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Clark must say ‘no’

Premier must reject heft bonuses from Liberal party for paid dinner speeches.

Dear Sir:

British Columbians have recently learned that Premier Christy Clark has been receiving a hefty bonus from the Liberal party who charge attendees up to $20,000 per plate to hear dinner speeches by the Premier.

Madam Premier claims this has been going on since the early 1990s by previous B.C. governments and she does not see it as an issue. Does that mean it is okay because it can be construed as a tradition?

The provincial Conflict of Interest Commissioner ruled the Premier did not breach any rules or break the law while receiving this money.

That is good news because we certainly do not want our Premier to break the law.

What the commissioner was not able to do was to rule on the ethics associated with the practice which allows corporations and wealthy individuals to lobby the Premier, her staff and the Liberal party/provincial government. This is a practice that slips through the back door disguised as a dinner cost when in fact it is a financial contribution that the general public cannot begin to match or dream of being a part of.

The wealthy and powerful are given a special window of opportunity to influence provincial government policy and legislation and for her to say otherwise is not believable. Neither an individual or corporate entity is going to shell out that kind of money and not expect something in return. Most people who care and understand politics know that is the case.

The Premier accuses those who oppose development of always saying no when they should be saying yes.

Reversing the position of the premier on the matter of receiving a bonus for listening to the wealthy and powerful, she should not be saying yes, but “no”

And saying that as well to projects and development that are not in the long term best interest of British Columbia and Canada.

Jim Culp,

Terrace, B.C.