Gordon Campbell's appointment to the Order of British Columbians is a premature move, according to Opposition leader Adrian Dix.
"I would say it's too soon. (Former premier Bill) Bennett received the award 21 years after he left the premier's office. No other premier has received the award. I think the premier's supporters were just rushing here."
Dix's comments came after an outreach visit with Burnaby's Ismaili Centre on Wednesday. Dix said he was not trying to be mean-spirited and pointed out that Campbell served as B.C. premier for 10 years and mayor of Vancouver for four terms.
"The problem this year was this was too much Liberal party politics, and not enough recognizing the many, many, people around the province who do great work," he said.
"I don't want to be unfair to anybody, but there are many, many incredible people who do great work in our community that deserve that recognition. I think in general, the award, the Order of B.C., should be about them."
The Order of B.C. recognizes people who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of B.C. or elsewhere.
Campbell stepped down as B.C.'s premier on Nov. 3, 2010 during the anti-HST uproar and not long after his approval ratings dropped to nine per cent. He held on to his MLA seat till March 14, 2011. Public opposition about Campbell's appointment has surfaced on Facebook, and more than 5,000 people have signed an online petition claiming Campbell is ineligible for the award because he was an MLA at the time he was nominated.
The Order of B.C. website clearly states: "Your nominee must not currently be an elected person with federal, provincial or municipal governments."
Yet Chief Justice Lance Finch issued a statement Wednesday clarifying the issue. He pointed out that the legislation governing the nomination rules states that a nominee must not be in office at the time of appointment. Lance chairs the council that decided who is receiving the awards for 2011.
"(The act) states 'a person who is an elected federal, provincial or municipal representative is not eligible to be appointed a member of the order while that person remains in office,'" Finch wrote. "The nomination package for Mr. Campbell was received on March 10, 2011. Mr. Campbell was appointed to the Order of British Columbians on Sept. 2, 2011. At that time, he was not an elected MLA."
Other Order of B.C. recipients include Karen O'Shannacery, a longtime advocate for the homeless; David Emerson, a former Liberal MP who crossed the floor and went to the Conservatives; Ken Dobell, Campbell's former deputy minister; Ellen White, a native educator and activist; Baljit Sethi, an immigrants' advocate; and Tim Jones, a search and rescue leader from the North Shore.
The NOW contacted local Liberal MLA Harry Bloy for comments but did not get a response by deadline.
?
For more on this story, including the full list of recipients and links to the petition and Facebook page, go to Jennifer Moreau's blog, Community Conversations, at www. burnabynow.com.
