This page contains annotated news stories and press releases with commentary about land reform and the democratic process in British Columbia. Our comments are shown in red.
In the same week that Dogwood had NDP Forest Critic submit 2200 signatures asking for Coleman's resignation, the NDP are now singing good-buy to Coleman.
The latest rumors are the Rich Coleman will be shuffled out of the cabinet this summer.
Thanks for all who supported his resignation- It is time for a New Forest Minister.
The latest rumors are the Rich Coleman will be shuffled out of the cabinet this summer.
Thanks for all who supported his resignation- It is time for a New Forest Minister.
B.C. Liberals push new laws through
May 29, 2008
By Tom Fletcher
B.C. Liberal house leader Mike de Jong says the NDP dragged its feet on key legislation like the carbon tax in an effort to make the government look bad.
Tom Fletcher/Black Press
The B.C. legislature's spring session came to a bitter end Thursday, with the government using its majority to force through its carbon tax and new rules limiting campaign spending before next year's election.
In the final question period, opposition politicians attacked plans for a temporary emergency room extension at Royal Columbian Hospital, and then joined in a chorus of "Hey hey hey, goodbye" to Forests Minister Rich Coleman, predicting he will be part of a cabinet shuffle expected this summer.
On the legislature lawn, aboriginal protesters gathered as part of a national day of action that also included rallies in Prince George, Cranbrook, Keremeos, Merritt, Chilliwack and Vancouver. Speakers called for full recognition of aboriginal rights and title and questioned the sincerity of the government's "new relationship" efforts.
Finance Minister Carole Taylor said she is surprised that the NDP fought to the end against the carbon tax and also opposed legislation establishing a carbon cap-and-trade system for large industrial emitters of greenhouse gases.
"I think we'll look back at this time and see this as the turning point for B.C.," said Taylor, who will be replaced in finance because she isn't running for re-election next May.
NDP leader Carole James said the carbon tax, which comes into effect July 1 at 2.4 cents a litre for gasoline and similar levies on other fossil fuels, is unfair and ineffective. The NDP is opposing the cap-and-trade law because it is ill-defined, as the government waits for consensus with U.S. states and Manitoba under the Western Climate Initiative. Mainstream environment groups, unusually, support the Gordon Campbell government on it.
"The government says 'trust us, we'll take care of it'," James said. "We've seen what happens with this government when they say, 'trust us'."
B.C. Liberal house leader Mike de Jong blamed the NDP for dragging its feet and forcing the government to push through key legislation without clause-by-clause debate. He defended the election spending legislation, which critics say is to blunt the attacks of government unions that dominated the 2005 campaign.
De Jong said the opposition is divided on some bills, and delayed others in "a deliberate strategy" to make the government appear autocratic.
NDP house leader Mike Farnworth rejected that suggestion.
"We're not prepared to rubber stamp the government's agenda because they can't manage, or they don't want to have a fall session," Farnworth said.
He said he isn't concerned about the B.C. Liberals' continuing lead in public opinion polls, since the public knows the next election is still a year away.
"Whether it's the resignation of the solicitor general, whether it's the scandals at ICBC, whether it's the scandals at the lottery corporation, whether it's the arrogance of a government wanting to ram through legislation by closure, whether it's an election gag law to silence potential critics around election time, the public notices those things," Farnworth said. "And I think over the coming months you'll see that reflected in the polls."
Tom Fletcher/Black Press
The B.C. legislature's spring session came to a bitter end Thursday, with the government using its majority to force through its carbon tax and new rules limiting campaign spending before next year's election.
In the final question period, opposition politicians attacked plans for a temporary emergency room extension at Royal Columbian Hospital, and then joined in a chorus of "Hey hey hey, goodbye" to Forests Minister Rich Coleman, predicting he will be part of a cabinet shuffle expected this summer.
On the legislature lawn, aboriginal protesters gathered as part of a national day of action that also included rallies in Prince George, Cranbrook, Keremeos, Merritt, Chilliwack and Vancouver. Speakers called for full recognition of aboriginal rights and title and questioned the sincerity of the government's "new relationship" efforts.
Finance Minister Carole Taylor said she is surprised that the NDP fought to the end against the carbon tax and also opposed legislation establishing a carbon cap-and-trade system for large industrial emitters of greenhouse gases.
"I think we'll look back at this time and see this as the turning point for B.C.," said Taylor, who will be replaced in finance because she isn't running for re-election next May.
NDP leader Carole James said the carbon tax, which comes into effect July 1 at 2.4 cents a litre for gasoline and similar levies on other fossil fuels, is unfair and ineffective. The NDP is opposing the cap-and-trade law because it is ill-defined, as the government waits for consensus with U.S. states and Manitoba under the Western Climate Initiative. Mainstream environment groups, unusually, support the Gordon Campbell government on it.
"The government says 'trust us, we'll take care of it'," James said. "We've seen what happens with this government when they say, 'trust us'."
B.C. Liberal house leader Mike de Jong blamed the NDP for dragging its feet and forcing the government to push through key legislation without clause-by-clause debate. He defended the election spending legislation, which critics say is to blunt the attacks of government unions that dominated the 2005 campaign.
De Jong said the opposition is divided on some bills, and delayed others in "a deliberate strategy" to make the government appear autocratic.
NDP house leader Mike Farnworth rejected that suggestion.
"We're not prepared to rubber stamp the government's agenda because they can't manage, or they don't want to have a fall session," Farnworth said.
He said he isn't concerned about the B.C. Liberals' continuing lead in public opinion polls, since the public knows the next election is still a year away.
"Whether it's the resignation of the solicitor general, whether it's the scandals at ICBC, whether it's the scandals at the lottery corporation, whether it's the arrogance of a government wanting to ram through legislation by closure, whether it's an election gag law to silence potential critics around election time, the public notices those things," Farnworth said. "And I think over the coming months you'll see that reflected in the polls."
