Skip to content

EDITORIAL: Wavering commitment

Taken at face value, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon’s bemusement over the Legislature press gallery’s reaction ...

Taken at face value, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon’s bemusement over the Legislature press gallery’s reaction to his noncommittal comments about next year’s general election is well-timed – and amusing – damage control.

The Surrey-Cloverdale MLA’s remarks came in response to questions stemming from the defection of Abbotsford MLA John van Dongen from the BC Liberals to the Conservatives.

Reporters asked if Falcon would run in the May 14, 2013 fixed-date election. His response: family priorities might take precedence over any political aspirations.

Not unexpectedly, one would think, this kicked off speculation on what it meant to the party’s – and specifically Premier Christy Clark’s – future.

Falcon noted he goes through the same process before every election.

After all, shouldn’t family – as Clark often suggests – come first? Besides, what incumbent commits to running 14 months prior to voting day?

Many, it turns out. With good reason.

When we cast our ballots for political representation, we are investing in our future. At all levels, we seek visionaries with both long- and short-term goals to better serve us.

The minister of finance, it must be noted, is the architect of the annual budget, projecting our economic needs well into the future. If Falcon can’t commit, Clark must find someone who will.

During the divisive campaign, for the premier’s job, Falcon repeatedly stated he would be running in the next election, win or lose.

What has changed?

– Black Press