VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A decision by a BC Liberals’ committee to replace Auditor General John Doyle is getting support from at least one group. That’s despite backlash from critics, specifically the NDP.
Those against the move to replace John Doyle say he has done well in holding the government accountable and should stay in the role.
Jordan Bateman with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has nothing but praise for Doyle, but says auditors general should be cycled in and out every so often to ensure total independence. He adds what’s not wanted is an AG trying to renew his or her contract by easing up on government.
“Taxpayers need to have fiercely independent officers looking over the books and other aspects of government,” says Bateman. “By taking away any kind of possibility they could be reappointed, there would never be the temptation to ease up on government.”
“Doyle has been incredibly tough from the beginning.”
“I don’t think anyone would say he’s eased up on the Liberals at any point during this term but that could very much be the exception, not the rule,” he argues, adding the move is needed to set precedence.
Critics believe the BC Liberals have made the decision for political reasons.
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So, how does this work again?
BC’s most trusted, respected, and aggressive Auditor General – the one person most likely to act in the taxpayers’ best interest by uncovering and denouncing government waste, fraud, and duplicitousness – must be allowed no more than 1 term and then – regardless of stellar performance – just rotate away to oblivion? That’s how government should work?
Fire the best talent?
Is that how any business operates? Since when?
And oops! Voters also should refrain from recognizing that this termination is to happen immediately prior to the release of details surrounding the BC Rail and other scandals? Despite his work, Doyle will have to move back to Oz. Can he testify from there? That’s how Justice should work?
Or is this latest sophistry one more stunningly partisan and stupid assertion by another BC lib insider?
Gotta ask: Is there no limit to how ridiculous and supine these fellows will get?
And Adrian Dix, assuming he is willing to demonstrate any backbone, should state unequivocally that when the NDP forms the next government Doyle will be back at work protecting BC taxpayers.
Adrian. stop playing headless chicken. For a Big Change – Prove you’re worth the votes.
Agreed!
Thanks to John for his detailed and credible background to the history of this group, its political roots, and naming the politicos and politicians who are part of its fabric. Readers should recognize many of them and see the pattern. Good on you.
If the CTF is soooooo INDEPENDENT, as ProudKingTroll attests, then why are almost all of its directors, both now and in the past, strongly tied to the Conservative / Reform / Canadian Alliance Parties (which was all one party, over a 15 year period, isn’t it)? Let’s see, past directors include people like Jason Kenney, Walter Robinson, John Carpay and Sara McIntyre. All have strong ties to Conservative political parties. Hardly an INDEPENDENT lot! If the CTF would include directors who are prominent in the federal Liberal Party, the NDP and the Green Party (as well as the Conservatives), I would wholeheartedly support it, and possibly donate to it as well, as then it would be a truly an “INDEPENDENT watchdog”. But in reality, the CTF is merely a conservative lobby group, and the positions it advocates often run parallel to resolutions at a Conservative Party convention—like its positions on pensions, aboriginals and the gun registry, to name a couple. I’m all for the CTF’s freedom to espouse its views, but to consider it an “INDEPENDENT watchdog” is stretching it a little, don’t you think? Conservative watchdog, maybe. Hopefully this may clear up my position on why I question the legitimacy of the organization as an “independent watchdog” and why the radio and television media continuously contact it for answers to issues that are a little more complex than what it often concludes. Finally, I do not consider your views “silly hindsights and remarks”, but your right to express your views. I do hope you extend the same courtesy to those who don’t see the CTF in the same light as you do, regardless if you agree with the comment or not.
A curious person might want to know this is the same Mr bateman who was a close Liberal operative, the president of Rich Coleman’s riding Association. Although he “officially” cancelled his membership in the party, Given his close past ties,I don’t believe for one moment his political stripes and sensibilities since he has become a “civilian” have changed. He praises Doyle on one hand but wants him out.on the other. I’m sure he knows Mr Doyle is hot on the trail of uncovering more details about the Basi/Virk payoff and is still trying to get information from the courts,information the Liberals will not give him. You connect the dots,folks.
CTF is a INDEPENDENT watchdog that relies on DONATIONS made to them to make the government accountable for wasting tax dollars,they are not a elected party readers. They are not a organized crime group like some of your remarks here seem to suggest! Maybe do some RESEARCH before posting some of your silly hindsights and remarks! Google search ‘Canadian Taxpayers Federation” and read about them for yourselves. They are fighting on our behalfs! I made a donation to them last year.
So an ‘independent organization’ that was FOR THE HST that screwed all of us working BC’ers is fighting on our behalf?
Gimmie a break…they are an organization that works for those that pay them the most. They wanted to shift the tax burden from their big business friends to us small business folks. I also wanna know who’s paying them and why they are getting quoted by the media so easily.
Canadian Taxpayers Federation and BC Chamber of Commerce betray members by supporting HST
http://billtieleman.blogspot.ca/2010/04/canadian-taxpayers-federation-and-bc.html
I wholeheartedly agree with a couple of earlier respondents. We have to ask ourselves a couple of questions, like: who the heck is Jordan Bateman and the CTF? Neither speak for me, or anybody I know for that matter. Second, why do they receive so much airtime and TV time, on a multitude of political issues? What kind of laws would we have if they were in power? And finally, who and where is the CTF and Mr. Bateman receiving their funding from? Are they receiving most or all of their funding in small donations from individual taxpayers, or is it large donations from only a small but powerful group of donors? Once these questions are answered, I will listen to what they have to say (even if I may agree or disagree with them). But for now, he and they are nobodies who do not deserve all this attention by the mainstream media is giving them every time an issue with government arises.
Who or what exactly is the Canadian Taxpayers Federation?
I mean I never elected or appointed them to represent me so what makes them think that they can call themselves the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
I would be very interested to find out where the organization gets its funding and who are the individuals behind it.
I think this would be a more newsworthy story than having the media run to them everytime for a quote or opinion on a government spending story.
The CTF is just another BC Liberal mouthpiece. Doyle has done a good job and should be rewarded by extending his contract not getting rid of him. I can’t believe people still listen to these morons who said the HST was a good tax. They should be fighting to eliminate taxes not spew government propaganda saying a new increased tax is good.
Fire the CTF.
Fire the BC Liberals.
The timing pf all of this is what raises red flags for me. The Liberals seem to be hiding things and this man is un-covering what they are trying to hide, plain and simple. I would think he is worth twice what he is already being paid to do, the extra cost of having him do this job is worth it in the long run, it would likely save BC taxpayers a lot more money! May 14th can’t come soon enough!
Yes we need to shake things up now and again,………BUT NOT NOW!!!! Let Doyle finish this present mess FIRST,…….