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."
Yesterday morning, staff at a social housing complex near Main and East Cordova streets found Joshua Hough, 43, deceased in his suite. One arrest has been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Toronto police say in a release that Amaresh Tesfamariam, who was 65, died on Oct. 28. She had been in hospital since April 23, 2018, after Alek Minassian drove a rental van down the sidewalk of Yonge Street killing 10 people and injuring another 16.
The statements for Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast say rainfall amounts of 75 to 120 millimetres is on the way Saturday evening and will continue through to Monday.
Canada's environment minister says he thinks fossil fuel subsidies should be eliminated as United Nations negotiators wrestle over a final text in the closing hours of the Glasgow climate talks. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the subsidies should be phased out with a timeline.
Surrey RCMP has arrested a 28-year old man, who is alleged to have robbed the same Whalley bank twice, only weeks apart. On October 16, 2021, Surrey RCMP received a report of a bank robbery in 10200-block of King George Boulevard. The suspect fled with cash prior to police arrival.
Police believe there may have been other customers in the restaurant who witnessed the theft. Witnesses were unable to get a description of the suspect but believe he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
