[LabComm] Walls report leaves important questions unanswered

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

- James says report fails to examine Premier’s role in insider scandal -

VICTORIA – The audit into the Doug Walls scandal leaves important questions unanswered about how a BC Liberal insider and friend of the Premier got control of a $600 million budget, was handed untendered contracts, and why more than $500,000 in debt owed by Doug Walls was eliminated, NDP Leader Carole James said today.  

“British Columbians want to know how a BC Liberal insider got a special deal at taxpayers' expense and enormous influence over government policy behind closed doors.  Despite the audit released today, that critical question remains unanswered.”

James said that the terms of reference provided to the auditors by the government protected the Premier, his top aide, Martyn Brown, and his deputy minister, Ken Dobell, from scrutiny.

“From the start, this scandal has revolved around the question of how a government contractor with strong BC Liberal connections – and a personal and family relationship with the Premier – was catapulted into a senior government position and handed untendered contracts and control of a $600 million budget with no scrutiny, no notice, and no public disclosure,” said James.  

“The audit does not explain why he was allowed to operate outside the normal chain of command, controlling huge amounts of government money.  It also does not explain how and why a debt owed by Mr. Walls worth more than $500,000 was eliminated at the stroke of a pen. Until those questions are answered, we have yet to get to the bottom of this growing scandal.”

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Media contact: Scott Perchall 604-862-7747

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