Van Dongen Jumps Ship
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 3:51 PM
Victoria, B.C. – Jon van Dongen, one of the longest serving MLA’s in the B.C. Legislature, has jumped ship.
He rose in the Legsilature this afternoon to announce he was leaving the B.C. Liberals to join the B.C. Conservatives.
Here is his full statement:
Mr. Speaker, I rise and ask for the attention of the House to make a personal statement.
For almost 17 years I have risen in this chamber to represent the best interests of both my constituents, and the best interests of all British Columbians. I have done so as a member of the Official Opposition for 6 years, a Cabinet Minister for 8 years and as a private member for the last 3 years.
Throughout that time I have been keenly aware of both the privilege and responsibility that comes with being an elected member of this Assembly. I have always tried to conduct myself in a manner consistent with the expectations of those who entrusted me with this office. I am by no means a flawless individual, but have strived for personal and political integrity. I have always taken ownership of my own shortcomings.
Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that there would have been renewal in my party and in government. But, in the past 12 months, that has not happened. Indeed, every week constituents question government actions and issues that I am not able to defend.
What I believe people expect from political leadership are core values that include integrity and a genuine commitment to public service.
Integrity includes honesty, ethics and personal character. Integrity is non-negotiable. It is foundational for a strong organization. Most importantly, integrity includes accountability.
To this day, Mr. Speaker, there are still serious unanswered questions regarding the writing-off of 6 million dollars in legal fees in the BC Rail case contrary to government policy. Questions I have been asking for a year-and-a-half, and questions the Auditor General is seeking answers to through the courts.
Most recently, the unexplainable cancellation of a 35 million dollar naming rights agreement with Telus is another example of failed leadership.
There have been other lapses in proper accountability and I expect more to come. When more and more decisions are being made for the wrong reasons, then you have an organization that is heading for failure.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise because I can no longer carry on with my duties as a member of this government. I have decided to resign as a member of the BC Liberal Government Caucus and I am cancelling my membership with the BC Liberal Party.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the people of BC deserve a government that will look in the mirror and honestly contemplate what it sees in the reflection; a government that people have trust and confidence in; a government that models true accountability for its own actions.
To my colleagues in the government caucus, as well as those in opposition and those who sit as independent MLA’s — I celebrate each of you and your willingness to serve the people of British Columbia. This is not an easy job, and so to all of you who continue to strive for excellence, I applaud your efforts.
To my constituents — in the coming days and weeks I look forward to speaking with you and further discussing the decision I have made. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I have much to share — and will in the coming weeks, make it clear that while this was not an easy decision, it was the only decision I could arrive at in good conscience.
To the government caucus staff, constituency assistants and party staff — it has been a privilege to work with you.
To all those public servants who I have had the honour of working with — rest assured that my work with you to accomplish the goals and policies that were right for all British Columbians has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my time in public office.
To my family and friends — thank you for standing by me through some difficult times. In particular, I wish to thank Sherri and Lukas for their continued love and support.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, moving forward I will do what I have done for the past 17 years — I will put my time, energy and talents to serve my constituents and the party that can best provide British Columbians with a broadly-based, credible, free enterprise option.
Therefore, I am pleased to announce that I will now be sitting in this House as a member of the BC Conservative Party. I look forward to continuing to work hard for my constituents in Abbotsford-South, and for all British Columbians.
Thank you Mr. Speaker, and thank you members.
van Dongen,has represented Abbotsford voters since 1995. He was re-elected in 1996, 2001, 2005 and began representing the new riding of Abbotsford-South in the spring of 2009.
During that time he has held a variety of posts, including Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
Comments
There should be a vote for a rep in hs riding. By leaving the liberal party he no longer stands for the party he ran for.
van Dongen’s departure won’t leave a big hole in the Liberal party; he was a lightweight who didn’t contribute much. He was prone to embarassing gaffes as well, which is why he spent considerably more time as a “former” cabinet minister than he did in cabinet. He indicated openly a year ago that he wasn’t comfortable with the new leader (Christie Clark) and would be looking at his options. With the by-election in nearby (to Abbotsford) Chilliwack and talk of the renaissance of the provincial Conservatives, this might be the politically opportune time to make a move.
The Conservatives will need to attract some brighter lights than this to give us a credible alternative to the Liberals.
CL
Wow! Congratulations for standing up for what you believe. In spite of the consequences. It is not a popular stand to go against the status quo. I don’t know Jon Van Dongen at all. But I do admire his position that he cannot remain representing his current constituents under the present leadership.
Why would the caption be Jumps Ship? He is still representing the people who voted him in? Jumps ship is more like the captain who left his crew and passengers while the boat capsized off the coast of Italy. This is not the situation at all.
p val, you need to research the Canadian electoral system.
1 more year to go and I expect some others who want to continue their political careers in this province will follow suit.
I’m so very glad he did it in such a public way and not meekly. It’s a bold statement.
He was elected as a BC Liberal. If he no longer wishes to *serve* as a Liberal he should have resigned altogether and run in a by-election as a Conservative.
Looks like he keeps a seat as an MLA and the perks that come with it! The constituents in the riding did not approve it and have lost the representation that the majority voted for.
Some democracy!
The voters deserve more respect than this.
It is hard not to respect a man that follows his beliefs, no matter what. I think that the provincial Conservatives will make a good showing in the next election and may hold the balance of power in a minority government.
I am probably like many people; upset with the actions of the current government and yet not willing to put in a bunch of malcontents like the NDP.
We definitely need an alternative.
canislupus: “van Dongen’s departure won’t leave a big hole in the Liberal party; he was a lightweight who didn’t contribute much.” That sounds truly stated by a liberal trying to minimise the reality of this persons departure.
The reality is that Mr Van Dongen was far too honest and ethical to fit within the liberal party. Anyone who knows this man would understand this was the reason for him being sidelined from Cambell’s games and now Clark’s groupies as well.
Congrats for a great move John.
Good for you John, one down and more to come. Christi your toast…
He is scoring valuable political points, and you can bet it is by design. Good on him!
Don’t make her a bad person!
The peanut gallery has spoken!
Well the liberals can always get a job working for the CNR. Mabe they will let Christy blow the whistle. Yuk! Yuk!
I tend to agree with Prince George. At very least he could have resigned from the BC Liberal Party and sat as an Independent until the upcoming election. Then if he wanted to run as a Conservative he could seek the nomination and run as one. That would seem to me to be a more honorable course. This looks too much like the same kind of self-serving opportunism that pervades the BC Liberals.
Yes you HAVE indeed spoken Johnnybelt
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-politics/van-dongen-crosses-the-floor-over-clarks-leadership/article2381860
The G&M has a bit of a different twist to this event.
Thanks for that link Gus.
After reading that G&M article and what Coleman seems to infer; all I can say is that Van Dongens constituents need to stick with him regardless of what the liberal hackers have planned for his disgrace.
For Coleman to call Van Dongen a “friend” and then bring up the issue of speeding tickets is not only classless but indicative of things to come. Wear your seatbelt John and good luck.
Comments for this article are closed.