Premier, cabinet ordered to release B.C. Rail emails

[Spazito]

In a ruling one lawyer called potentially explosive, A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ordered Premier Gordon Campbell and former finance minister Gary Collins to produce emails linked to the 2003 sale of Crown-owned BC Rail -- almost six years after a police raid on the province's legislature.

Justice Elizabeth Bennett said Monday the premier, his senior staff and several former high-profile cabinet ministers must forward emails linked to the $1-billion privatization sale that sparked corruption allegations and an ongoing court battle.

It's not clear whether most of the emails still exist. Bennett heard last week a private firm contracted by the government was ordered to destroy them last May.

The unprecedented ruling also includes emails former transportation ministers Judith Reid and Shirley Bond, former deputy premier Christy Clark, then energy minister Richard Neufeld. It covers emails sent between Jan. 2002 and Dec. 31, 2004.

more

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090720/bc_bc_rail_emails_090720/20090720/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome


Finally! That whole thing smelled foul right from the beginning, imo. It seems we have a bush-style 'cleansing' of the many of the e-mails in question, surprise, surprise.

This certainly will be interesting to follow!

[iverglas]

1. Basi's boys! (whatever became of)

http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x291221

iverglas Tue Dec-30-03 01:27 PM
Original message
Targets of <drug investigation> raids had ties to <CDN P.M.> Martin

Oh, I do love memory lane.

Frederic Bastiat Tue Dec-30-03 04:09 PM <formerly ExCav, it seems>
Response to Reply #7
12. "Martin is an "unelected" Prime Minister, is backed by big business"

Edited on Tue Dec-30-03 04:11 PM by exCav
Oh boy what will you come up with after the Liberals sweep the next election?
Face it, Canadians are Centrists and they love Paul Martin.

:rofl:


Anyhow, still dragging on ...

http://ctv.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090326.wBasibg0326/tech/Technology/Technology/&id=RTGAM_20090326_wBasibg0326

At the time of the legislature raids, both Mr. Basi and Mr. Virk were reportedly angling for jobs in Ottawa, hoping to be hired as ministerial aides in the Liberal government of Mr. Martin, who had just become prime minister.

A third man in the case, Aneal Basi, was a low-level communications officer in the transportation ministry. He has been charged with money laundering for allegedly taking payments from a lobbyist and allegedly depositing them in his account, before transferring the funds to his cousin, Dave Basi.

Police allege all three men were caught up in scheme in which benefits, “being money, meals, travel and employment opportunities,” were received in return for confidential government information related to the sale of BC Rail.

At the time a U.S. company, OmniTRAX Inc., and CN Rail were competing for the provincially owned railway which, in 2004, went to CN for $1-billion.

The case has been bogged down at the pre-trial stage for years.

It is scheduled to go to trial later this year, but before it does the defence will seek a stay of proceedings, arguing the Crown has failed to adequately disclose documents and that the Charter rights of the accused have been violated. Another issue that could affect the trial is a key appeal, before the Supreme Court of Canada, concerning a Crown attempt to bar the defence from a hearing where the identity of a privileged police informant might come out.

I'd forgotten to remember to look for it recently. Six years on. Imagine.

[Spazito]

2. Yep, six years...

I remember when it was BIG news, lasted for a bit and then, in essence, disappeared. Every time Campbell et al hit the news, I would remember this whole sleazy scam.

I love it when the old SoCred crowd eats it's own, it makes for great viewing, lol.

[Tindalos]

3. Can't believe it's been 6 years already

You're right, the whole deal seemed rotten back then. Hopefully the truth comes out this time. Maybe I shouldn't hold my breath though.