Transparency & accountability

Auditor has reservations about the government’s books

Nov 2, 2010
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For two years in a row BC’s Auditor General has placed reservations on his report that looks at the Province’s finances as set out in the Public Accounts.  This means that the AG disagrees with the way the province is keeping its books on three different issues.  He also presents other ideas on what the… View Article

On average, who knew Wednesday was World Statistics Day?

Oct 22, 2010
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I’ll bet I was one of the few people in British Columbia that was a little excited that last Wednesday was set aside to honour statistics. The United Nations General Assembly declared October 20th World Statistics Day.  The Under-Secretary for Economic and Social Affairs issued a statement saying: Reliable, timely data are crucial for economic… View Article

What will it take to bring smarter family policy to BC?

Sep 27, 2010
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Did you know that the BC government has set a goal to reduce early childhood vulnerability to 15% by fiscal year 2015? You can hardly tell by their actions. BC did introduce full-day kindergarten in some communities this fall, but other than that the family policy front has been rather quiet lately. The latest childhood… View Article

Our priorities for BC Budget 2011

Sep 17, 2010
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On September 15, I presented CCPA-BC’s recommendations for BC Budget 2011 at the Vancouver BC Budget Consultation public hearing. Take a look at my presentation slides for a brief overview of our take on BC’s current budget situation and economic outlook, and our advice for leading the province’s recovery…. View Article

A new era for measuring poverty in Canada

Jun 18, 2010
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Last Thursday’s Statistics Canada release of individual and household income data for 2008 marks a new era in the study of poverty in Canada. Instead of reporting only on the Low Income Cut Offs (LICO), as they used to, Statistics Canada reported on three of the most common measures of low income in the same… View Article

Quebec Auditor General slams P3s in hospital project

Jun 11, 2010
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Quebec’s Auditor General has issued yet one more report slamming the use of public private partnerships (P3s).  With P3s, private corporations finance and operate public facilities and services.  The money they invest is more costly than money borrowed publicly.  It is paid back to them, along with profits for the corporation, by governments over multi-decade contracts…. View Article

Legislative review of FOI Act narrow and timid

Jun 1, 2010
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A legislative committee reviewing BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act reported on May 31st and the results were disappointing.  They certainly did not live up to the previous legislative review in 2004.  Back then government backbenchers on the Committee made recommendations leaders of the government didn’t like.  The 2004 Committee made recommendations… View Article