Hello
In the article below there are allegations arising in BC Supreme Court that the Campbell BC Liberal government paid people to support salmon farms at a protest rally in Victoria several years ago.
The article below is extremely disturbing. If it is true, there is no reason to expect the salmon farming issue to ever be resolved. You might want to contact government and ask if your tax dollars were used in this manner to disrupt a democratic process concerning a public resource.
To find Gordon Campbell and MLA emails addresses:
It is essential that the BC government learn how many people in BC want to keep wild salmon – giving full consideration to the people employed in the industry, but not at the expense of losing our wild salmon. http://www.salmonaresacred.org
This is now about keeping our towns alive, public food security and government integrity.
Alexandra Morton
Lawyer alleges Campbell advised accused to ‘keep mouth shut’
Claims made in corruption trial immediately denied in the witness stand by B.C. Premier’s chief of staff
Mark Hume
Vancouver — From Friday’s Globe and Mail Published on Thursday, May. 20, 2010 9:03PM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/lawyer-alleges-campbell-advised-accused-to-keep-mouth-shut/article1576517/
Allegations that Premier Gordon Campbell and Martyn Brown, his chief of staff, each called a political operative under police investigation and told him “he would be taken care of if he kept his mouth shut” were made in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Thursday.
The stunning claims – which were immediately denied by Mr. Brown from the witness stand – came in the form of questions put during cross examination by Kevin McCullough.
Madam Justice Anne MacKenzie reminded the jury questions put by lawyers are not to be taken as evidence.
Mr. McCullough is defending Bobby Virk, one of three former government employees facing charges of fraud, breach of trust and money laundering in relation to the 2003 sale of BC Rail for $1-billion.
“I’m going to suggest you called Mr. Virk regularly [after police raided his legislature office on Dec. 28, 2003] … and that you assured him the government would be taking care of him … if he kept his mouth shut,” said Mr. McCullough, standing at a podium beside the jury box.
“That is absolutely untrue,” said Mr. Brown, who has been Mr. Campbell’s chief political adviser since the Liberals first took power in B.C. in 2001.
“Were you aware that Mr. Campbell was [also] calling Mr. Virk … [and that] Campbell assured him he would take care of him?” asked Mr. McCullough.
“No. Never heard that before. I would be shocked, completely shocked if that was the case – because I don’t believe that ever happened,” said Mr. Brown, who kept his composure, although he had trouble recalling certain events as the questions kept coming.
Mr. McCullough asked who had recommended Mr. Virk for his job as ministerial assistant to then transportation minister Judith Reid. Mr. Brown, who did the hiring, couldn’t remember.
“Do you recall interviewing Mr. Virk and telling him he was going to get the job … because Premier Campbell personally recommended him?” Mr. McCullough said.
“I don’t recall that … if I said that I don’t remember saying that. … It’s not impossible,” Mr. Brown said.
Asked if he remembered introducing Mr. Virk at a Liberal caucus meeting once as “Bob from Burnaby,” which prompted a standing ovation, Mr. Brown shook his head.
“I don’t remember any meeting … I’m not saying I didn’t … . It would be helpful if you told me the context,” he said.
“A Christmas party full of Liberal MLAs,” prompted Mr. McCullough.
“If I did, I don’t remember,” Mr. Brown said.
He did recall, however, that “Bob from Burnaby” was the identity Mr. Virk gave when he called in to radio hotline shows, to pose soft questions when Mr. Campbell was on air.
“I think that’s a perfectly acceptable and long standing political practice,” he said.
“You don’t think it’s a deceptive practice to use your workers?” Mr. McCullough asked.
“No, … all parties do that because it’s all about having your message get out,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Brown also defended the actions of Mike McDonald, head of special projects for the Premier, who the defence alleged helped organize the disruption of an anti-fish farm rally in Victoria.
Mr. Brown said Mr. McDonald didn’t organize things, he simply told pro-fish farm people it was in their best interest “to protest the protest.”
When Mr. McCullough asked if he would be surprised to learn one of the accused, Dave Basi, had worked with Mr. McDonald on that issue and had “paid people $100 a head” to attend.
“It would not only surprise me, it would shock me,” Mr. Brown said.
Cross examination of Mr. Brown is to continue Tuesday when the case against Mr. Virk, Mr. Basi and Aneal Basi, continues.