Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Former B.C. Speaker doesn't recall documents

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Feb, 2022 01:33 PM
  • Former B.C. Speaker doesn't recall documents

VANCOUVER - A former Speaker of British Columbia's legislature says he doesn't remember seeing many of the documents outlining retirement and financial benefits linked to a breach-of-trust trial.

Bill Barisoff told the B.C. Supreme Court trial of the former clerk of the legislature Craig James that he only saw some documents connected with benefits after the RCMP began investigating James, and when letters and memos were sent to him by the Crown.

James has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to allegations that he used his position for personal gain.

The trial heard testimony earlier that James told the deputy clerk that based on legal advice Barisoff had determined that James was eligible for the $258,000 retirement benefit.

James was escorted from the legislature in 2018 amid a police investigation into allegations involving the retirement benefit, travel expense claims and the purchase of a wood splitter and trailer with public funds.

Barisoff says he was not involved in approving James's travel expenses, which would have been handled by a committee though he does not recall its name.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Coquitlam Mounties investigate fatal stabbing

Coquitlam Mounties investigate fatal stabbing
They say in a release that the female victim was located Thursday around 4:30 p.m. in an underground parkade in the 1100-block of Austin Avenue. Police say she was rushed to hospital for treatment of stab wounds but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Coquitlam Mounties investigate fatal stabbing

Teck says weather, COVID-19 hitting results

Teck says weather, COVID-19 hitting results
Teck said steelmaking coal sales for the fourth quarter came in at 5.1 million tonnes, below the 5.2 million to 5.7 million tonnes in its revised guidance it issued Dec. 5 after the record rainfall in B.C. that knocked out rail and road infrastructure.

Teck says weather, COVID-19 hitting results

DARPAN 10 with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist, BMO Financial Group

DARPAN 10 with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist, BMO Financial Group
I have been an economist, working on Bay Street in Toronto, since the early 1980s. I now lead a team that provides analysis and forecasts on numerous economic and financial indicators, such as interest rates, economic growth, unemployment, housing, exchange rates, and, of course, inflation. 

DARPAN 10 with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist, BMO Financial Group

Postal workers can wear N95s — with a mask on top

Postal workers can wear N95s — with a mask on top
Some postal service employees doing tasks with a greater risk of catching COVID-19 — for example working in a pair to unload a van inside — are being given N95 masks, but a "fit test by a qualified professional" is required before they can be worn.

Postal workers can wear N95s — with a mask on top

Surprise new documents identified in James case

Surprise new documents identified in James case
Crown prosecutor David Butcher told Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes that he learned of two new sets of documents relevant to the case during an interview Wednesday night with Hilary Woodward, executive financial officer at the legislature.    

Surprise new documents identified in James case

2,033 COVID19 cases for Thursday

2,033 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are 29,556 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 284,832 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 977 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital and 141 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation

2,033 COVID19 cases for Thursday