REALITY CHECK: On anti-corruption day, questions mount for Christy Clark

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On International Anti-Corruption Day, there are a number of questions raised for Liberal leadership candidate and political insider Christy Clark. As a former Cabinet Minister and Deputy Premier, Clark sat around Gordon Campbell's cabinet table for some of the most questionable decisions made by the B.C. Liberal government. Clark now says that she would not call a public inquiry into the sale of B.C. Rail, a decision that raises serious questions about her involvement.

Here are the real facts on what Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberal team has done to this province.

STONEWALLED B.C. RAIL QUESTIONS

  • For over seven years, the B.C. Liberals have refused to answer questions relating to the sale of B.C. Rail. They have refused public calls for an independent public inquiry into the sale of the former crown corporation, the unprecedented raid on the legislature and the entire B.C. Rail Liberal corruption scandal. Now, Clark is joining her B.C. Liberal colleagues by denying the public the truth by refusing calls for an inquiry. Was Clark supposed to take the stand? If so, what questions is she trying to avoid?

$6 MILLION B.C. RAIL BUY-OUT

  • The office of the Attorney General signed off on a $6 million buy-out to secure guilty pleas from former political aides Dave Basi and Bob Virk in the B.C. Rail corruption trial, so that the B.C. Liberal government could save their own political hides from media and public scrutiny. Does Christy Clark support the $6 million buy-out for Basi and Virk and if not, why is she refusing to call a public inquiry?

LOBBYIST LOOPHOLES

  • Clark sat around the Cabinet table while the B.C. Liberal government refused to take action to address loopholes in the Lobbyist Registry. Why did Clark refuse to take action? Did it have anything to do with the fact that her husband was a Lobbyist?

GOVERNMENT WATCHDOGS ATTACKED

  • The B.C. Liberal government has continually attacked independent watchdogs that were established to protect the public interest. When criticized by the Auditor General and the Representative for Children and Youth for not protecting the public interest, the B.C. Liberals’ stock response has been to attack the messenger. Despite claiming that she will put families first, Clark sat on cabinet when the independent watchdog for children was eliminated and the budgets for other independent officers like the Auditor General and FOI Commissioner were dramatically cut. Why should British Columbians believe that Clark will now put the public interest first.

TORE UP LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACTS

  • The B.C. Liberals broke their promise by tearing up legally binding union contracts shortly after taking office. Despite this move being declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada, the B.C. Liberals have refused to restore union members’ rights. Clark was part of the Cabinet that made this decision. If elected, would Clark tear up legally binding contracts, again?

The B.C. New Democrats are advocating for open and transparent governance and a vibrant democracy that fosters discussion and debate with British Columbians, including legislation to strengthen freedom of information and change the way political parties finance political campaigns