Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Special Prosecutor Appointed Over Political Donations In B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Mar, 2017 01:23 PM
    VANCOUVER — A special prosecutor has been appointed to provide legal advice to the RCMP over possible violations of British Columbia's Elections Act.
     
    A statement from the B.C. Criminal Justice Branch says David Butcher will help the Mounties with legal advice in an investigation into contributions made to B.C.'s political parties.
     
    The appointment announced on Thursday comes just days before the call of a provincial election.
     
    Butcher will assist police in the investigation into so-called indirect donations, where payments are made by an individual on behalf of an organization, which is a violation of B.C.'s Election Act.
     
    The B.C. Liberal Party said last week that it found 43 indirect political donations worth almost $93,000 and that it planned to reimburse the money.
     
    The party's Emile Scheffel said personal credit cards were used on behalf of an organization and that money was then paid back by the group they represented.
     
    Earlier this month, an NDP spokesman said the party found two errors amounting to less than $9,000 when in reviewed donations over four years, while four other errors were being repaid or reviewed.
     
    The Criminal Justice Branch says the RCMP approached assistant deputy attorney general Peter Juk on Monday asking that he consider the appointment of a special prosecutor.
     
    It says Juk concluded the appointment was in the public interest.
     
    The statement says the assistant deputy attorney general will consider appointing a special prosecutor when there is a significant potential for real or perceived improper influence in decision making if charges are considered.
     
    A special prosecutor works independently from the government.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Cetacean Ban At Vancouver Aquarium Was Public's Will: Park Board Commissioner

    Cetacean Ban At Vancouver Aquarium Was Public's Will: Park Board Commissioner
    VANCOUVER — The unexplained deaths of two belugas at the Vancouver Aquarium last fall were a "tipping point" in the city's debate over cetacean captivity and helped lead to a historic vote to ban the practice, says a park board commissioner.

    Cetacean Ban At Vancouver Aquarium Was Public's Will: Park Board Commissioner

    Vancouver Board Looks At Amending Bylaw To Prohibit Whales At Aquarium

    VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Park Board has unanimously decided to have staff look into amending the Parks Control bylaw to prohibit the importation and display of live whales, dolphins and porpoises.

    Vancouver Board Looks At Amending Bylaw To Prohibit Whales At Aquarium

    Canada's Unemployment Rate Drops To Lowest Level In More Than Two Years

    OTTAWA — Canada's unemployment rate dropped to 6.6 per cent last month, its lowest level in more than two years, Statistics Canada said Friday, as the economy created more jobs than expected even with fewer people looking for work.

    Canada's Unemployment Rate Drops To Lowest Level In More Than Two Years

    Woman Who Gave Water To Pig On Way To Slaughterhouse Was Like Gandhi, Mandela: Lawyer

    Woman Who Gave Water To Pig On Way To Slaughterhouse Was Like Gandhi, Mandela: Lawyer
    Defence lawyer Gary Grill also compared Anita Krajnc's actions — and the resulting legal battle — to the experiences of historic rights activists such as Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Susan B. Anthony.

    Woman Who Gave Water To Pig On Way To Slaughterhouse Was Like Gandhi, Mandela: Lawyer

    U.S., Canada 'Perplexed' About Migrant Surge Into Canada

    U.S., Canada 'Perplexed' About Migrant Surge Into Canada
    The majority travelled to the United States with the necessary visas, Kelly said Friday after a meeting in Ottawa with cabinet members including his Canadian counterpart, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.

    U.S., Canada 'Perplexed' About Migrant Surge Into Canada

    Senate Colleagues Urge Don Meredith To Quit Over Sexual Relationship With 16-Yr-Old Girl

    Senate Colleagues Urge Don Meredith To Quit Over Sexual Relationship With 16-Yr-Old Girl
    OTTAWA — Colleagues of all political stripes pilloried Don Meredith and urged the controversial Conservative senator to give up his Senate seat Friday following an explosive ethics investigation of his sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

    Senate Colleagues Urge Don Meredith To Quit Over Sexual Relationship With 16-Yr-Old Girl