Attorney-general Wally Oppal plans to stay mum on the controversial BC Rail deal for his entire campaign.
“You know what? I’d like to comment on that case – I would love to comment on it,” he told The Tyee after a debate in Ladner last night. “But it would be wrong for me to do it.”
As the chief law officer in the province, Oppal said he’s not entitled to speak about a matter that’s before the provincial Supreme Court.
“I’ll be making comments on the case when the case is finished,” he said.
In 2003, Gordon Campbell’s Liberal government sold BC Rail after promising voters he wouldn’t. An investigation into the sale of the crown corporation to CN Rail ignited one of the biggest political scandals in the province’s history.
Allegations that key Liberal aides and controversial lobbyist Patrick Kinsella helped give CN an inside track on a rigged bidding process are at its heart.
With the case in pre-trial hearings, it’s unlikely a verdict will be reached for months – or even years.
Oppal said he’s aware the likelihood of comment is almost zero during his bid to beat Independent challenger Vicki Huntington for Delta South.
“The public has to judge me by what I think is morally the right thing to do,” the former Supreme Court of B.C. justice said. “I took an oath when I was a judge – an oath as a cabinet minister. I will not get politically involved.”
Oppal frequently uses the sub judice rule to support his position. Authorities tend to define the term as a convention that shouldn’t get in the way of public debate.
Geoff Dembicki is a staff reporter for The Tyee.
4
Login or register to post comments
DPL
3 years ago
Wally has memorised a
Wally has memorised a sentance or two and keeps repeating them no matter that many law experts says he is dead wrong. He is protecting Gordo just like the nice carttoon in The Province a couple of weeks ago showed. By By Wally, Where will you be setting up your law practice?
Skywalker
3 years ago
It won't matter later.
After everyone is out of the burning building no one wants to hear somebody yell fire. It is too late then. So Wally if you have something to say, you had better say it now. After we really won't care if you yell "fire".
bcliberals_suck
3 years ago
Wally Sub Judices Himself out of a Job
Wally, it must really stick in your craw that after everything you've done to cover-up for the party they've pushed you out of office. You know you don't stand a chance in Delta against Vicki Huntington after you've ignored the entire riding your whole run. She came so close to beating Roddick last time and so many are tired of what Campbell and his Liberal puppets and globalist corporate masters have done to trample over the citizens and voters in this riding.
It must also be hard to think of the fact how degraded the so-called justice system has become under your watch. You have the distinction of being Attorney General during a time when BC's most vulnerable citizen's right to justice has been downgraded to unparalleled conditions, the civil and human rights of so many denied. When BC has become one of the most expensive jurisdictions in Canada to seek justice in the courts. Where abused women and their children no longer receive legal representation, or people accused of criminal acts. Legal aid has made unprecedented cuts to citizens accessibility to legal representation. I don't think you thought it would turn out like this, at least I hope not. It would truly make you one of them.
On the upside, you'll be taken care of, they always reward their errand boys, the ones they compromise and sacrifice to deflect from their many actions. You must know that, you've been inside long enough to see it many times by now.
“The public has to judge me by what I think is morally the right thing to do,” the former Supreme Court of B.C. justice said. “I took an oath when I was a judge – an oath as a cabinet minister. I will not get politically involved.”
You've got that right. I'm sure the people of Delta South will second those words on May 12th.
cfvua
3 years ago
BC Rail
I hope that Ms. Huntington flattens the liberals in this contest as an illustation of the frustration of people in the north whose livelihoods were better due to having a service oriented railway, that actually made money and would have done better if not for being boxed in to the province by CN and some of the other vultures that came running trying to steal it. Mr Oppal wont' have too much trouble finding clients when this scandal blows up in their faces, as there is plenty of blame to go around. Flipping on the give-away should be enough to get the liberals bounced. Go Vicki. You have my support.