Citizens’ Services Minister Jinny Sims is under fire for writing visa reference letters for foreign nationals on a security watch list that cite her role as a minister instead of as an MLA.
Sims admits writing the letters, saying she used to do so all the time as a member of parliament. She said she withdrew her endorsements after Cloverdale-Langley City MP John Aldag’s office told her about the security concerns.
Liberal MLA Mike de Jong told the house the allegations include that Sims was trying to facilitate entry into Canada of foreign nationals who were on a security watch, in exchange for money.
Here is the letter handed out by the @bcliberals from a lawyer representing a former staffer of @jinnysims alleging the minister used a variety of communication means to avoid #cdnfoi laws. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/xRHx5U19ly
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCHNL) May 13, 2019
"As an MP, I used to write these letters ... as an MLA, all I'm saying is I know the people who are sponsoring them, and in this case, I knew some of the people who were coming."
But Sims denied money was ever discussed or that the individuals donated to her campaign.
