Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth offered up a master class last Friday on how not to go about revealing what he described in his preamble as 鈥渙ne of the most difficult decisions鈥� he鈥檚 had to make as B.C.鈥檚 solicitor general and 鈥渁lso one of the most important.鈥�

This of course refers to his presser concerning his long, long 鈥� did we mention long? 鈥� awaited decision on whether 性视界传媒 should stick with the RCMP as its police of jurisdiction or continue to forge ahead with the 性视界传媒 Police Force.

READ ALSO: Premier David Eby says 性视界传媒 policing debate has 鈥榞one on too long鈥�

This of course was expected in January, after four years of community infighting and a denied call for a referendum on the issue. Rather than put the matter to rest, on Jan. 26, Farnworth let both sides down with a meagre statement that more information was needed from either side to 鈥渋nform further consideration.鈥�

This was followed by three months of silence from Farnworth鈥檚 ministry while 性视界传媒 taxpayers carried an $8-million-per-month bill to maintain two police departments at the public teat. That Friday鈥檚 big reveal proclaimed a recommendation, instead of a decree, left people in both camps scratching their heads in frustration.

That the provincial government鈥檚 big reveal on this matter of historic importance, after three months鈥� delay no less, happened with the city鈥檚 mayor receiving a redacted copy of the ministry鈥檚 148-page report mere hours prior speaks volumes.

Whether you disagree or not with six of nine council members voting to stick with the RCMP, it鈥檚 difficult to not agree with Mayor Brenda Locke that the way this was handled was 鈥渄isgraceful鈥� and disrespectful to 性视界传媒鈥檚 civic government and residents.

Clearly, much of this debacle could have been avoided with a referendum.

Is it really too late?

鈥� Now-Leader

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