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Lower Island NEWS An Independent Democratic Socialist Newspaper Serving the Lower Island Area for 26 Years Volume 27 Issue #6 December2010/January 2011 Victoria, BC Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Dave Barrett honoured recall campaign set to go By Mike Hayes Ida Chong suggests that this is an NDP at 80th birthday party As if the resounding success of the Fight initiative about refighting the last election. HST initiative petition wasn’t enough political She says my NDP membership is evidence history making for one province! Now we of this nefarious plot. Nothing could be are writing Chapter 2 in a tumultuous year further from the truth. Of the 15 members in which the people of BC are taking control on the Campaign Steering Committee, only of political accountability. three are members of the NDP. Each vol- The campaign to recall Oak Bay-Gordon unteer, whether on the Steering Committee Head MLA, Ida Chong, should be well under- or knocking on doors, is acting as a private way. The November 20 rally on the steps of citizen with the democratic right to participate the Legislature had 100 brave souls defying in the Recall process. bitterly cold weather to tell the government The issue, obviously, is not how I voted that the HST fight was not going away. in the last election; it is about how Ida Chong You may already know that I have agreed has voted since then! to act as the “proponent” for the Recall. My Rules for recall are interesting. Any job is to propose to the Oak Bay-Gordon registered voter in BC may be an accred- Head electorate that Ms. Chong be recalled ited canvasser, whether or not they live in as our MLA. On November 22, the peti- that constituency – so any BC voter can tion application was filed, but, three days choose to register as a canvasser in Oak later, rejected by the Chief Electoral Officer Bay-Gordon Head. However, ONLY people over a word count violation. I refiled the on the voters’ list in OBGH for the May 2009 application on November 25 and, barring election may sign the recall petition. unforeseen government or other difficul- It may seem a little confusing, but it ties, door-knocking will begin in the second makes sense. ONLY those eligible to elect Photos by Michele Murphy week of December. The C.E.O. also refused Ms Chong in 2009 may sign the petition to Former BC Premier Dave Barrett (R) chats with BC Federation of Labour President to validate the 150 canvasser applications have her “un-elected” in 2010. Of course, Jim Sinclair, at a recent celebration of his 80th birthday. submitted on November 22, so we are hav- since then some people have moved from ing to approach all our volunteers to submit OBGH and others have arrived. New resi- Barrett’s view: “a new society built on new forms. This is very frustrating and, we dents are not eligible to sign, but those here believe, unnecessary. in 2009, wherever they now live, are eligible. love, trust and understanding” The decision by the Recall Ida Chong The OBGH Recall Team is committed to Steering Committee to go first was not being transparent in our actions and nonpar- By Geoff Meggs Mair went further, although not before mock- taken lightly. This interesting, eclectic group tisan throughout the campaign. Canvassers The careers of some political leaders ing the New Democrats as “the only party I of Fight HST veterans weighed the matter will receive training to ensure that all Elec- seem to diminish with the passage of time, know that elects their leaders, then has the carefully. We all know that, being first out of tions BC rules are very strictly followed. others grow in significance. leadership campaign”. the gate, we must not fail. Our success will The Elections BC Guide explains this Former NDP Premier Dave Barrett Turning to Barrett, whose government be critical to that of the recall campaigns clearly. “Canvassers have unique responsi- seems to be joining the latter category, at he had worked tirelessly to defeat, Mair that follow. Challenges were discussed bilities. They are the proponent’s front line least to judge by the tributes paid to him said that “looking back on the accomplish- openly and honestly among people of representatives by collecting signatures by a former opponent and several hundred ments — the ALR, ICBC, the changes in the widely-differing political perspectives and and interacting with the public. They also New Democrats November 20. They were Legislature and so on — I would say they experiences. Ultimately, the passion, strong represent, through their actions, how the gathered at a Langford hotel to celebrate his stamp you as one of the greatest premiers and varied abilities of the team, and commit- recall process is perceived by the public. 80th birthday and the crowd included most BC has ever had.” ment to 60+ days of hard work gave us the Canvassers have a duty to act with integrity of those who had gone into political combat W i t h confidence to go. and to learn, understand and follow the rules earlier that day at an NDP Provincial Council that the This campaign is about holding govern- laid out within the Recall and Initiative Act meeting, as well as scores of former MLAs t w o o l d ment -- this and future governments -- ac- and its Regulations.” and constituency activists. p o l i t i - countable to those who elect them. It has Anyone wanting to help with the cam- The evening was highlighted by aston- cal war- been described as populist democracy in paign is invited to visit the Campaign Office ishing archival video from Barrett’s extraordi- riors em- action: fine words, but there is the bottom at Suite 216 - 1595 McKenzie Avenue nary career in provincial and federal politics, b r a c e d line. The campaign will succeed on the en- (McKenzie and Shelbourne) in the profes- including his declaration to a large crowd in and the ergy and commitment of citizens committed sional building on the southwest corner. 1970 that “we want to build a new society, c r o w d to making it work – meaning you. You may drive onto the upper parking level built on love, trust and understanding”.It erupted in We need volunteers. Remember: you from either McKenzie Avenue or from Gar- is hard to imagine a political leader of any a stand- don’t need to live in OBGH to canvas for net Road. Contact us through our website stripe making such a direct and emotional ing ova- signatures but you MUST be registered with www.recallidachong.ca, or call the office at: appeal today. Two years later, Barrett swept tion. Elections BC to receive canvasser creden- 250-590-5355. to power. He was 41. T h e tials. You may download the application Welcome…and join us in making BC His hectic three-year administration form from the Elections BC website (www. political history! passed 357 bills, a record unsurpassed to provincial government honoured Barrett elections.bc.ca). Select “Recall” from the this day. They included enduring reforms the previous day with the announcement menu on the left and follow links to “Recall Mike Hayes is the Oak Bay-Gordon Head Recall to every aspect of BC society: creation that the viewpoint below Cypress Park, - Application for Canvasser Guide and Appli- Proponent of the Agricultural Land Reserve, an end which Barrett saved from the chainsaw in cation“. Complete and print the pdf form then to mining in parks, a massive overhaul of the 1960s, will be renamed Barrett’s View. mail, fax or drop it off at the Campaign Office. Also on Vancouver Island energy policy, creation of ICBC, formation As Carole James said at that ceremony, the As the “proponent” for the recall, I am Saanich North and the Islands MLA of a province-wide ambulance service, the name has a double meaning, reflecting both very proud to be working with this campaign. Murray Coell, and Comox Valley MLA Don launch of the province’s college system the view itself, which Barrett helped to save, It truly is “nonpartisan”. From Steering McRae are both slated to face recall cam- and fundamental democratic reforms of the and his political philosophy, which continues Committee to volunteer door-knockers, paigns in 2011. Legislature. That’s a partial list. to have an impact on the life of the province. something has moved each of us to give Proponent for the Recall Murray Coell It is fair to say, argued former Premier It was a government that said “yes we time, money and energy to this grassroots, campaign is Ryan Winsor, who can be Dan Miller, that Barrett’s government brought can” — and then did. democratic process. It could be as simple reached at 250-885-8539 or by email at about changes as profound as those ush- as “enough is enough”. The HST remains [email protected], while the proponent ered in by the Quiet Revolution of Jean Geoff Meggs was elected to Vancouver City Coun- cil in November 2008 on the Vision Vancouver the catalytic event, but it is honesty and ac- for the McRae campaign is Kathryn Askew, Lesage’s government in Quebec. team led by Gregor Robertson. countability from those we elect that is the who can be reached at 250-339-9828 or by But long time Barrett opponent and common thread. I am confident we will col- email at [email protected] former Social Credit cabinet minister Rafe lect the 15,366 signatures we need.

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