North Coast MLA Gary Coons is glad that the New Democrat Opposition will be bringing forward new legislation to strengthen rules governing the activity of government lobbyists and to extend conflict of interest laws, as announced yesterday by BC NDP Leader, Carole James.
“We need legislation to prevent the further entrenchment of ethical problems in the Premier’s office,” said Coons. “The Dobell affair made it clear that British Columbia needs to improve conflict of interest legislation to prevent ignorance being used an excuse to engage in influence peddling.”
The new laws James and the NDP opposition will propose when the Legislature reconvenes in April include the following:
- A two year lobbying ban on former ministers, senior political aides, and deputy ministers like Ken Dobell.
- A prohibition for up to two years on all lobbying activities for people convicted of violating the Lobbyists Registration Act.
- Expanded powers for the Information and Privacy Commissioner to conduct investigations.
- The extension of current conflict of interest laws to cover all government appointees.
- The extension of the two year moratorium on former members of the Executive Council from accepting a contract or benefit from government to include deputy ministers.
- A requirement for public officials to disclose their interactions with registered lobbyists.
“It’s unfortunate that government is unable to hold themselves up to the highest ethical standards,” said Coons, “but these laws we are proposing will remove the temptation for the Premier and his cronies to deliberately bend and misinterpret lobbying rules.”
Coons noted that the legislation the Opposition is introducing follows changes made federally and in other provinces. The Attorney General promised to review B.C.’s laws but has since made it clear it is not one of his priorities.
“Gordon Campbell and Wally Oppal refuse to hold anyone accountable or to make the changes required to prevent situations like the Dobell affair from reoccurring. The new legislation we are proposing will ensure that the government is held accountable for future ethical violations,” said Coons.
“If the Liberal government wants to keep the public trust they will support these important changes.”