New Democrat MLAs have been obviously amused for the past week about a line of questioning the B.C. Liberals are pursuing about who knew what when the oil-spill measures that prompted the B.C.-Alberta trade war were unveiled.
The government announced it was planning regulations that could include “restrictions” on the transport of bitumen through B.C. while studies continue, which antagonized Alberta and provoked the B.C. wine boycott there. Premier John Horgan last week decided to ask the courts about jurisdiction before imposing that one, which brought an end to the wine boycott.
But the opposition is still curious about Environment Minister George Heyman’s calendar on the day — Jan. 30 — the oil measures were announced. That evening, he went to Bowen Island and met about 40 environmentalists dedicated to blocking the Kinder Morgan pipeline. That’s the project that the oil measures are designed to block.
The dinner has prompted a week’s worth of dark speculation by the Opposition. They accused him of “reporting back to his activists and agitators” and over-sharing information with “his Bowen Island buddies.”
With the NDP MLAs rolling their eyes over the questions, Heyman has stressed that he meets all sorts of people, including pipeline proponents, and just showed up for dinner at the island retreat. He didn’t take part in any strategy sessions. He acknowledged he and ministry staff spent hours the day before giving a “broad-brush” outline of what was coming to a wide range of groups with interests in the pipeline, a standard government move.
On Monday, the fifth day of questions, Heyman’s amusement subsided for a moment. After Liberal MLA Peter Milobar accused him of colluding and sharing confidential information, Heyman issued the traditional challenge to say it outside the house (and face legal consequences).
The moment passed, but the intriguing thing is how well-briefed the Liberals are by way of leaked emails about the Bowen Island resistance summit, despite how intensely security-conscious the participants seem to be.
The Opposition is even getting leaked notes about all the measures the group is taking to avoid leaks. A document advises to communicate only in person, or by way of a messaging app (Signal) that erases messages after they are sent. “Avoid email or texting. Try to do voice calls from a private location. ”
The Liberals cited a document in which the group is described as a “hive” organized to support mass, creative, non-violent direct actions undertaken by a hard-hitting “swarm.”
It stands for “transparency and accountability,” but notes “we will not have a brand or presence in public beyond what is necessary to achieve our goals.”
Heyman so far looks solid in laughing off suspicions he was out of line. But the hive isn’t likely laughing to see their secret strategies quoted in question period.
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Just So You Know:
Citizens’ Services Minister Jinny Sims announced a new public-engagement website to discuss B.C.’s freedom of information regime, but some stakeholders have already had all the engagement they can handle.
A veteran user of the FOI regime, journalist Stanley Tromp, said it was welcome but rather odd, because it’s unnecessary given four major consultations stretching back 20 years.
The new round of consultation will be an opportunity to learn more about how freedom of information and privacy work, the government said.
Sims’ office this month provided a personal example of how FOI works in B.C. A researcher (likely from the Opposition) requested all documentation about modifications to the ministerial suite of offices Sims and her staff requested after the change of government.
A series of emails passed between her staff and the Legislative Assembly management staff about the work requested. Sims in August requested “cleaning/painting of the entire office area, change and removal of furniture, removal of all plastic plants, ergonomic work stations.”
The building managers replied that painting follows a cyclical plan and no painting was scheduled during the current year. They said if she wanted it painted regardless, she should follow a different approval process.
They also said: “We do not provide ergonomic work stations” and invited her office to contact the premier’s office if needed.
A month later, in September, the email thread shows Sims made some progress.
“We will be painting Monday.”
Sims said Monday it wasn’t a full paint job, just some touch-ups.
