Catch up with Rick Thorpe, as we begin a new series featuring former MLAs
Rick Thorpe was MLA for Okanagan Penticton and later Okanagan Westside from 1996 to 2009. When the BC Liberals formed government in 2001, he held three cabinet posts: competition, science, enterprise; provincial revenue; and revenue and small business.
Born in London, Ont., he has a degree in accounting and numerous professional designations.
He moved to Penticton in 1989 and became a partner and vice-president for Western Canada with Cartier Wines, which eventually became Vincor (Jackson Triggs).
He spoke this week with Valley editor James Miller in what will be a series of recurring interviews with former MLAs.
HERALD: It’s been nearly 10 years. What have you been doing since leaving office?
THORPE: I became a director in both not-for-profit organizations, as well a private sector company, and two Crown corporations — one being Canada Revenue Agency for six years with the last four years as chair of the board, retiring in July 2017. Yasmin and I have done extensive travel and, in the past year or so, I have returned to getting my golf game to a respectful level. HERALD: Do you miss being an MLA? THORPE: No, I had a great 13 years as an MLA and minister and enjoyed it very much. It was a great learning experience and one I will always treasure.
HERALD: During your time in government from 2001-2009, what accomplishment were you proudest of?
THORPE: I strived and tried to be a very good constituency MLA, trying to never forget the folks in my riding. As I look back in no order of priority, working together with the other MLAs in the Okanagan, the expansion of Okanagan College here in Penticton, UBCO in Kelowna, a major hospital expansion at Kelowna General Hospital — especially the world-class cardiac unit — a major funding contribution to the SOEC together with my good friend Bill Barisoff and the 10-year challenge to get Highway 97 to four lanes. From a provincial level, major reduction in personal taxes, creating an investment climate in B.C. for investment and job creation, investing in healthcare and education, major reductions in red tape and leading two reviews and changes to our provincial sales tax act and regulations.
HERALD: What would you have liked to have achieved that you didn’t during your time in office?
THORPE: We achieved what we set out to do and I have no regrets. We worked hard with and for British Columbians to make British Columbia a great place to invest, create jobs and raise a family.
HERALD: Do you have any regrets over bumping Premier Glen Clark in the famous “Brawl in the Hall?”
THORPE: Not at all. I did not bump the premier. I told him to take his hand off me or “you will go down, bud.” The NDP promised some 40 students summer employment jobs and days before they were to start their jobs, the NDP pulled the rug out from under these students and cancelled the jobs. One of those students was from Summerland and as his MLA my job was to challenge the NDP to keep their promise . . . and I did.
HERALD: Your party lost power in 2017. What, in your opinion, went wrong in that election for the BC Liberals?
THORPE: It is always great to be a Monday morning quarterback, none have a Super Bowl ring, but it appears they did not address the priorities of many in the Lower Mainland around access to affordable housing. Also in my opinion, unlike the 2013 election, they were not aggressive enough in challenging their opponents.
HERALD: You backed Mike De Jong, but do you have confidence in Andrew Wilkinson?
THORPE: No, you are not correct, I supported both Andrew and Mike as I felt, and still feel, they were the best ones to challenge and defeat the NDP/Green proportional representation battle. Yes, I have confidence in Andrew Wilkinson.
HERALD: What, in your opinion, do the BC Liberals need to do to win back power?
THORPE: Get focused, reconnect with their base and lay out a believable, achievable platform based on creating an environment for investment which creates jobs, stay focused on reducing taxation and travel throughout B.C. and listen to all British Columbians.
HERALD: How will you be voting in the proportional representation referendum and why?
THORPE: Yasmin and I will be voting no. Why? Because the minority will control the majority. At least 40 per cent of MLAs will be appointed by party bosses, not elected by voters. Where will the loyalty of these MLAs go? To the party bosses. Our current system of first-past-the-post is simple, stable and successful. Why change it so fringe parties on both the left and right will be in control? It took Germany four months to form a government in their last election. Belgium went 589 days without a government. Both have some form of proportional representation.
HERALD: Who in government do you admire that wasn’t a BC Liberal or federal Conservative?
THORPE: I liked Paul Martin when he was our finance minister, Premier Bill Bennett, Jim Flaherty, Peter Lougheed and Ralph Klein.
HERALD: What do you anticipate will be the major issue, locally, in the municipal election?
THORPE: It should be both direct and indirect taxation. Both property taxes, and how the city is raising both electrical and water/sewer rates. In my opinion, these are indirect taxation and both need an independent third party/taxpayers review. All elected folks have to start thinking and acting like taxpayers.
HERALD: There is an election on Oct. 20. Have you ever considered a political comeback?
THORPE: I have been asked many times, so the answer is no. I have had a great turn and wish all those who run good luck.
HERALD: You didn’t have municipal experience before becoming MLA, but most do. Do you feel elected officials are better suited for federal or provincial politics if they have that experience?
THORPE: No, it should be about the person and their life experiences and abilities.