” The Kinsella Connection” – It’s no secret that Patrick Kinsella is one of Gordon Campbell’s closest friends…

Posted on by Laila

having co-chaired the Liberals’ 2001 and 2005 campaigns.
 
A wonderful bit of work has come my way from a very keen source, that I would like to share with you – it’s a detailed look at Patrick Kinsella’s dealings.
Forgive the format- wordpress isn’t always the best in this area…
 
Patrick Kinsella’s consulting firm Progressive Group has made millions closing lucrative deals between government and private industry.
 
According to his own estimate, Kinsella’s clients have raked in more than $2 billion in government deals.
 
The NDP have long been calling for an independent investigation into Kinsella’s lobbyist activities and contracts with government.
The details below connects various dealings between Progressive Group’s clientele to lobbying work with the Campbell government and in some cases, donations to the B.C. Liberal Party.
The format for this information is listed sequentially in the following order:
Progressive Group Clientele
Lobbying timeline
Progressive Group Lobbying Work
Result
Donations to the B.C. Liberals
 
Accenture
A global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company.
Lobbying timeline: Jan. 2003 – Jan. 2008 – Progressive hired to promote and educate the B.C. government on the benefits of outsourcing a # of B.C. Hydro government services.
Result: Accenture wins a $1.5-billion take over of B.C. Hydro office functions. Accenture donated $500.00 between 2005-2008

Alcan
Alcan B.C. is part of the global operations of Alcan Inc. and produces primary aluminium for Pacific Rim customers.
Lobbying timeline : – The Progressive Group was contacted by Alcan “to promote and educate the provincial government on the value of allowing Alcan to increase the size of its smelter operation in Kitimat B.C.”
Result: Kinsella’s lobbying resulted in a plan that meant job losses for Kitimat and a deal for Alcan from the BC Liberals that was so generous the B.C. Utilities Commission had to intervene on behalf of consumers. No record of donations
 
B.C. Motion Picture Production Industry Association
Lobbying timeline: March 2005 – 2007 – Progressive contracted by the B.C. Motion Picture Production Industry Association to convince the Provincial government to extend foreign tax credits.
Result: Despite the Campbell government’s stated opposition to business subsidies, extended the foreign tax credit – and the B.C. Motion Picture Production Industry Association receives $65 million in provincial tax breaks.
North Shore Studios’ Paul Clausen and Peter Leitch, donated $9,375 between 2005-2008
 
B.C. Rail
Lobbying timeline : Aug. 2001 to Sept. 2005 – B.C. Rail paid Progressive Group $297,567 to provide strategic advice to the President, BOD and Chair.
Result:To be determined….
Patrick Kinsella and the Progressive Group donated a total of $126,085.50 between 2001 and 2005.
 
Bechtel
Engineering, construction, and project management.
Lobbying timeline: Spring 2006 – Record of meeting in 2006 between Special Advisor Ken Dobell and Patrick Kinsella. The meeting is notated as Canfor-Bechtel.
Result: Hired by Bechtel to assist with plans to win a government transportation contract, namely the Port Mann/Hwy 1 Project .No record of donations
 
Brooksfield Lepage Johnson Controls
BLJC deals in workplace management services for real estate portfolios.
Lobbying timeline: Dec. 2003 – FOI documents reveal that Progressive arranged meetings between BLJC in its capacity as the government of B.C.’s facility manager and Washington businesses seeking facility management business.
Result: Awarded 5 year contract in 2003 as B.C. Buildings Corporation\’s (BCBC) outsource provider of property management services.
Brookfield Asset Management donated $51,400 between 2001-2008
 
Canadian National Railway
Unknown Documents relating to the BC Rail corruption trial suggest that Kinsella was working for CN as well as BC Rail during the brokering of the sale of BC Rail to CN.
CN donated $166,085 between 2001 and 2005. CN, and principal officer David McLean, are consistent BC Liberal Party donors, and have donated outside this time period as well.
 
Canfor Forest Products
Forest Products Company based in Vancouver, B.C.
Lobbying timeline: Jan. 2004 – Jan. 2007 – Progressive contracted to assist Canfor with the Provincial government in regards to complex softwood lumber issues. Record of meeting in 2006 between Special Advisor Ken Dobell and Patrick Kinsella. The meeting is notated as Canfor-Bechtel.
Result: Progressive describe the outcome of their work as “The Canadian and United States governments settle long disputed softwood lumber deal.”
Canfor donated $363,927 between 2001 and 2008.
 
Chief Development Company
Lobbying timeline: Sept. 2005 to March 2006 – Progressive contracted to convince the Township of Langley and B.C. govt to invest in a $30 million Private Public Partnership for the development of a new spectator ice arena.
Result: Secured $25 million dollars Nov. 2006 to build the spectator arena.
$5,170.00 donated between 2001 – 2008.
 
Clean Energy
A California-based public company that provides natural gas for transportation.
Lobbying timeline: 2005 Progressive contracted to promote Clean Energy as a provider of natural gas for transportation.
Result: In July 2007 Clean Energy won a contract to upgrade certain TransLink fueling stations and fuel demonstration vehicles. No record of donations.
 
Gaming
John Les’ calendar reveals that on Feb 9, 2006 Kinsella and Tom Nellis of Playtime met with the then Solicitor General along with other community gaming industry players.
The BC Liberals’ massive expansion of gambling is in part due to its policy decision to allow small town bingo halls to be transformed into mini-casinos with slots or “community gaming centres” .
A Public Eye investigation found that the B.C. Liberals accepted over a quarter of a million dollars worth of hidden gaming donations between 2002 and 2007.
 
ING Insurance
ING Canada is a provider of property and casualty insurance in Canada.
Lobbying timeline: April 11, 2007 – Calendar for then-Solicitor General John Les states meeting between Kinsella and an ING Canada Inc. executive at the premier’s Vancouver office.
The topic of the meeting: “polling info” specifically related to ICBC. ING corporate communications VP Gilles Gratton was unable to say what kind of work Kinsella was doing for the company, “The only thing I can tell you is we’ve used the services of his firm on a number of occasions…”
Donated $15,400 between 2005 to 2008
 
Liquor
Lobbying timeline: 2005 – Kinsella and partner Mark Jiles have had meetings with the Solicitor General on behalf of private liquor interests. In addition, Kinsella was a Liquor Barn Income Fund trustee and director with Liquor Barn GP Inc. According to a directors’ circular dated April 25, 2006, Kinsella owned 2,500 fund shares, with an option for a further 5,000.
Result: Between 2002 and 2006, the BC Liberal government has repeatedly made policy changes beneficial to the private liquor industry, including two increases increase in the wholesale discount between March 2005 and January 2006.
Received $150,000 during the 2005 election campaign from the private liquor sector
 
Orca Creative
A Washington State company that deals in trade show exhibits.
Lobbying timeline: 2005-2008 Kinsella and Jiles work with Orca Creative Group to win a contract with the B.C. Government’s Olympic Secretariat – successfully circumventing the Bid Book requirement for BC businesses to get 2010 contracts Orca Creative scored a lucrative 2010 contract in the summer of 2006.
No record of donations
 
Payday Lenders/ Cash Store Financial
Lobbying Timeline: Spring of 2007 – In May of 2007,Kinsella had meetings with John Les, noted in the Solicitor General’s calendar as “payday lenders”. Cash Store Financial VP Michael Thompson said about Kinsella’s work: “He was just basically bringing [John Les] up to speed on what our position was with respect to the regulation of payday loans in the province of British Columbia.” Asked if that was lobbying Thompson said, “Correct.”
Result: The Campbell government’s payday loans bill included a promise to consult with the industry on the regulations.In 2007, Cash Store Financial sent a letter to Ontario payday lenders claiming success in “blocking” that BC’s legislative effort. Michael Thompson has since clarified this remark, saying the use of the term “block” wasn’t appropriate.
National Money Mart donated $10,600 between 2005-2008
 
Plutonic Power
Plutonic Power currently develops run-of-river hydroelectric projects in British Columbia.Plutonic communications director Elisha McCallum has confirmed that Kinsella provides the company’s vice-chairman and CEO with “high level strategic advice on public policy.” Result: B.C. Hydro Corp. offered Plutonic an energy purchase agreement for its East Toba River and Montrose Creek project in July 2006.
Plutonic donated $50,956 between 2005 and 2008
Rabanco
Washington State Allied Waste company. Rabanco accepts garbage from Whistler, Powell River and Maple Ridge.
Lobbying Timeline: Fall of 2005 – Progressive contracted by Rabanco to pursue the long-term waste disposal business of the replacement of the Cache Creek Landfill. Progressive reports work in November 2006 as “ongoing”.
Result: Metro Vancouver board approved an interim solution to allow Rabanco to manage 600,000 tonnes of garbage a year from Metro Vancouver in March 2008. Pending approval by province No record of donations
Sun Micro Systems
Develops technologies for the global marketplace.
Lobbying Timeline: 2002 – Progressive contracted to work on business development objectives with the B.C. government.
Result: Selected to develop and implement the Provincial Laboratory Information Solution and the Electronic Health Record system as components of B.C.’s eHealth strategy. Donated $16,655 between 2001 – 2008.

Jan. 2005– Jan. 2006

20 thoughts on “” The Kinsella Connection” – It’s no secret that Patrick Kinsella is one of Gordon Campbell’s closest friends…”

    1. Sal, I’ve been hearing a lot about what the NDP has done in the past. ” The NDP ruined us once, they’ll do it again.” Might have been true once, and to be sure, the possiblity does exist that it could happen again if they are elected. However, the NDP is pretty damn open about their union support, and no one denies it. Campbell, on the other hand, will have his hands in every cookie jar that’s open, his mouth full of cookies, and he will still look you in the eye and tell you he doesn’t have any cookies and he doesn’t know what you are talking about.

      If we stay with our current leader, he will continue to sell of every little bit of our province, piece by piece, to the US and other countries, with his fingers crossed behind his back and a big smarmy smile on his face. Maybe you are ok with that, but personally, I’ll take my chances with the NDP, and I think much of the province feels the same way. I love this province and what British Columbians have worked hard for, and I don’t want to see anymore of it handed over with such eagerness to whomever scratches Campbell’s back in the most satisfying matter. How many announcements has he made in the last two weeks to address all the shortcomings of his tenure? A million there, a million here, another couple hundred thousand right now…. and today, hes over at the Vaisakhi celebrations shaking hands and making happy noises at the South Asian community the BC Liberals are so fond of referring to as the Block Vote.

      Sal, I would be very curious to hear what you think about the BC Rail/ Basi-Virk hearings. And what you think of the Premiers continual refusal to answer the many unanswered questions about Kinsella.

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  3. Parties are all the same. They all have scandals, doe heads and the like. they all try and cover their ass. Take a bigger view past the crap they each give you every day. Its free enterprise or everything with the government hands on it. We spend too much time checking out the trees while we ignore the forest.

    As for the yearly V parade why would a politician miss that? A number of years ago there was a big to do about Hawaii been owned by the Japanese. Lots of politics and what happened?

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    1. Well Sal, by your rationale that ” Parties are all the same,” then it really shouldn’t matter if we all head over to the NDP, right? Because it’s just the same s**t, different pile…

      I wonder why then, after going back and reviewing some of your previous posts, it sounds as if you support the Libs…I mean, if there is no difference between the two, why not give the NDP a go?

      Aside from choosing left or right, what solution would you have?

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  4. I am a free enterprise kinda guy. I dont like too much government in my business. The NDP likes to get hands on with everything. The socialist mentality that they can control everything to everybodies benefit. The government cant run crap properly and without a ton of people. example I didnt like the idea that you tell me what gender will be my rep. i will decide that on who i think is best. Forced quotas is bs.

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  6. Wow, all of you are giving a single person, this Patrick Kinsella, a lot of credit! Maybe he should run for Premier because apparently nothing gets done here in BC without him on board.
    We need to cut the conspiracy theories, something the NDP is very good at creating – myth and speculation.
    Lobbying isn’t new to BC. Do you really think that there wouldn’t be lobbing my unions if the tables were turned? And when did it become frowned upon in a democracy for goodness sakes, to contribute to political parties? This is how the game works. Deal with it.

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    1. You are right ” Ann”, Lobbying is not new to BC, in fact it’s part and parcel of politics.

      Where and when the issues arise -and where Gordon Campbell has failed to deliver on his promises- is when someone fails to register as a lobbyist, or when they fail to report who they contacted and why. There needs to be certain accepted protocals and guidelines set for lobbyists, and consequences when they fail to heed those protocals. The fact remains that Gordon Campbell has failed to address those issues in the spring session as he promised he would. How in the world can he continue to allow a lobbyist registry that has no ability to sanction or hold its registrants accountable? One might say the reason he failed to handle this mess was because it works in his favor not to, no?

      As for Patrick Kinsella, I think you know the issues surrounding his activities and his reputation, Ann. I think he really doesn’t need to run for premier, he seems to be getting more done in his current postition as premiers friend… Then again, if he ran, he would be under even more scrutiny, wouldn’t he?

      And as for political contributions ? Not illegal at all, but it certainly helps to grease the wheel. Amazing how some companies manage to donate vast amounts and suddenly seem to get contracts and deals down the road.. whereas those companies who do not donate – don’t. That’s also politics. Deal with it.

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  7. Why would you give contacts to companies and individuals who did not vote for you? Its like electing a non governing party candidate and then expect the ruling party to shower your constituency with new roads.

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  8. [quote]Why would you give contacts to companies and individuals who did not vote for you? [\quote]
    I don’t know what they call that where you come from, but where I come from it’s called corruption. Democracy means governments govern for all the citizens, not just the ones you like.
    But thanks for clearly illustrating the standard operating procedure for the BC Liberals.

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  9. Not only the BC Liberals, but the BC NDP, and the federal parties as well. Little Glen never patronized his supporters did he? This all comes as a surprise to you?? No special legislation favoring the unions? Puhleese.

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  11. I don’t understand the overlying issue here. So it costs money to bring in the best consultants in Canada who have been successful installing eheath records elsewhere. That’s a shock? That’s a scandal?

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  13. Hey Sal,
    Would I be judging or assuming that your name indicates you just arrived off the boat?
    Let’s assume you have and give you a little history lesson.
    1) The last ndp party left a budget surplus.
    2) The last ndp party gave public servants (ok, ok, unions geez whiz) less of a salary increase than the current short term government
    3) The ndp party brought in icbc so your wet behind the ear kids could afford to purchase insurance for the fancy car you bought them.
    4) Way back when the federal ndp party brought in universal health care so that EVERBODY regardless of their lot in life had access to health care.
    5) The ndp party brought in the ALR so you could purchase local produce that hasn’t been sprayed with weird cancer causing chemicals.oh, here’s a good one: prevent flooding cause there is lots of soil on dat der farm.Soil soaks up water.
    Sal, my pal, there is a lot more raping and pillaging under a capitalist government than under a socially responsible government.A socially responsible government made it possible for immigrants to come to our shores, but a capitalist government will take advantage of said immigrant’s lack of historical knowledge by convincing them that socialism is bad.Take a look around you. So much of what is enjoyed in terms of safety nets was brought to you buy a socially responible government.Where else could a aged senior receive old age security only to have never paid into it? Where else could a newly arrived immigrant receive a helping hand in terms of money?
    It is very possible to make socialism responsible, and the ndp have more times than not achieved just that.
    Nobody is perfect mind you and the Leiberals have proven just that.
    Being a business man does not make one legitmate, being a socially responsible business man who believes in a sustainable future is a business man I would like work hard for. I will not work hard for a business man who treats the future as something he or she wants to suck dry and leave the bill for someone else to pay for.
    We aren’t viruses who seek out to destroy the host.
    Stop bending over for the fear mongering, Sal. Take the time to delve into our history. You will be surprised at what you uncover.
    So there you have it Sal, my pal. End of lessons-for now.

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  14. I guess, if I was to ask a question, it would be; So, now what?

    What can we do to stop this illegal financing of political (liberal) parties pockets with money in order to secure lucrative jobs or contracts?

    How do we take these bastards to court and put them behind bars where they belong?
    Basi and Virk should never have received (sorry to digress here) the @home sentences they were given.
    The fact that the judge did not think them capable of paying off the 6million dollar bill they were legally on the hook for, did not order them to liquidate their assets or anything, meanwhile I’m on disability pension and they have no problem giving me fines and throwing me in jail for failure to pay them, doesn’t that seem a bit… biased?

    It’s obviously a two-tiered system, if you have, you don’t have to worry. Have nots have lots of worry.

    I’m so angry and it’s such a bad time of year for that feeling, being Christmas and all.
    I’m angry because I feel helpless, cut-off and indignant because the government is more interested in their personal betterment (and those of their close buddies) than that of it’s citizens.

    Politics has turned into a money system, something that it should be far distanced from.

    I think lobbying, with the intent to “purchase” contracts or support by “donating” to a government agency, should be outlawed.
    One should be elected to post by peers and merit rather than the buddy-system and graft.

    I really hope the NDP can straighten out this mess, but then again, they are human and prone to failure and bribes.
    Money talks, the rest stand in line for welfare.

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  15. They sold my communitty a prison because a prison pays union wage. Thet sold us a prison in Lumby because the union benfits mean comfort – your guests seem to be saying that everyone hates unions. I don’t think that’s at all the case – at least not for the average jo.

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  16. Why am I not surprised to see this on your site and no one elses? I am sharing everywhere. You have provided such a diverse commentary with passion and facts on so many issues. Thank you, for what you do, and why you care. Considering the recent liquor shenanigans, this is important background! She is just like Gordo!!!

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    1. Well thank you Rr for reminding me that the more things change,the more they stay the same..lol.. kudos to you for finding this previous posting! Rerun credited to you! ( Sometimes it is good to get a reminder of what you have covered before… in particular since Christy has tried so hard to distance herself from Campbell, but has kept all the same players in essence!

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