Political address. Opposition Leader David Barrett (NDP) responds to the Premier's TV address (broadcast the previous day) on the subject of the government's "restraint" policy and public sector labour relations. Barrett's address was broadcast on BCTV, CBUT (CBC Vancouver), and CKVU, Friday, 21-Oct-1983.
News footage. Miscellaneous footage of Premier W.R. Bennett. On an open-line talk show at the CJVI radio studio, he discusses a study of the proposed fixed link to Vancouver Island. At a press conference, he compares federal subsidies to east and west coast provinces. At the Legislative Buildings, he welcomes Washington Governor Dixy Lee Ray, discusses the sale of gas to the U.S.A., takes part in "The Big Run for Little Brothers", etc.
Interview. A video oral history interview with Robert M. Strachan, former MLA, provincial leader of the CCF/NDP, and NDP cabinet minister. Includes other associated footage also used in the one-hour program, ROBERT STRACHAN: JOURNEYMAN POLITICIAN (V1981:13/007).
News item. Footage shows B.C. Legislature in full session. Sound is poor (except for the desk slapping by the MLAs), photography is on the dark side but still acceptable for available light situation.
News item. In an interview, Mr. Kelly says he had always planned to have his own business eventually, but the "events" of last year (his dismissal from the Socred caucus) speeded up his decision. Now he has gone into the brass rubbing business, and he is also preparing a book about his political life. Some of the Socreds he worked for (or with) were "excellent people", he says, and they should not be totally maligned.
News item. Bill Bennett speaks: "Governments should be elected to do things for people, not to them. And yet in British Columbia, we have a growing civil service that brings in more restrictions, a bureaucracy that's greater in British Columbia than the sum total of the numbers of people in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba combined, and government costs in British Columbia have gone to just over $300 per person in 1967 to over $1,300 per person in 1975. What we need is a government that serves people, not restricts peple as they have in British Columbia."
News item. Bill Bennett says that people between 25 and 64 are a "forgotten group". These people are the ones who pay for all the "costs and funds of government", but they do not get that much in return. They especially need help to build or buy homes.
News item. At a press conference, Premier Bill Bennett talks about the price freeze extension (February 16) and other BC government anti-inflation measures. Bennett outlines the areas where the price freeze will have the most effect, and explains necessity for federal government to reduce tax on provincial resource exports. He talks about the anti-inflation board and the need for both governments to co-operate on an inflation control agreement.
News item. The NDP caucus has met, and Dave Barrett will accept Bob Williams' offer to step down as an MLA so Barrett can run in Vancouver East as NDP leader. Williams has submitted a letter of resignation to the Deputy Provincial Secretary and the Speaker Designate. A By-election will be called.
News item. Dave Barrett speaks at a dinner. He says he will return to the BC Legislature as NDP leader after June 3rd byelection in Vancouver East. He accuses Kaiser Coal and oil companies of being able to take money out of BC's primary resources without having to pay any taxes, and without returning any of the profits to BC, thanks to the Socred administration. He says: "It's the same old giveaway gang, giving again." On ICBC: "Socred Government loaned ICBC $181 million on Wednesday and borrowed it back on Friday." Barrett hits out hard against Socreds's policy of not raising gas and coal prices "when everything else is going up." Challenges Premier Bennett to call an election.
News item. At a Christmas press conference, Premier Bill Bennett says,"This season is marked by the fact that today, I haven't heard a single thing that any of us has said wrong, so far." He comments on the reaction to ICBC rate increases, and then goes on to talk about Dave Barrett. "I personally think that the NDP have a strong leader. In fact, he is the party. I think he is the strongest person to be Leader of the Opposition. . . . Dave Barrett has a lot to contribute to the house, and I think he is effective. He keeps us on our toes, and I expect that in this coming session, he'll give us a lot of hot moments."
News item. Human Resources Minister Bill Vander Zalm claims that "welfare numbers have constantly and steadily reduced" in 1976. He goes on to say that "more and more people are being placed in employment . . . and fewer can fewer are coming on to welfare." He predicts an even better year for 1977 with "a pick-up in employment with more jobs available." Footage of men at work on a green chain, and hard-rock miners underground with diamond drills. Vander Zalm is interviewed in his office. Shot of toy shovel with bow hanging on office door.
News item. Premier Bill Bennett: "We have a basic economy now that does generate some employment." Chronically ill children are to get a better breakdown on medication costs. It's the philosophy of this government," says Bennett, "to provide some equity to all the citizens, and not just special interest groups." A lengthy discussion of tourism follows, in which Bennett blames the 1975 drop in tourism on the NDP Minister of Highways. Bennett says he will encourage more people to hold their conventions in Victoria. NDP MLA Dave Barrett also has a "philosophy" of government. He chastises the Premier for putting more emphasis on generating tourist traffic in the Okanagan, rather than on Vancouver Island. He comments on the Throne Speech and predicts that government aid for Ocean Falls and Cancel will dry up. Premier Bennett predicts economic growth and a gradual move away from a "boom and bust" economy. Conservation MLA Scott Wallace comments on the Throne Speech. Barrett says that B.C.'s economic problems are "getting worse" and forecasts a threat to crown corporations competing in the forest industry.
News item. Part of MLA Dave Barrett's address on ICBC and the Social Credit government. As of 31-Dec-1976, ICBC had $272 million in the bank, as tabled in the legislature by Health Minister Dennis Cocke. Then the newly-elected Socreds claimed that ICBC was "broke," so they loaned the corporation ". . . $181 million on a Wednesday and then borrowed it back on a Friday." He also talks about B.C. subsidizing the U.S. with cheaper natural gas for them, which will raise the price of it here.
News item. MLA Scott Wallace says that his main reasons for resigning are: (1) "Lack of success in getting the Conservative party moving"; and (2) "Failure of my leadership to capitalize on the fact the we've got polarized parties in British Columbia -- two main political groups. Yet many of the voters are looking for something in the middle, and I was trying to fill that void." Farewell speech follows, with regrets voiced by NDP House Leader Dave Barrett, who says: "He is the kind of person that we would all like to see come into public life, regardless of party." Wallace will continue as MLA.
