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BC rail fiasco far from forgotten

Is B.C. Rail a forgotten issue?

Is B.C. Rail a forgotten issue?

I had a discussion with some friends. One mentioned that Christy Clark might make a good premier. I said that the B.C. Rail giveaway would kill all her chances because of her and her brother’s involvement. They in turn said this was history and forgotten. I did not argue the point. But as many readers probably know, it is far from forgotten. Everywhere you turn someone is calling for an inquiry into this shameful sale. All of those running for the premier’s job refuse to call for an inquiry. What have they to hide? Why did the taxpayers foot the $6 million bill for the defense of two admitted crooks? Something smells bad in Liberal land.

During the sale of B.C. Rail, Kevin Falcon told a Prince George radio audience in defense of his decision to support the sale of their railway. B.C. Rail was “virtually bankrupt” and required annual operating subsidies from the province.

That is untrue.

The facts on B.C. Rail are quite different than Falcon presents. The railway, a self-supporting Crown Corporation, recorded 23 consecutive years of operating profits. Far from being bankrupt, the rail company actually sent $137.7 million in dividends to the provincial treasury while supporting the regional economy of B.C.’s interior and north!

Just another in the long list of reasons we need to recall some of these people.

Wayne Russell

The Vagabond Writer

Clearwater, B.C.