In recent weeks I’ve given two speeches on environmental matters.

One was at a fundraiser for the Eagleridge protesters to help them cover legal expenses. The other,  was at the East Delta Agricultural Hall where over 1000 people of all political stripes gathered to protest the Gateway Project.

These were major environmental protests distinguished as much by the absence of reporting by the CanWest press as they were for the genuine enthusiasm and dedication shown.

I suppose because of these speeches and columns written for www.thetyee.ca  I’ve been asked how and why I’ve moved so far to the left.

I don’t believe I have and I think the record will show that.

When I was Consumer & Corporate Affairs Minister I passed more consumer legislation than was passed before or has been since. I made the Banks obey BC law .. I outlawed usurious tax discounters ... I made the Car Dealers register and behave themselves and with 6 car dealers in my caucus ... I brought in a new Consumer Protection Act … I passed travel legislation so that people, mostly seniors, wouldn't be stranded when the shyster operators went broke ... I proclaimed the legislation the NDP passed and didn't have the guts to proclaim bringing the Vancouver Stock Exchange to heel ( I was a guest at their annual dinner and when I was introduced there was absolute silence!) ... in my one year as Environment Minister I stopped the slaying of wolves, put a moratorium on uranium exploration and mining and then did what the Barrett government brayed about and did f-all about - I went to Seattle and negotiated the saving of the Skagit River. The credit for saving it belongs to people like Tom Perry and his band of doughty fighters called the Run Out Ross Spoilers (ROSS) Committee ... all I point out is that of all the politicians who could have done so, I negotiated its salvation. It was the environmental victory of a quarter century but because I was a Socred, no credit. I was fighting, and often winning these battles, 100% opposed by the Socred Caucus .;. all this when these johnny-come-latelies who now question my environmental credentials were dreaming up slogans and marching on cabinet offices.

I’ve fought the  establishment of this province and country for more years than I care to mention including helping  a huge group of dedicated people to stop the Kemano II project.

If I sound bitter, I assure you I'm not. I'm just a little nonplussed that people think of me as a recent convert to social and environmental matters!

As Casey Stengel used to say, "you could look it up".