Tag Archives: Premier Gordon Campbell

BC

Cleaning Up The BC Liberal’s education Mess

Leave a comment

By Roy L Hales

The BC Liberal government’s 14-year-long war with the BC Teacher’s Federation (BCTF) left the province’s education system in shambles. At least 267 schools closed down. Many were old and in need of repair; others had declining enrolment numbers. The equivalent of 3,500 full time teaching and support jobs were lost. One of the government’s fiercest critics was the current Minister of Education, NDP MLA Rob Fleming. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in the BCTF’s favour in November 2016 and the task of cleaning up the BC Liberal’s education mess was left to the new NDP government.

Continue reading Cleaning Up The BC Liberal’s education Mess →
BC

Should the BC & Canadian Governments Honour Treaties?

1 Comment

Originally Published  Jan 17, 2018

By Roy L Hales

Premier John Horgan blamed the former Liberal Government last month, “They got to the point of no return … It wasn’t about public policy, it wasn’t about energy policy, it wasn’t about the best interests of British Columbians, it was about getting a project past the point of no return.” He approved the Site C Dam project anyway. In so doing, he joined the Canadian Government in sidestepping what may turn out to be the most crucial point in this debate. Should the BC & Canadian governments honour treaties?

Continue reading Should the BC & Canadian Governments Honour Treaties? →

Local Politics

The Liberal Challenger In North Island Riding

1 Comment

By Roy L Hales

While the NDP and Liberal parties battle it out throughout most of the province, on Vancouver Island the chief contenders in this election are the Greens and NDP. Their support is not uniform. Visiting Salt Spring Island a few days ago, I was struck by the overwhelming number of Green party lawn placards. There was more of a three party mix as I drove northwards along the coastal highway. By the time I reached Courtenay/Comox, there were even Conservative signs. A very different scenario emerged in Campbell River. One party’s placcards dominated the political lawnspace. I counted 24 signs bearing the incumbant NDP MLA, Claire Trevena’s name. The remaining five advertised the Liberal challenger in North Island riding, Dallas Smith.

Continue reading The Liberal Challenger In North Island Riding →

BC

Are the BC Liberals Better Fiscal Managers Than The NDP?

4 Comments

By Roy L Hales

The BC Liberals portray themselves as the party that brings economic stability and creates jobs. They claim the BC NDP and Green Party would introduce “reckless spending, higher taxes, and bigger government.” But, based on  their past performance, are the BC Liberals better fiscal managers than the NDP?

Continue reading Are the BC Liberals Better Fiscal Managers Than The NDP? →

BC

NDP Government Would Reduce Some Ferry Fares

2 Comments

By Roy L Hales

Everyone knows that B.C. Ferries is losing money. According to their press release last November, the supposedly “publicly owned company” was $1.2 billion in debt. Yet this morning Claire Trevena, the NDP critic for transportation, announced that an NDP Government would reduce some ferry fares.

Continue reading NDP Government Would Reduce Some Ferry Fares →