[LabComm] BC NDP Connection Newsletter

[BC NDP Newswire]

BC NDP Connection Newsletter



<H3>Campbell government continues to stonewall</H3>
Despite serious concerns about conflict of interest and political tricks, Premier Gordon Campbell continued to stonewall Opposition attempts at getting answers this week.

The Premier hid behind the ongoing investigation into the lobbying activities of his advisor, Ken Dobell, to avoid tough questions about a possible conflict of interest involving the same highly-placed advisor.

And Premier Campbell used the ongoing Basi-Virk trial to duck questions about whether his office was actively engaged in dirty political tricks.

"We tried for a week to get some answers from this Premier, but all we got was more evasiveness," said New Democrat Leader Carole James.

Evidence revealed by the Opposition this week showed that Dobell, a close friend of Premier Campbell, arranged provincial funding for a City of Vancouver 2010 culture project, while he was still the deputy minister to the Premier, and he then received a contract financed by that same provincial funding. 

Dobell is currently the subject of an investigation by privacy commissioner David Loukedelis, who is looking into whether he violated the Lobbyist's Registration Act by registering his lobbying of the Premier over six months late.

"That investigation has nothing to do with this possible conflict of interest," said James. "The public deserves to know if this was yet another instance when the rules don't apply to the friends of the Premier."

The allegations of dirty political tricks surfaced in the fraud trial of the two senior government officials relating to the sale of B.C. Rail. Defence counsel for David Basi and Bob Virk allege that media manipulation tactics were arranged and authorized by the Premier's office.

"Those allegations, while unproven, are disturbing," said James. "But what we wanted to know was whether any similar activity was taking place out of the Premier's office today.

"We know that those kinds of dirty tricks are part of the Campbell Liberal playbook," James said. "Prem Vinning, an official in the Premier's office, lost his job for calling a talk show pretending to be someone else. And Steve Vander Wal, from the Deputy Premier's office, called in to a radio show pretending to be a concerned parent."

The Premier refused to answer any questions, commit to investigating whether there were any dirty tricks being played out of his office - and most surprisingly, the Premier even refused to state that he does not and would not condone this behaviour.

"This is just another example of how the Campbell government views accountability," said James. "It's empty words, just another broken promise."

<H3>New Democrats show commitment to accountability with Conflict of Interest bill</H3>
New Democrat MLA John Horgan followed through on his promise to boost accountability this week.

Horgan, the NDP MLA for Malahat - Juan de Fuca, this week made good on his promise to introduce a Private Member's Bill. The Members' Conflict of Interest Act would oblige cabinet ministers to put their assets into blind trusts, and put similar restrictions on senior public servants.

"This bill brings the province's conflict regulations in line with federal laws," said Horgan. "It addresses not only real conflicts, but perceived conflicts, which can be just as disruptive to public life."

In January, Horgan lodged a complaint with Conflict of Interest Commissioner H.A.D. Oliver about Premier Gordon Campbell holding shares in Alcan in an open trust arrangement at the same time the government was negotiating with the company. In his ruling, Mr. Oliver suggested that cabinet ministers' holdings be placed in blind trusts. Horgan's bill would make that suggestion a requirement for cabinet ministers.

"The situation with Ken Dobell, the Premier's friend who is holding government jobs while lobbying the B.C. government on behalf of the City of Vancouver, is a pretty good indication of the woeful lack of commitment the Campbell government has shown to accountability," Horgan said.

"This bill would go a long way to ensuring that cabinet ministers and their key senior appointees are accountable."

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