BC Premier Christy Clark speaks to media about former Liberal John van Dongen who recently resigned to join the Conservatives during a press conference at the BC Legislative Building in Victoria, Tuesday March 27,2012.Chad Hipolito/The Globe and Mail
B.C. Premier Christy Clark should consider squeezing in "a little democracy" into her government, according to journalist Evan Solomon.
Mr. Solomon, the host of CBC's flagship politics show Power and Politics, delivered the critique in an open letter to the premier.
House Leader Mike de Jong announced last week the B.C. legislature wouldn't be sitting until next February, when it delivers the budget. That could mean MLAs are on an eight-month break from sessions, as they haven't sat since May.
That's just too long without facing the accountability of opposition parties in Question Period, Mr. Solomon wrote.
"I'm sure there are a lot of people who want to ask you [Ms. Clark] about your planned wage freeze for public sector managers, including those at schools, universities and health organizations," he wrote.
"And what about those pipeline opponents and their planned mass sit-in at the B.C. legislature in October? Well, too bad the legislature won't be sitting then."
The B.C. Liberals have not been having a good month. They trail the NDP in the polls and many high-profile members of the party have announced they're stepping down, including the finance and education ministers.
Given the province's looming budget hole, though, maybe you can't blame Mr. de Jong for wanting a bit of focus.
Chris Hannay