The report also recommends developing policy and guidelines around all paid government advertising, with a system in place for frequent review and updating

In recent weeks, the topic of partisan advertising by elected political parties has raised its ugly head again.  For example:

Green party Leader Andrew Weaver is calling for a ban on the use of taxpayer money for political attack ads after the B.C. Liberals bought billboards blaming Premier John Horgan for a spike in gas prices.

But it’s more than just political parties using taxpayer money for partisan advertising ... each and every elected government is every bit as bad – historically something that never changes year after year, government after government.

So, what is the role of government advertising?  It’s to inform us about important information, right?  According to an official government website, under the heading of Government Communications, they state that the:

“... primary role is to inform the public about government programs, services, policies and priorities through traditional communication practices and, increasingly, through direct engagement and online service ...”

This is done through the Government Communications and Public Engagement office. Among other things their job is to provide:

Communications Services ... to ensure we know about programs, policies, and services that affect us – and communicate developments on these fronts through a variety of communication products, directly to media outlets throughout the province.

Ministry Communications Offices ... communications that provides support and services such as strategic communications advice and planning, media relations, issues management, event planning, news releases and speech writing.

Media Relations ... round-the-clock media-relations team provides support for government events, announcements, and activities.

Writing & Editorial Services ... providing speechwriting, research, editing services, and government-wide news release distribution.

All of these things sound great, except when the communications being provided for us goes one step further than intended ... two steps actually. 

Step #1 is when government has the Communications and Public Engagement Office over emphasis the largesse of government in what it is doing ... and Step #2 when government communications are used to diminish and / or undermine other political parties.

Here are a few examples of what I’m talking about:

... a story about 2 new schools for Surrey also included this comment; “Since September 2017, the Province has announced $226.7 million for new schools, expansions, seismic upgrades and land purchases in Surrey – including 2,510 new student spaces” ... that information was NOT relevant to the story, and one would have to believe it was only included to promote the current NDP government.

... two union agreements involving K to 12 support staff; “... the Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate supports government’s commitment to improve the services people count on, make life more affordable and invest in sustainable economic growth” -- this info was not needed or necessary.

... a story about transit studies on Vancouver’s North Shore included this comment; “... this feasibility study is an extremely exciting addition to the many initiatives we have implemented so far and continue to work on to get the North Shore moving again” --- this comment was completely unnecessary in explaining what was being done, and again simply was self-congratulatory towards the government

...  a story about Family Maintenance included the following; “... a process that resulted in a contract that was about to expire after 10 years of failed negotiations” --- which was simply once again another roundabout way to say the previous Liberal government had allegedly failed to do their job

... a story about new schools in Coquitlam included another self-congratulatory comment; “... since September 2017, the Province has announced 935 new student seats in the Coquitlam School District and 7,430 in other communities throughout British Columbia, with more to come”

... on Childcare in BC; “... I want people to remember that child care in our province has been ignored for a very long time” --– again another slap at the previous government.

 I asked BC Conservative Party leader Trevor Bolin what he thought about the situation, and he remarked:

“In all honesty, all we see from the BC Liberals is how the NDP are doing it wrong ... and that all we’ve seen the decade and half before this government was about the BC Liberals doing it wrong in the eyes of the NDP”.

In 2013 NDP MLA Harry Lali had to issue an apology for
using public resources to support his own partisan activities

As for the BC Conservatives I asked? 

“We are about how we can do it right.  We are about listening to the people of British Columbia and working towards solutions”, Bolin stated.

A couple provinces over, Manitoba has released a report that while impacting an up-coming election, shows examples of what can been done at any time in a governments mandate.

Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced, “This report provides a framework that will enable us to move forward with a plan that ensures effective and fair communication to Manitobans, whether that be through amendments to existing legislation or the introduction of new government policies around advertising.”

“The report also recommends developing policy and guidelines around all paid government advertising, with a system in place for frequent review and updating”.

“The province has reviewed the report and is in the process of developing options based on its findings and recommendations”, Cullen concluded. 

It can be done ... other provinces are doing it ... and yet BC remains a province where no matter what government is in power, self-promotion seems fine and well.

Actually government self-promotion is not fine, which is likely the reason that the Conservatives Trevor Bolin also commented:

“How about parties should uphold the promises they make, whether they speak at a function or market it on billboards ... they should be accountable to the people like everyday is an Election Day.”

For a VERY LONG TIME I have believed that ALL government advertising should be vetted by an independent agency to ensure it is informative only, and in no why promotes, or has the appearance of promoting, the government in power.

Hopefully, someday, that idea just may come to fruition – it won’t however unless we demand it happens.