Submitted by Jack McLeman
Former president of PADLC
CRAZY SEASON IN B.C.
The writ has been dropped and the B.C. election is officially underway. Many new and a lot of experienced politicians are vying for seats in our Legislature. The newbies will have ideals and intentions to do what
they think is best for the Province and their constituents. In the present Government ranks many have put their ideals aside as Premier Campbell insisted on toeing the "Party Line". I believe that my MLA must represent me to Victoria, not represent Victoria to me. During the first Campbell term we had a lot of the latter. Even a sitting government MLA should be able to speak out in the Legislature to represent the desires and needs of the constituency that sent him/her there.
One disillusioned MLA was Paul Nettleton, former Liberal MLA from Prince George. He was elected in 1996 and given the BC Rail critics job in opposition. Shortly after the 2001 election he was called in to a meeting
and told that the Liberals were breaking their promise to not sell B.C. Rail. We are now seeing that deal play out in court as the Government Crown finally let the case of David Basi and Bob Virk come to trial. We are
learning about the involvement of the Premier's office in fixing a deal with recently privatized CN Rail. We all know the safety concerns and accidents that have taken place since that give away took place. You can find out more by going to the blog at http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/ .
Combine this with all the over runs and unemployment caused by the Olympics and we don't have to look farther to decide that we have a totally incompetent government in place. Should they be trusted with the economy? I don't think so. It seems that no matter how many high ideals people have going in, Campbell won't let them speak up.
It is worth noting that the only province in Canada that did not post a deficit budget this year was the Manitoba NDP government.
RCMP ALLOWED TO FORM UNION
Congratulations to the members of the RCMP for being allowed to form a union. If they decide to do so we wish them all the best and invite them in the House of Labour. While they will always have to be impartial,
being able to speak up about their working conditions and pay cuts will make improve policing in Canada.
REMEMBER THE PROVINCIAL ALL CANDIDATE MEETING ON MAY 4TH