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Clark to lead Liberals into next election
VANCOUVER/CKNW (AM980)
Shane Woodford | Email news tips to shane.woodford@corusent.com
3/3/2013

BC's premier faced the media after an almost three hour cabinet meeting to try and re-affirm her leadership after a disastrous week for the Liberals.

Christy Clark emerged all smiles and told waiting media the Liberals are a great group of people and everyone is on the same page.

While the words were rosy, Clark actually ended the scrum before turning around to issue, a first apology -- voiced by her -- for the ethnic voting scandal that has rocked her government.

"I sincerely apologize for the language that was used in that document it is language that just isn't worth repeating and so I think when you make a mistake, when someone in your organization makes a mistake, the right thing to do is to own up to it and to make right...to make it right. That is why I apologized because we have to make that right and I think that is the right thing to do."

However Clark wouldn't answer what took her so long to say sorry after Deputy Minister Rich Coleman read out an apology in the Legislature on Thursday.

Cabinet ministers left the meeting throwing their support behind the premier. 

Community Minister Bill Bennett had promised earlier if Christy Clark goes, so does he.

"Yeah I am still running in the election and Christy Clark is going to be our premier."

Deputy Premier Rich Coleman and Justice Minister Shirley Bond also voiced support. 

"We are going into it with Christy Clark that is all you need to know," said Coleman. 

"To a person around that table we are solidly supporting the Premier," said Bond.

This was, again, echoed by Finance Minister Mike De Jong and Environment Minister Terry Lake.

"Support, resolve, and a good feeling of solidarity and realization that we have a lot of work to do," said De Jong.

"She wants to do the right thing for British Columbia she is working hard to make sure we stay on the right track," said Lake.

It isn't over yet for Clark as she will face her entire BC Liberal caucus in Victoria on Monday.


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  • 37
  1. fredb_7066 posted on 03/03/2013 10:13 PM
    thank you christy the clown ........go ndp go
  2. insite posted on 03/03/2013 10:19 PM
    It is not clear what Premier Clark is apologizing for. Is she apologizing for grammar, offensive language or what? All she spouts is well-articulated double talk.

    What is upsetting ethnic groups is that the BC Liberal strategy is targeting them to woo their support. For instance, the leaked document contains a very offensive plan calling for apologies to be issued to correct historic wrongs in a blatant and underhanded effort to buy votes-and probably financial support from the ethnic group apologized to. She does not understand that ethnic groups are telling the government is that their votes are not for sale. Even the larger community should be outraged.

    Clearly, Premier Clark does not get it. She thinks she can placate the voters by employing obscure language which just avoids the whole problem. That she apologized in this manner underscores the lack of back bone on the part of her cabinet.

    Yes, I understand that she is supposedly in charge and cabinet loyalty is demanded in our system. But, surley, her cabinet might have the balls to demand that she issue an apology clearly indicates what she is apologizing for.

    So, she might have said "I apologize to the ethnic communities for my government's and Party's attempt to pander to ethnic groups for the purpose of wooing their support. To offer an apology that addresses historical wrong in exchange foe votes was simply wrong. In future, I promise my government and party will not engage in such distasteful practices, etc."

    Hey! That apology was awfully bad language but you got the point, didn't ou? -that Premier Clark doesn't.

    As someone with ethnic roots, I am absolutely appalled at Premier Clark's arrogannce. Shame on her!!!!!

    There is more to come. Stay tuned.
    1. insite posted on 03/03/2013 10:23 PM
      @insite Sorry for bad language and spelling.

      But, surely (not surley), her cabinet might have the balls to demand that she issue an apology clearly indicates what she is apologizing for
    2. DavidSB posted on 03/03/2013 10:49 PM
      @insite It is not like the NDP and other parties don't have the same backroom discussions. The job of the politician is to sit around and figure out how to manipulate us all into voting form them I know that may sound distasteful, but that IS how they make their money). I'm pretty sure that if every one of their words were on public display we would be a lot more shocked that we are now.

      The intriguing part is that someone in the Liberal party is openly sabotaging Christy's leadership by revealing things that would not normally be revealed. I don't know how they think this is going to help them get a new leader in and help them win.

      It is clear many within the Liberal party itself want to see the party crushed in the upcoming election with moves like this
  3. Ken280 posted on 03/03/2013 11:15 PM
    I sincerely apologize for the language that was used in that document it is language that just isn't worth repeating and so I think when you make a mistake, when someone in your organization makes a mistake, the right thing to do is to own up to it and to make right...to make it right. That is why I apologized because we have to make that right and I think that is the right thing to do."

    This is for her to apologize and say it is the right thing to do! Dix did the same thing and was not even elected but for the Liberal/Cons of the coalition different rules! Right! Go NDP Go
    1. Ron_26 posted on 03/03/2013 11:26 PM
      @Ken280 You're almost right. Someone else didn't do it, he did. And he did lie about it until he was busted.
  4. RichardF_4221 posted on 03/04/2013 12:10 AM
    How soon the spin doctors on both sides get their mitts into everything. I'm sure some NDPer's believe it was Liberals at the crucifixion. Likely lots of Liberals would have you believe it was Adrian Dix.

    Get past the crap.

    Like DavidSB says, they all have these discussions, they just don't usually get out in public.

    Who's going to best serve the province in building the economy and our future? That's all that most of us care about. We all have other personal concerns on what choices the next government will make.

    Many people turned their backs on the NDP in 2001 whose leader(Ujjal Dusanjh may well have turned into one of the best premiers ever in BC, because of the oft mentioned Glen Clark/Adrian Dix fiasco.

    Yes they need to be kept in check, but is this enough to bring down a government? Not if you still think they are heading in the right way for BC. If they're not, this fiasco shouldn't be the reason they aren't re-elected, the NDP or Conservative platform or ideas are just better for the future of the province.
  5. ChrisM_18 posted on 03/04/2013 06:35 AM
    What seems to be getting brushed under the table here is that this document didn't get created in a remote part of BC by a Liberal staffer that Christy didn't know !
    It is inconceivable that Christy didnt at a minimum know about the contents of the document before it got issued, and more likely took part in the shaping of the document !
    The lack of respect shown in the document for not just the ethnic vote, but for all British Columbian's and the inability to recognize the backlash that could occur when the plans to pander votes made it into the public speak to someone who really doesn't understand much about the human psyche, speak to someone who has problems with empathy, ie a psychopath.
  6. KellyS_2296 posted on 03/04/2013 07:18 AM
    I'm glad she'll "lead" the fiberals in the May election because it only helps us at the BC Conservative Party! This election is now between the ndp and the BCCP and the BCCP are nominating some great candidates and have big changes planned as opposed to the NDP's status quo.

    Vote BC Conservatives!
    1. NewKat posted on 03/04/2013 11:12 AM
      @KellyS_2296 Well I sure hope you get out some good candidates real soon!! I am put off by the whole Liberal fiasco, but I sure as heck will NOT give my vote to the other liar and cheat who heads the NDP. Give me someone else to vote for!
  7. WizardOron posted on 03/04/2013 07:45 AM
    Its not just the language of the document that is in appropriate it is the whole concept and idea that the document espoused for the BC Liberals to undertake in an attempt to gain votes from the ethnic communities outlined in the document.

    On top of the that and what is even more important is that the document and conversations were taking place via private emails that cannot be source during FOI requests. Additionally, I find it difficult to believe that Christy and others such as cabinet ministers and backbenchers were unaware of this document considering it was a BC Liberal Party campaign strategy and they are the runs running for re-election.

    The ethnic outreach is not what most people are upset about because it is done by all parties. What is upsetting is the idea that they attempted to hide this and subvert government resources to benefit a political party and not get caught doing it.

    Their is a hint of illegality here as government monies are rumored to have been paid to at least one or more BC Liberal Party members.
  8. BCBornAndRaised posted on 03/04/2013 07:53 AM
    Not that I'm a Clark supporter, but so much of what I read in the comments posted here, sounds like nothing less than 'female bashing'. Appears to me that a certain segment of the BC population still have an issue with a 'female' leader. Get over it! When past male leaders screwed-up, they never had such words written about them.
    1. RichardF_4221 posted on 03/04/2013 10:11 AM
      @BCBornAndRaised Well said. When did common respect disappear anyway? I guess since we can all hide behind our keyboards now, we can bring the tavern and locker room culture into the public eye.

      If you wouldn't say it to your grandma, you shouldn't say it at all.
  9. insite posted on 03/04/2013 09:26 AM
    Reposting because replies are often buried.

    Why is that BC LIberals are defended by saying other parties do it too? That makes it sound that buying votes is ok.

    Of course, all political parties pander to various groups, including busineess, labour, associations, ethnic groups, etc

    But, that is not reason to dismiss complaints against this underhanded strategy to woo ethnic votes by apologizing to correct historical wrongs. Aploogies made in this manner only rub salt into old wounds. But, if you haven't been affected, you do not have a clue.

    There is reason to believe that the BC Liberals have already issued an apology for historical wrongs as part of the morally-offensive "Quick-Win/ Mutli-Cultural strategy to gain votes.

    Stayed tuned and more details will soon be public where this strategy is live and well-for some time.

    Back to Premier Clark's apology on inappropriate use of language in her apology to ethnic groups-that was double talk. Maybe, if language was a problem in the Quick-Win strategy, it should have been written in the language of the targetted communities. Try Mandarin, Cantonese, Filipino. Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese. I'm only kidding because it is disgusting.


    reply·
    1. Ron_26 posted on 03/04/2013 09:30 AM
      @insite Please. Once is more than enough.
  10. miltw posted on 03/04/2013 09:42 AM
    That is by far the best decision crissy has ever had made for her. Excellent choice a milf and a preemie and still a loser..
    1. NewKat posted on 03/04/2013 12:20 PM
      @miltw You are disgusting pal. Would you be making the same types of comments if Clark was a man? And no, I am not voting for her.
  11. absolute-0 posted on 03/04/2013 07:54 PM
    okay i worked at the media field and i read news everyday.
    This scandal is devastating to the liberal especially the champige is coming up. But have you guys thought of how the NDP got the document, every parties have their own scandal, and also when we decided who to vote for, shouldn't we be looking at who have a better policies and economical strategies. I am not a liberal supporters, but i am just saying , with provoking British Columbians anger toward the gov't, I am not sure everyone can stay objective looking at the policies both parties presenting.

    And i agree with some of the replies, if a male leader screwed up, like Gordan Campbell , or even Glenn Clark, and involved in scandal, i didnt see such blunt comments without respects.
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