"I challenge my fellow Kamloops - South Thompson candidates, Todd Stone and Tom Friedman, to make the same clear and unambiguous statement!"

Today my campaign team and I put together the following Media Release, which was sent out to radio, newspaper, and TV here in Kamloops.

The voters of Kamloops - South Thompson will soon make their choice for MLA.  But who will stand up for the best interests of this riding?  

 

Will it be Liberal Todd Stone voting with the docile herd according to the direction of the party whips?  Or NDP Tom Friedman, tied to a party beholden to big union interests?  Or a clear alternative; Peter Sharp of the BC Conservatives. 

 

"Kamloops South needs an MLA who will speak his mind, and represent the best interests of the voters who have elected him -- even if that runs counter to the stated position of the party." stated Kamloops - South Thompson BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp. 

 

"I have personally received an assurance from party leader John Cummins, while in Kamloops, that he expects his MLA’s to vote according to their constituents wishes." Sharp continued.

 

John Cummins is also on the record (Vancouver Sun - May 3) saying: “You put your constituents ahead of the party. Manning used to tell us that. It’s the folks at home that elect you. You’ve got to put their interests ahead of the party.  I believed that; I still do.” 

 

Continued Sharp, "The position my party takes is clear; you should have Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA's) who listen to you, first and foremost.  I have a leader who backs that up 100 percent."

Now for your entertainment ... "A conversation with Christy Clark and John Martin"

One day (one year apart), now BC Liberal candidate John Martin*, and BC Premier Christy Clark, had a conversation**.

 

For your entertainment, I now present this piece of satire entitled, "A conversation with Christy Clark and John Martin"

 

Christy Clark:
"So why is it if it wasn't okay for Jim and Mavis Clark to leave me and my brothers with a debt, why is it okay for our government to leave our kids with a debt?" 

 

JOHN MARTIN:

"The Liberal government has failed the people of British Columbia and has squandered trust with the public ..." 

 

Christy Clark:

"When you get into this borrow, spend, tax cycle, it's a trap." 

 

JOHN MARTIN:

"The best way to hold Christy Clark and the BC Liberal government accountable is by voting for the BC Conservatives ..." 

 

Christy Clark:

"I thought about what that mother was feeling for her daughter.  She aspired for her daughter. She made sacrifices to put that little girl in that dress. And to make sure that little girl would have an experience of life that she never had." 

 

JOHN MARTIN:

"I can’t think of a more crass decision (by Christy Clark) in the name of electioneering in light of this upcoming by-election." 

 

Christy Clark:

"Do we want to create a prosperity fund for our children that will mean over $100 billion over 30 years, $4 to $8 billion in new revenue every year? Because if we do that, we will surely be changing the future for our children." 

 

JOHN MARTIN:

" … a vote for the BC Conservatives is vote to send  Christy Clark’s Liberal government a message that people are tired of failed Liberal policies." 

 

Christy Clark:

"This is, have no doubt about it, going to be a hard-fought, close election. But every election can be won. But this one is one that must be won. Our kids are depending on all of us." 

 

JOHN MARTIN:  

“It is quite clear that the government is desperately trying to buy votes in this upcoming by-election with taxpayers’ money." 

 

MARTIN CONCLUDED:

"I have a simple message: if you want a common sense Conservative, vote Conservative.”

 

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops.

I'm Peter Sharp -- I'm a BC Conservative -- and I believe in BC!

 

* in April 2012 John Martin ran ,against the Liberals, as a BC Conservative Party candidate
** Please note, all quotes are accurate, and attributable to the person named.

I challenge my BC Liberal opponent Todd Stone to tell the people of Kamloops South Thompson ... 'How will BC Liberals get any different fiscal result from not making any kind of real change?'

Today BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark told voters here in Kamloops, and around the province, that we are headed in to the “the most important election in modern history”.

 

I couldn't agree with her more! 

 

The writ has finally been dropped, and I'm sure it is a relief to all British Columbians, because several key things seem to be weighing heavily on the minds of people here in our Kamloops South Thompson riding.

 

BC debt to rise additional $6.7 Billion under Liberals

The Liberal Platform doesn't address the financial problems which THEY have created, and banking on the possibility of future billions of revenues from liquefied natural gas is a risky bet. 

 

BC Liberals still fail to understand government has to learn how to spend smarter!

 

I think the BC Liberals need to take one of the 'Game Sense' suggestions, from the BC Lottery Corporation, to heart.

Wondering if you can win back losses by playing more? It's possible, but unlikely. Chances are the more you play, the more money you'll lose. "Chasing losses" almost always leads to bigger losses.

 

If I apply that to BC Liberal fiscal planning and management, then it says to me, "Doing things the same way gets the same results!"

 I challenge my BC Liberal opponent Todd Stone to tell the people of Kamloops; 'How will BC Liberals get any different fiscal result from not making any kind of real change?

 

BC Liberals say the budget over the next three years will be balanced, and yet according to a Ministry of Finance document, it showed Total Provincial Debt was expected to rise a further $6.7 billion dollars -- that according to the budget they released just two short months ago.

SHAME on you for the lies and arrogance. You can't trowel on enough of that to hide and mask the truth any longer!

So, how many watched the Christy Clark Show last night at 7pm on Global TV? 
Win, lose, or draw, Clark definitely will be deserving of the Best Female Actress award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s new CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS, which recognize excellence in film, television and digital media productions.

 

I had been thinking of possible comments I might make, but to tell you the truth after seeing the first and only three comments my campaign manager, Alan Forseth, made -- I think he really did capture the spirit of what many were thinking.

 

So, unvarnished and unedited, this is what Al had to say last night:  

 

 

Comment #1 

Just watching the taped version of Christy's 1/2 hour info-mercial. Well right off the bat I'll ask the same thing Christy that you did ... "Why is it okay to for our government to leave our kids with a debt?"

YOU SHOULD be ashamed you've left us worse off. Your Liberal government has doubled our debt :(  

 

 

Comment #2 

Christy Clark asks: "Do we want look after our kids future -- do we want to give them choices, that they're going to want to have, to run their future -- or do we want to take away their future by saddling them with debt?"

 

Good grief ... is she really serious? How can a government that has been so completely wasteful with taxpayers resources seriously ask that question. THIS is what BC Conservatives have been asking -- because it is BC Liberals that have INDEED doubled the provinces debt -- just as the NDP did --- and BOTH of them HAVE seriously jeopardized our children's futures!

 

Shame on you Christy Clark for NOT being to embarrassed and ashamed to try and pull off that kind of phony BS! 

 

 

Comment #3 

Oh my goodness ... I'm only 5 minutes in and I don't know if I can stomach any more of this trite revisionist look at the BC Liberals. She says she wants to balance the budget so we don't saddle our children with debt?

 

Well excuse me for asking -- but what do you call the new $7 billion you will be adding to the debt over the next 3 years, if your Liberal government is re-elected. 

 

That's no magical number drawn out of thin air by the way Christy -- that IS from the BC Ministry of Finance records.

Like Big Bird says: "One of these things just doesn't belong"

Big Bird, "One of these things is not like the other"

John Les, soon to be retired BC Liberal MLA, and former Minister of Small Business & Economic Development and Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor-General, spoke over the weekend to the financial well-being of British Columbia, under the Liberal government of Christy Clark.

Les stated, "British Columbians really don't want more debt.  I think at the end of the day they are going to choose the BC Liberal policies of balancing the budget, and keeping our spending under control."

He went on to say, "They (the NDP) would spend a lot more money, as government, than we have.  Now it's not easy to keep your spending under control ... it's also extremely important to keep your spending under control ... that's what we've been doing."

BC Liberals say the budget over the next three years will be balanced, and yet the estimated Total Provincial Debt for 2013 / 14 will be $62,689 billion --- that will rise to $69,428 by 2015/ 16 (see official BC Fiscal and Debt Summary). 

On the weekend I happened to have a chance to hear the opening remarks of Michael Campbell, from the program Money Talks. What he had to say really caught my attention.

Michael Campbell ("Money Talks" - April 6th, 2013)
"While it is our obligation to pay taxes, is there any obligation for governments to spend the money efficiently? We have a lot who don't think that's the case."

Now as I say, those words caught my attention.  That's because while the BC Liberal government is forecasting a SURPLUS budget this year of $197 million dollars, we're NOT hearing a word from them about the fact our total provincial debt will be rising to $62,689 BILLION dollars!

That's keeping spending under control?

British Columbians must indeed be wondering about the so-called 'under control spending' brought up by John Les on Saturday afternoon, as well as these additional words he had to say:

"13 top ranking executives with Interior Health Authority earning over $200 thousand dollars per year" ... average salary is a quarter million dollars

Public sector salaries in government Crown Corporation and Agencies continue to rise across the province -- including within the Interior Health Authority (IHA). 

News out today shows that there are currently 13 top ranking executives with the Interior Health Authority now earning over $200 thousand dollars per year. 

The lowest is making in excess of $218 thousand dollars a year ... the highest, over $355 thousand.  These executives are making a combined total of $3.3 million dollars a year. 

While all this happen, Premier Christy Clark continues to enjoy her taxpayer funded photo-op tour of the province making announcements of 'far-in-the-future' projects that will never see the light of day. 

The Interior Health Authority, responsible for Royal Inland Hospital, has overseen the closure of a fully equiped operating theater, hundreds of beds, the reduction of front-line workers, and a never ending litany of 'emergencies' within its' own ER. 

In recent weeks, we have had ER Doctors on the record saying just how bad things are.  The emergency room, and the hospital, regularly runs at over 100% capacity. 

I have heard from one person after the other praising doctors, nurses, and other front-line staff for making a valiant effort under what has to be extremely trying conditions.   How can the staff of RIH perform their duties when the ER is continuing overcapacity, and patients have beds in hallways. 

The latest Public Sector Salary Report now shows the Interior Health Authority with a total of 26 hundred and twenty two (2,622) people in administrative roles -- that for 18,500 doctors, nurses, and other front line workers.

The news for the BC Liberals is NOT good

I've spent a bit of time over the past hour having a look at social media, and I have to say the news for the BC Liberals is NOT good.

 

Keith Baldrey has a column out today saying, "... the BC Libs won't win back women voters ..."

 

And a sampling of comments appearing on Twitter are showing the following:

• the "insincerity" problem won't go away it seems
• Christy Clark approval rating down 4%
• poll shows BC Liberals trailing badly
• Why BC Liberals see hope in the polls (and why they’re probably wrong)
• Little hope for BC Liberals in province's polling history
• there is a strong sense that the public is quite prepared to throw people out of office
• why do the BC Liberals pay corporate welfare? Why the Pacific Carbon Trust?

I know there are a number of hard working BC Liberal MLAs that are doing their best, under extremely trying circumstances.  The fact that the Premiers Office lurches from one scandal, and resignation, to another is guaranteeing most of them will go down to defeat in May's general election.

British Columbians need an alternative to the Liberals.  We as BC Conservatives will be that alternative.  Spread the BC Conservative Party message of accountability, common sense, and openness.

 

Our BC Conservative Party Election Platform is now available online, and it continues, and expands, on our theme of "We Believe in BC".  It outlines our plans to once again make British Columbia the envy of all other provinces in Canada.

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops.

 

I'm Peter Sharp -- I'm a BC Conservative -- and I believe in BC!

 

Judges at any level, listening to two opponents arguing like this, would give them the sharp end of their tongue in rebuke

Today in Kamloops, we have been treated to the news media filled with stories of alleged improprieties, with NDP supporters of Tom Friedman using the email accounts of Thompson Rivers University, to seek support and donations.

The NDP has fired back that Todd Stone was falsely given credit at a BC Liberal government funding announcement for the Law School at TRU. 

And Christy Clark apologizes, again, saying “Serious mistakes were made” after it came to light that government staffers were exploring ways to promote the BC Liberal party at taxpayer expense.

I have to tell you, we are witnessing nothing less than a simple case of the pot calling the kettle black, in order to garner voters from unsuspecting voters.  We have two political opponents are doing little more than arguing one side cheated more than the other. 

As a former RCMP officer, I can tell you that judges at any level, listening to two opponents arguing like this, would give them the sharp end of their tongue in rebuke for wasting the courts valuable time.  In this case, not only are they wasting time in arguments like these, they are clearly using taxpayers money for partisan purposes. This is misuse and misappropriation of the peoples money.  

It is becoming increasingly clear we need a change.  The BC Conservative Party is one with a clear common sense vision for our province. 

We have made a commitment that our government will manage the province with the highest standards of integrity and transparency.  We will be accountable to the people of British Columbia.

I call on all voters, in Kamloops South Thompson, to support the BC Conservative Party and help bring about the change we need in here in British Columbia.

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops.

I'm Peter Sharp -- I'm a BC Conservative -- and I believe in BC.



FOLLOW-UP.  Since I wrote this earlier today, I came across a story in the Province newspaper.  I don't know about you, but this stirs outrage in me.

Premier Christy Clark’s inner circle developed and executed a comprehensive strategy that used government resources for partisan purposes in an effort to advance the interests of the B.C. Liberal Party in swing ridings, the Province has learned.
CLICK HERE to read more:

Our BC Liberal government is transitioning from being called on for its ethical actions -- to now becoming a nationwide joke

Sadly, our current BC Liberal government is transitioning from being called on for its ethical actions -- to now becoming a nationwide joke. 

Today in the National Post, people across the country are reading an article entitled: "Dear Diary: Christy Clark apologizes for smallpox, Head Tax, seagulls"

Monday: Ethnic scandal — bah! I don’t even consider this a setback.

If the East Indians and the Chinese won’t play ball, it just means we’ll just have to double-down on our strategies for mental patients, the elderly, gays, cyclists, baristas, MySpace users and black dwarves under 40.

There’s also the hipster vote: I think we can score a few ridings around East Vancouver if we convince them to vote for us ironically.

And get me some natives. The pleasant ones; not the blockade-y kind.

CLICK HERE to read the rest

Stories and articles like this, can only come about when the people no longer have a belief that government is serving anyone but themselves.

I hope you will join us on the campaign trail, as OUR BC Conservative Party puts forward one planks after the other, in a platform focused on returning accountability, and common sense, to government.

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops!

I'm Peter Sharp -- I'm a BC Conservative -- and I BELIEVE in BC.

The leadership of this government no longer seems to have any idea, of what is acceptable, and what is not.

The leadership of this government no longer seems to have any idea,  of what is acceptable, and what is not.

 

For Immediate Release: February 28, 2013

 

KAMLOOPS:  News stories today have again provided British Columbians with insight into why the BC Liberal government, nearing the end of their mandate, is so low in voter support.

One headline after the other has shouted one variation or other, of this one chosen by Global TV; "B.C. Premier Christy Clark apologizes, launches inquiry over government ethnic vote plan"

"While I am glad to see Premier Christy Clark has made the apology, we are all well aware it never would have been made if the government had not been found out.", commented Kamloops South Thompson BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp.

This is just one more example, of the misuse of taxpayer resources; one which again shows Christy Clark's government is out of control, and NOT being accountable to us.

Sharp continued, "This of course raises, once again, the taxpayer funded partisan ads the BC Liberals are running.  These too, I believe, are something Christy Clark's BC Liberals also owe an apology for."

Nearly everyone, with the exception of BC Liberals backroom handlers, are in agreement these ads are wrong. 

"I believe given the partisan nature of this $16 million dollar government advertising campaign, it should in fact be fully paid back to taxpayer ... by the BC Liberal Party."

Day in and day out the people of Kamloops are saying, "The leadership of this government, and even some of its MLA's (including Kamloops South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger), no longer appear to have any idea of what is acceptable, and what is not.  Their time has come and gone."

"Voters in Kamloops, who believe in government accountability and integrity, should know they have an alternative in the BC Conservatives." Sharp concluded.

Contact:
Peter Sharp, Candidate
Kamloops South Thompson
Phone: (250) 319-5336