Public Inquiry Into BC Rail Sale?

By 250 News

A Public Inquiry into the sale of BC Rail?  

The NDP would like to see one, but, writer Bill Tieleman says the closest thing to a public inquiry is underway right now “ It is happening in courtroom 54 and what  we are hearing now is just an appetizer, just a snack.  Judith Reid is going to testify, Gary Collins is going to testify.”  Tieleman is referring to the Supreme Court proceedings underway into the case of former Ministerial Aides David Basi and Bob Virk.

Basi was an aide to then Finance Minister Gary Collins, while Virk worked for Judith Reid who was the Minister of Transportation at the time.

 The two former Aides are accused of fraud, breach of trust and accepting financial and other benefits in the sale of BC Rail.

Tieleman has been covering the Basi-Virk case in the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.   He says the case is so bizarre “It seems like the X Files some times, you know the show’s slogan was the truth is out there, well in this case the truth is way, way, way, out there.”

Tieleman says the allegations are unbelievable. There have been allegations of dirty tricks, with planted phone calls to open line shows.  There are allegations of lobby group links to some politicians, and allegations the sale (lease) to CN was a done deal from the very beginning.  “There was even an alleged plan to dump manure on Jim Sinclair’s front lawn because Sinclair (head of the B.C. Federation of Labour) opposed the sale.  I must say, I always knew the Liberals were full of bull, I just didn’t know they made home deliveries.”

Tielman  believes  the case will eventually go to trial, but he has questions.  He wonders aloud why the Ministerial Aide for Gary Collins is facing charges, but no charges against the Minister.  He wonders aloud why the lobbiest at the core of the case has not been charged.  Tieleman says while it is not his intention to presume guilt or innocence, he is left to ask why those who are well connected or members of the Liberal party have been spared prosecution?

Tieleman was one of three panel members at the evening session at the College of New Caledonia. All three have been openly opposed to the sale of B.C.Rail, so their messages were no surprise to the 100 or so in the audience.  

Ben Meisner, President of Opinion250.com, said he was still waiting to hear who benefited from the sale. “There is something we all need to realize and that is, big business is forming another level of government.  They aren’t elected, but they are gaining more and more control over our lives.”

Ron East, a businessman and vocal opponent to the sale of BC Rail is shocked the current court proceedings are not getting more attention “Think about how serious it is that the RCMP carried out a raid on the B.C. Legislature.  If that had happened in any other part of the country there would have been a major scandal.”  East says he remains hopeful the NDP will press for more details. He also urged those in attendance to press their MLA “I didn’t realize just how sensitive they are to pressure until I was closer to the scene (he was a former Liberal campaign organizer) If you want to see a change, make those phone calls.” 

The costs for the sale of BC Rail?  According to Meisner, the losses have been significant

• Loss of some $15 - $18 million dollars in annual salaries in the Prince George Region.
• Forest companies are now paying higher transportation costs making it more difficult to get their goods to market at a competitive price.
• Loss of some $100 million dollars a year in profit that could be channeled back into the B.C. economy.
• Loss of the ability to  transport goods into Alaska (lost opportunity)

NDP MLA Bob Simpson attended the session and said there is pressure being put on the Attorney General Wally Oppal to “Do the right thing as the top law enforcement officer in the Province.  It is my understanding he has the ability to step back and say there is enough information to warrant a separate investigation.”

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