Blair Wilson is doomed
Blair Wilson will be forced to give up his seat. No question of that. The Liberal Party has plans for that seat. But unfortunately we need to rely on rumours to know what those plans are.
Blair Wilson is in troiuble. The Liberal MP was forced to resign from caucus when the press began to run stories outlining serious problems with his personal and election finances.
Can he return to the good graces of the Liberal Party? No. Not even if he beats the charges.
Mark Marissen, the chief Liberal Party organizer in BC and one the party's top people, has said he has passed the question to British Columbia's Green Light Committee. I've considered whether Marissen is looking to embarrass these provincial committees in order to force them into their performance as well as blunt some criticism being level against Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion from within the party.
I still think that's valid, but here's another factor. If the Green Light Committee comes back and says that had they known about Blair Wilson's past, they would never have approved the nomination, the Liberal Party might be able to use that to force Blair Wilson into resigning his seat.
Indeed, Michael Ignatieff has confirmed that Blair Wilson's ethical standards are being considered:
Blair Wilson, the British Columbia MP who resigned from the Liberal caucus on Sunday, will have to satisfy Elections Canada that his 2006 campaign expenses were in order and will have to satisfy the party that his personal financial situation is ethical, Liberal deputy leader Michael Ignatieff said yesterday.
Mr. Wilson, the former revenue critic and Vancouver-area MP, had "taken the responsible step of stepping aside" while Elections Canada investigates allegations he violated the elections law by failing to report some campaign expenses, Mr. Ignatieff said.
He noted there are two issues at stake -- one to be decided by Elections Canada and the other by the Liberal party: "There's an Elections Canada issue and there's an issue of making sure that we're represented in the next election by a candidate who meets the highest ethical standards."
I'm not sure that it's entirely legal to have the Green Light Committee re-evaluate a sitting MP (whatever the Green Light Committee says, there has been an election and the people have spoken), but Blair Wilson might realize he has little choice, practically speaking.
Michael Ignatieff has all but said that Blair Wilson will not be running for the Liberals.
That frees up the riding of West Vancouver--Sunshine Coast--Sea to Sky Country for someone else? Who would that be?
According to two sources, none other than Mark Marissen's wife Christy Clarke.
Yes, the same Mark Marissen who is involved in determining Blair Wilson's fate, and who delivered the evidence to the committee that can rule that Blair Wilson is not fit to be a Liberal MP.
Pierre Bourque reported the Christy Clarke speculation on his rumours page:"Ok, well this is all nudge nudge wink wink stuff, but follow my train here. First, Wilson's in-law torches him, then Dion dumps him from his shadow cabinet and from caucus, and now I'm hearing that a couple of the ladies want the Liberal nomination in that riding.
"What's the scuttlebutt ?"
"How about Judy Tiyabji, ex-BC lib leader Gordon Wilson's femme fatale ..."
"I heard that too, but apparently she told someone on Facebook not a chance".
"Well ... how about Christy Clark, BC's former deputy-Premier, Vancouver mayoralty candidate, mom, yak-radio host, and Dion wagonmaster Mark Marissen's wife."
"No shit !!!
"Well, that's the rumour mill, anyway. I also hear that if Marissen can throw the Hail Mary long-bomb of his political life and somehow ensconse Dion into 24 Sussex, he'll be named to the Senate.
"That would explain the 'Senator Marissen" cracks ... but why didn't he get Paul Martin to name him when he had the chance ?"
"Let's just say Martin left a lot of unfinished business ..."
"You're dropping a lot of names today", egged Pinstripe.
"Somebody's got to", shrugged Tweed.
And then from my own source in BC Liberal politics:
You are wondering why Mark Marrisen is raising the green light issue. Speculation out here is rampant that he wants his wife Christy Clarke to run in that riding. She has been a Liberal MLA out here and challenged Sam Sullivan for the nomination for Mayor of Vancouver. Together they [Marissen and Clarke] are major movers in the BC Liberal Party.
Stephane Dion gets a woman candidate to help achieve his goals of 33% women on the Liberal slate, and Marissen-Clarke become an even more important force inside of the Liberal Party.
Not everyone is sad to see Blair Wilson run into serious trouble, it seems.
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Comments
Why else do you think the story leaked?
Posted by: at October 30, 2007 10:01 AM
Will this be a chance for the needed microscope on Mark Marissen's past during the "Martin Juggernaut" of a few years ago? The complete analysis may have to wait until the end of the Basi and Virk trials. Very few eastern media outlets seemed to care about the flood of cash that bought Liberal party memberships for literally everyone and their dog. Mr. Marissen, as I recall, was one of the key Team Martin operatives at that time. Just another reason to question the judgement of Dion in his selection of Marissen.
Posted by: SteeveJ at October 30, 2007 11:02 AM
Christy Clark has a long-term contract with CKNW for her new afternoon radio talk show. I can't imagine her throwing her hat into the federal ring. Nice try, though.
Posted by: StuartM at October 30, 2007 11:10 AM
Read this, http://andrewcoyne.com/2005/04/todays-massive-hair-raising-scandal.php and then ask if marissen is all that trust-worthy.
Posted by: Oliver Cromwell at October 30, 2007 11:34 AM
Christy Clark has a long-term contract with CKNW for her new afternoon radio talk show. I can't imagine her throwing her hat into the federal ring.
It didn't stop her contesting the Vancouver Mayorality race, now did it? I think you (perhaps deliberately?) underestimate both her and her husband's level of ambition. Unfortunately, both of them overestimate Ms Clark's level of ability. I think Christy entering the race to replace Blair Wilson in West Van (Sunshine Coast, etc) would be terrific; she would be (fairly) seen as a carpet-bagger, making a win very difficult - and that might spell the end of her political career, and perhaps Mr Marrisen's, as well. That would truly be a win-win outcome.
Posted by: Deaner at October 30, 2007 11:48 AM
If you have time for a lot of reading - here is a timeline of the British Columbia "scandal" that is not being reported.
http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/
Posted by: DWT at October 30, 2007 12:11 PM
My problem with Christy Clarke is that she tries to come off as "non-partisan" on her radio show all the while lobbing softballs on Liberal cause-celebe, allowing the most conspiratorial ranting from the radical truther crowd, and showing a breathless naivety when talking to people like Maude Barlow. Her show is almost unlistenable.
Posted by: The Rat at October 30, 2007 12:12 PM
We should have learned by now that wherever there is smoke there is a raging fire when talking about the LPOC. There have been machinations in BC for years--sadly they get away with it because it is so far removed from the centre of the universe, Ontario.
Anyone who follows the LPOC in BC would know that everything is possible if it is underhanded. Imagine, shafting a Police Chief for doing his duty and exposing the corruption, while the LPOC goes merrily along. As usual, with the Liberals honesy and decency is not to be allowed.
Corruption is the only thing that gets rewarded by the LPOC and their stooges. The fact that those named are still in charge after all that is and has been reported is not surprising though. After all, this is Canada.
Posted by: George at October 30, 2007 12:31 PM
Deaner,
Christy Clark ran for the mayoralty candidacy BEFORE she signed a long term contract with CKNW. Her scheduled show has been on for a little more than a month now, and Sam has been mayor for how long?
Posted by: Oliver Cromwell at October 30, 2007 12:32 PM
Remember, Chrusty Clark tried to get the mayor's job in Vancouver by running against Sam Sullivan for the leadership of the NPA. This was not too long before the Dither's government fell. With Larry Campbell headed for the Senate the Lie-beral's required a mouth piece cheerleader in Vancouver. Didn't quite work out for them, did it?
Posted by: Bruce Randall at October 30, 2007 12:37 PM
Just as an aside, how come ridings in lotusland get such evocative, imaginative and euphonious monikers as "West Vancouver--Sunshine Coast--Sea to Sky Country". Was the name chosen by the local Chambers of Commerce? Back east we plod along with riding names more like "Hogtown-The Stockyards". I think Elections Canada should redress this unfairness by immediately renaming "Toronto-Centre" to "Toronto-Centre of The Universe".
Posted by: Mississauga Tom at October 30, 2007 12:52 PM
Christy Clark ran for the mayoralty candidacy BEFORE she signed a long term contract with CKNW
You're right - but it doesn't matter. Realistically, personal service contracts are unenforceable, except to prevent the talent from providing the same service to someone else. If Christy wants out, all she has to do is run dull, boring interviews (wait, she's already doing that...), and conduct periodic fact-free rants to make her show unlistenable (ditto). CKNW is not about to sue her to prevent her candidacy; if she becomes an MP she is 'serving the people of Canada' (urp - sorry; makes me barf in my mouth) and the (publicly regulated) radio station doesn't want to interfere with that; if she loses she just comes back to work with a higher profile, albeit no longer with the aura of a political up-and-comer (urp, again) or insider.
Posted by: Deaner at October 30, 2007 01:03 PM
I live in BC and have followed the Basi/Virk trial since the beginning. In the Basi/Virk scandal, Marrissen had documents of interest, but the police said that he was completely innocent and not under investigation. In the case of Blair Wilson, he also seems to have "documents of interest", but he is not being accused of anything either. Why the focus on Marissen, and not on the accused? The Christy Clark thing is a red herring -- they might be cravenly ambitious, but they are certainly not stupid and I am sure they learned their lesson from the NPA debacle.
Posted by: Brian at October 30, 2007 02:07 PM
Blair Wilson is not being accused of anything?
Right, and Christie Clark and Mark Marissen aren't shacked up either?
By the way, Christie is a red herring. Heh.
Posted by: Bruce Randall at October 30, 2007 02:38 PM
I think what Brian is saying is that:
In the case of Blair Wilson, he (Mark Marrissen) also seems to have "documents of interest", but he is not being accused of anything either.
My clarification in bold. Forgive me if I'm wrong.
Posted by: mecheng at October 30, 2007 02:57 PM
Oh Steve, I tried to use the strikethrough tags ("s" and "/s") in the above post, they showed up in the preview, but not when I posted the comment.
Posted by: mecheng at October 30, 2007 03:02 PM
Apparently it is all about winning (no matter how dirty) for Mark and Christy. Article from a cheerleader.
http://www.bcbusinessmagazine.com/bcb/people/2007/06/01/mark
Posted by: at October 30, 2007 03:22 PM
Yes, I meant Marrissen.
Posted by: Brian at October 30, 2007 03:59 PM
Christy Clark has a long-term contract with CKNW for her new afternoon radio talk show. I can't imagine her throwing her hat into the federal ring. Nice try, though.
Posted by: StuartM at October 30, 2007 11:10 AM
--
You have to be kidding me. She would leave radio in a heartbeat for an MP job. The woman was so desperate for a major politcal office that she was going to relocate to Vancouver to run for mayor, despite never having lived in the city.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1125538397526_194/?hub=Canada
You can bet she's scoping a condo in West Van as we speak.
Posted by: at October 30, 2007 04:53 PM
Re: Blair Wilson - The Liberals are spinning that they just found out about his problems and "acted immediately" and that Wilson himself asked Elections Canada for an investigation.
Proof again that Dion is either totally out of the loop or lying. The Vancouver Province story states that Wilson's former campaign workers had ALREADY filed a complaint with Elections Canada; that they had forwarded documentation to the Liberal Party HQ some weeks ago and Marrison sort of confirmed that HE DID receive documents about this well before the newspaper story and had ALREADY passed it on the something called the Green Light Committee.
Wilson ONLY QUIT AFTER THE STORY HIT THE NEWSPAPER. Prior to that it would appear the liberals were happy to cover it up - even giving Mr. Wilson a shadow cabinet position as critic for National Revenue and puffing up his credentials on October 19th.
So, WHEN did DION know? Weeks before he claimed he did? WHEN did Marrison and other BC Liberals know? WEEKS BEFORE they told Dion?
Posted by: Lorraine at October 30, 2007 05:20 PM
To suggest that the Liberal Party had all the same information as the Vancouver Province is not logical.
The story in the Globe and Mail makes it clear that the Vancouver Province was working with far more information than the Liberal Party was. That's why the Liberal Party acted very quickly to kick out Wilson after the story came out. The Liberals didn't deny it in the Province story either - they confirmed they received the documents. They weren't hiding anything. Usually politicos say "no comment" until they see where the story is going.
The Province must have had the story for at least as long as the Liberal Party, but probably longer, given how much work was put into the three consecutive front page stories. They didn't run half-cocked with these stories until they checked the facts.
Why wouldn't the Liberal Party check the facts first too before convicting the guy?
Posted by: Jack at October 30, 2007 06:40 PM
I'll check into it mecheng. Let me try it NOW
Posted by: Steve Janke at October 31, 2007 07:56 AM
Dammit, NOW didn't get the strikeout. I guess something filters that. I'll look into how that works.
Posted by: Steve Janke at October 31, 2007 07:57 AM
The problem with Christy Clark dumping the radio job is her burning her bridges completely.
She ran for mayoral nomination before she got the fulltime gig, prior to that it was fill in.
To dump CKNW who is the major player in BC not to mention owned by Corus who isn't too small nationally either would be a big misstep.
Not to that mention her winning in West Van is not a shoe-in.
I think she is out of politics for awhile.
Posted by: Jay at October 31, 2007 09:19 AM
Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ paid cash for more cash. No brown envelopes needed. Just table the cash; not under the table. The brazen, bribing sobs.
Where is/are the criminal investigation/criminal charges?
...-
MP can't be re-elected, ex-campaign manager says
Liberals 'have to find a new candidate, if they want to win here,' Sechelt resident says of Blair Wilson furore
[More]
She recalled that Vilas appeared at her Sechelt home to pay her for wood she had purchased for campaign signs.
"He had this wad of hundred-dollar bills," Wood said.
"And he rolled off four one-hundred-dollar bills and left them on my dining room table." ...-
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=aec330c1-530d-4451-bdfd-b40eb45222fb
Hiding the Puffin Excrement: The Massive Coverup by the Liberals and Citoyen Dion.
$$$$$$$$$$$
Liberals mum on whether MP disclosed lawsuits
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071031.wliberals31/BNStory/National/home
Posted by: maz2 at October 31, 2007 09:36 AM
Christy Clark's show is almost strictly a Liberal propaganda machine at every chance she gets. She would quit the show in a heartbeat and nothing is above the Mark Marissen/Christy Clark/Liberals trio.
Posted by: Louise at October 31, 2007 10:47 AM
Jay - I agree that it would be a dumb decision; that doesn't mean that Mark and Christy won't make it! I think her (their?) ambitions will lead them into an error: they will honestly think that she can win the seat, and they will probably expect that even in the (in their minds, unlikely) event that she does not become an MP, CKNW will welcome her back with open arms. I think they are wrong on both counts, but you never know until the horses actually run...
Posted by: Deaner at October 31, 2007 12:16 PM
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Posted by: aswkin at July 17, 2008 10:11 AM
 
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