From the Fraser Surrey Docks press release:
Fraser Surrey Docks was a fitting background for the official launch of the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR)project on Monday, January 12th 2009, which was attended by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Gordon Campbell along with the provincial Minister of Transportation & Investment, Kevin Falcon, and federal International Trade Minister Stockwell Day.
The governments’ decision to hold the launch at Fraser Surrey Docks clearly demonstrates the importance of our terminal to the Vancouver Gateway, particularly our role in facilitating international trade and commerce, and in creating new economic opportunities for the region.
~snip~
As a new, reliable and efficient transportation corridor, we expect the SFPR to benefit Fraser Surrey Docks and our surrounding communities; to improve travel time for many of our employees; and to enhance our value proposition to customers. The SFPR will also allow cargo to reach its destination more quickly and thus lowering overall transportation costs. In addition, it aids in connecting Fraser Surrey Docks to several industrial hubs including the USA, the Interior of BC and the province of Alberta.
Yes, very fitting indeed, to hold the launch at a facility owned by Macquarie Infrastructure,part of the worldwide conglomerate, the Macquarie Group – a company the BC Liberals have assisted in establishing a solid presence in British Columbia.
By March of 2007, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners had closed on the purchase of 100% of Fraser Surrey Docks, a strategic move on their part to add to the Macquarie groups growing holdings and investment in ports worldwide. Among Macquarie port and shipping holdings?
Halterm in Halifax, Canada, DCT Gdansk in Poland, Changshu Xinghua Port in China, and a joint venture with Hanjin Shipping with operations in Japan, Taiwan and the United States.
In 2008, Macquarie hired Mark Jiles to lobby the government with the sole purpose of promoting P3’s and the Gateway Project. He registered as active with the Lobbyist registry from September 2008 to January 2010, and contacted Partnerships BC in addition to then transportation minister Kevin Falcon, as well as Ian Black, Ida Chong, Mike De Jong,Rich Coleman, Kevin Kruegar and ex finance minister Carole Taylor.
Of course, we know Macquarie tried to but did not succeed in getting the money together for the Port Mann P3 model, however they were kept on as ” advisors”, the details behind this arrangement never made public, on orders of Kevin Falcon, then transportation minister.
As part of the Gateway project, the SFPR will be a vital link for Macquarie as owner of the Fraser Surrey Docks, as well as shipping lines and port terminals in China, and Japan, both targets in the Asia-Pacific market Kevin Falcon still speaks so fondly of.
Mark Jiles certainly must have done his job well…
To be sure, it might be argued that Macquarie stands to profit most from the SFPR,maybe even more than Deltaport, and more than the stealthy developers who have gobbled up land left,right and centre along the route – BC Rail Properties among them.
Making money on both ends and during shipping is a profitable venture not often imagined by any corporation, and certainly the BC liberals have been kind to the Macquarie group in many ways- the Sea to Sky highway, the Port Mann, Duke Point Power Project,Hluey Lakes, Sechelt Creek are but a few examples of their increasing investments in British Columbia. ( I am sure there is more- stay tuned as I delve further into these relationships in a future post)
However, it was none of this that actually struck me as funny when researching the extent to which Macquarie has become comfortable with the BC Liberal Party. In fact it was a message board on the internet that grabbed my attention immediately, because it showed David Bassett as the dinner chairman for a Liberal dinner fundraiser.
I am pleased to bring to your attention our first major election campaignfund raiser, the BC Liberals Fall Dinner on Thursday, November 20, at theExecutive Plaza Hotel and featuring Minister Black as our Keynote Speaker. Wedo expect a sellout, and would be delighted to include you in the evening in a supportive manner.I have attached the order form and invitation for your consideration. Should
you have any questions or wish to know about some of the sponsorship and
auction donation opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail
at falldinner@iainblack.bc.ca, or by calling me at 604-640-0322.Thank you in advance for your support.
Yours truly,
David Bassett, Dinner Chairman
—
The 2008 BC Liberals Fall Dinner
In Support of Re-Electing Hon. Iain Black, MLA
November 20, 2008, The Executive Plaza Hotel (Coquitlam)
Hosts: The Port Moody-Coquitlam Riding Association
Contact: Dave Bassett, Dinner Chairman, 604-640-0322
May mean nothing to you, but that contact number? It belongs to Macquarie Private Wealth. where Dave Bassett is an investment advisor…
Certainly, we are all entitled to our political leanings…but…the relationship is notable. A BC Liberal supporter, fundraiser, working for a Macquarie subsidiary dealing with wealth management…
As is this one… Matt Ilich, an investment associate with Macquarie Private Wealth who worked as a constituency assistant for soon departed premier, Gordon Campbell…
Macquarie has strategically placed itself in many sectors at risk for privatisation if the BC Liberals continue to govern this province – highways, hydro and other energy resources as the IPP projects on the coast.
The Liberals have repetitively shown us (whether Campbell,Kevin Falcon and now Christy Clark), that the relationship between government and big business does indeed thrive in the dark.
On the eve of a new premier being selected for British Columbia in a way already riddled with contentious allegations, what will it take for the people of British Columbia to say enough is enough and turn the light on, once and for all ?
Westcoast Views with Laila Yuile 
Bravo!!!
Now you are into my area of interest.
The sooner the BC electorate can get their heads into this aspect of politics the sooner there will be a loud and impossible to ignore demand for accountability!
LikeLike
Who’d of thunk it!!! All this going on around me as I strived (strove?) to eke out a modest income. I believe a large country such as Canada needs immigration and investment (both intellectual and financial) but I never imagined giving away the farm to the extent that our esteemed leaders have.
Maybe we need some Egyptian and Libyan immigrants to straighten this place out. And I’m pretty sure an HONEST Public Inquirey into the BC Rail Giveaway would put part of the problem out of circulation for awhile.
Oh for the days pre-internet. At least (most of us) were oblivious to the ‘management’ of our resources. I hope our realization of what has been going is not too late!
LikeLike
yes they are John…lol but for some reason the first two went into spam, the last one took… I fixed it all up properly, I think!
LikeLike
This government is sooo corrupt, it’s totally beyond comprehension. They have obviously been planning this since Gordo took over the LIbERalS in 1994. To believe this all took place the last few years is unimaginable. This was well thought out and preplanned. What a bunch of despicable despots!
LikeLike
Now it is! The genesis of my last (unpublished) comment was that we should welcome financial and intellectual immigration. It should not be neccessary to ‘sell the farm’ in order to attract the Australians. Also some muttering about how I can’t believe all this was going around me while a strove? to eke out an honest income.
And then I said “Maybe we should attract some Egyptian and Libyan immigrants” to provide the backbone we pushovers are.
Then I said that if we had an HONEST Public Inquirey into the BC Rail Giveaway perhaps a number of the problems might be put out of circulation for a while.
Of course, I said it much more eloquently the first time. These thoughtful, cogent comments don’t come easily these days. I’m no AGT!!
LikeLike
There is no question in my mind, that Campbell was working under direction from someone or some organization. He did start out as a very willing “saboteur” but ended up being a big liability – to both the party, the “whoever” and to British Columbia as a whole.
Campbell didn’t just decide to resign – he was forced to. Whether it was the BC Liberal party or someone else – we will probably never know.
This whole scenario is much too big and complex to be just one person (Campbell) and far too involved for the BC Liberal party members (who currently cannot even organize their own election – duh !). Given their propensity to “fabricate the truth” to suit their own purposes, it is going to be an uphill battle finding out anything.
Keep up the good work Laila – you have got us all hooked ! I am glad the BC Liberals are unable to work with the same thoroughness and professionalism – we really would be in deep trouble then.
Thanks
LikeLike
Thank you workforfun….
A very good question would be…. who makes up the bulk of Macquarie Private Wealth clients? Far too cosy, far too close connections with the Liberals and Campbell with this wing of Macquarie.
I will have more for you on this,but I would like to remind readers that tips and whistleblowers are the lifeblood of independent writers like myself. What may seem inconsequential to you, may be a missing link to me. Any information is good information that can be sent via my secure contact page above! Remember, we are all Egyptians!
LikeLike
Sounds like McQuarrie is taking a page from from MO the Carlyle Group (who has teamed up with McQuarrie on aquisition of Redflex).
LikeLike
I read this quote in a newspaper over a decade ago, back in the day when the media actually did it’s job.
“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”
–Reinhold Niebuhr
LikeLike
Sharing a page from the PG citizen , my hometown paper who asked me to comment on Falcon. http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/article/20110225/PRINCEGEORGE0107/302259941/is-falcon-39-s-focus-on-the-north-enough
Gotta love how and where they make the cuts in the interview- the first line almost makes it appear as if I think he is a good leader… because the part where I stated ” but his agenda is not in the publics best interest ” was not included. But not bad overall.
And for those who have emailed about the CBC spots, I don’t have links to them but the French CBC newscast aired Monday Feb 21 at 6pm, and the CBC evening news at 6pm on Wednesday the 23rd.
Talking about leaders, who do you think will take the Liberal leadership?
LikeLike
This is a very disturbing post that needs to be well distributed and I will send you more information as to why so much secrecy is involved in these projects.
Thank you for your service to this province.
LikeLike
Speaking of secrecy, what if they don’t tell us the results of todays vote? After all, they haven’t been very forthcoming on the BC Rail Giveaway.
Imagine, if we didn’t know who the new Premier was we wouldn’t be able to pin anything on him/her! What a plan!
LikeLike
Campbell has been working behind the BC citizens backs for years. When he resigned, he said he would be around for quite some time, and would continue on with his work. Campbell’s work, was always dirty work. He blatantly worked for the other #@%%^&, Harper. I know there is going to be some more, underhanded schemes appearing. I’m going to wait, and see if I am right. Don’t forget, Campbell lied twice, to be re-elected. And, Harper is a snake in the grass too. He and Campbell have been in cahoots all along, and the big picture, I am sure we will see, before too long.
LikeLike
HJW,
Campbell has done nothing but lie – he lied in 1996, in 2001 and everyday day since. He still continues to lie – he is just evil person who does not deserve all the patronizing BS he has received.
They say, what goes round, comes around – let’s hope so ‘cos there is a huge long list waiting.
Whatever it takes to get the BC Liberals out – they lied to get ia and they lied to hold onto power.
Bad news all around.
Thank you
LikeLike
Good article, as usual Laila.
It seems big business calls the shots, all over the globe, and the anger is spreading. Even in Bolivia, the miners set off, two charges of T.N.T. The President left the mine post haste. Though, the Bolivian President, was smart enough to kick, the big U.S.A. mining conglomerates, out of Bolivia. That’s what every country needs to do, get rid of these huge corporations. They are going to be, every country’s worst enemy. As we see in BC, all of our assets and natural resources, do not benefit the people, but benefit these greedy corporations. Banks, mines, large corporations, gas and oil company’s, are given billions of our tax dollars. They also get huge tax reductions. I watched that motion pass, to do so, on the House of Commons channel. They are now getting another reduction. That big business reduction, will come off our paychecks, to make up for this latest theft, from the citizens. Even BC’s HST was designed for big business. BC as a province of natural resources, the HST does squat for the people. Besides, our HST was given to Harper, who is busy giving Canada away. Huge corporations, do govern the world. Politicians are merely figureheads, who force the citizens to give more to, the big guys. Other country’s see this, and the people are rebelling. Canadian citizens say, please take more, take more, of our pay. BC is the most corrupt province in Canada. We finally took, that award away from Quebec. BC also did the worst, of all of the western provinces, because of the HST. All of the provinces with the HST, failed the worst. Campbell must be proud, BC has the highest cost of living, and the lowest wages, and is the most corrupt. What a legacy he left!!!!
LikeLike
“The incestuous relationship between government and big business ……
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
LikeLike
Fascinating expose of Liberal crimes and the Macquarie group.
Have the NDP ever raised this issue in public, or in the Legislature?
Have the NDP opposed this ongoing crime, or published any information about it?
Is there any NDP member or leadership hopeful who will make this a front and center issue?
I see nothing but silence from them? Why?
LikeLike
Congratulations are in order, as the Falcons wings are clipped.Mike,this has never been raised in the legislature, and not likely to be. The NDP are far too interested in furthering their own union and labour driven agenda.Ask Jim S.
LikeLike
Withheld, I can’t attest to your comment but I certainly would hope the NDP are looking into these connections, they are welcome to my research should they care to followup.
Mike, I know there are NDP MLA’s who have been bringin these issues up for some time – Delta’s Guy Gentner is the most informed on P3’s and the involvement and connection between these companies and I know he has raised the issue many times. Sometimes what we feel is important as citizens is not always heeded or put into action by those who represent us.
LikeLike
A search with startpage, and with google yields ZERO hits when these are put in:
” Guy Gentner, Delta, NDP, Macquarie, shadow tolls.”
It is impossible for the NDP to avoid these massive privatization crimes as they do by accident, incompetence, or ineptness. They have obviously made a calculated decision to ignore these Liberal crimes. Why?
To continually portray one party as the problem while giving the other one a free pass is not heeding the basic facts about politics in BC.
The Libs are the openly corrupt reich wing party tasked with leading the way on transferring the wealth and birthright of BC residents to corporate pigs.
The fake opposition party (NDP) who pretend to stand for the little people create the illusion of democracy and keep people quiet.
This con game which is destroying British Columbia needs corrupt media to keep it going.
LikeLike
Mike, Steve, I was just on Guy’s show a couple weeks ago talking about this, and it was not the first time. As with the avoidance of the local large press towards the shadow toll story I broke, one is only as effective as the media will allow- it was Mark Hume who took my story and gave it national attention. Guy is very much on many of the Liberal schemes and was also the only MLA to my knowledge, to question Falcon in the Leg with regards to the land deals I recently wrote about. Give credit where credit is due- he takes on a wealth of issues others have not and has been a big supporter of my work as have other independent media.
It is a mystery as to why the NDP did not take on the shadow toll story as an issue.A reporter I know said when the NDP were asked to comment,they wanted to wait until they did some FOI’s…. don’t know what happened with that, and never heard anything else about it. I have sent requests to a couple of NDP MLA’s for comments and their stance on P3’s,shadow tolls etc. and have not received acknowledgement or comment from any, so having Guy address the issue on his show, on his site, etc, is commendable.
Madashell, you beat me to the punch – I was just preparing a post about this, but you have now saved me the time…lol. and this week, that is appreciated!
Yes indeed, the fine is a very large one, is it not, and an interesting story as well behind it. Definately a must read link,one wonders what would make someone chance a transanction like this…and fail to heed the regulations.
And again most interesting that a Macquarie Private wealth advisor is actively involved in Ian Blacks riding and has organized fundraisers for him.
LikeLike
Interesting take on Macquarie Private Wealth. MPW acquired Blackmont in 2009. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Macquarie-Completes-Acquisition-of-Blackmont-Capital-ASX-MQG-1096641.htm
My question is, why would they buy Blackmont when it was under investigation of IIROC, found guilty in 2010, and penalized in 2011 for:
‘. . . found that Blackmont and Mr. Duke had violated IIROC rules when they:
participated in an arrangement which involved payment of commissions to a third party who acted as an “external asset manager” for banks resident in either Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and who placed orders in the accounts of seven clients. Blackmont and Mr. Duke did not disclose this arrangement to these clients, which constitutes business conduct detrimental to the public interest, contrary to IIROC Rule 29.1 (formerly IDA By-law 29.1) and IIROC Rule 29.6 (formerly IDA By-law 29.6); and
effected trades in four client accounts based on third-party instructions without having a written trading authorization, contrary to IIROC Rule 200.1(i)(3) [formerly IDA Regulation 200.1(i) (3)].’
and
‘The panel also found that Blackmont engaged in business conduct detrimental to the public interest, contrary to IIROC Rule 29.1, when it failed to meet the requirements of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Regulations by failing to obtain the following documentation for certain client accounts: . . ‘ http://www.advisor.ca/news/industry-news/iiroc-sets-penalty-against-blackmont-capital-duke-12907
LikeLike
Guy Gentner in Google generates 578,000 hits.
Delta 197,000,000
NDP 6,260,000
Macquarie 10,500,000
shadow tolls 8,270,000
all 4 phrases -Guy Gentner, Delta, NDP, Macquarie, shadow tolls – 40
LikeLike
You might want to check into Klein’s Alberta rat pack. They schooled Campbell and his crew after their initial election. Campbell had them as advisors and Campbell and his crew learned well.
McQuarrie has large positions in many Alberta P3’s and has also partnered with AIMCO (Alberta Investment Management Corp – responsible for virtually all public investment dollars) on many of those projects. I am not certain who got into bed with McQuarrie first, but both provinces jumped in without a condom.
I would very much like to keep updated on your investigations.
LikeLike
[…] “The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.” ~Jack And…. March 1st, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment | […]
LikeLike
March 3, 2011
Foreign trade zones being considered for province.
The BC government is mulling whether to declare parts of the province “Foreign trade zone.”
A Feb 22 request for proposals seeks a consultant to gauge the feasibility of designated areas where foreign goods can be stored duty and tax free before being shipped elsewhere.
BC markets itself as Canada’s Pacific Gateway, but the tendering document says “Visiting foreign delegations and numerous port-related companies have commented on the lack of foreign trade zones in BC.
Canada offers some incentives and breaks for importers and exporters, but is only FTZs are Centerport Canada in Winnipeg and Newfoundland gander airport. Both offer transport, manufacture and distribution and warehouse services
Global Container Terminals Canada leads a steering committee that wants $5 million from taxpayers over five years to run a Metro Vancouver FTZ agency.
The committee includes, CN CP. Port Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Airport authority and airports in Toronto, Montréal, Halifax and Winnipeg.
IT wouldn’t be isolated to one area, GCT Canada preside Eric Waltz said. “We would like to do a model or run a prototype in one area that can show it can be successful.”
The 298 member National Association of Foreign Trade Zones includes FTZs in Bellingham, Everett, Seattle and Tacoma Washington.
1. Taxpayers should not be paying ($5 million) private companies to run/provide their business.
2. SFPR = LAND by the port = real estate.
3. CN first on the list.
4. Is this what it all boils down to? (BC Rail)
Laila, what do you think?
LikeLike
OK, since no one has commented on it, I will.
What kind of pose is Pinochio displaying? Did the wind up key in his back fall out, or
is he just an automaton preparing to gesture or speak????????
LikeLike
Couple of points on this excellent article.
It’s journalism. Where are the Journalists? They are all reporters now; fleshy speaking tubes for the Government.
P3 is a very, very slippery slope. The merger of State, or government in this case, with corporations is not capitalism. Benito Mussilli called it Facsism. What we are doing is socializing debts/costs while privatizing profits which help with campaign contributions/bribes.
National strategic infrastructure is not for sale. Period. I feel it is treasonous for ANY level of goverment to do so. Not worried though. When, not if, we get statesmen (and stateswomen?) back in charge we just nationalize these stratigic assests back. The off-shore coporations can pound salt.
Gordo and Madame Premier are both working to the same plan. I feel it is the Chicago School of Economics as postulated by Milton Friedman, now found in his own level of Hades. Deregulation, privitization, P3s, Crony capitalism, and shifting the tax burden and destruction of the social safety net are some of the aspects of this form of neo-fuedalism. Read Naimo Klien’s excellent book THE SHOCK DOCTRINE to see this plan in action in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Russia Poland and many other ravaged countries. It took these nations about a generation to recover. Learn to garden in the interim.
LikeLike
FYI, Macquarie is in the process of selling their Wealth Management retail operation in Canada, http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/9/10/Richardson-GMP-buys-Macquaries-Canadian-wealth-management-unit.aspx
LikeLike