New BC Political Discussion - POST BC Election 2017

[bluefox]

Originally Posted by misher

Someone just pulled a Butts for Horgan.

https://thebreaker.news/news/meggs-shredder/

It's a copy of the report, which means the report still exists and can still be released when a member of the public makes a request. Not sure how that "violates FOIA laws". It's not like we witnessed Meggs triple-deleting.

Oh wait it's a Bob Mackin piece. That explains the multiple reaches. And if anyone should know how it works it's the guy who submits an average of 10 FOI requests a day...

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by misher

Someone just pulled a Butts for Horgan.


https://thebreaker.news/news/meggs-shredder/

He shredded a copy of a document that the RCMP already had. This is a complete made-up hit job by Mackin and anybody with two brain cells to rub together can see that.

[bluefox]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

He shredded a copy of a document that the RCMP already had. This is a complete made-up hit job by Mackin and anybody with two brain cells to rub together can see that.

The media is starting to run with this story too which is doubly infuriating. The fact that Horgan has to stand there and "explain himself" tells you all you need to know about the calibre of journalists in the press gallery that they think this is worth reporting on. This is one of those things that on the surface might appear bad and yet you can take literally 20 seconds and see all the facts in front of you and understand that nothing was done wrong. Worst case scenario, okay maybe Meggs should have given the copy back to the speaker's office instead of shredding it.

One second Wilkinson is defending the clerk and the sergeant-at-arms and going after the speaker, the next he's yelling like a banshee that the shredded copy somehow equates to a scandal ten orders of magnitude worse than anything the Liberals ever did and that "the truth must come out!". Complete rubbish. If that copy had not been shredded and ended up out in the open, considering it was basically just allegations, then that would have been worse. But that's not what happened, and instead we have Opposition Leader Of The Year going out trying to spin this.

We get the politics we deserve, truly.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by bluefox

The media is starting to run with this story too which is doubly infuriating. The fact that Horgan has to stand there and "explain himself" tells you all you need to know about the calibre of journalists in the press gallery that they think this is worth reporting on. This is one of those things that on the surface might appear bad and yet you can take literally 20 seconds and see all the facts in front of you and understand that nothing was done wrong. Worst case scenario, okay maybe Meggs should have given the copy back to the speaker's office instead of shredding it.

One second Wilkinson is defending the clerk and the sergeant-at-arms and going after the speaker, the next he's yelling like a banshee that the shredded copy somehow equates to a scandal ten orders of magnitude worse than anything the Liberals ever did and that "the truth must come out!". Complete rubbish. If that copy had not been shredded and ended up out in the open, considering it was basically just allegations, then that would have been worse. But that's not what happened, and instead we have Opposition Leader Of The Year going out trying to spin this.

We get the politics we deserve, truly.

Yep, and former Speaker and current Bc Liberal MLA evaded questioning during the probe:

Vaughn Palmer: Entitled Linda Reid manages to turn a good day for Wilkinson into a bad one
Opinion: It is no secret Andrew Wilkinson would like Linda Reid to retire. But with her exaggerated sense of entitlement, the leader may yet have to dump Reid by refusing to sign her nomination papers to run as a Liberal

...Wilkinson got off to a strong start Wednesday in condemning “the shredder” — as Meggs was already being dubbed in the legislature corridors.

But then he ran into this question: “A member of your caucus has refused to co-operate with this investigation. Are you OK with that?”

Wilkinson must have known the question was coming. The B.C. Liberal MLA in question was Linda Reid, the former Speaker of the legislature.

In the same investigative report where the shredding was disclosed, Reid was cited for refusing to co-operate. Horgan had already challenged Wilkinson over Reid’s refusal during that day’s question period.

Wilkinson’s initial response was a clumsy attempt to change the subject back to the shenanigans in the premier’s office. That’s seldom a workable media management strategy.

The next media question took the narrative back to Reid: Was it appropriate for her to refuse to help out in the investigation?

Wilkinson again tried to shift. “There are a number of investigations going on around here and ….” But that didn’t work either.

Third question: Would it not have been better for the leader to direct everyone in caucus to co-operate?

“That’s obviously desired for everybody who works in this building to support the democratic institution and to be co-operating,” he replied, addressing the question for the first time.

Did Reid tell him she was not co-operating?

“No, she did not,” replied her leader.

Did he approve of what she did?

“I’d have to review that part,” he replied, hesitant again. “I haven’t read the whole report yet.”...

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/col...into-a-bad-one

[whatnext]

Has anyone been following the case of Richard Lee, the former BC Liberal MLA who recently confirmed he had been detained by China in 2015 and they had taken and searched his government issued phone? He reported the incident at the time to a senior BC Liberal member who seemingly did nothing. That member has been confirmed as Rich Coleman. Coleman’s got to go, he’s an albatross if the BC Liberals ever want to form government.

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/...vor-and-kovrig

[whatnext]

Great to see John Horgan and the BC NDP announcing a new hospital for Surrey in Cloverdale. Combined with the announcement they made about rebuilding Richmond General, its a great illustration of putting healthcare first!

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Great to see John Horgan and the BC NDP announcing a new hospital for Surrey in Cloverdale. Combined with the announcement they made about rebuilding Richmond General, its a great illustration of putting healthcare first!

Dont forget Burnaby General as well !

[Metro-One]

Great news for Surrey in getting a new Hospital..... but why didn’t they chose a location adjacent to one of the future Skytrain Stations???

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Great news for Surrey in getting a new Hospital..... but why didn’t they chose a location adjacent to one of the future Skytrain Stations???

Land = $$$ I guess. No doubt there will be a simple shuttle to the Skytrain when the time comes.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Great news for Surrey in getting a new Hospital..... but why didn’t they chose a location adjacent to one of the future Skytrain Stations???

The province already owns that land.

[misher]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Great news for Surrey in getting a new Hospital..... but why didn’t they chose a location adjacent to one of the future Skytrain Stations???

Weren't there a lot of discussions over how expensive paid parking is near hospitals? Its a great revenue generator.

[logicbomb]

Speaking to a Young Lib member, it would seem that they are anticipating for the NDP to call a snap election in the spring of 2020.

Not sure why the NDP would do that. Any guesses?

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

Speaking to a Young Lib member, it would seem that they are anticipating for the NDP to call a snap election in the spring of 2020.

Not sure why the NDP would do that. Any guesses?

The NDP is riding high on some good progress. The economy is good, the Liberal opposition has been hapless, and the Greens will be leaderless. If they can clear up the few remaining labour issues, the timing would be perfect. It takes some political balls though.

With the potential for a recession in the next 1-2 years, now's the time to lock in a majority.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

The NDP is riding high on some good progress. The economy is good, the Liberal opposition has been hapless, and the Greens will be leaderless. If they can clear up the few remaining labour issues, the timing would be perfect. It takes some political balls though.

With the potential for a recession in the next 1-2 years, now's the time to lock in a majority.

Bingo, that's why the ICBC rate hikes delay was announced

Wacky Wilkinson is going to fumble HARD during an election campaign

Unfortunate about Andrew Weaver though

[misher]

https://www.straight.com/life/133758...izing-sex-work

B.C. union MoveUP declares its support for decriminalizing sex work

Personally support this. Just like marijuana its a great cash cow and right now is a huge source of illegal money that's laundered. My only fear is given how bad our marijuana and ride-share has gone, that we may almost eliminate prostitution by legalizing it and thus somehow manage to make a loss at mankind's oldest business.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by misher

Personally support this. Just like marijuana its a great cash cow and right now is a huge source of illegal money that's laundered. My only fear is given how bad our marijuana and ride-share has gone, that we may almost eliminate prostitution by legalizing it and thus somehow manage to make a loss at mankind's oldest business.

Can't wait to open my hotbox mobile brothel business.

[Dengler Avenue]

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/globalne...-election/amp/

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/globalne...-election/amp/

From the article:

B.C.’s premier has no plans to send British Columbians back to the polls in 2020.

John Horgan made the comments in a year-end interview with Global News but acknowledged that as the leader of a minority government it’s not something he has complete control over.

...

The B.C. NDP still holds 41 seats in the legislature and rule with the support of the Green Party’s small three-person caucus. The combination gives them a very slight edge over the Liberals, who have 42 seats.

While the two parties have disagreed on several issues, the government’s 2.5-year tenure has been remarkably stable.

...

If the Greens maintain their Confidence and Supply Agreement, the next B.C. provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2021.

[misher]

Probably not a good thing to start questioning standard police practice. Snipers on overwatch watching the whole situation from afar is a common way to prevent/reduce risk and chaos quickly should an incident occur. Looks like the police are being thrown under the bus here. Note that they are talking about violence towards the gate, not people. The gate is an object.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp...kade-1.5407310

NDP wants RCMP investigated following report of snipers sent to Wet'suwet'en blockade

NDP public safety critic sent letter to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair on Monday

The NDP is calling for an independent investigation into how police handled the Wet'suwet'en pipeline blockade in northern B.C. earlier this year, in response to a media report saying RCMP officers were willing to deploy snipers against protesters.

Jack Harris, NDP public safety critic, sent a letter to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair on Monday raising concerns about the "troubling strategies and tactics" RCMP brass allegedly discussed when planning to enforce an injunction against protesters interfering with the construction of the Coastal Gas Link pipeline.

On Friday, the U.K. newspaper the Guardian published notes from what was described as an RCMP strategy session, stating that RCMP argued for "lethal overwatch" of the protest site and officers were instructed to use "as much violence toward the gate as you want" in order to remove a roadblock erected by protesters.

CBC News has not independently reviewed the documents cited in the Guardian article.

"This language goes beyond what Canadians would consider acceptable within our national police force," Harris wrote in the letter to Blair.

"It certainly does not fall in line with the commitments made by RCMP leadership and this government's promises with respect to Indigenous justice and reconciliation."

Harris' letter points the finger at RCMP commanders and calls for a "full and independent investigation" into the allegations.

The Wet'suwet'en blockade
The blockade caught the attention of the country in January, when members of the Wet'suwet'en Nation and their allies set up checkpoints along a remote forest road to prevent workers from accessing a construction site for the Coastal GasLink project. The project is owned by TC Energy, formerly known as TransCanada Corp.

The pipeline is meant to move natural gas from northeastern B.C. to the coast, where a liquefied natural gas project is scheduled for construction. Its planned route runs through the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en, located about 300 kilometres west of Prince George, B.C.

The standoff lasted for a number of weeks until the RCMP entered the camp on Jan. 7 to enforce a court injunction from the B.C. Supreme Court ordering protesters to stop preventing workers from accessing the site.

[whatnext]

Surprised nobody mentioned this yet, Andrew Weaver is leaving the Green Party altogether to sit as an Independent. He cites "family health reasons" but that seems odd:

Les Leyne: In search of clues to why Andrew Weaver is leaving the Green Party
Les Leyne / Times Colonist
JANUARY 16, 2020 06:00 AM

...Apart from the dominant family issue, he also cited concerns about the Green Party’s “need to develop a new vision and voice independent from mine.”

“My presence in the B.C. Green caucus could hinder that independence,” Weaver said.

He seems to have been grappling with that for months, since this is the second big adjustment to his retirement plans. He originally planned to step aside after a new leader was picked later this year. Then he moved it up to January. Now he’s vacating entirely.

He must have considered quitting politics entirely. But the party standings are so close that a byelection could upend the entire government. He must have considered just taking a personal time-out, and letting his two colleagues cover for him in Oak Bay-Gordon Head.

But he opted to sever all ties.

There was one overlooked clue to his move.

In a year-end interview with Maclean Kay, of the online Orca political journal, Weaver laid his cards on the table.

“The day I am no longer leader, I will go non-partisan. I didn’t join a party until I was a member of the Green Party, and I will resign my membership.”

In the same interview, he vented a degree of frustration with the party that he propelled into the legislature. “It’s really been really tough with the Green Party,” Weaver said. “Probably, the most difficult part is the level of political naivety. I see it all the time as I see these incredibly well-meaning Green supporters on Twitter who are … I mean, it’s a lovely level of naivety. It’s lovely. I mean, it’s lovely in that I wish there was more of this, but it’s a bit like the Christians being fed to the lions.”...

https://www.timescolonist.com/opinio...rty-1.24053835