Christy Clark’s Thanksgiving message to BC women
A few years back I was invited to a “mom blogger” roundtable with Christy Clark. It was a pretty soft PR move on the part of Clark and her Director of Engagement, former CTV anchor Pamela Martin. Nevertheless, Christy did get asked some tough questions at that event but, in my opinion, skirted around most of them like a pro.
Back then, I wasn’t necessarily a staunch CC supporter, but I have to admit, I did like her “Families First” platform, and was optimistic that she would deliver on it. Today, my feelings are strong and solidified. As a mother, as a citizen of B.C., I am definitely not a fan.
I guess I am still on a PR outreach mailing list because this Thanksgiving I received a message from “Today’s B.C. Liberals”. In it, I was apprised to all of the great things CC is doing for women and families in British Columbia. This one line quite irked me:
It was the strong leadership of Premier Christy Clark that finally broke the impasse between the teachers and the government and it’s because of this that we now have a historic negotiated settlement.
“Strong leadership”?? I beg your pardon? Christy Clark was visibly absent throughout most of the education dispute…appearing only towards the end. Even then her public communications tactics were primarily through pithy tweets and dueling press conferences, both of which seemed to only fuel fires.
The message also contained a YouTube video of Pamela Martin interviewing her about the “success” of the education dispute. I found this video a bit condescending and insulting. I sincerely hope viewers realize that it is not, in fact, a media interview – although it is set up to look like one.
No disrespect to Ms. Martin, she’s just doing her job. But, I find it really hard to believe anything coming out of Camp Christy that is flying the “I care about families” flag. To me, the proof will be in the pudding. As far as education in B.C. is concerned, things do need to change. Wheter or not the union and government will actually use the next five years to work towards this change remains to be seen. I’m hoping Christy Clark proves me wrong and shows a genuine interest in bettering our education system through adequate funding, manageable class compositions and a renewed and positive relationship with teachers.
Finally, I was given the opportunity, as a B.C. woman to pose questions to our provincial leaders. In case you didn’t receive this message, I’ll share the opportunity with you here:
What burning questions do you, as a B.C. woman, have on your mind? What do you want to know from your provincial representatives? We are inviting you to engage with your elected officials. Let’s start a 2-way conversation and in the next few newsletters, we’ll get some answers for you.
What would you ask?
the thirties grind 
OMG where to start! 1) I WOULD ASK HER ABOUT CHILD POVERTY AND THEREFORE WOMEN’S POVERTY.. whoops, didn’t mean to use all caps, but now that I have, it does seem appropriate. IT is just so shameful that there is the high rate of children living in poverty in this “have” province. LNG success or not, it is not acceptable that so many kids just don’t even have the basics to live and learn. 2) Also, as a teacher I can tell you the education dispute is not over… classes are larger and more impossibly composed than ever, there are fewer SEAs and fewer specialist teachers to offer the crucial support. I see it as a women’s issue, because the majority of teachers are women, in most families it falls to the woman to provide support to special needs kids on a day to day basis, and the way it is now we are failing these kids. 3) I am totally alarmed by the continuing lack of attention to violence against women, there have been so many reports of women being killed by their husbands this year, and of course that is is only the worst form of domestic violence! 4) mental health care, child care and elder care issues are all women’s issues because once again care falls mainly to the women in families, and all of these are vastly underfunded and scarce or impossible to access. All women’s issues. Good luck!
I would ask her if she meditates or practices mindfulness. Or believes that we are all one? Ask her if she practices opening her heart and listening to others face to face with deep compassion. Ask her if she believes there is enough for everyone.
How can i hope for bigger aspirations for my daighters when trades work is the only job they can learn to do and be financially stable with here in northeastern bc? Post secondary schooling in this region is scarce and many jobs are made for strong people who have to be away from their families for great lengths of time. That, leave home for school or work, or work with TFWs at tim hortons!
I would ask her,” How can she look herself in the mirror and still call herself a woman?”
Anti woman/ anti-family stances: anti union for teachers, nurses, community and social care workers, claws back child support, no family doctors taking new patients, highest child poverty rate in Canada, highest cost of living, no affordable housing projects being built, public education is eroding for children, lack of child care spaces, cuts in legal aid and family law.
Oddly enough LNG, Fracking and Big oil get government grants and her personal phone #.
I would ask her what meds is she on because that sure is not how I saw the dispute handled or the outcome achieved. That was not a negotiation by either side! Don’t get me wrong, I am a pure capitalist and entrepreneur and fear the NDP. But with Halloween coming up, Ms. Clark needs no costume. She is scary!
I would seriously ask her why she thinks the voters of this amazing province are so gullible?
I would ask Christy Clark how underfunding public education serves our families, the children’s futures, and our economy? Does ‘dumbing down’ the public education system really benefit our province?
Also, how is it possible that the rich keep getting richer, and those who live in poverty simply have to ‘deal with it’ in this province? How is this a legacy to leave behind?
How is focusing on ‘fracking’ going to save our future economy? Why is Site C a good idea when we have such a need for fertile land for food production? Why do we have such a bad deal with BC Hydro and the Private Power Producers?
Please provide thoughtful answers and not just political rhetoric.