News Release - April 26, 2007
VICTORIA - Opposition MLA John Horgan introduced amendments to the Members Conflict of Interest Act today that will oblige cabinet ministers to place their assets into blind trusts and extend provisions of the act to government appointees, including Deputy Ministers, ministerial staff, and heads of public sector organizations.
"Last February, in response to a complaint I made about the Premier's ownership of Alcan shares, the Conflict Commissioner suggested that cabinet ministers place their assets in a blind trust," said Horgan, the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. "I promised to introduce legislation making this change, and today I am making good on that promise.
"This bill brings B.C.'s conflict law into line with federal legislation by extending its provisions to Deputy Ministers and government employees such as ministerial staff and the heads of public sector organizations," said Horgan.
"Deputy Ministers would face similar restrictions as Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries in terms of placing assets in blind trusts and not carrying on business with their former ministries for two years after leaving their posts. Government appointees would be obliged to register their assets with the heads of their organizations," Horgan said.
"Gordon Campbell's ownership of Alcan shares at the time his government was negotiating a power deal with Alcan shows the need for this legislation. Today we have another apparent conflict situation where Ken Dobell is holding key provincial government jobs and lobbying the same government on behalf of the City of Vancouver," Horgan added. "The Campbell government has fallen far short of its promise of accountability to the people of B.C., and this legislation goes a long way to ensuring that cabinet ministers and government appointees are accountable."
In January, Horgan lodged a complaint with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner about Premier Gordon Campbell holding shares in Alcan in an open trust arrangement while his government was negotiating with the firm. The Commissioner's ruling was delivered February 5.
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