Foster blasts colleague's defection from Liberals

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 28, 2012 1:00 AM

A defection has Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster fuming.  John van Dongen, Abbotsford South MLA, announced Monday that he has quit the Liberals and joined the B.C. Conservatives. He will sit as an independent in the Legislature. “To stand up in the House and go against the government is a little over the wall,” said Foster, who is a Liberal member. Foster was sitting next to van Dongen when he rose and stated that his resignation was due to concerns about the integrity of the government. “To sit beside him and not squirm was pretty tough,” said Foster. “I’m part of the government and when someone talks about no integrity, I don’t like being painted with that brush.” In making his announcement, van Dongen touched on the government paying the legal fees of two former employees who  pled guilty to breach of trust in the sale of B.C. Rail. He also raised questions about not selling the naming rights of B.C. Place to Telus. “When more and more decisions are being made for the wrong  reasons, then you have an organization that is heading for failure,” said van Dongen. However, Foster says the government is operating properly and the Liberal caucus stands behind Premier Christy Clark. “There won’t be a mass exodus. This is about John van Dongen. He’s been unhappy for awhile.” Foster admits van Dongen’s resignation could increase the Conservatives’ profile. “If we split the (free-enterprise) vote, I am concerned we will get an NDP government,” he said. “The NDP wins when the coalition doesn’t stay together. The Conservatives won’t win.” Local B.C. Conservatives welcome van Dongen’s decision. “It means a lot of people realize the Liberals aren’t the place to be,” said Ian Tribes, Vernon-Monashee constituency president. “It shows we’re being recognized as a reliable party.” When asked if he expects other Liberal MLAs to cross the floor, Tribes says: “It certainly could happen.”