BAD TRIP — B.C. Liberal MLA Mike Bernier had a medical event in the legislature this past week. He said he was having “amazingly horrific flashbacks” about all the NDP criticisms of the income tax regime his government enacted for the LNG industry. They accused the Liberals of giving the farm away, not getting enough money and letting the companies walk all over B.C.
What triggered the event was the NDP’s intention, declared in March, to rescind the tax, and more recent developments on that front. He toyed with Energy Minister Michelle Mungall over the news.
Were they going to make the rules stricter and generate more revenue, like they urged the Liberals to do?
Actually, no, said Mungall. Things have changed and B.C.’s original offer is now “uncompetitive.”
So they’re actually going to repeal the tax completely.
Bernier said: “I had to check my pulse there for a second, to make sure I’m still alive.”
Then he asked Mungall to list the benefits of an LNG industry in B.C.
She responded by reciting all the revenue, job creation and First Nation advantages that would come. Just like the Liberals used to do, ad nauseum.
“I remember listing off almost the exact same list,” Bernier said.
Mungall said it’s all about “not sticking in the mud and staying the same — not being static, but being dynamic — especially when you’re presented with new information.”
Elsewhere, Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver warned the NDP his caucus will vote against scrubbing the tax. That wouldn’t matter, because the Liberals would support it. It’s his earlier stance that’s significant: If the similar carbon break is offered, his caucus “would no longer have confidence in the government.”
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DO TELL — Labour Minister Harry Bains got an enormous round of applause on the last day of the sitting, just for standing up in the house. He stood up because someone finally asked him a question. It was from Weaver, about support for people with job-related mental-health problems.
“I just want to tell you how thrilled I am to get that question,” Bains said. His enthusastic response included an exhaustive outline of the issue, to the point where he was cut off mid-answer.
When Weaver got another turn, he joked that he was sorry he asked. “Yet more pent-up answers looking for a question to deliver to.”
Said Bains: “You can never be brief when you’re talking about the health or safety of working people.”
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ELDER STATESMAN — NDP MLA Bowinn Ma opened a member’s statement by setting the stage in 1933, on June 6. Simon Fraser Tolmie was premier, R.B. Bennett was prime minister, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president and it was raining in Vancouver. Further into the scene, a baby was born. Later in her story it became clear — that baby was Ralph Sultan, now the senior man in the legislature, 17 years into his term as an MLA and turning 85 this coming week.
Last year he was the oldest person to be elected in B.C. history. Ma joked about a minor argument she and Sultan had and led the house in wishing him happy birthday. There are unconfirmed reports it brought tears to his eyes.
