February 28, 2000
Walking with a loose cannon - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- Again, with my experiences at the NDP Convention: it was Friday night (the 18th) and after Jim Sinclair’s near-barn burning speech, I decided there would be time before the leadership debate to grab some dinner. I stood in line with rank and file NDPers waiting to grab a sandwich or something, and I noticed the Minister or Forests, the Hon. David Zirnhelt standing in front of me.
I recount this story here, because I was reading Sunday’s Province, in which Mike Smyth strews about Zirnhelt’s outburst to his staff and his subsequent request to Premier Dosanjh to drop him from cabinet when he unveils his new cabinet tomorrow.
It started on Thursday last (the 24th), the morning Dosanjh was to be sworn in as the 33rd Premier of British Columbia. Zirnhelt, the member for Cariboo South, was responsible in making sure that the Premier would be in Quensel that Friday to open the BC Winter Games. Zirnhelt’s staff somehow screwed up and Zirnhelt blew up, yelling at his staff, berating them as the Premier was being sworn in. It’s also been reported that Zirnhelt is known for his terrible temper and that he asked to be dropped from cabinet to cool off.
Well, so there we were in line, a long line and some wise PNE worker suggested those of us waiting could walk down the hall a bit where another concession was open. So, I walk, rather quickly, because I don’t want another line when I get to the next stall. Zirnhelt also walks, starting off behind me, but somehow he catches up to me and says hi. He said hi, not me, I’m more concerned about getting my dinner than talking to a minister at this point. So I acknowledge him, which is surprising, because I like talking to famous people, but not used to them coming up to me.
As we’re walking I proceed to ask him who he’s supporting, dumb enough to not see the U! pin on his lapel. I ask him why he chose to support Dosanjh and whether he thought long and hard. He said it took him 3 months to support Ujjal, even though he was there from the beginning. I then try to lose him, because I’m more interested getting a sandwich for dinner. He then sings the praises of Dosanjh and that he’s happy with the decision he made. We talk about other meaningless things, as we walk to the next concession stand. I get in line and he in the line next to me, and he’s still chatting away about this and about that. I order my food, an ugly and tasteless roast beef sandwich, while the minister orders a Coke. A small Coke that cost $2.00. He hands over his toonie, and thinking he’ll get change back, only to find out the damned thing is $2.00. He turns to leave, and I waiting for the crap in-between two pieces of bread, smiles at me and leaves.
The point of this dribble, is to note that David Zirnhelt wasn’t grumpy at all in my encounter with him a couple of Friday’s ago. Sure, he might have blew his top at his staff, a fact he’s admitted to, but when walking and chatting with me, he was very genial, if not nice. He did look tired, so I guess the stay in the back benches will help him recoup a bit.
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