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."
To commemorate this year's event, the Canucks for Kids Fund will be donating $20,000 between Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen, a Sikh-faith led volunteer organization supporting Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and Kids Play Foundation, a local non-profit organization that engages youth through sports.
In December 2018, Surrey RCMP located a coin collection in a vehicle during a criminal investigation. The occupants of the vehicle did not claim ownership of the coins, leading police to believe they were stolen. Police were unable to locate any reports of lost/ stolen coins matching the description of the collection located.
Ravi Kahlon, MLA for Delta North and Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has issued the following statement in honour of the proclamation declaring November as Sikh Nation Blood Donation Month
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VISAFF will run from November 11-14 and showcase over 60 films, including 6 features, 5 documentaries, over 30 short films along with various panel discussions and workshops.