Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2022 01:30 PM
VANCOUVER - A special prosecutor says British Columbia's former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in "glaring and egregious" ways.
Brock Martland made the allegation as he began closing arguments in the Crown's case against Craig James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust.
James's defence is expected to present its case Wednesday.
Martland says that as the most senior officer of the legislature, James held a position akin to the CEO and was responsible for financial stewardship of the institution.
He accused James of acting outside of his duties by picking up a wood splitter and trailer for the legislature and storing them at home for a year, exploiting a weakness in the system to award himself a $258,000 retirement benefit and charging souvenirs to the public purse.
Martland says public trust in government officials is a critical part of a functioning democracy, and he alleged that James violated that trust.
"This case is about trust, specifically the public trust that we place in government officials," Martland told the court on Tuesday.
"Our position is that the public trust was violated repeatedly and extensively by Craig James."
Hudson's Bay Co. and its partner RioCan Real Estate Trust announced the plans Wednesday, saying the Bay store will remain at the site downtown along with other retail businesses as part of the redevelopment.
A fire ecologist says new provincial funding to expand the BC Wildfire Service to a year-round endeavour is a welcome step toward preventing disasters, while others in the field say the funds could be better spent elsewhere.
In his letter to Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough, NDP critic Daniel Blaikie says an appeal of the tribunal ruling would only prolong access to justice for new parents who lose their jobs.
A post on the City of Kamloops Facebook page says Jane Deelstra received a certificate from Kamloops RCMP Supt. Syd Lecky on Tuesday, recognizing her "great bravery and perseverance."
Downtown Ottawa Coun. Catherine McKenney has floated the idea of working with federal officials and the community to close Wellington Street, which runs directly along Parliament Hill, to all vehicles except public transit, pedestrians and cyclists.
Surrey RCMP say they responded to reports of a stabbing on the school grounds Tuesday afternoon. They say in a news release that teenagers were found with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to hospital.
