TYEE ARTICLE: Railgate Bombshell: BC Gov't Ethics Scorched by Rail Firms

Angry bidders 'dismayed' by 'unfair' process in $1 billion privatization

View full article and comments here http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/03/03/BCRail/

By Bill Tieleman

Published: March 3, 2009

TheTyee.ca

Two major rail companies who dropped out of bidding on the $1 billion privatization of B.C. Rail angrily accused the BC Liberals of leaking vital secrets to the winning competitor and conducting an "unfair" process.

The allegations are contained in newly-released confidential government documents dating back to the time of the negotiations in 2003.

Canadian Pacific Railroad stated in a letter to Ken Dobell, Premier Gordon Campbell's senior deputy minister, that the "actual value of the bids" in the $1 billion privatization of B.C. Rail in 2003 were known by winning bidder Canadian National and others before the B.C. government made its decision.

And Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway dropped out of its role supporting the bid of OmniTRAX, writing in a letter that it was "extremely dismayed with the handling of the B.C. Rail Transaction.... because of the lack of fairness in which the process has been conducted." That letter was sent to CIBC World Markets managing director Alan Wallace, whose firm handled the B.C. Rail sale for the province.

CPR also dropped out of the bidding before CN was announced as the winner, calling the process "unfair" because it believed the B.C. government had leaked confidential B.C. Rail information to CN, giving that company a clear advantage in preparing its bid.

CN given advantage: CPR

The Nov. 17, 2003, letter from CPR vice-president of strategy and law Marcella Szel to Dobell says that its "market intelligence" showed "that CN was speaking directly to B.C. Rail shippers about their bid, with what we must consider the approval of the [B.C. Rail] Evaluation Committee, since the confidentiality agreement clearly stated no such discussions were to be held without consent."

"This feedback included the marketplace being aware of the actual value of the bids," Szel wrote to Dobell, just eight days before the B.C. government announced the sale of B.C. Rail to CN.

The letters are part of 8,000 pages of documents ordered released by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett last week in response to a court application filed on behalf of New Democratic Party MLA Leonard Krog.

Bennett also ordered that the documents be made available to media and the public for review but not photocopying at the court's Criminal Registry, where I obtained the information, taking notes in longhand for the Tyee and 24 hours newspaper.

[Applications to make photocopies must be decided by Bennett in court, which does not sit until March 9, including serving notice to lawyers for the B.C. government, B.C. Rail, the Special Prosecutor and the defence -- about 10 in total.]

The information was obtained through Freedom Of Information requests by defence counsel acting for David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi, three former government aides facing corruption charges related to the sale of B.C. Rail.

CPR sent the letter to Dobell three days after a Vancouver Sun story Nov. 14, 2003, speculated CN would be announced as the winning bidder -- a story that CPR says the government leaked.

"...Late on Thursday November 13, when we received an email from the CIBC advising us that they had 'commenced detailed discussions with one of the proponents.' It is now hard to believe that CPR would have been provided such clarification had the government parties in the process not been aware of the planned story in the Vancouver Sun and CIBC had not also been made aware of CPR's knowledge of CN's activities," Szel wrote Dobell.

'Irreparable impacts': Burlington Northern

For its part, BNSF was also furious with both the government and CIBC World Markets.

"We have been advised that the chosen proponent was provided, as early as the first half of October, with information from B.C. Rail including confidential inter-rail division information involving BNSF customers and business flows," reads a Nov. 24, 2003, letter from Peter Rickershauser, Burlington Northern Santa Fe vice president network development, to Allan Wallace, managing director of CIBC World Markets, and copied to senior bureaucrats, including deputy minister of Provincial Revenue Chris Trumpy and B.C. Rail chair John McLernan.

"Disclosure of such information to a competitor of BSNF places BSNF at a distinct competitive disadvantage, with irreparable negative financial impacts to our company and customers," Rickershauser complained.

In an earlier letter to Wallace dated Nov. 18, 2003, Rickershauser blasted CIBC World Markets with both barrels:

"I and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway are extremely dismayed with the handling of the B.C. Rail Transaction, especially in recent weeks as managed by CIBC World Markets. Our dismay arises because of the lack of fairness in which the process has been conducted so far, the apparent favoritism of certain bidders, and the lack of timely information provided to all participants involved in the process," Rickershauser wrote.

"Reports and rumours of CN talking directly with B.C. Rail shippers and communities have been circulating for several weeks in shipper, government and media circles.... In fact, reports from shippers indicate that CN has been discussing what it will or will not do when it is awarded the B.C. Rail concession." Rickershauser concluded.

'Process fundamentally flawed': BNSF

BNSF vented its spleen again in a Nov. 19, 2003 letter to OmniTRAX president Dwight Johnson telling him that it was withdrawing its support for the OmniTRAX bid for B.C. Rail.

"It is with much regret that I inform you that Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company has decided to terminate the support we have provided to OmniTRAX Inc. in its efforts to obtain the B.C. Rail concession," Rickershauser wrote.

"As you know, BNSF has continually been frustrated by the lack of information, processes, and independence and candor of CIBC, as well as confirmed reports from CIBC advising that one of the other proponents has been selected to receive additional information as well as present information on their bid to shippers and others. Based upon these facts, BNSF cannot afford to spend any more time on this futile venture," he wrote, adding that the decision was "not a negative reflection" in any way on OmniTRAX.

"...Recently, however, the facts surrounding the bidding process which have came to light have illustrated that the process is fundamentally flawed because of the lack of credibility and ethics surrounding it," Rickershauser said. "The last straw was recent reports that have illustrated the blatant favoritism shown to one of the bidders (recently announced as a chosen 'proponent'). All of this leaves BNSF with no other option than to withdraw from the process."

Although it was known at the time of the bid announcement that both CPR and OmniTRAX had concerns about the process, the allegation by CPR that CN and others knew the "actual value of the bids" has never before been made public, nor have the letters from BNSF denouncing the government and CIBC World Markets.

The Vancouver Sun obtained some letters from CPR to Premier Gordon Campbell's office through FOI requests in March 2004, forcing the government to admit for the first time that confidential information was leaked to CN.

But Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon said at the time it was "an accident" that had no impact on the fairness of the process.

It's clear from the additional letters now made public that neither CPR nor BNSF believe the leaking was anything but deliberate.

The newly-released documents examined so far also show that CIBC World Markets response to the complaint letters primarily consisted of reminding the former bidders to honour their confidentiality agreements.

Dobell assailed for press report

CPR's Marcella Szel pulls no punches in her Nov. 17, 2003 letter to Ken Dobell, which is presented here in full.

"The story appearing in Friday's Vancouver Sun speculating on the outcome of the BCR sale was no surprise to CPR. Our market intelligence in the weeks prior to the story was that CN was speaking directly to BCR shippers about their bid, with what we must consider the approval of the [B.C. Rail] Evaluation Committee, since the confidentiality agreement clearly stated no such discussions were to be held without consent."

"This feedback included the marketplace being aware of the actual value of the bids. During the time we believe CN was talking to BCR customers, CPR was asked by the designated CIBC process representative if we would extend our bid to accommodate more study of all bids. We agreed to do so."

"There was no indication that one of the bidders would receive preferred access to BCR's shippers or other information on the railway's operation until late on Thursday, November 13, when we received an email from the CIBC advising us that they had 'commenced detailed discussions with one of the proponents.'"

"It is now hard to believe that CPR would have been provided with such clarification had the government parties in the process not been aware of the planned story in the Vancouver Sun and CIBC had not also been made aware of CPR's knowledge of CN's activities."

"This clear breach of general process fairness and a violation of the intent of the specific process established and communicated by the Evaluation Committee."

'CPR at risk of losing existing business'

Szel went on to say that the consequences for CPR are: 1) lack of fairness; 2) that the marketplace was aware of CN's presence and "judged CPR to be naïve and out of the process loop when we stated we were unable to discuss the process or comment on the information that they were conveying due to our obligation to adhere to confidentiality agreements in place; 3) "CPR is at risk of losing existing business or being disadvantaged in attracting new business."

Despite the bitterness of the letter, Szel still offers to "discuss with you how the British Columbia government can re-establish this kind of confidence with the CPR."

It appears unlikely that was easily accomplished, if at all.

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CN, others knew "actual value of bids" for BC Rail before $1 billion privatization, CP Rail alleges in confidential government documents

B.C. Rail bids known: CP

By BILL TIELEMAN, 24 HOURS March 3, 2009

Canadian Pacific Railway alleged that the "actual value of the bids" in the $1-billion privatization of B.C. Rail in 2003 were known by winning bidder Canadian National and others before a decision was made by the B.C. government, according to newly released confidential government documents.

The explosive allegation was made in a letter to Ken Dobell, Premier Gordon Campbell's then-Deputy Minister, on Nov. 17, 2003 - just eight days before the sale of B.C. Rail to CN was announced.

The letter is part of 8,000 pages of documents ordered released by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett last week in response to an NDP court application.

The information was obtained through Freedom Of Information requests by defence counsel acting for David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi, three former government aides facing corruption charges related to the sale of B.C. Rail.

CPR dropped out of the bidding, calling the process "unfair" because it believed the B.C. government leaked confidential B.C. Rail information to CN, giving that company a clear advantage in preparing its bid.

The letter from Marcella Szel, CPR vice-president strategy and law, says that its "market intelligence" showed "that CN was speaking directly to B.C. Rail shippers about their bid, with what we must consider the approval of the [B.C. Rail] Evaluation Committee, since the confidentiality agreement clearly stated no such discussions were to be held without consent."

"This feedback included the marketplace being aware of the actual value of the bids," Szel told Dobell.

The letter was sent three days after a Vancouver Sun story Nov. 14, 2003 speculated CN would be announced as the winning bidder - a story that CPR says the government leaked.

The documents show that both CP Rail and Burlington Northern Santa Fe - which was supporting the bid of OmniTRAX - sent letters to the B.C. government in November 2003 bitterly denouncing the leak of confidential B.C. Rail information to Canadian National, the eventual winning bidder.

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Arrogant BC Liberal government lets Basi-Virk lobbyists do anything - including contacting Deputy Attorney General despite BC Legislature Raid

Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column

Tuesday March 3, 2009

Libs' arrogance on full display

By BILL TIELEMAN

When spiderwebs unite, they can halt even a lion.

- African proverb

Will the B.C. Liberal government get caught by more and more spiderwebs uniting?

The release last week of 8,000 pages of confidential government documents related to the 2003 B.C. Legislature raid and the B.C. Rail corruption trial of three former B.C. Liberal aides certainly makes that far more likely.

That's because these documents show a government that arrogantly presumes there is no difference between its interests and those of the B.C. Liberal Party, no separation between public policy and political goals.

It's stunning that lobbyists Jamie Elmhirst and partner Brian Kieran had no hesitation in contacting B.C.'s Deputy Attorney General Allan Seckel - even addressing him as "Dear Allan" in an April 2005 e-mail - despite the fact that their Pilothouse Public Affairs office had been searched by the police for evidence in the B.C. Rail case.

Their former Pilothouse partner - Erik "Spiderman" Bornmann - had already long turned key Crown witness against David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi - the three ex-aides facing serious corruption charges.

At some point Kieran also became a Crown witness. And I broke the story that Elmhirst had been subpoenaed in 2006 to testify in the trial months before he stepped down as the federal Liberal Party of Canada's B.C. branch president.

Bornmann and Kieran are alleged in police documents to have paid David Basi and Virk money in exchange for confidential B.C. Rail documents while the two lobbyists were working for OmniTRAX, one of the bidders for the Crown corporation.

Kieran has said that released police information might "lead to assumptions" that wouldn't be made if the full facts were available. And none of them have been charged. Fair enough.

But why was it "business as usual" for Kieran and Elmhirst, who continued their business under the name K&E Public Affairs after the B.C. Legislature raid?

And were Bornmann and Kieran, as Virk's lawyer Kevin McCullough alleged in court in April 2007, allowed by the RCMP and the Crown to continue their lucrative lobbying business even after disclosing that they had "made serious bribes" to the two aides to obtain government information on the B.C. Rail deal? The B.C. Lobbyist Registry shows Kieran having contracts through December 2006.

Let's be clear - Allan Seckel is not at fault here - certainly there's no record he even responded to their improper e-mail.

No, the fault is with a government and party that have cultivated an arrogant environment where lobbyists can do no wrong so long as they support the B.C. Liberals, where lobbying regulations are worthless, where even the premier's deputy minister Ken Dobell becomes an unregistered lobbyist.

Spiderwebs, lots more spiderwebs - perhaps 8,000 of them.

Alayne Keough - rest in peace

David Hopgood and Alayne Keough

I am very sad to report that my good friend Alayne Keough passed away from lung cancer this afternoon.

Many readers of this blog will know Alayne, or know of her. She was a fierce advocate for Vancouver's poor, a spirited New Democrat, a great cook and proud mother.

Alayne bravely faced a devastating cancer with both determination and realism.

Shirley and I just had a wonderful dinner with her and her husband David on Saturday night - we are shocked by her sudden loss despite knowing the cancer was taking her from us all.

I will post details of a memorial service when it is arranged.

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BC Legislature Raid lobbyists whose offices searched in 2003 sent personal "Dear Allan" email to Deputy Attorney General Allan Seckel in April 2005

Lobbyists sent e-mail to deputy AG

24 Hours Exclusive

By BILL TIELEMAN, 24 HOURS

B.C.'s Deputy Attorney General was directly contacted by his first name in a 2005 e-mail from two lobbyists whose offices were searched by police in the B.C. Rail corruption investigation during the police raid on the B.C. Legislature in 2003, confidential government documents reveal.

Deputy Attorney General Allan Seckel received an e-mail - addressed "Dear Allan" - on April 30, 2005 from Jamie Elmhirst, a lobbyist who was partners with key Crown witnesses Erik Bornmann and Brian Kieran.

Police searched Pilothouse Public Affairs offices in December 2003 before corruption charges were laid against government aides David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi in 2004.

New Democratic Party MLA Leonard Krog, whose B.C. Supreme Court application made 8,000 pages of government documents public, calls the e-mail "very concerning."

Shawn Robins, Attorney General's ministry spokesperson, said Seckel "might know Jamie Elmhirst and he might have met Brian Kieran" but that there was no relationship with them.

"Other than to say that they're entitled to reach out to deputy ministers, it's just a pro forma business contact," said Robins. "They probably had a list of deputy ministers and sent it to them."

Kieran and Bornmann are alleged in court documents to have provided money to David Basi and Virk, two ex-ministerial assistants charged with allegedly leaking confidential government information on the $1 billion privatization of B.C. Rail to Pilothouse, which was retained by losing bidder OmniTRAX.

Neither Bornmann, Kieran, Elmhirst nor OmniTRAX face any charges.

Elmhirst wrote Seckel to tell him that he and Kieran were "proud to announce a re-branding our public affairs partnership" and ask Seckel to "update your contact records." The next five pages of documents are blanked.

Justice Elizabeth Bennett ordered Wednesday that the NDP, media and public have access to confidential documents obtained by defence counsel through Freedom Of Information requests.

24 hours was the only media outlet to access them Friday, the first day they were available, at the court.

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REVEALED: BC Liberal Ministerial Assistants secret orders to ensure cabinet ministers avoid answers, spin the media

Few answers, lots of spin

By BILL TIELEMAN, 24 HOURS

B.C. Liberal government ministerial aides are under strict orders when the B.C. Legislature is in session and rule No. 1 is to not provide answers to the opposition in Question Period and spin the media, a newly released confidential government document shows.

"It's Question Period, not Answer Period," reads an internal government document titled House Review: A Day In The Life dated January 2007.

"Answer the best you can each time, every time. But if you can't, ATTACK!! NDP record, evidence of internal conflict, etc ...." the document instructs ministerial assistants to B.C. cabinet ministers.

UPDATE: My 24 hours Sean Holman has a fascinating video scrum at his Public Eye Online website of B.C. Liberal House Leader Mike de Jong reacting to this story - don't expect much illumination though. Sean also gets a non-comment response out of Attorney General Wally Oppal - who uses the same excuses as de Jong that the "matter is before the courts" - but the scrum is entertaining!

House Review also details how cabinet aides and other government staff are expected to influence reporters to keep them from writing about controversial issues raised in Question Period by the opposition.

A section titled: "10 A.M. - The News Blitz" says: "This is our chance to get to the media while they are still thinking about their lead - give them something else to write on so they aren't pressured to write on QP [Question Period]."

There are: "Several options for 10 a.m. blitz: 1) Legislation; 2) News Releases; 3) Comment on issues already on media radar."

House Review is part of 8,000 pages of confidential government documents ordered released by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett Wednesday in response to an NDP court application.

The information was obtained through Freedom Of Information requests by defence counsel acting for David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi, three former government aides facing corruption charges related to the $1-billion sale of B.C. Rail.

Bennett also ordered that the documents be made available to media and the public for review but not photocopying at the court's Criminal Registry.

The document states in a "Question Period" section that: "Ministers are judged on the three Cs: Competence - we know the file better than the critics; Confidence - we are sure of our position; Control - we are clear in our communication."

The "Question Period" section also outlines how cabinet ministers are backed up by staff in several locations so they can answer opposition inquiries quickly.

"Speed Kills - one person in 223 [Room 223 in the Legislature, presumably], one in the office, so that info can get into the chamber," the unsigned document reads.

The media spin doctoring continues following Question Period, according to another section titled: "3 p.m. The Hallway" - regarding media questioning of ministers and opposition in the hallway outside the Legislature Chamber.

"The halls are Round 2 - if QP goes well, it's the NDP's 2nd Chance. If QP goes bad it's our chance for clean-up," House Review says. "The halls will NEVER be a good substitution for a good QP performance."

The newly released documents also include detailed briefing notes for Campbell prior to interviews with columnists Vaughn Palmer of the Vancouver Sun and Michael Smyth of the Province newspapers and for talk radio show interviews.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NOT PUBLISHED IN 24 HOURS

House Review outlines in detail what happens in the hallway after QP: “Jason, Dale, Caucus and PAB work the halls – follow their lead, stay in contact if you are the flavour of the day. Find out what the NDP is saying and distributing. Assess best mitigation techniques, including whether to keep your Minister in the House or bring them out on cue.”

“Dale” would appear to be Dale Steeves, Premier Gordon Campbell’s Communications Director. “Jason” may be Jason Keenan, Campbell’s former Legislative Support Officer. PAB is the Public Affairs Bureau, the government’s communications arm.

“We can use the halls to mitigate their attacks,” House Review continues. “1) Distribute paper that refutes their claims….2) Provide balancing data to supplement their stories – usually contrasting information; 3) Send the minister back out to take another round of interviews with media.”

House Review says the government’s day starts with an 8:15 a.m. House Meeting: “Smaller meeting with PO [Premier’s Office], Leader’s Office, Caucus and Whip’s Office – may introduce PAB into discussions. Final decisions on QP angles. Final decision on the 10 a.m. News Blitz.”

Kevin Falcon's A Bridge Too Far - $3 billion Public-Private-Partnership Port Mann bridge deal collapses! BC taxpayers to go it alone

Breaking news - BC Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's much-vaunted $3 billion Public-Private-Partnership deal to build a new Port Mann bridge has collapsed - leaving BC taxpayers to pick up the entire project.

Falcon announced late Friday that the province could not reach a deal with a private consortium that was going to build the new 10-lane bridge - with a rapidly expanding budget that jumped from $1.5 billion to $3 billion in just eight months.


“We would've liked to have gotten to an agreement," said Falcon. "We had a memorandum of agreement, but ultimately we were not able to come to closing terms, and that's just life."

Falcon claims that any cost overruns or construction delays will be the responsibility of Peter Kiewit and Sons and Flat-Iron Constructors Canada, the two contractors.

But the news has drawn fire from both the NDP and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

"If you can't get financing for this kind of a project, where there's a guaranteed source of revenue over a lengthy period of time, what project can you get financing for?" said NDP Finance critic Bruce Ralston. "So we're back to government financing, but we've been delayed for years by this minister's stubborn insistence on doing it a different way, which has completely failed."

Canadian Taxpayers Federation BC director Maureen Bader calls the government's approach "too risky."

"If it's too risky for a private sector company then it's also too risky for the taxpayers," said "So I think now is not the time to be going forward with these projects — to increase the debt even more than what we are already looking at. "

After an initial all private deal also fell through, BC announced it was going to provide one-third of the financing while a group of private developers was slated to provide the remaining two-thirds.

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BASI-VIRK - NDP wins access to 8000 pages of documents related to BC Rail privatization in Supreme Court of BC decision today

UPDATED 4:20 P.M.

The New Democratic Party opposition won a big legal victory in BC Supreme Court today when Justice Elizabeth Bennett ruled that they - and the public - could have access to 8,000 pages of government documents related to the privatization of BC Rail.

The documents contained in 15 binders had been obtained by defence counsel for three former BC Liberal government aides facing corruption charges connected to the 2003 BC Rail deal - David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi.

The documents will take some time to photocopy but should be available in the court registry by this afternoon.

UPDATE - The government documents ordered released by the court will not be available until Thursday due to the length of time needed to photocopy them.

NDP MLA Leonard Krog said outside court that the public deserved to see details of what he called a "giveaway" of BC Rail before the May 12 provincial election.

"We're getting 15 binders of documents that hopefully will cast some light on what I believe is the giveaway of a crown asset that led to criminal charges," Krog said.

But Krog said the BC government could release far more documents if it chose to, including two more binders of BC Rail company information that Bennett today declined to release to the NDP.

"The body that is holding back documents is the government of British Columbia," he said. "BC Rail can release those documents if they wish. The fact that this case has gone on so long is entirely the fault of the provincial government."

Krog said the Gordon Campbell government was using "entirely political" moves to keep the facts from the public.

"Bleak House by Charles Dickens doesn't begin to compart to this fiasco," Krog concluded, referring to the classic novel about a long-running legal dispute that was a criticism of the British judiciary system at the time.

A shorter version of this story will run in Thursday's 24 hours newspaper.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.

The successful NDP legal application was brought to court by lawyer Mike Mulligan. In court Mulligan told Bennett that: "There should be a presumption of openness in court, including pre-trial hearings."

Bennett was unimpressed, replying: "This courtroom has been very open. There have been very few publication bans. Disclosure [of evidence to the defence] is not something the public generally has access to."

Defence lawyer Michael Bolton, representing David Basi, argued successfully in court for the exclusion of two documents in the 8,000 pages.

"It's communication between a lobbyist and Mr. Basi with regard to some Liberal Party matters," Bolton told Bennett. "It has relevance to these proceedings - I can tell from the date of it."

"I have concern with it being available prior to the trial because it affects Mr. Basi's right to a fair trial," Bolton said. This particular document will be relevant to cross-examinatino of one of the key Crown witnesses."

Bolton did not mention any names but former BC lobbyists Erik Bornmann and Brian Kieran, partners in the now defunct Pilothouse Public Affairs, are both testifying for the Crown and are alleged to have provided benefits to David Basi and Bob Virk in exchange for obtaining confidential government information. Neither Bornmann nor Kieran face any charges.

Bornmann and Kieran were retained as lobbyists by OmniTRAX, one of the two bidders for BC Rail. OmniTRAX has denied any knowledge of their actions and is not under investigation.

Bolton also received Bennett's approval to have a second document removed from the release.

"Binder 3, Tab 3, page 29 is a discussion between Mr. Basi and his previous counsel, Mr. Considine, regarding his employment," Bolton told the court. "It would not normallly be released under the Act. It involves employment history."

Outside court Bolton said that the information obtained by defence counsel through FOI requests that will be made public has much to do with the BC Rail privatization.

"There are a huge volume of documents that will illuminate aspects of the BC Rail deal - it doesn't affect the fair trial rights of Mr. Basi," he said in an interview.

The court adjourned until the next pre-trial session, scheduled to being March 9 with arguments over parliamentary privilege issues and disclosure of documents.

Lawyer Frank Falzone will be representing the Speaker of the BC Legislature, the Clerk and the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Forget the Oscars! Here are the Academy of Political Pundit Arts and Sciences awards to local, BC and federal politicians!

Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column

Tuesday February 24, 2009

And the award goes to ...

By BILL TIELEMAN

The Academy Awards are obscene, dirty ... no better than a beauty contest.

- Dustin Hoffman

Welcome to the Academy of Political Pundit Arts and Sciences award ceremonies!

The Oscars were Sunday night but the achievements of local, B.C. and federal politicians are being awarded right here and now!

Our first category: The Best Unbelievably Out Of Touch Performance By A Provincial Politician.

The envelope please ... and the winner is: WALL-Y - the story of an animated B.C. Attorney-General Wally Oppal who fails miserably to deal with crimes committed by an overwhelming amount of human garbage on the streets of Metro Vancouver.

Our next category: The Best Urban Disaster Movie.

And the winner is: Milked, about how anout-of-control civic politician - played by former Non-Partisan Association Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan - takes taxpayers to the cleaners by having city council secretly finance an out-of-cash developer building the Olympic Village.

Don't miss the big- budget blockbuster sequel - titled Olympic Village of the Damned - starring Vision Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and a cast of millions - opening for two weeks in February 2010!

Speaking of the Olympics, our next category is Best Totally Underestimated Expense Claim.

The winner - Slumdog Billionaire, starring Colin Hansen as the B.C. Finance Minister who inexplicably budgets only $175 million for Olympic Winter Games security costs - and then acts completely shocked when the real total turns about to be $1 billion! An unbelievable performance!

Moving along, our next category is Best Non- Supporting Actor In A Crime Drama.

And the winner is The Slow Reader, with an absolutely unconvincing performance by Solicitor General John van Dongen as the politician who is supposed to be B.C.'s top cop during a gang war with thugs shooting up shopping malls in broad daylight.

Van Dongen won with monotone speeches about getting tough on crime, without actually taking any action.

Next up: The Best Unelected Government We Never Had award.

And the winner is ... Revolutionary Road, about a radical attempt to take over the government of Canada without actually winning an election!

It stars former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion in his last public role, with New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton in a supporting role and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe in an uncredited cameo appearance.
And our last category - Best Taxpayer Fantasy Story.

The winner is ... Debt - with Kevin Falcon starring as the B.C. transportation minister whose new Port Mann bridge project doubles in price to $3 billion in just eight months - without a single shovel touching the ground! Amazing!

Falcon's sequel, For Whom the Bridge Tolls, has a special admission price of $3 to get in - and $3 to get out as well!

And that's our show - good night!

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NDP Opposition lawyer asks Basi-Virk judge to release FOI documents related to BC Rail privatization

A lawyer representing the New Democratic Party Official Opposition has asked BC Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett to release up to 8,000 pages of documents that defence lawyers in the BC Legislature Raid have obtained through Freedom of Information requests.

Lawyer Mike Mulligan appeared in court Thursday to ask Bennett to release to the opposition documents lawyers for David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi - the three former BC Liberal government aides facing corruption charges - have received through FOIs.

Bennett appeared unhappy with Mulligan's request, saying that it could disrupt trial proceedings but agreed to consider it. She is expected to make a ruling on February 25, after Robert Deane, a lawyer representing BC Rail, has an opportunity to review the material and see if his client has any objections to its release.

While Virk's lawyer Kevin McCullough said nothing in 15 binders of FOI documents would jeopardize his client's right to a fair trial, both the defence and Special Prosecutor were opposed to Mulligan's application, saying it would require many hours of photocopying.

I was unable to attend the pre-trial hearing today but have been informed about the proceedings from reliable observers.

There are also accounts online from the Vancouver Sun's Neal Hall and Robin Mathews of Vive Le Canada and The Legislature Raids blog.

NDP MLA Leonard Krog said in an interview with me this evening that the information it has requested could shed light on what happened in the BC Rail deal.

"The opposition is hopeful that some of the truth about the sale of BC Rail will come to light as a result of this application," Krog said. "British Columbians deserve to know the truth before the May 12 election."

Arguments on release of other FOI-requested documents continues in court this week and next.

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Outrageous gang violence demands action from Attorney-General Wally Oppal and BC government - stop the killing!

Police at scene of latest shooting death Monday morning - young woman gunned down with 4-year-old child in back seat at 10 a.m. in Surrey

UPDATE TUESDAY - Another young man shot to death in a hit on Fraser Street in Vancouver!

Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column

Tuesday February 17, 2009

Play your role in ending the violence

By BILL TIELEMAN

This violence is unanswerable. The fact these people are out on bail, it's unanswerable. It's an outrage.

- Steve Brown, anti-gang violence advocate

Understand one thing clearly about the B.C. government's announcement of measures to fight gang violence last week: The only reason anything happened is because of you, the public.

The heat on B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal - the guy who said two weeks ago that our "streets are safe" - got so seriously turned on that now he's talking about "an unparalleled wave of violence" - and it's about time.

B.C. Solicitor General John van Dongen said Friday: "No more gangs. No more guns. No more innocent victims."

Great news, but it won't happen - not with the $69 million over three years to add 168 "police specialists" and 10 extra prosecutors the government is promising.

Ending gang violence is a lot tougher than holding a flashy news conference and showing off assault rifles seized the past few years.

Gangsters facing serious gun and drug charges have to be kept in jail, not on bail.

Judges have to impose tough sentences for gun crimes and gun possession, not accept plea bargains that let criminals out of jail in weeks or months.

Prosecutors have to resist plea bargains and convict criminals on serious charges that draw longer custody time.

Premier Gordon Campbell, Oppal and van Dongen have to take continuous action - not just when deadly shootings occur.

And you - the public - have to keep the pressure on politicians until they do the right thing.

So I am thrilled that since last week's column almost 1,000 people have joined my Facebook online protest group called: "Where's Wally? BC Attorney General Oppal has 30 days to end gang violence."

It's inspired by Steve Brown, whose brother-in-law Ed Schellenberg was gunned down execution-style in the October 2007 Surrey apartment massacre - an innocent victim along with Chris Mohan - both in the wrong place when drug-related gang violence erupted.

Steve has spoken out against the lack of government action - and gave Wally Oppal until March 7 to do something.

So go to http://www.facebook.com/ and type the title in the search box to get there.

Here's how public pressure works: NDP MLA Mike Farnworth proposed on Jan. 22 that body armour being used by gangsters be made illegal. Van Dongen then called Farnworth's idea: "Grossly simplistic ... politics and grandstanding."

"I don't know what difference Mike Farnworth's private member bill would make," van Dongen concluded.

But on Friday what was one key part of the government's seven-point plan?

Outlawing body armour.

That's why I urge you to keep the heat on the B.C. government to end gang violence.

Send Wally Oppal a message - the clock is ticking on the 30 days Steve Brown gave him.

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Former Vancouver NPA Mayor Sam Sullivan sends friends an email and makes a prediction on NPA Councilor Suzanne Anton

Former Vancouver Non-Partisan Association Mayor Sam Sullivan is making the rounds electronically, drumming up support for his rather late defence of the disastrous Olympic Village deal.

His Honour is sending an email - reproduced in full below - to political supporters and passing acquaintances saying he could no longer remain silent.

Sullivan promotes the good NPA-oriented folks at the City Caucus website - where his "editorial" can be found.

And Sullivan interestingly predicts that lone NPA gunwoman, Councilor Suzanne Anton, "may" send you a note the he hopes you will "find useful."

Can't wait for that one!

Here is Sam Sullivan's email message - as received today by one contact:

* * * * *

Friend,

I have refrained from making political comments since leaving office but felt it necessary to weigh in on the Olympic Athlete's Village subject a couple of weeks ago.

My editorial can be found on citycaucus.com, a website that is doing a good job of bringing a different point of view to city issues. Here's my view on this topic...

http://www.citycaucus.com/2009/01/sam-sullivan-on-olympic-village

Councillor Suzanne Anton has a tough job as the only opposition member on City Council. She may send you a note which I hope you will find useful.

Best regards,

Sam Sullivan

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BASI-VIRK - BC Liberal MLAs caucus sends lawyer to block FOI disclosure of MLA communications

MLA talks not public: Lawyer

By BILL TIELEMAN, 24 HOURS

February 13, 2009

A lawyer representing the B.C. Liberal MLA caucus made a first appearance Wednesday at the B.C. Legislature raid case, asserting that communications between MLAs are not subject to disclosure from a defence Freedom of Information request.

Lawyer Ed Montague told B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett that his appearance was solely due to an FOI request filed in July 2007 by lawyers representing David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi - three ex-government aides facing corruption charges related to the $1 billion sale of B.C. Rail.

Kevin McCullough, Virk's lawyer, said the FOI requests will ultimately be determined by Bennett, not the FOI Commissioner, because criminal charges are involved.

"Mr. Montague's clients took the position that their documents were not subject to FOI," McCullough said.

Montague said his "only involvement is regarding FOIs that may involve communications between members [of the Legislature]."

Basi's lawyer Michael Bolton disclosed that another defence FOI includes demands for cellphone records and datebooks of cabinet ministers and government staff.

UPDATE

The pre-trial hearing on FOI records resumes on Thursday February 19 for two weeks in BC Supreme Court.

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BC Liberals internal polling shows them 9% behind New Democrats - Dave Hayer, Pat Bell, Shirley Bond headed for defeat, even Kevin Falcon in trouble

UPDATE - Mustel poll shows dramatically different results - BC Liberals ahead of NDP by 16% with 52% to 36% lead.

ORIGINAL POSTING

Internal BC Liberal Party polling results obtained just days ago have created a panic amongst cabinet ministers and MLAs - because the poll shows that the BC Liberals are 9% points behind the New Democratic Party, according to a very reliable source.

My source also told me today that this polling shows that both Prince George cabinet ministers, Forestry Minister Pat Bell in Prince George Northand Education Minister Shirley Bond in Prince George-Mount Robson, would lose their seats if the numbers held up.

Also headed for defeat - Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer, who allegedly trails the NDP in his riding by 18%.

Perhaps most shocking is a riding result showing Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon in a neck and neck race with the NDP in Surrey-Cloverdale.

The BC Liberal polling also indicates its MLAs in the Burnaby-North and Burnaby-Willingdon, John Nuraney and Richard Lee are in serious trouble, along with Kamloops-North Thompson cabinet minister Kevin Krueger and in the riding of Kamloops, where Claude Richmond is retiring.

My source indicates that gang shootings, Olympic costs and the troubled economy outside Metro Vancouver and Victoria are all taking their toll on BC Liberal fortunes.

If true, the internal BC Liberal polling is another indication of a volatile political climate in the province.

Ipsos-Reid reported in November 2008 that the BC Liberals were at 44% versus the NDP at 35% and the Greens at 16%.

A Mustel poll in November had the Liberals at 44%, the NDP close behind at 42% and the Greens at 12% - but a more recent January Mustel poll put the Liberals up to 47%, the NDP down to 33% and the Greens at 16%.

Then there's the Angus Reid Strategies poll - which on November 15 put the NDP ahead at 44% against the Liberals with 39% and the Greens with 11%.

That result followed on the heels of the NDP winning two Vancouver by-elections, with Spencer Herbert taking previously Liberal-held Vancouver-Burrard and Jenn McGinn retaining Vancouver-Fairview for the NDP, formerly held by now-mayor Gregor Robertson.

An August 2008 Angus Reid Strategies poll also had the NDP ahead, by a margin of 41% to 38%, with the Greens at 14%.

Ahead? Behind? It's anyone's guess with anyone's poll but one thing is certain - if the BC Liberal Party's own internal polling shows then 9% behind with an election 89 days away, get ready for a lot of government announcements - and a lot of panic.

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Where's Wally? Attorney-General Wally Oppal given 30 days to take action on gang violence in Metro Vancouver or face call to resign

Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column

Tuesday February 10, 2009

Stop the gangs

By BILL TIELEMAN


People need to know our streets are safe.

- B.C. Attorney-General Wally Oppal, Feb. 4, 2009

Gangsters killed Kevin LeClair with submachine gun fire and riddled cars with stray shots in a Langley IGA store parking lot Friday in broad daylight.

Raphael Baldini, linked to B.C.'s worst gang massacre, was shot dead in Surrey's crowded Guildford Mall parking lot last Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Breanna Kinnear was shot to death in a car in Coquitlam the same day.

Last Monday, James Erickson was gunned down in a Whalley apartment.

And on Jan. 27, Andrew Cilliers was shot to death in his driveway in Surrey.

Yesterday, a 28-year-old was shot several times in an IGA parking lot at Broadway and Arbutus.

There is a murderous gang war raging in Metro Vancouver, the public is at grave risk and where's Wally?

Does the B.C. government's Attorney-General actually think our streets are safe?

People are being shot to death in public places by criminals acting with complete impunity.

Citizens are at risk - why isn't more being done by Oppal and the B.C. government?

What will it take - because already too many innocent victims have died.

That's why Steve Brown has given Oppal an ultimatum: Do something to end the violence within 30 days or he will campaign for the Attorney-General's firing.

Brown has been deeply scarred by violence.

His brother-in-law Ed Schellenberg was servicing a fireplace in a Surrey apartment when gangsters arrived and shot him execution-style, along with four occupants who were involved in the drug trade and another innocent victim - young Chris Mohan, a neighbour who accidentally happened on the scene.

Ironically, Baldini rented the apartment Schellenberg died in. Now he's dead too and the killers remain free.

"I've lost my patience with Wally Oppal," Brown told me Saturday when he publicly gave Oppal 30 days to find a solution or else.

"If Wally Oppal can't find a way to stop the gang slayings and the murder of innocent victims who are in their way, then he should resign as Attorney-General or be fired by Premier Gordon Campbell," Brown said.

Brown is furious that gangsters facing serious charges are let out on bail and commit more violent crimes.

"We're demanding answers - why are all these criminals running loose?" he said.

I agree. It's time for British Columbians to tell Oppal that the lack of action to make our streets safe again for citizens is totally unacceptable.

You can send that message to the B.C. Liberal government by joining my new Facebook protest group:

Where's Wally? BC Attorney-General Oppal has 30 days to end gang violence.

Just go to www.facebook.com and type in Wally Oppal in the Search box to get there - or click on the Where's Wally? link above.

If you aren't on Facebook, you can easily join.

But please - send a message today: Help stop the killing now.

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Is Michael Ignatieff giving federal Liberal Party control to Paul Martin-Stephane Dion forces? Why is Bruce Clark running big donor Laurier Club?

Some federal Liberal Party activists are wondering if and why new interim leader Michael Ignatieff is giving back power to key players who backed Paul Martin in the internally bitter and divisive leadership battle with Jean Chretien to become Prime Minister.

And they are asking questions, quietly and privately, about why controversial Liberal Bruce Clark is chairing the high dollar donor Laurier Club in BC, among other roles in fundraising for the party.

The Laurier Club is made up of Liberal Party members who give $1100 per year in a single donation or through monthly installments.

And according to federal Liberal sources, the Laurier Club's paid administrator is Forrest Parlee, a senior associate at the Burrard Group, the communications and strategy firm run by Mark Marissen, Martin's former BC lieutenant and then National Campaign Manager in former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion's surprise successful 2006 leadership campaign and National Campaign Co-Chair for the devastating October 2008 federal election.

Clark will presumably be front and centre on Tuesday February 10, when - as reported by my 24 hours colleague Sean Holman of Public Eye Online - federal Liberal Party presidential candidate Alfred Apps visits Vancouver for an exclusive breakfast with members of the Laurier Club at the law offices of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, as well as a grip and grin at the Labatt Beer Institute on Monday February 9.

Apps, a Toronto partner of the firm, is running against Ontario party president Mike Crawley for the position. Crawley is also CEO of a private Ontario-based wind power firm, AIM Power Generation.

Bruce Clark has an interesting past, including a
major connection with the BC Legislature Raid and the corruption charges trial of three former BC Liberal provincial government aides - David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi, a role as the major Paul Martin fundraiser in BC when the former Finance Minister moved up to Prime Minister, as well as serving on the executive of the federal Liberal party's B.C. wing, a stint lobbying against anti-smoking regulations and a job as CEO of money-losing Canada Payphone Corporation.

In the BC Legislature Raid case, Clark is alleged by police in Information To Obtain search warrant applications to have received government documents from Basi pertaining to a second BC Rail privatization, the proposed sale of BC Rail's Roberts Bank spur line for up to $100 million.

According to a police search warrant ITO sworn by RCMP Corporal Andrew Cowan, the residence of Bruce Clark -- then a federal B.C. Liberal executive -- was searched because:

"I believe that CLARK received documents pertaining to a Request for Proposal and presentations regarding Roberts Bank. I believe that CLARK has had meeting with BASI. I believe the items sought will be found at..." then giving Bruce Clark's Vancouver home address, the ITO concludes.

It should be stressed that the ITO contains unproven allegations that have never been tested in court.

B.C. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon cancelled that sale in March 2004 after being told by the RCMP that the process had been compromised by the leak of confidential information to a bidder.

Clark's home was searched by police in December 2003, along with the BC Legislature, the home of David Basi, and the home of Erik Bornmann - the provincial lobbyist for OmniTRAX - the losing BC Rail bidder - who is now the Crown's key witness against Basi, Virk and Aneal Basi. The offices of Bornmann's now-defunct firm, Pilothouse Public Affairs, were also searched by police.

Bornmann's partners at Pilothouse were Brian Kieran, the former Province political columnist turned lobbyist - another key Crown witness, and Jamie Elmhirst - a past federal Liberal Party of Canada BC branch president and former aide to BC Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell and former BC Liberal cabinet minister turned federal Liberal MP Joyce Murray.

And Clark's sister is former BC Liberal Deputy Premier and Education Minister Christy Clark, while his brother-in-law is Mark Marissen.

David Basi was a key Paul Martin organizer in BC, blamed personally by former Chretien federal cabinet minister Herb Dhaliwal for organizing the takeover of his then Vancouver South riding association in one of the nasty battles of the war between the party's titans.

It should, of course, be pointed out that neither Bruce Clark nor anyone else mentioned here save Basi, Virk and Basi face any charges in regard to the BC Legislature Raid case, though it is highly likely Clark will be a witness in the trial.

Interestingly, many of the group of federal Liberal Party activists who strongly backed Paul Martin in his successful efforts to force Jean Chretien out of the Prime Minister's office and later backed Stephane Dion's leadership bid after Martin resigned are now said to be moving into position of influence during Ignatieff's early days as interim leader.

Will Ignatieff put his own stamp on the BC Liberal Party of Canada organization? Or will the activists who have controlled the party since the early 2000s continue to run the show?

Interestingly, the Liberal Party's BC branch website still features photos of now-resigned leader Stephane Dion and promotes the discredited "Green Shift" carbon tax that helped sewer the Liberal campaign. It's a mistake the federal party website doesn't make.

Ignatieff's decision will have long-term repercussions either way, but count on the federal Conservative Party to target controversial Liberal Party connections in the next election if they are in positions of power.

For example, in January 2007 senior Tory John Reynolds slammed the federal Liberal Party for the "embarrassing" failure to remove its B.C. branch president Jamie Elmhirst after he was subpoenaed to testify in the breach of trust case against former provincial government aides David Basi and Bob Virk. Elmhirst was under subpoena to testify in the trial for three months before he resigned as president.

If the federal Conservatives are looking for a target of opportunity, Bruce Clark certainly provides lots to work with.

At last report, Clark is currently Vice-President of Green Island Energy Corporation, a firm that planned to convert garbage into energy in Gold River on Vancouver Island and sell it to BC Hydro. Originally pop singer Jewel was involved but she is no longer an investor.

Green Island Energy announced last year it was partnering with Covanta Energy, a major US firm involved in energy from waste projects. Interestingly, Public Eye Online reports that former BC Liberal Party President Andrew Wilkinson - also a former Deputy Minister to Premier Gordon Campbell - has registered as a lobbyist for Covanta in BC. And who was once a Vice-President at Covanta? None other than BC Ferries CEO David Hahn.

Clark's role as a lobbyist for the Lower Mainland Hospitality Industry Group drew fire from anti-tobacco groups, including AirSpace, because it vigorously fought a proposed Vancouver bylaw restricting smoking in the workplace in 1995.

The Lower Mainland Hospitality Industry Group, according to anti-smoking groups and the Vancouver Richmond Health Board, was funded by the tobacco industry.

The earlier Canada Payphone role also brought some interesting connections together around Bruce Clark.

As I wrote in a column for the Georgia Straight in 2004:

"Clark was CEO of a money-losing telecommunications company called Canada Payphone Corporation between late 1998 and late 2000, earning up to $115,000 a year.

Patrick Kinsella, the influential cochair of the 2001 B.C. Liberal election campaign along with Christy Clark, was a director of Canada Payphone from 1995 to 2001, as well as buying a private placement and having share options, according to Stockwatch.

The Progressive Group, Kinsella's consulting firm, also bought a private placement in Canada Payphone in 1996 and received shares for debt in 1999. Kinsella and his firm have given more than $50,000 to the B.C. Liberals since 1996.

Bornman was Canada Payphone's communications director in 2000 and 2001.

The Earnscliffe Strategy Group, a powerful Ottawa-based public- and government-relations and research firm, became "consultants" to Canada Payphone in 1995.

Earnscliffe was a "virtual parallel finance department" when Paul Martin was minister, according to the Globe and Mail, with the firm winning $1.6 million in communications contracts from the finance department from September 1993 until July 2002.

Earnscliffe partners David Herle and Scott Reid were both senior Martin political advisers who held enormous influence with the prime minister.

Canaccord Capital, whose CEO, Peter Brown, is a major supporter of Gordon Campbell, helped Canada Payphone with a brokered private placement of two million units, with shares valued at $1.40 each. Those shares are currently worth just nine cents apiece. Canada Payphone losses for financial year 2003 were $1.8 million while those reported for financial year 2002 were $5 million.

Canaccord donated more than $191,000 to the B.C. Liberal Party between 1996 and 2002.

Darcy Rezac, executive director of the Vancouver Board of Trade and B.C. Liberal political supporter, was another investor in Canada Payphone.

The Neighbourhood Pub Owners' Association of BC chose Canada Payphone as its official payphone supplier in December 1998. The executive director of the association was then Brenda Locke, now Liberal MLA for Surrey­-Green Timbers."

Ignatieff faces some difficult choices in BC - but that's what being leader of a federal party and wanting to prove you can be prime minister is all about.

Basi-Virk - Courtroom confusion explained, hopefully; new dates clarified and Special Prosecutor team member becomes Queen's Counsel

UPDATE FROM BC SUPREME COURT 3:45 p.m.

I attended this afternoon's brief BC Supreme Court hearing in Vancouver where Victoria developers Jim Duncan and Tony Young face corruption-related charges that allege they paid former BC Liberal ministerial aide David Basi $50,000 to assist them in removing land from the Agricultural Land Reserve for a housing development.

Appearing for the Crown was Andi Mackay, a member of the Special Prosecutor's team in the BC Legislature Raid case against Basi, Bob VIrk and Aneal Basi.

The matter was put over in an extremely short administrative hearing until March 18. No explanation was made as to why the hearing was in Vancouver but it is to be noted that Duncan and Young's lawyers, Richard Peck and Jeff Campbell, are both based here, as are all members of the Special Prosecutor's team, including MacKay.

EARLIER REPORT

Today's BC Supreme Court docket for the Vancouver courts shows an apparent appearance there at 2 p.m. today in the case of former BC Liberal ministerial aide David Basi on breach of trust charges related to allegations of removing land from the Agricultural Land Reserve.

BC Mary at the Legislature Raids points out to me that:

"The first two entries are identified only by the File Number 134750-1 -- the file number which was assigned to Dave Basi at his A.L.R. trial which began in Victoria last month.

Today's listing is in Vancouver Law Courts and is designated as "HMTQ vs Limited Access."

Here's what I have now been able to ascertain.

In fact the appearance is to be made by Victoria developers Jim Duncan and Tony Young, who also face charges in this case, in which the allegation is that Basi was paid $50,000 by Duncan and Young to help get land for their giant Sunriver Estates development in Sooke.

The hearing is likely to be merely to put over the case of Duncan and Young to a later date, as the Crown and defence have previously indicated in discussion in court that the intent is to combine the trial of all three men if possible.

Obviously the main and long-delayed trial of Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi on corruption charges related to the $1 billion BC Rail privatization is a complicating factor.

I am also told that the next date for an ALR case hearing for Basi is Friday March 6 in Victoria, where arguments will be heard on whether Basi should be committed to stand trial on those charges. Regular readers of this blog will remember that a preliminary hearing in front of Justice Ernie Quantz has already taken place in Victoria - this is the next step in the legal process.

On another note, the main event in the Basi-Virk/BC Legislature Raid case returns with yet more pre-trial hearings - this time on defence Freedom of Information requests for evidence - starting on Tuesday February 17 for an estimated 2 weeks.

In addition to the regular cast of lawyers from the defence and Special Prosecutor teams, provincial government lawyer George Copley and BC Rail lawyer Robert Deane are expected to play prominent roles.

Lastly, congratulations to Special Prosecutor team member Janet Winteringham, who has been made a "Queen's Counsel" - a recognition of service and

The news release from Attorney General Wally Oppal states:

"The Queen’s counsel designation is an honour conferred on members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and contribution. Successful candidates demonstrate professional integrity and good character and must be members of the British Columbia bar for at least five years."

Regarding Winteringham, it says: "Janet L. Winteringham of Vancouver has considerable experience both defending and prosecuting criminal cases. She also instructs on preliminary hearings and Provincial Court practice for the advocacy course at UBC’s law faculty."

BC Business leaders back Campbell Liberal deficits but hate much smaller NDP deficits or even surpluses!

Hi everyone - and welcome to the brand-new, back in deficit British Columbia - Gordon Campbell, Proprietor and previous record-holder of BC's largest deficit.

Is Campbell going for a largest deficit personal best on February 17? Could well be.

I don't argue for a minute against the need for BC to go into deficit - my complaint is that Campbell and the BC Liberals made balanced budgets into the political equivalent of the Rosetta Stone in a rigid ideological position that lacks historical perspective, economic understanding and just plain common sense.

By the way, Stephen Harper, come on down! You also win a prize!

The second thing that bugs the hell out of me is the endless parade of business leaders who are shameless in their political pimping for Campbell and the BC Liberals - business leaders who would be screaming blue bloody murder if a New Democrat government in exactly the same position did exactly what Campbell is doing.

From the Vancouver Board of Trade's debt clock and endless pontificating about the horrors of deficit financing we now have come to this.

"So what? It's a sensible response," Vancouver Board of Trade managing director Darcy Rezac said. "To suggest that the Government balance its budget at all costs in very unusual circumstances wouldn't be wise in our view. So I think the Government is doing a sensible thing."

Really Darcy?

Here's what Rezac said on November 22, 2000, when the NDP government was running a surplus - yes, my friends - a surplus of $1 billion:

"We note that the rapid rise in the provincial debt is worrisome. Debts incurred by funding general operating costs of government, which has happened during the '90s, ought to be avoided at all costs," Rezac said.

And what did Darcy say on September 23, 2002, when the BC Liberals ran the province's largest-ever deficit of $4 billion?

"We're impressed with the government's resolve to attain the goal of a balanced budget by 2004-05, and we support that...We congratulate the government of B.C. for moving quickly to take the measures they did with the 2002-03 budget," Rezac told reporters then.

Wow! So what indeed!

At least Gordon Campbell show some understanding that he has dramatically changed his tune.

"I know what I have said and I'm sure you've all got the clips," Campbell told reporters yesterday.

But for a lot of business leaders, the song remains the same - it's just who calls the tune that really matters!

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Bill Tieleman interviewed by Erin Airton in City Caucus online publication

I was interviewed by Erin Airton, political commentator on the right side of the fence, for the new online publication City Caucus.

The article was posted today and here's a small sample - check it out:


Erin Airton interview with Bill Tieleman

3 Feb 2009

I sat down with Bill Tieleman, a well-known local political strategist, at a hip Kits eatery during Dine Out Vancouver in January. Our conversation was far-reaching, fueled by a glass or two of wine, Tieleman’s second love, after progressive politics.

EA: What do you see as the two biggest issues facing the City of Vancouver?

BT: Vancouver has two main issues, both are very inter-related.

The first is the different aspects of affordability in the city itself.

The second is dealing with poverty and low incomes. Both are very connected and are challenges that face Vancouver and the whole Lower Mainland. Affordability and housing prices go across the board.

If you look at cities like Geneva and Hong Kong, there is a limited group of people who lives there. Public policy steps need to be taken because most of us don’t want to live where there is just fine dining and expensive shops.

The other challenge is that our city has these increasing land values. These make it impossible for young people to be independent and impossible to have a city with a wide range of diverse and interesting people.

People working in Vancouver, like servers and cooks, are forced to live far away from their jobs. Vancouver is becoming an “executive city”.

EA: What can be done about affordability? There is a limited amount of “Vancouver” available.

BT: That’s right and that’s why we are seeing a disparate amount of people’s income taken up by rent and housing.

People might be shocked by me saying this, but former Mayor Sam Sullivan was right to talk about density – that’s the only way Vancouver can maintain diversity and affordability.

Poverty is related to affordability, but not 100%. We have a real continuum of poverty in Vancouver.

This starts with the true homeless, sleeping on the streets or accessing shelters. Our food bank use is overflowing. We also have couch surfers, occasional shelter users and those who are living in inappropriate or substandard housing.......Continued at City Caucus

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Marks. Rubes. Suckers. Chumps. Hicks. BC Liberals screw up bigtime on Mackenzie pulp mill and Port Mann P3 fiascos!

Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column

Tuesday February 3, 2009

B.C. government blind to its own bad deals

By BILL TIELEMAN

"I wanted to puke in my corns flakes over this."

- Mackenzie pulp mill worker Carl Bernasky on toxic danger

Marks. Rubes. Suckers. Chumps. Hicks.

That's what the flim-flam men call people who are too slow, too dumb and too unsophisticated to figure out an obvious bad deal.

But in this province we call them the B.C. Liberal government.

Take two sterling examples.

First, the Mackenzie pulp mill holding 15 tonnes of deadly chlorine dioxide that had to be taken over by the government from a former convicted money-launderer whose company wasn't paying the few workers left there.

They kept the chemical tanks from freezing and rupturing, potentially killing 5,000 people.

The clean-up costs could be $30 to $50 million - all charged to taxpayers because the company that bought the mill, Worthington Mackenzie, isn't doing its job and has a single director living in Slovenia!

All big news to the B.C. Liberals.

Second, the Port Mann Bridge twinning project. B.C. Liberal Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon always sings the praises of public-private partnerships.

"With respect to the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge, there will be no federal or provincial dollars involved in the construction of that project," Falcon promised in April 2008.

But now B.C. is on the hook for one-third of the financing - about $750 million - because the vaunted P3 banks weren't willing to fund it.

Hello B.C. taxpayer! Can you spell "bailout?"

But Falcon is "thrilled" with the new taxpayer-financed deal because it "makes sense."

Let's see - Falcon said P3s are a good idea because the private sector takes the risk instead of taxpayers - but now taxpayers will pay for both the project, through tolls of $3 per trip, and also lend the risk-takers the money we didn't want to risk by doing it ourselves?

Talk about marks and suckers - with this kind of business acumen we can expect a lot more desperate P3 bankers to head for B.C.!

Back to the Mackenzie mill, where the B.C. government completely failed to protect the community or the jobs.

While a skeleton crew of workers have to be paid by taxpayers to keep the mill from freezing up, across the province the B.C. government has let 55 sawmills and pulp mills close in the last few years, throwing 25,000 workers out of work.

Ironically, the only time they've lifted a finger to save jobs was when forced to by a potential environmental catastrophe.

When the mill was bought, Forests Minister Pat Bell - whose riding it's located in - told the media: "So far, so good."

Not good enough for taxpayers - not by far.

These marks, rubes, suckers, chumps and hicks have a lot to answer for in throwing away our money.

UPDATE: You simply can't make things like this up - from tonight's online Vancouver Sun - I rest my case after just one day!

Port Mann price tag could hit $3 billion

The Port Mann Bridge and Highway 1 expansion project could cost as much as $3 billion, double the announced cost of $1.5 billion in 2006, Premier Gordon Campbell said Tuesday.

In a speech at the B.C. Economic Summit, Campbell said the Port Mann Bridge will be a “$2- to $3-billion project.”

When announced by Campbell in January 2006, the project was estimated to cost $1.5 billion. Accounting for general inflation, that would now be between $1.6 and $1.7 billion, although there were industry estimates as early as 2006 that construction costs would go up by 50 per cent or more by 2010.

Campbell, who was scheduled to officially unveil a design for the new bridge today in Surrey, did not elaborate Tuesday on any reasons for the change.....