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Tuesday, October 7, 2008 |
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Voters deserve answers about the tree farm giveaway |
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Written by -- Victoria Times Colonist
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Friday, 18 July 2008 |
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PREMIER GORDON CAMPBELLBRITISH COLUMBIANSVANCOUVER ISLANDPAT BELLVICTORIA TIMES COLONIST
Coleman acted without sufficient information, consultation or attention to the public interest, Doyle said. His action resulted in a windfall for Western Forest Products.
Doyle's report raises serious questions about Coleman's suitability for a cabinet post, but these are not the only questions raised.
Where, for example, was Premier Gordon Campbell?
If he approved Coleman's removal of 28,000 hectares of prime real estate, then he was just as wrong. If he was not aware of what the minister was up to, it raises doubts about his leadership.
Either way, the province deserves answers from the premier.
This decision resulted in a gift to a private company -- a gift worth up to $200 million. In 2001, Campbell promised that his Liberal government would end handouts to private industry. We would like to know why he went back on his word?
When he returns from the premiers' conference in Quebec City, Campbell should be prepared to face British Columbians and respond to the report. He should either defend Coleman or remove him from cabinet. And while he is considering how to fix this mess, he should take another look at Pat Bell, Coleman's replacement in the forests ministry.
When Doyle released his report, Bell could have promised to investigate the allegations or to end favours to industry. Instead, he chose to attack Doyle. He accused the auditor general of lacking integrity and noted that the auditor general is "dead wrong" if he thinks this is the way business is done in British Columbia.
The slurs were unnecessary and unjustified. Doyle, an Australian who was appointed to his post a year ago by a unanimous vote of the legislature, has an excellent reputation and record.
Before coming to B.C., he was a deputy auditor general in Western Australia, responsible for audits of 210 agencies, special investigations and performance audits. Before that, he was an associate professor and head of the school of accounting and finance at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle. He has also been a chief financial officer of large organizations.
In other words, he knows his stuff. He doesn't deserve cheap personal attacks from cabinet members who might not be thrilled that Doyle is prepared to do what he was hired to do.
If Bell is not willing to apologize for what he said, then Campbell needs to decide whether Bell deserves a place at the cabinet table. Campbell's decision on Coleman should be somewhat easier.
-- Victoria Times Colonist
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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