364 replies to this topic

[Bernard]

At the end of the day, the public will blame the NDP if it turns out that there was any merit to the action. Right or wrong.

Hopefully the media will help with some civics education and make it clear the NDP government is not connected in anyway to this issue

[spanky123]

I think that the average person doesn't care about civic lessons, in their mind if you are the Government then you are responsible. If Plecas is right (and with the Number of NDPers trying to cover their tails it certainly looks that way), and the abuse took all of 5 minutes to spot, then he is going to come out of this a hero and Horgan is going to look like a fool.

[Torrontes]

Plecas was on a witch hunt, whether well intentioned or not.

 

NDP supported his conclusions, or at least his recommended interim action, without asking appropriate questions.

 

Liberals went along with the stupidity.

 

Plecas doubles down and recommends his "advisor" be appointed to a job he was clearly not qualified for.

 

Special prosecutors may or may not find anything that is worthy of laying criminal charges. Chances of proving guilt likely slim.

 

Egg on everyone's face.

 

Taxpayers pick up a very big bill, so they are the losers.

 

Early retirement bonus for the Clerk and Sergeant-at-arms.

[Nparker]

...Taxpayers pick up a very big bill, so they are the losers...

In other words it's business as usual in BC politics. 

[Bingo]

A fraud not.

At a finance and audit committee meeting on Wednesday, Liberal house leader Mary Polak said the committee cannot consider the draft 2019 budget of $83 million until Plecas gives more information on alleged financial mismanagement in the two legislative offices, which he said last week will outrage the public and make them want to “throw up.”

https://www.timescol...raud-1.23533375

[Torrontes]

https://www.burnabyn...ture-1.23535443

[Mike K.]

From the piece:

With the clerk of the legislature Craig James and sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz placed on paid administrative leave last month, there's no telling how this one is going to end, but it will come back to bite someone on the backside.

Whether it's speaker Darryl Plecas, James and Lenz, the B.C. prosecution service and the RCMP, the BC NDP or the BC Liberal party, only time will tell.

[Nparker]

It's easy to know who's going to pay the biggest price for this ordeal: the BC taxpayer.

[VIResident]

In the face of the fact that something smells in the financials please tell me if you would move forward in approving past financials and setting future year budget?

Most people I've spoken to, Green & NDP supporters 100% are sickened by the behaviour of the Greens and NDP on this issue.

No matter what the outcome - regardless if there was anything untoward done or not these 2 political parties have and continue to manage this poorly (2 people I know are withdrawing their membership & swearing off any future support - big donors too). 

[Torrontes]

For those interested, here is a link to the Legislative Assembly's most recent budget; https://www.leg.bc.c...9_Web_Final.pdf

 

The composition of the Legislative Assembly’s operating budget is as follows: Members’ Services (~$40M or 52%), which includes the MPP's own compensation, pension costs, capital city living allowances, constituency office costs, etc.; Caucus Support Services (~$8M or 10%); and Legislative Support Services (~$30M or 38%). The biggest increase in this budget, unsurprisingly, was 8.5% for Legislative Support Services, with the biggest increase being $892,000 for "Competitive Compensation", in order to "retain current staff, attract the best talent and remain an employer of choice". No doubt, they were all threatening to leave and be paid less in other jurisdictions.

[spanky123]

For those interested, here is a link to the Legislative Assembly's most recent budget; https://www.leg.bc.c...9_Web_Final.pdf

 

The composition of the Legislative Assembly’s operating budget is as follows: Members’ Services (~$40M or 52%), which includes the MPP's own compensation, pension costs, capital city living allowances, constituency office costs, etc.; Caucus Support Services (~$8M or 10%); and Legislative Support Services (~$30M or 38%). The biggest increase in this budget, unsurprisingly, was 8.5% for Legislative Support Services, with the biggest increase being $892,000 for "Competitive Compensation", in order to "retain current staff, attract the best talent and remain an employer of choice". No doubt, they were all threatening to leave and be paid less in other jurisdictions.

 

Or they are being given raises to ensure their loyalty.

[Torrontes]

Legislative Assembly Management Committee
Monday, January 21, 2019 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Douglas Fir Committee Room (Room 226), Parliament Buildings, Victoria

 

Check your pitchforks upon entry.

[Nparker]

This sure has fallen off the public's radar since the House hasn't been in session.

[shoeflack]

That'd be Wally Oppal coming into play. Whereas Plecas and Mullen were loud and brash, Oppal is a vault. And not like an Elaine Benes vault either, but an actual vault.

[VIResident]

Katie DeRosa

 

/ Times Colonist

JANUARY 20, 2019 06:00 AM

  https://www.timescol...teps-1.23606024

 

"The all-party committee that oversees financial management of the legislature meets Monday and Plecas previously promised to give more details about his demand for audits of the offices of the legislature clerk and sergeant-at-arms, the results of which he vowed will outrage the public."

Edited by VIResident, 20 January 2019 - 07:32 AM.

[Torrontes]

Unless they have a time machine operating in the clerk's office, it would be nice if they could identify their documents properly:

 

Legislative Assembly Management Committee Agenda, December 19, 2019

Legislative Assembly Management Committee Minutes, December 6, 2019

[Sparky]

^ "The speaker made a statement and answered questions".

Priceless.

[shoeflack]

Report by the Speaker on this expected by 3:30 pm today. Get ready to puke!

[shoeflack]

Quite interesting that all MLAs unanimously approved motions to develop scope and terms of a comprehensive financial audit, to be taken by an auditor general from an outside province, as well as a workplace review.

 

Looks like Plecas has something pretty serious after all.

[spanky123]

Quite interesting that all MLAs unanimously approved motions to develop scope and terms of a comprehensive financial audit, to be taken by an auditor general from an outside province, as well as a workplace review.

 

Looks like Plecas has something pretty serious after all.

 

Agreed.

 

In addition, the very subdued tone of the Liberal and NDP MLAs at the meeting suggest that they know they are going to look really bad when the info is released.

Edited by spanky123, 21 January 2019 - 03:08 PM.