The growing Burnaby Hospital scandal shows that B.C. Liberal party operatives designed the community consultation process from the beginning in a desperate attempt to win seats in the next election. The work of the party was then carried out using taxpayer-funded government resources to conduct partisan political work.

A leaked three page document written by three Liberal party operatives states the premier “MUST act first” on the issue of rebuilding Burnaby Hospital, and details how doing so will buy the government time to conduct polling and find out if rebuilding the hospital is a “winning issue.”

The government has refused to explain why partisan interests were put ahead of the interests of patients and the community, and has tried to distance itself from the committee's work. But British Columbians deserve the truth, and Premier Christy Clark needs to answer for her government’s actions.

Here are just some of the questions the premier needs to answer:

• Can the premier assure the public that no taxpayer dollars were used to conduct politically-motivated partisan work?
• Has the premier launched an investigation into the conduct and involvement of B.C. Liberal ministers and senior government staff, including Brian Bonney?
• The health minister has tried to distance herself from the committee's work, saying it is not part of the official process, but the previous health minister, Mike de Jong, appointed the committee in the first place. Did the premier sign-off on the creation of the committee?
• The consultation committee was suggested by Liberal party operative Pamela Gardner in a leaked three page letter, and she was subsequently named to lead the committee along with MLAs Harry Bloy and Richard T. Lee. In a previous leaked email, Gardner claims to have known the premier for four decades. Was the premier’s office involved in the selection process of members of the consultation committee?
• Leaked emails from the partisan group driving the committee's work show they intended to place the blame for the state of Burnaby Hospital on the chair of the Fraser Health Authority. Does the premier agree with this plan to duck the responsibility and blame others for partisan gain?
• Is it now considered acceptable practice to use personal email accounts to conduct government business? Will the premier issue a clear directive to all ministers and government staffers about what the rules are with regards to this practice?
• Will the premier commit to releasing all emails and correspondence about the Burnaby Hospital community consultation, whether using government or private email addresses?
• Can the premier assure British Columbians that there are no other sneaky backroom projects being undertaken under her watch?

Quote from New Democrat health critic Mike Farnworth: “The premier needs to come clean with British Columbians and address her involvement in this unacceptable political manipulation of the public interests. This sham of a process has wasted valuable time and taxpayer money on a tainted consultation committee and diverted attention away from what really matters – improving health services for patients and communities. There are a lot of unanswered questions and the premier owes it to the province to start answering them.”