R-2 DIRECTORS’ NOTICE OF NEW BUSINESS To: Chair and Directors Date: January 16, 2019 From: Director Goodings, Electoral Area ‘B’ Subject: Composite Political Newsletter PURPOSE / ISSUE: In the January 11, 2019 edition of the Directors’ Information package there was a complimentary issue of a political newsletter entitled “The Composite Advisor.” The monthly newsletter provides comprehensive news and strategic analysis regarding BC Politics and Policy. RECOMMENDATION / ACTION: [All Directors – Corporate Weighted] That the Regional District purchase an annual subscription (10 issues) of the Composite Public Affairs newsletter for an amount of $87 including GST. BACKGROUND/RATIONALE: I feel the newsletter is worthwhile for the Board’s reference. ATTACHMENTS: January 4, 2019 issue Dept. Head: CAO: Page 1 of 1 January 31, 2019 R-2 Composite Public Affairs Inc. January 4, 2019 Karen Goodings Peace River Regional District Box 810 Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8 Dear Karen, It is my pleasure to provide you with a complimentary issue of our new political newsletter, The Composite Advisor. British Columbia today is in the midst of an exciting political drama — one that may last for the next many months, or (as I believe) the next several years. At present, a New Democratic Party government led by Premier John Horgan and supported by Andrew Weaver's Green Party, holds a narrow advantage in the Legislative Assembly. And after 16 years in power, the long-governing BC Liberals now sit on the opposition benches with a relatively-new leader in Andrew Wilkinson. B.C.'s next general-election is scheduled for October 2021, almost three years from now, but as the old saying goes: 'The only thing certain, is uncertainty." (The best political quote in this regard may have been by British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan who, asked by a reporter what might transpire to change his government's course of action, replied: "Events, dear boy, events." New research suggests that MacMillan never said it — but it's still a great quote!) Composite Public Affairs Inc. provides clients with a full-suite of political and policy services, including issues management, research, public relations, event and conference management, government relations and more, and we are pleased now to publish The Composite Advisor. Further information on our firm — and how to subscribe to our new monthly newsletter — is available on-line at www.11compositepublicaffairs.ca. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Jason Craik Vice-President, Government Relations 422 Richards Street, Suite 170 Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2Z4 January 31, 2019 R-2 A monthly newsletter providing comprehensive news and strategic analysis regarding British Columbia Politics & Policy. THE • COMPOSITE dVi sor JANUARY ISSUE 2019 01 + An embarrassment of riches? Booming economy hands Carole James a massive fiscal surplus Carole James wrestles with a massive fiscal Finance minister Carole James The bottom-line for James' more than $200 million to well surplus rose in the legislature a bare ten February 2018 Budget was a above two-billion dollars. Pg. 1 months ago to introduce the relatively modest surplus of first full-year Budget and Fiscal $219 million. And far from worrying about The INSIDER Plan for Premier John Horgan how to keep a narrowly- and his New Democratic Party Some observers were unim- balanced fiscal plan from slip- government. pressed. ping into a puddle of red ink, Looming the NDP Finance minister today by-election in The province's revenues, James "A razor-thin margin in terms is pondering ways to reduce her Nanaimo declared on February 20, 2018, of a surplus:' declared Shirley embarrassment of riches. were forecast to come in at Bond, the MLA for Prince Pg. 5 $54.193 billion. George-Valemount and BC For, if one thing troubles poli- Liberal finance critic — and ticians nearly as much having Personnel changes Anticipated expenses were long-serving cabinet minister too little money, a dose second in Premier's office slightly lower at $53.624 billion, in a succession of BC Liberal is the challenge of having too and then a modest 'forecast governments — adding, "we are much. allowance' of $350 million very concerned about the sus- was set aside, thereby pushing *** Job tainability of the fiscal plan." creation budgetary outlays to almost surges in late 2018 fifty-four billion dollars. Similarly disdainful was Global How did James' "razor-slim:' Pg. 9 TV's Keith Baldrey, who in May "tiny" budgetary surplus become (The forecast allowance rep- observed that "James potentially a massive provincial windfall? BC Ferries gets resents monies in each Budget has little elbow room to protect needed review set aside for a potential rainy- her tiny projected surplus of Very simply, cash for the past Pg. 10 day — unforeseen expenses, $219 million7 several months has been pour- that is — and does not represent ing into the Provincial Treasury an actual cash outlay. Forecast Now, however, with less than at an astounding rate. OPINION: Time for allowance monies may, or may three months to go before the a new electoral not, be spent during a fiscal end of the 2018/19 fiscal year, Consider again that James' first boundaries period, but the item is listed as James' surplus has morphed full-year Budget projected total commission an expense to provide a 'cushion from minuscule into gargantuan provincial revenues at $54.193 Pg. 12 against a possible deficit.) - skyrocketing from slightly billion. January 31, 2019 R-2 Oiisider Premier John Horgan's cabinet Agriculture minister's office. have to quit the seat to obtain a / The •Composite was exceptionally busy at the new one in his home province end of 2018 - between, that is, A Victoria resident, Wieczorek of Ontario in the federal-general Aavisor the conclusion of the fall legis- recently graduated with a election scheduled for October?) lative sitting and the beginning bachelor's degree in politi- of the New Year - signing cal science from Dalhousie Now 24, Maria Louise Szabo Published 10 times dozens of orders-in-council for University in Halifax. His first was named as a minor func- annually by Composite new political appointees. appointment as Popham's as- tionary in the Premier's office Public Affairs Inc. sistant was from July through back in November 2017, and One beneficiary was Ravi November. then this past summer she was Singh Parmar, chair of Sooke shifted over to the Government School District No. 62, who Krystal Smith, a veteran New Communications and Public To subscribe, please visit: was confirmed as a ministerial Democratic Party activist and Engagement shop (located in the assistant to Jinny Sims, the organizer, got a December Ministry of Finance), where she wri,v.compositepublicaffairs.ca Minister of Citizens' Services. appointment as ministerial worked in Event Services. assistant to Mike Farnworth, Now 23 years old, Parmar first the Minister of Public Safety In late November, Szabo - who Mailing address: won election to the Sooke and Solicitor General. worked on the NDP campaign Composite Public Affairs school board in November in Surrey-Whalley in the 2017 422 Richards Street 2014, and then was elevated to Smith had been working as general election - got an ap- Suite 170 chair in 2017 when the former a constituency aide to NDP pointment as executive assistant Vancouver, B.C. occupant announced he was Member of Parliament Kenne- to Bruce Ralston, the Minister V6B 2Z4 stepping down. Parmar was dy Stewart, who, on October of Jobs, Trade and Technology. re-elected to the school board 20, won election as Mayor of Ralston, coincidentally, also is Phone: (604) 385-0946 in October 2018, topping a Vancouver. Stewart announced MLA for Surrey-Whalley. field of 13 candidates. his intention to seek the may- or's office last May, and finally Another legislative staffer Prior to receiving his or- vacated his federal office - he with a connection to Surrey- der-in-council appointment, was MP for Burnaby South Whalley is Amanda van Parmar worked as a con- - in preparation for the civic Baarsen, who worked for a Composite Public Affairs stituency assistant to Lana election on September 14. time as Ralston's constituency Inc. offers a suite of Popham, the Minister of assistant. Before that she was services and products Agriculture and NDP MLA Between those latter dates, active with Simon Fraser intended to promote a for Saanich South. And before in early August, federal NDP University's Student Society. better understanding of that he had done the same job leader Jagmeet Singh - who public affairs and the for Horgan, then the legislative captured his party's leadership In September 2017, not quite issues which affect all representative for the riding in October 2017 but is without two months after Horgan and British Columbians, of Juan de Fuca. (The Pre- a seat in the House of Com- the New Democrats were sworn their families and mier now holds the renamed mons - declared his intention into government, Van Baars- businesses. riding of Langford-Juan de to succeed Stewart. en was named as ministerial Fuca - which still includes the assistant to the Health minister, Services we offer: municipality of Sooke.) A veteran campaign organizer Adrian Dix. for the New Democrats feder- * Public affairs and Parmar's relationship with ally, provincially and munic- Ten months later, in the sum- government relations B.C.'s Premier dates back to ipally, Smith was expected to mer of 2018, she moved over to when the former was a Grade play a key role in overseeing Citizens' Services to work with * Public policy research 5 student, undertaking a Singh's by-election campaign Sims, and in November she was * Public relations school project that focused on - but Liberal Prime Minister promoted to senior ministerial B.C.'s 2005 general election.