Politics

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What it takes to run What does it take to run for public office?  I am often asked this question and have put together what I think are some key factors in making such a decision.  My perspective is based on years of experience working on the campaigns of others, on my own municipal campaigns … Read more

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Excerpts and my observations from the Southam Guest Lecture Panel: UVic’s Harry Hickman Theatre was spilling over with an audience anxious to hear the November 7, 2017 Harvey Stevenson Southam Guest Lecture panel discussion on “The Future of Journalism in the Age of Fake News.”  Moderated by author and UVic Writing Department Chair David Leach, … Read more

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Writing can be cathartic for me and never more so than now, following the American election results of this last week. I have more than a glancing relationship with the United States, which could, in part, explain my visceral reaction to this election.  My parents moved our family from Victoria to Southern California in 1958 … Read more

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A new era of Canadian federal politics unfolded in Ottawa and across the country with the swearing in on November 4, 2015 of a second Trudeau Liberal government. Since election day, changes in tone, intent and leadership have been nothing less than groundbreaking.  While media and political pundits covering events called November 4 a day … Read more

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Well, it’s all over but the shouting.  The longest election in Canadian campaign history ended with a triumphant Liberal sweep and a significant defeat for the Harper Conservatives.  The NDP also took a drubbing because it appears that when Thomas Mulcair turned right, Justin Trudeau went left and the rest, they say, is history.  The … Read more

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With the federal election campaign roughly beyond the halfway mark, politics and politicians — what they say, how they behave and who might get and not get elected — are on the minds of many Canadians.  For those running for office, getting elected is only half the battle.  The other shoe to drop is stepping … Read more

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I was a real skeptic about the use of social media ten years ago, until my son, computer whiz and techno enthusiast, helped me out on my 2005 municipal election campaign.  He told me in no uncertain terms that I “had to get with the program.”  The “program” he was talking about was social media.  … Read more

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In the last six months, some of the most interesting and complete investigative journalism into local and regional government has occurred in Focus Magazine by editors Leslie Campbell and David Broadland and on-air with journalist and reporter Ian Jessop of  CFAX 1070 Radio. SAANICH The ongoing situation in Saanich, reflected by an apparent disconnect between … Read more

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Putting a Lid on Municipal Election Campaign Spending Needed Local election campaign spending is back in the news again, with the release this week by Elections BC, of candidates’ campaign spending.  The recurring theme is that as spending continues to go up, the ability of ordinary citizens to participate (especially young people), goes down.  Raising … Read more

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  It is unfortunate that this issue continues to grind on in Oak Bay and the following “Letter to the Editor” expresses my ongoing concerns about how this deer management pilot strategy is being handled and how it’s affecting our community.   Letter to the Editor, Oak Bay News: As a veteran municipal Councillor who served … Read more

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Be a part of the conversation with local MLA Andrew Weaver. His Town Hall Forum will tackle the issue of Poverty and Homelessness, Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the David Turpin Building, Room A120 – University of Victoria. You can get more information on this important topic here: http://bit.ly/1wtiTYZ