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Coleman downplays brewing controversy
VANCOUVER/CKNW (AM980)
Shane Woodford | Email news tips to shane.woodford@corusent.com
11/21/2012

A controversy linking a well known lobbyist, a BC Liberal who owns a craft beer company, and cabinet minister Rich Coleman,  is being called "political games" by the minister.


Rich Coleman says Pacific Western Brewing Company might have to lay off staff to avoid a fiscal hit as it exceeds a mandated production quota.


Coleman says he is simply working on a solution to keep the staff on the job.


He plays down claims by the National Brewing Association claiming lobbyist Patrick Kinsella, or political donations, played a role. 

 "Well its a stretch, I mean everybody knows I know Pat Kinsella but Pat Kinsella has never actually lobbied me on anything to do with Pacific Western Brewers and so that would be just throwing a name out there to see what would stick I think. This company has made donations to my party there is no doubt about that and so frankly have the National Brewers."

The brewing company that stands to benefit with tax savings worth millions donated nearly 27-thousand to a Coleman fundraiser.


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  • 15
  1. Stevev_1850 posted on 11/21/2012 11:53 AM
    Why are Kinsella and Coleman always the ones that are discovered doing something that appears shady? Probably because they are doing something shady and they both need to go.
    1. HUGH F posted on 11/21/2012 12:52 PM
      @Stevev_1850 I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest it's because they most likely are doing something shady and it has NOTHING to do with that big fat donation to Jabba's re-election thrust. Purely coincidental........
    2. HUGH F posted on 11/21/2012 12:52 PM
      @Stevev_1850 I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest it's because they most likely are doing something shady and it has NOTHING to do with that big fat donation to Jabba's re-election thrust. Purely coincidental........
  2. DeceitinDrugsD posted on 11/21/2012 01:08 PM
    27,000 donated to a Coleman fundraiser.

    Bingo!

    This scenario plays out more often than not.

    In fact, anyone following politics knows the
    person/groups, who donate to the cause
    are the ones, who have their own self-interests
    and use their financial klout to be able to
    further push their agendas.

    One just has to look at Municpal Politics and
    it's big business/developers, who really run
    the show and make big campaign donations
    in order to ensure their self-interests are looked
    after in exchange for votes.
    1. RoseH_1028 posted on 11/21/2012 03:14 PM
      @DeceitinDrugsD I suppose you could say that about all the union donations as well.
  3. Reality Check posted on 11/21/2012 01:13 PM
    I am amazed that the media in BC seem to always gravitate to the negative spin. As I understand the storey, and it did require reading from another source, Coleman's involvement is required to prevent the lay-off of 300 workers? Is this not what we would ask of a politician? An archaic law, apparently introduced in the NDP era, defined micro + national breweries. This was to help foster growth /small business and keep local jobs. Through their own success, they have grown and want to address this old law. Yet, CKNW and the first comments feels that this is underhanded? good grief
    1. HUGH F posted on 11/21/2012 01:36 PM
      @Reality Check We have the best government money can buy. $27000 reasons to smell on this one.
    2. HUGH F posted on 11/21/2012 01:36 PM
      @Reality Check We have the best government money can buy. $27000 reasons to smell on this one.
  4. IanR_10 posted on 11/21/2012 01:24 PM
    Political shenanigans? It was fellow Liberal MLAs who raised this issue in a special caucus meeting last night, threatening to refer the matter to a Special Prosecutor. And he never talked to Kinsella about this file because Kinsella's partner Mark Jiles handles the file.
  5. RegA [deleted] posted on 11/21/2012 04:21 PM
    I have never seen it written here, but, the Liberals must think they are so high and mighty, they can do what they want, without, insiders knowing what sketchy items they pull out of their hats. Look at government employees,,,, the Liberals can't pass wind and the enemy knows what is goiing on. Coleman is in all kinds of booze shennanigans up past the third knuckle. Definition of a Liberal, " an arrogant chronic liar". I really DO hope they acquire their nest eggs before they get tossed. (I was lying)
  6. Garp posted on 11/21/2012 04:54 PM
    This is how politics works NDP, Liberal, Conservative -, political contributions enable lobbyists to have contact to ministers. If this is truly about saving 300 jobs, where is the problem?
  7. DeceitinDrugsD posted on 11/21/2012 09:16 PM
    Absolutely, you are right on the mark..........

    Liberals = Corporations/bigbusiness = Campaign donations

    NDP = Unions = Campaign donations

    This happens at all three levels of Gov't/
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