Close X
Sunday, March 2, 2025
ADVT 
National

B.C. Premier John Horgan Confident Former Minister Jinny Sims Can 'Clear The Air' In RCMP Investigation

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Oct, 2019 07:05 PM

    VICTORIA - A British Columbia cabinet minister who abruptly resigned last week says she has not been contacted by the RCMP and remains in the dark about the allegations that led to a criminal investigation of her conduct.

     

    Jinny Sims said Monday she is not prepared to venture a guess on the nature of the investigation.

     

    "I don't know what the allegations are in this instance and it would be inappropriate for me to start speculating," she said outside the legislature. "I am looking forward to finding out as much as anyone else."

     

    Sims resigned as citizens' services minister on Friday as Premier John Horgan announced a special prosecutor had been appointed to help the RCMP in their investigation of her.

     

    "I have to let the process play out and it is a process that will take its time," she said.

     

    Horgan said he's also not aware of the allegations facing Sims.

     

    "I have every confidence in Jinny," he told a news conference at the legislature, citing her experience as the head of the B.C. Teachers' Federation and as an MP. "I'm confident she will be able to clear the air."

     

    Sims said in a statement Friday that she was "confident" her name would be cleared and dismissed "previous public allegations" that were made against her as having "no credibility." She did not say what allegations she was referring to.

     

    The Opposition B.C. Liberals have accused Sims of using personal emails to allegedly circumvent the province's freedom of information laws and of writing letters to support visa applications for 10 Pakistani citizens who were on a security watch list.

     

    It is not known if the allegations about Sims's personal email or the reference letters are the subject of the RCMP investigation.

     

    Sims has denied any wrongdoing in the use of her emails.

     

    She told the legislature earlier this year that she did not see the final draft of the sponsorship letters, which were sent out with her electronic signature.

     

    "I take responsibility for what happened," she added. "When I became aware of the issue, I immediately had a serious conversation with the staff to ensure that it would not happen again."

     

    The RCMP has not commented on its investigation.

     

    The prosecution service said Monday that it appointed a special prosecutor after receiving a formal request from the Mounties on Sept. 30 to consider such an appointment to give legal advice into allegations of criminal wrongdoing against Sims and "other persons unknown" to the service.

     

    In the legislature on Monday, Liberal house leader Mary Polak asked Horgan if the government failed to properly investigate the allegations that were made in March.

     

    "The minister has now resigned and is the subject of an active police investigation in relation to criminal wrongdoing," said Polak, who added that she also wrote to the RCMP, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the prosecution service. "Will the premier admit he and his government were wrong to have dismissed these allegations in the first place?"

     

    Horgan said an examination of the Liberal allegations were reviewed and produced nothing.

     

    "We did an investigation of some of the other issues that were raised, found no evidence, and at that time advised the Opposition that if they had more to say, they should talk to the RCMP," he said.

     

    Horgan said he heard nothing further until Friday when Attorney General David Eby told him of the appointment of a special prosecutor.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. Becomes A Safer Place For Kickboxers To Compete, Turn Pro

    British Columbia’s mixed-martial arts (MMA) athletes will compete more safely and at a higher level,  following the B.C. athletic commissioner’s decision to authorize professional kickboxing.

    B.C. Becomes A Safer Place For Kickboxers To Compete, Turn Pro

    Burnaby RCMP Warns Of Catalytic Converter Thefts

    Over recent months the Burnaby RCMP have noticed an increase in catalytic converter thefts, similar to that being reported by other lower mainland jurisdictions. 

    Burnaby RCMP Warns Of Catalytic Converter Thefts

    One Man Charged Following Threat Which Caused Evacuation Of Surrey Mall

    One Man Charged Following Threat Which Caused Evacuation Of Surrey Mall
    Surrey RCMP is advising the public of an arrest which was made after police investigated a threat at Surrey Central Mall late Sunday afternoon.

    One Man Charged Following Threat Which Caused Evacuation Of Surrey Mall

    Surrey RCMP Arrest Two Male Suspects In Midst Of Theft In Vancouver For Stealing Catalytic Converters

    Surrey RCMP is advising the public of the arrests of two men related to multiple catalytic converter thefts in Surrey and Vancouver.  

    Surrey RCMP Arrest Two Male Suspects In Midst Of Theft In Vancouver For Stealing Catalytic Converters

    Have You Heard About The 15 Apps Parents Should Be Aware Of?

    As we prepare for the new school year, the Abbotsford Police Department would like to make sure parents are "in the know" about apps children may be using...and how those social media platforms may put youth at risk.

    Have You Heard About The 15 Apps Parents Should Be Aware Of?

    Downtown Eastside Assault Leaves 49-year-old Man With Life-Threatening Injuries, Vancouver Police Seek Witnesses

    Downtown Eastside Assault Leaves 49-year-old Man With Life-Threatening Injuries, Vancouver Police Seek Witnesses
    Vancouver Police are looking for witnesses to a Downtown Eastside assault that left a 49-year-old Vancouver man with life-threatening injuries last Wednesday.    

    Downtown Eastside Assault Leaves 49-year-old Man With Life-Threatening Injuries, Vancouver Police Seek Witnesses