May 13, 2005

CanWest Media Mischief

The CanWest news empire, which owns Global TV and the Vancouver Sun amongst many other news outlets, played a little election mischief this week. Their tactic is similar to the tricks that used to be played in Quebec when on the eve of the election armored cars were shown leaving Montreal with the story that they were taking money out in fear of the separatists. In BC on Wednesday, May 11th, Global TV led its 6 PM news broadcast with the claim that the BCTF was planning on proceeding with a strike vote just two days after the election. The grain of truth was that the teachers' local in Mission sent out a memo to rally its troops. The Vancouver Sun followed with a shocking headline the next morning, only this time the detailed story made the headline laughable. It explained that the teachers were beginning a tedious process of consulting their members which would prevent any form of job action until well after the end of June (after graduation ceremonies). Later in the day the teachers' president made it clear that she expects to reach a collective agreement at the bargaining table. Rather than cover the president's comments, on Thursday Global gave prime time to a dissident teacher who claimed to have recently joined the Liberals.

CanWest previously donated to the BC Liberals; they can help their political friends far more by presenting misleading "news" on the eve of the vote. The Campbell Liberals took advantage of the help from their friends by issuing a news release which spoke about their commitment to education as an essential service. What they didn't say, and what the media didn't report, is that Labour Minister Graham Bruce made it clear that designating education as an essential service is not the same as prohibiting strikes. Don't expect Campbell to be clear when there is an opportunity to let people be misled. Recall how he continues to deny that he sold BC Rail.

Carole James left no uncertainty in her position when she responded to the story saying "The money we have in our platform is going into supports for students, and I don't want to see a teachers' strike, nor does anyone else in this province." She went on to say: "There are lots of opportunities within the labour code, whether you're looking at binding arbitration, mediation, to not have a school strike. We don't expect to have one in British Columbia." On previous occasions she said that the best way to settle a collective agreement is for both sides to show respect and a willingness to find a settlement. Compare that to the teacher bashing, polarizing attitude displayed by the Campbell Liberals as they seized on the Sun's headline.