About TDH

Archived
Commentaries

Past Projects

FAQ

Links

Contact

March 3, 2004

There are three significant and hugely intriguing aspects to yesterday's release of a document detailing a summary of the police investigation into a breach-of-trust probe related to police raids on offices in the provincial legislature in December.

First and foremost is the breach-of-trust itself.  The above linked document refers to 2 government officials who

"were offered and/or accepted personal benefits as consideration for their cooperation, assistance or exercise of influence in connection with government business; including BC Rail..."

by the mysterious "L1".  Now, anyone who reads the above linked document as well as the story covering the document's release on the TDH homepage can determine the identities of all the individuals referred to in today's commentary.

This is significant because a $1 billion deal that the BC government is counting on to make their balanced budget a reality might be in serious jeopardy.  The federal government has not yet approved the deal, both in terms of the Competition Bureau and Revenue Canada.  It is also now known that Gordon Campbell received a letter from CP Rail notifying him of impropriety with the process BEFORE the deal was even signed.

So, when Mr. Campbell says that the investigation does not taint the deal, only one word comes to mind: Bullshit.

Secondly, the fortunes of the government have never been more tenuous since sweeping into office in the spring of 2001.  Several resignations from Cabinet regarding various scandals, this BC Rail deal that could fall through entirely, 2 high-level government officials linked to drugs, possible money laundering and influence peddling, and a resurgent NDP make the provincial election just over a year away a real competition, and one that offers no guarantees for the BC Liberals.

Thirdly and most interestingly is the links to Paul Martin's leadership campaign.  Both above named high-level government officials, particularly, were major organizers for Paul Martin in riding AGM and delegate selection meetings across the province, including the coup d'etat of Herb Dhaliwal's riding executive.  The infamous "L1" (also known by Frank magazine readers as Spiderman) has been an active and powerful member of the federal Liberals in British Columbia for over a decade, and is known across the province for his ruthless and underhanded political tactics.  The brother of the Deputy Premier was the chief fundraiser for the federal Liberals in the province, and also had his home raided by the RCMP.  And finally, Paul Martin's highest ranking political operative, the husband of the Deputy Premier, and mentor to "L1," had his home visited to acquire two resumes that were being held for possible jobs in the new federal administration.

So, when Bill Cunningham, President of the federal Liberal wing in BC, says that the investigation has no links to his party, funnily enough the same word used above resurfaces: Bullshit.

Like always, there are very interesting times ahead in the wacky world that is British Columbia politics.

Comments? jonathan@tdhstrategies.com