B.C. Premier Christy Clark has apologized for a leaked document that revealed the Liberal party’s strategy to woo ethnic voters, and promised a review will be launched into its creation.
The Multicultural Strategy Action Plan, released Wednesday by the Opposition New Democrats, details tactics used to court the ethnic community involving Clark’s office, the multiculturalism ministry, the government caucus and the Liberal party.
“I want to sincerely apologize to British Columbians,” Clark said in a statement. “The document did not recognize there are lines that cannot be crossed in conducting this outreach and it is unacceptable. The language in this draft document and some of the recommendations are absolutely inappropriate.”
Clark said she will ask her deputy minister to review to ensure no government resources were inappropriately used in the creation of the strategy.
Further actions may be taken when the review is complete, she added.
The 17-page document was sent by Clark’s deputy chief of staff Kim Haakstad to the personal email addresses of eight people, including Pamela Martin, in January 2012.
It cites eight strategy components, including election readiness, community engagement and “quick wins.”
The quick wins component involves building political capital in ethnic communities by taking what will be perceived as thoughtful and caring actions.
That includes identifying and correcting historical wrongs, such as the May 2008 Liberal apology to the Indo-Canadian community for the Komagata Maru incident, the documents state.
The May 1914 incident involved a charter ship with 376 that arrived in Vancouver from India. Canadian immigration officials refused to allow the passengers to disembark, and the ship remained anchored for two months before returning to Calcutta. When it arrived home, a riot erupted and 20 people died.
The Liberals’ leaked strategy also included plans to outflank the NDP in its approach to handling the ethnic media, with the objective to “match and then exceed the B.C. NDP’s ethnic media efforts in a place of importance equal to that of the so-called mainstream media.”
The document also includes several references to tailoring government and Liberal news to the ethnic media, ensuring there is proper translation.
Use of taxpayer resources for political purposes is forbidden.
"I've been in this House almost 20 years," said New Democrat MLA Mike Farnworth said in question period Thursday following Clark's apology. "I don't think I've ever seen a government as humbled or humiliated in this fashion."
With files from The Canadian Press
