EDITORIAL: Christy Clark’s Vernon visit curious
It’s not unusual for the province’s top politician to pass through the North Okanagan.
But Premier Christy Clark’s visit to Vernon Wednesday certainly raises a few questions.
Specifically, why was there no advance notice that she would be in town? During previous stops, the media was advised in advance that the premier would be here and told what she would be doing. Interview opportunities were virtually guaranteed.
But the traditional process didn’t unfold Wednesday.
The Morning Star didn’t become aware of the situation until there was a surprise call from Clark wanting to speak to a reporter for a few minutes. In another case, a reporter didn’t learn about Clark’s presence in Vernon until he was told about it by MLA Eric Foster well after the fact.
Obviously, Clark was facing time constraints as she had engagements in Kelowna and Penticton as well. But it’s hard to believe Clark wouldn’t want to increase her profile while in Vernon.
Her meetings with local businesses would have provided her with a platform to promote her government’s economic strategy, and it’s a message the media would have relayed had they been invited.
The visit would have also been a chance for Clark to publicly endorse Foster who is facing some stiff competition in the election.
Given all of the controversies the government has endured recently — everything from ethnic vote strategies to questions over Foster’s office renovations — it was a curious approach to getting your message across to North Okanagan residents, especially mere weeks away from an election.
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