Where is the ‘Youth movement’ from the BC Conservatives’ 2014 AGM?

On November 24^th, the BC Conservative Party issued a media release titled, “Youth Movement Comes to the Fore at BC Conservatives AGM".

The release stated the members had ‘elected a new board of directors with a distinctly youthful outlook.’  It quoted Leader Dan Brooks saying, “There is a youth movement underway in our Party.  It bodes well for our future – we are dedicated to working on behalf of British Columbia for a long, long time.”

Looking at what the individuals on the board’s executive (President, Vice President, Secretary

"Lucy, you've got some 'splaining to do!"

and Treasurer) brought to the table, there did appear to be a wealth of talent there.  Individuals like Kristy Fredricks with a B.Sc. in Human Ecology … Shane Smitas, a self-described ‘serial entrepreneur’ and Founder and President of two companies … Graham Plant, a medical-devices professional, with an advanced diploma in Biomedical Technology … and Robert Boscacci, a Chartered Accountant and co-owner of an accessibility and mobility business.

Along with the Executive Members, the newly minted board included the following Directors at Large:

• Scott Anderson, a councillor in the City of Vernon, and BCCP candidate for Vernon Monashee in 2013 
• Dianne Hoffman, who was also was a candidate for the BC Conservative Party in Comox Valley 
• A health-industry professional, Greg Marr from Prince George, with a bachelor’s degree (honours) in Biology and Psychology, and a master’s degree in Health Administration … and 
• Earl Olsen, the BCCP candidate for Columbia River-Revelstoke. He is also a Certified General Accountant, and was a partner in a large Alberta printing company

Where are these individuals now, and why has there been what can only be thought of as a mass exodus of these individuals?

Kristy Fredricks has been replaced by Ian McDonald in the Presidents position … Vice President Shane Smitas is gone and replaced by Ian Pyper … Robert Boscacci, who had been the Treasurer is gone, to be replaced by Bob Bray … and Secretary Graham Plant is no longer there, replaced by Ann Hammes.

Of the Directors at Large, only Scott Anderson remains; the other 3 have been replaced by Joan Robinson, Larry Moody, and Lawrence McDonald.

What the heck happened?  Of these eight individuals, only one remains.  There is no doubt that things can change in the lives of any individual; moving, new job, new responsibilities, etc.  But this is a change of massive proportions, and one I am certain that the vast majority of BC Conservative members is totally unaware of.

As Ricky Riccardo would say on the old TV show I Love Lucy, someone has some “splainin’ to do”.

Forward momentum, and consistent guidance, can only come within a stable environment.  That has been missing for the past year within the BC Conservative Party, and must be returned if there is to be any future for the party.

In Kamloops, I’m Alan Forseth.