Vaughn Palmer: Throne speech day a complete downer for Horgan and the B.C. NDP
Credit to Author: Hugh Dawson| Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2020 02:44:14 +0000
VICTORIA — Tuesday was supposed to be a good day for John Horgan and the New Democrats, one for trumpeting the accomplishments of their first two and a half years in office and raising expectations about the shape of things to come.
Instead, they were confronted by protesters surrounding the legislature itself, blocking entrances, forcing staff and politicians to run a gauntlet to get inside the building, protected where possible by overworked security staff.
The protests forced the besieged government to postpone the day’s proceedings until early afternoon, scrap the usual ceremonies for throne speech day, and bring Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin into the buildings by an undisclosed route to spare her the in-your-face antics at the public entranceways.
As I write these words, the protesters are outside my office window, harassing the legislature’s sessional staff at the end of their working day, for the unforgivable sin of doing their jobs.
The day was a complete downer. You could see it in Premier Horgan’s face, hear it in his voice, sense it even in the way he walked between his office, the NDP caucus room and the legislature chamber.
Gone was the happy warrior with time for everyone he meets, stopping in the hallways to banter and exchange light-hearted observations on daily events.
Saul Brown with the Helitsuk Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations speaks to protesters in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs camped out in front of legislature before the throne speech in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
The premier was deflated inside the house as well, the famously beaming smile and gregarious manner parked for the day.
The whole chamber was subdued. Members on all sides had enough of being jostled, blocked and hectored — and hearing the same or worse about staff and colleagues — to wish the day would go away as well.
Not surprisingly, Horgan’s staff scrubbed the usual media scrum that the premier holds on throne speech day.
They were not interested in the boss having to field question after question on the protests, overshadowing any news in the throne speech.
Not that there was much news to overshadow. The first three throne speeches of the Horgan-led NDP government were heavy with detail of new programs and promises fulfilled.
This one was an act of consolidation, reviewing measures implemented to date with a meagre few details about things they hope to complete before the next election. A pre-election throne speech this was not.
The more noteworthy announcements: Five days paid leave for victims of domestic violence. An action plan to reduce plastic pollution, likely including a ban on single-use plastic bags. A hint — and it was only a hint — at commuter rail for the Fraser Valley.
Protesters in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs block the entrance to the east wing entrance of legislature before the speech from the throne in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
The government is “extending the transportation capital plan from three years to five years,” claiming that this would “allow for better planning of major projects like the George Massey crossing.”
Better planning for the Massey crossing? More like “better stalling.” The New Democrats have backburnered the project to replace the congested tunnel to the point where it won’t be finished for a decade.
Plus there was this: “New legislation will give police more tools to block the use of illegal firearms and ban guns from schools, colleges, universities and hospitals.” Presumably, the promise was aimed at those who believe there is way too much gun play in our hospitals.
Even the government news release had to stretch to find anything newsworthy to say.
“Throne Speech builds momentum toward a stronger B.C. for everyone,” it was headlined. But then came 10 paragraphs of recapitulation of things the government had already done on housing, child care, health care, the environment, and the resource industries.
The release closed with a quote attributed to the premier: “British Columbians are more prepared to face the challenges of today and tomorrow, because they have a government that is a partner in their future. We’re going to continue the work we started two and a half years ago, to make life better for people, so that B.C. can once again be a place of hope and opportunity. ”
Apparently, even the premier couldn’t find much news in the throne speech. Perhaps it was just as well the day’s events provided cover for him to forego meeting with the news media.
Protesters in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs block the entrance to the library at legislature before the throne speech in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
The speech of course made no mention of the protests over the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline that sprang up around the legislature over the past few days.
But in case anyone on the front steps was following along on their iPhones, there was a provocative reference to the project that will be served by the pipeline they are protesting.
“As work gets underway on the LNG Canada project — the largest private-sector investment in Canadian history — this government is seeking ways to reduce emissions overall.
“Work continues on electrification initiatives to reduce emissions from B.C.’s gas fields … and government is supporting development of LNG bunkering in B.C. ports.”
Behind the fossil-fuel-related objections to the pipeline are concerns about Indigenous rights, raised by hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en people who oppose construction on their lands.
The throne speech did contain a few paragraphs on the government’s efforts at reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
The passage last year of the enabling legislation for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was cited as “a proud moment in this province’s history.” And so it seemed at the time.
But against the backdrop of those protests, no one was feeling especially proud Tuesday. Instead, the New Democrats just wanted to get the day over with and hope the protests go away.