Always count on Vision Vancouver Coun. George Chow to bring some levity to council. The affable politician did just that in the reading of “the prayer” before council’s Tuesday meeting.

No doubt Chow was inspired by controversial comments made to CBC TV news recently by Richard Fadden, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, commonly referred to as CSIS.

Fadden said several B.C. municipal politicians, whom he didn’t name, are under the influence of one or more foreign governments. Chow and several other Vancouver councillors told me last week they were puzzled by Fadden’s comments—and didn’t like the fact aspersions were cast on them.

So to the prayer…

“My colleague Coun. [Kerry] Jang often brings up the teaching of Buddha, but I will try Confucius instead. The teaching of Confucius is not as confusing as it sometimes appears. For example, in the book of virtues, he preaches compassion—compassion for others with empathy. He also advocates service—service to your parents, your elders, your family and your country and community. He reminds us to have introspection, to reflect on our doing and behaviour, to look ourselves in the mirror often. And finally, sustainability in human relations as well as in things like living with less.”

Here comes the kicker…

“So we have it, the four virtues—compassion, service, introspection and sustainability, or CSIS for short—good principles we may like to follow in our daily lives.”

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, George will be here all week. In fact, he’ll be on council at least until November 2011.

Spilling time

Some respect, please, COPE Coun. David Cadman. That request came from Mayor Gregor Robertson Monday during a special council meeting to discuss the increase in oil tanker traffic to the port of Vancouver.

In what seemed like a U.S. congressional hearing, where councillors grilled industry types about what-if-there-was-an-oil-spill scenario, Cadman had little patience for Chris Badger, chief operating officer of Port Metro Vancouver.

Cadman wanted to know what the response would be if a spill were to occur in the waters off Vancouver, particularly in the channel under the Second Narrows Bridge. In a detailed lead-up to answering the question, Badger pointed out all tankers are now of double hull construction and industry-run simulations and trials of spills have lessened the chance of a catastrophe.

“We agreed that those tankers were safe going through Second Narrows with a certain type of tide, a certain type of tug configuration, with a certain number of pilots on board and with a certain amount of technology… during daylight hours,” Badger said of the trials.

Cadman: “So you’re basically telling us, ‘Don’t worry, be happy.’”

Badger: “No, no, no, don’t get me wrong. All we’re doing is trying to test whether we believe this is a safe way to move tankers through this port.”

Cadman: “I got that part. Get to how you’re going to handle a spill.”

In trying to explain, Badger was interrupted twice by Cadman who continued to repeat, “get to the spill, get to the spill.” That’s when Robertson jumped in.

Cadman shot back saying his allotted five minutes of questioning was running out and he wanted Badger to get to the point. Badger did, telling Cadman each tanker has a contract with Burrard Clean, which responds to all spills and is capable of handling a 10,000 tonne spill.

mhowell@vancourier.com