Thoughts on BC Politics and More

... based on public records and local testimonies, her sweeping claims about tanker safety on BC’s North Coast appear to rely on outdated maritime imagery, selective geography, and overlook how modern commercial shipping actually works. They imply that Canada could never safely ship oil out of a place like Prince Rupert, if a pipeline were to end there. Here’s a breakdown of the key points ... CLICK HERE for the full story

In Saanich-Gulf Islands, the current election campaign feels much the same as past ones to Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May.  While the Liberal and NDP candidates argue there has been a seismic shift in Canadian politics and they have a good chance of winning this time, it doesn’t seem that way to May ... ... “It’s a two-way race ... between the Conservative Cathie Ounsted and me.” At the same time, May acknowledged, what’s on people’s minds is different this time. “I’ve never experienced so much emotion at the doorstep. People are feeling so anxious. The craziness of Donald Trump, and then the fear factor — which is dissipating as the polls change — of Pierre Poilievre becoming prime minister” ...  CLICK HERE for the full story

  Green Party Leader Elizabeth May will leave her name on the ballot for the election of a new Speaker in the House of Commons on Tuesday, months after a mild stroke saw her on doctor’s orders not to travel by plane to Ottawa. May, who represents Saanich-Gulf Islands, is one of several MPs who have stated their intention to leave their name on the ballot. “I’m still thinking about it,” said May. “I will definitely want to give a speech on Tuesday morning about what a Speaker should do and what the role of a Speaker is" ... CLICK HERE for the full story

  Months after the Liberal government offered opposition leaders the opportunity to view classified intelligence related to former special rapporteur David Johnston's report on alleged China-backed meddling in Canadian politics, a dispute is brewing over what was promised — and what was actually delivered.   Green Party Co-Leader Elizabeth May expressed frustration last week with the level of information provided to her in the classified documents and said she was requesting access to additional materials.   Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Friday the information May saw was what she and other opposition leaders were promised ...   CLICK HERE to read the full story

  Green Party Co-Leader Elizabeth May is expressing frustration with the level of information contained in the two top-secret documents on foreign interference she was permitted to review this week.   May received top-secret security clearance and reviewed the documents compiled by former special rapporteur David Johnston on Wednesday.   "I can't conclude that David Johnston's conclusions were reasonable, nor can I conclude they are unreasonable," May told a press conference Friday morning ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Welcome to DAY SEVEN, on a Sunday morning ... glad you could join us.   It should come as no surprise, but the election of Erin O’Toole took 2 of the 3 top spots in this week’s commentaries.   Grab your coffee, find an easy chair to relax in, and let’s get started with ...   #10 ... ADAM OLSEN – Vigil for Overdose Awareness Day (August 29 th ) Monday August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. Long before the Covid-19 pandemic British Columbia was dealing with another public health emergency - overdoses and poisonings from toxic illicit street drugs. Since 2016 more than 5500 British Columbians - our friends, family and neighbours - have tragically passed away ...   #9 ... FELDSTED -- “ Sunny days, sunny ways ” has been a five-year, unethical, slow-motion train wreck (August 27 th ) It seems that Justin Trudeau’s grand plan for our economic recovery has leaked out. A group of 15 unelected, self-styled experts replace our elected representative...

On May 7th, 2020 Member of Parliament and leader of the Green Party of Canada, Elizabeth May declared – without a hint of irony – that “ oil is dead .” As you and I both knew at the time, this was an absurd statement to make. At the best of times, it is foolish and misguided to state “ oil is dead ”. It is a refrain based on wishes and ideology, not science or technology. In May, the COVID crisis had erased a record amount of oil demand, and the Saudi-Russia price war had crushed oil prices, but since then global oil demand has recovered by 89% - a nearly 13 million barrels per day increase! May’s “ Oil is Dead ” comments were insensitive to the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who earn their living in the energy sector. Her cavalier dismissal of one of Canada’s largest and most important industries was nothing more than an attempt to score political points with those who oppose responsible natural resource development. But facts matter. Every credible forecast prove...

Green Party MLA, and soon Interim Leader, Adam Olsen When Green Party leader Andrew Weaver announced that he would not be seeking re-election the next time British Columbians go to the polls and that he had asked the BC Greens provincial council to begin the process of electing another leader, I immediately began fielding questions about whether I intended on putting my name on the ballot . At that time, I did not know. It was the beginning of the fall session and, while I did know in advance that Andrew's announcement was coming, I did not have the time to turn my full consideration to whether I was going to run for leader or not. A few weeks later Andrew made his second announcement that he would step down as the leader when the leadership contest began in early 2020. This meant that there were essentially two leadership roles in the party that I needed to consider: the full-time leader and an interim-leader. In the weeks that followed Andrew'...

UP UNTIL TODAY I have purposely decided not to comment on the election campaign we were just subjected too, and in particular the Conservative campaign. YES ... subjected! This morning however I was reading a few letters from readers of MacLean’s , and one in particular struck me.   In their letter they stated: " None of our political leaders are statesmen with clear and inspiring national visions that unite Canadians. Instead, voters are bartered in an open political market where myopic promises are traded for votes—a choice as appealing as a Big Mac to vegans. The choices before voters are stunningly vacuous, if not perilous ." While I am not so sure that ‘ vacuous ’ would be the best descriptive for Election 43 ... ‘ disappointing ’ would certainly fill the bill Leaders of all parties, to some degree, promised the moon and beyond in their spending promises –far too many of which intruded into provincial jurisdictions. What t...

I FEAR FOR OUR COUNTRY ...   We have become a country fragmented even worse, following last nights federal election, with regions now pitted on against the other in terms of party allegiance, and reasons for that allegiance. In the Maritimes with saw a virtual swath of Red for the Liberals once again ... while in Quebec the rise of the separatists Bloc Québécois , who along with most, if not all, continue to speak of the province of Quebec as a separate nation; that despite the fact that cannot survive without sucking on the teat of equalization payments – paid for in large part by BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan.   This, is a province that is like a little child in a grocery store demanding the sweet treats, candies, and sugary cereals they see on the store shelves --- or elsewhere, the toys and video games they’ve seen in Saturday cartoons.  You know they ones I mean – they throw tantrums because they can’t get their own way—or until they do get it. Q...

The 2019 federal election campaign makes it clear, with one possible exception, that political leaders have no interest in serving anyone but themselves.  The possible exception is Maxime Bernier who appears interested in ethics and principles that will serve all Canadians. Bernier is disliked because his opponents have abandoned ethics and don’t like him raising issues they usually avoid. Justin Trudeau has a dismal record to overcome and has no discernible leadership qualities. His recent defense of “irregular immigrants” indicates he has no intention of obeying the law which is consistent with his actions in SNC-Lavalin and Vice Admiral Norman debacles. His disparaging commentary on conservative premiers is inappropriate, combative and unacceptable. Trudeau cannot take cheap shots at provincial premiers and expect them to cooperate on other issues such as inter-provincial trade and the most important public issue - health care. We cannot continue to be governed ...

There is only one outcome in this federal election that makes any sense to me and that is to restore a majority Liberal government in Ottawa. Why? Because Canada will only survive as a nation if we recognize that this country, Canada, is greater than the sum of its parts. The practice of politics and the electoral process has vastly improved as more progressive social values shape our selection dynamic. And yet, this election campaign has been centered around issues that cater to limited special interest groups, provincial premiers and, in the largest urban centers, an attitude of “ what’s in it for me ?”. This is unfortunate, because we have a broad cross-section of Canadian society represented by many really talented candidates who have stepped forward seeking the honour of elected office. I am sure that most are sincere in their appeal for your vote. But in their effort to gain that coveted seat in Parliament, you should pu...