Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Jul, 2023 03:13 PM
  • Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

A former school board trustee from Metro Vancouver who later became a provincial government adviser will not be charged for allegedly violating election laws, the British Columbia Prosecution Service said Thursday.

The service had tapped a special prosecutor in May to give legal advice on the investigation of Gurveen Dhaliwal, who served as a trustee in New Westminster before being named as an adviser to Health Minister Adrian Dix on May 1.

The investigation stemmed from Dhaliwal's presence as a scrutineer during the same election last November in which she was running for a second term.

The Local Government Act prohibits candidates from being in voting places for any purpose other than casting a ballot. 

Special Prosecutor John Gordon found Dhaliwal's presence as a scrutineer likely contravened the provisions of the act.

But he declined to charge her for violations because the "charge assessment standard" had not been met, the prosecution service said in a statement.

Gordon concluded that Dhaliwal's brief stint as a scrutineer constituted "a genuine mistake or misunderstanding of fact," the service said.

"During the police investigation Ms. Dhaliwal stated that she was unaware that, as a candidate, she was prohibited from being present at the voting place for any purpose other than casting her own ballot," it said.

"This fact was not noticed or brought to her attention when she presented her candidate representation form to the Presiding Election Official at the voting place and was permitted to remain as a scrutineer."

Dhaliwal did not serve as a scrutineer for long, about 20 minutes, and "nothing remarkable" occurred while she was present, the statement noted.

Dhaliwal did not return a request for comment on the decision, but a statement released through her lawyer said she was "vindicated."

Her appointment to the Health Ministry was rescinded May 15, shortly after the special prosecutor's appointment.

Dhaliwal was made an adviser to the labour minister that same day, before the premier's office said on May 26 that she'd been placed on leave.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Mountain biker dies after crash during B.C. Cup race at Big White resort

Mountain biker dies after crash during B.C. Cup race at Big White resort
The senior vice-president of Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, B.C., says a mountain biker has died after a crash during the B.C. Cup downhill racing event the resort hosted on the weekend. He says resort staff and management are "devastated" by the incident.

Mountain biker dies after crash during B.C. Cup race at Big White resort

45 arrested, $5K worth of stolen goods recovered at Metrotown mall

45 arrested, $5K worth of stolen goods recovered at Metrotown mall
Some of the most commonly targeted items for shoplifters during the latest Boost and Bust included clothing and sunglasses. In one instance, officers taking part in the Boost and Bust were also able to assist in quickly reuniting a missing child with her mother.

45 arrested, $5K worth of stolen goods recovered at Metrotown mall

BC grandma celebrates 99th birthday Skydiving

BC grandma celebrates 99th birthday Skydiving
Lucy Koenig jumped tandem from a plane at about 10-thousand feet at the Skydive Vancouver centre in Abbotsford. She says her advice to others is to live life to the fullest and do what makes them happy.  

BC grandma celebrates 99th birthday Skydiving

Expansion, upgrade project valued at $366.5M starts at Williams Lake hospital

Expansion, upgrade project valued at $366.5M starts at Williams Lake hospital
Adrian Dix says the $366.5-million construction project now starting at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake will increase the hospital's capacity and provide a modern working environment. Dix says the project will add 25 beds and a new emergency department, while expanding surgical, maternity, pharmacy and mental-health and substance-use treatment areas.

Expansion, upgrade project valued at $366.5M starts at Williams Lake hospital

Coquitlam shooting victim identified as Karnvir Singh Garcha

Coquitlam shooting victim identified as Karnvir Singh Garcha
RCMP were called to the Foster Avenue and North Road area shortly before 9:30 p.m. for reports of a shooting on Sunday. When police arrived, they found Garcha with gunshot wounds.

Coquitlam shooting victim identified as Karnvir Singh Garcha

Elections BC bans Mark Marissen and municipal party over financing breach

Elections BC bans Mark Marissen and municipal party over financing breach
A news release from the elections body says the party and six of its eight candidates in last year's municipal vote failed to meet the filing deadline for finance reports in January this year.  The agency says the party's campaign finance report also disclosed violations, including an improper $50,000 loan and prohibited donations.

Elections BC bans Mark Marissen and municipal party over financing breach