The big news in BC yesterday was that Gordon Campbell stepped down as Premier. Some were loudly proclaiming victory, or expressing happiness of his departure.

As he put it in his statement: When public debate becomes focused on one person, instead of what is in the best interest of British Columbians, we have lost sight about what is important. When that happens, it’s time for a change.

Cause let’s look at the mess he left BC in:

One of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada.

third highest average hourly wage in Canada

lowest tax rate for low-income (0%) and middle-income families in Canada.

up to a 70% tax reduction for low income families

opened 80 new schools, increased education funding every year, more seats in universities, highest per-pupil funding in Canada

Balanced budgets for 9 years until the biggest recession in half a century.

42% reduction in provincial budgets before service cuts

A provincial credit rating that has been upgraded 7 times in a row to AAA (the highest possible)

biggest real GDP growth in Canada

$195 million in new Arts grants

$80 million in new permanent sport grants and funding

20% increase in the amount paid per person by income assistance

Low-income support program spending up by more than 4x

Reduced carbon and greenhouse gas emissions – the most aggressive targets set in Canada, with legal enforcement in place

(ganked from voice_of_experience on reddit)

Oh wait, that’s the good stuff.

And yet, there’s a downside.. apparently some people don’t like the HST (which, when you look at what else the province gives, is actually a reasonable measure..) or they didn’t like the Olympics (what are you going to do about that now? it worked out fine. Sure it cost a lot of money..) or that the Canada Line doesn’t have enough capacity (it grew faster than expected, that’s success isn’t it?), or that he once got arrested for drink driving (let me tell you about Ralph…)

I’m confident of history’s view of this period in politics. Also, has anyone seen Idiocracy? No? Never mind, seems like it’s playing out in politics right now, what with this and the Tea Party..

I spent about an hour before work yesterday stalking some of the bald eagles that hand around UBC. Unfortunately this is about as close as I could get, and even then it’s not that good of a photo.

But eagles! Yay!

We went to a place called Moose’s Downunder for lunch on Sunday, who bill themselves as providing a little bit of home and a unique Australian experience in Vancouver.

Well it’s certainly as described on box. It seems to be staffed entirely by Australians, many of whom are from Perth like the owner. I had an Aussie Burger, with Beetroot + Fried Egg + Pineapple. It did indeed remind me of home. Also the chairs were EXACTLY the same as the ones that KK’s/The Last Drop in Crawley used to have before it turned upmarket. Down to the varnish on the arms turning gooey and coming off.

On the downsides, just like home they charge for drink refills and extra sauces. So just like home, you don’t have to tip, right? :P I kid, I kid. I did tip, as is the local custom.