BASI-VIRK - Supreme Court of Canada decision on secret witness issue comes Thursday 6:45 a.m. - will trial proceed?

The most anticipated decision in the BC Rail corruption case of David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi will come at 6:45 a.m. BC time from the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Court has announced today that it will release its ruling on Special Prosecutor Bill Berardino's appeal of two BC lower court decisions on the issue of a secret witness and how his or her testimony should be handled.

Berardino hinted at one point the trial might not go ahead if the identity of a secret informant could not be fully protected, stating he would not violate the privilege of the witness to remain unknown.

"This Crown will not breach this privilege in this case ... we will not resile from this position," Berardino said last year. He has since said the prosecution will do everything it can to proceed regardless of how the Supreme Court of Canada rules.

The earlier rulings by former Basi-Virk trial judge Elizabeth Bennett and the BC Court of Appeal went against Berardino's request that the court be cleared of not only the public and media but defence counsel as well - leaving just the judge and Special Prosecutor team to discuss why the secret witness's identity and testimony requires as much protection as has only rarely been given - most recently in the Air India trial.

The Supreme Court of Canada heard arguments from both Berardino and defence lawyers on April 22, 2009.

Visit this website Thursday morning for the decision and full analysis of what it means for the likelihood of the trial proceeding.

.

Gutless NDP, Liberals help Conservatives try to kill Canadian gun registry

If Long Gun Registry Is So Dumb, Why Do Police Like It?

Most Canadians want it, too. So why are opposition members helping Tories kill it?

UPDATE - Saturday: Thanks for the comments here - well, some of them - and I have lots of responses but I am saving them for next Tuesday's column here, in 24 hours newspaper and The Tyee - stay tuned for me to return fire with both barrels!

Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column

Tuesday November 10, 2009

"The elimination of Canada's national firearms licensing and registration system for rifles and shotguns will make Canada less safe."

-- Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair

The Conservative Party may get away with its drive-by shooting of the long gun registry, thanks to 20 rural Liberal and New Democrat MPs riding shotgun in the getaway car.

So while both Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP leader Jack Layton opposed a Conservative MP's private member's bill to eliminate the registry, their gutless unwillingness to rein in their MPs allowed a key vote to pass last week.

It was 12 NDP and eight Liberal MPs -- including two from B.C. -- who joined the Conservatives to easily pass the bill in principle.

The 164 to 137 vote on second reading of Manitoba Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner's Bill C-391 came despite overwhelming opposition to eliminating the registry from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, other law enforcement officials and community organizations, and polls showing two-thirds of Canadians support the registry.

Bill C-391 would end registration of rifles and shotguns from a database police across Canada access over 10,000 times a day.

And -- unbelievably -- it would require the destruction of eight million existing firearms records!

Ads mimic US's National Rifle Association

But while the Liberals and NDP were gutless in allowing a "free" vote of their MPs, it was shameful Conservative Party attack ads targeting rural Liberal and NDP MPs that likely pushed the vote over the top.

The radio ads and flyers were based on National Rifle Association tactics in the United States to pressure British Columbia Liberal MP Keith Martin and NDP MPs Nathan Cullen and Alex Atamanenko in their constituencies to vote to kill the registry.

The radio ad script is outrageous, claiming that the vote would "scrap the long gun registry and protect our local way of life," but that "political bosses in Ottawa" want the local MP to keep the registry.

While the ads may have worked on some MPs -- Martin and Cullen voted to kill the registry -- Atamanenko bravely stood up to the Conservatives, voting no.

Annual budget is under $10 million

Despite claims that the registry unfairly discriminates against rural gun owners, the reality is that access to firearms is a key factor in domestic homicides.

And don't believe the Conservative hype about the long gun registry being an expensive waste of money.

The former Liberal government was incompetent in setting the registry up at great cost but its annual budget is now just $8.4 million, certainly a small expenditure to ensure millions of firearms are registered.

And if the Conservatives hadn't waived the registration fees it would have paid for itself.

I am not opposed to gun ownership at all. I have shot both rifles and handguns myself.
I have no problem with hunters, target shooters or people in rural communities owning guns for sport or their own protection.

But those guns should be registered, making owners accountable for them and police able to track the firearms for everyone's safety.

'We lose it at our peril'

Give the last word to Toronto's police chief Bill Blair, who is also president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Blair says that Bill C-391 is: "intended to gut the gun registry, and to make it impossible for law enforcement officials to have access to the information, the same type of information, that enabled us to seize these weapons -- and frankly, make our cities safer."

"We believe that the gun registry provides police services across this country with the information they need, first of all to help us keep communities safe, and also to keep police officers safe," Blair said. "We lose it at our peril."

There's still time to save the long gun registry. Tell your MP to keep it when it comes back for a final vote.

.

Tories' "Invisible Woman" strategy fails again in New West-Coquitlam by-election, just like Vancouver Quadra; Tories steal 1 from Bloc; Libs bomb

Now you see her, now you don't!

That would be Conservative Party candidate Diana Dilworth in the New Westminster-Coquitlam by-election tonight - and after she lost badly to new NDP MP Fin Donnelly, you may not see her again.

But the real story is that the Tories have tried and failed yet one more time at running a peek-a-boo "Invisible Woman" campaign in a BC by-election and presuming it just might work. Wrong.

Donnelly has won by an impressive 14% advantage, or more than 3,300 votes, over Dilworth.

Flashback to March 2008's Vancouver Quadra by-election - and Conservative candidate Deborah Merideth's similiarly ill-fated attempt to hide from the media and voters but slide into the MP job nonetheless.

Yes, you guessed it, another strategic error on the part of the hapless Tories.

Amazingly, the Conservatives don't appear to learn from their mistakes - they were only 152 votes short of capturing Quadra from the Liberals for an upset victory in 2008 but Merideth oddly avoided all-candidates meetings, debates and media interviews - despite being an attractive, moderate small-c Conservative candidate with lots of intelligence and no known hillbilly secrets.

The follow-up rematch in the October general election saw the nearly hopeless Joyce Murray - a much-maligned former provincial Gordon Campbell-BC Liberal cabinet minister - win again by default and a larger margin than the by-election.

So one might think the Conservative brain-trust, led by the formidable campaigner Colin Metcalfe, would rethink it's strategy - but apparently not. Dilworth repeatedly avoided media interviews and all debates save one on CKNW.

Dilworth, a Port Moody councilor, was a decent candidate in a riding the Conservatives/Alliance/Reform Party previously held with neanderthal-light MP Paul Forseth, who eventually lost to the NDP's Dawn Black. Black moved to provincial politics, successfully winning NDP MLA's Chuck Puchmayr's New Westminster seat after he left for health reasons.

But Donnelly promises to be a potential NDP star - a young, smart and environmentally-active former Coquitlam city councilor who twice swam the Fraser River to promote sustainability [a whopping 1400 kilometres] and who made the hated Harmonized Sales Tax a key election issue.

Meanwhile, the night was truly miserable for the federal Liberals - who were not only uncompetitive but came in with poor third place finishes in all four seats, including Montreal's Hochelaga. The Michael Ignatieff ghoul pool continues.

But while Iffy was, well, iffy, the Conservatives had reason to celebrate, with an upset win in the Quebec riding of Rivière du-Loup over the Bloc Quebecois, who lost a previously held seat, by a surprising margin of 5%.

And they also recaptured the former Tory safe seat of nearly unpronounceable Cumberland–Colchester–Musquodoboit Valley - which they lost when Bill Casey went Independent after being trashed by Stephen Harper for opposing the Conservatives on equalization.

So all in all, a good night for the Conservatives - one upset win and one seat back in the Tory fold, while one possible victory was squandered; a good night for the NDP, with one seat retained with an increase majority and a distant second-place finish in Montreal's Hochelaga - which augers well for Thomas Mulcair to hold his Outremont outpost; a bad night for the Bloc Quebecois as they lose a seat to the Tories while retaining one other; a terrible night for the Liberals as they remain in also-ran status in all four ridings, albeit without losing any and with no one thinking they were likely to win; and an abysmal night for the Green Party with vote percentage ranging from a "high" of 4.3% to a low of 1.7%.

.

Elections Canada throws cold water on by-election fever - no results nation-wide before BC voting is over!

Anyone hoping to find out what happened in the three eastern Canadian by-elections anytime soon can forget it, thanks to Elections Canada's antiquated rules.

Instead the country will have to wait till the polls close in the fourth by-election in BC's New Westminster-Coquitlam riding before learning what the results are in the three ridings where the votes will have been counted hours before.

As CBC's Kady O'Malley reports, the boffins at Elections Canada are banning reporting of the results in Nova Scotia's Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley riding and in Quebec's Montmagny-L'Islet-Kamouraska - where the Bloc Quebecois are accusing the Conservatives of dirty tricks - and in Montreal's Hochelaga until 7 p.m. BC time, when the New Westminster-Coquitlam polls close.

The idea is that voters who still have not cast their ballots might be influenced by the results in the eastern ridings - a fairly dubious proposition at the best of times and definitely ridiculous in the case of four by-elections.

"Look Martha, the Bloc won both Quebec seats - now I know that I have to vote Liberal in New Westminister-Coquitlam!" Yeah, that happens a lot.

It's time for Elections Canada to revisit how reporting of results takes place.

And as a Western Canadian, I appreciate the staggered voting hours in a general election so that we don't turn on the TV in BC to find out our results are meaningless because Eastern Canadian votes - yes, that includes Alberta to me - have determined the make up of the government.

.

Bill Tieleman on CBC News Network Politics & Power show today at 3:30 p.m. BC time

I will be appearing today -Friday - on the new Power & Politics show's blog panel at 3:30 p.m. with host Evan Solomon, CBC's Kady O'Malley and Parker Donham of Sydney, Nova Scotia on the CBC News Network.

Check out the CBC Politics website for more information

Talk AM 1410 radio shuts down - converts to all sports radio

Word just out that Talk 1410 AM radio has shut down its operations and converted to an all sports format, to be known as TEAM 1410.

Also know as CFUN, Talk 1410 has been doing talk radio in various forms since 1996, most recently hiring former CITY TV broadcaster Simi Sara as their morning show host.

Condolences to Simi, producer Renee Lukacs and other news and talk radio staff there.

The shrinking world of Vancouver media unfortunately leaves less and less room for diverse opinions.

.

Gordon Campbell promoted to Prime Minister of Canada by Sports Illustrated!

Sit down before you read this next line - "Canadian Prime Minister Gordon Campbell"!

Which one is Prime Minister of Canada?

Apparently the good folks who write and edit Sports Illustrated magazine have a less than full grasp of Canadian politics - or a wicked sense of humour.

In a short article about the unfortunate death of Vancouver Olympics chair Jack Poole, the American magazine inadvertently promoted BC Premier Gordon Campbell to the post of prime minister of Canada!

While Campbell may be secretly pleased, it doesn't say much about the international presence of our current prime minister, good old what's-his-name, oh yeah, Stephen Harper.

I suggested on air to Simi Sara of AM Talk 1410 radio on Wednesday that she write a letter to the editor of Sports Illustrated along these lines:

"Dear Sports Illustrated:

I was very disappointed your magazine doesn't know the correct name of our Canadian prime minister.

Every school child knows our prime minister is Ross Rebagliati, who was elected shortly after winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in snowboarding in 1998.

Shortly after his election, marijuana was legalized."

Here is the original Sports Illustrated article:

* * * * *

Died

At age 76, of pancreatic cancer, Jack Poole, the Canadian businessman who spearheaded the successful campaign to bring the 2010 Olympic Games to Vancouver.

A real estate developer whose first job was selling brushes and hand cream door-to-door, Poole was picked by Canadian prime minister Gordon Campbell to be CEO of the Vancouver Bid Corp. in 2001.

Two years later Canada was awarded its first Winter Games since 1988, when Calgary was the host. Poole had been receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer since 2007. He died last Friday, hours after the ceremonial lighting in Athens of the flame that will be used to open the 2010 Games.

.

BC Refederation Party hosts anti-HST rally in Victoria Thursday - all welcome

There will be a rally against the Harmonized Sales Tax at the BC Legislature in Victoria on Thursday November 5 - Guy Fawkes Day - from 12 noon till 2 p.m.

This rally has been organized by the BC Refederation Party but is open to all.

Confirmed speakers include:

Leonard Krog, NDP MLA for Nanaimo
Barrie O'Neill, President - CUPE BC
Brad Slade, concerned citizen
Mike Summers, Leader BC Refederation Party
Jordan Braun, Deputy Leader BC Refederation Party
Josh Stettler, concerned citizen
And Guy Fawkes!

For more information see the Refederation Party website.

.

Basi-Virk Special Prosecutor team member Janet Winteringham runs in BC Law Society Bencher election

Basi-Virk case Special Prosecutor Janet Winteringham is running for election to the position of Bencher at the BC Law Society.

Benchers are the Board of Directors of the BC Law Society.

As the Law Society website explains: "They govern the work of the Society in accordance with the Legal Profession Act, set and enforce standards of professional responsibility for lawyers and oversee the implementation and administration of Law Society programs. There are usually 10 Bencher meetings per year."

The BC Law Society elects 12 lawyers from the Vancouver region on Monday, November 16 to two-year terms and Winteringham is among 23 candidates for the position of Bencher .

Winteringham is second in command under senior Special Prosecutor Bill Berardino in the prosecution of David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi - the three former BC Liberal government aides facing corruption charges related to the $1 billion privatization of BC Rail in 2003.

David Basi and Bob Virk were ministerial assistants at the time and are alleged to have passed on confidential government information about the bidding to Erik Bornmann, a lobbyist for bidder OmniTRAX.

Bornman and lobbyist partner Brian Kieran are now both key Crown witnesses who face no charges but are alleged in police documents unproven in court to have provided benefits to Basi and Virk for the information. Aneal Basi is charged with money laundering related to the alleged payment of benefits.

Winteringham is a veteran lawyer called to the BC Bar in 1992. She and two partners own Winteringham MacKay George - a boutique criminal and civil litigation practice.

Media predictably focus on Olympic torch run protestors but ignore cuts to vulnerable children

Photo Copyright VANOC/COVAN

Dissent and BC's Media

Olympic torch run protesters may be wrong but civil liberties are always right.

Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column

Tuesday November 3, 2009

"Whenever we take away the liberties of those we hate, we are opening the way to loss of liberty for those we love."

- Wendell Willkie

Civil liberties are never in question unless they are exercised in a way that the majority of the population disagrees with -- and that's when they need to be defended.

That became evident Friday, when anti-Olympics protesters in Victoria succeeded in blocking a small portion of the Olympic torch run.

Predictably, the media focused not on why 200 protesters occupied an intersection to voice their opposition but on the torchbearers who were unfairly deprived of their opportunity to run the flame.

More predictably, media featured a young man with cerebral palsy who could not take his turn. Fortunately he later got his chance in Nanaimo.

A fundamental right

I strongly disagree with disrupting the torch run or preventing volunteers from their chance of a lifetime to carry the Olympic flame in their own home town.

It discredits any legitimate protest goals.

I believe police could and should have arrested anyone breaking the law.

But I also strongly believe protesters have the right to exercise civil disobedience -- if they are willing to face the legal consequences.

That's a fundamental right in our democratic society.

It's ironic that one young man with disabilities who was wrongly deprived of his rights by a handful of protesters gets massive media attention while hundreds of vulnerable children with special needs also being wrongly deprived of their rights to treatment by the provincial government are barely a news story.

Protesters the media chose to ignore

Last Wednesday a group called Moms on the Move held protests in 20 communities to protest B.C. Liberal cuts to funding for special needs kids, including to autism, fetal alcohol syndrome and mental illness treatment programs.

Despite the obvious importance of their plight, the protests received next to no media coverage, with less than a dozen news stories online and none in major media.

But disrupt the Olympic torch run and watch the media fly -- there were hundreds of stories about the protesters' disruption and it dominated television coverage.

Media and protesters: get creative

So columnists can complain loudly about "anarchist knuckleheads" but the sad truth is that they get more media attention than children in need.

Protesters should have that right in a free and democratic society -- but they should find more creative means to do so without removing the rights of others to celebrate the Olympics.

And the media should give a lot more attention to funding cuts to vital programs that aren't as dramatic or easy to cover but are much more devastating to far more people's lives than either the Olympics or protests about it.

.

Former NDP Vancouver Centre candidate Michael Byers proposes NDP-Liberal pseudo coalition in next election

Ex-NDP candidate and political commentator Michael Byers has some strange ideas - and floats them in strange places

The former New Democratic Party candidate in Vancouver Centre, Michael Byers, has proposed a pseudo coalition between the NDP and the Liberal Party in the next election to defeat Stephen Harper and the Conservatives.

The proposal is odd enough, given that Canadians have already overwhelmingly said "no thanks" to the idea of an electoral coalition, and odder still coming from a former and possibly future NDP candidate.

And more oddly still, Byers proposes it in the Toronto Star - which has at best a very limited circulation in British Columbia.

Nonetheless, let's look at the flaws in Byers' arguments for a one-time electoral "ceasefire agreement" between the NDP and Liberals.

First, the obvious one - this is a coalition that most Canadians reject. The polling was crystal clear and so was the country's reaction - no thanks!

Second, I doubt that either the Liberals or NDP would agree with this idea: "The Liberals and NDP should agree to not run candidates against each other in the next campaign."

Okay, maybe the Liberals would agree - and Byers spells out exactly why:

"In each riding, the party whose candidate fared worst in the last election would pull its current candidate out, or refrain from nominating one.

Both parties would win more seats, with the Liberals potentially forming a majority government."

Hmmm. Let's just suppose you are a strategist in NDP leader Jack Layton's office and are assigned to think this one through.

Let's see the likely results: Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff becomes the Prime Minister, the Liberals get all the cabinet seats, Stephen Harper is Opposition Leader and Jack Layton is, well, still Jack Layton, leader of Parliament's fourth party, albeit with significantly less influence over national affairs due to the LIberal majority.

Brilliant idea! Thanks for proposing it Michael, Jack's office would reply after a coffee and donut's worth of contemplation, but don't call us, we'll call you!

But here's my real problem with Byer's big idea - unlike the professor of political science, I don't see common cause between the Liberals and the NDP.

From the Liberals' opposition to anti-scab legislation to their leader's objectionable views on the invasion of Iraq, to that party's continued support for the war in Afghanistan and Canadian troops role there, to a whole host of other policy differences, it should be clear the NDP and the Liberals take very different approaches to key issues.

Then there's the Green Party, which he helpfully throws into the mix too.

Byers would give 5 Green Party also-rans, including hapless leader Elizabeth May, suitcases nearly unpacked in her third different riding, an almost free ride to Parliament as well.

But I've missed the real reason for this Grand Coalition for one election - all parties involved would agree to hold a national referendum on - wait for it - proportional representation.

Yes, I know, the very same idea rejected soundly by voters in BC in May and previously in both Ontario and PEI.

So, in summary, Byers proposes that NDPers agree to give up the ghost to let the Liberals form a potential majority government with Count Iffy as the prime minister, open the door to a handful of loser candidates from the Greens to win because they face no opposition but the Conservatives and will then content themselves to be fourth party with the Liberals holding all the power.

And this from a former NDP candidate!

Presumably professor Byers has a different understanding of how all this looks from his vantage point, but from what I see this would be a disaster for the NDP.

It's also possible that the Conservatives would benefit from a negative reaction to the Entente Cordiale - ordinary Canadians of both Liberal and NDP persuasion so unhappy with being deprived of their right to chose between what they see as real differences between the two opposition parties that the rebel and - shudder - vote Conservative for one time only to teach both other parties a painful lesson.

Nonetheless, the one result I can't see is the political utopia Byers hopes for.

And that's why - fortunately - it's extremely unlikely the NDP will take up his offer.

.

Bill Tieleman joins Evan Solomon's CBC News Network show Power & Politics on blogger panel today at 3:40 p.m. BC time

I'm very pleased to tell you I will be joining host Evan Solomon's CBC News Network show Power & Politics on a political blogger panel today at about 3:40 p.m. BC time.

The CBC has hired blogger extraordinaire Kady O'Malley, who will be on the panel, along with Parker Donham of the Contrarian hailing out of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Evan and myself.

Today's topics include anti-Olympic online action as the 2010 Vancouver Games torch arrives in Victoria to be greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Gordon Campbell and zombie protestors - no, I'm not kidding.


.

Could delay of trial throw out Basi-Virk case? Ontario Court of Appeal overturns delay of trial case with BC Legislature Raid implications

Ontario Court of Appeal overturns lower court stay of charges over length of time going to trial, with clear implications for Basi-Virk case

On Wednesday the Ontario Court of Appeal made a ruling that could have significant impact on the Basi-Virk, BC Rail corruption case, increasing the likelihood it will actually go to trial.

The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a lower court judge's decision to stay charges against five drug squad police officers because of the "unreasonable" delays in bringing their case to court.

"There was no unreasonable delay in this case. This complex case proceeded at the pace contemplated and dictated by the parties," the three member panel of justices decided.

"Admittedly, 56 months is a lengthy period of time, but it was not unreasonable These are very serious charges."

"This case proceeded slowly, but it also proceeded at the pace dictated by its complexity and the actions of all the parties," Justice David Doherty, Justice Marc Rosenberg and Justice Michael Moldaver wrote in their decision.

"Far from this being a case where the vast majority of the 56 months passed because of the Crown's failure to make full disclosure, virtually none of the time can be so characterized," they wrote. "This was a complex case that required and would require significant expenditures of court time."

[The five officers were charged in January 2004 with attempting to obstruct justice, perjury, assault and extortion. They are accused of falsifying notes, robbing and beating drug dealers, and conducting illegal searches between 1997 and 2002.]

In other words, 56 months delay - almost five years - is not sufficient for a stay of charges in a complex case.

Given that there are literally "millions" of pages of evidence in the Basi-Virk case and that there is an outstanding appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada by the Special Prosecutor over the issue of a "secret witness" with still no decision and that there have been issues of Parliamentary privilege, solicitor-client privilege and cabinet privilege, I highly suspect that "complex" doesn't begin to describe this case.

There's still another potential wrinkle - the defendants, backed by the Toronto Police Association - their union - may seek leave to appeal the case to Canada's highest court - the Supreme Court of Canada.

At the time the case was stayed, the NDP opposition was furious in the Ontario Legislature.

Does this sound familiar: "It's despicable that the biggest corruption investigation in the history of Canadian policing was thrown out because of unreasonable delays."

That was NDP Member of the Provincial Parliament Peter Kormos when the case was originally thown out of court for delay.

I can easily hear BC NDP MLA Leonard Krog saying nearly the same thing if Justice Anne MacKenzie were to toss the Basi-Virk case - but this decision, if upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada - makes that unlikely.

.

Key Basi-Virk Crown witness Brian Kieran back in communications & public affairs business but says no connections with BC government

Basi-Virk witness Kieran now in business

Former lobbyist turned Crown witness offering communications and PR advice

By BILL TIELEMAN, 24 HOURS

A former lobbyist who is now a key Crown witness in the B.C. Legislature Raid corruption trial has opened a new business providing communications and public affairs advice, including “monitoring the provincial legislative agenda”.

But Brian Kieran said in an exclusive interview with 24 hours that he is neither lobbying the B.C. Liberal government nor has any clients with connections to it.

Kieran and Erik Bornmann were partners in Pilothouse Public Affairs, a company whose offices were raided by police in December 2003 at the same time the B.C. Legislature was searched.

Court documents allege that Bornmann and Kieran provided money and benefits to former B.C. ministerial aides David Basi and Bob Virk in exchange for confidential government information about the $1-billion sale of B.C. Rail. Pilothouse had been retained by OmniTRAX, one of the bidders.

Bornmann is also a key Crown witness and neither he, Kieran nor OmniTRAX face any charges, nor have the allegations been proven in court.

Kieran Communications advertises a wide range of services on its website, including media relations, crisis communications and public affairs but Kieran says he is “very much in semi-retirement” and that the firm was set up about a year ago.

“I carry no clients with any connection to the provincial government,” Kieran said in a phone interview from his Pender Island home.

That doesn’t surprise NDP MLA Leonard Krog.

“I’d be astonished if Mr. Kieran was doing business with the government,” Krog said. “I doubt the world will beat a path to his door.”

Kieran says he hopes the trial will begin as planned in the spring.

“I’d love to get into court and tell my side of the story,” he said. “I’ve been waiting to get this all behind me.” Kieran has previously said search warrant information might “lead to assumptions” that would not be made if the full facts were available but has not elaborated.

Kieran also said he has not talked to Bornmann in about five years and has no idea when the trial might begin.

“I haven’t heard from the Crown ever in the case. I’m pretty much in the dark,” he said. “If it goes ahead in the spring I’d be very, very pleased.”

Krog, critic for the Attorney General, blames the B.C. government for the delays in the trial.

“The delay goes right to the government. Production of documents and provision of information is directly this government’s responsibility,” Krog says.

This story appears in 24 hours newspaper and online Thursday October 29, 2009

Schwarzenegger tells California Legislature to F-off - strong letter to follow!

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger & BC Premier Gordon Campbell

Did Arnie really tell the California Legislature to F-off?

Talk about getting your political frustrations out in public - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has sent a shocking letter to the state's Legislature that tells its members to F-off.

After vetoing a bill that would have provided funding to San Francisco for waterfront restoration, Schwarzenegger sent a letter to the Legislature explaining his action - and then some.

As you can see below, the message is very clear:


To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1176 without my signature.

For some time now I have lamented the fact that major issues are overlooked while many
unnecessary bills come to me for consideration. Water reform, prison reform, and health
care are major issues my Administration has brought to the table, but the Legislature just
kicks the can down the alley.

Yet another legislative year has come and gone without the major reforms Californians
overwhelmingly deserve. In light of this, and after careful consideration, I believe it is
unnecessary to sign this measure at this time.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger


A spokesperson for the governor said it was a "weird coincidence" but a professor of statistics calculated the odds - which would be 5.5 chances of happening in 5 trillion!

But did Arnie simply react to provocation? Apparently.

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat, recently heckled the governor at a Democratic gala here after Schwarzenegger spoke at the event.

Ammiano, an openly gay member angry at cuts to AIDS programs, called the governor a "liar" and reportedly told him to "kiss my gay ass".

Ammiano is a stand-up comedian who played himself in the film Milk, about the San Francisco politician and gay rights activist Harvey Milk who was assassinated by another city councilor.

Surprisingly, Ammiano suggested it shows Schwarzenegger and his staff "have a sense of humour."

"I think it was very creative. They probably think they are even now and it's time to bury the hatchet," Ammiano said.

Which all goes to show that BC has a long way to go to live up to the "California of the North".

Meanwhile - BC Premier Gordon Campbell is still in Arnie's good books as the leading proponent of P3s in North America - Public Private Partnerships.

.

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Copyright Vanoc/Covan

Winter Olympics: Stay or Go?

I'm torn about whether to leave town or hang around. What are you doing?

Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column

By Bill Tieleman

"Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble.
An' if I stay it will be double. So come on and let me know!"

- The Clash

Should I stay -- in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games -- or should I go -- and get the heck out of town?

I'm pondering that question right now, like thousands of other people in Metro Vancouver.

Will the Olympics be an outrageously expensive, insider-only, corporate celebration of advertising where civil rights are quashed and ordinary people's lives disrupted by traffic snarled just so big shots can speed around the city?

Or will the Olympics be Vancouver's finest moment, with the world coming together in peace to witness amazing athletic feats, sports drama, international arts, ending with a tremendous boost to our economy?

I really don't know.

I still support the Olympics, having voted "yes" in Vancouver's February 2003 referendum. Even if only for the job creation, economic development and international profile, they are well worthwhile.

But stay or go? Here are the arguments:

Stay:

This is likely the only chance in our lifetimes to experience a Winter Olympic Games at home -- a unique opportunity.

It will be a global party like no other. The city will be buzzing with international guests, celebrities and media attention.

Since we're paying for the Olympics, massive overruns and all, we might as well get our money's worth.

Go:

The Olympics are a huge advertising event where sports take a back seat to pushing the products of corporate sponsors paying millions for that right.

Rules to protect Olympic sponsors are so draconian that the B.C. Civil Liberties Association is taking Vancouver to court, alleging its bylaws violate the Canadian Charter of Rights.

Ticket prices lean towards outrageous -- $1,100 each for the best seat in B.C. Place for the opening ceremonies, $775 for the closing and men's ice hockey finals, and $525 for ice dance gala. There are modestly-priced tickets down to $25 but for cheap seats for cross-country skiing or biathlon.

But hey, don't worry about the prices. You can't get most tickets anyway! Popular events are long sold out, and for many events 70 per cent of the seats go to corporate sponsors, Olympic "family," politicians and big wigs.

Of course, legal scalpers are standing by to help -- with those $1,100 tickets now going for up to $6,000 each!

Gold medal traffic gridlock. Vancouver will be hell off wheels as security concerns and games transport demands mean street closures and elimination of parking.

Dedicated Olympic-only lanes will ban local drivers on large sections of major streets like Broadway, Burrard, Cambie, Georgia and Hastings from Feb. 4 to March 1 -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Help me out here.

So what to do? Go to Mexico for two weeks? Even Bellingham?

Or party up with the world and enjoy all the attention while splurging for a few events or just drinking with an international crowd at the live sites?

I can't decide without your help -- check my website poll on whether Vancouverites should stay or go at the top right of this page and also vote at the 24 hours newspaper poll on Tuesday October 27.

.

Moms take on BC Liberals over funding cuts to vulnerable children - rallies on Wednesday October 28

I usually fill this blog space with my own writing on issues of concern but today I'm going to simply reprint a news release because I believe it is such an important issue that a small group of volunteers moms and others are taking up - the funding cuts the BC Liberal government is making to vulnerable children in our province.

Here's information I just received from Moms On The Move about a province-wide day of action on Wednesday October 28 against these cuts, including funding for autism programs.

* * * * *

MOMS on the MOVE
================

PRESS RELEASE:

Moms urge Premier to honour promises to BC’s kids

18 communities join provincial day of action against children’s cuts

OCT 28, 2009: — In 2001, Gordon Campbell promised to stand up for BC’s vulnerable children as a priority. Months later, he ordered 23% cuts to children’s programs. In 2005, the Premier outlined five Great Goals – #3 was to “build the best system of support in Canada” for children with special needs and those at risk.

But Mr. Campbell has again forgotten his promise to create a legacy of strong, safe and well-supported children.

So on Wednesday, Oct. 28, we’ve invited British Columbians to help us remind Premier Campbell of his promise to BC’s vulnerable children. So far, 18 BC communities have joined the Provincial Day of Action coordinated by MOMs, a volunteer support network for families of people with special needs.

While BC enjoyed record budget surpluses, waitlists for critical services that support vulnerable children in and out of school grew longer.

Now the Premier is cutting millions from core programs, including autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), mental health, infant development, supported child development and Aboriginal programs.

Specialized staff are being lost, with one program given just a month to wrap up. Front-line children’s agencies were forced to cut $3.6 million more.

A further $32 million is being cut from essential Ministry roles for monitoring, oversight and support to assure children’s welfare and safety. And yet another Ministry re-structuring will further strain the capacity to support vulnerable children.

There was no risk assessment or advance public discussion of these cuts. Apart from a token increase for one small sub-group (700 children with autism under age 6), savings will not reduce waitlists or improve access for the vast majority – i.e. for tens of thousands of children with special needs who are still waiting.

Provincial organizations for people with disabilities, children with special needs and families have protested the cuts.

Professionals represented by the Health Sciences Association of BC strongly denounced funding cuts and the loss of autism programs. Desperate parents have pleaded to save these programs, noting the huge strides their children have made and the strong evidence base for efficacy and long-term savings.

“The Infant Development Program is what saved me,” says Cyndi Gerlach, the mom coordinating a North Vancouver action on Oct. 28. “I want other parents to benefit just as I did.”

Premier Campbell’s cuts to children’s programs are just a matter of priorities. His revised budget commits $14 billion to capital projects. Alberta spends twice as much on autism despite fewer children and is not cutting programs despite a deficit twice as large as BC’s.

“Our children can’t speak out or fight back against these cuts,” says Cher Sherwood, the mom who helped organize several groups in Greater Victoria. “It is our job as parents and citizens to speak up for them.”

And it is Premier Campbell’s job to honour his promises to BC’s kids by protected and rebuilding vitally important supports and services.

“We know that British Columbians don’t want to see BC’s budget balanced on the back of our most vulnerable children,” says Vancouver mom Dawn Steele, who will be leading another group on the Burrard Bridge. “We’re urging him to join us by standing up and doing what he knows is the right thing to do.”

Details of local actions, local contacts, background info & updates: MOMs:

http://MomsNetwork.ca

Olympic gold-medal snowboarder Ross Rebagliati to take on Sea-Doo-loving Stockwell Day

EXCLUSIVE: Ross Rebagliati entering politics against Stockwell Day

Gold medal-winning snowboarder to run for Liberals in next election in Okanagan-Coquihalla

By BILL TIELEMAN, 24 HOURS

Bill Tieleman and Ross Rebagliati - Joyce Thayer photo

Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder Ross Rebagliati wants to push federal Conservative cabinet minister Stockwell Day downhill all the way by running against him for the Liberals in the next election, 24 hours has exclusively learned.

In an interview Thursday with 24 hours, Rebagliati admitted he has a tough uphill climb against Day, the Minister of International Trade who won 58% of the Okanagan-Coquihalla vote in the October 2008 election.

“I’m used to lofty climbs,” said Rebagliati, who won gold in Nagano, Japan in 1998. “I don’t really feel I’m running against Stockwell Day as much as I’m running for the riding – to give voters an option.”

Rebagliati, 38, said he will use social media to connect with young people who don’t vote to defeat Day, 59, a former Canadian Alliance leader.

After Rebagliati’s Monday nomination – there are no other candidates – expect a classic sports battle – world champion snowboarder versus Sea-Doo riding politician – Day once rode the personal watercraft in a wetsuit to a news conference, gaining huge publicity but pundit disdain.

Rebagliati knows that despite his world-wide name recognition he faces a tough competitor. The 2008 Liberal candidate came in 4th, behind Day, the NDP and even the Green Party – and Day has won four elections in the riding.

For me, it’s tapping into my demographics – the 18 to 40 year-old range,” Rebagliati says. “Stockwell is able to win with very few of the potential voters and I want to get out non-voters with a massive web, Twitter, Facebook and social media campaign.”

Rebagliati said he isn’t worried that the Conservatives will attempt to target him over his Olympic win because he was briefly denied the gold medal after testing positive for traces of marijuana – which he blamed on second-hand smoke.

“I’m not concerned about it – it’s old news and I’ve deal with it for over a decade,” Rebagliati says.

Rebagliati will focus his campaign on key national issues like jobs, health care, the environment and homelessness, he said, but also on native concerns such as the Conservative cancellation of the Kelowna Accord developed by the Paul Martin Liberal government.

The world-famous snowboarder currently lives just outside the riding in Kelowna with his wife Alexandra and new son Ryan Enzo but says he is house hunting in Okanagan-Coquihalla.

Rebagliati has been involved in real estate, promotional work, construction and has a book on snowboarding titled “Off The Chain” coming out in November. He also works with a number of charities, including Big Brothers, the Make A Wish Foundation and Kids Help Phone.

NOTE: I was pleased to count Ross as a West Star Communications client in the past but have not worked with him in several years.

.

Don't let Premier Gordon Campbell cut public libraries! Join Bill Tieleman at event tonight at Vancouver Public Library

Everyone needs our public libraries!

UPDATE - you can read a short article on the event and photo here, including reference to my outrageous comments!

Please join me and authors Caroline Adderson, Carellin Brooks, David Chariandy, Larissa Lai, Stan Persky and moderator Dan Gawthrop at Vancouver Public Library Thursday October 22 at 7:30 p.m. for “Public Libraries – Keep Them Local” – an event supporting adequate funding.

Each person will receive one drink ticket. B.C. beer and wine will be served, in keeping with the local theme.

Please RSVP Mike DePaoli at mike.depaoli@vpl.ca or Alexandra Youngberg at alexandra.youngberg@cupe391.ca as this is a registration required event.

Conservative Transportation Minister John Baird keeps writing me letters - about Michael Ignatieff - what gives?

I guess federal Conservative Transportation Minister John Baird must really like me - because he keeps sending me letters in the mail

Of course, he must also really dislike federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff - because that's what both letters are about.

And even though I complained to the Honourable John about wasting taxpayers' money mailing me the last time he had the urge to poison pen Iggy for making self-important statements, Baird has done it again, this time about possibly raising taxes.

Now this strikes me as a bit rich, since Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government will itself be raising my taxes next year if they are successful - along with the BC Liberal government of Gordon Campbell - in imposing a 12% HST in British Columbia.

So what if Iffy might raise my taxes! John, John, John - you and Stephen working with Campbell WILL raise my taxes!

The extra 7% from the HST will not only mean I pay more for restaurant food, haircuts, airline tickets, massage therapy, etc, but I also have to charge my consulting firm clients an extra 7% for nothing! And my landlord will charge me an extra 7% on my rent!

If you read this blog, you know I'm no fan of Iggy or Iffy if you prefer.

But when it comes to raising my taxes, there's one federal political party that's already made it clear that's exactly what they're going to do to me - and the name of that party is Conservative.

And their plans to whack me with the HST are definitely not iffy - they're dead certain about it.

So Honourable John - save all us taxpayers the postage - stop writing to me - because every time you do it only gets you deeper in trouble.

And don't take offence, but I don't want a pen pal who only sends me more bad news at my expense.

.