Tuesday, October 04, 2011

The Hypo-Christy of BC Liberals & business allies on municipal auditor-general when BC Auditor-General calls provincial bookkeeping "unacceptable"



BC Liberals anything but accountable as Auditor-general rips them over honesty, but Premier Christy Clark says it's municipal governments that need auditing
          
Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column

Tuesday October 4, 2011

By Bill Tieleman

"The true hypocrite is the one who ceases to perceive his deception, the one who lies with sincerity."

- Andre Gide, 1869-1951

At its best, political hypocrisy can be nothing short of astonishing.

Last week Premier Christy Clark set the gold standard for hypocrisy by calling for an auditor-general of municipal governments at the same the provincial auditor-general ripped her BC Liberal government for "unacceptable" accounting practices going back years!

Clark told delegates to the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention that her government would proceed with a new auditor-general for cities and towns, despite their opposition over a total lack of consultation.

But over in Victoria, provincial auditor-general John Doyle was telling the real story -- about Clark's government itself not reporting the books honestly to taxpayers.

Doyle pointed to a lack of transparency about over $80 billion worth of B.C. government contracts in private-public-partnerships or P3s, ranging from independent power producers to construction of the new Port Mann Bridge.

"In the auditing profession, a qualified audit report is a rare occurrence: it indicates to the users of the financial statements that some of the information is not auditable or is misleading," Doyle said.

"During the last 15 years, this office has issued qualified audit reports on the province's financial statements 12 times. For a government that strives for transparency and accountability, this is unacceptable."

Clark's answer to Doyle's body-slamming criticism: "Look over there! Municipal governments have no auditor-general! We're going to give them one!"

And even more amusingly, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon called the report a "somewhat esoteric debate on accounting principles."

Somewhat esoteric? B.C.'s auditor-general just called the government's performance "unacceptable"!

Oh, the coincidences!

But the hypocrisy gets better still, because two government allies made it even better.

First Phil Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, major BC Liberal Party donors, issued a poll just before Clark spoke to the UBCM that said the public supports a municipal auditor-general.

What surprising timing!

Then the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's B.C. branch comes out with its own support for reining in those evil municipal politicians with an auditor-general.

And to strike even more fear into city councils, the CTF is demanding they sign a "taxpayers pledge" to cut their own salaries if they increase property taxes beyond inflation without a referendum.

Who is promoting the CTF's cheesy demands? Why, none other than Jordan Bateman, the CTF's B.C. communications director who happens to be the former BC Liberal constituency association president for BC Liberal Energy Minister Rich Coleman! What a coincidence.

And then the Canadian Federation of Independent Business launches its own remarkably similar "taxpayers pledge" last week.

But amazingly, the ICBA, the CFT and the CFIB -- who are all so concerned about taxpayers -- have said absolutely nothing about the provincial government's "unacceptable" financial reporting.

And they all strongly supported the Harmonized Sales Tax despite their claims of concern for ordinary taxpayers, who voted to extinguish it in the August provincial referendum.

Could it be that the ICBA -- some of whose members are building the Port Mann Bridge -- doesn't want to criticize its biggest patron, the B.C. government? Nah!

Oh the omitted truths!

None of this stopped Non-Partisan Association mayoralty candidate Suzanne Anton and her team from immediately endorsing the CFIB pledge or the call for a municipal auditor-general.

And even more coincidence, my fellow 24 hours columnist Daniel Fontaine -- chief of staff to former NPA mayor Sam Sullivan -- pumped the ICBA poll just days after it was issued!

But let's see how both levels of government actually compare on accountability:

Municipal governments and school boards are required by B.C. law to balance their budget every year -- and that legislation was never repealed.

The BC Liberal government broke and then repealed its own balanced budget legislation, going $2.8 billion in debt.

Municipal governments must obtain the approval of taxpayers for all major capital expenditures in a binding referendum before proceeding.

The B.C. government has increased capital expenditures by $45 billion over the past 10 years -- all without a single referendum vote.

Municipal governments hold open council meetings on a mostly weekly basis where the public and media can attend. The B.C. cabinet holds weekly closed meetings where neither public nor media are allowed.

Municipal governments hold elections every three years on a fixed election date.

B.C. governments hold elections every four years on a fixed election date that the premier openly speculated for months she would break to call a fall election to her political advantage.

Municipal delegates voted overwhelmingly to reject B.C.'s idea of imposing an auditor-general on them without consultation, noting that position would be under the political control of the government.

The B.C. government has consistently ignored its own auditor-general's demands to make its books more transparent and accountable to the point that it is "unacceptable" to an independent officer of the Legislature.

The provincial auditor-general is an independent officer of the B.C. Legislature and does not report to the government of the day. The municipal auditor-general would not be independent and would be under B.C. government supervision.

I would have to say the local governments win this debate hands down.

Read the report

For those who really care about accountability, provincial auditor-general John Doyle's report makes for grim reading.

His section on "disclosure of contractual obligation" is nothing short of stunning.

"As Exhibit 7 shows, these contractual obligations have exceeded $50 billion since 2007, and increased to $80 billion in 2011," Doyle writes.

"Most of the 2011 increase is due to BC Hydro entering into long-term energy purchase agreements with independent power producers. However, few details on these agreements are provided by government," he drily notes.

For the BC Liberals and their friends to lecture anyone on accountability is unacceptable hypocrisy.

.

18 comments:

Ken in Victoria said...

I have only one comment at this time. That comment is that Mrs. Clark and the liberals for the last ten years have done so much to avoid transparency. Three PPP, BC Hydro,Ferries, Rail, ICBC Etc. In addition, they have abused the Auditor General, Freedom of Information and Child protector.Even MLA s are kept in the dark like mushrooms.
To conclude, the unelected Mrs. Clark must call an election. If asked, I feel many liberal MLA s feel the same. Lets allow the gentle voters to decide. Stick men, you are needed to shout out your message.

Anonymous said...

The NDP and many supporters including several here are filled with hyprocisy.

The HST as bad as it was had a fight initially led by an NDP stalwart, but this same stalwart did absoultely nothing to invoke the NDP to stop from raising taxes.

Many bloggers here have complained about corporate greed, yet they use Apple iPads, Microsoft software, Telus telephones and yes BC Hydro power, and drive corporate made vehicles, etc. etc.

The NDP is filled with hyprocrisy.

They did not want the Vancouver Convention centre buy yet had both their provincial leadership, their provincial convention and national convention there.

C'mon Bill come up with something new. It's always easy to complain, it is much harder to come up with workable solutions.


One only has to look at the hyprocrisy of those who protest.

Keith in America said...

Bill i totally agrue with you. wen u say things about others u must look at urself first. if u call out others on there mistakes u have to look at ur own mistakes frist. basically, christy is a hippo crite.

all i had to say on da topic... pz bill

Anonymous said...

Hi, heads up. I don't know how, but after Thanksgiving I want to start a second referendum - I want a 3 tier HST that resembles the original PST/GST and I want the 3 billion dollars earmarked for the return to the original PST/GST system.

Ken in Victoria said...

I have only two comments at this time. First of all my Spell Check works If any commenter's does not, get it fixed.
Next to the anonymous person at 7:52 PM today. You have peaked my interest. I will wait until after Turkey Day when more will be known.Positive comment.
Next, time I may have three comments to add!

Anonymous said...

Snore.... find a new topic, Bill. Journalism of the lowest quality, as usual.

Loko said...

Your article is right on, Bill. It is unfortunate that some of the commenters here cannot stay on topic, which is about the hypocrisy of the Libs calling for an Auditor General for Municipalities when they won't listen to their own Auditor General. Whatever happened to Campbell's "most transparent" government ever in BC? I guess that only applies to others, not to them! And the supporters of the Libs believe that if you keep bringing up the past (HST, FastFerries, etc) this will make them right. What they don't realize, is it only makes them look desperate. if you want your government to win again, tell them to start telling the truth and actually BE transparent.

Anonymous said...

Hi, heads up. I don't know how, but after Thanksgiving I want to start a second referendum - I want a 3 tier HST that resembles the original PST/GST and I want the 3 billion dollars earmarked for the return to the original PST/GST system.

Not going to happen. HST is being rescinded and going back to what the GST/HST was.

As for the 3 billion dollars it will be paid back in the way of reduced tranfser payments.

But good luck. Knew this was going to happen. Copy-cat referendums.

Wanting to cut in on Bill's glory.

Oh well, go ahead.

Anonymous said...

Your article is right on, Bill. It is unfortunate that some of the commenters here cannot stay on topic, which is about the hypocrisy of the Libs calling for an Auditor General for Municipalities when they won't listen to their own Auditor General

Hmm, just like the NDP complaining about the Vancouver Convention Centre and yet decide to go ahead and have two major events there?


And the supporters of the Libs believe that if you keep bringing up the past (HST, FastFerries, etc) this will make them right.

Fast Ferries were not a Liberal problem. They were an NDP problem.
Bill here saw the progress.


What they don't realize, is it only makes them look desperate.

Just as the NDP kept bringing up the past in regards to Social Credit? Every party does it.

Bill Tieleman said...

Someone with more time on their hands than common sense keeps trying to post under the name "cherylb" - despite that fact that the real cherylb has been posting under that name here for years.

Increasingly offensive and ridiculous comments under that name are not being posted - so give it up.

The real cherylb and I have a protocol to post any comment she wishes. No one else using that name to post will be published here.

Raymond said...

Bill, I realize that your primary agenda on this blog and in the "24 Hour" articles I read weekly is to publish anti-Liberal propaganda for your NDP & BCCon friends. Fine, whatever. But it's starting to get very tired. Even die-hard Liberal haters don't want to read the same re-hashed stuff week after week.

I notice on your twitter account that you're also very passionate about transit and sustainability, specifically in regards to Translink's funding plan. Now that a great (mostly) non-partisan an issue I think a lot of us can get behind. It's also an issue that needs more attention. If you could - even for just one week - put the propaganda aside and write an informative (non-partisan!!!) layman piece about Translink's situation, I think a lot of readers would really appreciate it. I for one would find it extremely refreshing. Who knows, it might even do some good.

Ken in Victoria said...

I now have three comments to add to this discussion. I hope they are on the subject.
To Anonymous at 8:46 am on Oct 5. I certainly agree with your comment.
Next, to Mr. Tieleman, I do not understand why some one or more are using the "cherylb" handle. Their stupidity is overwhelming. You bonafied readers did not need to be insulted by there actions. "Carry On" Bill.
Finally, I must comment on Oct 5ths Question Period. When asked to explain the cameras in court, both Mrs Clark and Mrs Bond demonstrated their need for an anger management course. They did not act as ladies. They did not address the question as to money is being wasted on a publicity. This is meant to hide the fact they wasted $6 million and more on BASI/Viki case, cut from courts services and now want to be seen as heroes. In asking questions, the Honourable Members of the NDP are both cool, calm and collective. How many liberal MLAs are ashamed of this two ladies.
Well I am in the mood, let me comment the the new minister replacing Mr. Bloy. She is as weak as water.Her appointment, in my opinion was not made because or a high IQ but that of being a visible minority.Note is comment is not meant to be personal but only state my opinion.

DPL said...

The BC Liberal lying continues. smiley face is King Gordo in a dress, showing some cleavage

Anonymous said...

While watching the Legislature on the telly. The NDP kept asking the Liberals to produce the Olympic debt numbers. I was totally astonished by, Hansen's silly juvenile behavior. The Liberals all laughed and giggled, by Hansen's silly remarks. He totally refused to answer a straight forward question. Campbell of course left the country, to avoid the Legislature.

Of course, when the NDP did pull the FOI papers on the Olympic debt, they were whited out.

Campbell's and Harper's plots of the Enbridge pipeline and the dirty oil tankers from China, were behind our backs. So did they plot the HST sting.

To me I don't like corporate greed either. In the manner of, corporations don't have to pay their fair share of taxes.

The BC Auditor-General didn't like the provincial bookkeeping? He has the right to say so. Bad provincial bookkeeping hurts all of us.

Bill Tieleman said...

Only Ms. "Hypo" Christy and the BC Lieberals would have the nerve to force municipalities to accept a provincially appointed auditor-general, while the provincial auditor-general is screaming about the poor job she and her government are doing with our finances.

This government is so arrogant it is absolutely breathtaking!

And now we're starting to see there is NO WAY she will be regaining the confidence of the electorate, so c'mon Christy! Call an election already! Let's get it over with. It will only get more painful the longer you put it off. 12% for the BC Conservatives? Wonder how high it will go?

Cherylb

Anonymous said...

Hi Bill. I'm seeing a lot about Occupy Vancouver this Saturday Oct 15th

http://occupyvancouver.com/

What is your take on this event? Will you be there?

Anonymous said...

When does unacceptable bookkeeping, become fraud? We are truly without "leadership", when a government forgets the fact that it is there, to serve the people and not itself. The system is broken and is in serious need of repair.
Just one more example, of power brokers trying to deflect the real problems,within their own organization.

Anonymous said...

When does unacceptable bookkeeping, become fraud? We are truly without "leadership", when a government forgets the fact that it is there, to serve the people and not itself. The system is broken and is in serious need of repair.

So run for political office and do something about it.

Crying isn't going to help.