VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark refused to answer questions about her strong ties to the key figures involved in the Quick Wins scandal when questioned by New Democrats in the legislature.

New Democrats asked the B.C. Liberals who was at the centre of the Quick Wins scandal on Wednesday during question period, and provided evidence that it seems to be the premier herself.

“Premier Clark has close ties to all the key players in the Quick Wins scandal,” said New Democrat house leader Mike Farnworth. “Through her appointments and transfers of key staff between the B.C. Liberal party and government, she created the web of people involved, and set up the conditions for the Quick Wins scandal to be carried out. In fact, the first meeting was initiated out of the premier’s own office.”

Farnworth said the premier would surely like to distance herself from everyone who, as a result of this scandal, has been fired, charged with an offence or both. The problem is she is deeply connected to each and every person, and in almost every case was directly responsible for them being in the position they were when the Quick Wins operation was carried out.

The investigation into the scandal, conducted by the premier’s own deputy minister, failed to even mention Mainland Communications, a company co-owned by two people now charged with Election Act charges. Emails sent from Mainland Communications accounts were part of the review conducted by John Dyble, but he failed to report publicly on them.

B.C. Liberal operatives Brian Bonney and Mark Robertson were charged for offences under the Election Act for offences alleged to have started in February 2012. Their next court date is scheduled for Dec. 17.

More details about the Premier’s close connections are in the attached backgrounders:

–Backgrounder – Who was at the centre of the BC Liberal Quick Wins scandal
–Backgrounder – Chronology of events

–Infographic