From newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca Wed Jun 1 17:28:08 2005 From: newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca (BC NDP NEWSWIRE) Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2005 16:28:08 -0800 Subject: [LabComm] Statement from Carole James on the Passing of George Watts Message-ID: Statement from Carole James on the Passing of George Watts I join with thousands of British Columbians today in mourning the passing of George Watts. George was a leader of enormous integrity and commitment to First Nations at the national level, through his leadership of the Assembly of First Nations, and the provincial level through his leadership of the First Nations Summit. George also contributed significantly to the struggle for aboriginal and human rights at the international level. Through his efforts, BC saw progress toward the resolution of First Nations treaties. George was a key player in the formation of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, and as chief negotiator for the Maa-nulth, Mr. Watts was critical in moving the negotiations process forward, signing an Agreement in Principle. It is unfortunate that George will not be able to bear witness to the culmination of his work. George's integrity and commitment to our province was illustrated over his decades of service to First Nations and non-aboriginal communities. His vision of a province where we all benefit, and where a diversity of voices is heard is a vision shared by my party. British Columbia is a fairer, more just place because of his tireless pursuit of social equality and the rights of First Nations. He will be sorely missed. To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup2.bc.ndp.ca/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca Thu Jun 2 16:21:02 2005 From: newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca (BC NDP NEWSWIRE) Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2005 15:21:02 -0800 Subject: [LabComm] James Calls on Health Minister to Investigate Billing Practices at New Private Clinic Message-ID: James Calls on Health Minister to Investigate Billing Practices at New Private Clinic Opposition says Soaring Waitlists, Health Care Mismanagement Driving Private Care Victoria -- Health Minister Shirley Bond must order a full examination of billing practices at the new Copeman Health Care Centre to ensure public health care dollars are not used to subsidize for-profit medicine, NDP Leader Carole James said today. Yesterday, Ms. Bond would only commit to "explore" the issue. According to the clinic's owner, Don Copeman, patients will be charged $2300 dollars to access medical care at the new clinic, in addition to a $1700 joiner fee. He said the clinic will charge the government for procedures covered by the Medical Service Plan. James said the BC Liberals have opened the door to for-profit medicine through the mismanagement of health care that has led to soaring waitlists, overcrowded emergency rooms and dirty hospitals. She said the BC Liberals can stop privatization in health care by enforcing provincial law and delivering on their health care campaign promises. "British Columbians sent the BC Liberals a strong message in the election: fix public health care," said James. "That's why the Health Minister should investigate the billing practices of this new private clinic to ensure that public dollars go to improve public health care." "Ms. Bond should provide the public with the results of her investigation before the new clinic opens in October." James said what the Copeman clinic is proposing may be extra-billing. She said the Health Minister can't sit on her hands and let the Copeman clinic open without an assurance that public money will not be used to subsidize for-profit care. "Federal and provincial law establish clear rules banning extra-billing," said James. "The Health Minister needs to ensure those rules are enforced." To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup2.bc.ndp.ca/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca Thu Jun 16 20:38:08 2005 From: newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca (BC NDP NEWSWIRE) Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2005 19:38:08 -0800 Subject: [LabComm] Statement from Carole James on Liberal Cabinet Appointments Message-ID: Statement from Carole James on Liberal Cabinet Appointments Good afternoon. Premier Gordon Campbell was sent a strong message from the people of British Columbia in this last election. British Columbians said they want a different approach. They want balance in government. They want their government to pay attention to the priorities that matter to average families, in every region of the province. On the whole, the premier's announcement today represents no significant shift in direction for his government. However, the Premier appears to be trying to strike a new tone ... but whether he has really changed will depend on his actions, not words. Let me first point to a couple of things I think are positive. The size of Cabinet for four years was altogether too large, with many Cabinet positions serving a political need to manage the government caucus at the expense of tax payers. So I'm glad, first of all, to see a significant reduction in the size of Cabinet. The establishment of a stand alone ministry responsible for First Nations is long overdue. And I hope that this will go some way to repairing the relationship with Aboriginal people that was so badly damaged in Mr. Campbell's first term. I note that the premier has acted on our call to re-establish the Ministry of Environment. It is an acknowledgement from this premier that it was unacceptable for his government to continue without a strong commitment to our natural heritage. However, I am concerned that he's renamed the Ministry without changing it. For example, responsibility for regulating fish farming in this province still rests with the Agriculture Ministry -- the same Ministry responsible for licensing the industry. Mr. Campbell will have to demonstrate a real commitment to improved environmental standards and protections. During the campaign, we articulated several key priorities for British Columbians. And it is my sincere hope that those priorities will be at the forefront of all discussions as these Ministers go forward to carry out their responsibilities. The new Minister of Health must make long-term care and seniors' care a top priority. The new Minister of Education must revaluate the funding model for our schools, and look to providing stable and secure funding that allows schools, communities and families to plan into the future. The looming skills shortage cannot continue to be ignored by the Ministry of Advanced Education. We need innovative ideas to successfully prepare more British Columbians for jobs in skilled trades. But most importantly, this new cabinet must provide leadership that listens, and to put into action a new tone for government that restores the principals of respect, cooperation, and integrity. As the Official opposition, it is our job to hold this government and this cabinet to account. And that is exactly what I intend to do. As I said, Mr. Campbell and his government were sent a message from British Columbians that it's time for a significant shift in direction. It remains to be seen whether or not the premier has heard that message. As the Official Opposition, my caucus will not only point out the deficiencies of government, but also put forward positive and innovative ideas and solutions. We will be watching very closely to see that Gordon Campbell keeps his word. We will be watching to see that he pays attention to seniors and long-term care. That he works to re-build bridges of trust that he burned in his first term. That his commitment to reach out is more than just window-dressing. That he starts to pay attention to education and rising costs for college and university. And that he starts to treat working people with respect. In his last term, the Premier made many similar commitments. And he broke his promises. This time, British Columbians have effective representatives in the House to hold him accountable. And that's what the New Democrat Caucus will do. To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup2.bc.ndp.ca/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca Thu Jun 30 15:45:09 2005 From: newswire at news.bc.ndp.ca (BC NDP NEWSWIRE) Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2005 14:45:09 -0800 Subject: [LabComm] James calls on Premier to halt partisan advertising Message-ID: James calls on Premier to halt partisan advertising VICTORIA -- Following revelations that the Campbell government deliberately overspent its advertising budget by $7.5 million to produce pre-election ads, NDP Leader Carole James today re-iterated her call to ban all partisan advertising by government. Despite repeated calls from the Opposition and the media prior to the last election, the Campbell government refused to reveal how much it was spending on partisan advertising. Yesterday, audited financial statements revealed that the Premier's office deliberately overspent its advertising budget, then tried to hide the fact from the public in the run-up to the last election. The Finance Ministry buried advertising cost overruns by billing other ministries, including the Ministry of Health in an apparent effort to avoid embarrassment by the premier for going over budget. To read rest of this story, click here to visit the BC NDP web site. To unsubscribe or change your settings go to: http://www.e-2ve6y.signup2.bc.ndp.ca/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: