In the fight against global climate change, we are currently approaching the endgame. The time for compromise has come and gone. A certain temperature increase is inevitable — already “locked in” — but if we are to have any chance of preventing runaway global warming and the destruction this would
Continue readingTag: BC Politics
Calgary Grit: No Bull
I watched bits of the BC Leaders debate last night, mainly out of curiosity to learn about soon-to-be Premier Adrian Dix and see the man in action. I wasn’t overly impressed, but I don’t think the BC NDP need an overly impressive leader to win what looks to be essentially
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Cowichan Co-operative Connections News-Release
COWICHAN CO-OPERATIVE CONNECTIONS NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Local Organization Calling for Government Support for Co-ops DUNCAN – Cowichan Co-operative Connections feels government could take on a bigger role in supporting the growth of co-operative businesses in British Columbia, and with a provincial election on the horizon, they are taking
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: I Hear that BCR Train a-Coming, It’s Coming Down the Track!
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger One of the longest, if not the longest controversy ever to hit BC, the BC Rail Scandal, will be examined following the election of Adrian Dix and the BC NDP. It is too bad that a proper invesigation was blocked by the BC Liberals, but then why
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: What the NDP Is and Isn’t Promising on the Environment
In the wake of the NDP’s Earth Day announcement unveiling its environmental platform in Kamloops, BC’s environmental movement has been falling all over itself in praise of the party sure to form the next provincial government. Environmentalist Tzeporah Berman, a vocal NDP critic in the last election, has now offered
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: The CVRD Is Attacking South Cowichan Rural Values Again!
Richard Hub Hughes-Political Blogger It is not very often that I get to tell nice stories about the CVRD and South Cowichan. Fact of life is that we just ricochet from one debacle to another. I did however post a fluffy piece the other day. Director Bruce Fraser and Director
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Hey CVRD! KEEP IT RURAL eh!
Richard ‘Hub’ Hughes- Political Blogger “You Are Being Rezoned” CVRD Bylaws Change Will Reduce Your Property Use Options! Shawna Meade caught wind of drastic CVRD rezoning efforts that were being undertaken to bring the zoning into compliance with the South Cowichan Official Community Plan. That was enough for her
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Party Positions on BC’s Carbon Tax
With the release today of the NDP’s fiscal plan in advance of the May 14 election here in British Columbia, we are now finally able to assess where the major parties — Liberals, New Democrats, Greens, and Conservatives — stand on the province’s carbon tax. In my opinion, there are
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Provincial Unrest
Alison Redford’s approval ratings have fallen to “Stelmachian” levels Angus Reid has released their quarterly Premier approval ratings. As per usual, Brad Wall is more popular than God, and everyone else is a little more human: Wall (SK): 64% approve, 28% disapprove Alward (NB): 41% approve, 50% disapprove Selinger (MB):
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Bring Your Boomers: How BC Candidates Fare on Climate Change
Although the writ for the upcoming BC election won’t be dropped for another two weeks (yes, this campaign has been going on forever), I had the pleasure yesterday of attending an all-candidates meeting on climate change organized by Gen Why Media. The forum seemed geared primarily towards the young ’uns,
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Cleaning Up Gordon Campbell’s Mess
According to every poll and every projection by every firm and every commentator, Christy Clark and her Liberal Party are about to be handed an unbalanced ass-whooping of the sort we British Columbians seem to enjoy dishing out to governing parties once every decade or so. Naturally, when this happens,
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Bill Routley Challenges BC Liberals Over Contaminated Soil Controversy
Here is a letter from MLA Bill Routley challenging Environment Minister Lake to step in and do the right thing for the residents of Shawnigan. Cowichan BC NDP MLA Bill Routley Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V IX4 Telephone 250.387.3655 Fax 250.3873468 bill.routley@leg.bc.ca Hon. Terry Lake Minister of
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Canadian Taxpayer Federation Exposed! In running for ‘Turfy Award’
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger You have to hand it to the ‘Right Wing Nuts.’ when. The smallest gaggle of true believers seem able to attracting funding and dispense their gospel broadly throughout the MSM without a murmur of questioning, measuring or guaging its’ accuracy or value. In Canada we are
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Let’s Vote For Better Schools! BCTF TV Advertising Is Pathetic!
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger I have watched the BCTF campaign ads over the years. They squander hundreds of thousands of dollars on some really well produced ads and then choke and say stupid things like ‘Vote for Education’ or ‘Vote for Smaller classrooms.” The BCTF’s latest is ‘Let’s Vote for Better
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Christy Clark Survives Leadership and Passes Budget
Richard ‘Hub’ Hughes- Political Blogger Speculation ran wild regarding Premier Clark’s grip on her leadership and whether or not the dissidents within her caucus would scotch the budget vote today. Bringing down her government and forcing an early election seemed a possibility 24 hours ago. Not so much now. The
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Will The BC Liberal Government Survive Today’s Budget Vote?
Richard Hughes Political Blogger Good Morning, The question swirling around Victoria this morning is whether or not Premier Christy Clark will be able to weather the storm ahead and whether or not the BC Liberal’s ‘Election Budget’ will pass. If it fails then the question of Christy Clark’s leadership will
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Premier Christy Clark Must Step Down-Martyn Brown Says.
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger Martyn Brown, Former Chief of Staff for Premier Gordon Campbell, has told Jon McComb, on ‘The World Today’ CKNW 980, that Premier Clark must step down. Premier Clark told legislative reporters, this afternoon, that she will have to take more actions possibly including resigning as Premier. The last
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Rafe Mair’s Prediction-Nothing Can Save The BC Liberals-Except Maybe The NDP
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger Rafe looks back at his own time as a Cabinet Minister in the Social Credit Government of the 80′s, past elections and endorses the BC NDP. It is not a without reservations love-in, just that compared to the alternatives in a first past the post election it
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: It is all over for Premier Christy Clark and the BC Liberals!
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger Like so many of you I have read the news of scandalous behavior coming from the Premier’s office and am still pouring over the media reports that have gone into orbit on this latest scandal. I will include this one from the National Post for now and
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Time To Reform Our Dysfunctional Legislature – Our Democracy Has Been Handcuffed
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger Watching ‘Question Period’ the other day what struck me once again was the dysfunctional performance of the legislature. The legislatures role has been diminished, often governments calling them into session only when they must to jam their legislation through. It is a critical element of a parliamentary
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