Clark shows her non-partisan cred

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In a rare display of unanimity, Premier Christy Clark is backing a private member's bill that Opposition Leader Adrian Dix will introduce on Wednesday.

The Premier, who will face voters next week in a by-election in Vancouver-Point Grey, seized on Mr. Dix's proposal to ban the use of toxic pesticides from everyday use, saying it's the perfect issue to set aside partisanship and do things differently in Victoria.

"The NDP are concerned about it, I'm concerned about it, as a new way of governing I think one of the things we can do is … set aside these partisan divides that pull us apart and find something we can come together on," Ms. Clark said. "And I think this is that issue."

The issue isn't new - Ontario banned the use of cosmetic pesticides in 2009. In B.C., 20 municipalities had already banned or restricted pesticide use on lawns and gardens by the time the province sponsored a consultation paper on the topic two years ago. Since then, more local governments have moved to limit the use of harmful chemicals.

But when the NDP proposed action in 2010, the B.C. government did nothing.

The political landscape has changed, and now Ms. Clark, who has adopted a number of populist initiatives since collecting the keys to the premier's office, pounced on the NDP proposal as a chance to demonstrate her new style.

She said she will look at the specifics of the NDP bill before deciding if it is the right approach. The Premier wants to appoint a committee to shape the legislation, but Mr. Dix said there's no need for further delay.

"We have a short session, let's do it now," he said. He welcomed the Premier's support, saying he doesn't care who gets credit. "It's not about me, it's about ensuring that children are safe, to ensure our environment is protected."

But the warm, fuzzy sentiments evaporated quickly, with Mr. Dix then switching to attack mode over Ms. Clark's refusal to debate the NDP candidate in the by-election, David Eby.

"We're still hopeful we can find a forum that is acceptable to the new-style leadership in the Liberal Party," he said. "It's immensely disrespectful to voters."

Ms. Clark said Tuesday she is too busy for an all-candidates' debate - although she promised to debate Mr. Dix when the next provincial election comes.

"There's a very limited amount of time from here until election day," she told reporters in Victoria. "There are two priorities we can engage in. One of them is to make sure I am talking to people, citizens there, and one is to talk to politicians. So I'm focusing on talking to people who live in the community."

She also said she has been busy governing - mostly undoing some of the unpopular initiatives imposed by the Liberal government before she took over. Since March, Ms. Clark has raised the minimum wage, restored to community groups some government funding that had been cut and, most recently, scrapped parking meters in provincial parks.