Head On!: Collisions of Egos, Ethics, and Politics in B.C.'s Transportation HistoryIn a province where mountain ranges are at odds with road and rail builders, and its capital city and a large portion of its population are on an island, it's no surprise that provision of an effective transportation system has been a challenging undertaking—or that mistakes have been made. In many cases, BC's political leaders not only didn't solve problems, they added to them. And many of the mistakes made resulted from premiers exploiting their time in office to further their own political preferences, theories and agendas. This insider's examination looks at premiers' errors and exploitations, along with their triumphs and achievements, from the first days of the provincial government. Whether it be trouble with bridges (premiers Prior and Pattulo), railways (McBride and Bennett) or ferries (Clark), R.G. Harvey calls it like he sees it. |
Contents
Preface | 9 |
The Railway Builders and the Debt | 37 |
Partisan Politics Finally Coalesce | 59 |
The Bond Burner and the Dreamer | 85 |
MiniWac and the Restraint Revolution | 105 |
A Fantastic Adversary | 121 |
The Nanaimo and FastFerries | 137 |
Final Report 1999 to 2004 | 161 |
Premiers and Times of Service | 176 |