Snuffling at the public trough apparently got so loud this week that even Premier Christy Clark found it impossible to ignore.
We speak, of course, of the now-you-see-it-now-you-don't patronage appointment of former Liberal MLA John Les, who distinguished himself as being one of the shortest-lived recipients of government largesse.
Despite having no discernible credentials, Les was named as the province's $140,000-per year expert in earthquake preparedness by Attorney General Suzanne Anton. But when the tremors in the Legislature grew too strong,
Clark concluded the province could apparently get by without Les' expertise on the subject and cut him loose.
Les hardly finds himself on the street. He still gets a "transitional allowance" of $102,000, a $60,000 paycheque for his seat on the Farm Industry Review Board, and continues to hobnob with former colleagues as a registered lobbyist. He's also in line for a government pension.
Les was in good company with former MLA and current trade commissioner Ben Stewart, who received a golden handshake after giving up his seat for Clark.
Former politician Gordon Wilson is paid $50,000 every three or four months for the vague task of singing the praises of LNG - a remarkable feat considering Wilson's previous publicly expressed doubts on the topic. Wilson - a political opportunist of long standing - received his plum after endorsing Clark in the campaign.
The public has every right to be affronted.
Meanwhile, if B.C. really needs more high-paying public service jobs that don't accomplish anything and don't require any skills other than loyalty to the governing party, there's always the option of creating a senate.
