95 replies to this topic

[Baro]

If we had a more daring government that would aggressively promote our economy we could easily become an economic powerhouse and paradise when freed from the bulk of Canada. Sadly our island is not really known for aggressive innovation. We'd keep doing what we're doing except probably pass a bunch of feel-good laws that made rich baby boomers happy (like banning any industry or economic activity they find yucky). They'd turn us into the stagnant exclusive retirement island they dream of.

[Zimquats]

I vote Len Barrie for Premiere @_@

[Holden West]

I'd vote for Len just so I can see a Premier wearing a three-piece suit featuring shorts and sandals.

[aastra]

Its funny when I mention that we should be a separate province, people ask how would we support ourselves?

Casinos?

[Caramia]

Sounds like a great idea... can we keep the Gulf Islands?

[Bernard]

Economically there is a strong case to be made for splitting BC into several provinces. Vancouver Island makes reasonable sense as one option, of course the Gulf Islands would be part of it as would Powell River.

The province of Vancouver Island would have a larger population than PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick. We should then get 6 senators and 8 to 10 MPs.

[UrbanRail]

I agree, I really feel we can make it work.

Dont forget to add the sunshine coast to the mix.

[Bernard]

The Sunshine Coast is much more economically linked to the Lower Mainland than the island. It has become a distant bedroom community/retreat for Vancouver people.

[Caramia]

I think the AVIM - "Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities" always included the Sunshine coast. It certainly included them after it reinvented itself as VICC "Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities" one of the area members of the UBCM "Union of BC Municipalities" .

As an aside, in 1933 the UBCM passed a resolution that the province control the earwig plague in Victoria.

What the hell is an earwig plague????
Can earwigs be a plague?

Here is where I am getting this from... it's some good reading.

[Mike K.]

VIHA's services cover a portion of the sunshine coast.

[Caramia]

But do they cover earwig plagues?

[Mike K.]

Due to budget cuts, no.

[D.L.]

Should we take Powell River? Yes, no? No.

[davek]

Provincial demalgamation? Someone's been reading my diary!

[UrbanRail]

Provincial demalgamation? Someone's been reading my diary!

So you would support Vancouver Island being a separate province? I think we would be more successful and economically stable than compared to the Maritime Provinces.

[davek]

So you would support Vancouver Island being a separate province? I think we would be more successful and economically stable than compared to the Maritime Provinces.

I would even support Vancouver Island being a separate country.

So long as the democratic process is used to justify almost any intrusion and any taking conceivable, it is wise to limit the reach of any one government. I don't want Langford to get access to Colwood pocketbooks and zoning regs, I don't want Victoria residents to force their will on Oak Bay, and I don't like the mainland dictating to the Island. It would be intellectually inconsistent for me to oppose amalgamation and not support Island independence. Likewise, those who are pro-amalgamation should, logically, support the status quo.

[UrbanRail]

I would even support Vancouver Island being a separate country.

So long as the democratic process is used to justify almost any intrusion and any taking conceivable, it is wise to limit the reach of any one government. I don't want Langford to get access to Colwood pocketbooks and zoning regs, I don't want Victoria residents to force their will on Oak Bay, and I don't like the mainland dictating to the Island. It would be intellectually inconsistent for me to oppose amalgamation and not support Island independence. Likewise, those who are pro-amalgamation should, logically, support the status quo.

I would even add forming a democratic process whereby there are no political parties, or at least many grass root ones. A kind of a participatory government. But at the same time no intrusion by the marketplace or corporate identities and harsh government.

We could be a model province or country as you suggest, although a province is something I would support more.

[Mike K.]

Just a heads up that the August 29the edition of the Globe and Mail's British Columbia section will have three opinion pieces from Premier Campbell, Carole James and David Anderson on the following question:

"Does it makes sense to continue having the capital in Victoria, given rising ferry rates and the fact that Vancouver is BC's power and financial capital?"

[aastra]

Hard-hitting stuff.

[aastra]

You could ask the same basic question about:

Edmonton, AB
Olympia, WA
Sacramento, CA

and

Ottawa
Canberra
Washington, DC