Brian Hutchinson:

Seriously? Could the “independent advisory committee” that determines who receives the Order of British Columbia not have waited a respectful interval before selecting the province’s former premier? The announcement, made Friday, that Mr. Campbell has received the honour — and the stylistic dogwood insignia with coat of arms, and ribbon, and the bragging rights — has got teeth gnashing, with good reason. The recognition comes too soon; Mr. Campbell is barely out of office and still a polarizing figure in B.C.

The O.B.C was concocted back in 1990 and is awarded annually to British Columbians “who have contributed to the province in extraordinary ways.” Charter members include business mogul Jimmy Pattison and the late artist Jack Shadbolt. Other members include pop star Bryan Adams, basketball legend Steve Nash and environmentalist David Suzuki.

There are few politicians in the ranks. Mr. Campbell, who left office in March and was just recently named Canada’s High Commissioner to Britain, is only the second former premier to be invested. Socred Bill Bennett was made a member in 2007. More than two decades after he left office.

Perhaps the advisory committee has done us all a service. I doubt most British Columbians had even heard of the O.B.C., it’s that obscure. It’s that unnecessary. Now it’s a matter of debate. Already, campaigns on social media websites are calling for Mr. Campbell to be stripped of the honour.

Sour grapes? Certainly, but the online kvetchers also seem to have a real beef. Nominations for the latest batch of O.B.C. recipients were accepted to March 10, 2011.

“Your nominee must not currently be an elected person with federal, provincial or municipal governments,” read the guidelines. Mr. Campbell stepped down as B.C. premier on March 15. Whoops.

The advisory committee, chaired by Lance Finch, Chief Justice of British Columbia, didn’t understand the rules or chose to overlook Mr. Campbell’s employment. Curiously, his political career is not immediately referenced in the O.B.C. announcement made Friday. Instead, Mr. Campbell is described as a “visionary, leader, proud British Columbian.” (Later in the document, he’s lauded for his work as Mayor of Vancouver, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition and finally as Premier. “He gave selflessly to the province, instilling in all of us the importance of public service, pride in where we live and our ability to meet our challenges and grasp our opportunities when we work together.”)

The committee should have used discretion and allowed his nomination to slide this year. Few would have been the wiser. The nomination could have come up again, another year. Surely Mr. Campbell, visionary, would have understood.

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Exactly.

Brian Hutchinson: The committee should have used discretion and allowed his nomination to slide this year. Few would have been the wiser. The nomination could have come up again, another year. Surely Mr. Campbell, visionary, would have understood.

So, he is qualified for the honor or not? If he is, and it seems he has according to this, then the issue is now timing? If so he would have gotten the order anyway! Nothing but pure poltical pandering this tripe is.

There are a couple of exceptions.

Your nominee must not currently be an elected person with federal, provincial or municipal governments.

Campbell resigned as premier on March 14, 2011

At least they didn't screw up as badly as the Nobel guys did with Obama.

Looking at relatively speaking, I think it's much worse with Campbell.

I suppose, from a Merit standpoint anyway.

sort of like all those banking and corporate CEOs getting huge bonuses for running their companies into the ground.