Campbell Draws Attention to Two More Mistakes

Two of the announcements in Gordon Campbell's speech to BC Liberal convention delegates are getting prominent media attention; they are little more than acknowledgements of mistakes in his first term.

Campbell announced that a government trust account in the amount of $1,000 will be established for babies so they can use the proceeds when they are ready for higher education, including university, college or apprenticeship programs. For those not familiar with compound growth, at 6% average annual interest, $1,000 today becomes $2,854 in 18 years. The Campbell government almost doubled tuition fees before capping their growth at the rate of inflation. According to a government news release, "In 2006-07, undergraduate students in B.C.'s public universities are paying an average of $4,636 for their tuition." At 2% annual growth, in 18 years average tuition would be $6,621, meaning Campbell's gift of $1,000 is worth approximately half a year's tuition 18 years from now, assuming inflation remains in control and no government removes the cap on tuition like Campbell once did. Can a contract-breaking politician, who increased tuition, be taken seriously when he promises to deliver a half year's tuition 18 years from now?

Campbell also announced that smoking would be banned in all public buildings by 2008. Let us not forget that when Campbell came to power the Workers Compensation Board had regulations banning exposure to second hand smoke, scheduled to take effect September 10, 2001, but Campbell overruled the WCB and created exemptions, allowing smoking rooms in casinos and bars. Five years later Campbell admitted that he was wrong, but he can't bring himself to use those words. Meanwhile the leading edge on combating tobacco has shifted to banning smoking in public outdoor areas, including patios, sidewalks, parks and within 9 meters of the entrance to any public building. Campbell's announcement means that by sometime in 2008 BC will get back to where it was in 2001, but not nearly as far ahead as California where some municipalities have banned smoking at the beach.