(The Canadian Press distributed the following article on November 18.)
VICTORIA, B.C. — A private member’s bill introduced Monday by Opposition NDP leader Joy MacPhail to halt the sale of Crown-owned B.C. Rail was stopped in its tracks when the time allotted for debate in the legislature ran out.
Now, the only way MacPhail’s bill can be brought back for debate is if a member of the Liberal government reintroduces the proposed legislation.
MacPhail called on Liberal backbench MLAs from northern British Columbia to support her, but admitted they would likely follow the wishes of Premier Gordon Campbell, who she said is willing to sell off a provincial asset.
“They’ve done everything possible to never allow an NDP private member’s bill to be voted upon,” MacPhail said. “Democracy is being very poorly served here in British Columbia and the people who are being most poorly served today are those whose communities are along B.C. Rail’s line.”
The government dismissed recent reports that privately-owned Canadian National Railway will soon be announced as the successful bidder to take over the operation and management of B.C. Rail, which runs from North Vancouver to British Columbia’s north.
Campbell promised during the 2001 provincial election his government would not sell or privatize B.C. Rail. Following the election, the government said the railway is in debt and needs a private company to improve its performance.
The government has said it will retain ownership of the tracks, rail bed and the railway right-of-way.
MacPhail said B.C. Rail is competitive and its debt-load is under control, but the government is desperate for cash.
“This sale is about cash grab, not sound policy,” she said.
Prince George Liberal MLA Pat Bell said there is concern in his northern city about the sale of B.C. Rail, but much of it is the result of the NDP and labour unions focusing on worst-case scenarios relating to the sale.
The Council of Trade Unions of B.C. Rail says an internal railway report forecasts up to 1,100 job losses – 60 per cent of the workforce – if CN Rail is the successful bidder.
“I feel confident that when we can make the deal public that people will be supportive of it,” Bell said. “I’m confident in the deal. I’ve been at the table all along. I believe there’s going to be benefits to it.”
He said he didn’t believe the government is breaking its promise to voters about not selling or privatizing the railway.
Bell compared the impending deal to a move in the 1980s by the former Social Credit government when it privatized maintenance contracts for the province’s highways.
British Columbians still own the highways despite private companies doing maintenance work, he said.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing with B.C. Rail so I feel comfortable that we’re fulfilling our commitment,” Bell said.
Transportation Minister Judith Reid said the government promised northerners a strong and vibrant economy and ensuring a viable B.C. Rail is part of that pledge.
“Our responsibility is to make sure that is able to happen with B.C. Rail and that’s the reason we’ve been looking for an operating partner for B.C. Rail to grow the economy, to strengthen the rail network and to serve the people of this province.”
Independent MLA Paul Nettleton, a former Liberal MLA from the Prince George area, spoke in favour of MacPhail’s bill. B.C. Rail is a heart and soul issue for northerners and they won’t support privatization, he said.
MacPhail said the derailing of her private member’s bill will not stop building public anger about the privatization of B.C. Rail.
“This is steady, consistent and ever-building protest against Gordon Campbell’s lie,” she said.
Councils in Prince George, North Vancouver and Lillooet, all served by the railway, are opposed to privatization, she said.