VICTORIA — Just how much longer can Finance :
Minister Glen Clark keep up his frantic pace before "

something gives?

Saddled with one of the largest and most power-
ful portfolios in government, Clark also has responsi-
-bility for B.C. Transit, B.C. Fisheries, the Vancouver

Stock Exchange, the Securities Commission and the
PNE.

And he is the New Democrats? House Leader.
Phewww!
| Added to that, the 34-year-old whiz kid also was
‘ordered to look into the mess that was Music 91.
(It’s called Music 9-1-1 by those who saw the millions
squandered on it by the Socreds!). |

Throw into that mix the fact that preparing the
new Budget is one of the most laborious, taxing (pun
intended), time-consuming chores in government, and
‘it is little wonder that questions are being raised
-about the stress on Mr. Clark, and about easing his
load.

Acting much more like the deputy premier than
the actual deputy premier (Anita Hagen), the
finance minister is an _ intelligent young
-whippersnapper (as we older folks say) who has a
much higher media profile than even his leader.

In the first four months of this regime, he has
become the most quoted, most photographed, most
articulate minister through two carefully calculated
PR campaigns.

~ One has been to soften up the general public to
expect increases in taxes and decreases in spending
‘on’ public works projects, when his Budget is
unveiled at the end of March.

Of course, there will be higher taxes, and there
will be cuts in programs (but not social programs) in
the Budget; but it is unlikely that they will be as
dire as Mr. Clark has been predicting.

That certainly is one way of making the tough
medicine go down more easily, I suppose. .

And it also helps to lower the expectations of the

Terrace Review — February 28, 1992

labour unions who were hoping to get an early,
thirst-quenching drink at the public trough.

The second campaign, or ploy, has been to stretch
out the "suspense" over what will be the final deficit
figure for the soon-ending fiscal year.

Watch for it to be at least $2.5 billion, based on
assorted interesting calculations. That way, when the
NDP brings.in a new Budget of $2 billion, it can
maintain prudent, realistic fiscal management.

As far as relieving Mr. Clark of some of his
burden, one expects to see ferries and transit
returned to transportation and highways once Clark
is finished paring their funding.

Until then, he will keep doing his 18-hour days,

which he seems to thrive on. Those watching for
signs of stress or burnout are likely to be disap-
pointed... and that includes a few within his own
caucus who privately muse about his ability to deal
with the stress and the workload, to stay sharp, and
to avoid arrogance.
'  §t. Patrick’s Day looks like being the day the
new Legislature will open with the Speech from
the Throne — exactly five months after the Oct.
17th election which swept the NDP into power.

And with 49 rookies out of 75 members, the
session is bound to be entertaining, perhaps even
chaotic.

Let us not forget that the entire Liberal Opposi-
tion caucus consists of rookies — 17 to be exact. and
this scribe expects that their leader Gordon Wilson
will be under more scrutiny and more pressure to
perform well than Premier Harcourt will be.

The first few weeks of the sitting will be crucial
in helping many people (expecially former Socred
supporters) to decide whether or not Wilson has the
right stuff (emphasis on ‘right’, perhaps?) to be a
credible alternative to Mr. Harcourt.

The Throne Speech debate, and the debate on
Finance Minister Clark’s first Budget should provide