The Campbell Liberals campaigned against business subsidies and against expanded gambling. Maybe that is why the government hasn't issued a government news release about the deal to provide the Canucks with an estimated $2 million in gambling revenue. It is not often that they break two campaign promises with one announcement. The news release that was issued was put out by the BC Lottery Corporation. Watch the government try to pretend that the crown corporation that it completely controls is somehow independent. Anyone who believes that will believe any nonsense the government peddles to cover its tracks.

Solicitor-General Rich Coleman said that he hopes the deal will stimulate sales of scratch tickets and sports betting. The Lottery Corporations 2002-03 annual report reveals that "Scratch and Win achieved sales of $183.3 million, below budget and the previous year's record sales. Set For Life, a $4 ticket with an annuity or cash option, continued to account for about 16% of Scratch & Win sales."

Gambling revenues are going to be used to provide a business subsidy to help the Canucks. What other companies or organizations will be allowed to market their own $10 scratch and win tickets? Why should the Canucks get special treatment? Doesn't the government understand that $10 spent on a Canuck ticket will come out of money that otherwise would have been spent on some other Lottery Corporation bet? It will not be new money since the various "games" offered by the Lottery Corporation compete with each other for the same gambling dollar.

As leader of the Opposition, in Throne Speech debate on March 26, 1997, Gordon Campbell said "This side of the House is going to do everything in our power to stop the expansion of gambling in the province, because we know that's what makes the most sense for British Columbia." Hypocrite is too kind a word to apply to the flip flops of the Campbell government.