Campbell's plan to televise economic statement draws criticism

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell's plan to deliver a specialtelevised economic statement Wednesday can be seen as the Liberals' unofficial kick-off to a long campaign leading up to the May provincial election, says one political analyst.

Campbell is trying to assert himself as a leader by broadcasting his announcement live via the legislative TV channel, said Dennis Pilon, assistant professor of political science at the University of Victoria.

The legislature is currently not in session because in September, Campbell's Liberal government cancelled the fall sitting that was to begin Oct. 6.

"This kind of throws down the gauntlet. It says, 'I'm the premier. I've got something to say. I'm going to do it at six o'clock during the news hour, and you're either going to cover me or not,' which then creates a problem for the various broadcasters," Pilon said.

CBC News in Vancouver will not broadcast the premier's statement live but will first determinewhether it warrants news coverage.

Opposition leader Carole James of the New Democrats said Campbell should call back the legislature immediately.

"It is typical arrogance of Gordon Campbell, who believes he can treat the legislature like his private club [and] he can treat the media like his private media," James said Tuesday.

The next sitting of the legislature is scheduled for February, when the Liberals will introduce their final budget before the May 2009 election.

James said Campbell isn't taking the economic issues facing the B.C. economy seriously.

"If he did, he'd be back here in the legislature," James said. "He thinks he can take a little bit of time on TV, address the issue and then forget about it again."

The premier's statement will be carried live on the internet and on the legislative channel at 6:15 p.m. The government did not buy any airtime on network TV.

Campbell said Monday that British Columbians deserve to know both the strengths and challenges of the economy that they're facing.

"I'd like to have the opportunity to lay out for them some of the steps we can take that will get us through this difficult time and get us onto even better times in the future," he said.

He rejected the idea of deficit financing in the provincial budget.