DOCSLIB.ORG

INFORMATION PACKAGE June 26, 2008 Page

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
INFORMATION PACKAGE June 26, 2008 Page REGIONAL COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKAGE June 26, 2008 Page Regional Council Calendar 5 June 30 - July 4, 2008 UBCM 6 NEWS RELEASE June 23, 2008 Appointment of Honourable Blair Lekstrom 7 RESOLUTIONS SUBMISSION AND DEBATE 8 UPCOMING DATES & DEADLINES Other Local Government Memberships 9 FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES Municipal Partnership Program - CAMBODIA Application Deadline: June 30, 2008 10 NORTHERN TRUST Announces Pine Beetle Funding for Valemount Page 1 of 45 Page Other Local Government Memberships 11 NORTHERN TRUST Launch of the QUEST West Mountain Pine Beetle Geoscience Project Provincial Ministries 12-14 MINISTER COLIN HANSEN Announcing the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Community Marks Program 15-18 MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT & INCOME ASSISTANCE 10 by 10 Challenge Issue 3, Summer 2008 19 MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE Invitation Re: Important Announcements on Infrastructure & Transit Fort St. John BC (Beatton Park Road), July 2, 2008 20 MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE Invitation Re: Important Announcements on Infrastructure Dawson Creek BC (Hwy 97 & Reidell Sub Road), July 3, 2008 21 MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE Invitation Re: Grand Opening of the Dawson Creek Permit Centre Dawson Creek BC, July 3, 2008 Federal Ministries 22-25 PETER JULIAN, MP Update on the Progress in Banning PBDEs 26-27 SENATE CANADA Bill C-50 - New Immigration Policy for Canada Page 2 of 45 Page Miscellaneous Correspondence 28-29 COMMUNITY ENERGY ASSOCIATION 2008 Energy Action Awards Application Deadline: August 8, 2008 30-38 FORT NELSON LIBRARY BOARD Minutes 39 THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT The Current 40-41 VAN DOP Arts & Cultural Guide to British Columbia Guide: Available as Documents Available Upon Request Training, Conferences, & Seminars 42-43 PNWER 18TH ANNUAL SUMMIT Vancouver BC, July 20 - 24, 2008 Trade Organizations 44 THE CENTRAL INTERIOR LOGGING ASSOCIATION FACTSFAX Issue #465 Week of June 16, 2008 Flowers & Condolences 45 SENT TO THE FAMILY OF SHEILA HOLDEN Documents Available Upon Request FORT NELSON SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA June 24, 2008 MINERAL EXPLORATION Page 3 of 45 Page Documents Available Upon Request Summer 2008 STEPPING STONE Spring 2008, Issue 5 VAN DOP Arts & Cultural Guide to British Columbia Page 4 of 45 Regional Council Calendar June 30 - July 6, 2008 June 2008 July 2008 June 30 - SM TW T F S SM TW T F S 1234567 12345 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6789101112 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 July 06 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 Monday, June 30 Thursday, July 03 Heather Cosman Away 5:15pm 8:00pm Special Council Meeting (1 Bear Pit) Tuesday, July 01 Friday, July 04 Heather Cosman Away Wednesday, July 02 Saturday, July 05 Heather Cosman Away Heather Cosman Away Sunday, July 06 Heather Cosman Away Kathy Giesbrecht Page 5 of 456/26/2008 10:57 AM JUN. 24. 2008 8:41AM UB CM NO. 1034 F. 1/1 News Release UBCM Welcomes Appointment Of Honourable Blair Lekstrom June 23,2008 1 (Victoria, BC) The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) congratulates i Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace Kver South, on his appointment as the Minister of Community Development. Minister Lekstrom is part of the new provincial Cabinet that was sworn in earlier today at Government House. "Minister Lekstrom has a strong background in local government politics thanks to his years of service as a Councillor and the Mayor of Dawson Creek," said UBCM President Susan Gimse. "We look forward to working with Blair to continue the collaborative ! approach to provincial - local government issues that has been the hallmark of UBCM's longstanding relationship with BC." I Minister Lekstrom's prior local government appointments include serving as President of I the North Central Municipal Association and a member of UBCM's Executive. Minister i Lekstrom will replace the outgoing Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay - Gordon Head, who ' was appointed as the Minister of Community Services in June 2005. "UBCM is very appreciative of the diligence and care that Minister Chong brought to ' local government issues," said President Gimse. "Ida is a hard working MLA and we wish her all the best as she moves into her new role as Minister of Technology, Trade and ! Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative." For further information: Paul Taylor Relationships and Communications Advisor UBCM (250) 356 2938 Page 6 of 45 IMPORTANT NOTICE – UBCM RESOLUTIONS TO: UBCM MEMBERS FROM: Reiko Tagami, Information & Resolutions Coordinator DATE: June 24, 2007 RE: Resolutions Submission and Debate Suite 60 10551 Shellbridge Way th Richmond 1) 2008 Resolutions Deadline – June 30 British Columbia The UBCM resolutions deadline is approaching. This memo is a brief Canada V6X 2W9 th 604.270.8226 reminder of the June 30 deadline as well as a reiteration of the importance Fax 604.270.9116 of ensuring Council and Board representation at Convention resolutions Email: [email protected] sessions. PRESIDENT 2) Help in Preparing Resolutions for Submission to UBCM SUSAN GIMSE We ask members to avoid resolutions that simply re-iterate policy positions EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR endorsed previously by UBCM. Such resolutions lengthen the resolutions GARY MACISAAC debate without achieving forward progress. If you feel that the response to a previous resolution has been unsatisfactory, please contact UBCM staff for assistance to express this in your resolution. Submission procedures, resolution writing guidelines, and a resolution template are all available on the UBCM website (www.civicnet.bc.ca) under Resolutions & Policy / Submission Procedures. UBCM staff are happy to respond to questions about resolution format, wording, and procedures. Contact Reiko Tagami, Information & Resolutions Coordinator. Tel: 604-270-8226 ext. 115 E-mail: [email protected] 3) Attendance at Resolutions Sessions Resolutions are a key part of UBCM policy-making and advocacy. You must be present to introduce and speak to your resolution(s) to ensure that UBCM will be able to represent your concerns effectively. Check your UBCM Convention Program when you arrive on-site in Penticton and take note of the resolutions session times. Watch for last- minute schedule adjustments that may affect when your resolution reaches the floor. Since the speed of resolutions debate is unpredictable, you may wish to designate a representative to monitor progress through the resolutions so that your local government is ready to comment on resolutions you have submitted for debate whenever they may arise. See you at Convention! Page 7 of 45 Union Of BC Municipalities #4065 P.001 /001 , . UNXON oP Important Reminder for 'Local Governments Mtm~Lm~4 Upcoming Dates & Deadlines' A. TO: . Mayors, Ch,airs, and. Administrators From : Local Government Program Services, UBCM Date:. June 20, 2008 UPCOMING GRANT APPLICATION'DEADLINES Please note the following grant programs have upcoming application deadlines: Building Governance Capacity - June 30. 2008 .Emergency Planning - Auaust 15. 2008 School Community Connections 2008 Program - October 30, 2008. Applications for the following programs willbe acceptedon. an on-going basis: ~omrnunit~Tourism Phase 2 - until November 30, 2008. 'Seniors in Communities' Dialogues - until November 30, 2008. Strategic.Wildfire Prevention - no fixed deadline. Supporting Treaty Implementation Pilot Project Program - contact UBCM Treaty Knowledge Exchange Dialogue Program - contact UBCM -q ;&. UPCOMING REPORT DEADLINES The following programs have upcoming report deadlines: Community Health Promotion, Fund - Proaress reDorts due June 30, 2008 Seniors' Housing & Support Initiative - Prosress re~qrtsc&$e July 11, 2008, Healthy Food & Beverage Sales (Ph. 1) - Final re~ortsdue Sept. 30. 2008 For more information on any of these.programs please visit www.civicnet.bc.ca (Under 'Programs & Services'- 'Local Government Program Services') or call (250) 356-5134. please make copies of this circular & distribute to Council/Board Members.& Staff Page 8 of 45 FCM 613.241.7440 6/19/2008 2:09:45 PM PAGE 001/001 Fax Server MEMBER ADVISORY 0611 812008 Please distribute to Members of Council and CAOs FCM's lnternational Centre for Municipal Development (ICMD) offers opportunities for municipalities, wnicipal associations and individual municipal practitioners to engage internationally through programs funded by the Canadian lnternational Development Agency (CIDA). ICMD is presently inviting Canadian municipalities to submit expressions of interest for the following project: Municipal Partnership Pronram - CAMBODIA FCM opened a Municipal Partnership Program (MPP) in Cambodia in Autumn 2007. A definition mission was conducted in February 2008 to design the project proposal. The themes which were identified for capacity building with 10 selected communes (sub- district governments) in Battambang District are solid waste management and local government capacity building. FCM is currently seeking a Canadian municipality or district to undertake a one and a half-year municipal partnership in the District of Battambang to address the communes' environmental development issues. The environmental approach will be complemented with training and practical applications to strengthen governance. The successful Canadian partner will be a municipality or district with demonstrated expertise in municipal capacity strengthening, management of solid waste and stormwater/wastewater canals, environmental management and mitigation of effects from waste. Ideally,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Debates of the Legislative Assembly
    First Session, 39th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (hANSARD) Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Afternoon Sitting Volume 6, Number 3 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOff, spEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR His Honour the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC First Session, 39th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ......................................................................................................Hon. Gordon Campbell Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance .......................................................................................................................... Hon. Colin Hansen Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow B.C. ....................................................................................................... Hon. Mary McNeil Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation .....................................................................................................Hon. George Abbott Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development ............................................................................ Hon. Moira Stilwell Minister of Agriculture and Lands ...................................................................................................................................Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • New Stacker Reclaimer Project Public Engagement Summary Report September 2012
    New Stacker Reclaimer Project Public Engagement Summary Report September 2012 1.0 Project Overview As part of ongoing upgrades and modernization of terminal infrastructure, Neptune Terminals is continually making strategic investments to iproe the terial’s steelaking coal handling operations. Neptune Terminals has announced that, it will be installing a new stacker reclaimer replacing an older, smaller unit currently in use. This new equipment will be installed within the terial’s eistig footprint and will allow the terminal to improve efficiency and operating flexibility by simultaneously moving steel-making coal from trains to the stockpiles and directly from stockpiles onto vessels. The e staker relaier ill further ehae Neptue’s eiroetal easures ith a est-in-class dust suppression system. 2.0 Notification & Outcomes In May 2011, Neptune Terminals publicly announced a $63.5 million dollar investment in their steel- making coal operations. The largest component of this announcement was the purchase of a $45 million stacker reclaimer, to be built in British Columbia. In November 2011, Neptune Terminals and Ramsay Machine Works announced the new equipment would be built at the Ramsey yard in Sidney, B.C. The Government of British Columbia celebrated the announcement with Neptune and Ramsey. Then Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Blair Lekstrom participated in the media event, local MLA Murray Coell was quoted in the news release and Victoria based Minister Ida Chong and Minister Naomi Yamamoto from North Vancouver also attended the announcement. The media coverage surrounding both releases focused on the economic investment and job creation for North Vancouver and Sidney, making note of BC manufacturing and the increased capacity that would result from the stacker reclaimer project.
    [Show full text]
  • Prescription Before Diagnosis: the Dynamics of Public Policy Construction in the BC Liberal New Era, 2001-2005
    Prescription Before Diagnosis: The Dynamics of Public Policy Construction in the BC Liberal New Era, 2001-2005 By George Malcolm Abbott B.A., University of British Columbia, 1975 M.A., University of Victoria, 1978 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the Department of Political Science © George Malcolm Abbott, 2019 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This dissertation may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photo- copying or other means, without the permission of the author. Prescription Before Diagnosis: The Dynamics of Public Policy Construction in the BC Liberal New Era, 2001-2005 By George Malcolm Abbott B.A., University of British Columbia, 1975 M.A., University of Victoria, 1978 Supervisory Committee Dr. Colin Bennett, Supervisor (Department of Political Science) Dr. Jamie Lawson, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Dr. James Tully, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Dr. Evert Lindquist, Outside Member (School of Public Administration) ii Supervisory Committee Dr. Colin Bennett, Supervisor (Department of Political Science) Dr. Jamie Lawson, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Dr. James Tully, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Dr. Evert Lindquist, Outside Member (School of Public Administration) ABSTRACT The BC Liberal New Era was an intense and often controversial period in the province’s political history. One day after being sworn into office with a massive majority, Premier Gordon Campbell announced a 25 percent personal income tax cut, potentially relinquishing one billion dollars in tax revenue. Seven weeks later, Campbell and his Finance Minister followed up with another billion dollars in business and corporate tax cuts.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Legislative Assembly
    Fourth Session, 39th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Th ursday, May 3, 2012 Morning Sitting Volume 36, Number 6 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR His Honour the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC Fourth Session, 39th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ..............................................................................................................Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance ............................................................................................................................Hon. Kevin Falcon Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ...........................................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Advanced Education .................................................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Don McRae Minister of Children and Family Development ................................................................................................................ Hon. Mary
    [Show full text]
  • British Apr 2 21112 Columbia
    BRITISH COLUMBIA APR 2 21112 Ms. Karen Goodings Chair Peace River Regional District Box 810 Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4118 Dear Ms. Goodings: Thank you for your November 29 and December 1, 2011 letters regarding British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) oversight and natural gas generation. In your letters, you express concern regarding the change the Clean Energy Act (the Act) made to the role of the BCUC. The principal rationale for this change is that the development of critical electricity infrastructure in the Province can have a broader provincial benefit than is reflected in the narrower ratepayer interest normally considered by the BCUC. Section 7 of the Act set out a number of strategic projects, programs and contracts that support British Columbia’s energy objectives, and provides that these projects, programs and contracts will not be subject to further BCUC review. Going forward, the oversight role of the BCUC over BC Hydro continues. Recognizing the importance of BC Hydro’s plans for supporting British Columbia’s energy objectives, the Act requires that BC Hydro’s Integrated Resource Plans (IRP) be reviewed and approved by the provincial government. The expenditures, projects and contracts necessary to implement an approved IRP will be subject to BCUC oversight and approval (apart from those listed in Section 7). The Act also includes consequential amendments to the Utilities Commission Act providing that, in considering the ratepayer interest in projects, contracts or expenditures proposed by BC Hydro, the BCUC must “consider and be guided by” the IRP approved by the provincial government and British Columbia’s energy objectives.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 14 Certified
    1 IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT REVIEW PANEL ("JOINT PANEL") ESTABLISHED TO REVIEW THE SITE C CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT ("PROJECT") PROPOSED BY BRITISH COLUMBIA HYDRO AND POWER AUTHORITY ("BC HYDRO") CANADA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AGENCY AND BRITISH COLUMBIA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OFFICE _______________________________________ PROCEEDINGS AT HEARING January 8, 2014 Volume 14 Pages 1 to 262 ________________________________________ C o p y ________________________________________ Held at: George Dawson Inn 11705 8th Street Dawson Creek, British Columbia Realtime Connection [email protected] 2 APPEARANCES JOINT REVIEW PANEL: Dr. Harry Swain - Chairman Ms. Jocelyne Beaudet Mr. Jim Mattison Brian Wallace, Esq. (Legal Counsel) THE SECRETARIAT: Courtney Trevis (panel Co-Manager) Brian Murphy (panel Co-Manager) PARTICIPANTS: Craig Godsoe, Esq., BC Hydro (Legal Counsel) Peter Feldberg, Esq., BC Hydro (Legal Counsel) Ms. Bridget Gilbride, BC Hydro (Legal Counsel) REALTIME COURT REPORTING: Mainland Reporting Services, Inc. Nancy Nielsen, RPR, CSR(A), RCR Leanne Kowalyk, OCR AUDIO/SOUND SYSTEM: AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions Alex Barbour. Technical Services Representative. Realtime Connection [email protected] 3 INDEX OF PROCEEDINGS DESCRIPTION PAGE NO. Opening remarks by the Chairman: 5 BC Hydro panel: 9 Susan Yurkovich Al Strang John Nunn Mike Savidant Siobhan Jackson Judy Reynier Trevor Proverbs Opening comment and undertaking 10 response by BC Hydro: Presentation by Mr. Blair Lekstrom: 22 presentation by Mr. Donald Hoffmann: 82 presentation by Diane Culling: 90 presentation by Mr. James Little: 103 Presentation by British Columbia's 120 Women's Institute: Jill Copes Ruth Veiner Patsy Nagel Maya Wenger Presentation by Gwen Johansson: 140 Presentation by Mr. Hadland: 160 Presentation by Ms. Doreen Hadland: 169 Presentation by Roy Kelly: 176 Presentation by Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Legislative Assembly
    Third Session, 39th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (hANSARD) Tuesday, May 24, 2011 Afternoon Sitting Volume 22, Number 9 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, spEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR His Honour the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC Third Session, 39th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ..............................................................................................................Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance ............................................................................................................................Hon. Kevin Falcon Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ...........................................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Advanced Education .................................................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Don McRae Attorney General ........................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Barry Penner, QC Minister
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Legislative Assembly
    Second Session, 39th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (hANSARD) Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Afternoon Sitting Volume 16, Number 3 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, spEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR His Honour the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC Second Session, 39th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ......................................................................................................Hon. Gordon Campbell Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance .......................................................................................................................... Hon. Colin Hansen Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow B.C. ....................................................................................................... Hon. Mary McNeil Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation .....................................................................................................Hon. George Abbott Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development ............................................................................ Hon. Moira Stilwell Minister of Agriculture and Lands ...................................................................................................................................Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Legislative Assembly
    4th Session, 37th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Tuesday, April 29, 2003 Morning Sitting Volume 14, Number 10 THE HONOURABLE CLAUDE RICHMOND, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Honourable Iona Campagnolo 4TH SESSION, 37TH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Claude Richmond EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council..........................................................................................................Hon. Gordon Campbell Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations................................................................................................... Hon. Greg Halsey-Brandt Deputy Premier and Minister of Education .........................................................................................................................Hon. Christy Clark Minister of Advanced Education............................................................................................................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries..................................................................................................................Hon. John van Dongen Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations.................................................................................. Hon. Geoff Plant Minister of Children and Family Development..................................................................................................................Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Provincial Legislatures
    PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES ◆ PROVINCIAL & TERRITORIAL LEGISLATORS ◆ PROVINCIAL & TERRITORIAL MINISTRIES ◆ COMPLETE CONTACT NUMBERS & ADDRESSES Completely updated with latest cabinet changes! 88 / PROVINCIAL RIDINGS PROVINCIAL RIDINGS British Columbia Saanich South .........................................Lana Popham ....................................100 Shuswap..................................................George Abbott ....................................95 Total number of seats ................85 Skeena.....................................................Robin Austin.......................................95 Liberal..........................................49 Stikine.....................................................Doug Donaldson .................................97 New Democratic Party ...............35 Surrey-Cloverdale...................................Kevin Falcon.......................................97 Independent ................................1 Surrey-Fleetwood ...................................Jaqrup Brar..........................................96 Surrey-Green Timbers ............................Sue Hammell ......................................97 Abbotsford South....................................John van Dongen ..............................101 Surrey-Newton........................................Harry Bains.........................................95 Abbotsford West.....................................Michael de Jong..................................97 Surrey-Panorama ....................................Stephanie Cadieux
    [Show full text]
  • The Politics of Consumption Tax Reform
    Playing with Fiscal Fire: The Politics of Consumption Tax Reform by Matthew Lesch A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Political Science University of Toronto © Copyright by Matthew Lesch 2018 Playing with Fiscal Fire: The Politics of Consumption Tax Reform Matthew Lesch Doctor of Philosophy Political Science University of Toronto Abstract 2018 Drawing on the case of consumption tax reform, this dissertation investigates the varying capacity of governments to enact and institutionalize ―general-interest reforms‖ (Patashnik 2003). The study advances a two-stage theory of policy reform. The first part explains why some governments, in spite of the political risks, decide to pursue general-interest reforms. In this first stage, two variants of policy learning—rational learning and emulation—are proposed to explain policy uptake. The second stage of the theory builds on policy feedback scholarship (Pierson 1993;Mettler and SoRelle 2014), claiming that the durability of a reform hinges on policy design. It proposes that governments can prompt various policy feedback effects through policy design and communications. Such efforts can shape the political incentives and perceptions of interest groups, opposition parties and voters at key junctures in the policy process. The study illustrates the analytic value of this approach through two distinct but complementary empirical strategies. First, through comparative case analysis using mainly qualitative techniques of elite interviews and document analysis, it compares the varying experiences of two Canadian provincial governments— Ontario and British Columbia (BC)—with value-added tax (VAT) reform. While each government chose to pursue VAT reform in the late 2000s, only in the case of Ontario was it successfully implemented while the BC government was forced to reverse its policy decision.
    [Show full text]
  • Carole James, Leader, BCNDP: Because Everyone
    14700 NDP Platform Cover 4/6/05 5:04 PM Page 2 Carole James LEADER because everyone matters Platform 2005 bcndp.ca Making life better and more affordable for ordinary British Columbians British Columbia holds limitless opportunities for the people who live and work here – all of us who have chosen BC as our home and future. It’s a potential for prosperity we must embrace – a prosperity that can be shared and enjoyed among all British Columbians, because everyone matters. But that’s not happening today in BC. Over the past four years, we’ve seen a one-sided approach to government, where Gordon Campbell has imposed his political agenda, no matter how much ordinary families are hurt along the way. Gordon Campbell & the BC Liberals promised to make things better for everyone, but the record betrays that promise: • They have created dirty, crowded hospitals, where patients are moved into hallways and closets • In a new century when skill development is more important than ever, they have allowed tuition fees to double, moving post-secondary education and training out of reach for too many young people • They have cut long-term care, abandoning the seniors who helped build our province • The fundamental public services British Columbians cherish – our health care, BC Ferries and BC Hydro among them – are being privatized, creating poorer services for families and bigger profit margins for private suppliers • They have closed 113 schools and cut 2,500 teaching positions, meaning bigger class sizes and less support for individual students • Their cuts have punished the poor and the most vulnerable, forcing more people onto the streets with no real supports to help them turn their lives around and live more independently BCNDP Platform 2005 1 This is a time for new ideas to meet the demands of a growing population and the complicated challenges facing our province.
    [Show full text]