I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

As we continue looking at the provincial election and referendum campaign here in British Columbia, we talk now to Christopher Bennett. He is a former leader of the BC Green Party. He was succeeded by Jane Sterk, and has since become a member of the BC Liberal Party. We’ll discuss his move, and get his thoughts on the campaign thus far. Christopher Bennett is a public relations and media director. He also writes political speeches. His website is http://thecbennettblog.blogspot.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Christopher Bennett; Good morning, Mr. Bennett.

Christopher Bennett blog: http://thecbennettblog.blogspot.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

As part of our continuing BC election and referendum coverage, we will continue a tradition started in the last campaign of talking to the candidates from my own constituency of Vancouver Kensington. The riding covers Main Street from 16th to 49th avenues, Kingsway south from Fraser to Nanaimo streets. Invitations have gone out to all three of the candidates here, Mable Elmore of the NDP, Syrus Lee of the BC Liberals, and my guest now, the Green Party candidate Doug Warkentin. As of this morning, we have not heard back from the Syrus Lee campaign.

Doug Warkentin is a research engineer and environmental entrepreneur. He has been an active Green Party member, officer and candidate since 1996. He has run federally and municipally for the Greens in the past. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Doug Warkentin; Good morning, Mr. Warkentin.

Green Party of BC: http://www.greenparty.bc.ca

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

And now, more election talk and analysis with Michael Geoghegan. He is a government and media relations consultant. He’s served in government and is a frequent commentator on political matters. We first came across Mike, when he was a regular on the old Rafe Mair show with David Schreck. He continues to debate Schreck, Friday mornings on CFAX. He was a ministerial assistant to an NDP cabinet minister in their first term in the 1990s, and he later joined the BC Liberals. He is also a former president and CEO of the BC Construction Association. He is the owner of Michael Geoghegan Consulting in Victoria, where he joins me from this day. His website is www.mgcltd.ca. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Mike Geoghegan; Good morning, Mr. Geoghegan.

Michael Geoghegan Consulting: http://www.mgcltd.ca

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

My next guest is in a unique position to talk about provincial politics, especially in the midst of this current election and referendum campaign. She was elected to the legislature in 1991 as a BC Liberal, one of the youngest MLA’s ever. In 1996, she sought re-election for the Progressive Democratic Alliance. And in 2000, her husband Gordon Wilson had run to seek the leadership of the NDP. She’s hosted a current affairs program on television. And she’s been on before to talk federal politics, and now it’ll be good to see what she thinks of the current goings on provincially. She is the CEO of Tugboat Enterprises. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Judi Tyabji; Good morning, Ms. Tyabji.

Tugboat Enterprises: http://www.tugboatenterprises.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Vaughn Palmer joins me now. As we continue looking at the provincial election and referendum campaign, there’s no one better to talk to. He is the Vancouver Sun’s most popular columnist. You can read him on page 3 of the A section. He’s been at the Sun since 1973, and has written a political column since 1984 when he succeeded Marjorie Nichols. He hosts Voice of BC, Thursday nights on Shaw television. He has received the lifetime achievement award from the Jack Webster Foundation named after his mentor, Bruce Hutchison. I’m very pleased to welcome to Planta: On the Line program, Vaughn Palmer; Good morning, Mr. Palmer.

Vancouver Sun column: http://www.vancouversun.com/columnists/vaughn_palmer.html

Voice of BC: http://vancouver.shawtv.com/voiceofbc_mainpage.htm

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Jamie Lee Hamilton joins me now. She was one of the first guests on the program back in 2004, but it’s been four years since her last appearance. And it was during the last provincial election campaign. We’ll discuss this current election and referendum campaign now. The website is at http://www.downtowneastside.blogspot.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Jamie Lee Hamilton; Good morning, Ms. Hamilton.

Oldtown News: http://www.downtowneastside.blogspot.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

I’m really pleased that my next guest is joining us now. He is the long-time host of BC Almanac on CBC Radio One, Mark Forsythe. I used to rail against the CBC as it annoyed me for a number of years, but I have to admit I’ve gained a bit of a fondness and appreciation for it in the last year or so. Their local programming is terrific, and for local, national and international news, it’s great. I still listen to Imus, but BC Almanac is a regular listen of mine throughout the week. It’s a great view onto the province and the people therein. It’s a truly province-wide program, and there’s no better time to check in with its host, than now during this election and referendum campaign. Mark Forsythe is also the author of three previous books: British Columbia Almanac, and with Greg Dickson, The BC Almanac Book of Greatest British Columbians, and The Trail of 1858. The show airs in the Pacific time zone at noon to 2.00pm, on CBC Radio One. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Mark Forsythe; Good morning, Mr. Forsythe.

BC Almanac website: http://www.cbc.ca/bcalmanac/

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

We continue talking about the provincial election and referendum campaigns with Irwin Loy from the 24 Hours paper. We’ll discuss the leaders, the issues, and more, like how the John Van Dongen story over his licence being revoked will play. http://www.irwinloy.com is his website. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Irwin Loy; Good morning, Mr. Loy.

Irwin Loy website: http://www.irwinloy.com

24 Hours website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The Victoria Times-Colonist’s Paul Willcocks joins me now. He’s a columnist and editorial writer there. We’ll discuss the current provincial election and referendum campaigns and more. His blog where you can read all of his work is at http://willcocks.blogspot.com. He’s won a Jack Webster Award for Commentator of the Year, and his insights and observations have always been very welcome here, and elsewhere; he’s much sought after. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Paul Willcocks; Good morning, Mr. Willcocks.

Paul Willcocks website: http://willcocks.blogspot.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

It wouldn’t be an election in British Columbia if we didn’t check in with Rafe Mair. The legendary broadcaster and former Social Credit cabinet minister joins me now to discuss the election and referendum campaign thus far. He is the public face of the Save Our Rivers organisation, and yesterday spent the day campaigning with NDP leader Carole James. He is a regular columnist at The Tyee’s website, and is a regular panellist on CBC’s Early Edition. His website is www.rafeonline.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Rafe Mair; Good morning, Mr. Mair.

Rafe Mair website: http://www.rafeonline.com

Save Our Rivers website: http://www.saveourrivers.ca