News Release - February 06, 2007
VICTORIA - Opposition MLA John Horgan says he plans to follow up on the Conflict of Interest Commissioner's suggestion today that cabinet members place their holdings in blind trusts.
Horgan, the MLA for Malahat - Juan de Fuca, said he plans to introduce a private member's bill to that effect.
Conflict Commissioner H.A.D. Oliver recommended the measure in his ruling today regarding Premier Gordon Campbell's ownership of Alcan shares. Oliver thanked Horgan for bringing the issue up.
Horgan filed the complaint with Oliver after it was revealed that Premier Campbell owned shares in Alcan at or near the time the government was negotiating a $4.7 billion power sales agreement with the aluminum giant.
"The basic question we put to the conflict commissioner was simply whether the Premier acted on the file after he knew he had shares in Alcan," said Horgan, who is the Opposition Critic for Energy, Mines and Sustainable Resources.
"If his holdings had been placed in a blind trust, then that question never needs to be asked."
The current situation of voluntary compliance doesn't sufficiently protect the public interest, Horgan said. That's why he plans to introduce a private member's bill requiring ministers to place their investments in blind trust, something Oliver's ruling recommends.
"We've seen the problems caused by a reliance on voluntary compliance at the federal level," said Horgan. "The Campbell government has not kept pace with changes in other jurisdictions.
"All British Columbians would want this province to lead the way in transparency in government," Horgan said.
Having such a rule would go a long way toward restoring trust in public office holders, Horgan said.
"People see that the Premier holds shares in Alcan, and they see the government making sweetheart deals with the company, and they wonder whose interest the Premier is really protecting," Horgan said. "Even if his actions are above board, the perception of a conflict is often as damaging as a real conflict."
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