March 7 - 13, 1995
Harassment charge prompts cabinet resignation
Government Services Minister Robin Blencoe resigned from cabinet this week pending the outcome of a sexual-harassment investigation triggered by a complaint from a female co-worker.
In a brief statement Thursday, Mr. Blencoe denied the allegation and claimed to be unaware of the specific allegations.
Premier Mike Harcourt said the government has appointed Vancouver lawyer Stephen Kelleher, former chair of the Labour Relations Board, to conduct a thorough and "expeditious" investigation.
However, Premier Harcourt told the Legislature that Mr. Blencoe will continue to attend cabinet meetings as a minister without portfolio and receive his full salary of $87,000 a year.
Despite vigorous protest from Opposition MLAs, Mr. Harcourt refused to punish Mr. Blencoe based on a "presumption of guilt."
The premier's office was notified of the complaint March 1, but withheld the information from the media until reporters began asking questions about it.
Flash forward: Six years later, after delays and legal appeals, a B.C. Human Rights Tribunal ordered Mr. Blencoe to pay the complainant $5,000 for injury to her dignity, feelings and self-respect.
March 7 - 13, 1985
School boards defy Socred budget limits
More than two dozen of B.C.'s 75 school districts have voted to defy provincial government restraint policies by submitting budgets that exceed strict limits imposed by the Education Ministry.
Trustees in Prince George, Powell River, Burns Lake, Sunshine Coast, Quesnel and Castlegar opted to exceed the government's budget guidelines this week, following similar actions by Richmond, Langley, Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster, Campbell River, Greater Victoria and Nanaimo.
On Tuesday evening in Delta, more than 250 people packed a school board meeting where trustees voted unanimously to exceed government spending guidelines by $9-million.
North Vancouver school board voted Monday to exceed its $53.3-million restraint budget by $4.9-million, while Education Minister Jack Heinrich's Prince George riding is demanding $875,000 more than the province's $64.1-million guideline.
Last week, Mr. Heinrich sent a letter warning all 75 B.C.school districts that "budgets which exceed the guidelines will not be acceptable."
Flash forward: On May 7, Mr. Heinrich fired the entire Vancouver school board for continuing to defy the government. Trustees in Cowichan were fired the following week.