It’s been such a lovely summer; why Rush back to work?

With Vancouver Island still sweltering under sunny skies, it seems that our elected MLA’s will be able to work on their tans for quite a while longer. As they enjoy the hazy, lazy days of late summer, the Campbell Liberals have apparently decided to keep the hammocks up, throw some more steaks on the BBQ and keep the beverages chilled.

Reports out of Victoria have it that House Leader Mike de Jong has reportedly warned that the fall sitting of the Leg, will be one day, much shorter than the usuual eight weeks of debating and law making! (Victoria Colonist-sub required sorry!) An eight, maybe ten hour appearance that will at least allow our MLA’s a chance to get together and make plans for the Legislature Christmas party and not much else.

In a province that already sees its elected officials spend as little time in the Legislature as possible, they’ll be staying away even longer. The whole thing has an almost ground hog day like feel, as the same thing happened two years ago.

What’s even more alarming is that there is talk of adding as many as six more members to the lucky club, a Legislature committee is presently looking into adding members to the people’s palace of debate. And with benefits like those offered and a work schedule that is to say the least less than tasking, the lineup for nominations will be lengthy. The consultation process on this plan starts up next week in 26 BC communities, the committee had best wear asbestos!

Will McMartin at tyee.ca, takes a look at the lethargic work ethic in Victoria, it paints a picture of a place where Part Time work for full time pay is almost a mantra for the lucky 79. Of course when they want to get to work, they can move pretty fast, especially when they stand to benefit, remember this great moment in Legislature history?

We understand that the Part Time craze is pretty well a given now in BC, but few of us can benefit as our MLA’s do with the short hours and big pay packet. However, in this case the suggestion from McMartin that this is the perhaps perfect opportunity to down size the MLA pay packet may catch on, if they want to work part time, then pay them part time!

And while that would probably work just fine, Podunk has its own solution to the whole silly situation, just move the Legislature to Prince Rupert, obviously the weather detracts (and distracts) from the desire to go to work in Victoria.

Moving the government’s day to day operations to the Rain Forest will guarantee that they get indoors to go to work. As a matter of fact when the gales of November come early, they may even want to work late!