
BC’s Electoral Regions: Skewed Populations
Attempts to even out voter numbers haven’t succeeded.
The Thompson-Coquihalla, Lali Returns
Liberals likely to hold at least three, but NDP has prospered in the past.
The North, a Huge Opportunity for NDP
Economy, BC Rail deal are big factors.
Not All Ridings Created Equal (in Population)
And that makes it hard for pollsters.
Let the Battle Begin
Election Central’s riding-by-riding predictions to be posted daily.
Un-Spinning the B.C. Budget
Having shielded their budget from debate, the B.C. Liberals are free to spin madly on the campaign trail. Some facts to bear in mind.
Election Plan Gives Liberals Cash Windfall
By shutting down the legislature instead of debating the budget, the party can campaign on the taxpayers’ millions.
Liberals Set to Run from Their Own Budget
Finance minister’s vague answers suggest party will sell the document but won’t actually pass it.
Running for Premier of Oz
In which our hero Dorothy makes Green, Liberal and NDP friends on her way down the yellow brick road.
Premier Shuts His Cabinet
Gordon Campbell's election promise of cabinet meetings open to the public? Never mind.
Alberta's Posse in B.C.
Albertans once tried and failed to rope in B.C.’s government. Now a small herd, some with ties to big energy firms, hold key positions in B.C.’s public sector, thanks to Premier Campbell.
How Bad for Liberals Was Surrey Loss?
Dismally bad is the answer. The worst defeat in a government-held riding in fifteen years, in fact.
We Paid Record Sales Taxes This Year
Liberals shifted burden from income tax to sales tax; in effect, from wealthier citizens to poorer.
Liberals Bluffing on By-Election
They tell us it won't mean much if they lose Surrey. History says otherwise.
NDP and U.S. Dems Share Election Challenges
Both James and Kerry are bucking history, battling one-term governments without recession or vote splits to help.
Why James Isn't Running in Surrey
The odds were a no-brainer, so why did the NDP leader wait so long to decide?
Why Silence on B.C.'s Groaning Debt?
Nobody seems to want to mention the fast growing $38 billion elephant in our living room. Each of us owes $9,003, sharply up under the Liberals.
Why Didn't the NDP Catch Fire?
Gains, yes, but some tough questions for Layton's New Democrats as they weigh the returns.
