The integrity of CBC Television requires that ONE of those alternatives take place.. PRONTO!

What’s the problem?

Smart, who has covered the legislature for CBC since 2010, and Scott, appointed in 2011 as Clark’s deputy press secretary, are married …TO EACH OTHER.

There is NO WAY, in my opinion, that Smart can continue to cover the Liberal government and Clark while his wife works for it and her. Period. Simple. END OF STORY!

Or maybe not.

Certainly, the CBC’s own ombudsman, Kirk Lapointe … a veteran experienced former journalist and media manager … thinks there is a conflict here.

“There is a violation of CBC Journalist Standards and Policy,” the CBC ombudsman wrote in his review, after a private citizen complained about the apparent conflict of interest.

“Just because there is no impropriety does not mean there is no conflict,” Lapointe wrote. “Whether a real or perceived conflict of interest, no amount of managing it can do more than mitigating the impact of an impartial fulfilment of duties.”

He’s right.

Yet, incredibly, the real culprit in this situation …CBC regional management … decided to let Smart continue to cover the legislature.

“We feel the ombudsman’s ruling found no issues wuth Stephen’s reporting,” said Johnny Michel, managing director for CBC’s Pacific Region. “Without a shred of evidence that Stephen is offside in his reporting, we feel this is now just a personal matter and a corporate matter.”

Not!!!

There’s a lot more to journalism than just what actually appears in stories: what about things any reporter may know but decides NOT to report for various reasons?  What about possible public perceptions …. justified or not … of easier questioning of the premier or government ministers  or tougher questioning of opponents? What about the reporter himself becoming more the center of attention than the story being presented, as viewers, knowing of the conflict ruling, now will always  look for bias?

Problems like these do not relate solely to Stephen Smart: any reporter can face tougher scrutiny once even a POTENTIAL  for bias surfaces. And in covering politics, the sensitivity becomes even greater …to the point of viewer distraction.

The fact that this even has to be debated…. the IDEA that a political legislative reporter’s wife can work personally and directly for the premier and this could be considered acceptable … I believe speaks to the sad state of ethics at CBC Vancouver region; and the fact so many others in the business defend such ludicrous reality exposes the sad standard of journalism in BC today.

Are they so out of touch with real Canadians in Fortress CBC they think they can withstand their own ombudsman’s findings,  the public’s likely suspicions from now on and the decline in credibility among viewers for their news product?

How can Smart possibly cover the provincial election campaign without the question of his impartiality coming up?  And the closer that election comes …the more questions I suspect will be raised about his stories, his spin, his conclusions … handicapping CBC’s coverage.

This will NOT go away … as things now stand,  the situation will get worse: for Smart; for Scott; and for the CBC. (Clark’s credibility with many is already in the bin.)

Smart is a good reporter and Scott (by the way, they both worked at CKNW before) has never, as far as I can determine, ever been guilty of manipulating her hubby’s stories.

But that is not the point.

Let’s say Smart uncovers a great POSITIVE story about government plans to substantially increase funding in health care or housing or education: I submit just about every viewer would see that story as just a government plant, unworthy of deserving any journalistic credit or credibility.

And how could viewers ever be totally comfortable in the belief that Smart is telling us EVERYTHING he knows about skeletons in the government or Clark’s office? Simply not possible.

The regional CBC management response is an insult to journalistic integrity in general, Lapointe in particular, and to all CBC viewers and voters, who have the right to EXPECT there be NO CONNECTIONS OF ANY KIND between those who cover the legislature and those who have politically sensitive jobs working for the government and/or the premier.

Scott has to move from the premier’s staff to another ministry job less political and less directly related to the media.

Or Smart has to move to another beat… unrelated to covering provincial politics… so his stories, and not the reporter, once more become the focus of viewers’ attention.

Harv Oberfeld

At their weekend convention, according to The Vancouver Sun, the “new” Liberals actually reasoned that “a new spirit of openness and a policy in favour of legalizing and pot will help breathe life into the Liberal Party in Western Canada”.

What an insult!

I’m surprised they didn’t also pass motions saying the Libs LOVE wheat, oil,  salmon, samosas and dim sum … to really reach out to the West in 2012.

Do they think we didn’t notice that when the subject of giving BC and Alberta our DESERVED RIGHT to additional Commons seats, the Libs weren’t exactly defending our rights?

From the Windsor Star Jan 3: “The NDP and Liberals criticized the bill for relying on the population formula and for the speed at which it was rushed through Parliament and the Senate before receiving royal assent.”

Well, we already knew the federal NDP had sold out BC and the West during the last election, as Jack Layton promised Quebec anything and everything it wants, including more seats if BC got more seats, and BC’s NDP MPs and candidates not only went along with that, but actually defended the outrage.    Of course that worked in Quebec … just the way favoring the East, at the cost of fairness in the West, has always worked for federal parties down East.

But where were the Liberals?  Certainly not defending BC rights or justice or fair play.

In fact, when a Francophone NDP MP from New Brunswick also pushed a Private Member’s Bill that would have made sure almost no Westerners could ever qualify in the future for nomination to Canada’s Supreme Court by requiring expert level bilingualism for all new appointees, the Liberals joined the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois and voted FOR that Bill.

The unofficial  Commons Coalition to Screw the West (Liberals, NDP, Bloc Quebec) succeeded in the House…. overwhelming the Conservative minority government and passed the legislation.  The only thing that stopped it from becoming law was the Tory majority in the oft-maligned, but in this case, West-saving Senate.  (Perfect example of why we should keep the Senate …until our democracy truly gives the West its fair share of power in Ottawa!)

And what about the recent contracts to build new coast guard and navy vessels … contracts awarded by the Tory government to BC and Nova Scotia firms …  based totally on independent assessments of costs and technical merit,  without ANY POLITICAL  INTERFERENCE.  Does anyone really believe the Liberals would have carried out the process that way????

Do the federal Liberals think we don’t know about all this … about how the ACT back East … compared to what they SAY out West?

And they think saying they would legalize pot (which they wouldn’t do anyway, because the Americans would shut the border tighter than a drum) is the key to winning BC votes!

Maybe they should start Keeping It Real and read more BC and Western Canada blogs.

Harv Oberfeld

Or will it?

For those who missed it, Shaw Media has applied to the CRTC for “a regional, Global BC-driven all-news speciality channel” to begin broadcasting next summer.

The company says the new network will provide viewers throughout the province with “top local, national and international headlines” 24 hours a day and “more live event coverage and more in-depth, original local reporting than any other in the market”.

I like it … if it’s true.

Keeping to those promising words could give  viewers (not just those of us who are news junkies) all kinds of new windows of coverage on events, issues and politics unfolding at municipalities, regions and the provincial level.

But that will take a lot more resources than Global has at its disposal right now … including more seasoned journalists, adept at covering more than shootings, fires, traffic accidents, weather events and charity walks, runs and swims; serious political reporters who ENJOY getting out from behind a desk to go ask tough questions of politicians, and investigative experts, given the resources and time to research and shoot compelling stories and exposees.

That would be just wonderful … and could even have a multiplier effect with other BC news stations and networks as well …benefiting us all. As I reported on the blog in November CTV also expanded its news shows in BC … another good step in the right direction.

Of course, the new network could be a bust.

Just the same stories we now get,  run over and over again …twenty times a day instead of four or five or six.

Or hours and hours of talking heads … more people sitting behind desks, discussing the news instead of showing it to us.  That’s what we got with the “new” Sun News network …the last place I go to find out what’s happening with serious breaking news. About all I find there are talking heads, and  repeat broadcasts of talking head shows I’d swear I had seen when clicking hours earlier in the day. Almost all of it, of course, what I would describe as just right wing propaganda.  Yech!

Of course, there will be lots of cynics who will worry the “new” BC news network will be nothing more than a provincial Liberal government or federal Tory government mouthpiece … offering up pap and propaganda in return for lots of government advertising revenues, which after all is the mainstay of private stations and networks.

And how will the dedication of the huge resources needed for a substantive 24-hour news channel affect the Newshour and other news shows on Global?

Will the Newshour be scooped by its own new rival?  Will the competition enjoy a new “heads up” service, advising them at 3 p.m what the Newshour will be featuring at 6 p.m?   Or will the Newshour withold legitimate news stories from its own 24-hour network, making it “all the news …  the second time over”.    And what about Newshour sports? Will much of the 6 p.m. (and Early and Noon and Final) be original sports coverage and different? Or just cuts and/or rehashes from sports stories running on the 24-hour network?

Lots of questions.  Lots of fears. But lots of opportunities.

And that’s sure better than the past 10 years … of watching Global doing more with less … and suffering as a result.

Harv Oberfeld

And also because it’s not something the pro-HST media pundits and propagandists would want to tell you about: so I will.

In an article in The Vancouver Province about weak Christmas retail sales Dec. 28, experienced Credit Suisse analyst Gary Balter was commenting on the 40 per cent drop in Searts Canada’s share value in 2011.

Sears is in a lot of trouble in the US, because of the wretched economy …but Canada’s economy is relatively strong, our debt load is a fraction of the US, our consumer confidence is higher and our political situation is much more stable.

Yet all is not well in the retail sector here… especially as viewed from through the microcosm of Sears Canada. Why?

“Canada has been very, very difficult, due to the harmonized sales tax,” said Balter.

That’s not me saying it; not Bill Vander Zalm saying it; not some NDP critic saying it.  No, it’s from an economist working for the well-known and trusted international financial analysis institution, Credit Suisse.

Is Sears alone in suffering under the HST?  Impossible!  Imagine what a little digging by the working media could find!

The HST indeed HAS had a dampening effect, to put it mildly, on major spending by British Columbians.

Many, many restaurateurs, catering to middle class diners …not the high end specialty dining rooms frequented by corporate executives, political leaders and their highly-placed media pundit friends  … have been telling us that for years.  Many have closed or are struggling because adding HST onto bills, on top of PST,  on top of tips,  on top of even higher parking fees anywhere nearby have made going out for meals in many BC urban areas just too expensive to do as often as people used to enjoy doing.

Now retail has also been shown to be suffering …especially when it comes to gift-giving, larger purchases, major appliances and furnishings.

Of course, HST apologists will point out that some of these items will still have the GST added onto the PST when the HST is finally removed, so what’s the difference?. What they fail to take into account is that the HST being applied to so many goods and services that did not have the GST applied previously, has hurt so much that purchases of all goods and services have clearly been affected.

The HST has clearly sucked too much money from the economy and put it instead into the pocket of the provincial government.  And created a negative attitude among consumers that is now being widely felt.

And it is going to get worse!!!

Christy Clark’s inability or unwillingness to get rid of the HST in the next few months will continue to hurt everyone …except the provincial coffers… for another yewar or MORE!!!

In fact, the economic damage will grow even greater: because as the eventual end date is known and approaches, people will hold back on spending even more than threy do now.

Why buy a house or do a major renovation on a kitchen or entire house when waiting could save THOUSANDS in taxes?

Many construction, renovation and service industries are well aware of this: the damage to BC business, especially in the last six months of the hated tax,  will be  substantial…. as people wait it out.

But in Victoria, no one seems to be listening.  In fact, they say even the anticipated March 2013 end date may not be met.

I see it as deliberate milking of the consumers … or just plain incompetency by the government and its bureaucrats.

The HST MUST be ended BEFORE the next Fall/Christmas shopping season.

And the governhment MUST lift the tax from the construction and service industries MUCH FASTER than that.

Or face the economic ruin to many more businesses and resulting taxpayer rage that will result if they do NOT expedite the Horrible Sales Tax’s demise.

Harv Oberfeld

There isn’t a single Republican leadership candidate I would vote for, and I don’t like the American political system that can see a Democrat in the White House blockaded by a Republican-controlled House and/or Senate.  But at least the “people”, if they register as nominal party supporters get a hand in choosing their leader and everyone, even unregistered voters,  get a say right across the land to voice their approval for the candidate aspiring to be the President.

We do not.

We get only to vote for local candidates in provincial elections, led by a leader chosen by only their party.  What has made that work, however,  is because,   under British Parliamentary tradition, that leader, and his or her closest supporters, traditionally have put together a PLATFORM and  sought a public mandate for those stated principles policies and promises.

Christy Clark NEVER did that …and it’s wrong.

We all know Clark FIRST became Liberal Leader, THEN won a legislative seat as an MLA … and  then just became premier because her party chose her as leader  …without any province-wide mandate for her, her new policies, her new platform … and without even having to seek any public support for ANY government plans, promises or principles.

We all know Clark’s decision to hold on to that post, form a government and start enacting policies and laws … without seeking ANY approval or endorsation by the voters breaks HER OWN VOW to hold an election as soon as possible.  No , once power was in her hand, she decided ..like a dictator… to just hold on it until she will be forced to seek a mandate in 2013.

We all know …or should realize … Clark is making a mockery of the British Parliamentary system: governing without a mandate from the people, no matter how she and her backers try to justify her seizure of power in legalize.

Their logic seems be that the people have no province-wide say in choosing the leader under our system: that is a party function.

And they are right …but only as the FIRST PART of a TWO PART process.

The second part of the Parliamentary process and until lately, well honoured tradition, is that the new leader, with new policies, new proposals and new principles seek a public mandate for that at the earliest possible and practical opportunity.

Waiting two years insults that provision and that tradition.

Ironically, I actually believe had Clark kept her promise to hold an earlier vote and respected the public’s right to express approval, I think she could have won a mandate.

The longer she waits, I sense there is a GROWING public determination to disavow her decision and to get rid of her.  And her opponents, on the left and right, are getting stronger.

I don’t really believe in Santa Claus anymore (forgive me Virginia!).

But maybe he’ll prove me wrong: by giving Clark a new set of ethics and principles ….  and by giving me, and the people of BC a Spring election, so we can have a Premier, who will actually have a mandate.

Harv Oberfeld

But “the people” should NOT be the targets.  There’s no point in that and all it will do is turn the 99% per cent AGAINST  those the protesters purport to represent. The Port of Vancouver, its wrokers, the independent truckers, and businesses waiting for goods from the port are not the enemy.  So I don’t think THEY should have been the target of the latest Occupy protest.

Clearly the Occupy Movement needs better focus.

What’s really the point …or the value … in blockading ports or ferries or roads or public buildings?  The people who work at all these facilities, and many others like them,   are very well paid with better than average benefits  ….. hardly exploited workers in any sense … and the people they serve are also largely part of the segment of society the movement needs for support.

I could understand if the Occupy organizers targeted large corporations that take advantage of those who work for them, with lousy pay, part-time hours, few or no benefits, while profits run to the multi, multi-millions; or employer or business groups that lobby governments for unfair corporate subsidies, excessive tax advantages, tax free services,  regulations allowing them to poison the environment, or even the politicians and political parties that cater to them and/or represent the interests of the rich and big business, to the detriment of the middle class and those struggling to just survive…. the 99%.

As long as it’s all peacefully done, of course.

That’s what the Occupy Movement needs …. focus on proper targets … not just disruption for the sake of disruption; focus on goals for the 99% …not allowing itself to be taken over by activists with whole other agendas, or no agendas at all beyond anarchy; and focus on methodology that will WIN support from those it represents, not make them the victims instead.

There’s nothing wrong with actions and with rallies, if  aimed at the proper targets.

Perseverance will pay off: the movement must not let up …. the squeaking wheel does get attention …  but it will no doubt have to get a lot more mileage on it before those at the top, who for decades now (with governments in their pockets) have been taking a larger and larger share of the economic pie, will agree to share more of it with others.

Harv Oberfeld

Barely a month after the votes were counted and Vision won its new term at the helm of City Hall is now looking at all kinds of tax and service costs increases not revealed during the campaign.

The word just in from city officials (who conveniently weren’t ready with their figures BEFORE the election …and as far as I can tell, didn’t even warn us with estimates of possible or pending annual operating costs increases)   is that Vancouver taxpayers could face a $52 MILLION SHORTFALL for the 2012 Budget. Of course, there will be “consultations” with the voters …stop laughing… and I’m sure they’ll trim the increase to ONLY $20 MILLION or $30 MILLION, saying what a wonderful job they’ve done. Now, pay up.

But the taxpayers will pay through the nose …new taxes and fees never discussed during the campaign. Just like we faced after Gordon Campbell won his provincial re-election.   (Was the NPA asleep or was this really hidden…questions that should be asked if the Vancouver media paid more than just minor lip service to covering the various City Halls.)

And it gets even worse.

A staff report to go before Vancouver Council Tuesday will recommend raising garbage collection fees by 5.7 per cent.  And recycling fees will rise too.

PLUS… how about higher water and sewer fees … recommended to go up another 10 per cent.

Amazing how city officials at Vancouver’s Kremlin weren’t able to come with any of this BEFORE the vote, but it’s all flowing like the Volga now …carrying away taxpayers’ dollars at an ever-increasing rate.

And ironically, this will all make Vancouver EVEN LESS AFFORDABLE for Vision’s primary constituents.  Struggling young first-time home or condo owners will pay more. As will many seniors living on pensions, trying to stay in their homes. And so will tenants: do they think landlords won’t pass all the increases on?

In fact, the city …. with I’m sure no doubt more parking, and various other fee increases etc still to be announced  … will continue to be become an even greater reserve for higher income, foreign investors and yuppy types, pushing more and more young people and working middle and poorer class  employees out of Vancouver.

Funny more voters didn’t see this coming …and stayed at home, rather than vote.

Gordon Campbell would be proud of them …and no doubt admire Vision’s methodology.

Harv Oberfeld

But they don’t.

BC judges and BC courts have often made a complete mockery of our laws, the justice system and the citizenry’s expectations to see justice done and be protected from the evil that dwell among us.

And no case in my view exemplifies that more than that of killer Xiao Zhang.

Zhang, you should recall, mowed down and killed visiting New Zealand tourist Dr. David Higgins, who was crossing Granville Street in a marked crossing at the foot of the Granville Street Bridge in June 2006.

Zhang didn’t even stick around …or render any aid: he took off, leaving Higgins to die.

And then the real injustices began:  when Zhang was tracked down and caught,  our court system, seen by many to already be a despicable failure,  went to work and no doubt added many more adherents to that belief.

The judge sentenced Zhang to 11 months in jail.  ELEVEN MONTHS!!!  After killing someone in a crosswalk.   And leaving the scene as a hit and run.  ELEVEN MONTHS!!!

And by the way, Zhang had already come to the attention of police a year before that for striking down a woman trying to reserve a parking spot …but was not charged.  BUT he ALSO had earlier convictions for theft under $5,000 and possession of stolen property.

ELEVEN MONTHS????

I have often wondered if it was a judge’s son who was mowed down, or a hockey player or politician or prominent lawyer …if the sentence would have been eleven months.

I do NOT believe so. No way.

Of course, the killing Higgins was not the end of Zhang’s run-ins … and seeming mockery …. of the justice system.

After that he also violated his bail conditions before his court case; pleaded guilty to hit and run causing death AND dangerous driving ….and then skipped his sentencing hearing, leading to a Canada wide warrant being issued.

ELEVEN MONTHS!!!

Oh, and ONE DAY extra for skipping his court date.  Feeling better?  Or that justice was done?

Four months into his sentence… Zhang got parole.

Surprise! Surprise!

Two weeks after being paroled, Zhang was arrested for stealing a wallet… and sent back to jail….until released on probation a few months later.

Now, he’s back in jail again … reportedly facing more than 3o charges for fraud, impersonation, robbery and auto theft.

So let’s see!  Eleven months for killing someone and taking off; one day for skipping his sentencing; so I guess, if convicted,  he’ll get a half-hour sentence for his latest crimes.

And in view of the policy of granting double time credit for time already served, which would be greater than his sentence,  even cash compensation?

Maybe even an apology from the BC court system …. for inconveniencing him again.

Harv Oberfeld

But what?

We thumb through the catalogues, search the flyers, actually read the newspaper ads and find ourselves inundated with TV ads for the latest toys…for kids and adults.

Canadians will spend $40 Billion or more this holiday season…. estimates say well over $600 each.

But almost all of it on goods made overseas.

Of course, most of us would prefer to buy goods Made in Canada.  Imagine the benefits and impact on our economy is we all did that!  Not to mention the feel-good impact on ourselves.

But what?

Sure, there’s maple syrup, some (not all) hockey equipment or a car, truck or tractor.  Or…..?

Help me out …and help other blog readers out: let’s put together some suggestions HERE on Canadian-made products to give as gifts … so we can ALL celebrate a better Holiday season.

Our economy and our Canadian workers will appreciate that.

And by the way, Merry Christmas (yes, Christmas …not Xmas … to those who celebrate it), Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwaanza, Happy New Year!

Any suggestions?

Harv Oberfeld

Their message … that the rich must STOP getting richer at the expense of the rest of us … must not die, or be forgotten, or cease to be advocated. promoted and brought to success in our society.

Readers of this blog will know how I  condemned what I saw as the illegitimate seizure of the Occupy site by anarchists, homeless activists and partiers, who ruined the original message and destroyed much of the public support for the movement.

That was unfortunate, but now that the tenters have been moved away, that does NOT mean the original objectives should be forgotten or abandoned.

The Occupy Vancouver movement and protests and demands for fairness and better sharing of the wealth in our society should be continued. But while keeping it real at the same time.

The rich have been getting richer for some time…MANY studies have proved that …  but big business,corporate lobbyists, their conglomerate-based media mouthpieces and the GOVERNMENTS they have financed will only deal the issue when events force them to do so.

The worst thing that can happen to the struggle for fairness and justice is for the real Occupy movement to just go away.

So here’s my prescription how they could succeed:

Revive the protest outside the Vancouver Art Gallery … which IS front and center …in the city, where the action will draw the most attention.  BUT do it only one day a week …. say every Friday.   That’s every Friday, all year round … with featured speakers at Noon, keeping up the message … every Friday, every week.

The single Day of Action will allow thousands of people … underpaid workers, unemployed workers, involuntary part-time workers, struggling single or coupled parents, union supporters, seniors, overpaying renters, aspiring homeowners, and thousands of others who understand and support the true objectives … to show up for an hour or two or for the day and take part, without giving up their entire lives and bedding down in the bushes.

Community leaders, union leaders, even on-side politicians, writers, actors and who knows, even bloggers, could take part in that kind of sustained protest and express their support for the movement.

A sustained, orderly protest…every week … cannot fail to be noticed.  And I submit … it will grow until it’s message cannot be ignored.

And by packing up and leaving at the end of the day….the protests will not be corrupted by the tenters, druggies, anarchists who would want to divert the message and the attention back to themselves.

That’s my Rx:  take it weekly until justice is achieved and you’ll no doubt start feeling … and living …  better.

Harv Oberfeld