A "backgrounder" on the government website lists media availabilities during the Campbell government's boycott of the BC legislature. That's when Gordon Campbell, Christy Clark, Gary Collins, Greg Halsey-Brandt, John van Dongen, Richard Neufeld, Shirley Bond, Gordon Hogg, Judith Reid, Rick Thorpe, and Colin Hansen run off to meet with Ralph Klein.

The first media availability warns: "9:30 am - media photo opportunity (Editors please note that this a visual opportunity only)".

The agenda doesn't provide much time to get real work done for the large delegation before the 2:05 PM "ceremonial signing of Protocol of Co-operation between Alberta and B.C.". Simply faxing it from Edmonton to Victoria wouldn't have provided the opportunity to boycott question period.

Richard Neufeld was probably happy to get out of town so he doesn't have to answer questions on how a lobbyist for the energy industry gained access to government documents prior to their public release. Careful observers will note that a couple of Ministerial heavy weights are not included in the junket.

Minister of Management Services, Sandy Santori, and Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection, Joyce Murray, are certainly not in the heavy weight category. On Tuesday, the first day of absence for a third of the cabinet, Jenny Kwan and Joy MacPhail roasted those Ministers for not knowing how the contract with National Public Relations was put out without public tender. The hottest fire was reserved for Murray as MacPhail drew attention to the energy industry having better access to government documents than the Minister who should be protecting the environment. Hansard for October 7th is worth reading for a lively question period with a pathetic performance by government's B-Team.

Those with broadband Internet connections can now view a video archive from the Hansard website and see the B-Team squirm in question period - click on http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/hansard/8-8.htm and then click on October 7, afternoon video.