Liberal insiders laughing all the way to the bank

[Puddle]

I can only imagine the decibel level of Gordon Campbell's howls of outrage if the NDP's top political operator got caught in a smelly lobbying scandal and then refused to co-operate with investigators.

There wouldn't be enough earplugs in B.C. to prevent the epidemic of hearing loss.

But when his own guy gets stuck in the stew, his voice barely breaks a squeak.

I listed some of them in yesterday's column: Accenture ($1.4 billion contract with B.C. Hydro), Alcan (lucrative smelter/power deal), the B.C. film industry ($65 million in provincial tax breaks). The list goes on and on.

But Kinsella never publicly registered as a professional lobbyist in B.C., leading to allegations that he broke the Lobbyist Registration Act. (Campbell's top adviser, Ken Dobell, pleaded guilty to this very same charge in March.)

There's a disturbing pattern developing here: First Dobell, now Kinsella. Kinsella's business partner is Mark Jiles, Campbell's personal campaign manager. Former cabinet minister Graham Bruce also faces allegations of improper lobbying.

We're talking huge amounts of money. The public trust is on the line.

But here is what Campbell had to say about the Kinsella affair: "I think that we have to let those things run their course. Obviously we've had an awful lot of people in the province who have supported the endeavours of the government over the last number of years. I think we should always let these things run their course."

Let them run their course? How is that even possible when Kinsella is refusing to co-operate with David Loukidelis, the province's highly respected registrar of lobbyists?

Loukidelis is an independent officer of the provincial legislature. Campbell's top political mandarin is refusing to co-operate with him, forcing him to abandon an investigation that has now been handed over to the police.

If the NDP pulled this stunt, we'd never hear the end of it.

Now Loukidelis is pleading with the Campbell government for increased authority to clean up the B.C. lobby racket -- just like it's been done in other provinces.

In Alberta, for example, the registrar of lobbyists has full authority to investigate lobbying infractions, including the power to compel the production of evidence and witness testimony.

But what do we have here in B.C.? A toothless law, political insiders who think they can do whatever they want and a premier who couldn't care less. B.C.'s lobbyist law is a joke. But the government has ignored pleas to strengthen it for over two years.

The cherry on top: Campbell cancelled the fall legislative session because there was "nothing to do" -- while Liberal friends and insiders laugh all the way to the bank.

Fucking Assholes!

[Buglunch]

Graham Bruce used to run a grocery store just north of
me. He's not liked by commoners here.

[Puddle]

This reporter has had sme threats in the pasty.
But I have liked his non bias view.

Interesting article tho.

I did like it.

[MeleeMe?]

Wait wait wait... Canada has a government? wtf I thought they just followed our lead...

...thats the only way I can respond to this thread since I have no clue about Canuckistani politics.