Premier Christy Clark says former Multiculturalism Minister John Yap won't be returning to cabinet in the foreseeable future after the review of the B.C. Liberal government’s ethnic scandal wrapped up March 14.
The internal review of the Clark government's ethnic outreach strategy found two "serious breaches" of the public service code of conduct, and e-mail evidence that clearly showed Yap was fully aware of attempts to cover up the improper use of government resources.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says the use of government funds for pre-election ethnic strategies is an “unfortunate incident.”
“I am disillusioned. I am disgusted. I think the wording in the documentation that I read is very unacceptable.”
The review report also identified former ministry communications director Brian Bonney as having spent about half of his work time on partisan activities, for which he was paid $124,000 over 18 months.
Bonney's work involved a group of government employees – some of them were premier's office staff – that initiated a strategy to hire three ethnic outreach contractors.
The plan was leaked to the B.C. NDP through a September 2012 memo outlining a plan for ethnic-themed events, apologies for historic wrongs, including the head tax on Chinese immigrants, and compiling lists of ethnic residents for use in the May 2013 election campaign by the BC Liberal Party.
Barnett says she doesn't approve of singling out ethnic voters and targeting them.
“I am a person who believes in inclusion of everybody. I don't care what colour you are, what your sexual orientation is, what your race, creed or anything else is. We are all equal people and we shall be treated equally.”
She also indicates her disappointment to see the evidence of government time and money used for this purpose.
“If you do this on your own time, on your own computer, that's a little different. But, it still shouldn't have been done.”
While many people in the party were privy to the ethnic strategy initiated last fall, Barnett says she did not find out about it until recently.
“I found out in question period [on March 6].”
When Clark tabled the review report in legislature, she promised to take action on all its recommendations.
The premier also told reporters the BC Liberal Party has already paid back $70,000 to the government – roughly half of Bonney's salary plus the amount paid to the sole contractor who had briefly commenced work.
Yap's executive assistant, Mike Lee, mentions the hiring of three contractors in one of 10,000 e-mails reviewed in the investigation from both personal and government accounts.
In his personal e-mail to Yap and Bonney, Lee wrote "it is absolutely critical that we do not leave any evidence in us helping them through this application."
In Yap's reply, he wrote he “appreciates” the efforts made with three requests for qualifications of ethnic outreach contractors. “Great job. Let's now hope for the best."
Kim Haakstad has already resigned as Clark’s deputy chief of staff for her involvement in the ethnic strategy memo last fall, and Bonney left government staff in February, shortly before it was leaked.
Lee has also since resigned.
Barnett says she thinks the B.C. Liberals can withstand any damage from the scandal to its credibility as a government.
“It is morally wrong. But, if there is something done that is against the rules, the legislation of the House, they have to be dealt with.
“I think, personally, it was not the right thing to happen, it was not the right thing to be done, and the people who were involved in it have got to be made to take responsibility.”
As a voter, Barnett says she would look to the local candidates in the riding first and foremost, and their track record of action.
“Look at the candidates to see 'what has that person done in my riding to make the quality of life better? Who are they, what have they done in that past, what is their belief?'
She would also look at the candidate's party platform, she adds.
“Are you just there to scream and holler, do you just want a paycheque, are you a socialist, and are you a free enterpriser? All those type of things.”
In this election, Barnett says she hopes the voters concentrate on those aspects rather than on the ethnic strategy.
“The premier did apologize to the people of the province of British Columbia.”