theminister Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Quote “Chief Ken Rea made the request directly to me”- Christy Clark This time it was about a $150,000 story that’s been largely untold. A story that got vastly more interesting by the time John Horgan was through with Christy Clark in estimates May 11th. The title quote above relates to a story told by Mark Hume of the Globe and Mail some months ago. It’s a story that should have raised alarms in the media but the Premier was questioned only once, with no follow-ups. That fact should raise alarms in the public mind about media disinterest in official corruption in this province. It’s a story that entails coincidental benefits to Clark’s family, a lack of records which may never have existed, weren’t produced, or were triple deleted evading FOI. And it involves the evolution of excuses….(Bruce Clark can’t get his sister to a family dinner, never mind peddle influence…Christy never knew her brother wanted to do business with Old Massett…Bruce Clark just gave a fellow a number of a friend in the Ministry of Education. If that’s true, and it’s true that Ken Rea subsequently made the request to Christy Clark, that’s some friend. ) The original story involves Christy Clark travelling to Old Massett on Haida Gwaii to give a very unusual $150K cheque, a provincial contribution to a feasability study on building a new gym at the school there. It’s unusual because the school is on reserve land, which is federal jurisdiction. Nothing like this cheque has ever been given. It happens that the fellow lobbying the government for a contribution, Chief Ken Rea, was also working on behalf of a deal with Christy Clark’s brother on a partnership with the Old Massett Village Council on a $10 Million windfarm project. Allegations were made that the $150K school contribution helped Chief Rea in an election to council, and thereby assisted Bruce Clark in his business ambitions. Read the original story just here, then follow the Hansard quotes below, and decide for yourself if this doesn’t stink to high heaven… http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/christy-clark-accused-of-interfering-in-band-election-to-aid-brothers-deal/article27654979 Now I’m going to selectively quote the exchange between Horgan and Clark yesterday in Estimates Debate for the Premier’s Office.. The full debate can be found here https://www.leg.bc.ca/documents-data/debate-transcripts/40th-parliament/5th-session/20160511pm-House-Blues beginning after Question Period. Sorry it’s long , but it’s worth it. Given the lack of records produced via FOI, it’s difficult not to think this is about Christy Clark splashing public money around however she feels like it…. And if it helps her brother? Well that’s accidental of course. It’s just a coincidence this unprecedented action helped him out. J. Horgan: On November 26, the Premier visited Masset, her first visit to Haida Gwaii as Premier, and, as I am advised, did not inform the Haida Nation of her arrival, did not advise the mayor of Masset. She visited a school, Chief Matthews Elementary School, not a provincial responsibility, and made a financial commitment to that school when we have schools that are the responsibility of the province of British Columbia that are going without funding. I’m wondering if the Premier could explain what took her to Old Masset on that given day, and why we would be promoting expenditures of public moneys for an educational institution that’s not the responsibility of the provincial government? Hon. C. Clark: In British Columbia, all citizens are British Columbians, whether or not they attend a school that is funded by the provincial government, whether or not their school system and health care system is the constitutional responsibility of another level of government. J. Horgan: We did a freedom-of-information request to the Ministry of Education for any and all documents, occasions when the ministry has provided funding for a feasibility study related to an on-reserve school. The FOI came back as a “no records” response. Later, on January 25, an FOI analyst advised us that Education has never provided funding directly for on-reserve schools. … Was this a policy decision that was made in the jet, on the way? Was there any material created to support the announcement? Based on our request for information, none existed. Hon. C. Clark: I’m sorry. I can’t speak to the member’s question around freedom of information. But as I said, we are deeply committed to making sure we support First Nations kids in British Columbia. J. Horgan: Can the Premier tell us how many other schools, First Nations schools, the government has supported while she has been Premier? Hon. C. Clark: …. I think British Columbia has to think about doing things in different ways as we redefine our relationship with First Nations. J. Horgan: So the Premier’s not aware of any other on-reserve schools that have received any funding from the province of British Columbia? Hon. C. Clark: I’m not aware. J. Horgan: Does this reflect a policy change, and will other on-reserve schools have access to $150,000 in provincial funding for their needs? Hon. C. Clark: Well, as I said, as we seek reconciliations with First Nations, we’re open to innovative ways of doing things…. J. Horgan: I’m advised that the Haida Nation was not aware of the Premier’s arrival and departure. The cost of the trip was an $8,170 chartered plane for the Premier and her crew. Again, the visit was to Chief Ken Rea and some other community leaders. Were there any protocols that were followed? The Haida Nation is fiercely proud of the progress they’ve made, nation to nation, with Canada and with British Columbia. I’m just curious, if the Premier wants to embark on a new relationship, why they were excluded from this visit? Hon. C. Clark: I’m not aware that anything the member has said is accurate. It may be, or it may not be. But I will say that I do spend as much time as I can visiting First Nations communities. J. Horgan: B.C. has 12 on-reserve schools that are considered to be in “poor or worse condition” than the only school in British Columbia that has received a $150,000 grant from the Premier via a visit in a private jet. J. Horgan: How did you learn of this particular school when the budget office says there are a dozen schools in, as they say, poor or worse condition? Why was it this visit? What other work was done? Hon. C. Clark: Requests come to government all the time, as I’m sure the member knows. J. Horgan: So I’m curious why, after the election of a prime minister who said he was going to get some work done on reserves, you would have found $150,000 to give to this particular initiative when there were at least a dozen other schools in British Columbia that were in more need and there are 240 schools within the system you are responsible for that have been closed since 2001. Hon. C. Clark: As I said, we want to make sure that we are supporting First Nations communities in a variety of innovative ways. We’re doing that across the province. The Ministry of Children and Families has been really at the forefront of this. The All Chiefs meeting that we do once a year now — it’s a historic change — is where all of cabinet, all deputies and all chiefs from across the province meet together and talk about what we can do together. All of these are elements of reconciliation. We can’t be afraid to try and meet those reconciliation goals sometimes in ways that depart from the status quo. J. Horgan: When you met with chiefs in September, did they identify this school as a priority, and is that why you ended up in Haida Gwaii on November 26? Hon. C. Clark: I met with a lot of chiefs that day, and a lot of chiefs met with a lot of different ministers. I can’t give the member a full accounting of what all of them and all of their elected representatives talked to ministers and deputies about. J. Horgan: I’ll hazard a guess that no one did talk to the Minister of Education or any deputies, because when we asked for information on this…. I haven’t been out of government long enough to not know that if a minister is asked to do something, he’ll advise the deputy and materials will be created. Yet when we asked for information about this policy change, “no responsive records” is what we got back. The Premier said, interestingly enough, that it takes a while to turn a government around. But apparently it doesn’t take any time at all to find 150 grand for an area that you’re not even responsible for after you’ve flown up with your entourage in a private jet. [1650] Perhaps the Premier can try and zero in on that. We have an abundance of staff here. They have electronic devices. Maybe we can call back the HQ and see if we can get a legitimate answer as to why you spent $150,000 of taxpayers’ money on something you’re not responsible for? Hon. C. Clark: Well, the Old Massett school serves a lot of non–First Nations kids as well. J. Horgan: It’s inconceivable to me that the Premier of British Columbia could make her first visit to the Haida Nation and not advise the Haida council that she was coming. She came with a cheque for $150,000 that has no policy foundation whatsoever. We can’t get an answer today as to why it happened other than it was a good idea at the time. Well, whose good idea? Did this idea come to you directly from the chief or from an intermediary? …. I have not yet heard from her why it was that this policy shift happened. Was there any foundational work done by the Ministry of Education? Apparently not, based on freedom of information. Perhaps it was a whim by the Premier. If that’s what it was, then that’s okay by me. Just fess up to it. Why would you go for the first time to the Haida Nation, not advise the Haida council you’re coming, come with a cheque in hand, drop it off and head out of town, never having done that in any other corner of the province — or by any other Premier in the history of B.C.? Why would that happen? If you were so proud of it, why is there not more work being done for the other schools in B.C.? We can’t find a scrap of paper on that either. Hon. C. Clark : ….We’ve continued to try and find innovative ways to work with First Nations, and we’re going to continue to do that. … J. Horgan: Did FNESC, which is the First Nations Education Steering Committee…? Were they advised on this contribution? Are there other schools that can apply? Is there an application process? Or was it just a one-off? ….That’s about a $150,000 grant that only existed the day the Premier arrived and has not been talked about since she left. If there is a grant program, can the Premier advise us how other institutions can apply for it? J. Horgan: The Skidegate Band school is in difficult straits as well. Did the Premier ever contemplate seeing the Skidegate Band when she was on Haida Gwaii? Hon. C. Clark: I don’t know if they’ve made that request. J. Horgan: Did the request from Chief Rea come directly to the Premier’s office, or through an intermediary? Hon. C. Clark: Chief Ken Rea made the request directly to me in a meeting that we had. J. Horgan: We can confirm, then, that Ken Rea asked you for the money, and you gave it to him. Is that the process for funding for schools on reserves in British Columbia? Hon. C. Clark: No. The Ministry of Education reviewed the proposal, and did their work on it J. Horgan: I’ll read from the freedom-of-information request to the Minister of Education: “Any and all records documents, occasions when the ministry has provided funding for a feasibility study relating to an on-reserve school; i.e., similar to the announcement made on the 26th of November related to Chief Matthews Elementary.” Their response was “no records.” …. I’m wondering, again, if the Premier can say to the House today that there is in place — as a result of this innovation that she’s brought to First Nations relations in British Columbia — a process where other First Nations communities can approach the government for 150 grand? Hon. C. Clark: Well, if the member thinks $150,000 is going to solve the issue that the folks in Osoyoos are facing, he’s badly mistaken. J. Horgan: I’m just looking at the perception. I appreciate that the Premier may well be genuine in her desire to break the logjam of status quo, but it seems passing strange that in the middle of an election campaign, in Old Massett, the Premier shows up with $150,000 for the school there for planning money when we have no jurisdiction whatsoever http://www.bcveritas.com/index.php/2016/05/12/chief-ken-rea-made-the-request-directly-to-me-christy-clark/ Just another example of how corrupt this provincial government is, and how they use our tax money for influence peddling. Sickening, really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 I live in Penticton, where 3 schools are slated to close next year, 35 minutes from osoyoos who will be without a school next year. This is such a slap in the face tot he parents and students that have BEGGED for some sort of interceding authority from the government to allay these closures. $150k would save osoyoos for 1 more year, save Trout Creek elementary from closing just north of penticton. If ever a politician needed to be turfed or...have an accident This venal creature is it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realtor Rod Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 So, is she being liberal with tax payers money or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocksterh8 Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 All governments are corrupt, it's a pre requisite to being a politician. Unfortunately this will never change, it anyone truly good comes up the ranks, they will always find away to get rid of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tre Mac Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Between Corrupt politicians, out of control immigration, and astronomical housing prices I can honestly say I am no longer proud to be Canadian. First world problems are still problems. I want to move to some farm in Belguim and farm chocolate.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 4 minutes ago, Rocksterh8 said: All governments are corrupt, it's a pre requisite to being a politician. Unfortunately this will never change, it anyone truly good comes up the ranks, they will always find away to get rid of them. You are right with that. Just look at The Donald and how the establishment is vilifying him, on his rise. It's disgusting the way these lifer politicians cheat and lie, and when someone with a new voice comes along (who is not a politician, but simply wants to make positive change) they old guard attack him with lies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 57 minutes ago, Alflives said: You are right with that. Just look at The Donald and how the establishment is vilifying him, on his rise. It's disgusting the way these lifer politicians cheat and lie, and when someone with a new voice comes along (who is not a politician, but simply wants to make positive change) they old guard attack him with lies. Which "lies" would those be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 10 minutes ago, RUPERTKBD said: Which "lies" would those be? For one, The Donald's hair is NOT a dead ferret! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theminister Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 Because other politicians have done corrupt things in the past doesn't give the Premier a pass on this. This is potentialy illegal and she should have her feet held to the flames over this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goal:thecup Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Every person that voted for this corrupt regime should be required to read aloud by rote, the official transcripts and the Question Period exchanges before they ever get to vote again. Democracy will only work when we stop voting along party lines and vote for people whom we know personally to be honest and who have the best interests of the community at heart. Get to know the candidates in your riding and demand open and honest execution of their mandates once you elect them. Unlearn party propaganda, reject large institutional interests/donors, vote with knowledge of your choices, and democracy can work, we can build a better society. We have left these crooks too long at the helm; vote against the incumbents in the next election; if nothing else, vote against the crooks that are currently in power. Most likely the new batch will be corrupt or corrupted or corruptible, and we will have to vote them out too. Eventually, we can drive them out. Take away their perks and other flimflam. No hotels and limos and jets and all that nonsense. Pick up the phone and save $10,000 on a trip. Send somebody an email, set up a video conference, leave a couple pennies in the bank, for crying out loud. How does Clark even hold her head up approaching distressed communities when her trip there costs more than the average person's annual wage? They spend more on lunch than most people earn in a week. If there was less of this nonsense, people like Clark who want to live like this won't want the job. It should be hard work to run the province, not some fairy godmother flying all over, acting the know-it-all, lying, cheating, and rubbing her over-spending in the faces of the people who work to try to pay for it all. Take away all their huge salaries, obscene expense accounts, ridiculous golden pension parachutes, and these scum won't want the job anymore. Then honest, hard-working people who care about the community can get down to making the world a better place. (Yes, I feel a little better now.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 1 hour ago, Realtor Rod said: So, is she being liberal with tax payers money or not? I think, if you read the story; you will see she most certainly was. Giving money outside of her and provincial jurisdiction and not of her own and claiming no culpability or understanding of wrong doing and as well claiming she didn't know there was a jurisdictional or budgetary issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theminister Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 4 minutes ago, Warhippy said: I think, if you read the story; you will see she most certainly was. Giving money outside of her and provincial jurisdiction and not of her own and claiming no culpability or understanding of wrong doing and as well claiming she didn't know there was a jurisdictional or budgetary issue. Most troubling is the fact she can't speak to application process. There was no oversight. No corollary. Which means she gives our money to whoever she wants to, and it is the dissemination of tax dollars for spheres which are not under the umbrella of the government. It's actually criminal, I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 5 minutes ago, theminister said: Most troubling is the fact she can't speak to application process. There was no oversight. No corollary. Which means she gives our money to whoever she wants to, and it is the dissemination of tax dollars for spheres which are not under the umbrella of the government. It's actually criminal, I'm sure. Without question. Minister, did you know there was a time where a taxpayer could approach the RCMP with allegations such as this and have them investigate and press legal charges against a public employee And that you could do this as their literal employers? Man...those days are long gone sadly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theminister Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 2 minutes ago, Warhippy said: Without question. Minister, did you know there was a time where a taxpayer could approach the RCMP with allegations such as this and have them investigate and press legal charges against a public employee And that you could do this as their literal employers? Man...those days are long gone sadly Are you sure that's not possible anymore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 7 minutes ago, theminister said: Are you sure that's not possible anymore? In all honesty. Contact the RCMP and ask about opening criminal charges against an employee of yours. Quote your case cite your evidence and then when they ask who..name her. In all honesty they'd laugh without understanding why it is so important in canadian law that our leaders be held accountable or why their specific role in things to take you seriously be so important either. I'd seriously ask a lawyer about that were they not so ridiculously expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 1 hour ago, Alflives said: For one, The Donald's hair is NOT a dead ferret! Ah. So you weren't serious. My mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocksterh8 Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 1 hour ago, Goal:thecup said: Every person that voted for this corrupt regime should be required to read aloud by rote, the official transcripts and the Question Period exchanges before they ever get to vote again. Democracy will only work when we stop voting along party lines and vote for people whom we know personally to be honest and who have the best interests of the community at heart. Get to know the candidates in your riding and demand open and honest execution of their mandates once you elect them. Unlearn party propaganda, reject large institutional interests/donors, vote with knowledge of your choices, and democracy can work, we can build a better society. We have left these crooks too long at the helm; vote against the incumbents in the next election; if nothing else, vote against the crooks that are currently in power. Most likely the new batch will be corrupt or corrupted or corruptible, and we will have to vote them out too. Eventually, we can drive them out. Take away their perks and other flimflam. No hotels and limos and jets and all that nonsense. Pick up the phone and save $10,000 on a trip. Send somebody an email, set up a video conference, leave a couple pennies in the bank, for crying out loud. How does Clark even hold her head up approaching distressed communities when her trip there costs more than the average person's annual wage? They spend more on lunch than most people earn in a week. If there was less of this nonsense, people like Clark who want to live like this won't want the job. It should be hard work to run the province, not some fairy godmother flying all over, acting the know-it-all, lying, cheating, and rubbing her over-spending in the faces of the people who work to try to pay for it all. Take away all their huge salaries, obscene expense accounts, ridiculous golden pension parachutes, and these scum won't want the job anymore. Then honest, hard-working people who care about the community can get down to making the world a better place. (Yes, I feel a little better now.) Well said Sir, I agree totally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 She's a chip off the old Gordon Campbell block. What did we expect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 People keep voting for them (and occasionally the gong show that is the BC NDP)... We have no one to blame but ourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realtor Rod Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 1 hour ago, Warhippy said: Without question. Minister, did you know there was a time where a taxpayer could approach the RCMP with allegations such as this and have them investigate and press legal charges against a public employee And that you could do this as their literal employers? Man...those days are long gone sadly You can still do that in Abbotsford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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