The NDP raised questions today about some $300,000 that the B.C. Railway Company paid to companies associated with Patrick Kinsella.
Kinsella, who has been at the centre of a lobbying controversy, was the co-chair of the B.C. Liberals 2001 election campaign and the chair of an advisory committee that oversaw the Liberals 2005 campaign.
Between 2002 and 2005 B.C. Rail paid Progressive Group, The Progressive Group and Progressive Holdings a total of $297,567, according to the NDP's summary of financial information from B.C. Rail.
“It would indicate Mr. Kinsella was working for B.C. Rail. What was Mr. Kinsella doing?” asked Nanaimo NDP MLA Leonard Krog. “What was the Liberal bagman doing for B.C. Rail for $300,000?”
Attorney General Wally Oppal said in the Legislature that he could not answer questions related to B.C. Rail as the court case about the sale is continuing. “Irresponsible comments of that sort jeopardize a fair trial,” he said.
“For the attorney general to suggest this is somehow related to [the] B.C. Rail [court case], maybe he knows something I don't,” said Krog.
A call to the Progressive Group's Vancouver office was not immediately returned. Nor was one to B.C. Rail.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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frances
2 years ago
C-O-R-R-U-P-T-I-O-N
Campbell-Gary Collins-Kinsella, etc ALL rotten to the core. Will we ever see the bottom of this barrel?
wstander
2 years ago
What court case is that?
Attorney General Wally Oppal said in the Legislature that he could not answer questions related to B.C. Rail as the court case about the sale is continuing.
I am aware there is a criminal prosecution of two individuals named Basi and Virk that has something to do with the sale of BC Rail, but I am unaware of the case about the sale of BC Rail. Could someone more knowledgeable please advise me?
wstander
2 years ago
On another, but related front
The G&M website is now reporting:
A Liberal strategist has filed a $1-million libel suit against the Conservative party and Public Works Minister Christian Paradis.
Warren Kinsella alleges that a Feb. 25 news release bearing Conservative party letterhead insinuates he is “unsavoury, dishonest and that [Liberal Leader] Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal party of Canada” should sever ties with him.
“It's a concerted campaign by the Conservative party to target and defame and destroy the reputation of a private citizen who is a volunteer for the Liberal party and nothing more,” he said.
He's a private citizen who is a volunteer for the Liberal party and nothing more. That's his story and he's sticking to it.
DPL
2 years ago
When folks make nasty
When folks make nasty comments about a insider the non lobyist who lobbies sues. If it ever got to court Wally would tell us all that he won't comment as its before the court.
pkelly
2 years ago
Wrong Kinsella...
wstander, your point is well taken, but Warren Kinsella is an influential Ontario Liberal. Patrick Kinsella is lives in BC. I don't know if there is any relation.
Patrick Kinsella is a smart man - even if I disagree with his politics...sort of the Federal Liberals version of Karl Rove. He was the brains behind the Chretien electoral success.
gonefishing
2 years ago
All you need to know
BC Mary has documented this story/scandel
Her blog spot The Legislature raids says " Police raided BC Legislature Dec. 28, 2003. Arrests followed. Court dates: VICTORIA Provincial: A.L.R (Dave Basi) March 11, 2:00 PM; VANCOUVER Supreme Court (A.L.R.) for Jim Duncan and Tony Young: March 18. For Basi Virk Basi (BCRail) VANCOUVER March t.b.a. OTTAWA: SCOC 1-day hearing on secret witness: April 22. Check Court Listings (left margin, for Vancouver click on: Van Court Direct, for Victoria: BC Criminal Court) Be there, let the Court know that the public is watching. - BC Mary
@
http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/
at the left of the page are dates of her archived blogs. Also see Bill Tieleman's blog/page
http://billtieleman.blogspot.com/search?q=A-Z
Five years after the legislature raid, a who's who guide to BC's biggest political scandal.
View full article and comments here:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2008/12/29/Railgate/
TheTyee.ca
Published: December 29, 2008
The B.C. legislature raid marked its fifth anniversary yesterday -- without the corruption trial of former B.C. Liberal government aides David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi having even started.
In an unprecedented event on Dec. 28, 2003, police raided the B.C. legislature and carted out dozens of boxes and other material under the watchful eye of television cameras.
Be carefull,The things you learn will keep you awake at night.
EM
verso
2 years ago
pkelly
"atrick Kinsella is a smart man - even if I disagree with his politics...sort of the Federal Liberals version of Karl Rove. He was the brains behind the atrick Kinsella is a smart man - even if I disagree with his politics...sort of the Federal Liberals version of Karl Rove. He was the brains behind the Chretien electoral success."
I think you mean to say, "Warren Kinsella... the brains behind the Chretien electoral success."
Patrick is the BC guy.
RossK
2 years ago
wstander's first question, though.....
...is a good one.
I mean, with this 'we can't answer because it is a matter before the courts' response, are Mr. Oppal, and Mr. Falcon too, not actually suggesting that the matter is, indeed, before the courts?
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