Don't Juno

Congratulations to Diablo Cody for her Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Oscar for the partially shot in Burnaby film Juno.

CTV was reporting another positive last night. Despite no wins, there were ten Canadian Oscar nominees. Let's hope next year brings a more successful sequel for Canadian film.

Gregarious

Vancouver Sun city hall reporter Frances Bula's blog mentioned a former Burnaby political hopeful in her report on the who's who at Gregor Robertson's campaign launch: former Liberal candidate Mary Pynenberg.

So far no one appears to have official jumped in to take a shot for the Liberals in Burnaby-New Westminster.

Burnaby on the Throne

Tomorrow Steven Point, our new representative of the Queen, makes his first throne speech for the Campbell Liberals. The symbolic date, two years prior to the start of the Olympics and 15 months prior to election day is not to be overlooked.

On the one hand B.C. will be getting more "Olympic gold" from its government in the form of Spirit Squares, Gateway initiatives, 150th anniversary funding, and actual Olympic cash. On the other hand, the government needs to show they mean business in communities where the Liberal-NDP fight is tight like in good old Burnaby with big picutre ideas for post-secondary education and skills training, transit infrastructure, and green projects.

Tomorrow is only the opening act to the real show next week when Finance Minister Carole Taylor swoops in with the cash allocations for the province. Despite the dollars being a week away, tomorrow is of significance. This is likely the last substantial sitting of the legislature until the May 12, 2009, election. What gets (re)announced tomorrow will likely be the main set of issues on for Gordon Campbell's BC Liberals to campaign on come the election.

As for the NDP, shifting the debate to areas where the Liberals are weak, namely the ministry of children and families, is going to be their main goal over the next year. NDP leader Carole James already has launched a preemptive strike.

Critical

Peter Julian has been making his way around the various NDP footholds of B.C. recently. Not only is he pre-campaigning for Jack Layton's job, which should open up after the next election progress or not, but he is also getting out his concerns to like-minded voters about the Security and Prosperity Partnership.

On Tuesday, February 19, he visits Don Davies in Vancouver Kingsway, the riding of Julian nemesis David Emerson. On Wednesday, February 21, he is near his home turf of Burnaby-New Westminster at New Westminster's Justice Institute.

Gord is Great 2008

In the wake of the 2008 Budget, Gordon Campbell pays a visit to Burnaby at the B. BOT to shore up support for his budget that will pass anyway. Campbell fans, get your tickets now as the event in John Nuraney's home turf will likely sell out fast.

Vert

The Green Party is running Carrie-Ann McLaren in Burnaby-New Westminster.

Despite her military family background she is at home in Elizabeth May's party and has even lived in Ottawa. She does not have any problems with gambling having worked at the local racetrack and is experienced in broadcast communications.

With those credentials McLaren might be more helpful as a communications advisor to the Green leader rather than as one of her candidates. As for Burnaby-New Westminster, MP Peter Julian finally has an opponent.