News Release - May 28, 2008

VICTORIA - On the same day the New Democrats raised concerns about an investigation into the Premier's holdings in an energy company, NDP MLA John Horgan introduced tough new conflict of interest legislation."The B.C. Liberals have shown time and again that they reward their friends and insiders," said John Horgan, MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. "I tabled new conflict laws to protect the public interest by ensuring the Premier and his top officials cannot knowingly benefit from their decisions."

The new changes tabled yesterday will oblige cabinet ministers to place their assets in blind trusts and extends provisions of the conflict act to government appointees, including Deputy Ministers, ministerial staff, and heads of public sector organizations.

Horgan's proposals follow on B.C.'s Conflict of Interest Commissioner's suggestion that cabinet ministers place their assets in a blind trust following his investigation of the Premier's ownership and sale of Alcan shares.

In his 2007 Annual Report Conflict Commissioner H.A.D. Oliver said Horgan got it right in his private member's bill.

"Some of these issues have been raised in MLA John Horgan's Private Members Bill. It may be thought preferable to have this matter dealt with as public business rather than by virtue of a private members bill," said Oliver in his report findings.

Since the Campbell government did not introduce legislation during the session to address the Commissioner's findings, Horgan reintroduced his bill.

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