Sunday, 28 March 2004
Politics on the edge - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER - British Columbian politics is always entertaining, no matter who is in government. Scandal seems to befall every government, and embattled premiers seem to be the norm. This column has not set its gaze upon the goings-on in provincial politics for some time. Frankly, American politics, what with the impending election, as well as the war in Iraq, seemed more pressing. However, there has been a lot going on in that fair city in the last three months that some focus is deserved, if only for this dispatch.
2004 hadn't begun yet when scandal hit the BC Liberal government, as well as the Paul Martin Liberals in Ottawa, when the RCMP raided the BC Legislature. It seems that two executive assistants to two BC cabinet ministers, including the finance minister Gary Collins, were involved in some unseemly and certainly suspicious activity. Thus, the warrants on the Legislature were executed, and thus the BC public, no matter their affinity for Gordon Campbell's policies, naturally were absorbed by what was going on with those associated with the BC Liberal regime.
The tentacles of this latest scandal, also reverberated with another scandal surrounding a character named Doug Walls, someone whose financial improprieties have involved the authorities. This wouldn't have been half-bad had it not been for the fact that Walls was set to take over authority for a multi-million dollar service delivery program in the children and families ministry. This story was particularly interesting if for the fact that Walls was directly linked to the Premier.
This is all very interesting for the simple fact that this government when in opposition and when they became the government in 2001, promised and swore that they would not be as crooked as the other government, and that a spectre of openness and accountability would reign supreme. Alas, the promises that those were are thin. Some have considered the government the most closed, most secretive and ideological ever. Granted some of the things that the government has done are good, but with the moral compass of some of these MLA's and their associates, and this Premier himself, one wonders if they have the right to disparage their opponents especially the NDP so. Clearly, this government looks tender. Six months ago, the possibility of the NDP coming back to power was absurd. Now, though still far fetched, the NDP coming back into power five years hence looks more and more feasible.
And this past week, it did not get any better for both sides of the house when absurdities and silliness ran rampant. It began on Wednesday when Joy MacPhail, the NDP house leader, stood in question period to ask the status of one government backbencher and alleged misconduct on his part. The allegations were not repeated in other media, because they could be misconstrued as libellous. Richard Stewart, the MLA in question then denied the allegations saying there was no basis for them, and soon enough the Liberal government wanted to Joy MacPhail to apologise. She refused to on Thursday, and so as she was posing a question to the government, the entire cabinet walked out. Because no member of the Executive Council was present, the Speaker was forced to terminate question period.
MacPhail eventually apologised on Friday, though she noted the tough questions she was asking were being put in light of Elayne Brenzinger, a former BC Liberal MLA who resigned from the government after first being punished by her caucus leader, as well as impolite behaviour from the Premier himself.
The idea however that the government, and the cabinet especially would seize on this issue and not answer the opposition's question is absurd. Sure, MacPhail's allegations were unfounded and deserved an apology, as was evident with her acceptance of Stewart's statement to the contrary and her own subsequent apology. However, to take something so politically explosive and use that as a basis to shirk parliamentary responsibility is disappointing and boorish to the institution.
MacPhail would have been advised to back up her allegations before uttering them, inside the house where she has immunity or outside. Regardless, her actions have made her a lightening rod for criticism and instead of forcing the government to apologise on a cornucopia of issues, it's odd that the opposition is forced to apologise.
Understandably, the legislature is as she termed it, a pressure cooker. It's not an easy place to check ones emotions. The BC Liberals have more and more undermined the institution of Parliament. It started when this government came into office and the Speaker cited some obscure ruling thus denied the NDP official opposition status. That action clearly set the course for the political climate in the province. It put the opposition at a disadvantage, which clearly brought public sympathy onside, as well as polarised the province further irrespective of Gordon Campbell's extraordinary landslide win.
Magnanimity is not one of this Premier's strong suits, and this inconsiderate stance has rubbed off on his caucus colleagues. Perhaps British Columbians are better off today then when the NDP was in office, however articulating that message and winning over new voters is impossible in the political climate cultivated by this government, namely this Premier.
From the day the Campbell Liberals took office with their landslide, there was no question that they had nowhere to go but down. With the election just over a year away, it is obvious that much of the blood letting that will occur is not all because of attrition but political oversight, arrogance and churlishness on the part of the Premier and those around him. As one who has respect for those that engage in public life, I have no doubt that the Premier's motives are honourable, but from his lack of humility and his government's coarseness, the public is rightfully cynical and outright dismissive of anything coming out of the mouths of those associated with this government. It's a shame really, there's much work yet to be done.
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An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .