In 1866 the 17-year-old British colony of Vancouver Island officially ceased to exist thanks to a forced merger with the mainland colony of British Columbia.
In 1878, seven years after joining confederation, B.C. voted to leave Canada in frustration over failed federal promises tied to the Island.
The threat proved empty and the promises remain partially unfulfilled, but a century and a half later, a small group of Vancouver Islanders led by a Harvard-trained economist aims to right that wrong, and, in the process, make the Island Canada鈥檚 11th province.
The officially launches tomorrow with the goal of protecting and enhancing the Island鈥檚 economic, environmental, social and cultural identity by leaving B.C. and applying to join confederation as an independent entity.
Led by Robin Richardson, a former MP in Joe Clark鈥檚 Conservative government, the VIP intends to field candidates in all 14 Island ridings in the 2017 provincial election and .
鈥淧opulation-wise we are larger than three provinces and all three territories,鈥� Richardson said. 鈥淏eing a province gives us a lot more control.鈥�
According to the VIP leader, the primary issues facing Islanders are climate change, federal and provincial government indifference, and economic, environmental and social injustice. The solution, he said, is self-determination.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been largely ignored by the both the federal and provincial governments,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e would be much better off. We鈥檇 be Island-first and proud of it.鈥�
At the moment, the party has no connection to the deliberately non-partisan launched a few years ago by the Vancouver Island and 台湾MM裸聊室 Conservation Society.
VIprovince spokesperson Laurie Gourlay was unfamiliar with the VIP prior to being contacted by Black Press, but obviously intrigued with its mandate and the fact it hopes to build on the federal and provincial petitions he launched in 2013 requesting provincehood.
鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to see it鈥檚 garnered that kind of interest and has this goal,鈥� Gourlay said. 鈥淎s we see it, Vancouver Island is coming of age and it鈥檚 a natural progression. It鈥檚 kind of exciting, but I am hesitant and have to be careful.鈥�
Perhaps reflecting the Island itself, the VIP platform is an interesting mishmash of ideas pulled from different ends of the political spectrum.
鈥淭he Vancouver Island Party is centrist in nature,鈥� Richardson said. 鈥淲e are fiscally responsible, socially progressive and environmentally green. We welcome all VanIslers, irrespective of their former political affiliation.
鈥淧eople from all walks of life should find an appeal in our philosophy.鈥�
Given that the platform was drafted largely by a former economist for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation who also happens to be a Christian minister, it should be no surprise that , fiscal conservatism and family values play prominent roles. A flat tax is on the table. Tax relief for the middle class and competitive business taxes are promised.
But the vision statement also carries a broad green streak with a commitment to sustainability and social justice. Preferential hiring policies for Vancouver Island residents, buy and grow local incentives, increased investment in public transportation, renewable energy programs, guaranteed annual incomes, a shift from resource extraction to value-added manufacturing, marine and groundwater protection, and cheap or free post-secondary education directives are also in place.
Democratic reform also factors into the plan, including proportional representation, recall laws and a shifting of power from the capital to local and regional governments. Some of the touchier local issues like marine oil tankers and old growth logging could be addressed through planned direct citizens initiatives.
Right now, the party is small, basically consisting of Richardson and a handful a like-minded Islanders, none of whom has a prominent public profile. Their goal is to change that with a recruiting drive over the next few months. Members intend to actively approach local government. community and First Nations leaders and have a team in place by November.
Ideally, voters give the party a presence in the next legislature, which could convince the next government to put the issue on the ballot for 2021.
鈥淲e hope to be perceived as well-rounded and serious,鈥� Richardson said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to be perceived as a fringe party.鈥�
He plans to reach out to the VIprovince group in the near future to share ideas, piggyback on the existing petition initiative and see how they can work together.
Gourlay鈥檚 initiative had some small successes recently with a decision by the B.C. government to temporarily fly the Vancouver Island flag at the legislature a few weeks ago, and a letter earlier this year from Prime Minister Justin 台湾MM裸聊室 acknowledging the Island鈥檚 heritage as a separate colony.
He said the reaction from Islanders has been mixed to separation: about one-third in favour, one-third opposed and one-third indifferent. Without making any political endorsement of the VIP, he welcomes the fact that it will get people talking.
鈥淚 support the idea being discussed. We鈥檝e seen a vacuum as far as the idea being discussed,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are looking at it as a means of opening up a dialogue,鈥�
More on the VIP plan
What the province of Vancouver Island would want from Canada as the terms for it joining confederation is spelled out in the party鈥檚 statement of guiding principles:
鈥� A bridge connecting the Island to the mainland
鈥� 12 MPs and 10 senators
鈥� free or reduced-rate ferries
鈥� payment of the Island鈥檚 share of the B.C. debt
鈥� seawall and dike infrastructure to protect against climate change
鈥� a commitment to maintaining the existing military bases
鈥� New light-rail systems for greater Victoria, the Nanaimo area, and the Comox Valley, plus reinvestment in the E&N, including an up-Island extension
鈥� A highway connecting the Alberni/Bamfield area to the south Island via Cowichan Lake
鈥� A Port Alberni shipping hub
鈥� source vanisleparty.com
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