From Friends of Soccer (with permission): Friends Of Soccer Objects to NDP Anti-Soccer Stadium Ads On Wednesday, April 1, the BC New Democratic Party ran a series of internet ads on several soccer-related websites condemning the renovation of BC Place, and falsely suggesting that the cost of the renovation is coming at the expense of healthcare and the homeless. We at Friends of Soccer find these ads extremely misleading and innapropriate. We call on the NDP to immediately back away from this irresponsible threat to the future of soccer in our province. The claim in the ad that BC citizens must choose between a soccer-friendly stadium and social services is both false and offensive. The NDP is well aware that the BC Place renovations are to be financed by the future sale and development of the lands surrounding the stadium, along with future sponsorship funds surrounding naming rights. Neither source is drawn from the general revenue tax base that fund social programs. To suggest otherwise is alarmist to say the least. The NDP is also aware that the BC Place renovations are crucial to the development of soccer in the province. Only two weeks ago, Vancouver was awarded a Major League Soccer team for 2011. The BC Place renovations promised by the current provincial government were overwhelmingly the deciding factor in the bid process. The threat made by Carole James to revoke the renovations could place the future of professional soccer in BC in doubt, and has the potential to choke soccer projects being undertaken in other parts of BC as well. Carole James should also recognize that BC Place is a major economic engine for the citizens of BC. Every event held there pumps millions of dollars into the BC Tourism, Hospitality and Retail industries. It is BC's largest trade and exposition centre, hosting over 200 events every year. And it is also home to the BC Lions, a football team loved by people throughout the province. Without these renovations, it is unlikely British Columbia would be hosting the Grey Cup game in 2011. The global exposure this facility provides for BC is unsurpassed. As citizens, we expect governments to be able to address a host of issues. We expect our governments to provide sustainable healthcare, while still encouraging economic growth in our cities and towns. We expect our governments to help those who are downtrodden, but we also insist that governments allow its working citizens the freedom to build a good quality of life for their families. To say we must choose between these priorities is a false choice, and any party who forces that choice is not capable of governing this province. Friends of Soccer has always been, and continues to be, a non-partisan grassroots movement. We have always supported the efforts of those who help the game in BC, and we've fiercely opposed those who threaten the development of soccer in our province. I'm pleased to say that we've done this regardless of party affiliation. But in this election campaign, we cannot allow the future of soccer in BC to be once again cast into doubt for cheap political gain. It is now up the BC New Democratic Party to make a clear statement committing their party to the BC Place renovations without modification of the current plans or budget. Otherwise, they can be certain that we will not stand idly by in this election campaign. http://friendsofsoccer.blogspot.com/2009/04/friends-of-soccer-objects-to-ndp-anti.html
as a citizen of bc, i watch the ndp scrounging around for election issues that will save them from a humilating defeat in the may provincial elections-- an election that if they had have done a better job of providing an alternative to the reigning despots, the liberals, they had a chance of winning-- picking on soccer and bc place stadium will not garner them a wit of extra support-- they should be trying to rewrite their candidate selection process which is gender, racial and physically biased-- the ndp keep 'shooting themselves in the foot' and then blame the media, etc for their defeats-- ndp= NON-DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Here's a good take on this issue from the local political site City Caucus: "Is Vancouver's MLS Soccer threatened by the provincial opposition?" "Clearly soccer fans have reason for some trepidation. The polls show that with a good bounce the NDP are within reach of forming government. If Carole James is Premier, there's a good chance that pro soccer fans in Metro Vancouver will have to tough it out for a few more years at Swangard Stadium." http://www.citycaucus.com/2009/04/is-vancouvers-mls-soccer-at-threat-from-provincial-opposition#more
The New Dumbocrats make my blood boil. They wasted $465 million dollars in taxpayers' money on the fast ferries, and now they want to cancel renovations to BC Place that would be self-financing and would bring millions of dollars into the local economy? If the renovations are nixed, you can kiss MLS goodbye as well. Get the word out! Vote for soccer! Vote Liberal!
This is what the NPD is trying to run on facebook. I say everyone go say that the stadium is worth it. And the money does not come from the same place damn it http://www.bcndp.ca/haveyoursay
Carole James' campaign office is two blocks from my flat. I'm tempted to go over there and find out what the hell they are on about. Its a fitting location as its right on crackhead road, just down the block from two shelters.
The NDP are great in opposition. They manage (always) to find the one guy or one family who truly is getting screwed over and point this out to the media. Problem is when they actually win, all bets are off. They are like a bull in a China shop. I honestly think they have a Robin Hood persecution which is blame all rich people and give all the money to the poor. Remember that bumbling fool Bob Skelly? or that other halfwit Clark. That Premier Clark guy was one of the things that helped make up my mind to move back to the US. If the people of BC are crazy enough to allow this wack-pack back into office then you deserve them. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of insane idiots in the political field down here, but anyone who thinks BC Place, Expo 86, False Creek would have been accomplished under an NDP government is deluding themselves.
Jim Mullen of CKNW ripped the NDP ads in an editorial yesterday: http://friendsofsoccer.blogspot.com/2009/04/cknw-editorial-slams-both-libs-ndp-on.html
My understanding is that the Vancouver franchise was awarded based on the stadium plan that included the renovations. If the renos don't happen, I can't see MLS allowing them to begin play in 2011.
Before anyone over-reacts the 35 million was wired and is in the MLS coffers as we speak. The contract is not contingent on BC Place stadium but does go over the stadia (spelling correct) requirements. So anyways. I sent the NDP a email via facebook telling them to stay the hell out of the way of progress and I would personally send $2500 bucks to the Liberals, So-Creds, or anyone who can beat them and promissed to spend my vacation nailing signs of any opposition party into yards across Victoria and Vancouver. Clearly they read my message, because I immediately received some verbage about how they "valued my opinion" and would "be closely listening to the suggestions and comments" and then sent me this. Pack of jerks. The only contribution I'll make to them is I will personally head back to BC and register to vote in any tight race or swing district to make my vote count.
They released their platform today, and unexpectedly did not offer an alternative solution to the Stadium, which they rip on Page 27 of the document (Which I would only use to wipe my arse with) They say that: here they are comparing BC Place Stadium, soon to be home to two of the provinces three professional sports teams that generate millions in tourism and spinoff revenue for the province, along with the new Convention Centre, a needed project regardless of how they arrived at it fiscally, to a community centre (municipality run) in a village made up of two municipalties with a combined population of under 3000, which could all be fit in two sections at BC Place stadium. You couldn't dream this stuff up!
I'm a Portland Timbers fan going to school in Langley, I saw these Facebook ads the other day, and made sure to send a nice little letter to the NDP. Having dealt with this crap in Portland for months I figured an act of solidarity was in line.
You must have been the solitary guy at the Porkland v Vancouver game at BLSC that was then joined by the two en route to the Okanagan Beer Festival in Penticton!? You attend TWU right?
The NDP have now officially backed down. Nice how they frame it as a Liberal lie after it was them who started running the anti-stadium ads. Good job everyone! Liberal lie on B.C. Place roof gets a red card April 10, 2009 Feeling heat for their misplaced priorities, the Campbell Liberals are lying about the NDP's position on the B.C. Place roof. Carole James' election platform does include funding to cover the estimated $365 million cost of a retractable roof based on the limited details that the Campbell government has released about the project. We're committed to looking at possible ways to save some money on the project. We will work closely with Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot and president Bob Lenarduzzi to ensure that the Whitecaps are able to use B.C. Place for their inaugural MLS season in 2011. Our platform also allocates significant additional capital money--$100 million--to build soccer fields and other important recreational facilities in communities across B.C. It will create new jobs and benefit thousands of soccer kids and adults who play the game. http://www.bcndp.ca/newsroom/liberal-lie-bc-place-roof-gets-red-card
From Friends of Soccer: (with permission) http://friendsofsoccer.blogspot.com/2009/04/ndp-officially-back-down-on-bc-place.html NDP Officially Back Down on BC Place Attacks Responding to outrage and pressure from the sports community, the BC NDP offically backed down from their attacks on the BC Place renovations. They also made clear that their platform now includes the full $365 million for the renovations, and includes the retractable roof. The NDP have now also clarified that they will spend $100 million for soccer fields and community centres throughout the province if elected. You can read their full statement on the matter here: http://www.bcndp.ca/newsroom/liberal-lie-bc-place-roof-gets-red-card While it's regrettable that the stadium was the target of political attack ads by the NDP, I am satisfied that the New Democrats are now fully committed to this project. But they should know that the pressure they felt on this issue over the past week is just a fraction of what our community can bring on them, or any political party, if they choose to use sport as a political pawn again. The past week has been a testament to what the soccer and sports community can accomplish when we band together. This is a strong win for sport in BC. Regardless of which political party wins in May, they can be certain that the sports community will hold them accountable for their promises, and that we will challenge them when they take action detrimental to sport in our province. Yours in Sport, Bill Currie Friends of Soccer
Awesome. I'd never vote for the NDP anyways after the cluster******** that the 90's were under them but I would have actively campaigned against them if they didn't change their stance on this issue.
Agreed 100 percent. By the way I did get a good message from a guy named Brendan Waters who explained the NDP stance and indicated he was a soccer fan too. At least this guy put some thought into the response and indicated there was some middle ground. Problem is I am now on the NDP list of emails and am now getting (frankly) spam from them. blah blah blah ...............get lost NDP. GO AWAY.
I use to vote NDP during my days in Clearwater...the small town near Kamloops. However, I can't stand the far left anymore than the far right.