Hey, Christy Clark. It appears you are missing a knife from your collection.
Sadly, we know where it is buried — deep between the shoulder blades of former Shuswap MLA George Abbott.
Abbott, who was previously the minister of aboriginal relations, was preparing to take over as the head of the B.C. Treaty Commission when Sophie Pierre completes her term April 1.
Suddenly, he gets a call from Aboriginal Relations Minister John Rustad, the very man who asked Abbott to take on the position six months ago, to say it was a no-go following a closed-door cabinet discussion.
“It’s not what I expected to hear,” said Abbott.
“I checked with the minister (Rustad) on a number of occasions, obviously concerned when I didn’t hear anything after a couple of months.”
Why the sudden change in direction from senior levels of the provincial government?
Even as he was kicked to the curb, Pierre expressed dismay and praised her one-time successor.
“George Abbott is a man of integrity, intelligence and extensive experience who would have benefitted the treaty process, First Nations and all British Columbians,” stated Pierre.
Both the federal government and First Nations had approved of Abbott’s appointment, so why the sudden flip-flop from the provincial cabinet?
Given the nearly non-existent explanation that cabinet, “decided to go in a different direction,” one can only guess at the real reason cabinet decided not to approve Abbott, a longtime MLA and cabinet minister who unsuccessfully sought the Liberal leadership.
One thing is for certain. Abbott’s integrity remains intact but we’re not so sure about the premier’s.
— Salmon Arm Observer
