If my sun dial is in working order, a half year has passed since 2009 was ushered in with the traditional "suddenly, nothing happened" celebration in Vancouver. A good time, according to an editor in my office, to look back on the past six months of the ever-fascinating, whimsical world of B.C. politics, aka La La Land.
So here goes.
On Feb. 16, as the legislature opened for another round of Hansard goodies, the government declared in its bold drone from the throne: "The federal Navigable Waters Act should be repealed and replaced by legislation that meets the legitimate needs of the 21st century." Hear, hear.
Two days later, MLA Daniel Jarvis underscored the need for watery change with this cheery reminder: "In the election of 1924, member John McKie, duly elected from the Creston area, was killed on his way to the legislative opening when the train he was riding on was blown up by the Sons of Freedom sect. The words 'crime' and 'terrorism' really mean nothing in B.C. in view of our past history. Every decade something new comes along to consider a dangerous happening." Such as an outmoded Navigable Waters Act.
In March, like a mouldy oldie or blast from the past, legendary backroomsman and friend of non-NDP premiers Patrick Kinsella re-emerged, blinking, into the political limelight, his name linked to the privatization of B.C. Rail and the ongoing Basi-Virk corruption case that may yet last longer than my cousin's turn at Scrabble.
This led to one of the better political nicknames of recent vintage. Attorney-General Wally Oppal quickly became "Stonewally" for refusing to answer a single question about Mr. Kinsella because the matter was "before the courts." The public's right to know be damned.
Then came closure and a provincial election. Few voters seemed caught up in the wealth of photo ops. Among the issues yawned about was the province's sad record of having the worst child-poverty rates in the country for six straight years. It was barely mentioned. I'm all right, Jack, indeed.
Instead, there was lots of talk about the NDP's controversial vow to repeal the Liberals' carbon tax, with little mention of the government's subsidies to oil and gas exploration, support for oil and gas drilling in Hecate Strait and building big new roads and bridges for folks in cars and trucks.
There was also much self-righteous palaver about a private Facebook picture of a young NDP candidate goofing around with some friends in his underwear. He withdrew.
On the other hand, John van Dongen thought it just fine to remain as solicitor-general, despite losing his driver's licence for twice being nabbed driving more than 40 km/h over the speed limit. All told, the minister responsible for law and order accumulated nine speeding tickets in five years. None was incurred in his underwear, I guess.
However, the public did pay attention to this matter, and mounting outrage forced "Leadfoot" van Dongen to resign from cabinet, after a weekend of "reflection."
The Premier, meanwhile, was on electoral cruise control, dropping on his bottom into pits of foam, tossing basketballs around, and downgrading the rich life experience of NDP Leader Carole James for lacking time in the warm world of business. After 30 days of this, the lowest turnout in B.C. history propelled Gordon Campbell to a rare third turn in the premier's chair, with almost no change in the popular vote or margin of seats.
The most captivating result was the downfall of the nicest guy in politics, the aforementioned Mr. Oppal. By a few dozen votes, he lost to feisty independent Vicki Huntington, who capitalized on local resentment against a government that thought it knew better what was best for Delta.
Now, we have the future. Three issues are likely to dominate: the pledge by Mr. Campbell to reconcile and recognize aboriginal title throughout the province; the future of health care under the speak-first, correct-later approach of new Health Minister Kevin Falcon; and the renewed provincial budget.
About that budget, by the way. What's so harmful about running a deficit, even a significant one, during tough economic times? Hardship and social problems are already on the upswing, and health and education needs are ever with us. Cost-cutting will only make matters worse. Do we really want a pinched, frugal society where the budget bottom line rules how much we spend on child welfare, the environment, social housing, services for the poor, and other needed societal measures? Not to mention a world without a new Navigable Waters Act.