Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Former mine site which was to have re-opened as the Ajax open-pit copper and gold mine near Kamloops Ajax Mine has been a divisive topic in Kamloops.  I am proud to say however that BC Conservative Party has, and will continue to, stand up for responsible resource development in British Columbia. Jobs in the mining industry pay over $100,000 per year.  In addition to that, these jobs create an additional 2+ spin-off jobs from every one of those mining jobs! Thousand of young people have gone through Thompson Rivers University here in Kamloops, and other schools of training through-out the province, to learn jobs in the resource industry.  These individuals are our children ... our husbands and wives ... friends ... and other family members.  They need jobs that will match the skills they have trained for! We cannot expect to have the social services we desire ... nor health care services ... nor schools ... hospital buildings ... road con...

Last week the media was all over the fact that BC's unemployment rate had dropped.  I am asking why? BEFORE we get all excited about the Unemployment news however (the rate in British Columbia was 4.8% in November -- down a minuscule 1/10th of one percent from October), please note the following: " ACTUALLY, there was NO good news in latest unemployment figures " The increase in the number of part-time jobs was three and a half times the number of full-time jobs (4,100 full time vs. 14,200 part-time). More telling however was the fact that 4,200 jobs were LOST in the private sector . (see https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/statistics/infoline/infoline-2017/17-162-labour-force-survey) Meantime public sector jobs (ie: government jobs ) increased by 9,600 .  That's well over double the number of jobs that were lost in the private sector! It looks very much like our BC NDP Premier, John Horgan, is taking a ...

This coming Sunday (November 19th), BC Conservatives in the Kamloops Thompson Nicola region, will be holding a first meeting, in preparation to reorganize Riding Associations in the area. Long-time Kamloops resident and conservative campaigner, Alan Forseth, stated, " Having returned from our party's recent AGM in Langley, I am delighted to have taken on the role as Regional Director for our area.  I look forward to being a part of the growing momentum for conservatives across the province ." Interim BC Conservative Party Leader Scott Anderson of Vernon The gathering of members and guests, which gets underway at 2:30pm at the meeting room of the Accent Inn, will feature guest speaker, and current Interim Party leader Scott Anderson. Mr. Anderson, who is also a Vernon City Councillor commented,  “I am so excited about the energy and enthusiasm I’ve heard from members across the province, and the Kamloops area is no exception.”  ...

This weekend, the BC NDP held their annual AGM in Victoria.  While reading up on it, I diverged for a few moments to look back on comments, and posts, from earlier this year.  That little side trip led me to come across these words from my friend, and BC political colleague, Ben Besler .    Read what he had to say, and then tell me whether you agree, or don't, that NOTHING really has changed " ... they (the BC NDP) have become a party on cue to simply state “no” when the other says “yes”. They at one time were the labour party. A party of the working class. A party that stood for better employment opportunities and fair wages. Now they are running amok, appeasing the lunacy that the environmental apparatchiks have become. Killing jobs, stopping progress. They have partnered in solidarity with folks that do everything in their power to bring ruin on the job seeker and the middle class. They stand in the way of progress fo...

EARLY YESTERDAY, I the following information out by email to several individuals -- letting them know we (the BC Conservatives) had every intention of being a viable alternative in the next provincial election in BC. I also posted a much briefer edit on Social media (Facebook and Twitter).  Here is the text of the email which was sent: Greetings friends ... I would like to let you know, if you are unaware, that just a few short months ago I rejoined and became a member of the BC Conservative Party.  Additionally, I attended a very successful AGM which was held a few weeks back in Langley.  I believe in small 'c' conservative ideals, and I believe that the well-being of our province will not happen with either our current GreeNDP government ... or with the Liberals, who are INDEED Capitol "L" Liberals in both name, and in governing style! This email is to advise you that initial prep work is underway to restart the Kamloops North T...

Just the other day, Keith Baldrey, in an opinion piece stated, " A number of party veterans I’ve talked to are somewhat worried about the party’s long-term prospects of stability ." And well they should be. It takes a lot to hold together a fractious group of people that really, other than trying to keep the NDP out of party, are not really comfortable being together in the same bed. Now don't get me wrong ... I am sure I'd be correct in saying that likely the vast majority of BC Liberal MLA's do truly want what's best for BC ... however if that is indeed true, how can any grouping of them stay together for long given the differences they also have in beliefs on ways, and how, to govern?  The current field of prospective leadership candidates do of course run the gamut from one end of the political spectrum, to the other -- Left to Right.  The problem is that, as stated, they have such diverse beliefs -- and at times it really must be like...

What do you think about this story, " Fragile Mike Pence Walks Out of 49-ers Colts Because of Anthem Demonstration " Regardless of who it was, that opposed what was happening, I agree it is hugely disrespectful.  Sporting events (and similar gatherings) are intended to be entertainment -- not political events, rallies, etc.   In my opinion, those attending, and who are likely in the majority, should not have to be have this kind of disrespect shoved in their face. Political activism, in Canada, has a long and proud history.People, and organizations, however have been responsible to a large degree for their own events It's a free and democratic country, and these athletes are certainly welcome to ho ld an event, where the topic of discussion is clearly understood.   There is NO COMMONALITY however with where they are currently doing this (protesting).   Instead, they are simply take advantage of who they are -- complete with puffed up eg...

Conservatives, in British Columbia, continue to jockey for support throughout the province. Dianne Watts, former Mayor of Surrey, who had been recently elected to the house of commons with the Conservative Party of Canada, as MP for South Surrey - White Rock; and appointed as critic to workforce development and labour, has now stepped away from Federal Politics to seek the leadership of the BC Liberal Party. Former Conservative MP Dianne Watts -- can she lead the BC Liberals to victory? Dianne is an outsider to both the BC Liberal Party, as well as, an outsider to Provincial politics. Yet, Dianne may be just what the BC Liberal Party needs to recover from the aftermath of the recent election. A campaign that left Premier Christy Clark's BC Liberals in a minority government, and defeated by a vote of non-confidence, in the legislature after a throne speech that would have the most ardent socialist jumping to their feet in boisterous applause. Clark subseq...

On Monday (October 2nd) I posted on social media, rumors that the BC Conservatives might be announcing an Interim Leader.  That did indeed come true at 7am this morning. The Executive and Board of the BC Conservative Party announced that Vernon City Councillor, and four term BC Conservative board member, Scott Anderson would take on the role. Vernon City Councillor Scott Anderson has been announced as the new BC  Conservative Party Interim Leader In an early morning media release, Anderson was quoted stating: " Having been on the inside through both the hard times and the good times, I can say with complete candor that I have never seen the party so united and energetic as it is now. My intention is to help brand the party as a home for all fiscal conservatives, including the thousands of former BC Liberals who were betrayed and left out in the cold by the recent Liberal Throne Speech ." He continued, " I believe that this is the time for ...

On Saturday (September 30th) the BC Conservative Party, a continuously active political party in British Columbia since 1903) held its' annual general meeting in Langley.  Unlike the last one held in Langley a number of years ago ... and knowing how troublesome trying to make changes can be ... the whole process went very smoothly. New BC Conservative Party President Ryan Ryan Warawa takes over the helm A new president and board were elected, as Ryan Warawa took the helm as President.  Elected as Vice President was Jeff Bridge, who like myself, recently returned to the party.  Bob Bray will continue as the Party Treasurer, as does Bob Brown as Secretary. Nearly all motions for changes to Constitution and By-Laws were passed, with two notable exceptions.  First was the vote against changing the name of the party from the BC Conservative Party -- to the Conservative Party of British Columbia.  Additionally, one which many individuals ...