October 23, 2000
Elevated egos and an election - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- Yesterday morning, while Stockwell Day was ensconced with his family on the Sabbath, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien paid a visit to Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. Madame Clarkson, our fair dominion’s Governor General, received the Prime Minister at her opulent residence - Rideau Hall. Sounds big don’t it? Well, the Prime Minister’s digs, 24 Sussex Drive is just a street’s cross away. What then is the big deal? A federal election call.
Her Excellency, upon the Prime Minister’s advice dissolved the 37th Parliament and in effect rubber stamped a $200 million dollar election. An election campaign, that is simply a vanity election. Jean Chrétien’s election, because he’ll use it to ensure his place in history.
Some will call the election unnecessary. I believe that it is, but I am somewhat grateful that we’ll be able to express our democratic choice come November 27th. Over the next couple of weeks the pundits will wade in and discuss the concepts that will be discussed by the candidates. I’ll do the same, but right at this moment let me urge all of you that can vote - do vote on November 27th. For many this will be your first election. For me it will be. Regardless of the choice you make, you’d be a damned fool not to make a choice. So do vote.
On another topic, the world of British Columbian politics was somewhat shaken if not stirred on Friday. The RCMP announced that charges would be laid against former Premier Glen Clark, as to his involvement in the gain of a casino licence for the seedy North Burnaby Inn.
Up front, Glen Clark is a most arrogant man. His demeanour got him to where he is, whatever the hell that is, as history will determine that. I will admit I feel for his family as he goes through this tribulation. His private life has been rocked upside down, which is not helped by the fact the investigation has gone on for more than 20 months.
Glen Clark placed this province in the disastrous shape that it is in now. He has ruined his party, a party I once belonged to. The NDP, especially when I was part of it, was in such a state of low morale and division, it was clear it was the doing of one Glen Clark.
Now, the issue I want to bring to your attention today is the fact Premier Dosanjh has said, should Mr. Clark still have these charges before him, the NDP will not endorse his candidacy for his Vancouver-Kingsway seat. (You’ll also note, that Dosanjh, said “he” wouldn’t let Clark run. My eye brows are raised.)
Firstly, the fact this story has made the press is somewhat questionable. The press is probably trying harder than the opposition to paint the current administration with the scandal that is surrounding Glen Clark. I also believe that with the impending election less than 8 months to go, the fact this case will drag on for a long time is clear. Expediency is never the courts’ virtue, especially in a case like this.
Over the last couple of months, the debate over the powers of a political party’s leader has arisen. Rafe Mair has been fuelling this fire constantly on his program. The reason the leader’s leadership called into question is that most political parties in the nation, the major ones, all have their leader’s in high esteem, as the leader’s must sign the candidate’s nomination forms. See, it’s not enough for the local constituency association to endorse you. You must receive the leader’s signature. Now, that would lead to the party’s standing in the House. Should you screw up in the eyes of your leader, you’ll probably never run under that banner again, as the leader will not endorse you next time.
Ujjal Dosanjh, will face a barrage of criticism for this one. Will he appear dictatorial in not endorsing Glen Clark? Will he appear weak, letting a “criminal” run? It’s that old double edged sword. My guess is that Glen Clark will decide not to run. He’ll leave provincial politics, but his ghost will continue to annoy the NDP and BC.
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An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .