Thoughts on BC Politics and More

BC Auditor General, Carol Bellringer VICTORIA:   The Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia has released a new report: Expense Policies and Practices in the Offices of the Speaker, Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms. The audit found a number of weaknesses and gaps in the expense policy framework for the offices of the speaker, clerk and sergeant-at-arms. Some policies were in place, but they were not always followed. Travel expenses were frequently made without clear documentation to support the purpose of travel. Some expenses were made without appropriate approval or a clear business purpose and purchases of items, such as clothing and gifts, were made in the absence of policy to guide those transactions. ͞ “ We found that there was no specific travel policy for staff and officers of the Legislative Assembly ”, said Auditor General Carol Bellringer. “ The practices we observed in this area would not have been allowed in ministries ”. ...

BC Conservatives took steps at their recent Annual General Meeting towards showing British Columbians they are serious about democratic reform and accountable government.   Step number one (the most important at least in my opinion) was to declare that: … no political party, candidate, or third-party advertiser shall receive funding, or other types of financial or material support, for their election campaign from a foreign entity The second was, in my opinion, somewhat ambiguous, however it does take steps towards what is needed: … the BC Conservative Party supports reforming the Recall and Initiative Act to lower the threshold for British Columbians to propose legislative changes Real reform of the BC Legislature has been a topic for several decades now, and always it seems, just baby steps are taken. Meantime three provinces over, Manitoba’s government of Brian Pallister introduced new legislation that would establish rules for conducting...

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is currently in the midst of budget consultations with British Columbians, where we are invited to share ideas, and priorities, for the upcoming provincial budget.  Bob D'Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge–Mission, is the Chair of the committee.  At the session in Campbell River September 20 th he stated to those gathered: “ We are a committee of the Legislative Assembly, and our membership includes MLAs from all three parties in the Legislature. Every fall, we visit communities from across the province to meet with British Columbians and hear about their priorities and ideas for the next provincial budget .” Those on the committee, representing all parties currently in the legislature, are: Dan Ashton, MLA representing the area of Penticton to Peachland Stephanie Cadieux. MLA for Surrey South Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops – North Thompson Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley Mitz...