July 23, 2003

More Backtracking Needed

Premier Campbell's reversal on his foolish plan to privatize the Coquihalla Highway is a great victory for people throughout the Interior who sent a strong message to their MLAs. P3 proponents may be worried that a negative message will be sent to private sector investors, and the tentative investors who spent money to submit proposals probably feel stung. It is far better that people be heard than it is to protect a scheme that never should have seen the light of day.

Listening to the people can be habit forming. Campbell announced that he listened to the MLAs. That must mean that the Campbell caucus has not fought on other ill conceived schemes from selling BC Rail to cutting child protection services by a further $70 million. It will no longer be good enough for an MLA to tell a constituent that concerns are being expressed behind closed doors. With the Coquihalla Campbell demonstrated that when his caucus expresses clear opposition he will backtrack. Think of other damage that could be fixed with a few more reversals!