(UPDATED) The Pattern of Deception: Christy Clark’s Claim About Peace With BC Teachers is Yet Another Sham!
I am working on a follow up piece for Monday that should blow the cover off the Boessenkool Affair–and CLEARLY demonstrate, why the head of the BC Public Service Agency, Lynda Tarras, must resign immediately. Facilitating the Premier’s Office in covering up the Boessenkool (non) investigation is NOT the first time she’s provided an unusual laxity (my charity is on display again) with respect to either a sitting premier or one of his staff. It not only shows her bias, but that she doesn’t care about the integrity of her charges–the government bureaucrats, who are all paid by YOU.
In the meantime, let’s have a closer look at our Premier’s commitment to have a decade long labour peace with the BCTF.
I’m surprised the rest of the media haven’t caught wind of this.
Behold.
—– Message —–
From: “BC Teachers’ Federation” <members@communications.bctf.ca>
To: “BC Teachers’ Federation” <members@communications.bctf.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Subject: BCTF News, October 2012
BCTF News
Volume 18, Number 2, October 2012
Talks stall on Letter of UnderstandingA letter of understanding (LOU) with BCPSEA agreeing to further discussions on professional growth, evaluation, and local bargaining was signed at the end of June. In the LOU, both parties agreed that government would provide sufficient funds to fully support the professional growth program.
At the beginning of October, the BCTF met with BCPSEA and Mark Brown as facilitator. Early on in the meeting it was apparent that government was not prepared to commit professional-growth funding. The BCTF was clear that a commitment to adequate funds up front was necessary on an item as significant as a professional growth program. BCPSEA’s refusal to even acknowledge the funding commitment effectively ended the meeting.
No further meetings are scheduled at this time. The LOU requires an agreement be reached by October 31.
Brief to the Select Standing Committee on Finance
In the presentation given to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, BCTF President Susan Lambert vividly documented the impact of successive cuts over the last decade. She highlighted three key measures to illustrate the cumulative neglect BC’s public education system has sustained.• To bring BC’s public education funding as a percentage of GDP just to the Canadian average would cost $609 million.
• To bring operating expenditures to the national average would require $377 million.
• And most telling of all is the Student-Educator Ratio (SER). BC had the worst SER in Canada in 2009–10, the most recent year for which national data is available from Statistics Canada. To bring the ratio of students per teacher up to the national average, BC would have to hire 5,800 more teachers at a cost of $500 million.The government’s weary refrain of declining enrolment, yet increased funding, masks the true reality of cost increases, downloaded expenditures, insufficient increases, and budget freezes.
Despite declining enrolment, the number of students with special needs increased by more than 1,500 in the last decade. At the same time, BC schools lost over 750 special education teachers. Similarly, the number of English Language Learners (ELL) has grown by more than 1,800 but there are 340 fewer ELL teachers. The number of counsellors dropped by 117 over the past decade, while students are coping with increased stress. Teacher-librarians have also declined by 30% even as information literacy becomes evermore complex and important.
Susan told the committee that the needed improvements could be made by restoring previous taxation levels for large corporations and high-income earners.
The 10-year deal
In a surprise announcement, Premier Christy Clark floated the idea of a 10-year deal with teachers. She conjured up an idyllic picture of sustained “labour peace,” implying that the public education system has been rife with disruption. Yet again, mention was made of the deals concluded recently with other public sector unions suggesting that the BCTF had been standing in the way of an agreement. In reality, the other unions had been offered something, but teachers were offered nothing but concessions.
In an interview on CBC, Education Minister Don McRae emphasized it was the process that needed fixing and skirted questions on the content of negotiations but did admit that at some point in a 10-year deal there would have to be consideration of pay!
In commenting on the proposal, BCTF President Susan Lambert said she was supportive of efforts to improve the bargaining process but added that there needed to be improvements in other areas such as funding and learning conditions. She also expressed the hope that this announcement was not simply a political ploy aimed at mollifying teachers and the public in advance of the election.
Reaction in the media has largely focused on the overly ambitious and unworkable nature of the proposal while nevertheless welcoming the intent to change the bargaining process.
Do you now get what’s going on here? The underscoring is mine, for emphasis.
Still not clear?
Okay, how ’bout a more explicit view?
Behold again…
—– Message —–
From: “BC Teachers’ Federation” <members@communications.bctf.ca>
To: “BC Teachers’ Federation” <members@communications.bctf.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Subject: Report on meeting with governmentOctober 30, 2012
Report on meeting with government
You have undoubtedly heard that the premier announced her plan for a “10-year-deal” and consultation with the BC Teachers’ Federation on changes to bargaining structures.
Please rest assured that there will be no 10-year-deal. In an initial meeting on October 25, the Federation received a request to submit a brief to government indentifying bargaining structure changes to improve the process.
We have been pushing for structural changes for many years, including through meetings with various ministries and as an actual bargaining issue in the last round, all to no avail.
The government plans on introducing legislation as early as this February.
See more details on the BCTF Member Portal at https://www.bctf.ca/myBCTF/content.aspx?id=28295 .
Susan Lambert
President
So, for the kids in the class wondering why I’m going on about this. It’s a hybrid of the classic ‘bait and swtich’. Christy Clark is a master manipulator and a cool pro at this game (read: lying).
Watch:
The sale of BC Rail: In the face of devastating written evidence that implicated her through the corrupt process this asset was sold–in the form of court documents from the Basi-Virk trial–Clark denies any and all involvement and claims, while a leadership candidate, to want the deal with two “criminals” investigated, but not the sale of the asset. When she becomes premier, she shuts down any chance of even releasing the indemnity agreement she previously wanted released, even going so far as pushing then Attorney General Barry Penner to appeal a decision by the courts of this province (!!!) giving the Auditor General access to related materials.
The restructuring of BC Hydro: After stealing the election to become leader of the BC Liberals, Clark announces a moratorium on PR contracts at the govt behemoth–to appear like a fiscal conservative, but synchronously allows for the continual ‘Rape of River’ schemes, which have indebted taxpayers into the billions, and devastated streams and rivers in BC–despite the damning indictment of the BC Utilities Commission, which declared such schemes “answers to non-existent problems.” In addition, the BC Hydro bureaucracy continues to be LOADED with BC Liberal toadies and hacks, with fancy titles and booming salaries. Get it? Clark says one thing all while having made clear plans to do another!
Senate reform: She knocks off some incomprehensible drivel to national papers about greater representation for BC, but when pressed for specifics, says that the province was “currently” under a process to propose changes, so she couldn’t comment further. Meanwhile, then house leader Rich Coleman explains that the discussion wouldn’t be for months and there were no plans to move up any possible legislative changes or recommendations, and that no such committee for review had been struck. Again, Clark saying one thing, while clearly knowing from simply attending Cabinet, that it wasn’t possible and the govt was headed in another direction.
Open and transparent government: Let’s count the courageous, top-notch reporters, who challenged her and felt her wrath or rudeness–and all caught on tape. Mi-Jung Lee from CTV. Marcella Bernardo from CKNW, Jas Johal of Global TV. Bob Mackin of CKNW. Mike Smyth of the Province. If Clark is intent to change government to being more open and transparent, shouldn’t that begin with her? Of course it should. But as we now know, she had no intention of ever doing that–it was yet another lie. Otherwise, she’d order the indemnity/settlement agreement with Dave Basi and Bob Virk released immediately, and not make HER OWN AUDITOR GENERAL HAVE TO FIGHT HER GOVERNMENT FOR IT IN BC COURTS!!!
The Jaspal Atwal Affair: Fresh from being a few years out of jail, he attends the govt’s throne speech as a guest of the premier’s office–never mind the lies. He’s put on a special list by a BC Liberal official–also from the Indo-Canadian community, and shows up, cap in hand. When it’s noticed by an outraged Kash Heed and equally astonished Dave Hayer, the complaint to the Speaker’s Office causes great embarrassment to the Premier, further enhanced by her own denials that a man whose presiding trial judge dubbed a “domestic terrorist,” was “unknown” to her. In fact, several witnesses appear and retell of the Premier LAUDING the man at no less than a half dozen campaign fundraisers, inclusive of thanking him personally–before witnesses, at a wrap up party held at the home of new Surrey Panorama hopeful–and long-time Christy Clark shoe-shine boy, Sukh Dhaliwal. Atwal, who remains a very good friend of Sukh Dhaliwal, was an active campaigner for Christy Clark, complimented by her publicly many times for that work. But when confronted by the media, she denies even shaking his hand.
The Throwing Under the Bus of Dave Basi and Bob Virk: The two men dubbed “criminals” by Clark, were the key players in her ascension to MLA, govt member and then Deputy Premier. Virk was her Legislative Assistant from 1996-1999, and Basi was the political equivalent of Brando’s ‘Godfather’ in the world of Christy Clark and then hubby Mark Marissen. No untoward deed was refused and enemies were destroyed with ease by Basi, whose acts were completed perfectly and with great ceremony. Clark used these men and their considerable talents, lauding them often to Gordon Campbell–who, in turn, used and directed them to sell BC Rail to his pal’s company (even though they preferred to see it sold to OmniTRAX). Clark continued to use Basi and Virk through the process and even attended personal events like weddings and (Sikh-equivalent) baptisms for their children. As soon as Basi and Virk reached their utility point, she tossed them aside like used rags. She told Mike Smyth on NW that she was “never that close (with Dave and Bob). Again, doing one thing, and saying another.
The HST: You can blame Clark almost entirely for not demanding it come off as immediately as possible, post-vote. She liked the HST, then hated it, then liked it again, eventually wasting $5,000,000 of YOUR dollars trying to convince you it was wrong to vote to remove it. Saying one thing and doing another.
Then, of course, her unbelievable lies with the Boessenkool affair, and, well, you get what I mean.
I could go on, but that’s enough for today. Oh, yes, speaking of the Boessenkool affair, at this hour, the TWITterverse is aflame with bellyaching by many of the Premier’s media friends, who are moaning about her attending a ceremony with the Lieutenant Governor, rather than being available for questions on the ever-brewing scandal over her former chief aide’s firing.
LOL! Where have they been for two years? This shameless, shameful woman has done this time and again, and they let her get away with it! They facilitated her denials and never probed her lies. Now they’re upset?
Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable. Maybe they can all commiserate at the Webster Awards tonight…in part sponsored by David McLean’s CN.
Lovely province we live in, no?
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Tomorrow I’m out of town, so no post.
However, Monday: The Boessenkool bunkerbuster–including evidence that should have Lynda Tarras doing the right thing and resigning (I know, this would require some shame on her part). And what would that post be without a a little more intel of how Tieleman, even though armed long ago with the information I will release Monday, can’t do the story, precisely because he’s a paid PR gunner for the BCMA. Another conflict. Reporter or PR gun-for-hire? You be the judge, because you can’t be both. Trust me, it all ties in together. You WILL be appalled with all of them, I assure you.
Also, next week: Why Jim Chu continues to be a disgrace to the badge of the VPD–with more breaking news on him.
And, yes, I’ll finally do an opinion piece on this FIPA deal with China that has so many of you foaming at the mouth.
Then, I’ll see if we have time to circle back and knock off a piece on Mayor Moonbeam and his new cycling lunacy–I don’t use the bike lanes and bet I’m now healthier and in better shape than most of his fellow cycling fascists. You DON’T need to jeopardize your life on Vancouver’s hills and valleys–that will never change, these people advocating for cycling utopia are LOONS. Drive a car, please, it’s safer. He’s an eco-nutter, along with Meggs et al. But as long as my old pal Peter Armstrong allows that harridan Suzanne Anton and her dimwitted accomplice Mike Klassen to continue running the NPA into the ground, you can say hello in 2014 to Mayor Raymond Louie–you heard it here first. A guarantee. And, a change to Vancouver First, won’t help if the same idiots are running the show. Might as well bring Sam back and kill it off properly.
And last but not least a word or 800 on Professor Sean Holman…and why his blog is sorely missed.
Until Monday, have a super safe and restful weekend.
Hug a child, read a book, mix a colourtini, and then another…
Be well.
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UPDATE: Read the parts I’ve included about Clark’s conduct on the HST and how she despicably threw Basi and Virk under the bus, after they performed such exceptional work for her and her ex-husband Mark Marrisen.
Also, tune into the Global BC tonight. At 6:45pm the Premier will be on to talk–according to Keith Baldrey. If that station has allowed itself to become an advertising center for the BC Liberals, I will suspend this blog and stop at nothing to drag them in front of the CRTC for a reprimand. What a TOTAL DISGRACE!!!
Where is the goddamned balance? There had better be some. Let’s see at 6:45pm. I’ll be watching in the Batcave.
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UPDATE #2:
Did you catch the Premier last night on Global??? A pathetic display, although I am wondering aloud why on earth Global would accept such advertising. Yes, I know, it’s business, but if any party really wants to impress me, they should come out with a platform that states clearly: NO POLITICAL ADVERTISING while government. In other words, run ads, by all means, but not during the news hours and not like this. They’re using our money to try to fool us. Same went for the HST. What a sham of a govt this is, honestly. For shame!
Keith Baldrey, in the North Shore News, quietly rows away from the Titanic:
Partial quote-
Clark was speaking at her party’s annual convention. The two-day affair was essentially a pep rally designed to whip up some enthusiasm in the ranks of a party that hasn’t had much good news lately, and to that end it ranked as some kind of success.
But Clark and the B.C. Liberals have yet to demonstrate an ability to connect (and be supported by) people who are not particularly politically active. It is one thing to win the support of the political elite – members of riding association executives and the like – but it’s quite another to reach out to the much larger pool of voters who determine who holds power in this province.
In the last election, slightly more than 751,000 people voted for the B.C. Liberals. I seriously doubt that if an election were held today that anywhere near that number would vote the same way. Clark got a few standing ovations from the 500 or so supporters at her party’s convention, but there’s no evidence many more people are applauding her or her party these days.
Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/news/some+unlikely+friends+dinner/7487674/story.html#ixzz2BCe9NFtu
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I had a very pleasant and informative exchange with Keith recently. He mentioned he would be writing such a column and was highly critical of the Premier’s performance of late, particularly over the Boessenkool Affair, and her party’s own ads on Global.
I will say this about Baldrey: unlike others members of the msm, he has NEVER taken my criticisms personally, nor, for that matter, has he ever criticized me personally either. I’ve never been a ‘conservative blogger’ to him. He speaks to my work. He likes it or he doesn’t–and I’ve always been very good with that. On a personal level, he’s a super good guy, as is Vaughn, Mike and certainly Gary–although the latter might most sensitive. And that’s fair, too.
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It’s always a bit sad to see a warhorse relegated to the pasture. Memories of past conquests spur furious desire to once again bear the standard and lead the path to victory. Alas, it’s not to be. History bears witness to the folly of selling ones virtue to the highest bidder, only to change course when another enters the fray. Too little – too late comes to mind. Like a prize fighter, bloodied and beaten, leave the arena with head held high knowing your best days are over. You, and you alone can pay tribute to your accomplishments, don’t lose it after it’s over.
In memory – Keith Baldrey
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Fighters, friend are often bloodied, but not beaten.
From Ali to Pacquiao…
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Mr Baldry has finally smelled the coffee … better late than never.
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Congratulations to ICBC for reaching their goal of being “the worst insurance provider”. Another Liberal appointee success story.
Remember you’ve got to pay huge signing bonuses, magnanimous benefits and expenseaccounts to our friends, with grotesque severence packages if they resign, that’s how you attract the the best talent required…….How much will they now be given as a parting gift for a job well done?and how will it be justified?
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Dont forget that ICBC was created by the NDP.
And, like all the other govt beaurocracies it emulates, it has become a bloated, self serving waste of taxpayers dollars.
Wanna balance the BC buget and have money to spare?
Car insurance can be “gasp” sold by the private sector. Abolish ICBC.
Alcohol can be “gasp” sold by the private sector. Abolish BC Liquor stores
The GVRD ( sorry I meant the expensively renamed Metro Vancouver) is a grotesque duplication of municipal govts. Either abolish IT or the municipal Govt services it duplicates. We dont need to be paying for both.
Public schooling “Professional Development days”? WTF?
2 months of summer off and then a “pro D day” in Sept ? How many Pro D days are there ? 10? And this is for every teacher in the province? 40,000 teachers? 50,000?
Professional developement in the private sector is usually done on the employees own time, NOT during a work day unless it is compulsary training. Highly unlikely in the adversarial education system we have today.
I could go on ad nauseam but you readers get the picture.
The bloated machine cannot be changed by the spineless breed of contemptable politcian that routinely crawls out from under a rock to spew forth lies , lies and more damn lies.
Justin Trudeau , a former drama teacher for PM?
I almost wish we had Joe Clark back………
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Some facts:
It’s 5 pro-D days per year, for about 30,500 teachers on contract — and these were ADDED to the school year. No extra pay for them, though you could lose a day’s pay if you don’t take part.
Take them away and you have a school year that is a week shorter… then you can complain about that.
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“2 months of summer off and then a “pro D day” in Sept ? How many Pro D days are there ? 10?”
There are 5 and one school planning day (which is akin to compulsory training).
“Professional developement in the private sector is usually done on the employees own time, NOT during a work day unless it is compulsory training”
As it is in education. If you do your research, you will find that those dyas originally were taken off of the summer holidays. So technically, it IS on our own time.
Thanks for helping to perpetuate an inflammtory lie.
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Sooooo, are the Pro D days taken in the summer or throughout the rest of the school year as I previously stated?
And is there not a Pro D day in the middle of Sept?
I also neglected to mention the week off work at Christmas and the week off work at Spring break. These weeks off arent followed by more pro D days are they?
Sorry if I toucherd a raw nerve perpetuating a “lie”
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Some Pro-D days are taken in the summer. It depends on the district. In ours, teachers vote per school as to whether or not they want “front-loaded” Pro-D days (2), which would occur sometime near the end of August. If they vote yes, they would be given a “day in lieu” on one of the non-instructional days scheduled by the district throughout the year.
The calendar is decided by the school district. Teachers can have input through their local union president, but when the Pro-D days are scheduled is at the discretion of school board administrators. If you have a problem with where they are placed, your beef is not with teachers.
Besides, why does it really matter when Pro-D days are? The more important consideration is that teachers have the opportunity to keep current in general pedagogy or their subject area.
As for the “Summer holidays, Christmas holidays, Spring Break – are teachers ever working” argument, I’m sick of it. If you had any clue how much extra time teachers have to put in JUST TO DO THE JOB, you would never bring this up. When I calculate all of the time I put in at home marking, preparing teaching materials, doing report cards, and attending mandatory meetings, I am STILL owed more time (if I were able to access time in lieu as some other workers are allowed to do). After all, as a salaried employee, I can’t collect over-time for working an over 40-hour work week, and unlike many professions, my work is just beginning when the end of school bell rings.
Consider it as getting a deal for taxpayers. You don’t pay me for all of the work I am required to do, or give me all of the holiday days that I am required to be given under the Employee Standards Act.
Please take the time to get your facts straight before you spout off.
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sorry for the delayed response Heartless, was watching the election results.
“if you had any clue how much extra time teachers put in …..bla bla bla.”
Hmmm didnt know teachers were the only profession to “put in” extra time (is that term grammatically correct?) after their regular 40 hour work week. ( minus coffee breaks, lunch,etc).
Salaried workers are expected to work “over and above” their regular 40 hours per week. Just ask any bank employee, accountant, middle manager, etc.
I dare say the “unprotected, non union “stiffs” out in the real world ( of which we are the majority of workers) would LOVE a 40 hour work week.
Unfortunately the reality of the times we are in ….employeres in ALL profession expect and demand extra ,unpaid, afterhours work>
Is it right? No.
Is it fair? No.
Are teachers the only group that has this inflicted upon them ? No.
Do teachers deserve even more holidays than they currently get as per your last reference to the Employee Standards act?
Certainly not. You have enough time off.
Perhaps you should seek a new line of employment, since you seem so hard done by in your current line of work.
Becoming union representative might be the perfect position for your mindset.
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Just curious, How is it that a Teacher is “on Vacation” during a school semester?
Stress leave?
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It could be that I am on sabbatical.
It could be that I am caring for a sick family member.
It could be that I’m retired.
It could be that I am battling a serious illness, like cancer.
It could be that I am just pretending.
It could be that it’s none of your business.
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“Perhaps you should seek a new line of employment, since you seem so hard done by in your current line of work.”
I suppose I could do that. I have thought about it many times. However, I am actually quite good at what I do. My students have often told me that I am (or was) their favourite teacher. One has even told me that I inspired her to become a teacher. Others have told me that they have made a difficult and sometimes boring subject easier to understand and fun.
Parents have also been complimentary of my teaching style and commented that they have always felt well informed. The teachers I work with have also expressed appreciation for my listening, mentorship, and problem-solving abilities. In addition, my administrators have always found me to be hard-working, cooperative, and dependable.
And at the end of the day, I feel that what I do is important. Don’t you? And if you believe that the profession is rife with lazy, uninspiring teachers, wouldn’t you want to ENCOURAGE people like me to stay instead of demoralizing me by suggesting that I have it easy?
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Bless you. I, for one, feel privileged to have so many teachers as readers, and I appreciate their incredibly hard work.
I repeat: Bless you.
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Thank YOU so much Alex. We are so honoured to have supporters such as yourself! <3
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Some of the bloat just parachuted away…….in fine style.
http://www.theprovince.com/business/Axed+ICBC+executives+entitled+almost+severance/7515115/story.html
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I know. Truly shameful.
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Well remember it wasn’t a Liberal success story, but rather an NDP one.
Even from the beginning it had problems and after less than 2 years the inside workers struck against ICBC.
Why the h-e double hockey sticks is a no at fault claims ever after driving for more than 30 years am I subsidizing the idiots who repeatedly cause accidents, and these spoiled brats with their Mommy and Daddy bought $45,000 luxury sports car allowed to blast along Highway 1 at runway takeoff velocity?
They should be slapped with a very high insurance rate for at least 6 years (same as the credit system. If you have excessively bad debts
you don’t get to take a loan from your bank. You’re forced to decide whether you want to take an 18% loan out from the sharks at the loan companies.
and don’t get into the idea that would affect their getting to a job or school.
Take the bus. At least you’re riding in a vehicle with 250 to 350 HP.
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You get no arguement from me Seymour
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Full agreement – Fines should be the burden of those creating the havoc. Fine them and take away their ability to drive. I have had quite enough of subsidizing those who repeatedly violent the safety of others on the road.
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I’m not sure I understand the ICBC gripe. I believe I heard that the Corp. was ransacked for 750 million dollars last year. All to “general revenue” despite the skimming off the top by Liberal insiders. A private company would not have done anything different, instead their executives would have been paid and the shareholders would have got the 750 million. I think most of what we perceive as a problem with ICBC is the over-management and high rates. The first could be handled with honest gov’t and the latter by using the 750 million as a rebate or cost lowering device for the next years rates, to existing clients.
At the end of the day I’d rather pay a higher tax rate and do away with all these hidden user fees that the Liberal’s use to manipulate their wonderful stewardship of the economy.
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I agree with you to a point Stannis.
The private insurance sector would definitely be handing bonuses to their shareholders and executives. I also agree that ICBC has become a huge “cash cow” for which ever govt ( NDP or Lib. or Socred) takes any extra profits and stuffs then into general revenue.
What I detest is the fact that I drive a 10 year old sub compact and pay about $1200 per year AFTER my Roadstar discount? WTF?
Im over 50, accident free for more than 30 years, no other fines or convictions(speeding,stop signs, etc) for more than 20 years….and my neighbors kid who seems to emulate the thugs on “Growing Up Gotti” drives a Camaro (that daddy bought him for grad) like an F-ing maniac and pays $200 more per year/ WTF?
Im sick of subsidizing every BMW, Jag, Mercedes, Acura driving incompetant on the fricken road.
When I tell people in Alberta or back East what I pay they shake their heads and LAUGH!
Best Place on Earth my ass……
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That’s no-fault insurance for you…
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we are in mesa az right now, our friend next to us has 2 hoses a rv and 3 cars insured with state farm for the price of one years icbc insurance on our car
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A private insurer would look at the driving record of many of the bad drivers out there and tell them, “you pay this, otherwise we don’t insure you”.
The biggest problem with ICBC is too much management, but it is also the degree of high rates and where they exist.
Good driver discounts cap out at 40%. Doesn’t matter if you’re a good driver for 5 years or 30 it’s the same.
The high rates are disapportion to the good drivers like myself and the bad drivers who rack up tickets and worse those idiots who like to use Highway 1 and 99 like its their own personal Mission Raceway, and blocking traffic which has a legal right to use the road within the limitations.
Then there are those others who drive as fast as a Citation Jet on its takeoff on the runway.
I am personally not interested in “rebates” (that was done before), . What that does is just buy votes, and we’ve been down that road before.
ICBC should get away from “morally insuring all drivers”, and act responsible and either hugely increase the insurance premiums for basic insurance for bad drivers and those with a lengthy driving record
or deny them in the more serious instances outright. If such people continue to drive without insurance, then take them to court and sue them. If they have no assets for recovery then that solution is quite easy. It goes on their credit record and stays there as a big black mark for 6 years.
The Roadstar package is a joke. It’s not given away, you have to buy one. I’d rather have something I could use such as a free year registration.
The majority of good drivers like myself are tired of the coddling of these bad drivers.
“Honest” and “government” don’t usually go together.
and in regards to those Liberal Insiders at ICBC, they will be replaced with NDP ones in June.
The NDP hacks will most likely be at a “Claims Centre” located not at
ICBC but within Premier Dix’s office
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S. Forest yes all points valid. I’m OK with ICBC if they cut the lard of all stripes, and insured based on record like a reasonable insurance company. I don’t mind a “little” higher rate in order to give young people a leg up but agree, once you develop a pattern of reckless driving or accidents, throw the book at these people.
As for the driving without license/insurance throw the book at them, if they cause injury or death, mandatory jail term. No excuses.
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Once upon a time, a Sultan was blessed with the birth of a son after years of hoping. The boy immediately became the apple of his father’s eye.
Just before his son’s sixth birthday, the Sultan said to him, “Son, I love you very much. Your birthday is coming soon. What would you like?”
His son replied, “Daddy, I would like to have my own airplane.”
His father bought him United Airlines.
Just before his son’s seventh birthday, the Sultan said, “Son, you are my pride and joy. Ask what you want for your birthday. Whatever it is, it’s yours.”
His son replied, “Daddy, I would like a boat.”
His father bought him the Princess Cruise Line.
Just before his son’s eight birthday, the Sultan said, “Son, you bring so much happiness into my life. Anything you want, I shall get for you.”
His son replied, “Daddy, I would like to be able to watch cartoons.”
His father bought him Disney Studios.
Just before his son’s ninth birthday, the Sultan said, “Son, you are my life. Your birthday is coming soon. Ask what you wish. I will get it for you.”
His son, who had grown to love Disney and the world of make believe, replied, “Daddy, I would like a Mickey Mouse outfit.”
His father bought him the B.C. Liberal Party.
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And therein lies the truth.
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Can also be applied to the NDP and even better the federal Liberals.
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With the hiring of 5800 teachers the productivity will drop drop by 15% per teacher. Are the teachers willing to take a 15% drop in wages and benefits to get their comrades a job?
BCTF/teachers – trying to suck and blow at the same time.
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I may not be a teacher but I DO respect the work they do … up yours, oo2!!!
It is obvious that we have you and your ilk to thank for the continued support of the LIEberal party since 2001. Where was your mouth and opinion when this province was being sold off while the politicians were/are wallowing in the cash this past decade. No doubt you were cheering them on ..
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∞², why would you assume that hiring 5800 teachers would cause a 15% reduction in efficiency… other than your propensity for the negative?
Yes, there’s a cost — but students would get more services and opportunities if more staff were hired.
In the medical field, would you say that hiring even 1,000 more doctors would be bad for BC? Rather than more doctors serving the same number of patients as before, more people could actually get face time with a doctor in a timely fashion.
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Well, Janos where were you in 2005, and 2009? Were you working 6 hr days on weekends plus 2 hrs 3 days during the week to help the NDP in their campaign?
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12 hour days , working on weekends.
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actually, Seymour .. I wasn’t into anyone’s campaign. I had too much disgust for all politicians in general much as I do now. My mantra was and still is “a politician is a politicain is a politician!” From what Alex’s blog has provided me other than the education, is that the BS is still same ol’, same ol’. I am also still waiting for anyone of them to prove that their constituents well being is more important than their own party’s.
As much as I would like a moderate, center based government .. I just don’t believe Santa is going to bring that to BC … EVER!! Are the NDP going to be different this time?? Only until they get caught in their first screw-up .. it’s almost that they are genetically pre-wired zonbies .. sweet smiles and say what you want to hear but then hits the ‘pack mentality’!!
BTW, Seymour .. thanks for your generous donation of your time to try toppling the LIEbs in the Spring of 2009 .. I was busy on the rally and strike lines raiding the bastards Xmas party at the UBC golf course as well as Nazi-saluting Kevin Falcon and the rest of the LIEbs at their gathering in Surrey as they had their ‘Kevie’s future vision of health care’ kumbayah to name just a couple. So dear brother, I may not have been in your trench, but I definitely was in the same battle fighting the same band of thieves!!
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I did not work to topple the BC Liberals. I do not volunteer for the NDP, ever. I did campaign for an MLA who is a friend of mine.
Rallies and strike lines are not political campaigning. Rallies are just a yell fest of the rent a crowd.
I’d also dump that Nazi reference crap. Your Nazi “saluting” would make you look foolish. Also the salute is one of affection to the Nazies, it’s not a protest move such as giving the bird (which would also make you look foolish.
If you don’t like a group of people fine, but at least have some respect.
Also I’d dump the idea of raiding an event for others. How would you like it if some Conservatives decided to impede on your rally by stealing the mic? Not too happy about that would you?
I’m also not union and never have been a union member. I’ve worked in a union shop (Teamsters, some of those guys would tear your arm off like a drumstick off a good cooked turkey, but were good friends of mine when I was there. Also went to construction sites. Some of the language would make a tough longshoreman blush, but didn’t bother me. Either I get in or I come back next week as I told ‘em when I encountered a strike line. I got in).
I applaud the unions for protecting the workplace and their members as they should. I don’t respect them for getting political on topics outside of their occupational area and such things as raiding others’ events and making fools of themselves.
What are you and your group going to do when the NDP does something you don’t like? Raid Dix’s Xmas party and give them a Communist Army type jackboot walk and arm salute? Perhaps Dix
rendition on a Communist Party big red framed portrait of the likes that were seen in the USSR and now in North Korea?
Give it a rest.
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Thanks again for your thoughts, Seymour .. but better to be seen as a fool and in their faces than to be a closet, stuck behind a keyboard wannabe like most of our MSM these days. These last 11 years have proven to be Fascist-style times in relation ‘if we don’t like you, we will just wipe you and your kind off the earth’ .. so hence, the salute is a recognition of their behaviours.
I grew up in a non-Union family and worked in my younger years at a non-Union forestry job. I worked beside Union crews there and thus I have a healthy appreciation for both entities and a harmony that must exist to co-funtion for everyone’s betterment. While I generally had good Employers, there was a huge mutual accountability on both our ends. It wasn’t till I became a public service employee that I found the accountability is very much one-sided and rests solely with the worker and that is especially true with most ministries because of the Peter Principle and ‘friend’s with benefits’ phenomena.
Far be it from me to suggest whom you spill a beer with, but I would personally have difficulty in helping a ‘friend’ to become an MLA or MP because once they become assimilated, the mutual characteristics that I once shared with them would be morphed by the machine and the friendship lost .. that is unless I long to be assimilated, too.
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Janos.
Do you honestly figure those “being a fool” as in giving Nazi salutes actually accomplish anything? They don’t other than making the people who do that sort of thing look like idiots. But that’s your choice.
I’ve seen many of those roadside protests and they accomplish very little other then letting off steam. But if you want to participate, that’s your choice.
As for helping a friend get elected in politics (I’ve also helped a few friends also at the civic level in two suburban cities). You’re a bit out of touch there. Many who I have helped get elected have moved on to actually accomplish a lot of good things for the people they represent. not only for their constituents, but also for city and province.
But if you want to be a fool, be our guest.
You’ll have decisions to make once the NDP becomes government next year. Do you lash out against a party that is heavily supported by your own union? You decide.
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“With the hiring of 5800 teachers the productivity will drop drop by 15% per teacher.”
If you have some evidence to prove that statement, it would be interesting to see. My guess is you would be comparing children with outputs from a factory, orchard, or farm field. That is not how our children should be treated.
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As we all know in the private sector Lew when my shop did well with 4 guys we hired 2 more and productivity fell 50% because the 4 guys just shared the work that they were doing.
Just kidding, you hire more people to do increased volumes or new types of work. Some of the BS some folks think amazes me.
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“Did you catch the Premier last night on Global???”
No. And I can’t seem to find a link to the performance on the Global BC web site. Perhaps this is a good thing?
Does anyone know where one might view this spectacle?
TIA
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http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/discussions/how-can-british-columbias-young-people-build-a-successful-trades-or-technical-career-and-be-first-in-line-for-bc-jobs/
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… and just what is it that you do for a living 002? You seem to have a very high opinion of yourself.
You also seem to know an awful lot about sucking and blowing.
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ooops, a little quick on the enter button….
what a bozo you are oo2 – Janos has it right on – “ilk” – what a perfect word for you.
you are part of the problem not part of the solution. your comments show not only a lack of judgement but a lack of respect and decency – just like the LIEberals that you support.
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Makes you wonder what other business is done without record or little of it
Some thought cambie Canada line was bait and switch allegedly saying tunnel when more was cut and cover saving millions at expense of businesses.
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Infinity Squared or OO2.
Perhaps you are a YOUNG LIBERAL MEMBER as you lack common sense.
If you are older – shame.
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I’m still scratching my head about what this trade deal with China can possibly do for Canada and Canadians for that matter. Where is the training our young people should be recieving??? Can a Prime Minister actually do this to his own country? This is all quite amazing.
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Give it a rest. I just finished reading it. All of it. You’re reactionary stance isn’t surprising. That it’s not tacked to reality is.
Opposition parties didn’t use ONE of their days to raise the issue and it only became a problem after it was raised, for political purposes, by through NDP.
Frankly, I’m not comfortable with all of it, but it’s not what you claim.
Not even close.
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Agreed Alex. At first I was prepared to hate it. It was negotiated in secret but I would think most of these things are. It will expand investment capital and at the same time set guidelines on that investment. I don’t think it gives Canadian investors as much lee-way in China. Their Gov’t will still use national security to ban western investment in natural resources and telecommunications. Not good.
However I have a statement/question. In 1936 a lot of companies and investors made profits dealing in Germany. We know how this ended. Other than skin colour and the name of the Party you have basically the same type of thugs in China. Substitute Tibet for Jews and add the same or greater number of political dissidents and (non) judicial gulag system, explain the difference please? I respected Harper more when he scolded them. I feel we are on the wrong side of history here.
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Yeah, it’s hard not to feel the same way.
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Read the Diane Francis article in the Financial Post about the China trade deal
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I did.
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http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Premier+Christy+Clark+announces+anti+bullying+summit/7496849/story.html
sickening. rather than find out why the RCMP were not charging people with distribution of child pornography… and handing out reprimands and discipline for those that did not do their jobs… CC has decided that the death of a young woman is a political issue.
WE DO
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we do not need a summit to let us know that people were posting child pornograpy online and sharing it… we need to know why the police were not charging those involved.
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Absolutely right!!!
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I know, it’s just disgusting that Christy, the biggest bully in BC political history, is calling a summit together, so that she can exploit Amanda Todd’s death. Absolutely disgusting.
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My apologies AGT but I havent seen or heard of any answers to the FIPA. Where is such a document and is it available to available to all to view? I am left to wonder why this FIPA hasn”t been put on the airways as I’m sure I’m not the only Canadian upset about it?
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No apologies necessary. Do I want unfettered access by China? No, of course not–and not because she’s China, as I would feel that way about any foreign country or player.
But I firmly believe in treaties and I think this is one that DOES NOT deliver Satan to our door. Far from it. Unless Canadian companies are utterly avaricious, Chinese companies go no upper hand at all. It’s mostly political and reactionary.
Although, I am NOT comfortable with SOME of the rights of the Chinese under this treaty. Let’s discuss when I do my post later this week.
Thank you so much for your perspective. It helps me in my composition. Thank you again. Be well.
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Time to throw down with the H.E.U.
25% reduction in benefits and a 1% raise offered by the employer.
Niiiice.
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Who exactly do you expect to “throw down” with the HEU? The last time they needed help, the BC FED abandoned them to the tender mercies of the Gordon Campbell Liberals. They were left to swing in the wind by the very people they counted on the most: organized labour.
Just ask George Heyman and Jim Sinclair- they did the deed.
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I have a different memory of that occurrance. Organized labour was ready to pull the trigger, so to speak. Every Union in this province, Private and Public was ready to shut it down. We shoiuld have too. What happened was the HEU president was personally threatened with huge fines and years of jail time if the general strike was to proceed..
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I remember very clearly, also. It should have and would have happened if our collective executives hadn’t backed down.
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Hi Alex.
Thought you might like to have a look at this.
Canada-China trade deal is too one-sided
Diane Francis | Nov 2, 2012 7:51 PM ET
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/11/02/canada-china-trade-deal-is-too-one-sided/
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Look, I don’t necessarily disagree with Diane, who I’ve had the privilege of appearing with on a few national panel discussions and who I have immense respect for. I think the agreement is too one sided–however, the worst case scenario for Canada to be perpetually on the losing end, is too narrow of a likelihood. Over time, it may very well prove to be a poor deal. I’m just commenting on the last minute whining by the NDP who are trying to make this out to be some sort of massive sell out of our resources. That part, at least, is just not true. Yes, we’ve allowed China too much latitude, but I, for one, am not about to hit the panic button before we’ve had a chance to launch the rocket and see how it flies. I heard identical arguments when we signed NAFTA with the United States–and it’s proved to be a boon for Canadians. Perhaps the comparison isn’t perfectly like, but you get my point.
But I do appreciate you bringing this to my attention. Later this week, I’ll happily let you know my full position, and I hope that you’ll take me to task should I not provide the balance requisite.
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Again correct, the doomsayers were predicting all sorts of doom with NAFTA. Turned out OK in most respects. As previously noted there is a big difference between the USA/Mexico and Communist China.
I know the argument “expand trade and your enemy becomes your friend” and sometimes that can work. But at the base of it they should become more like us, not the other way around. My fear is with the political corruption, prison industrial system (coming here soon, already in USA), and failing legal system, we are becoming more like them. Just MHO.
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Along the theme of open and transparent government, Mike Smyth had a distressing piece about the problems with the $182 million information system that has been introduced to allegedly improve the ability of BC Social Workers to assist children at risk.
http://www.theprovince.com/news/computer+system+adds+social+workers+headaches/7496172/story.html#ixzz2BJrmHdqH
I had heard it that social workers were complaining about it but I had not realized the extent of the problems. We now discover that we have spent nearly $200 million to buy recycled US software from Siebel, a subsidiary of Oracle. Parts of the program still reference another client, the US Department of Homeland Security.
Questions:
1. Are there no BC/Canadian companies that can do this work?
2. Can it really cost $200 million to buy and adapt an existing database program?
3. Given that this kind of application is now routine, why doesn’t it work and can we ask for a refund?
I note that the MCFD Deputy Minister in charge during the installation period had no Canadian experience and apparently no visible qualifications for the job as disclosed by another blogger at this site last year. I also note that this DM was virtually frog-marched out of MCFD within days of Campbell’s departure.
http://www.theprovince.com/news/computer+system+adds+social+workers+headaches/7496172/story.html#ixzz2BJrmHdqH
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If on the morrow, should arise,
A Romney win – to our surprise;
They’ll do their very best to show,
A sporting send-off, as they go;
But offer them, no compromise.
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