National

NDP leaves spring sitting at legislature facing turmoil in public housing management

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 May, 2023 03:55 PM

VICTORIA — The New Democrat government in British Columbia started the spring legislative session promising more affordable homes for vulnerable people, but it ends the sitting amid turmoil over its public housing agency.

An Ernst and Young audit found mismanagement and risk to public dollars at the Crown corporation BC Housing, and has the government facing sharp criticism as it leaves the legislature pledging tighter controls.

The audit concluded there was mismanagement related to a conflict of interest between Shayne Ramsay, the former chief executive officer at BC Housing, and his spouse, Janice Abbott, who is CEO at Atira Women's Resource Society, the corporation's largest housing operator.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says the government will continue to provide housing to people who need it most, but for now has halted new funding to Atira and will launch another audit.

Opposition BC United Leader Kevin Falcon says the report uncovers a scandal that points toward Premier David Eby, a former housing minister.

Kahlon says the government passed 25 pieces of legislation this spring, including new laws that allow police to seize proceeds of crime, help close the gender pay gap and make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at statutory holiday.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. First Nation gets environment OK on LNG site

The B.C. government says the nation, in partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corp., proposes to use electricity to operate the LNG facility and export terminal. The $3.28-billion terminal will be supplied with natural gas from the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which is still under construction.

B.C. First Nation gets environment OK on LNG site

Ottawa needs spending rules, more taxes: experts

The budget comes at a time when the government is facing pressure to rein in spending so as to not work against the Bank of Canada's inflation-fighting efforts. The central bank has aggressively raised interest rates over the last year to dampen spending by consumers and businesses. Excessive fiscal stimulus could reverse some of that work.

Ottawa needs spending rules, more taxes: experts

Foster kids of all ages get free tuition in B.C.

The program was launched in 2017, waiving fees for people who had been in care from the ages of 19 to 26, but starting next August, that restriction will be eliminated. Since the waiver program was introduced, 1,900 students have had a total of $13 million in tuition and fees waived.

Foster kids of all ages get free tuition in B.C.

B.C. murder conviction tossed for 'error in law'

In a unanimous decision, a three-justice panel of B.C.'s highest court overturned Pirko's conviction, ruling that the trial judge's charge to the jury was "so confusing as to amount to error in law." In his ruling issued Tuesday, Fitch also says the judge's final instructions about Pirko's criminal record were "incomplete and deficient in law."

B.C. murder conviction tossed for 'error in law'

Canada weighs new submarines as allies push ahead

The Royal Canadian Navy launched a push to replace the country's four Victoria-class submarines nearly two years ago by creating a special team to figure out what Canada needs in a new fleet. The move came in response to growing concerns about the age of Canada's existing submarines and the amount of time needed to design and build such vessels.

Canada weighs new submarines as allies push ahead

NDP wants Liberals to expand GST rebate in budget

Party leader Jagmeet Singh said he expects to see money in the budget to expand dental care coverage to teens, seniors and people living with a disability, which was part of the confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals.