There’s a great anticipation simmering in the land: most of the public in B.C., business groups and the media can hardly wait for the big Horrifying Sales Tax debate to hit the floor of the Legislature.
The Legislature resumes sitting Tuesday.
Of course, the HST should get a great deal of attention: the deceit (or outright lying) by the Liberals before the election saying it was not “on their radar” should be questionned, quartered and condemned.
And the concerns raised by consumers, restaurateurs, business and tourism groups must be given voice.
But I submit that, in the end, much more important public concern should be directed at the still-rotting scandal surrounding the possibility of corruption at the highest levels of government in the sale of BC Rail.
Possible evidence has diappeared … two years worth … destroyed by someone in government, at someone else in government’s direction. It stinks.
On top of that, there have been so many delays that more than five years after the police raid at the legislature, and years after two provincial government aides were charged, a trial hasn’t even begun.
And was it just a coincidence that the provincial judge hearing all the legal matters relating to, and delaying any trial, was promoted to the Appeal Court? And she has now announced her pending departure from the case.
I have no idea if anyone is guilty of any wrongdoing in the BC Rail case … that’s what a trial (IF it ever takes place) will determine. But in my view, the possible issues of corruption, bribery, political interference and kickbacks involving government officials are much more important than any new tax, even one brought in the way the HST was.
The HST debacle exhibits the crudity of the political way the Liberals operate; the economic implications could be serious for so many … BUT I suspect the government already has plans to soften the political damage by introducing a few changes to oil those anti-HST wheels that have been squeaking the loudest.
However, the implications of wrongdoing, destruction of evidence and corruption in the BC Rail case … if proven … are a threat to our very democracy.
I’m sure the government will try to not answer any questions at all raised by the BC Rail fiasco (It’s before the courts ..blah, blah, blah).
But that MUST not stop the questions from being asked, the isues from being raised; the integrity at the heart of of our democracy being defended.
And in this regard, the possible scandal surrounding BC Rail should be THE major focus of the coming Legislative session … not HST.
Harv Oberfeld
11 responses so far ↓
1 genuine // Aug 24, 2009 at 1:16 am
My sentiment’s too Harvey,this government stink’s from the top down,what about all the public servants that know about this rot ,when and if the top is blown off will their silence be cause for dismissal?If I were a public servant and new about any wrong doing it would be my duty to report,they call it whistle blowing I call it reporting wrong doing and gangs call it finking,punishable by bodily injury or death!Just like the auto glass representative that gave evidence to the e…hemm honorable judge about collins leaning on him and told him not to go to the media in the basi virk basi case aka bc rail trial.Just like every thing else in this case a thick black shroud has been thrown over the whole proceeding,and now a new controversial judge has been put in place,she has presided over a few cases …. (edited h.o.) … I don’t know what to make of this but it’s not right ,when you consider a sundeck and a hunting knife would bring more attention just a few short years ago? I’m not an investigator but I’m not stupid either!I wish these people with our money and lives in their hands would do the right thing for the majority for a change is that to much to ask for after all that’s what we pay our taxes for services not cuts!!!!!
2 BC Mary // Aug 24, 2009 at 2:58 am
Good column, Harvey.
And an interesting point brought up by GENUINE about John Pressl who actually was the first witness to give sworn evidence in the Basi Virk / BC Rail Case.
It’s an important point — that first witness — because it meant that the Basi Virk trial had begun … which provides the basis for Madam Justice Elizabeth Bennett staying on the case. I’m working on a piece right now, to explain that option further.
So the question is: why didn’t she follow that instruction clearly set out in Section 661.1 of Canada Criminal Code?
Because, as Robin Mathews says, “There’s no question in my mind that she should stay. This is unnecessary, insane …”
So even Justice Bennett’s departure to the Court of Appeal has that familiar-awful stench about it … like all the rest of the Basi-Virk Case.
(Response: I don’t like the smell of it either. h.o.)
.
3 Patrick Bell (Not the MLA) // Aug 24, 2009 at 3:04 am
Ah yeah, there should be a bunch of yelling on Tuesday about a lot of questionable issues with a lot of as you say “Skating,” but the only thing that’ll get these guys attention is mass rallies….
I would personally like to see some Liberal defections or inside cracking going on to make me happy…but, no-one seems to be speaking up from within….hmmmm
(Response: For people to stand up from within takes principles, integrity and bravery … so you’re surprised? h.o.)
4 Powell river persuader // Aug 24, 2009 at 3:12 am
Harvey,I agree about BC rail but in my opinion you are way off on the HST,the deal with the feds is a take it or leave deal,and the “Deal” only allows for ……
5% of the GST based items to be exempted from the HST….Well Campbell used up almost all of that 5% total by putting the exemption of the HST on fuels at the pump…..
So any other exemptions are going to have to come from municipal or local goverments,and their broke so thats not going to happen…..
And it`s small comfort to have fuel at the pump exempted from HST when Translink is going for more fuel taxes and the carbon tax will go up again and fuel is subject to the ups and down of the market…..
Harvey,here is another lesson on the HST…Quebec still controls their taxes even though they have the HST….they kept their sovergnty on taxes….
The BC edition of HST is different,we are surrending are taxes to Ottawa,surrendering all control and if the federal goverment changes(say through an election) or if the current batch of rascals need money(which they do) decide to raise the GST……….
That will drag our taxes on EVERYTHING to 13% or 14% or whatever…..
Your just not looking at the big picture….and I said it before,if Campbell needs money he can write some new legislation and put the Carbon/gas tax into general revenue and cancel the associated tax cuts that came with the carbon tax….Simple right,and it will generate 600 million a year and rising
Cheers
5 HH // Aug 24, 2009 at 6:18 am
Interesting, albeit misinformed, HST comment from Bruce Strachan (former B.C. cabinet minister and Prince George city councillor) here.
‘When the media continue to give a platform to people who have a history of lying–and assume those people are telling the truth this time–they guarantee those people will continue to lie. Over and over again the media will be shocked that some people lie, and other people believe lies.’ – Jamison Foser of Media Matters talking about the US healthscare debate, but the sentiment applies equally here.
6 Brad // Aug 24, 2009 at 2:40 pm
so true….there are serious questions and doubts about the integrity, honesty, and dignity of the Government (or lack thereof). I’ve been waiting and morbidly expecting the day when the liberals claim “sub judice” on all operations of the gov’t, because “the government of bc, like mr. kinsella,mr. virk and mr. basi has been mentioned in court…therefore, we cannot comment on anything to anyone until after the trial”
(Response: Shhhh! Don’t give them the idea! h.o.)
7 Gary L. // Aug 24, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Once again Harvey you have hit the nail on the head! The elephant in the room with the Mainstream Media is the destruction of the emails that the Defence stated they would require TWO years ago! The afore mentioned Media are sweeping this travesty under the carpet, and I would go further and suggest that while the lies told to the Electorate by Gordon Campbell and Colin Hansen are being aired in the Media now, that come Election time, their fodder will be the former Fast Cats, and Glen Clarks deck.
What say you?
(Response: I wouldn’t say the media have swept it under the rug: they certainly have paid more attention lately..thanks to the actual court happenings and yes, pressure from the blogoshere by our shining the spotlight on it. But the problem is today’s media have the attention span of a gnat … too many reporters are easily distracted by the crisis-du-jour and many of the senior ones have lost their aggressivity and their staying power in pursuing ongoing issues. h.o.)
8 Bewlay // Aug 25, 2009 at 2:24 am
I was listening to the monday morning quarterbacks this morning on the giant and in no time at all the HST discussion was spun in to a NDP attack by N.S.
Bill timidly pointed out the obvious “not on the radar thing” but quickly let that drop when Norman continued going off on the NDP.
As it went on I laughed out loud at the thought that Bill sounded to me as though he was an official apologist for BC liberal in name only party.
I agree Harvey the BC Rail pre-trial and hearings should be front and centre. And these guys wonder why no one is buying their product, go figure.
9 CanWest Listens // Aug 25, 2009 at 1:17 pm
It would seem that the esteemed editors at bigpaper are hearing you HO. The lead investigators have settled on the size of a glass off beer as a worthy place to send a crack team of reporters.
(Response: Hopefully, the Opposition have heard …and will realize the issues raised by BC Rail and the e-mails are bigger than HST …and the size of a pint. h.o.)
10 BC Mary // Aug 28, 2009 at 3:04 am
Anybody in the public gallery or reading Hansard the past couple of days will have a sinking feeling about our democracy.
Carole James asked 4 questions in a wall of words which rushed through topic after topic. Then Gordo got up and it was vomit-worthy rhetoric that created another wall of words.
Others got up, even Krog the Opposition Justice Critic and he threw a few more questions into the mix and others got up to crack wise and blame the NDP for everything since the Crucifixion … and it went on and on and on. Words.
No answers about BC Rail or anything else.
No insight. No vision. No plan. No leadership.
If Big Media can’t publish a story about what THIS means for a free press in an enlightened society, a pox on them.
11 Crankypants // Aug 30, 2009 at 6:44 am
I think that bot the BC Rail sale/lease and the HST are both important, but for different reasons.
The BC Rail deal brings into question the government’s credibility by doing what they said they wouldn’t do and the business practises that they employ when performing the people’s business. Also the disdain shown to our judicial system by destroying potential evidence is inexcusable, whether accidentally or on purpose.
The HST issue brings into question the integrity of political parties when they are electioneering. Although we the voter were never told that the government was not going to implement the HST, business leaders in some sectors were and on that basis were put in the position of acting as shills for the Liberals.
My take is that these issues would not happen if we did not have the political system we do. The minute we give a political party the keys to the mansion(legislature), they take it as a sign that they can do as the want without retribution. They act no better than any sleazy gang that gets control of a specific area to sell their drugs or any such illegal activity. Unfortunately the candidates we elect no longer represent their constituents, but the party they are tied to. The only time the constituent is of any value is during an election after which they become nothing more than a taxpayer. Yes our ancestors fought for democracy, but I think our current system was not what they envisioned and if they could have seen into the future they would have had second thoughts about putting their lives on the line.
Ultimately the truth about BC Rail and the HST will become public knowledge. Someone’s conscience, religious beliefs or some other influence will cause someone in the know to come forward. Unfortunately I fear it will be after a good number of us has left this mortal coil.
(Response: I agree on both counts. The problem is the public feels they’ll get the same result …hidden plans and agendas … regardless of who wins. And I can’t see how either major party, under current leaders, will ever change that perception. h.o.)
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