Christy Clark talks to a room full of supporters after her announcement to make a run for leader the BC Liberals party in Vancouver December 8, 2010. Clark is the fifth person to run for the position of party leader following Gordon Campbell's resignation last month.JOHN LEHMANN
Christy Clark, in a move that may reflect her recent work as a radio talk show host, says that as B.C.'s next Liberal premier she would hold a dozen town-hall meetings a year to hear from residents of the province.
The Liberal leadership hopeful proposed the plan Tuesday as part of a series of Open Government Initiatives released in a statement that, she said, were designed to rebuild public trust.
"The reality is that voters feel a disconnect with their government," said the former deputy premier and education minister.
"These proposals are designed to reconnect people with government."
Other proposals put forward by Ms.Clark include working with all MLAs to see more private members' bills debated and passed as well as a caucus accountability committee with the party leader as member, and cabinet accountability sessions in the regions of B.C. at regional policy conferences or other special events.
Many of the ideas are vague, such as a proposal for the increased use of open line radio and telephone town halls.
Since entering the leadership race, Ms. Clark has touted her experience in talk radio outside the "cocoon" of Victoria as an edge over her four rivals, who are all former recent cabinet ministers.
Ms. Clark's plan comes as leadership hopefuls are ramping up their policy proposals following the holidays.
Rivals George Abbott, the former education minister, and Mike de Jong, the former attorney-general, have both scheduled news conferences for Tuesday to outline platform ideas.
Liberals vote Feb. 26 on the successor to Premier Gordon Campbell, who announced his resignation late last year.
Ian Bailey