Concerned Citizens for B.C. present a misleading image of themselves

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      Former corporate CEO Jim Shepard is fronting a shadowy group that's running attack ads on NDP Leader Adrian Dix.

      I went to the website of Concerned Citizens for B.C. to find out more about a group that's spending $1 million to try to influence the next election.

      Under the "about us" section, I found a group of absurdly happy people alongside these words:

      We’re a group of concerned citizens. Mothers, fathers, retirees, employers and employees.

      We come from all parts of BC. We love this province and its hard-won prosperity, and considering what’s going on in the rest of the world we’re concerned about its future.

      Then I went to one of the world's most popular image banks, iStock, and punched in the words "happy people". Lo and behold, the same photo popped up.

      Our guess? There are no British Columbians in this photo.

      You would think with all that money, Shepard's group could have hired some local models and created jobs for B.C.

      Why did Concerned Citizens of B.C. feel it was necessary to go to an image bank to identify themselves? Maybe because they have something to hide.

      In case you're wondering, Shepard is a former adviser to Premier Christy Clark.

      Here's what he looks like. Kinda corporate.

      Comments

      56 Comments

      blue_otis

      Feb 8, 2013 at 7:12pm

      Perhaps they have something to hide, but my guess is that they're just lazy and cheap, which is even worse.

      BC

      Feb 8, 2013 at 7:12pm

      I too had noticed the stock photo on their website as well. We use I-stock for my work, and the images are so very similar - very canned looking. I find Shepard quite vile, he was tied up in BC Rail up to his ears, and now is spewing such hatred towards Dix. He is now Clark's puppet.

      He was interviewed by Jas Johal on Global, and came across as only mindly coherent - he truly needs to be put out to pasture. I found what he said about Dix quite unsettling, and I believe it speaks more to his own character ( or lack thereof ) than Dix's.

      kevin barker

      Feb 8, 2013 at 7:28pm

      hilarious, I love it...

      Crime?

      Feb 8, 2013 at 8:11pm

      Means - Fundraising amongst Albertan Oil Barons at $10,000 a head
      Motive - NDP has guaranteed a public inquiry into the sale of BC Rail. Jim Shepard was a director of BC Rail when it was sold.
      Opportunity - Three months before an election, time is right, but running out.

      cherylb

      Feb 8, 2013 at 11:29pm

      Jim Shepard and his group are nasty. I think British Columbians have had enough of that...

      Richard Hughes

      Feb 8, 2013 at 11:56pm

      Well done Charlie!

      wheels

      Feb 9, 2013 at 8:11am

      Had to use a stock photo because they couldn't find that large a group that could lie with a straight face?

      AScott

      Feb 9, 2013 at 8:19am

      Attack ads just make the Liberals and their supporters even more desperate!
      I would expect nothing less from you lying Liberals!

      les

      Feb 9, 2013 at 8:55am

      everyday there is another reason to detest these sleazy no good corrupt bastard liberals, gawd i hate them!!

      MarkFornataro

      Feb 9, 2013 at 8:59am

      3 months to go Mr Shepard; til then, don't worry, be happy.