Plecas draws fire for decision to take speaker’s job
I noticed the word “I” was used quite frequently in new B.C. Speaker Darryl Plecas’ explanation as to why so shortly after having been elected a Liberal MLA for Abbotsford South he abandoned them in favour of a $50,000 raise to become speaker. That — not service to his constituents — was “the right thing for him (me) to do” and accepted “the dream job he always wanted.”
“I made the right choice,” he says, but how many conversations did he have with his riding’s executive? The president of the riding association and I’m sure most of those who cast votes for Plecas disagree that taking the speaker’s job was the right thing. They disagree quite strongly. His jumping ship so soon after having run under the Liberal banner calls into question his political and personal integrity.
No wonder all the NDP and Green MLAs congratulated him. He gave them exactly what they wanted and they didn’t have to contribute one dime or make one phone call or one house call to get him elected. What a bargain. Good luck to Abbotsford South Liberals in the proposed recall process. It’s stuff like this that turns off voters and jades the whole political system. And I didn’t vote Liberal. George Elgstrand, Port Moody
‘Breath of fresh air’
I’m not apolitical, because I care deeply about what happens in the political realm. But the way it is normally conducted is so self-serving and divisive that it produces revulsion.
Reading that Darryl Plecas has elected to accept the speaker’s roles, allowing B.C. to move forward and conduct its business, feels like a breath of fresh air and appears to be a step in the right direction.
Norma Hoyle, Abbotsford
Voters support parties
Many people vote more for the party rather than the individual. Darryl Plecas, who is now the speaker of the house, is no longer a Liberal. I feel that the law should be changed so that when an MLA becomes a turncoat like Plecas, he or she should be forced to participate in an immediate election to confirm that voters want that MLA to serve as speaker for the other party.
I guess the much bigger salary won him over to the opposition.
Tom Duncan, Chilliwack
Plecas isn’t honourable
I am so disappointed in Darryl Plecas. He has shown himself to be a man without loyalty to his colleagues and constituents, without honour in his given word, and avaricious in his desperate reach for position and money.
He has single-handedly given the Green/ NDP alliance extra years in office.
He says “the Speaker’s job is an incredibly honourable role.” Doesn’t he think his behaviour will bring dishonour to this position? An honourable man would have at least informed his party and supporters of his decision. Plecas may reap what he sows.
Carol Ebenstiner, Abbotsford
Pay back ICBC
I just can’t believe that the provincial government has a $2.7-billion surplus and yet ICBC rates are going up. What the hell? Put the money back! Doug Eaton, Langley