Akimbo is the podcast that changed it all for me. I have written about it a few times now.
It’s the reason I began blogging everyday for a year. Seth’s perspective helped re-shape my approach to my personal life and my work.
He recently published an episode about sportsmanship. As I listened I could not help but be reminded of the place I work. While it is our duty as members of the opposition to critique, poke and prod, we should not forget that we are on the same team. That has become difficult in the hyper-partisan world we live in.
Our work should be more than theatre – verbal jousting replacing the mortal combat of old. Good governance is the most important work of our province. I have been clear that I believe that we have a responsibility to the people of British Columbia to make government work, not break it. There is seemingly no end to the voices joyously predicting the demise.
So when I heard this podcast I couldn’t help but share it. It offers important insight into how we can increase the public confidence in our work.
And is it our duty as members of the public to critique, to poke and prod? Perhaps Adam will be amenable to hearing that I, for one, am not interested in simply breaking sh*t. Rather, I want to know how it is that the Greens have never held the NDP to account vis a vis the CASA agreement — the confidence and supply agreement between the Greens and the NDP that insists that a successful cooperative government will require that both caucuses “support the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls-to-action and the Tsilhqot’in Supreme Court decision.” I’ve asked this question more than once, and I never get an answer.
Hi Dianne,
Bill 41, which passed unanimously at the end of the Fall session, formally adopts the Declaration into law in our Province. We are the first jurisdiction to pass such a law in Canada and perhaps anywhere in the world. I have worked closely with the Minister Scott Fraser to make sure this CASA commitment was completed. Certainly the relationship between the BC NDP government and Indigenous people is troubled I do not agree that we “have never held the NDP to account.” It’s simply not a correct statement. That said, it is far from perfect and we still have a lot of work to do. The BC Green Caucus is committed to that work.
Adam
Hi again, Adam. The CASA agreement demands support for not only the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (and one would hope, support for the Declaration itself), but also support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls-to-action and for the Tsilhqot’in Supreme Court decision. The Greens have never forced the NDP to respect the agreement. I think those who voted Green — and I am one of those — have a right to feel betrayed by this failure to act.
As for your asking whether those with whom you disagree are actual members of the “team,” I’m reminded of Trump Jr’s response today to Mitt Romney’s vote against impeachment. What he did was call for Romney’s expulsion from the team, from the Republican Party.
Adam Olsen, I think that politics can only be better when opposition from within is not squelched. If we’re not allowed to critique, poke and prod, being on the same “team” would appear to add up to the kind of hyper-partisan behaviour that you apparently dislike.
Simply excellent distilled wisdom. Thank you
HEY IT’S BEEN 24 HOURS THAT TWO OF MY COMMENTS ARE AWAITING MODERATION. WHAT’S WRONG? ARE GREEN SUPPORTERS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK?
Hi Dianne,
I’m sorry for the delay. I recognize that you are not happy with me right now. I completely manage this blog myself. As a result of being fully engaged on constituent work in the past couple of days and spending time with my family managing comments have been a bit slow. Your comments are always welcome, published and at times I respond.
Thank you for your engagement.
Adam