Saturday, September 01, 2007

Sleepy Victoria awakens

... to the outrageous assault on democracy taking place in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding! Here's what the Victoria Times-Colonist online has to say today:

"Tories failing democratic test

The federal Conservatives have put themselves in an embarrassing spot with the appointment of a “government go-to person” in a northern B.C. riding. If they’re smart, they’ll rescind the decision — quickly.

Dick Harris, the Conservative caucus chair for B.C., last week appointed Sharon Smith, the mayor of Houston, to that newly created role. Harris justified the move by saying it’s not possible for Nathan Cullen, the elected New Democrat representing Skeena-Bulkley Valley, to access government services for his constituents in the same way that a Conservative MP could. “Having an MP from the fourth party in the House just doesn’t cut it when it comes to actually getting things done for the folks in Skeena-Bulkley Valley,” Harris said. “Sharon Smith, with her direct government contact, will ensure that things do get done.”

"If they're smart" -- pretty big friggin IF there, IF Dick Harris is typical. Hahahahahahahaha!

UPDATE: And the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix Online:

"Tory MP faces ethics complaint

OTTAWA (CNS) — The federal Conservative party says it did not approve a decision by its British Columbia caucus chair, Dick Harris, to appoint an unelected Tory to symbolically serve members of a riding held by an MP from the opposition.


Harris, the MP for Cariboo — Prince George, is facing an ethics complaint after announcing last week that he was appointing Sharon Smith, a Tory candidate for the next election, as the government’s special liaison for residents of the nearby riding of Skeena — Bulkley Valley. In fact, voters in that riding elected New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen to represent them in Ottawa."