Press Conference In New Westminister Today

BACKGROUND Tom Morino, Victoria lawyer and a municipal councillor, founded a new political party, the BC Democratic Alliance, in March of this year. Since then he's been organizing the support to run candidates in all 79 ridings in the next provincial election. As part of the process, he's been reaching out to other similarly groups around the province, building bonds in BC communities and with other political leaders who seek an alternative to both the NDP and the Campbell Liberals. What other political parties (notably BC Unity) have failed to achieve, the BCDA in co-operation with its partners, has succeeded in doing. Last week, a new political party was registered, the BC Democratic Coalition. Today, the new party executive will present its vision for BC, a government of balance and compassion. The party's Statement of Principles is enclosed. Please RVSP and confirm your attendance at this historic event. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING BY PHONE TODAY Party Leader, Tom Morino, 250-818-0534 (CELL) Party President, Bill Savage, 604-943-5951 (Delta) VP Organization Harvey Maser, 604-513-8084 (Langley) VP Admin Matthew Laird, 604-526-8486 (New West) Membership Chair, Lyne England, 250-480-6699 (CELL) Policy Chair, Robert Allington, 250-595-7803 (Victoria) Please note: Tom Morino and Lyne England will be travelling by ferry from Victoria to the Lower Mainland early this morning in preparation for the event. You can reach Tom, at either of the two cell phones noted above. Immediately after the Press Conference, he will be travelling to the UBCM conference in the Interior. Shortly after the event a website will be posted at http://bcdemocraticcoalition.ca FOR INFORMATION AFTER THE EVENT-- Contact: Robert Allington, BCDC Policy and Communications Chair, 250-595-7803 robertal@islandnet.com BCDC Statement of Principles The BC Democratic Coalition believes that too often British Columbia has been divided by extreme ideologies, and that the Province deserves a government devoted to achieving peace, balance and prosperity. Members therefore pledge that the following principles will guide the Party. 1. The BC Democratic Coalition believes that the distinguishing marks of good government are consultation, accommodation, and respect for all opinion. 2. The BC Democratic Coalition asserts that government is neither a business nor a means for a select few to wield power. Instead, it is a service organization, the sole purpose of which is to facilitate the betterment of its constituent communities. 3. The BC Democratic Coalition is an advocate of responsible fiscal management, characterized by transparent methods of accounting which are comprehensible to the general populace, long term planning that provides for debt retirement, and protection of Crown assets. 4. The BC Democratic Coalition will strive to create an entrepreneurial climate in which the freedom to exercise talent, creativity and motivation are encouraged and the virtues of hard work and personal achievement are rewarded. We also acknowledge that freedom must be tempered by responsibility. 5. The BC Democratic Coalition believes that real prosperity can only occur in a social environment characterized by compassion, equality of opportunity, fair labour practices, timely and effective health care, and access to education that strengthens each student’s ability to lead a full and gratifying life. 6. The BC Democratic Coalition strongly supports and will effectively fund the independent offices of the Ombudsman, the Auditor General, Freedom of Information and Human Rights. 7. The BC Democratic Coalition believes that public investment in Crown Corporations, public hospitals, highways, and municipal infrastructure help to create the stable circumstances in which commerce can flourish, and that all such investments should give priority to the long term needs of British Columbia. 8. The BC Democratic Coalition holds that the stewardship of the environment should be managed responsibly, no part being used in isolation without first considering the ramifications to the ecosystem within which it resides. 9. The BC Democratic Coalition maintains that the first responsibility of Members of the Legislative Assembly is to represent their constituents, and that MLAs should be accountable to the people through meaningful recall, petition and referenda legislation. 10. The BC Democratic Coalition believes that governments should uphold the values of fairness and equality as expressed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and honour the Treaties and International Conventions to which Canada is a signatory, bearing in mind the best interests of British Columbia. 11. The BC Democratic Coalition is committed to working respectfully with the First Nations, seeking thereby to assist them in achieving agreements with the Government of Canada which are acceptable to all parties. 12. The BC Democratic Coalition supports reform to the administration of justice, including adequately funded legal aid, early intervention, protection for the victims of crime, and the creation of a system accountable to the common values of society.