Glen Walushka

“By your words you will be condemned” Matthew 12:37. A strong advantage of digital age messaging is virtually everything is archived. A politician who now professes values diametrically opposed to past assertions must have the courage to explain or suffer the consequences.

Amplifying demonstrably false accusations made against an elected MLA for personal gain is simply wrong, bordering on reprehensible. Political fortunes often pivot on a single event. This ill-advised misrepresentation may deep six a leadership campaign. Apology required, IMHO.

BC Conservative leadership race is demonstrably 2 weeks too long now (in spite of the fact that validation process is becoming a digital gong show). Candidates who previously showed measured restraint now engaging in personal attacks. Not helpful, do better. BC needs NDP gone.

Full article at voiceofthewest.org under ‘blogs’ The current BC Conservative Party leadership contest is casting light on an aspect of BC’s identity that bears closer scrutiny. Five leadership candidates remain in the hunt to become British Columbia’s next Premier, a lofty ambition requiring the courage of a lion, the wisdom of Plato, the vision of Aristotle and the judgement of Solomon. The contest has proven challenging, even difficult at times, and perhaps that is as it should be. BC is in a current financial crisis that is worsening every day as the current NDP government under the dubious ‘leadership’ of David Eby is mishandling crisis after crisis, economic, social, political and ideological. Voters are becoming increasingly disillusioned and many are leaving BC for fairer pastures where those disenchanted residents are hoping for better jobs, afffordable home purchase opportunities and perhaps even a freer political climate where parents can raise their children with an absolute minimum of government interference and ideological indoctrination. While all five current candidates have shown somewhat predictable consistency and agreement on many political, social and economic issues, only one candidate, former Federal Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay, has rolled out a plan that economically actually addresses the concept of a ‘Western Alliance’ with Alberta and Saskatchewan. This initiative boldly addresses a “bold plan to build the infrastructure, constitutional foundations, and economic freedom that will define Western Canada for generations.” [quote from findly4bc.ca website] Findlay’s vision addresses an economic reality that is hotly debated in BC and fundamentally interwoven with the social, legislative and judicial challenges created with the passage of BC’s DRIPA legislation designed to incorporate the United Nation’s UNDRIP declaration relating to all internal BC economic activities of consequence moving forward, together with unforeseen challenges on crown lands, private property, demands of repatriation, restorative justice and reparations. BC is somewhat unique in its status of having less than 5% of its land under normative treaties – a historical anomaly stemming from its colonial history both pre and post Confederation. Coupled with the BC Constitution as written and recent judicial decisions, a level of economic and social uncertainty has arisen in BC with no apparent ability of the sitting BC NDP majority legislature to bring forward a satisfactory resolution in the foreseeable future. The result is collapsing public confidence in BC’s economic prospects and a commensurate decline in private investment in the province. Investors do not intend to risk capital in projects that can be assaulted with claims of vested interest from any number of otherwise disassociated parties and the Eby led NDP government has been rendered impotent by threats of significant physical intervention and civil unrest should any proposed changes be made to existing (beneficial to First Nations and related claimants) legislation, including DRIPA. Couple the stagnation of future resource development projects with the existing antipathy in BC politics to expansion of resource related transportation corridors through BC to seaport destinations and it is easy to envisage a BC that is becoming economically crippled with consequences detrimental to all BC residents, now and in the future. It is unrealistic to expect that David Eby can survive this crisis. It is also highly unlikely that the NDP can survive the damage they themselves have created – thus opening the door to the very real, likely probability that the new leader of the BC Conservatives will, in fact, lead that party into a BC legislature with a majority – and a mandate to ‘fix what’s broke’. That’s perhaps the good news for some. The bad news is a reality check. The hole BC NDP under David Eby is digging is massive.

@KEriksenV2 EXTREMELY concerned with Jordan’s assertion that Iain Black is working closely with John Rustad. That could be a dealbreaker for me / and many others. Can this be corroborated?

@KEriksenV2 Ronald Reagan.

@KEriksenV2 That was a Reagan quote long before Mike.

While candidates have maintained leadership, decorum & civility, usual click baiters are running wild to the detriment of the party. Recently I suggested to Iain Black that discipline is a core element to success. He agreed as I’m sure would all candidates. Don’t eat your own.

Only poll that matters opens May 23rd & closes May 29th when 42,000 BC Conservative Party members vote. Polling anyone OTHER than those 42,000 members is an exercise in self-indulgence. By now, most conscientious members have already engaged with leadership candidates.

If conservative politicians prostrate themselves at the feet of the mob they are both individually & collectively derelict in their duty of fiduciary trust to voters. We have a corrupt, woke, sick society that needs healing. Truth matters. Principle matters. Courage matters.

Is there a human institution dirtier or more ugly than partisan politics? Even otherwise rational so called conservatives join the mob when politically expedient. I’m disgusted but not surprised. Principled politicians with the courage to defend convictions are far too rare.

Conversations Live with Stuart McNish just concluded. All 5 BC Conservative Leadership candidates showed off their personal skills to noteworthy success. Harder to pick winners & losers compared to the last debate. Format with a veteran legislative correspondent in Vaughn Palmer both focused & facilitated discussion in a way both entertaining & revealing. 1. Yuri Fulmer shares most values & conservative principles with opponents but has clearly differentiated (perhaps isolated) himself resulting from his pre-election intended vote splitting remedy with OneBC. Fulmer appears prepared to live or die on that commitment prior to 42,000 members voting in May. Otherwise, Fulmer’s showing surprising resiliency & credibility. 2. Iain Black remains eloquent, articulate & witty with a remarkably strong stage demeanour. While his economic plan came under attack, he defended both the policies & the underlying rationale with unequivocal conviction. His ability to lead with experience & strong interpersonal skills was spotlighted. Black presents as an experienced, respected leader in both industry & government. 3. Caroline Elliott dramatically improved her performance from last debate. Shifting from attack mode to thoughtful discussion & interaction showed a much more likeable & relatable side of her. She remains somewhat divergent from the field as an academic rather than a seasoned politician or business icon. Responses & policy platform very congruent with most opponents. 4. Kerry Lynn Findlay ‘stayed the course’ highlighting her high level experience in federal politics to maximum impact. Findlay remains the only actual ‘conservative’ elected who was not previously aligned with other parties. Appears experience & honed negotiating skills will be her message going forward. 5. Peter Milobar once again presented himself as the pragmatist who cautioned against unachievable expectations. He focused on his current legislative roles & his unblemished electoral record. I found myself wondering whether his cautious approach to ‘fixing what’s broke’ (realistic or otherwise) may work internally with 42,000 members but it might be a harder sell with BC voters who are increasingly showing disfavour with a floundering Eby led NDP. Vaughn Palmer comported himself with wit & experienced insight but lost it at the end by introducing some of his own political biases that had no place in this moderated discussion, in particular, praising Horgan to the high heavens (& supporting Bonnie Henry who has been an unmitigated disaster in her unscientific draconian assault on BC health workers during COVID panicked mismanagement) had no place in tonight’s otherwise first rate discussion. All candidates held their own and there were no major gaffes or uncomfortable moments. I suspect every candidate’s supporters came away comparatively satisfied with tonight’s outcome. In spite of the fact that that I foresee little movement in previous candidate preferences, I await the usual, mandatory ‘My campaign was the clear winner’ assertions on social media. Good job by all concerned including moderator Stuart McNish. NDP strategists can’t be happy with tonight’s performance by all 5 potential future BC Premiers. BC voters should come away optimistic.

Canada National Debt nearing $1.5 TRILLION. Private investment in Canada plummeting. Worst housing affordability in G7. Standard of living WORST decline in 40 years (Fraser Institute). Food cost & Food Bank usage soaring. Tax well is dry. Canada Strong Fund desperate scam?

Currently 6 independents. Lobby to stand down in NDP strongholds or Green strongholds. OneBC won’t accept that deal. Lobby to stand down in ridings where NDP narrowly won. OneBC won’t accept that deal either. Independents are logical ‘at risk’ choices if deemed re-electable.

@CanadaDefiant @yuri_fulmer Not disputing that Fulmer is an enigma. Lots of evidence that he catered to ‘woke’ DEI window dressing in the past. Just surprised that he has handled his own in debates. More importantly, if he has signed up almost 15 1/2 thousand new members, his base may be strong.

@Observor Good synopsis. Disagree on @yuri_fulmer who still strikes me as more of a sleazy, stand up comedian than a serious leader. His repeated excuses for his endless stream of land acknowledgements is growing tiresome.

My thoughts on BC Conservative Leader Debate just ended. In stage order. 1. Milobar was solid. Not spectacular but not short on responses. Using his current legislative MLA status as his major advantage. Not overly challenged by other debaters perhaps an indication that his ranking is dropping in polls. 2. Black was the most eloquent, witty & quick on his rebuttals. Findlay laid bare his achille’s heel as a former Gordon Campbell cabinet member who was fired from cabinet then subsequently resigned from caucus - over 17 years ago. No political success since. 3. Fulmer was surprisingly comfortable & knowledgeable as a political outsider breaking in at the highest possible level. Defended his business practices, including foreign worker hires, with reason & no apologies. Relentless attacks on Elliott exposed a number of weaknesses in the Elliott campaign. Dark horse candidate showing surprising resilience. 4. Elliott fared worst tonight, IMHO. Came across as strident, unnecessarily aggressive in targeted issues & her unjustifiable assertions that she was the ‘only candidate’ able to succeed was challenged by all other candidates. Lack of political & leadership experience was highlighted as was her actual historical position on issues where she may now appear to be prevaricating. 5. Findlay was the seasoned, qualified political veteran with the least vulnerable political track record. She related well on key issues by bringing them down to a personal, anecdotal level. Findlay laid some heavy blows on all her opponents with indisputable facts hard to counter or defend while other candidates found it hard to lay a glove on her. Findlay even dodged the Tara Armstrong endorsement kerfuffle with the skill of a seasoned warrior. Findlay’s recent endorsements & political fortunes appear to be rising. The live audience response appeared to be reasonably well distributed & most moderator questions were legitimate - with a couple of ridiculous, trite exceptions. Findlay was asked how she might spend a quiet Sunday afternoon, an embarrassing softball question, but Findlay hit it out of the park by embracing the importance of the nuclear family. Overall, a decent debate with decent moderators but short of the overall production value of the first Juno sponsored, moderated debate. Big issue was annoyingly inconsistent microphone levels. Mistakes in original YouTube link email with subsequent correction follow up caused online delays for many viewers. Overall? Biggest loser was Elliott who not only skipped the first Juno debate but showed significant campaign & policy vulnerabilities in this first officially sanctioned debate. Biggest winner was probably Findlay who might not top Iain Black at a Toastmasters debate but clearly engaged successfully with personal strength, conviction & thoughtful resolve. Opponents landed no knockout punches or even minor victories against her. Black and Milobar still have strong support and Black easily outperformed Milobar in actual debating but Milobar holds the MLA wild card. Dark horse moving quickly through the field is Fulmer who comported himself once again as a strong, legitimate contender even as an outsider. Fulmer 15,000 claimed new members is a major factor, if substantiated. Fulmer aggressively defended his unsanctioned ‘unholy alliance’ with One BC but other candidates rightly challenged both the wisdom & the efficacy. In my opinion, this race is far from over but the position of the candidates has changed significantly after tonight. Voice of the West will be providing further analysis as we get closer to the announced May 23rd first ballot date.

lol. Once again, inattention to details. Mexican beer. I drink all types of craft beer or production beer brewed right here in BC. Reminds me of going to Ontario to hire a campaign team while promoting BC employment for the rest of us hoi polloi.

Totally agree! The more messages I see from like this from Brodie - definitely too confrontational for any leadership role!

Not a good look from Brodie. More & more evident that Brodie reacts without first processing probable responses & outcomes. Main reason why my confidence in Fulmer’s judgement is diminishing. Brodie’s communication skills need honing, IMHO as does critical thought process.