The voters I wish to represent, regardless of whether they choose to vote for me or not, deserve nothing less.

I've been busy on the campaign trail again the past week ... meeting and talking with the people of Kamloops South Thompson.

 

As you know I, and fellow candidate for Kamloops North Thompson Ed Klop, both attended the Kamloops and Thompson Teachers Association / TRU Facility, all-candidates forum last Thursday evening --- as well as the Council of Canadians forum which was held on Saturday morning at the Kamloops Farmers Market. 

 

Regretfully neither BC Liberal candidate, Todd Stone or Terry Lake, choose to attend either of these forums. 

 

Getting out and 'earning' the votes of the people of Kamloops, is just one of the reasons why I did indeed attend these forums.

Another -- and perhaps of even greater importance -- is the respect that I feel is owed those who will be casting their votes on May 14th. 

 

Today, I would also like to take a moment and share an email which I received -- and the response I gave this individual: 

 

Hello, Mr.Sharp, my name is Taylor,  

 

I am currently doing a research project on the different political parties, looking for what they intend to do if they win.  On your webpage, you say "we need a change!". I would like for you to try to sell my vote to your party. Why do you think you are certain you'll win? 

 

Good luck, thanks  

 

I responded to this individual saying: 

 

Good morning Taylor, 

 

Thank you for contacting me, and for your question.  There is nothing certain about me, or any of my fellow candidates, winning election on May 14th.  I do believe however that we do need change, and that appears to be a feeling amongst many of the people here in BC.

BC Conservatives have a number of common sense ideas, which we believe can indeed provide a better education system, for students -- teachers -- and parents

The BC Teachers Federation recently asked the leaders of BC's political parties, their thoughts on a number of questions.  Here are the questions, and the responses made by BC Conservative party leader John Cummins. 


Question 1: Teachers are feeling battered after a decade of cutbacks and restrictions on bargaining rights. What can you offer that would restore some hope of improvement?  

I think that the reality is that, here in British Columbia, there is a crying need for people with the skills necessary to obtain the educational resources, if you will, necessary to lead productive lives and of course it starts right at the beginning, it starts in elementary schools, secondary schools, and then there has to be obviously the post-secondary institutions that are ready to help prepare these people to lead productive lives. 

We see now in British Columbia that that is simply not the case. We are having to bring people into this province to perform jobs that British Columbians are more than capable of performing but we don’t have the skilled people necessary, and I think that’s a reflection on governments’ commitment to financing adequately the education system and I don’t think that can continue. 

Teachers are obviously valuable members of our community, they’re the frontline when it comes to providing those educational services, and I think that government has to ensure that teachers are going to work each day with a positive frame of mind, which I know that they do, but without that lingering doubt that their value and worth is recognized by government and the public at large. 


Question 2: Are you prepared to restore full, free, collective bargaining right? 

Well, what I think we need to do—well it would be easy to say yes to that—but I think what we need to do is restore a positive relationship between teachers and bargaining agents and build a trust between the two. 

I would just hate to think that to solve these issues we have to go to strike, it certainly is negative and I’m sure that most teachers would feel the same way that that’s the last thing they want to see. I would rather see us at this point try to resolve our issues without having to resort to a strike; I think it’s counterproductive and it doesn’t do any one any good, whether it’s the students or the teachers. 


Question 3: Teachers’ salaries are falling further and further behind those of other provinces. What will you do about that? 

On the salary issue, I think that part of the problem is that the public loses a sense of where teachers stand in relation to other provinces and other professions.

Too often, in the bargaining process, the needs in the classroom are brought to the fore and the teachers, when it comes to their salary, the pay that they deserve, the jobs that they do, don’t get that public recognition or they’re not part of the discussion.  

I think in that sense there has to be a separation between the legitimate wage, pensions, and benefits demands of teachers and the legitimate pedagogical concerns. I think that if we do that it could help the public become aware of any shortcomings that there may be, and it makes it easier for government to address those concerns. 


Question 4: Bills 27 and 28 stripped the collective agreement in 2002. There has been a huge loss of classroom teachers and learning specialist teachers over the last 10 years. What will you do to redress the situation?  

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.

Freedom of 'choice' in political donations of time, and money ... "Mr Friedman, is that something BC New Democrats agree with?”

“Strong-arm tactics” ... “Political shakedown”  

 

That’s what two British Columbia business leaders are calling an NDP fund-raising letter asking for a $5,000 “donation” to party coffers. In an April 20, 2013 Globe and Mail article, BC businessmen stated that they were on the receiving end of a not-so-subtle letter noting that these businesses had donated to the Liberal Party in the past. 

 

The underlying message seems to be—when we assume power, we’re going to remember our friends. The NDP have other friends —big unions.  

 

I'd like to ask fellow candidate Tom Friedman, if he can explain why he is fine with the BC Government Employees Union (BCGEU) leadership actively promoting the NDP in this election — and sending their members’ dues to the NDP election war chest? 

 

They have urged all their members to commit to volunteer on NDP candidate campaigns.  Has his party leader, Adrian Dix, not stated several times recently, that he is in agreement that unions and big business should not be donating to political party’s? 

 

Frankly, union members should not be pressured to support one particular party, but rather, be encouraged to contribute time or money according to their own individual political preference. 

 

The BC Conservative Party believes in freedom of choice in political donating, whether it is volunteer time or campaign contributions. Conservatives - through policy, principles and platform - have pledged to ban corporate and union donations, and allow only individuals to donate to political parties. 

 

We need a fresh approach to politics in this province, and we need an approach that does not put pressure on businesses ,or union members, to support one party over another. 

 

Mr. Friedman, is that something the BC New Democrats agree with? 

 

Political parties shouldn’t be in anyone’s 'pocket. -- it’s about freedom of choice. That’s a value that the BC Conservative Party stands for.  

 

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops. 

 

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

Your participation in the democratic process is something no union, or political party, should take for granted.

Do we need to get big business and big labour out of political parties?

Most British Columbians seem to think, so if polls are right.

Unfortunately however the 'leadership' of the BCGEU fails to understand this, as they continue to promote and work for the NDP.

Is this something the individual membership the BCGEU has had a chance to approve?  A number of members, who have contacted me, say not.

Government should be there for the betterment of all people -- the leaders of the BCGEU however seem to think it is there to push their own personal agenda, as this portion of an email from them, promoting their "BCGEU Votes" campaign shows:
" ... up for discussion is everything from voter registration to the importance of electing a government that shares our values ... it is time for a change (part of NDP campaign slogan) ... we have the power to bring about change on May 14 ... get involved in this election ... offer to volunteer on a local election campaign. Whether it’s putting up signs, knocking on doors, or working the phones, there is plenty of work to be done.

... labour movement has won many gains at the bargaining table. But some gains can only be won at the ballot box. Between now and May 14 let’s work hard and elect a government that understands our values and will build a province of which we can all be proud ..."

The BC Conservative Party has put forward a platform that will benefit all British Columbians across the social-economic scale --- and in particular promote the kind of development that will require thousands of skilled union workers.
The NDP meantime have put forward positions that will stifle good high paying union jobs -- and yet the BCGEU calls them the friends of labor.

How does that make sense?

I'd like to encourage all voters to look closely at the platforms of each party -- and then make an informed decision.

Your vote does count -- your vote is important -- and your participation in the democratic process is something no union, or political party, should take for granted.

See what each of the party's has to offer -- investigate for yourself what each of them stands for -- and then decide which best suits your own personal beliefs.

BC Conservative Party: http://www.bcconservative.ca/what-we-stand-for/election-platform/

 

BC Liberal Party: http://www.bcliberals.com/news/in-the-news/ourPlan

 

BC NDP: http://www.bcndp.ca/ ... they do not appear to have platform posted to their website

 

BC Green Party: http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/green_book_2013

 

It is rather unfortunate that the BC NDP have not seen fit to have their policies and platform online.  I will leave it up to you to decide on why that may be the case.

I hope that our BC Conservative policies will resonate, in a positive way, with you.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at the campaign office at 324 Victoria Street in Kamloops.  You can also call the campaign office at (778) 471-4335.

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



FOLLOW-UP:
Since posting this late last night, the Globe and Mail has a piece online from Gary Mason: "NDP letter asking for donations has some businesses seeing red".  This letter is just one more reason for the call to have only 'individuals (not business or unions) to be the ones to support the party's they believe in:

NDP Leader Adrian Dix likes to talk about a balanced approached to governing. It now appears that philosophy extends to fundraising as well.

Some members of the B.C. business community are questioning the message they say is embedded in a fundraising letter that the New Democrats have been sending out to people who have financially supported only the B.C. Liberals in the past.

The missives are being sent out under the name of Jan O’Brien, provincial secretary of the party, but Mr. Dix’s imprimatur is prominent. The letter begins by informing the recipient that building a relationship with the business community is a top priority of the NDP Leader. It talks about how the prospective B.C. premier believes a strong private sector is key to economic development in the province – in other words, he is not a wild-eyed advocate of the communist collective.

And just so the recipients understand they would not be the first business leaders to make such a donation, the communique makes it clear that Mr. Dix has appreciated the support he’s received from other members of the financial sector. In an attempt to dispel any concern that an NDP government would favour unions, the letter says a Dix administration would include everyone at the table.

Then Ms. O’Brien gets to the point.

The letter documents the donation total that the recipient – or his or her company – has made to the Liberal Party over a specified number of years.
“It is our hope that you will adopt a balanced approach to your support in the lead up to the election in May,” it states. “I am asking your organization to make a contribution in the range of $5,000 now to show your commitment to a balanced approach to government.”

It then provides a link to a secure website where the person can immediately make a contribution.

At another time, those receiving a letter of this nature might have thought nothing of it. But in the context of the current election, one in which the New Democrats are decided favourites, it takes on a different hue.

Those getting such a dispatch might be forgiven for thinking they were being sent a pointed directive: We know who you are, we know who you’ve supported in the past, and it might be wise given the current political environment if you made a little donation to our party.

“You could say this is normal politics or you could say it’s a not-so-subtle strong-armed tactic,” said one business person who received the letter but did not want his name used. “[It’s implying], ‘You have never supported us before, but we’re going to win, and we will remember who did and who did not help us this time.’”

Another business person characterized the letter as a “political shakedown.”
It will not surprise you that the NDP says that was not the intent at all. The letter was simply intended, Ms. O’Brien told me, to reach out to corporations that have shown in the past they are willing to donate to political parties to see if they would consider the NDP.

“As part of the democratic process, political parties fund their campaigns with political donations,” Ms. O’Brien said. “But people have a choice, absolutely. We’ve just asked them to take a balanced approach to campaign donations.”
But that’s not what the letter says. It effectively states that the company should donate to the NDP as well as the Liberals in the name of taking a “balanced approach to government” – not campaign donations. Ms. O’Brien did not seem completely comfortable trying to explain what the letter meant in that regard. Or that it implies that people shouldn’t have a choice – that they should donate to both main parties.

And, of course, that’s wrong. People should be able to donate to whomever they want, and they certainly shouldn’t be leaned on by officials of parties that may soon take office and told that they should send some cash their way.

If there is any good news in all this, it’s the fact that should the NDP form government, it has vowed that donations from corporations and unions will be outlawed. Let’s hope letters such as the one Ms. O’Brien authored will be a thing of the past as well.

BC voter states: "It is like a slap in the face, just like it is to every other BC skilled trade worker, that has to work elsewhere "

The other day, my Campaign Manager received an email message from a young woman. This is what she had to say. 

I am yet another skilled trade worker that has to work in Alberta, despite all the false ads claiming "skilled trade labor shortage" by the Liberals.

The only job creation they have made are the jobs for the people shooting and starring in the false ads. My favorite ad is "Candace is an electrician and a mom"

Pffft!!

As a female electrician it is like a slap in the face, just like it is to every other BC skilled trade worker that has to work elsewhere." 



BC Premier Christy Clark.  Do those looking for work, and having
to leave BC to find it, pasting on a big smile like this?

I find it utterly appalling that under the management of Christy Clark, and the BC Liberals, this is the situation that many of BC's best and brightest find themselves in.

But that is not the ONLY comment I have received. Here's another one that came in to me. 

My son is another example of a person training and working in Alberta because there is none here in BC. 

He is training to be a welder and is now a 2nd year apprentice working in a shop building tanks for the pipeline. He moved to Alberta when the film industry was drying up. 

He is thriving there, just fine in Grand Prairie.

Sadly, these are not just two isolated incidents -- this is happening all the time -- as this message shows:

I have two married Granddaughters in Alberta and one grandson that works in all three provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan).  I know what you mean.
When elected as the MLA for Kamloops South Thompson, I pledge to be part of the BC Conservative team that WILL undertake to turn this situation around; in a real and meaningful way. 

The people of BC -- our sons and daughters -- neighbors and friends -- deserve nothing less from the people they elect to serve them.  

BC Conservatives believe in British Columbia. We believe in our people, their willingness to be daring and innovative, our natural resources and our geographic advantages. We believe in our potential; we believe in the future. 

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops.

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

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.