JIGGERY YADDA-YADDA — Is “jiggery pokery” past its expiration date as a catchphrase? B.C. Liberals’ tolerance for NDP MLA Bill Routley’s favourite description appears to have reached the snapping point. Routley has used the description dozens of times in the legislature, to the point where it’s expected of him every time he stands to speak.
It used to prompt a bit of amusement, but after Routley used it seven times in a row over the course of long condemnation of the B.C. Liberal government and all facets of its budget, Transportation Minister Todd Stone launched on him.
He said the speech was an example of why the NDP is completely irrelevant in B.C., that Routley had impugned the integrity of every Liberal MLA and was suggesting “there is some moral high ground that can only be occupied” by the NDP.
“To think that uttering ‘jiggery-pokery’ every other sentence is actually funny. … It’s not funny, it’s actually sad. It’s very sad.”
Catchphrases come and go faster than they used to and the legislature is now waiting to see if JP is officially over.
TOMMY D AND MSP — There’s a glimmer of a sliver of a chance that Medical Services Plan premiums will be reviewed. The flat-rate premiums are increased annually and, as usual, have become a focal point of the Opposition criticism of the budget.
Green MLA Andrew Weaver started a petition demanding changes to the payment system and, last week, there was a micro-adjustment to the government line. When Weaver asked whether an all-party health committee that was struck last week would have the authority to look into the premiums, Finance Minister Mike de Jong said it would.
The government usually ignores all the complaints about premiums going up.
De Jong also quoted the late great NDP politician Tommy Douglas — credited with starting medicare in Canada — on the topic of premiums.
“There is value in having every family and every individual make some individual contribution. … It keeps the public aware of the cost and gives the people a sense of personal responsibility.
“Even if we could finance the plan without a per capita tax, I personally would strongly advise against it. I would like it to be a nominal tax, but I think there is psychological value in people paying something for their cards.”
Startled NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert said it’s probably the only time the Liberals will quote Tommy Douglas.
FOGHORN LEGHORN — You folks at home don’t know what yer missin’ down here at what they call the house a parliament. Some of these fellers is real good talkers.
One of ’em, Andy Wilkinson, claims to have been over the pond for some fancy book learnin’ at Oxford. Got himself a law degree AND a medical degree, like he couldn’t make up his mind or nothing.
Mind you, I’m not sure how much good it did him. This week, I coulda sworn he finished one of his speeches by clucking like a chicken.
Course maybe I misheard him and all. I coulda sworn he said he was a Rhodes Scholar. But, now that I think on it, he mighta said Rhode Island Red Scholar.
IN PRAISE OF OLDER WOMEN — Liberal MLA Sam Sullivan gave a shout-out in the house to his significant other, Lynn, that he acknowledged may have alarmed some people.
“I fell in love with her when she was 10. If some viewers are concerned about MLAs falling in love with 10-year-old girls, I can reassure them that I was nine when I fell in love with her.”
— With files from Les Leyne and Lindsay Kines
