Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Winnipeg Free Press ~~ 03/8/2019 The Manitoba government is eliminating a public subsidy for political campaign expenses such as advertising, office rent, transportation and staff wages. An omnibus budget bill introduced in the legislature would do away with a rebate that reimburses provincial parties and individual candidates 50 per cent of their general campaign expenses. The rebate has been available to any party or candidate that receives at least 10 per cent of the popular vote. Premier Brian Pallister said Friday ... he considers the subsidy one of the most generous among the provinces. CLICK HERE to read the full news story : We need similar changes to the Federal Elections Act. Subsidizing political parties from the public purse has to end, and we are already providing a tax break to donors, which means less tax revenue to the federal and provincial governments. I am not, however, in agreement with removal of the rebates...

SOME PEOPLE are concerned about the fact B.C. Liberal candidates Peter Milobar (Kamloops North Thompson) and Todd Stone (Kamloops South Thompson) haven’t accepted invitations to attend certain forums. It came up again with respect to last night’s (April 13, 2017) forum at TRU co-sponsored by the TRU Faculty Association, CUPE 3500, CUPE 4879, and Kamloops Thompson Teachers Association. I’ve commented here a couple of times about the Liberal record on avoiding some of the forums, but I can see their point of view. There are, actually, several good reasons why candidates should not attend so-called single-issue forums: Single-issue forums get too detailed. You have to do way too much homework on whatever the topic is. It’s too hard to use weasel words at forums, so if you can reduce the number of forums you have to attend, and have a plausible-sounding excuse such as “I’d rather be door-knocking and talking to people on their doorsteps,” it really helps. ...