B.C's Deputy Premier is shaking his head at any talk of the Liberal caucus being in "chaos" ahead of next week's budget being tabled. Rich Coleman says to put it simply the talk is just ridiculous. "It really is, you know I saw some of the stuff last night and I thought these guys should actually come inside the room but we don't allow them in the … [Read more...]
Rich Coleman clarifies smart meter stance
January 31, 2013 by
BC's Energy Minister is finally talking to the media over the smart meter confusion. Rich Coleman says the smart grid worksbest withy every home in BC having a smart meter. Coleman says there is no confusion and at this point there's also no opt out options. "I think the confusion - I don't know who it comes from. The op-ed speaks for … [Read more...]
Rich Coleman wades in Abbotsford South controversy
November 22, 2012 by
The Deputy Premier is wading into an internal dispute over the BC Liberal nomination process in the riding of Abbotsford South. Rich Coleman says Abbotsford councillor Moe Gill didn't even want to run in the riding. "Moe Gill signed a letter that he sent to the party saying that he wanted to no longer run in Abbotsford South but wanted to run in … [Read more...]
Coleman downplays brewing controversy
November 21, 2012 by
A controversy linking a well known lobbyist, a BC Liberal who owns a craft beer company, and cabinet minister Rich Coleman, is being called "political games" by the minister. Rich Coleman says Pacific Western Brewing Company might have to lay off staff to avoid a fiscal hit as it exceeds a mandated production quota. Coleman says he is simply … [Read more...]
Coleman will run next May
September 4, 2012 by
Rich Coleman has ended the speculation and announced he will seek re-election next May in Fort Langley-Aldergrove. The Energy and Mines minister says his is strongly committed to Premier Christy Clark and the rest of the BC Liberal team as they seek a new mandate in 2013. Coleman was first elected in 1996. Some thought he might not run again in the … [Read more...]
Rich Coleman admits to knowing bidders for Liquor Distribution Services
July 19, 2012 by
Minister Rich Coleman is calling some of the inferences being made about his connections to the Liquor Distribution Branch privatization process "ridiculous." Coleman insists at the time he didn't know the names of companies bidding on the lucrative, 10-year contract "I didn't say that I didn't know anybody...I didn't know the bidders … [Read more...]
Coleman says new interprovincial wine shipment law ‘no big deal’
June 7, 2012 by
The politician in charge of liquor distribution in B.C. says the end of federal prohibition laws against the private shipment of alcohol across provincial border is "no big deal.” Energy Minister Rich Coleman says his government supports Bill C311 and will make it work for B.C.'s wine industry. But he doesn't think this is a big … [Read more...]
Coleman vs Jang over housing for the homeless
May 30, 2012 by
BC's Housing Minister is slamming the City of Vancouver over comments made by Vision Councillor Kerry Jang. Jang had suggested the Province needs to take some responsibility for an increase in city street homelessness, blaming a shortage of shelter funding. Rich Coleman says the city needs to realize where it gets its funding, citing … [Read more...]
Coleman attacks “Communist” NDP
May 16, 2012 by
BC Liberal house leader Rich Coleman sounded like a red-baiting politician of the 1950's in the Legislature today. Coleman called the NDP "communists" during a debate about his government's plan to privatize the liquor distribution system. "I know the socialist communist thinking is that everything should be nationalized and controlled, if you had … [Read more...]
Rich Coleman defends his comments in the Surrey casino decision
The Deputy Premier is also finally talking after his scathing criticism of Surrey city council and then abrupt turn around over the South Surrey casino decision. Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts blasted Rich Coleman in an open letter for his comments. While fellow Liberal MLA Gordon Hogg said Coleman calling Surrey councillors during the … [Read more...]