Close X
Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVT 
National

Removal of B.C. MLA Adam Walker from NDP caucus unrelated to police, harassment: Eby

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2023 01:31 PM
  • Removal of B.C. MLA Adam Walker from NDP caucus unrelated to police, harassment: Eby

British Columbia Premier David Eby says a complaint by an employee in late July led to the removal of MLA Adam Walker from the New Democrat caucus, but the issue doesn't involve police or sexual harassment.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since Walker was kicked out over the weekend, Eby says he decided the member could no longer be part of the group after a formal investigation by NDP caucus.

Eby says he wishes he could share more but rules related to human resources and privacy prevent him going into specifics about the accusations, which are not a criminal matter.

The premier says he doesn't believe what the investigation found could be remedied by a training process for Walker, who will now sit as an independent.

An emailed statement from Walker's constituency office says it does not have a comment to provide on the situation.

The premier says the situation was "challenging" and informing Walker he was being removed was "not a happy day."

He says any time an MLA is removed from caucus is "an opportunity for review."

"It's a big responsibility we ask people to take on as MLA, they not only have to represent their communities, they not only have to be up-to-date on policy and law, and be able to advocate, but they're also employers, they have to run an office in their community, they have obligations to their employees directly," Eby says.

"And we're operating in a unionized environment with collective agreements as well, which adds a level of complexity for people who maybe haven't been employers before." 

Walker was elected to the provincial legislature in 2020 to represent the riding of Parksville-Qualicum on Vancouver Island. He was previously a town councillor in Qualicum Beach.

Eby says he can assure the people in Walker's riding that a formal and thorough process was followed.

 "As in any human resources process, we have an obligation to privacy in those matters," he said.

 "And simultaneously, you know, Mr. Walker is a public official, accountable to the people of Parksville-Qualicum. … I wish I could share more about this, but I can't"

Photo courtesy of Instagram (@AdamWalker, MLA)

MORE National ARTICLES

Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce 'original news'

Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce 'original news'
In a court filing submitted last week, the publication rejects the agency's conclusion that it's not a qualified Canadian journalism organization — a designation that allows it to claim a journalism tax credit. The Canada Revenue Agency didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The federal government has yet to file its defence.

Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce 'original news'

B.C. promises $3M to expand program that partners cops with health-care providers

B.C. promises $3M to expand program that partners cops with health-care providers
New teams are being funded for Abbotsford, Port Coquitlam/Coquitlam, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Penticton, Vernon, Squamish, Prince Rupert and the Westshore on southern Vancouver Island.  Similar programs already exist in 10 B.C. communities including Kamloops, Victoria, Surrey and Vancouver.

B.C. promises $3M to expand program that partners cops with health-care providers

Marijuana grow-op busted in Abbotsford

Marijuana grow-op busted in Abbotsford
Investigators say they seized four thousand pot plant, kilos of suspected fentanyl and cocaine, as well as handguns, three sawed-off shotguns, a rifle, and a dozen other firearms that were "lawfully possessed."

Marijuana grow-op busted in Abbotsford

Report shows economic case for high immigration, but warns of housing trade-offs

Report shows economic case for high immigration, but warns of housing trade-offs
A Desjardins report released Monday analyzes how much population growth among working-age Canadians is necessary to maintain the old-age dependency ratio, which refers to the ratio between 15 to 64-year-olds and those aged 65 and older. 

Report shows economic case for high immigration, but warns of housing trade-offs

Tourist stabbed in Vancouver plans to continue tour of Canada

Tourist stabbed in Vancouver plans to continue tour of Canada
Twenty-eight-year-old Jamie Hallowes says he was on his way to withdraw cash downtown when someone approached him from behind and stabbed him twice. One wound required stitches, but Hallowes says the experience hasn't tainted his impression of Canada, and he plans to continue on to Alberta in the coming weeks. 

Tourist stabbed in Vancouver plans to continue tour of Canada

'Aggressive' wildfire shuts B.C. highway as military and officials set to meet

'Aggressive' wildfire shuts B.C. highway as military and officials set to meet
The service says Highway 20 north of Bella Coola was closed Sunday evening as the fire that was discovered near Young Creek just the day before swelled to 22-square kilometres in size.  The service says no evacuation orders have been issued for the fire, which is among more than 360 burning in the province, with 23 listed by the wildfire service as fires of note.

'Aggressive' wildfire shuts B.C. highway as military and officials set to meet