Thoughts on BC Politics and More

With CBC News reporting a poll from Mario Canseco of Research Company now showing the BC Liberal Party sitting at 30% support across the province, a 10% drop from the 2017 election, leader Andrew Wilkinson introduced legislation on Tuesday (May 28 th ) today that would ban foreign interference in British Columbia politics. In doing so, he stated, “ The serious issue of foreign money and influence in elections has been making headlines for years now and many countries have taken action. It’s time for B.C. to firmly protect the integrity of our elections .” The only problem is that BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkson is ‘ late to the party’ to quote an old saying. LONG before other political parties had decided to make electoral financing an issue of concern, BC Conservatives had already put policy in place that as government they would ... e nact legislation relating to political contributions to registered British Columbia political parties, limiting such don

Earlier this month, my colleague  Andrew Weaver asked Hon. Michelle Mungall , Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, about orphan oil and gas wells in British Columbia. The Auditor General of British Columbia  reviewed the situation in our province  and reported that the number of orphan sites is dramatically increasing and the funds set aside by companies is falling well short of what is needed. We have a problem with the orphans, but it’s not just a problem in British Columbia. The $3 billion price tag that British Columbians will likely be on the hook for is small in comparison to the estimated $50-70 billion that Albertans can expect. Western provinces have a regulatory problem. Does the polluter pay? In our province, the Oil and Gas Commission regulates the industry. Apparently, we have a polluter pays principle. This means the company who is causing the mess is responsible for cleaning it up. However, in the case of the liabilitie

Screeched-in McKenna commits a classic political gaffe Lorrie Goldstein ~~ Toronto Sun ~~ May 27, 2019 In politics, a gaffe occurs when a politician accidentally tells the truth and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna just committed a classic one. Last Thursday she uploaded to her Twitter account (@cathmckenna) a video of her being “screeched in” at Christian’s Pub in St. John’s, N.L., complete with her kissing the cod. Catherine McKenna being “screeched in” at Christian’s Pub in St. John’s, N.L   Then she offered advice to two bar patrons (one of them CBC comedian Mark Critch ) who were engaging in a friendly debate about whether St. John’s is the oldest city in North America. Looking into the camera, a boisterous McKenna, using emphatic hand gestures and raising her voice on key words for emphasis, declares: “ But you know, I actually gave them some real advice . I said that if you actually say it louder , we’ve learned in the House of

On May 30 th , Canadian Senators voted to accept comprehensive amendments to Bill C-69. With all these amendments , Bill C-69 would ensure a timely and effective approval process.   Without them , it will send a troubling message that Canada is a place not interested in getting big projects, like pipelines, built. In a statement from Canada’s Energy Citizens, they made it known that, “ Based on the feedback they received, members of the Senate’s Energy and Environment Committee made several amendments to Bill C-69 – ensuring the bill provides a workable regulatory process for major projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline ”. “ When someone does the right thing, it’s important that be recognized. This is why we’d like to say thank you to Canada’s senators for the tremendous job they did listening to the concerns of tens of thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast with Bill C-69 and what this devastating legislation will do to families and the fu

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Yesterday (May 29 th ) Cathy McLeod, the Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, indicated that she has renewed serious concerns about the Chinese Government ownership of Retirement Concepts, including a local Kamloops seniors’ home. “ We have seen through recent events Justin Trudeau’s naiveté when it comes to dealing with the Chinese Government. Relations between the two countries is at an all-time low” “Since the house arrest of Huawei’s CFO (Meng Wanzhou) , we have had the Chinese government retaliate by arresting Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadian citizens who have been in Chinese custody since December, as well as the  punishing actions of the Chinese to our canola and pork producers ,” said McLeod. “ In a nut shell our working relationship with the Chinese government has never been this bad .” Previously, MP McLeod had pushed the Liberal government, of Prime Minister Justin T